THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 SPORTS No club compensation for winter World Cup

DOHA: Soccer’s world governing body FIFA flexed “Why should we apologise to the clubs? We have meeting with Qatar’s 2022 organising committee. nology will continue... our research will continue,” its muscles again yesterday when it announced that had an agreement with the clubs that they are part “It is a very special World Cup to organise he said. Despite its vast oil and gas reserves, Qatar clubs will not get compensation for losing players of the beneficiaries. It was $40m (25.8million because we would describe Qatar 2022 as a com- like other Gulf states has been hit by the drop in and suffering domestic disruption due to a 2022 pounds) in 2010 and $70m (£45m) in 2014. pact World Cup,” he added. “Normally we are look- prices which has affected several energy and con- winter World Cup in Qatar. On Tuesday, European Clubs’ Association chair- ing at 10 (stadiums) but it could be eight.” struction projects. A day after a FIFA task force angered Europe’s man Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Europe’s clubs But Al Thawadi said completing World Cup-relat- clubs by recommending a November/December would seek financial compensation, but Valcke MAJOR CHALLENGES ed projects was part of the Gulf state’s economic tournament, the organisation’s secretary general, ruled that out following a meeting of a FIFA task One of the major challenges facing Qatar was diversification and “lavish spending” on projects Jerome Valcke, told reporters there would be no force in the Qatari capital. finding an efficient and cost effective way to cool was an option the state was pursuing. financial payments for any disruption to domestic The proposed new dates for the event are set to down stadiums during the scorching summer During Valcke’s visit to the Gulf state, which has leagues. “There will be no compensation. I mean be ratified by FIFA’s executive committee next months, which the Gulf state’s organising commit- been repeatedly criticised for neglecting workers’ they have seven years to reorganise football around month. Valke also said the duration of the 2022 tee said they were committed to delivering. rights, he said World Cup projects could bring hope the world for this World Cup,” said Valcke when tournament is set be cut from 32 to 28 days, mean- If the finals are held in the winter the need for for improvement in this area. asked if any payment would be made following the ing more games will be played per day, so a country cooling technology will be reduced, although 2022 “If the standard for all construction sites in Qatar shift from the originally proposed dates of a of Qatar’s size might need fewer stadiums. organising committee chief Hassan Al Thawadi told reach the level of standard we have for all the spe- European summer tournament. “We are talking about a reduction of the compe- Wednesday’s news conference that the research cific World Cup construction site, then a big step “It’s not perfect, we know that-but why are we tition in terms of the number of competition days. would carry on. “We have always said that the cool- will be made in the country for this working condi- talking about compensation? It’s happening once, We are talking about 28 days and not anymore 32 ing technology will be the legacy of the World Cup tions.” “We use the World Cup as a way to change a we’re not destroying football. days,” Valcke told reporters following the first board and beyond... our development of the cooling tech- country,” he added. — Reuters Murray in a hurry

DUBAI: Andy Murray scored his most one- matches, you’re not allowed to say that,” sided victory for eight months and his easi- Murray replied with an edge to his voice, est win over a top 50 player for nearly six explaining that “I am a wee bit careful when years when he trounced Joao Sousa, the I say about trying out things, because of Portuguese number one, 6-0, 6-2. when I was here a few years ago.” His rapid fire win yesterday books a Murray gained his biggest cheer when place in the quarter-finals of the Dubai he hinted he might wear a kilt for his wed- Open. It lasted less than an hour and con- ding to Kim Sears, the daughter of a well- firmed the impression that the former known English coach in a few weeks’ time. Wimbledon and US Open champion is a far He also suggested that last year’s mod- fitter and more confident player now than est form had been partly due to the loss of at any time during 2014, and capable once his coach Ivan Lendl, the former French again of winning big titles. Murray served Open champion, as well as his protracted more consistently than in his opening recovery from a back operation. match, applied consistent pressure whilst “My game, I think, suffered a little bit playing within himself, and had the match because of that, as well,” he said. “You know, completely under control from the moment now I feel like, you know, I’m heading in the he broke serve early in the second set. right direction again. I feel like my body is The unfortunate Sousa, ranked 50, was good, which is obviously a big part of it. “I increasingly rattled into more errors, and think when you feel physically strong, I do did not get on to the scoreboard until the think that makes you a bit stronger mental- ninth game after which he very briefly ly, as well. I definitely believe the two are,? showed glimpses of the form which once well, for me, anyway, they are very, very took him inside the top 40. closely linked.” “Today I thought I just picked the right Murray thus looks a good bet for a semi- shots