S P O R T S MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 Blatter, Platini risk suspension amid FIFA ethics probe GENEVA: The future of embattled FIFA president million-dollar payment. Swiss prosecutors said self, he will be suspended within days,” the been accused of corruption and conflict of interest and his heir-apparent Friday that Blatter was being investigated over the SonntagsZeitung weekly wrote, citing an inside in the past. Instead, he called for a “transitional pres- was in play yesterday, as they faced scrutiny by the 2005 sale of World Cup television rights to the source. ident who did not grow up within the system, and football world body’s ethics committee that could Caribbean Football Union, then run by his former A former FIFA insider, who requested anonymity, who has not profited from the system,” suggesting end with suspension. ally Jack Warner, a deal which had been however told AFP that a probe by the ethics com- an interim leader should spend two years at the Committee spokesman Andreas Bantel told AFP “unfavourable for FIFA”. mittee did not necessarily mean Blatter would face helm reforming FIFA before handing over the reins he could not comment on individual cases, and suspension. “It is not automatic, neither for him, nor to a more long-term leader. refused to confirm reports that the committee had Suspended within days? Platini,” he said. If Platini is suspended he could be Pieth said Theo Zwanziger, the 70-year-old for- opened a probe against the two most powerful Blatter, who has denied any wrongdoing, was barred from standing in the February 26 election to mer head of the German football association, would men in football. also suspected of making a “disloyal payment” of succeed Blatter. be the best man for the interim job since he had But he emphasised that “if there is an initial sus- two million dollars to Platini in February 2011 If Blatter were to be suspended, meanwhile, he long been a powerful critic of the decision to award picion, the Investigatory Chamber of the Ethics allegedly made for work the Frenchman carried out would likely be forced to step down before the the 2022 World Cup to Qatar-a major element in Committee initiates a formal proceedings.” “These for FIFA between 1999 and 2002. February vote, bringing a rapid and ignomious end corruption allegations engulfing FIFA. rules apply to all people in football regardless of The UEFA chief defended the payment as com- to his 17-year FIFA reign. Blatter’s former personal public relations advisor, their position or name,” he wrote in an email. pensation for work he conducted under contract Klaus Stoehlker, meanwhile told Schweiz am And there is plenty of suspicion to go around, with FIFA, but did not explain why it arrived nearly a Interim chief needed Sonntag that the FIFA president was unlikely to with the ethics committee expected to meet in the decade after he completed the work. Blatter was re-elected to a fifth term at FIFA’s make a hasty exit. “A premature withdrawal is not coming days. In a dramatic escalation of the corrup- Friday’s stunning development came after congress in May despite the erupting scandal, but up for discussion... The president remains president,” tion scandal engulfing world football since May, months of probes following raids in Zurich which then announced on June 4 that he would stand Stoehlker told the paper, insisting that the allega- Swiss investigators swept into FIFA’s headquarters led to the indictment of more than a dozen top offi- down in February. If Blatter leaves, Cameroonian tions against Blatter were “groundless.” on Friday as they turned their attention to Blatter cials. The FIFA ethics committee moved quicker FIFA vice president would temporarily He suggested Blatter could even “stay on beyond and Platini. back then, waiting barely 24 hours to suspend the take the reins. February 26, so FIFA can function” if no appropriate Authorities said a criminal investigation had officials snapped up in the May 27 dawn raid. But Mark Pieth, a former FIFA reform chief, told successor was found. Platini himself also appeared been opened against Blatter on suspicion of crimi- Media was awash Sunday with speculation over the SonntagsBlick weekly the 69-year-old who has to be taking the commotion in his stride. nal mismanagement, while UEFA chief Platini, who how long 79-year-old Blatter could hold on, and if headed African football since 1998 was not suitable. A source close to the UEFA chief told AFP Sunday was favourite to win an election to find a successor Platini, his 60-year-old former ally, still had a chance “He is also a member of System Blatter”, Pieth said, he “is calm, he is serene. He has done nothing to Blatter, had come under scrutiny over a multi- to take his place. “If Blatter does not step down him- pointing out that the Cameroonian himself had wrong.” — AFP

