Friday, 29 April 2016
From sex-tape to tickertape
A sex-tape of a racially charged orgy in a Bangkok hotel was a public relations catastrophe for Thai-owned Leicester City -- but it proved an unlikely turning point in their journey to the top of the English Premier League.
The offending video featured three young players including James Pearson, son of then manager Nigel Pearson, engaging in explicit acts with group of Thai women in a Bangkok hotel.
Filmed by the players, the footage of the sniggering men was soon revealed by the British tabloid press, shocking the public with the players' crude remarks including calling one of the Thai women a "slit-eye".
But while the sex-tape caused outrage, it also ushered in a new era for Leicester as it paved the way for the arrival of manager Claudio Ranieri, who has taken the club to the brink of the Premier League title.
After the scandal last May, the players were promptly sacked and pressure mounted on Pearson -- a manager who already had a bruising relationship with the British press.
At the start of July, Pearson also exited due to what the club simply described as "fundamental differences in perspective".
Critics lined up to condemn the owners, billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son Aiyawatt or 'Top', for a decision that came after Pearson had steered the team from the bottom of the table to 14th.
The offending video featured three young players including James Pearson, son of then manager Nigel Pearson, engaging in explicit acts with group of Thai women in a Bangkok hotel.
Filmed by the players, the footage of the sniggering men was soon revealed by the British tabloid press, shocking the public with the players' crude remarks including calling one of the Thai women a "slit-eye".
But while the sex-tape caused outrage, it also ushered in a new era for Leicester as it paved the way for the arrival of manager Claudio Ranieri, who has taken the club to the brink of the Premier League title.
After the scandal last May, the players were promptly sacked and pressure mounted on Pearson -- a manager who already had a bruising relationship with the British press.
At the start of July, Pearson also exited due to what the club simply described as "fundamental differences in perspective".
Critics lined up to condemn the owners, billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son Aiyawatt or 'Top', for a decision that came after Pearson had steered the team from the bottom of the table to 14th.
Pearson's sacking, said former star striker Gary Lineker at the time, showed that the Thai owners "clearly don't know what they're doing".
But a fortnight later the experienced Italian Ranieri arrived, to little fanfare, and quietly set to work on what would become a stunning season.
"The hotel incident brought the hero," Satit 'Bigjah' Krikul, Thailand's best known television football pundit, told AFP, referring to Ranieri's appointment.
"Of course the incident damaged the reputation of the Leicester team and affected Thailand a bit... but it's Thai style that this kind of news blows over."
The owners have stayed silent on the sex scandal and even Bangkok's police, who had threatened to prosecute the women involved for indecency,
now say they have no record of the incident.
Despite Thailand's raunchy nightlife and reputation, sex is a taboo subject in what remains a largely conservative country.
When asked by AFP recently in Bangkok if the club will return for a triumphant Thai tour this year, Top replied with a terse, "No".
The genial Ranieri immediately presented a calmer, kinder face to the public and brought a wealth of top-level footballing experience.
He inherited a team on a good run, bolstered the squad with some shrewd signings and embarked on the unlikeliest of title charges.
At the start of this season the Foxes were widely tipped for relegation, with British bookmakers offering 5,000-1 odds against a league victory.
One of Ranieri's first tasks was to issue a heavy fine to striker Jamie Vardy, who was caught on camera calling an Asian man a "Jap" three times at a casino.
Vardy's "mistake" was forgiven by Ranieri, and he went on to power this year's title bid with 22 league goals.
Villarreal dent Liverpool Europa hopes
Adrian Lopez’s stoppage-time winner put Villarreal on the verge of reaching their first ever Cup final with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
A game of few chances was decided by a brilliant goal at the death as Denis Suarez unselfishly squared for substitute Lopez to tap home from close range.
Roberto Firmino fired Liverpool’s best chance against the post in the second-half as Jurgen Klopp’s men now need another famous European comeback at Anfield to reach the final in Basel on May 18.
Sevilla are well-placed to reach a third consecutive Europa League final as they drew 2-2 away at Shakhtar Donetsk in the other semi-final.
Klopp was left frustrated at the manner at which Liverpool conceded late on having been seconds away from a creditable draw that would have given them the upper hand heading into the return leg.
