Sport FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2021 15 UEFA chief warns rebel Super League failure means football wins, clubs of ‘consequences’ says Fernandinho

REUTERS — MANCHESTER Chelsea fans protest REUTERS — BIRMINGHAM against the European UEFA President Aleksander Super League. Manchester City’s players put We didn’t expect it, but Ceferin has warned rebel clubs days of tumult the eventually they had good that they will face “conse- proposed Super League behind quences” for their aborted them to beat Aston Villa and sense and it was the right breakaway and there may be remain top of the Premier thing to do. Everyone who more pain to come for the League on Wednesday, with loves football didn’t owners of the top clubs. club Fernandinho support the Super League, The failed attempt to create saying that football won out as including our players, so an elite Super League, as a the project quickly fell apart. direct rival to UEFA’s Cham- City were one of six English we’re happy now that it’s pions League, has left Ceferin clubs involved in the ill-fated turned around, but it was a newly emboldened at the helm proposal which was announced surprise. of Europe’s governing body. on Sunday but foundered The “Big Six” English almost as quickly. Fernandinho Premier League teams aban- “It’s been crazy since Sat- doned the project on Tuesday urday after the Chelsea defeat leaving the Italian and Spanish in the FA Cup. Guys were a bit generating more revenue. teams, with the exception of down, and then on Monday the Many players took to social Real Madrid, to accept the plan Super League comes out and media on Tuesday evening to had failed. we were surprised,” Brazilian express their displeasure as “The doors of UEFA are Fernandinho told Sky Sports. pressure from fans mounted, open, and at the same time eve- “We didn’t expect it, but prompting a U-turn from the ryone will have to suffer the eventually they had good sense English clubs. consequences for their actions,” and it was the right thing to do. “It’s a tough situation. We Ceferin told Slovenian tele- Everyone who loves football wanted to find out from the vision station POP TV. UEFA’s lawyers are actually we’re going to allocate didn’t support the Super people at the top of the club to UEFA holds an executive expected to offer options over more money in a fairer way and League, including our players, see the reasons why they are committee meeting today. response measures at Friday’s I expect a lot more to you’ve got to earn your place. so we’re happy now that it’s there with the other clubs,” the “I expect a lot more to meeting and bans and suspen- happen by Friday. Believe There is a window to do that if turned around, but it was a sur- 35-year-old Fernandinho said. happen by Friday. Believe me, sions could be justified under they chose,” he said. prise,” he added. “We wanted to come out anyone who says he is com- the organisation’s rule prohib- me, anyone who says he is “(The 12) may find the deal Players and managers and say we are against it, but pletely calm in this situation is iting unauthorised “combina- completely calm in this that was offered to them from were seemingly left in the dark we had to have a chat among not telling the truth,” Ceferin tions” or “alliances” of clubs. situation is not telling the UEFA gets worse and their as plans were made for teams the players and we all agreed said. “There will be some truth. ability to do anything about that from England, Spain and Italy to wait for the club statement, “I received SMS (text) members who call for pun- now has been significantly to create a new tournament to we are happy in the end support from practically all ishment but lawyers are more diminished, they can’t threaten replace UEFA’s Champions because football wins,” Fern- clubs in Europe. So now we likely to be interested in pro- Aleksander Ceferin