Messi faces two-month injury layoff, Madrid held by Malaga MADRID: Lionel Messi will be out for up to advantage of an error from Javier Mascherano eight weeks with knee ligament damage suf- to pull a goal back as Viera’s shot deflected in fered as Barcelona beat Las Palmas 2-1 on off Gerard Pique. At the Bernabeu, Madrid Saturday. failed to move back to the top of the table as Barca’s troubles were eased, though, as they were denied by an inspired display from Real Madrid remain a point behind the Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni. Catalans after being held 0-0 at home by 10- “Football has these type of things. You man Malaga. Villarreal now lead as Leo dominate a large part of the game, create Baptistao scored the only goal of the game loads of chances, but if you aren’t clinical you against his parent club Atletico Madrid. end up drawing 0-0,” said Madrid boss Rafael Luis Suarez struck twice to ensure no more Benitez. “I think we created enough chances damage was done to Barca’s title chances, but to score and take the three points.” Cristiano the hosts were left hanging on after Jonathan Ronaldo had an early goal ruled out for offside Viera’s deflected effort three minutes from before Kameni got down well to twice turn time halved the deficit. efforts from Jese Rodriguez behind. “Firstly, it is always sad when a player gets Madrid launched wave upon wave of injured. It is without doubt the worst thing in attack towards the Malaga goal, but were football for the players,” said Barca boss Luis repelled by Kameni as he made an incredible Enrique. “Obviously, when it is Leo Messi even save to deny a fiercely struck volley from more so for the weight he carries amongst our Ronaldo as his wait to become the club’s all- group. “It is logical in football that players will time leading scorer continued. get injured and we have to know how to over- Malaga also had their chances to win the come it. I am sure we will perform at a good game, though, as Keylor Navas produced a level.” Barca had been humiliated 4-1 at Celta stunning save from Juan Carlos’s free-kick, Vigo in midweek and hopes of a trouble-free whilst Nordin Amrabat fired wide with just afternoon were ended after just 10 minutes Navas to beat. Captain Weligton deflected a when Messi injured his left knee in a clash goalbound header from Ronaldo wide and with Pedro Bigas. Messi, 28, was injured as he cleared off the line when Isco had squeezed a tried to turn the ball home after taking a won- shot past Kameni. derful first touch inside the area. However, Madrid claimed the ball had The four-time World Player of the Year crossed the line before the Brazilian hooked MARSEILLE: Angers’ French forward Billy Ketkeophomphon (L) vies with Marseille’s French midfielder Lassana Diarra (R) during the French L1 briefly returned to the field after receiving the ball to safety and there was another con- football match between Marseille and Angers yesterday at the velodrome stadium in Marseille, southwestern France. — AFP treatment, but was clearly unable to run freely troversial call seconds later as Amrabat was before he was replaced by . shown a straight red card for an elbow on Suarez opened the scoring on 25 minutes Marcelo. Ronaldo had one final chance to as he rose to head home Sergi Roberto’s inch- snatch all three points at the death, but his perfect cross from the right to settle Barca’s header from point-blank range flew over as nerves. Barca made sure of a return to win- the hosts were left frustrated. Angers heap more ning ways thanks to a wonderful team move Both Madrid sides head into next week- seven minutes after the break as Neymar end’s derby with disappointing results as picked out Munir and his cross was left by Atletico failed to respond to Baptistao’s well- Sergio Busquets for Suarez to fire into the top worked goal 13 minutes in. misery on Marseille corner. Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa were denied by fine saves by Alphonse Areola late PARIS: Marseille’s dismal start to the season contin- Suarez trickery on in either half, but Villarreal were deserving ued with a woeful 2-1 defeat at home to Suarez was involved once more as his trick- winners as they moved ahead of Barcelona by newboys Angers yesterday. Goals from Thomas ery forced former Everton defender Antolin a point at the top of the table. Celta also Mangani, a penalty, and Romain Thomas had Alcaraz into handling inside the area. The missed the chance to go top as they were held Marseille in deep trouble at the Stade Velodrome Uruguayan unselfishly gave up the chance of 1-1 at Eibar. At the other end of the table, before Michy Batshuayi reduced the deficit 11 min- netting a hat-trick to allow Neymar