“Of course I’m not too happy with the goal we conceded in the last second,” Klopp told BT Sport.
“A counter-attack in the 92nd minute doesn’t make too much sense to be honest, but it’s only the first leg. We had no luck today and they know how strong we are at Anfield.”
However, Villarreal boss Marcelino claimed his side were more than deserving winners.
“I am tremendously proud of this squad and we are closer to the final, still far away, but closer than we were in the 88th minute,” he told BeIN Sports Spain.
“It is very important to beat a team like Liverpool and, moreover, deservedly so.”
The 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough tragedy 27 years ago were remembered before kick-off days after the biggest inquest in English legal history found they had been unlawfully killed.
Villarreal fans held aloft a banner reading “96 You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Once the action got underway, Liverpool had the first chance when Joe Allen’s low shot from Adam Lallana’s deflected cross was placed too close to Sergio Asenjo.
Villarreal went onto enjoy the better of an intense first-half short on goalmouth action.
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Roberto Soldado pulled the best chance of the half wide on 10 minutes.
Thomas Pina forced Simon Mignolet into a smart save low to his left before a curling effort from Soldado hit the side-netting.
Liverpool suffered a blow at half-time when Coutinho was forced off to be replaced by Jordan Ibe.
Villarreal were inches away from opening the scoring a minute into the second period when Cedric Bakambu’s header came off the post.
However, Liverpool also hit the woodwork at the other end with their best chance of the game 25 minutes from time when Firmino’s low shot was brilliantly turned onto the post by Asenjo.
The game suddenly opened up in the final 10 minutes as Mignolet producing a stunning save to prevent Bakambu adding to his nine Europa League goals this season.
Yet, from the resulting corner Liverpool pounced on an error from Suarez and Alberto Moreno bore down on goal before firing wildly off target.
Suarez atoned in fine fashion deep into stoppage time as he trapped Bruno’s pass to burst through the Liverpool defence before picking out the unmarked Lopez for an easy finish.
In the other semi-final Vitolo got Sevilla off to a perfect start when he fired between Andrey Pyatov’s legs early on.
The Ukrainians turned the game around before half-time through Marlos and Taras Stepanenko.
However, Kevin Gameiro’s penalty eight minutes from time gives Sevilla a huge advantage ahead of the return at the Sanchez Pizjuan in a week’s time.
Sevilla’s joy was diminished, though, by a serious knee injury suffered by Danish midfielder Michael Krohn-Dehli.
Blatter 'happy' to testify at Platini appeal
FIFA's disgraced former president Sepp Blatter arrived at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday to testify at Michel Platini's appeal against his six-year ban from football over ethics violations.
"I was asked to be a witness today in the case concerning Mr. Platini and I accepted," Blatter told reporters as exited his car outside the court in Lausanne, Switzerland.
He added that he is "happy to be witness in this matter."
Blatter is a key figure in the saga that saw Platini, the suspended head of European governing body UEFA, ousted from football.
In December, FIFA judges banned both men for eight years over a now infamous 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment that Blatter sent to Platini in 2011.
Blatter and Platini have claimed the funds were part of a legitimate oral contract in connection with consulting work that Platini did for FIFA between 1999 and 2002.
FIFA's judges deemed that explanation unconvincing, but an appeals body at world football's governing body reduced their bans to six years in February, citing mitigating circumstances.
Platini's appeal at CAS, the world's top body for disputes in sport, marks his final chance to overturn his suspension.
UEFA has said it will not replace Platini until all his appeals have been exhausted.
If successful at CAS, Platini could immediately reclaim his UEFA post and preside over the Euro 2016 tournament which opens in June and is being hosted in his native France.
"It will be nice to see Michel Platini again," Blatter said before entering the court at roughly 10:40 am (0840 GMT). "It has been a while since I've seen him."
UEFA vice president Angel Maria Villar, who will testify on Platini's behalf, also entered the courthouse, without speaking to journalists.
The head of the Euro 2016 organising committee, Jacques Lambert, was also on hand to support Platini's case.
Shahadat seeks comeback
Banned paceman Shahadat Hossain after he was charged with torturing an 11-year-old girl he employed as a maid apologised Thursday and appealed to be allowed to return to the game.