to walk away again, that one League with an eye to andinho added. expect everyone to realise their tecting the organisation and UEFA President has blown,” he added. mistake and suffer the appro- tightening up the rulebook,” It could be a double- priate consequences,” he said. said one source close to UEFA. whammy on the European front Fernandinho While Ceferin did not elab- However, Ceferin will be -- less money from UEFA and (right) during a orate on what price might be aware that clubs who have been League reform plan for the break-up fees for pulling the training session paid by the clubs, he did punished for breaching post-2024 competition and the plug on their commitments to in this file photo. indicate that Real Madrid’s Financial Fair Play regulations financial redistribution model. the Super League. involvement in their Champions will take a dim view of other “There is a likelihood that There will be consequences League semi-final with Chelsea teams getting away with UEFA will look at these again, I in English football as well. was not likely to be impacted making a move which could think they may go backwards,” As well as reports of the big given complications for have destroyed the lucrative said one executive at a clubs being pushed out of their broadcasters. Champions League. European sports broadcaster positions on Premier League “There is a relatively small REDISTRIBUTION “Instead of saying we’ll committees, the UK government, chance that this match will not MODEL guarantee more money for the having played a key role in pres- take place next week. But it will More broadly, there is also big old clubs, and more places suring the Big Six to withdraw be a little different in the likely to be pressure for UEFA for the big old clubs, I think they from the Super League, is to hold future,” he said. to rethink its Champions might go backwards and say a review of the game. Paddikal scores maiden BARCELONA OPEN RESULTS Round of 16 SCOREBOARD Felix Auger-Aliassime (10), Canada, def. Bangladesh first innings (overnight as RCB crush RR Denis Shapovalov (7), Canada, 6-2, 6-3. 302-2, Shanto 126, Haque 64) Andrey Rublev (3), Russia, def. Albert Ram- c Thirimanne b V. Fernando ... 90 Bangladesh captain os-Vinolas, Spain, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4. Saif Hassan lbw b V. Fernando ...... 0 Mominul Haque by 10 in Mumbai Najmul Shanto c and b Kumara ...... 163 in action during Jannik Sinner (11), Italy, def. Roberto Bautis- Mominul Haque c Thirimanne b De Silva ...127 the second day of AP — MUMBAI ta Agut (5), Spain, 7-6 (9), 6-2. ...... 43 in the 10th when Paddikal swiveled on opening Test against his back foot and pulled Mustafizur over Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Greece, def. Alex de Liton Das not out ...... 25 Minaur (14), Australia, 7-5, 6-3. Extras (b5, lb6, nb5, w10) ...... 26 yesterday. Propelled by a maiden century from deep square leg. Total (4 wickets, 155 overs) ...... 474 PICTURE COURTESY: Devdutt Paddikal beside , While Paddikal stalled in the 80s, Cameron Norrie, Britain, def. David Goffin Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Saif Hassan), 2-152 SRI LANKA CRICKET Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Kohli rushed from the 20s to his 50, (8), Belgium, 6-0, 3-5, ret. (Tamim Iqbal), 3-394 (Najmul Shanto), 4-424 blew away (RR) by 10 getting there after slapping Morris over Diego Schwartzman (4), Argentina, def. (Mominul Haque) wickets at the mid off. Kohli took 34 balls. Corentin Moutet, France, 6-4, 6-2. Bowling: Lakmal 31-12-74-0 (n3), Fernando 28-8-75-2, Kumara 28-4-88-1 (w10), Mathews (IPL) in Mumbaiyesterday. Paddikal achieved the second Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Kei Nishikori, 7-1-14-0, De Silva 27-1-112-1 (nb2), Hasaranga Paddikal, the 20-year-old left- hundred of this IPL by hitting Mus- Japan, 6-0, 2-6, 6-2.