to take Sevilla moved off the bottom with their first utes from time, again from the spot. responsibility from the spot, but he blasted league win of the season thanks to Yevhen The result left Michel’s struggling side down in over. Barca were then forced to see out a nerv- Konoplyanka’s winner six minutes from time the bottom half of the table, just four points above ous last few minutes as Las Palmas took to overcome Rayo Vallecano 3-2. — AFP the relegation zone. “We played very badly in the first half, that’s not the way to start a match,” moaned Michel. “We weren’t in the match and were below par ‘Moody’ Kane relieved for many minutes. We lacked creativity and penetra- tion. “I can’t explain it but we’ll have to find a solu- tion.” Angers continued their impressive return to to end Spurs drought the top flight after an absence of 21 years as they LONDON: Harry Kane expressed relief at Kevin De Bruyne’s third goal in three moved into fifth, but level on points with third- ending his goal drought in Tottenham games appeared to have put City in con- placed Rennes. Hotspur’s 4-1 triumph over Manchester trol, but Tottenham levelled on the stroke “Fifteen points after eight matches is crazy,” said City, but conceded his barren spell had of half-time through Eric Dier, despite a Angers coach Stephane Moulin. “We managed to affected him away from the pitch. The clear offside against Kyle Walker in the play to our strengths, the strengths of our club, our England striker failed to score in his build-up. Toby Alderweireld headed generosity, collective discipline. “We’re not crazy, we opening seven club games this season Spurs into the lead early in the second know Marseille are better than us, individually and before getting off the mark with Spurs’ period and Kane added a 61st-minute collectively, but in football little teams can make life third goal in their victory against City at third, again after another generous off- difficult for the big ones.” GUINGAMP: Guingamp’s French forward Julien Begue (L) vies with Monaco’s Italian forward White Hart Lane on Saturday. side call, before Erik Lamela wrapped It was a dire finish to a peculiar match in which Stephan El Shaarawy during the French L1 football match between Guingamp and Monaco Kane’s struggles in front of goal had things up. the Velodrome was empty at both ends due to a yesterday at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, northwestern France. — AFP focused attention on the limited attack- In addition to the heaviness of the Ligue 1 punishment related to last weekend’s inci- Nine minutes later the hosts were given a lifeline Benezet brace. The result left Monaco eighth and ing options available to his manager, defeat, there were also injury concerns dents during the 1-1 draw with Lyon, in which sev- as Ferebory Dore brought down Lucas Ocampos Guingamp 13th. Montpellier, the 2012 champions, Mauricio Pochettino. But the 22-year-old, for visiting manager Manuel Pellegrini eral Marseille fans threw missiles at police and onto and Batshuayi despatched the spot-kick. There was got their first win of the season in 2-1 victory over who scored 21 goals last season, says he ahead of Wednesday’s Champions the pitch. Michel’s team failed to muster a single still time for Marseille to snatch a point but Paolo mid-table Lorient. Jonas Martin hit the winner in never lost faith in his ability and now League clash with Borussia shot on goal in the opening period despite domi- De Ceglie, Ocampos, Batshuayi and Cabella all the 57th minute after Lorient’s Rafidine Abdullah hopes his first goal of the domestic cam- Moenchengladbach in Germany. nating possession. But they were caught out when missed good chances. had cancelled out Ramy Bensebaini’s opener, paign means he is back on track. Goalkeeper Joe Hart and centre Vincent Remy Cabella gave away a penalty in bringing although Montpellier remain in the bottom three. “There has been a lot of talk that I Kompany sat the game out and influen- down Arnold Bouka Moutou and Mangani shot Monaco denied Champions Paris Saint-Germain extended their lead haven’t scored yet,” Kane said. “I am a tial midfielder Yaya Toure hobbled off home high down the centre of the goal from 12 A lucky goal from Nicolas Benezet a minute from at the top on Saturday with a 4-1 win at Nantes as confident young man. I have faith in my with a hamstring injury. “I don’t think yards on 38 minutes. time denied Monaco victory as Guingamp snatched Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di abilities. Of course, as a striker, you want Vincent Kompany will be fit (to face Marseille improved after the break, creating a 3-3 draw. Having won 3-2 at Montpellier on Maria all got on the scoresheet. to be scoring. Any goal-scorer, when they Gladbach),” Pellegrini