Shahadat, who has denied abusing the girl in the past, apologised for what he called his “misdeed” and said he had made a mistake.
“I regret the unwarranted incident I was involved in and apologise to the whole nation,” he said in a statement in Bangla.
“For the sake of cricket and my livelihood, I want to return to cricket.
“I appeal to the nation, the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board), to allow me to return to cricket and correct my mistake. I apologise for my misdeed,” he said.
The 29-year-old pace bowler played 38 Tests and 51 one-day internationals before he was suspended from all forms of the game.
Shahadat, who has denied abusing the girl in the past, apologised for what he called his “misdeed” and said he had made a mistake.
“I regret the unwarranted incident I was involved in and apologise to the whole nation,” he said in a statement in Bangla.
“For the sake of cricket and my livelihood, I want to return to cricket.
“I appeal to the nation, the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board), to allow me to return to cricket and correct my mistake. I apologise for my misdeed,” he said.
The 29-year-old pace bowler played 38 Tests and 51 one-day internationals before he was suspended from all forms of the game.
Bangladeshi police charged him and his wife, Nritto Shahadat, with assault and torture in December after the young girl was found crying on a roadside, her eyes bruised and swollen.
The couple went into hiding after police raided their house in September when the girl alleged they had beaten and tortured her.
Television footage showed her looking frail and thin and police said one of her hands had been burnt with a hot cooking implement.
He spent two months in custody after he handed himself in to police on October 5 and has since been released on bail, as has his wife.
A judge has ordered that the couple face trial, and if convicted they face up to 14 years in jail.
But a source said the couple and the girl’s family may come to a financial settlement that would see her withdraw the allegations.
Shahadat told AFP in an interview in December that the allegations were false and had ruined his career.
7.0-magnitude earthquake hits Vanuatu
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific nation of Vanuatu early Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, with a tsunami warning issued.
The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles) was originally measured at 7.3-magnitude by the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC).
The United States Geological Survey said the 7.0-magnitude quake-originally reported as 7.3 -- struck at a relatively shallow depth of 35 kilometres (21 miles) some 209 kilometres from the capital Port Vila.
The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) initially warned the quake, which hit at 1933 Thursday GMT, could generate waves of up to three metres (10 feet) on parts of the Vanuatu coast.
Within two hours it had cancelled the alert, saying “there is no longer a tsunami threat from this earthquake”.
Port Vila journalist Moses Stevens said he was not aware of any damage in the capital, while tourist resort manager Dave Cross said it was felt strongly on the island of Espiritu Santo.
“We really felt the shake because it was so shallow, but all we lost was a vase and some flowers,” he told AFP.
“I’m told there was a small wave, but that was the extent of it.”
He added: “Earthquakes are just part of life here.”
Vanuatu is part of the “Ring of Fire”, a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
A series of tremors have been recorded in the region this month, including a 6.9 magnitude one, also close to Espiritu Santo island. No damage was reported from any of them.
Source : http://en.prothom-alo.com/international/news/103043/7.0-magnitude-earthquake-hits-Vanuatu
The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles) was originally measured at 7.3-magnitude by the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC).
The United States Geological Survey said the 7.0-magnitude quake-originally reported as 7.3 -- struck at a relatively shallow depth of 35 kilometres (21 miles) some 209 kilometres from the capital Port Vila.
The National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) initially warned the quake, which hit at 1933 Thursday GMT, could generate waves of up to three metres (10 feet) on parts of the Vanuatu coast.
Within two hours it had cancelled the alert, saying “there is no longer a tsunami threat from this earthquake”.
Port Vila journalist Moses Stevens said he was not aware of any damage in the capital, while tourist resort manager Dave Cross said it was felt strongly on the island of Espiritu Santo.
“We really felt the shake because it was so shallow, but all we lost was a vase and some flowers,” he told AFP.
“I’m told there was a small wave, but that was the extent of it.”
He added: “Earthquakes are just part of life here.”
Vanuatu is part of the “Ring of Fire”, a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
A series of tremors have been recorded in the region this month, including a 6.9 magnitude one, also close to Espiritu Santo island. No damage was reported from any of them.