33-2-94-0, Karunaratne 1-0-6-0 hander, scored 101 not out and Kohli, tafizur over deep square leg. The end Pablo Carreno Busta (6), Spain, def. Bern- his captain, 72 not out for Bangalore to came moments later on five wides. abe Zapata Miralles, Spain, 6-3, 6-4. reach 181 without loss in the 17th over Paddikal’s 102 came from 52 balls, in reply to Rajasthan’s 177-9. and included 11 boundaries and six Bangalore remained the only team sixes. His 72 off 47 had six boundaries unbeaten after four rounds, while and three sixes. He passed 6,000 runs Nadal beats Rajasthan was last in the eight-team in the IPL. First Test: Mominul ton lifts league. Rajasthan’s target was imposing Rajasthan started the match 43-4, Nishikori to but Paddikal and Kohli cruised, sparing and Shivam Dube began the recovery nobody. with the middle order. enter last-8 Bangladesh to 474-4 on The century partnership came up Dube scored 46 off 32 until he was out to a good diving catch by Glenn in Barcelona IPL: BRIEF SCORES Maxwell. second day in Pallekele Riyan Pirag added 25 off 16, and AP — BARCELONA Rajasthan Royals 177/9 in 20 overs (S Dube 46, R Tewatia Tewatia 40 off 23 after trying for a third AP — PALLEKELE temperament by not taking any undue 40, R Parag 25, M Siraj 3/27, H Patel 3/47) lost to Royal six at the end of the 19th over. Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori

risks. Challengers Bangalore 181/0 in 16.3 overs (D Padikkal He was medium-pacer Mohammed 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 yesterday to Captain Mominul Haque completed a Mominul was more free-flowing with 101 not out, V Kohli 72 not out). Siraj’s third . Medium-pacer advance to the quarter-finals century beside newcomer Najmul Shanto some elegant strokes, including 11 bound- also took three. of the Barcelona Open. as their 242-run partnership lifted Bang- aries. His 127 was his 11th Test hundred, The 11-time tournament ladesh to a commanding 474-4 against the most by a Bangladeshi batsman. champion looked ready to roll Sri Lanka after two days of the first Test Despite a nice grass cover, the to a quick victory after domi- yesterday. Pallekele pitch was slow and the fast Kohli becomes first batsman nating the first set, but Shanto, who started the day on his bowlers had their work cut out. Much Nishikori responded with maiden Test century at 126, was out for was expected of Lahiru Kumara, who some fine net play to level it at 163 soon after lunch to end their third- has the ability to clock 150 kph, but he to score 6,000 runs in IPL 1-1. Nadal broke Nishikori wicket stand. Mominul reached his 11th got little help from the track with even twice in the decisive set, con- Test century in the morning session and his bouncers rarely rising above waist REUTERS — MUMBAI Rajasthan Royals to become the verting his second match point was out, too, before tea in the only other level. youngest batsman to score a century by driving a forehand winner wicket to fall all day. The batsmen were quick to go on the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain during an IPL chase. down the line. Mushfiqur Rahim was on 43 and Liton back foot and pull him to midwicket but Virat Kohli (pictured)tured) became “II had the best seat in The top-seeded Nadal is still Das on 25 when play was ended 96 Kumara was also guilty of not bowling yesterday the first batsmanbatsman to score the house,”house,” Kohli sasaidid searching for his best tennis after minutes early due to bad light. Play will to a probing line and creating pressure. 6,000 runs in the Indianndian PremiPremierer afterafter PadikkalPadikkal being upset in the Monte Carlo resume 15 minutes early on day three Kumara did dismiss Shanto when he League (IPL). smashedsmashed sixsix sixessixes quarterfinals by Andrey Rublev. after 25 overs were lost on day two. took a return catch but much more was India skipper KKohliohli reached and 1111 foufours.rs. ““YouYou He needed three sets to beat The batsmen have done remarkably expected of him when he was picked the milestone in 19696 matchesmatches andand can’tcan’t always be the 111th-ranked Ilya Ivashka of well considering they came into the Test ahead of Asitha Fernando. leads the list aheadad ooff Chennai’sChennai’s guy going dom-dom- Belarus in his first match in Bar- amid intense criticism after losing a home Allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva Suresh Raina (5,44848 runs),runs), Delhi’s inant... TonightTonight my celona on Wednesday. series to West Indies and losing six white picked up the other wicket of Mominul, Shikhar Dhawan (5,428),428), Hyderabad’sHyderabad’s rolerole wwasas ddifferentifferent aandnd Nadal will face Britain’s ball games in New Zealand. who edged into the slips where Lahiru David Warner (5,384)4) and Mumbai’s I wanted to hanghang Cameron Norrie next. Norrie Shanto showed why he was rated so Thirimanne made the catch. Rohit Sharma (5,368).8). in tthere.”here.” advanced after David Goffin highly in Bangladesh with 163 in his Sri Lanka has the third new ball Kohli’s unbeatenn knknockock ooff 72 retired in the second set of seventh Test. for more than eight available in five overs, but dry areas are was eclipsed by 20-year-old-year-old their match due to injury. hours, Shanto faced 378 deliveries. He appearing on the pitch which should also ,al, who Nishikori won the outdoor hit 17 boundaries and a six. help Bangladeshi’s spinners. They have smashed 101 off 52 ballsballs in clay-court tournament in 2014 Dropped on 28 by Niroshan Dick- a first Test win overseas in four years in a 10-wicket win overover and 2015 when Nadal was bat- wella, Shanto showcased his Test match sight. tling injuries. Sport

FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2021 UEFAUE President Aleksander Ceferin warns of 'consequences''co as rebel clubs face reprisals I received SMS (text) support from practically all clubs in EEurope. So now we expect everyone to realise their mistake aand suffer the appropriate consequences.

