THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS Benitez takes on Real challenge MADRID: Rafa Benitez was appointed Real bed in and that, given the quality of the Madrid coach yesterday, the much-trav- squad, which he called the best he had elled 55-year-old taking on one of the managed, the team would have to be most demanding jobs in club soccer in competitive from the start. which he will be expected to deliver major “When you have a roster with such trophies in short order. quality you have to attack, to try to score Spaniard Benitez quit Serie A side goals, and to win if possible playing Napoli last week and returns to his boy- attractive football,” he told reporters. hood club to succeed Italian Carlo Real would be monitoring the transfer Ancelotti, sacked after Real failed to either market to see if there was room to defend their Champions League crown or strengthen the team, he added. Ancelotti win the domestic league or Cup. was dismissed a year after ending 12 years A former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter of Champions League failure by leading Milan and Chelsea manager, Benitez Real to a record-extending 10th European began coaching in Real’s youth academy crown in 2013-14. in 1986 after injury ended his hopes of After leaving Real in 1995, Benitez becoming a professional player. graduated to several modest teams in He is the 10th coach to be appointed Spain as he developed his coaching phi- by president Florentino Perez during the losophy. construction magnate’s two six-year stints He made his name with Valencia, at the helm of the world’s richest club by whom he led to two La Liga titles before income and appeared close to tears when leaving for Liverpool, where he won the FA he was presented to the media at the Cup and the Champions League. Bernabeu stadium. He moved on to Inter Milan but was “It’s an emotional day returning here to sacked three months into the 2010-11 sea- my home,” Benitez said. “I have a good son and had mixed fortunes during his technical team behind me and I hope last job with Napoli. things go well, that we win titles and the They won the Coppa Italia last term team plays well.” and finished third in Serie A but lost to Benitez, who has signed a three-year Lazio in Benitez’s last match in charge to contract, told a later news conference he finish fifth, missing Champions League NEW YORK: This screen grab of Interpol’s website shows undated portraits of men who were added to Interpol’s most wanted list was aware he would not be given time to qualification. —Reuters yesterday. (Top row, from left to right) are Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz and Alejandro Burzaco. (Bottom row from left) are Hugo Jinkis, Mariano Jinkis and Jose Margulies. The Interpol “red notice” means they risk arrest anywhere they travel. —AP Interpol puts two ex-FIFA officials on the wanted list ZURICH: Interpol put two top for- Interpol, the international police was pressing on with preparations As Blatter announced his exit, mer FIFA officials on its “red notice” body, issued wanted person alerts for 2018. Blatter, who has led FIFA English Football Association wanted list at the request of US for Jack Warner, a former president for 17 years, is being investigated Chairman Greg Dyke suggested authorities yesterday as their inves- of CONCACAF, which governs foot- by U.S. prosecutors and the Federal that the controversial vote that tigation into corruption at soccer’s ball in North and Central America Bureau of Investigation, a person awarded Qatar the 2022 tourna- governing body gathered pace. and the Caribbean, and Nicolas who spoke on condition of ment could be re-run. South Africa confirmed it had given Leoz, the former head of South anonymity told Reuters late on Qatar Football Association $10 million meant to help pay for America’s soccer federation. Tuesday. President Sheikh Hamad Bin the 2010 World Cup to a soccer offi- The others subject to the so- US Attorney General Loretta Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani hit cial indicted last week in the United called “red notices”-which are not Lynch, on a visit to Latvia, declined back, indicating the small Gulf States, but said the payment was arrest warrants-are Alejandro to comment on whether Blatter is state will not give up hosting soc- not a bribe as US prosecutors Burzaco, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, under investigation. Blatter has not cer’s showpiece event without a allege. and Jose Margulies, a Brazilian who been charged and FIFA did not fight. “We would urge Mr Dyke to The latest developments in the headed two offshore companies respond to a request for comment let the legal process take its scandal engulfing FIFA came a day that were involved in broadcasting on his being under investigation. course and concentrate on deliv- MADRID: New Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez (left) and Real Madrid’s after Sepp Blatter stunned interna- soccer matches. Blatter announced his decision ering his promise to build an President Florentino Perez (right) pose for a picture during his official presen- tional soccer by resigning as the They are among soccer officials to step down on Tuesday, six days England team capable of winning tation at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after signing for Real Madrid.—AP world body’s president shortly and sports media and promotion after police raided a hotel in the the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” he before it emerged that he too was executives facing US corruption city and arrested several FIFA offi- said. under investigation by US law charges involving more than $150 cials - and just four days after he Qatar’s stock index fell as much Studious coach takes long enforcement. Blatter was not on million in bribes. was re-elected to a fifth term as as 3 percent to a 6-week low amid Interpol’s list. president. An election to choose a fears Qatar could lose the World A source close to FIFA said it was BRIBE DENIED new president will probably not Cup. Among potential candidates route to Real hotseat Blatter’s advisers who had told him FIFA has denied that another sen- take place until at least December. to lead FIFA, Platini is the favorite. he must reverse course and quit. ior official, Secretary General Jerome Blatter, meanwhile, remains in his Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al BARCELONA: Fierce ambition and a stu- ophy. He would methodically assess train- Critics pointed to the widening Valcke, was involved in a $10 million position. Hussein, who withdrew from last dious approach to the game have marked ing sessions and write down his observa- criminal probe, disquiet among payment approved by the South His daughter, Corinne Blatter- week’s presidential election after Rafa Benitez’s journey around Europe’s top tions. He took a year out to watch, and sponsors, and pressure from African Football Association that lies Andenmatten, told a Swiss newspa- winning 73 votes to Blatter’s 133 leagues and he now returns to his home- learn from, other coaches around Europe in European soccer body UEFA as pos- at the heart of the US investigation. At per her father’s decision had in the first round, stopped short of town club Real Madrid to take on one of 1999 and following that break began to sible reasons. a news conference in Johannesburg, “absolutely nothing” to do with confirming he would run again. the toughest coaching jobs in football. enjoy success first with Tenerife and then With Blatter saying he no longer sports minister Fikile Mbalula denied recent corruption allegations. But Asked if there should be a fresh Benitez quit Napoli last week to take particularly at Valencia where he won two had the mandate he sought, UEFA the payment to Warner during South FIFA executive committee member start at FIFA, he told Britain’s over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup. postponed a meeting due on Africa’s successful bid for the 2010 Kozo Tashima of Japan told Channel 4 News: “I’m willing to Real, where the eagle eyes of impatient, Benitez had developed a reputation as a Saturday where there might have World Cup was a bribe. Mbalula said Japanese media that Blatter should help.” and deep-pocketed, president Florentino defensive coach but attracted the attention been talk of a revolt against FIFA. South Africa had not bought votes for go at once. Chung Mong-joon, billionaire Perez will be scrutinising him from day one. of Europe’s top clubs and in 2004 he moved UEFA had opposed Blatter, and the right to host the cup, and the cash scion of South Korea’s Hyundai Perez was at his most ruthless in axing to Liverpool. Michel Platini, the UEFA president was intended for football develop- TATTERED REPUTATION conglomerate, said he would con- Ancelotti after a season without a major On Merseyside he will be always who is favourite to succeed the 79- ment in the Caribbean, Warner’s European sports officials said sider running. Possible candidates trophy that followed Real’s capture of their remembered for their Champions League year-old Swiss national, had urged home region. Blatter’s resignation was an impor- include Domenico Scala, inde- treasured tenth Champions League title in win in 2005 but he failed to build on that him not to stand for re-election as US legal authorities last week tant step, but that the organisation pendent chairman of FIFA’s audit the Italian’s debut season in 2013-14.