Source : http://en.prothom-alo.com/international/news/103043/7.0-magnitude-earthquake-hits-Vanuatu
US, UN condemn Syria hospital bombing
The United States and the United Nations Thursday condemned an air strike on a hospital in Syria’s Aleppo, with Washington demanding that Russia restrain its Syrian ally.
UN officials also voiced alarm at the “catastrophic deterioration” of the situation in Syria and appealed on world powers to salvage a February 27 truce.
But in Aleppo on Thursday, fighting between rebels and regime forces killed 53 civilians-the highest toll for a single day in a week of violence that has cost more than 200 lives, according to a monitor.
The Syrian army was meanwhile poised to launch an offensive against rebels who control part of the northern city.
Secretary of State John Kerry expressed “outrage” over Wednesday’s air strike that hit Al-Quds hospital in Aleppo’s rebel-held Sukkari neighbourhood.
He said it appeared to be “a deliberate strike on a known medical facility” and said Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, must restrain the Damascus regime.
“Russia has an urgent responsibility to press the regime to fulfil its commitments under UNSCR 2254, including in particular to stop attacking civilians, medical facilities, and first responders, and to abide fully by the cessation of hostilities.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said attacks that target civilians are “inexcusable” violations of humanitarian law.
“There must be accountability for these crimes,” he said.
The city’s last remaining paediatrician and three children were among the 20 people killed in the air strike overnight on the Al-Quds hospital, which was supported by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
A civil defence group known as the White Helmets told AFP 30 people were killed in the strike on the hospital and a nearby block of flats.
Truce ‘barely alive’
The Aleppo violence has raised fears for the ceasefire in other areas of Syria and called into question the future of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva that have now gone into recess.
UN envoy Staffan de Mistura warned that the hard-won February 27 ceasefire was now “barely alive” and could collapse “any time”.
Speaking late Wednesday after a third round of Syria peace talks fizzled out, De Mistura also urged its co-sponsors Russia and the United States to take action to rescue it.
He said the United States, which supports some rebel groups, and regime ally Russia needed to act, calling on them to organise a high-level Syria meeting before negotiations resume.
UN aid chief Stephen O’Brien further raised the alarm on Thursday in remarks made at the UN Security Council.
“We must all be ashamed this is happening on our watch,” said O’Brien, urging world powers to salvage the truce.
“You must not squander the opportunity presented by talks in Geneva and by the cessation of hostilities to put an end to the massive human suffering in Syria,” he said.
And the UN’s Jan Egeland, who heads an international humanitarian taskforce for war-ravaged Syria, spoke of a “catastrophic deterioration” of the situation in the country.
“The stakes are so incredibly high,” Egeland told reporters in Geneva, and warned that “the lifeline to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people... may be broken.”
‘Humanitarian disaster’
Rebel rocket and artillery fire on government-held neighbourhoods on Thursday killed 22 civilians, including two children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Regime air strikes on rebel-held districts, including Bustan al-Qasr, killed 31 civilians, including three children, said the British-based monitor.
An AFP correspondent said every building in sight in the Bustan al-Qasr district had had its windows blown out.
“It is the worst day in Aleppo in five years. The regime did not spare a single neighbourhood,” said one resident.
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that Aleppo city was “on the brink of humanitarian disaster”.
The pro-government Al-Watan newspaper and a Syrian regime source meanwhile said the army was preparing to take the whole of Aleppo.
“Now is the time to launch the battle for the complete liberation of Aleppo,” the paper said, adding that it “will not take long to begin, nor to finish”.
A regime source told AFP that “the army is preparing a huge operation in the coming days to push the rebels away from the city by encircling it and creating a security zone”.
Rebels have controlled eastern districts of Aleppo city since 2012, while western neighbourhoods are held by the regime.
Control of the surrounding province is divided between a myriad of armed groups-jihadists of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, Kurdish militia and various rebel factions as well as the army.
Further north in the province, rebels including the powerful Islamist Ahrar al-Sham group and Kurdish forces fought fierce battles Wednesday and early Thursday that left 64 fighters dead, a monitor said.
More than 270,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions forced from their homes since the conflict erupted in 2011.