Aleksander Ceferin UEFA President Sport | 15

NBA: Knicks 137, Hawks 127 (OT); Suns 116, 76ers 113; Raptors 114, Nets 103; Clippers 117, Grizzlies 105; Mavericks 127, Pistons 117 Al Duhail coach ACL: Xavi says consistency the key hails Olunga wonder show as Al Sadd eye knockout stage against Esteghlal THE PENINSULA/AFC — RIYADH “I expect tomorrow (today) to be difficult because Al AFC — JEDDAH Al Sadd’s head coach Xavi Wehdat played well in the Hernandez said consistency second half, and they’ll be for Al Duhail SC head coach Sabri would be the key if Al Sadd are sure playing attack tomorrow. Lamouchi praised Kenyan to progress to the Round of 16 But it’s okay, we have four forward Michael Olunga as he side takes on Al Wehdat points, it all depends on our- whose hat-trick steered the in 2021 AFC Champions League selves, and our main target is to Qatari side to an exciting 4-3 Group D fixture at King Fahd qualify for the knockout win against Islamic Republic International Stadium in rounds.” of Iran’s Esteghlal FC in the Riyadh, today. Al Wehdat started their 2021 AFC Champions League Al Sadd have endured a debut campaign with a 0-0 on Wednesday. mixed campaign, needing a late draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Man-of-the-match Olunga goal to salvage a point against Nassr, but that was followed by struck in the 10th, 27th and Foolad before being compre- defeats to Islamic Republic of 85th minutes in an absorbing hensively beaten by Al Nassr 3-1 Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan FC Group C tie which saw both on Matchday Two. The Qatar (1-0) and Qatar’s Al Sadd (3-1) sides exchanging leads at the champions, however, redis- and another defeat would dash King Abdullah Sports City covered their best form against the Jordan side’s hopes of Stadium. Al Wehdat and will be aiming advancing. It was a crucial win for Al for another three points. “In the last match against Duhail as the win meant they The Spanish legend urged Al Sadd we shared control, Al leapfrogged Esteghlal into top his players to show the intensity Sadd controlled in the first spot on seven points, one they did in the first half against half in terms of performance ahead of the Iranians at the Al Wehdat on Monday. and result, and scored three midway stage. Al Sadd had 14 shots from goals, then in the second half An overjoyed Lamouchi inside the box against Al we dominated but wasted paid tribute to Olunga’s Wehdat and if they can play at several chances and only masterclass. the same level and get a win managed to score a goal,” said “I can’t find the words to today, they will approach their Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos (left) practises with the ball as Al Wehdat head coach Abdullah describe this exciting match final two matches against Xavi Hernandez (second right) looks on during a training session. Abu Zema. and it is not easy to talk about Foolad and Al Nassr confident “The two teams knows each it,” said Lamouchi in the post- of advancing to the Round of 16 experience, it’s difficult to win first half, and not so well in the match, we played better in the other now, and there are no match press conference. “I as the group winners. against the same team twice in second half,” said Xavi. second half, then we played secrets between us, and I guess want to thank the players for “This is another important a row. But we’ve been doing “In the first match, we brilliantly in the first half of the now the level of fitness will their excellent match for us, and we’re treating well, especially in the last game, played well in the first 60 last match. Now, our target is to have an effect as each team has performance.” this like the final. From my where we did excellent in the minutes, and in the second play well for all 90 