WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 SPORTS Italy coach Conte shrugs off wages controversy ROME: New Italy coach Antonio Conte brushed aside controversy over his wages, which will be part funded by the national federation’s spon- sors, when he was officially presented yesterday. “Nobody imposes anything on me. My eyes and those of my assistants will be the judge, not sponsors nor newspapers,” he told reporters after succeeding Cesare Prandelli. Conte, who was appointed last week and takes charge of his first match against Netherlands in a friendly in Bari on Sept. 4, previously led Juventus to three successive Serie A titles in as many seasons. The media pointed out a possible conflict of interest after the Italian federation (FIGC) said it had reached an agreement with sponsors, including sportswear manufacturers Puma, to help fund Conte’s wages. “Everyone who knows me knows that this is not a problem,” said the new coach after signing his contract. “My con- tract falls within Italian federation parameters. There is a winning mentality and it’s right for the FIGC to reach an agreement with the sponsors. “Unlike my predecessors I have given up all my image rights,” added Conte. “For me the contro- versy over this contract is secondary, I want to work and there is a long and tortuous road in front of us. “I will prove myself with facts, not with words, ROME: New Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio (right) poses with as I have always done.” FIGC president Carlo Italy’s national football team new coach Antonio Conte, prior to a press conference in Rome Tavecchio said the agreement with the sponsors yesterday. — AFP was a way of getting the federation out of a cor- ond time in a row the four-times champions had dropped if they committed serious acts of indis- ner. “This was borne out of sporting necessity fallen at the first hurdle. “I live for victories...and cipline in club games. “I prefer the word behav- and the economic reality. We couldn’t get a I’m here to bring that mentality,” said Conte, iour. Code is a word used by lawyers and I like to leader like Conte at a low cost,” he explained. adding that “only real men can get over difficul- be more practical,” he added. “I will make all the “We wanted the best, while bearing in mind the ties. “I know the challenge I face and I’m not selections according to my moral standards.” reality of the federation, and we managed to afraid of it. If I had to choose between someone Conte promised to work closely with the Serie A come up with something in three or four days.” who is a good player and a great man, and teams. “My aim is to have a good rapport with all someone who is a great player and an ordinary the clubs and players, a constant and intense World Cup man, I will always choose the first one. “Any rapport,” he said. “If we want to improve it’s only Prandelli quit after his team were knocked Italian player can be picked but you have to right the national coach is in touch with the out in the group stages of the World Cup follow- deserve the blue shirt.” clubs, to know how they play, their injuries and ing 1-0 defeats to Costa Rica and Uruguay, leav- Conte said he would drop Prandelli’s code of specific work. That’s how we can improve and ing Italian football at a low ebb. It was the sec- ethics, under which players were automatically build something.” - Reuters Super League foreigners will MADRID: Argentinean football player Cristian Ansaldi poses with the ball during his boost India football: Djordjic official presentation at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid following his signing with Spanish club Atletico de Madrid on August 18, 2014. — AFP STOCKHOLM: Foreign players who join India’s organization to work as a team and win games. right direction,” he said, noting the positive influ- Super League are not just mercenaries chasing “People love football. You can see how many ence that foreigners have had in the US and China one final big payday but they will help to establish Indians watch the World Cup, how many watch in inspiring young players. “I think India has to Atletico struggle to keep up soccer in the cricket-mad country, former the Premier League. They have football in their concentrate on the youth first of all if they are Manchester United midifelder Bojan Djordjic said. blood, not just cricket. These big players will help going to have a team that is going to qualify at in arms race with Real, Barca The well-travelled 32-year-old is one of 49 interna- to raise the profile,” Djordjic added. Winner of the some time in the near future for a World Cup. They tional players who will be up for grabs in the draft young player of the year at Manchester United in are so low in rankings that something needs to MADRID: Just three months after remarkably Rodriguez, whilst Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor tomorrow ahead of the inaugural Super League 2000, Djordjic only made two appearances for the happen.” Though the deals offered to Djordjic and breaking Barcelona and Real Madrid’s grip on the Navas will rival Iker Casillas to be number one. “I season, which starts in October. The eight-team Premier League club but still went on to enjoy a his foreign compatriots are lucrative, he rejects the La Liga title, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone think we have a better team than last season Super League will feature teams from cities such successful career, winning league titles with Red suggestion that players who are past their best are has denied any repeat of their miracle champi- because we have signed three players that add as Mumbai, Delhi, Goa and Bangalore, and run Star Belgrade in Serbia, Videoton in Hungary, and going to India simply to cash in. “When a young onship triumph is possible. “We have to try to quality to the team,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti over three months until December. AIK in Sweden. player sees David Trezeguet in front of the goal - compete with Sevilla, Valencia and Athletic said on Monday. Of the three title contenders, The top four sides will qualify for the semi- you don’t lose that instinct, you don’t lose that Bilbao for the Champions League places,” he though, it is Barcelona who have undergone the finals, which will be played over two legs, with the Make it in Bollywood touch. Even Alan Shearer now would probably claimed on Monday ahead of his side’s Spanish most significant change as they look to bounce winners advancing to a one-off final. Strict rules He spoke to Reuters at an Indian restaurant in score more goals than some of the Premier Super Cup first-leg against Real yesterday. “With back from a first trophyless season in six years. apply to player rosters, with each team required to Stockholm, a stone’s throw from the former League strikers, you know?” he said laughing. 95 million euros we have signed nine players, The first change at the Camp Nou over the have one “marquee player”, seven foreigners and Rasunda stadium where he dominated the mid- “You can teach them the right movement, how Real Madrid have signed two players for 95 mil- summer was the coach as they turned to former 14 Indians, four of whom must be from the city in field for AIK in their double-winning 2009 season. you receive the ball, where you should be, and lion. That is the difference.” captain Luis Enrique to replace Gerardo Martino which the team is based. Djordjic will join mar- Well-known for his forthright opinions, the fiery that’s what India needs. To be fair, they’ve never The other major difference is that success has in the hope he can have the same impact as his quee names such as former Juventus striker David midfielder made an acrimonious departure from really had a big, big player, well-known around the also brought Atletico the struggle of holding former teammate Pep Guardiola did in charge. onto their best players. Top scorer Diego Costa With a two transfer window ban only temporarily Trezeguet and former Arsenal winger Fredrik the club shortly afterwards, but returned to AIK world that’s made an echo.” Djordjic admitted that and Filipe Luis have joined Thibaut Courtois in suspended, Barca have also been very active in Ljungberg in the first season of the fledgling foot- earlier this year as a youth team coach and as a he never expected to be leaving Sweden for returning to his parent club Chelsea after a the market with the capture of controversial ball league. player with feeder club Vasalund. But when he another foreign adventure at this stage in his three-year loan spell in the Spanish capital. That Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez leading their 150 Serbian-born Djordjic believes that educating was offered the chance to go to India, Djordjic career but he will be keeping an open mind about money has been reinvested in a promising million euro outlay. Suarez won’t even be able to the domestic players is key to long-term Super jumped at the chance to take part in what he sees extending his stay abroad. “You never know with attacking trio of Antoine Griezmann, Mario play until late October after his appeal against a League success.