Brother of San Bernardino shooter arrested
Three people linked to the couple responsible for December’s mass shooting in San Bernardino, California were arrested on Thursday on conspiracy, marriage fraud and other charges unrelated to the massacre, U.S. prosecutors said.
The trio included Syed Raheel Farook, whose brother Syed Rizwan Farook and sister-in-law, Pakistan-born Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people in a rampage authorities have said was inspired by Islamist militants.
All three pleaded not guilty and will be released on bond, Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said.
Lawyers for the three did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Officials said the charges stemmed from an immigration-related investigation that came out of their probe into the massacre.
U.S. Navy veteran Syed Raheel Farook, 31, his wife, Tatiana Farook, 31, and her sister Mariya Chernykh, 26, were arrested after being charged with conspiracy to make a false statement to immigration officials while under oath, the attorney’s office said.
The investigation found that in 2014 Enrique Marquez, who had been a friend of Syed Rizwan Farook, allegedly agreed in return for payment to marry Chernykh, a Russian citizen, so she could apply for permanent U.S. residency status, charging documents stated.
Chernykh also was charged with fraud and two counts of making material false statements to federal agents.
Syed Raheel Farook and Tatiana Farook, who like her sister is originally from Russia, staged photos of Marquez and Chernykh to make them look like a married couple and created a joint bank account for the two, according to the charging documents. The Farooks were arrested at their home in Corona while Chernykh was arrested in Ontario.
“Today’s arrests open a new phase in the process of bringing to justice all individuals who allegedly committed crimes that were uncovered during our exhaustive investigation,” U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker said in a statement.
Marquez was charged on Dec. 18 with conspiring with Syed Rizwan Farook in 2011 and 2012 to support a militant attack in Southern California that was never carried out. He has pleaded not guilty.
Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife died in a shootout with police hours after the Dec. 2 San Bernardino attack.
The alleged sham marriage first surfaced in December, when Marquez also was charged with defrauding immigration authorities.
Syed Raheel Farook and Tatiana Farook, who are both U.S. citizens, if convicted of conspiracy each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Chernykh faces up to 25 years, prosecutors said. Their trial is set to start on June 21.
Under U.S. law, Chernykh could also be deported to Russia if convicted.
Malaysia hints at resuming worker recruitment
The Malaysian government will soon announce its decision on the recruitment of foreign workers saying the government understands the need for certain sectors who are in need of foreign workers.
“An important decision on this will be announced in due course,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted by Malaysia state news agency Bernama as saying.
While addressing the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Council Installation Night 2016 Petaling Jaya on Thursday night, he said for the time being the Malaysian government was open to suggestions and proposals from businesses on the matter while employers had also requested for the freeze to be lifted.
On February 18, Bangladesh Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Nurul Islam and Malaysian Human Resources Minister Richard Riot signed a memorandum of understanding on recruiting 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers through G2G Plus mechanism over the next three years.
In February last, the Malaysian government decided to suspend the recruitment of all foreign workers for Malaysia, including those from Bangladesh, while the government reviewed the two-tier levy programme for foreign workers.
Source : http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/103071/Malaysia-hints-at-resuming-worker-recruitment
“An important decision on this will be announced in due course,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted by Malaysia state news agency Bernama as saying.
While addressing the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Council Installation Night 2016 Petaling Jaya on Thursday night, he said for the time being the Malaysian government was open to suggestions and proposals from businesses on the matter while employers had also requested for the freeze to be lifted.
On February 18, Bangladesh Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Nurul Islam and Malaysian Human Resources Minister Richard Riot signed a memorandum of understanding on recruiting 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers through G2G Plus mechanism over the next three years.
In February last, the Malaysian government decided to suspend the recruitment of all foreign workers for Malaysia, including those from Bangladesh, while the government reviewed the two-tier levy programme for foreign workers.
Source : http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/103071/Malaysia-hints-at-resuming-worker-recruitment
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Donald eyes full-time Australia job
South Africa great Allan Donald said he had his eye on a full-time job with Australia Thursday after he was named as temporary bowling coach for their tour of Sri Lanka.
The former pace spearhead nicknamed “White Lightning” is filling in after Craig McDermott stepped down as bowling coach at the end of the World T20 in India.