minutes." played three matches." “Olunga deserves, of course, to be the man of the match. He’s a special player and his presence has helped us have a lot of attacking Al Rayyan out to revive hopes against Al Wahda options,” said Lamouchi of the 2020 J1 League’s top scorer who now leads the 2021 AFC AFC — GOA Against Persepolis, Al prepare in the same way even having found their shooting Champions League scoring Rayyan were leading 1-0 before though it’s a short recovery boots, ten Cate will be expecting charts with four goals. Qatar’s Al Rayyan and UAE’s Al I will not change my tactics conceding three goalsg in 15 periodppy for the players. his pyplayers to seal another three “Tonight we conceded Wahda FSCC will both be against Al Wahda and we minutes whilele LaurentLaurent Blanc’sBlanc’s “My“My vision of football is to pointspoints aagainstgains Al Rayyan. three goals but we managed desperate for victory when the side surrendereddered a two-goatwo-goall havehave controlcontrol in thethe TheThe AAll WWahda head coach’s to get our heads together and two sides meet on Matchday will play with the same advantage att the tail end of tthehe beginning and at gamble to experimente with recover mentally. In the Four in Group E of the 2021 AFC philosophy as we did in our match againstst AlAl WaWahda.hda. thethe endend ofof thethe tacticstactics in tthehe ssecond half against second half, we tried our best Champions League at the Jawa- first match. If they canan ppluglug tthehe hholesoles at game.game. At thethe Al Rayyan ppaida dividends, with to maintain the strengths of harlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, the back, Blancanc will feel that Al momentmoment wwee thethe Dutchman’sDutchm decision to the players and that’s why we today. Laurent Blanc Rayyan can defeatdefeat AlAl WahdaWahda forfor needneed a llittleittle bbitit ooff ffieldield severalsever young players didn’t have a similar per- Al Rayyan began their AFC their first winn of the campaign confidenceconfidence and payingpaying ooff handsomely. formance to the first half.” Champions League campaign and reignite theirtheir hopes.hopes. luck to wiwin.”n.” “We“We won our last Esteghlal FC head coach with a goalless draw against “I will nott change my tactics Al WahdaWahda gamegame because it had to Farhad Majidi said both teams debutants FC Goa of India opened their campaign with a against Al WahdaWahda and we will went two do withw the determi- had an excellent match but felt before going on to suffer defeats 1-0 defeat to Persepolis and 0-0 play with thee same philosophyphilosophy matcmatchesh es nationnatio and mentality of Al Duhail’s good balance tilted against Islamic Republic of draw with FC Goa to sit second as we did in ouourr firstfirst wwithouti t h o ut the players,” said ten the tie in their favour. Iran’s Persepolis FC (3-1) and Al in the standings. match,” said Blanc. scoringscoring but Cate.Cat “It is always “The two sides had a very Wahda (3-2) to lie bottom of the Al Rayyan felt they deserved “I thinknk wewe somethingso that I good match today and it was group. more in the matches against deserved to win wantw to see in my a tactical and physical Monday’s thrilling win over Persepolis and Al Wahda, (against Al Wahda) on playersp and the contest,” said Majidi. Laurent Blanc Al Rayyan reignited Al Wahda’s having taken the lead in both Tuesday. We were two goals up matchm isn’t over till The two will square off hopes after Henk ten Cate’s side ties only to end up losing. but we weree beaten.beaten. We willwill it’sitt over." again tomorrow. Barshim, Samba to take part in Doha Diamond League

