TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2017 SPORTS Real Madrid boss Perez tackles Ronaldo problem MADRID: Florentino Perez’s first task after being among the first issues he will have to deal with is have made a decision. There is no turning back.” paid sports star in the world with $93 million (83m reelected unopposed as Real Madrid president yes- superstar Ronaldo who he bought in 2009 from Portuguese sports daily A Bola also claimed that euro) in 2016-2017. terday will be to appease superstar Cristiano Manchester United for a record 94 million euros Perez had already been informed of the 32-year- Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea Ronaldo amid speculation the four-time world play- ($105.3 million). Ronaldo is threatening to leave old’s decision. are also reported to be interested. er of the year wants to leave. Spain after running into problems with tax There has been speculation that Ronaldo is try- Under Perez, Real Madrid have won three “As no other candidature was put forward to the authorities. ing to put pressure on Real so that they will bear Champions League titles in four seasons. The club- board ... it is proclaimed that Mr Florentino Perez The frenzy of speculation began soon after some of the burden of an eventual fine as which also won La Liga last season-lead the way in Rodriguez is president of Real Madrid,” the Spanish Ronaldo was accused last week of a 14.7 million Barcelona did for Lionel Messi. the elite European competition with 12 trophies. and European champions said in a statement. euro tax evasion through offshore companies. Among the clubs reported to be interested in Perez’s opponents have criticised reforms in the The 70-year-old construction magnate’s third The Portuguese international is currently in Ronaldo is former club Manchester United for a fee club statutes which have toughened criteria for term in charge of Europe’s most successful club Russia competing for the European champions in which could hit 200 million euros, with a possible aspiring candidates. Candidates must now have spanning 15 years — 2000-2006 and since 2009 the Confederations Cup. get-out clause of one billion euros. been a member of Real for over 20 years, compared — will be rubber stamped at a ceremony at the And according to Spanish sports daily Marca, Since extending his contract in November until to the old requirement of 10 years, and have a per- Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium later Monday. And Ronaldo has told his teammates: “I’m leaving Real. I 2021, Ronaldo is according to Forbes the highest sonal fortune of over 75 million euros. — AFP Chile beat Cameroon, video reviews draw controversy MOSCOW: Alexis Sanchez came off the bench following an ankle injury in training - bench to set up both Chile’s goals in a 2-0 crossed for Vidal to head in at the far post. Confederations Cup win over on Sunday - Chile made it 2-0 in added time, when but the video assistant referees were the Sanchez charged through the Chilean real stars. defense, but saw his shot saved by Ondoa, Crowded in front of screens in a dark- only for Vargas to score the rebound. A ened room, they disallowed a goal for lengthy review found Sanchez hadn’t been Chile’s narrowly offside Eduardo Vargas just offside when he received the ball. before the break, then awarded Vargas a Despite watching his team concede on goal in similar circumstances late on. With a video review in its first Confederations the video review system getting its first air- Cup game since 2003, Cameroon coach ing in a major FIFA tournament, it brought Hugo Broos was enthusiastic about the sys- plenty of tension, but also confusion and tem. “Of course if they go overboard with bitterness. these types of situations, it could turn into Arturo Vidal’s 81st-minute header from a circus. But in this case I think it was useful a Sanchez cross finally gave Chile the lead, and very important,” he said. “If you have before Sanchez set up Vargas in added these situations several times in each time for the second. Chile missed several match, then it won’t be very comfortable early chances despite clear dominance for the players.” over defensive-minded Cameroon, but South American champion Chile may thought they’d taken the lead in first-half have fumed at the first video review, but stoppage time when Vidal passed the ball its players also had themselves to blame to Vargas, who slotted the ball past Fabrice in a first half packed with missed Ondoa. Referee Damir Skomina awarded chances. Cameroon was under pressure the goal and Chile’s players started an immediately, when Eduardo Vargas’ first- elaborate goal celebration, but the deci- minute