Head coach Darren Lehmann said it was a massive coup to secure Donald’s services for the Test, one-day and Twenty20 tour from July to September.
“He brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around,” Lehmann said.
“His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation.”
There was media speculation on Wednesday that Donald could stay on for this year’s home series against South Africa, but this was not confirmed by Cricket Australia.
Donald, who has previously coached with England, New Zealand and South Africa, said if the job was offered full-time, he would take it.
“If it does happen to be a long-term thing, then I would absolutely love to do that,” the South African, who took 330 Test and 272 one-day international wickets during an illustrious career, told the Cricket Australia website.
“There’s no question about it. I would love to work with Boof (Lehmann) and his team, without a shadow of doubt.
“But we’ll take it small steps at a time and see how that goes.”
Cricket Australia are still considering a full-time replacement for McDermott, with their former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who is head coach at English county Yorkshire, a top target.
Along with Donald, former Australia batsman Stuart Law, who used to coach the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh national sides, was drafted in for the Test component of the Sri Lanka tour.
He will cover for current batting coach Greg Blewett, who is taking leave for the birth of his second child.
Australia’s two-month series against Sri Lanka includes three Tests—in Kandy, Galle and Colombo—along with five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
Before that, they have a one-day tri-series in the West Indies, which also includes South Africa.
Former Tasmania fast bowler Adam Griffith will be the acting bowling coach for the tri-series.
Williamson confirmed as NZ test captain
Leading batsman Kane Williamson has been confirmed as New Zealand's 29th test cricket captain.
The 25-year-old Williamson has already captained New Zealand in 34 one-day or Twenty20 internationals and will now succeed Brendon McCullum as captain in all three formats.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said Willimason "has been a leader within the team for a long time and already shown himself to be an extremely capable captain. He is respected by his peers and the wider cricket community for his professional approach both on and off the field, and has a superb cricket brain."
Williamson said he had learned a lot from McCullum and "the culture that he and Mike (Hesson) have cultivated has been a huge part of this team's success in recent times."
Niguez hands Atletico lead over Bayern
A sensational solo effort from Saul Niguez handed Atletico Madrid a precious 1-0 advantage over Bayern Munich from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.
The Spanish under-21 international skipped past four Bayern players before firing into the far corner to give Atletico the perfect start after 11 minutes.
Bayern dominated for long spells thereafter, but the closest they came to a vital away goal was a thunderous long-range effort from David Alaba that came back off the crossbar.
Atletico will travel to Bavaria for the return next Tuesday looking to complete the job to reach their second final in three years and exact revenge for their defeat to Bayern in the 1974 final.
“I always had my eye on the goal. It’s the most beautiful and most important goal I’ve scored,” Saul told BeIN Sports Spain.
Bayern lost the first legs of their semi-finals in the previous two seasons to Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way out of the competition.
And the German champions must turn the tie around if coach Pep Guardiola is to avoid missing out on the Champions League in his three-year stay in Munich before joining Manchester City next season.
“It is not a great result for us. It is always unpleasant to have not scored an away goal, but we still have 90 minutes,” said Guardiola.
“We played very well and had enough goal chances, so I am pleased with the performance.
“We have to play more intelligently in the return match, we need patience and we only need a goal to take the game to extra time.”
However, Atletico boss Diego Simeone refused to get carried away after watching his side cling on in the second-half.
“The result gives us the possibility to play in Munich in a fantastic stadium with a chance,” said Simeone.
“The first-half was closer to what we wanted and the second-half was much closer to what they wanted from the start.”
Bayern couldn’t have made a worse start once more in the Spanish capital as, roared on by a vociferous support, Atletico flew out of the blocks early on.
Niguez had already had a long-range effort saved by Manuel Neuer before he opened the scoring in stunning style.
The 21-year-old picked the ball up near halfway and skipped past four half-hearted Bayern challenges before curling a left-footed shot in off the inside of the far post.
Atletico nearly gifted Bayern an equaliser immediately as Jose Maria Gimenez’s miscued clearance pinballed around the area before the Uruguayan atoned for his initial error by clearing off the line.
Bayern were dominant in possession, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against an Atletico side that now hasn’t conceded at home in their last seven Champions League knockout ties.