THE PENINSULA — DOHA was outstanding when winning highest jump of all time. “All of The Qatar Sports Club will testament to the commitment global World Championship my efforts have been, and con- once again host this prestigious and passion of our people,” said Qatar’s reigningreigning men’s highhigh goldgold at the Khalifa International All of mymy efforts have tinue to be, focused on this sum- Diamond League fixture which Qatar Athletics Federation Pres- jumpjump world champion Mutaz StadiumStadium in October 2019, has been,been, andand continue to be,be, mer’s Olympic Games and I has consistently delivered world ident Dr. Thani Alkuwari. BarshimBarshim anandd WorWorldld ChCham-am- believe I’ve used my time wisely class performances, including “In spite of the continued pionshippionship 400mH bronze focused onon thisthis susummer’smmer’s to prepare and train well. Now two world leads and six meeting health and safety protocols we medallistmedallist AAbderrahmanbderrahman OlympicOlympic GamesGames and I it’s time to compete and I’m and national records across the must adhere to, we are excited SambaSamba will returnreturn to believebelieve I’ve used mymy time looking forward to opening my programme in 2020. to welcome back another Wanda DiamDiamondond wiselywisely to prepare andand traintrain Diamond League campaign in “Last year’s event was a impressive line-up of stars for League (DL) action at well.well. NowNow it’sit’s timetime toto Doha.” great success the 23rd ededition of the Doha the DohaDoha DDiamondiamond Similarly, Samba - whose aand n d it’s meetingmeeting anandd we’re confident in League on May 28, the compete and I’m lookinglooking World Championshipp bronze deliverydelivery ourour abilityability tto deliver another second meetingmeeting of forwardforward to openingopening my came off the back of interruptedterrupted was world clasclasss - and safe - athletics thethe 22021021 series.series. DiamondDiamond LLeagueeague campacampaignign preparation due to injuryury - also competition.”competition AfterAfter a trun-trun- in Doha.Doha. missed the 2020 season.ason. HHee The 22021021 Wanda Diamond cated 22020020 opened 2021 with a winwin over League comprisescom 14 meetings WandaWanda DiamondDiamond 400m (45.43) in Potchefstroom,efstroom, - startingstarting with Gateshead LeagueLeague season - MutazMutaz BarBarshimshim South Africa, on Marchch 31 . (replacing RabatRa as the first host whichw h ich was “After some hamstringamstring citycity on this year’s circuit) on reducedreduced to four issues in the lead uupp to the SundaySunday 23 MayM - leading to a eventsevents due to tthehe competedcompeted only once since that Worlds, I decided that my focus single final acrossa two days in impactimpact of COVIDCOVID-19-19 famousfamous victory.victory. He jumpedjumped was to get back to beingng 100% ZurichZurich at the end of the - it’sit’s a wwelcomeelcome 2.25m to win the AspireAspire Invi-Invi- healthy,” he said. seaseason.s Each meeting returnreturn for twotwo of ththee tationaltational iinn DohDohaa oonn 1155 MMarch.arch. “The Olympics is mmyy willwil be broadcast glo- hosthost nnation’sation’s stastarr atath-h- “Following“Following the World priority and the onset ooff ballyba in a live two- letes,letes, both national ChampionshipsChampionships in Doha I was the pandemic gave mmee hourho programme. recorrecordd hholdersolders andand in veryvery ggoodood shape, but with the the opportunity to takee The 2021 calendar seriousserious mmedaledal ccon-on- pandemicpandemic and the associated my time and to get remainsrem subject to tenderstenders forfor thisthis sum-sum- restrictions,restrictions, I didn’t feel I had things right. I’m now changecha depending on mer’s OlympicOlympic goodgood reason to compete last back to where I want thethe global health situ- Games in Tokyo.Tokyo. year,” said the 29-year-old who to be and I’m excited ationat in the coming Barshim, who has a best of 2.43m, the second to race.” months.m