and played the right way when he final place, where the seedings say he was struggling,” Murray said. “I didn’t give should face Roger Federer, a six-time former him any free points. I didn’t make, you champion. He next plays Borna Coric, a know, just sort of needless errors. Croatian lucky loser, who also had a little “You know, I wasn’t just going for shots luck at the end of his long drawn out win just because I was up 4-0. I thought I made over Marcos Baghdatis, the former good decisions and didn’t give him any- Australian Open finalist. The Cypriot wild ST PETERSBURG: PSV Eindhoven’s players attend a training session in St.Petersburg, . PSV Eindhoven will face Zenit in the round of 32 thing for free, and he was getting more frus- card entry retired with cramp at four points Europa League match today. — AP trated because he couldn’t get any free all in the final set tie-break, having led 5-3 in points and then was going for more and in the final set and being unable to close more shots and obviously making more the match out at 5-4 on his serve. The score Rome riots spark concern errors because of it.” was 6-4, 3-6, 6-6 (4-4 retired). Another The only negative feelings after his qui- thriller was won by Richard Gasquet. etly rapid performance came when a ques- The former number one Frenchman tioner inadvertently reminded Murray of overcame Roberto Bautista Agut, the sev- ahead of Europa League criticisms he received here three years ago enth seeded Spaniard, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), when he admitted after a defeat that he recovering from 4-2 down in the final set for had used the match for practice. Were there the second successive time (the first was ROME: Riots in Rome last week have sparked Roma hosts leader Juventus on Monday in a 1 vs. Wolfsburg takes a 2-0 first-leg lead to Sporting areas of his game he was trying to work on, against Andreas Seppi on Monday) and sav- extra anti-violence measures for several of 2 matchup in . Elsewhere, Liverpool visits Lisbon. The Dutchman has scored eight goals in he was now asked. “It’s funny how, when ing a match point at 6-7 in the final set tie- today’s second-leg matches in the Europa the Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium in Istanbul for the three matches in the past week and has 11 in 11 you win matches, it’s okay to say you’re try- break before prevailing in two hours and 21 League’s last 32. first time since its win in the 2005 Champions matches this . ing something out, and when you lose minutes. — AFP Police in Rotterdam are tightening security League final when it carries a 1-0 lead into the It wasn’t always like that. Dost struggled for and drafting in reinforcements ahead of a highly second leg against Besiktas. The draw for the last two seasons in Wolfsburg before finally making charged match between Feyenoord and Roma 16 will be held Friday in Nyon, Switzerland. his breakthrough. Often injured and unfit, beset after Dutch fans destroyed a 400-year-old foun- Here are some other things to know about by self-doubt and lack of opportunity, Dost was tain before the first leg last week, which ended today’s games: nearly forgotten. But Wolfsburg coach Dieter 1-1. The problems in Rome have prompted wor- Hecking adamantly refused to let Dost leave the ries over artistic treasures in Florence ahead of DEFENDER vs. MIGHTY CONTENDER club and the striker is now repaying the confi- Tottenham’s visit to Fiorentina following a 1-1 Reigning champion Sevilla travels to Borussia dence. Dost scored four goals in a 5-4 win over draw in London. Moenchengladbach with one eye fixed on a Leverkusen, notched two against Sporting and With 2,200 Tottenham supporters expected in tough Spanish league match against Atletico then got both in a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. the Renaissance city, Florence officials will be Madrid awaiting it on Sunday. “It’s all just working out now,” Dost said. “I am posting extra police around the historic center’s Sevilla will look to preserve its 1-0 first-leg having a lot of fun now and I hope it stays that monuments and museums. lead aware that Moenchengladbach is unbeaten way for a long time.” And with Celtic heading to Milan to face Inter in seven European home games - having won after a 3-3 first-leg draw, the Scottish club’s assis- five - and that it has scored 16 goals and conced- ICARDI’S WORTH tant manager John Collins warned supporters ed just one in four Europa League matches at With four goals in his last three matches for that it is “vitally important” to behave in the Borussia-Park. However, the hosts have not won , Mauro Icardi has drawn level with northern Italian city. Celtic was fined 10,000 at home against Spanish opposition in the last Juventus striker atop the Serie A euros ($11,000) by UEFA for crowd disturbances two matches, losing to Espanyol in 1987 and scoring chart at 14 goals apiece. at a match in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb last drawing against Villarreal in this season’s group With a contract that pays him an estimated year. Inter has won three straight in Serie A but is stage. “We play against a powerful side that has 900,000 euros ($1 million) per season and is due still eighth in the Italian league, meaning its best twice our budget, a very mighty squad that is to expire in 2018, Icardi understandably is in the route to qualifying for the Champions League third in the Bundesliga, but I’m confident we will market for an upgrade. could come by winning the Europe’s second-tier win,” Sevilla president Jose Castro said. Between While Inter is reportedly prepared to offer competition. Sevilla and Moenchengladbach, the teams have Icardi a new deal worth 2.7 million euros ($3 mil- Roma and Tottenham will each be seeking won this competition five times. lion) per season, the Gazzetta dello Sport reports smooth nights so they can prepare for a couple that the club might also consider selling the other big upcoming matches. Tottenham faces BAS THE BOSS Argentina international for something like 40 DUBAI: Andy Murray of Great Britain returns the ball to Joao Sousa of Spain during a Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday while Bas Dost will be in the spotlight when million euros ($45 million). — AP match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. — AP Tevez drops tantrums to find new lease of life African Cup moved