shot cannoned off the post and sion was then sent for video review. rebounded back into Ondoa, almost Players milled about in confusion, some going in. briefly appearing to think the referee had Ondoa had to palm away a Jose blown for half-time, and Chile’s many travel- Fuenzalida shot two minutes later as Chile ing fans struggled to understand what was took firm control. With Cameroon’s KAZAN: Mexico’s defender Hector Moreno (15) heads the ball and scores during the 2017 Confederations Cup group A football match going on. defense playing narrow and ceding the between Portugal and Mexico at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on Sunday. — AFP The review found Vargas offside by a flanks to Chile, Ondoa was also called matter of inches, enraging him and Vidal, upon to block a shot from Edson Puch, who angrily complained to Skomina when while Vargas blazed the ball over the bar SOCCER he blew for half time. in the 40th minute. “After the first half we could’ve been up Cameroon’s chances came thanks to 1-0, and 20 seconds later, the players go to occasional poor passing at the back from Ronaldo’s Portugal held the locker room tied at 0-0,” Chile coach Chile, with Vincent Aboubakar forcing a Juan Antonio Pizzi said. “It’s disheartening, save in the 11th from keeper Johnny and we’re not used to the emotions that Herrera, in for the injured Claudio Bravo. this situation generates, so we have to give The Cameroonians got the ball in the net by Mexico at Confed Cup it some time to see how it develops”. once, but the whistle had already gone for a That seemed to dent Chile’s confidence, foul on Vidal, by the time Michael Ngadeu and Cameroon became more adventurous, Ngadjui headed the ball into the net from a KAZAN: Cristiano Ronaldo brushed off specula- ball a huge result,” he said. “We still need to be denied. The Euro 2016 winners took the lead at least until Alexis Sanchez - coming off the 17th-minute free kick. — AP tion about his Real Madrid future, although work on our finishing, we’re not efficient on 34 minutes when Ronaldo sprinted into the Portugal conceded a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw enough in the final third of the pitch. box and his beautifully-timed pass found with Mexico at the Confederations Cup on “The next match will be very tough because Quaresma unmarked in the area. The Besiktas Sunday. New Zealand will give it their all.” Ronaldo, 32, is winger drew Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ronaldo teed up Ricardo Quaresma to fire reportedly furious over a tax probe into the off- Ochoa and tapped home the opening goal. Portugal ahead in the first half in Kazan, but the shore accounts dealing with his image rights, But Mexico responded with Hernandez test- goal was cancelled out before the break by and has reportedly vowed to leave Spain. ing Portugal keeper Rui Patricio, before putting Mexico striker Javier Hernandez’s bullet header. According to Spanish paper Marca on his side level. Mexico’s all-time top scorer Cedric Soares restored Portugal’s lead on 86 Sunday, Real Madrid’s coach Zinedine Zidane grabbed his 48th international goal from 93 minutes, but Hector Moreno’s stoppage-time even broke off his holiday to call Ronaldo to try appearances after some dreadful defending by header salvaged a point for Mexico in their to persuade his star not to quit the club. Portugal. Group A opener. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Raphael “We could have killed off the match but it VIDEO ASSISTANCE Guerreiro failed to deal with a cross into the box didn’t happen. The draw is a fair result without But Portugal’s talisman was at his best in an and Carlos Vela teed up Hernandez, who met doubt,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, action-packed first half in his team’s opening the cross with a diving header. whose side wore black armbands in honour of match, with hosts Russia and New Zealand still After an explosive opening period, the sec- the victims of a deadly forest fire back home. to come in the group. ond was a much tamer affair as both teams “I would like to say something on behalf of Ronaldo’s superb volley looked to have squandered half chances as the tempo my players. People are very sad in Portugal and helped Portugal take the lead, but the video dropped. the players are thinking of all those who are suf- assistant referee came to Mexico’s rescue after With time running out, Southampton right- fering from what’s happened.” Nani had put the ball in the net. back Cedric pounced on a loose ball and Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said his When Ronaldo’s volley thumped the cross- slammed home Portugal’s second goal.