Berbatov says Evra convinced him to join Monaco
MONACO, France (AFP) — Dimitar Berbatov said yesterday that a recommendation from his former Manchester United colleague Patrice Evra convinced him to join Monaco on loan at the end of the January transfer window.
The Bulgarian striker joined the club, who lie second in Ligue 1, on loan from Premier League strugglers Fulham until the end of the season to cover for Colombian star Radamel Falcao, who is out with a long-term knee injury.
The 33-year-old moves from a relegation battle in England to a title fight in France, with a meeting with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain to come this weekend at the Stade Louis II.
“My friend Patrice Evra told me a lot of good things about the club. And when Monaco called me, I said why not. I was looking for something new,” said Berbatov, who played alongside the France left-back at Old Trafford between 2008 and 2012.
However, he said that the presence of enigmatic Italian coach Claudio Ranieri — another familiar face from his days in England — was also a factor in convincing him to make the switch to a new country.
Considered something of a maverick and known for his languid style, Berbatov, who has also played for Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur, believes his way of playing will help him be successful in the French game.
European giants for preseason US tour
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP) — Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan will play preseason games in the United States.
Inter Milan, AS Roma and Olympiakos also will be part of what is billed as the Guinness International Champions Cup, to be played from July 26 to August 4, with the final at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens.
Additional venues for the games include Arlington, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Denver; East Rutherford, New Jersey, and/or New York; Glendale, Arizona; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; and Washington. Two additional cities are to be announced February 20.
Some players may not be with their clubs because of the World Cup, which ends July 13.
Attack on Corinthians players sparks outrage
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — An attack by fans on players of top Brazilian club Corinthians has sparked outrage and promoted calls for a player strike, damaging the domestic image of the game five months before the World Cup.
“We are preparing documentation to provide legal support to players and are ready to strike -— we can’t go on like this,” Sao Paulo state player union chairman Rinaldo Martorelli told Estado de Sao Paulo daily.
Around 100 fans angry at the club’s poor recent form attacked Corinthians’ training centre as they prepared on Saturday for a state league match the following day.
The fans cut through wire netting to reach top stars including Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero, who scored the club’s winner in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup final.
Chairman Mario Gobbi was unwilling to cancel the match against Ponte Preta, citing league and broadcast agreements.
But the attack has sparked a storm amid reports several players now want to leave the club over fears for their safety.
Also attacked along with Guerrero was Alexandre Pato, an expensive signing from AC Milan, as the fans went on the rampage — one grabbing Guerrero around the neck while others tried to break Pato’s legs.
Ancelotti: Ronaldo will be available for Copa semis
MADRID, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be available for the Copa del Rey semi-final today despite the threat of a four-game ban.
Ronaldo was shown a straight red card in Sunday’s 1-1 Spanish league draw at Athletic Bilbao, leaving his availability for the semi-final against Atletico Madrid up in the air.
The Portugal forward made a mocking gesture as he left the field, which could result in a longer suspension with any ban of at least four games extending to all competitions. A decision is expected by today.
There is a precedent of adding two games to any initial ban for using the gesture, which mocks a slap to the cheek to suggest the referee has a lot of nerve.
The Italian coach says forward Gareth Bale will be available after being left out of the squad against Bilbao.
Bach slams politicians over Sochi Olympics
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — IOC President Thomas Bach has criticised politicians for attacking the Sochi Olympics “on the backs of the athletes”.
Bach has also slammed politicians who publicly snubbed the games even though they had not even been invited.
The International Olympic Committee leader spoke in a hard-hitting speech yesterday, three days before the opening of Russia’s first Winter Games.
The build-up to Sochi has been overshadowed by Western criticism of Russia’s record on human rights and the law against gay “propaganda” among minors.
Bach says sports should not be “used as a stage for political dissent or for trying to score points in internal or external political contests”.
President Barack Obama and key European leaders are shunning the games. Obama, in a key message against the anti-gay laws, has sent a delegation made up of three openly gay athletes. The presidents of France and Germany also won’t be coming.
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