said. “It’s a calf three chances in quick succession but Angers goal- Thursday, Monaco looked on course for a second Caen and Reims drew level with Rennes on 15 are not scoring, they get a bit moody. problem from the Juventus game and he keeper Ludovic Butelle saved the best of those with successive away victory but despite taking the lead points with 2-0 wins over Gazelec Ajaccio and Lille “But I stayed professional. I am doing hasn’t recovered from that. his feet from Bouna Sarr. Mangani set up the visi- three times in the match, through , respectively. Saint-Etienne remain second and can my best for the team. It’s a bigger picture “At the beginning he was fit to be at tors’ second 20 minutes from time with a free-kick Andrea Raggi and , the hosts pegged cut the gap to PSG to a point if they beat Nice later than just me scoring at this club. least on the bench, but in the warm-up that Thomas headed home. them back each time thanks to Slovan Privat and a yesterday. — AFP Obviously, I am delighted to get the goal he felt some things in his calf so we will and hopefully I can build on this now.” see the way he develops in the next day. The victory was Spurs’ third successive “Joe had a problem with his back dur- league win and will renew belief that ing the week and he could work just one Deportivo beat Espanyol, Pochettino’s side can step up their chal- day this week, so that’s why I decided to lenge to break into the top four. “That leave him for this game. “Yaya had some was always the aim at the start of the sea- problems with his hamstring. We will move closer to leaders son. Of course, there is a long way to go,” have to wait until tomorrow (Sunday) or MADRID: Striker Lucas Perez scored a goal in each and two more than Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. Espanyol played with 10 men from the 79th at Kane added. Monday to decide if they are 100 per- half to help Deportivo La Coruna defeat Espanyol 3-0 Atletico Madrid has 12 points in fifth place, only one the Riazor Stadium on Sunday after Senegalese cent.” City had won their first five league and move closer to the leaders in the Spanish league point more than Deportivo in sixth. defensive midfielder Papakouli Diop was shown a City’s injury concerns games prior to last weekend’s 2-1 home yesterday. Deportivo went ahead with an own goal Three teams have nine points each after the second yellow card. Nearly 22,000 witnessed “We have so much energy and so defeat by West Ham United and Pellegrini by Espanyol defender Alvaro Gonzalez in the 14th sixth round: Eibar, Valencia and ninth-placed Deportivo’s first home win of the season. much belief in the team. Some people was at a loss to explain their second-half minute, and Perez made it 2-0 after a fast break- Espanyol, which could have moved to fifth had it Also yesterday, Real Betis moved to eight write us off because we have a young disintegration in north London. away in the 27th and added a third from inside the won Sunday’s match in La Coruna. The top-three points by coming from behind to earn a 2-1 win at team, saying that you need experience. “It’s difficult to explain the second area in the 49th. They were Perez’s third and fourth title contenders were coming off surprising set- Sporting Gijon. In the next round, leader Villarreal “A lot of us played last year. We have half,” said the Chilean, whose side lost goals this season, leaving him only one behind backs, opening the way for more teams to stay near plays at Levante, while Real Madrid goes to city brought a few new faces in, who have first place to Manchester United. “Maybe league leaders Karim Benzema and Cristiano the lead. On Saturday, Atletico Madrid lost 1-0 at rival Atletico Madrid. Barcelona will be at Sevilla settled in fantastically. We are really the equaliser was important in a psycho- Ronaldo. It was Deportivo’s third win in six matches, Villarreal, while Real Madrid was held by visitors for its first league game without Messi, who will excited. logical way and the first 10 minutes (of enough to keep it within range of first-place Malaga to a scoreless draw. Barcelona, which lost miss about eight weeks because of a knee injury. “But we cannot get too carried away. the second half), two set-pieces decide Villarreal and the rest of the teams crowding the top Lionel Messi because of an injury in its 2-1 home Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and of the table at the start of the season. win over Las Palmas on Saturday, had been beaten Atletico Madrid have Champions League games We have two tough games, in the Europa the game. It is difficult when you are los- Villarreal has 16 points, one more than Barcelona 4-1 by Celta Vigo in the previous round. this week. — AP League (at Monaco) and at Swansea.” ing 2-1 to change the game.” — AFP