TURIN: Italian football has become the badge on the front. That’s the as Juventus won Serie A by a 17-point ed last year’s World Cup. Juve have man- to June 2023 something of a refuge for players who biggest responsibility,” he told margin and is joint leading scorer in aged to tame the wilder instincts of a have fallen out of favor in other Tuttosport in a recent interview. Serie A this term with 14 goals. In player who was once sent once sent off DOHA: The 2023 African Cup of Nations in Guinea will move European leagues or are reaching the between, he has also been recalled by for Boca Juniors in his homenad after from January to June because of FIFA’s plan to switch the 2022 twilight of their careers. END OF EXILE new Argentina coach , celebrating a goal against River Plate by World Cup dates to November-December, FIFA secretary general Players such as Kaka, Mario He scored 21 goals in his first season ending a three-year exile which includ- flapping his arms to imitate a chicken, a Jerome Valcke said yesterday. Balotelli, Patrice Evra, Ashley Cole, reference to that fact Boca fans use Valcke said the switch was a concession to clubs who don’t Nemanja Vidic, Fernando Torres, Rafael “chickens” as a derogatory nickname for want to lose their African players for back-to-back tournaments. Marquez and Javier Saviola have all their arch-rivals. Instead, his trademark The 2022 World Cup is set to finish in late December and the moved to Serie A in the last two years, celebration is to pull a baby’s dummy African Cup had been scheduled to start in mid-January 2023. to either revive their careers or from his shorts and put it in his mouth, a “The African confederation has automatically and I would say squeeze a few more years out of them. tribute to his daughter. nicely agreed that they will not organize in January ‘23,” Valcke Many, such as Balotelli and Torres, But the old verve and tenacity are said. “They will have to postpone the African Cup of Nations to struggle and quickly move on, but still there, and combined with his June to avoid that there is a release of the African players for the there has been one outstanding suc- speed, instinct for goal and skill make World Cup and two weeks after for the African Cup.” Confederation of African Football spokesman Junior Binyam cess story. Argentina forward Carlos him a nightmare for defenders, as said in an email to The Associated Press that he was not yet Tevez, who led Juventus to a 2-1 win Borussia found on Tuesday. aware of FIFA’s decision to move the African Cup, but CAF would over Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday’s He was too hot for the Bundesliga still support any recommendations by the FIFA task force. Champions League tie, has breathed side to handle and also started the FIFA recommended Tuesday that the 2022 World Cup move new life into his career since joining move which led to Juve’s second goal to the cooler months at the end of the year, protecting players the Serie A champions from just before halftime. and fans from the 40-degree C (104-degree F) heat of Qatar’s Manchester City in June 2013. This season, he has also struck up summer. CAF backs “100 percent the proposals of the task force Worn out after four eventful sea- an excellent understanding with and will adjust its calendar accordingly when a final decision will sons at City, Tevez was also shunned Spanish forward Alvaro Morata, signed be made on the schedule of 2022,” Binyam wrote. by then Argentina coach Alejandro from Real Madrid before the start of Clubs are obliged to release players for major tournaments Sabella amid speculation that he was the season. “We’ve been playing like the African Cup of Nations. FIFA will confirm the exact 2022 considered too much of a disruptive together more regularly and you can World Cup dates for Qatar next month. influence. see that on the field,” he said after Protecting the World Cup from severe weather in Qatar But it has all gone right at Juventus Tuesday’s game. Tevez has already may hamper the 2023 African Cup, however. The monsoonal where the 31-year-old has not looked made it clear that he will end his rainy season in the West African nation of Guinea normally back since being given a rapturous career back at Boca. starts in June. “We are all making a number of concessions to make sure that this World Cup can be played, for the players, reception by the supporters and hand- “When I joined Juve I was very clear for the fans, for the media, for whoever is attending the World ed the number 10 shirt. it’d be my last contract before return- Cup in the best conditions,” Valcke said. “It is not perfect, we “The number 10 will always belong ing Boca. But first I want to win every- know that.” — AP to but I think of ITALY: Juventus’ Argentinian forward Alberto Carlos Tevez. — AFP thing here.” — Reuters