Alaba shot wide from distance, while Douglas Costa’s free-kick nearly caught out Jan Oblak at his near post.
Yet, it was Atletico who squandered a big chance to make it 2-0 before the break when Antoine Griezmann’s shot from a narrow angle was turned behind by Neuer.
Wonder strike -
Bayern were completely dominant after the break as Atletico tired and dropped deeper towards their own goal.
Alaba smashed a wonder strike off the underside of the bar from fully 35 yards before Javi Martinez’s powerful header from Costa’s corner was gratefully grasped by Oblak low to his right.
Guardiola had controversially left Thomas Mueller on the bench despite his 31 goals in all competitions this season.
The future Manchester City boss eventually called upon the German World Cup winner and Franck Ribery in search of a vital away goal.
Costa came close again seconds after Mueller’s arrival as his attempted lob over Oblak dipped just over the bar.
Oblak was called into action again to parry an Arturo Vidal piledriver from distance.
Yet, once more Atletico had the best chance to put the tie beyond the German champions in the final stages as Torres hit the post from Griezmann’s fine through ball and Neuer saved Koke’s follow-up effort.
Oblak made simple saves from Mehdi Benatia and Vidal in stoppage time as Atletico held out to record their 33rd clean sheet of the season.
Bayern dominated for long spells thereafter, but the closest they came to a vital away goal was a thunderous long-range effort from David Alaba that came back off the crossbar.
Atletico will travel to Bavaria for the return next Tuesday looking to complete the job to reach their second final in three years and exact revenge for their defeat to Bayern in the 1974 final.
“I always had my eye on the goal. It’s the most beautiful and most important goal I’ve scored,” Saul told BeIN Sports Spain.
Bayern lost the first legs of their semi-finals in the previous two seasons to Real Madrid and Barcelona on their way out of the competition.
And the German champions must turn the tie around if coach Pep Guardiola is to avoid missing out on the Champions League in his three-year stay in Munich before joining Manchester City next season.
“It is not a great result for us. It is always unpleasant to have not scored an away goal, but we still have 90 minutes,” said Guardiola.
“We played very well and had enough goal chances, so I am pleased with the performance.
“We have to play more intelligently in the return match, we need patience and we only need a goal to take the game to extra time.”
However, Atletico boss Diego Simeone refused to get carried away after watching his side cling on in the second-half.
“The result gives us the possibility to play in Munich in a fantastic stadium with a chance,” said Simeone.
“The first-half was closer to what we wanted and the second-half was much closer to what they wanted from the start.”
Bayern couldn’t have made a worse start once more in the Spanish capital as, roared on by a vociferous support, Atletico flew out of the blocks early on.
Niguez had already had a long-range effort saved by Manuel Neuer before he opened the scoring in stunning style.
The 21-year-old picked the ball up near halfway and skipped past four half-hearted Bayern challenges before curling a left-footed shot in off the inside of the far post.
Atletico nearly gifted Bayern an equaliser immediately as Jose Maria Gimenez’s miscued clearance pinballed around the area before the Uruguayan atoned for his initial error by clearing off the line.
Bayern were dominant in possession, but struggled to create clear-cut chances against an Atletico side that now hasn’t conceded at home in their last seven Champions League knockout ties.
Alaba shot wide from distance, while Douglas Costa’s free-kick nearly caught out Jan Oblak at his near post.
Yet, it was Atletico who squandered a big chance to make it 2-0 before the break when Antoine Griezmann’s shot from a narrow angle was turned behind by Neuer.
Wonder strike -
Bayern were completely dominant after the break as Atletico tired and dropped deeper towards their own goal.
Alaba smashed a wonder strike off the underside of the bar from fully 35 yards before Javi Martinez’s powerful header from Costa’s corner was gratefully grasped by Oblak low to his right.
Guardiola had controversially left Thomas Mueller on the bench despite his 31 goals in all competitions this season.
The future Manchester City boss eventually called upon the German World Cup winner and Franck Ribery in search of a vital away goal.
Costa came close again seconds after Mueller’s arrival as his attempted lob over Oblak dipped just over the bar.
Oblak was called into action again to parry an Arturo Vidal piledriver from distance.
Yet, once more Atletico had the best chance to put the tie beyond the German champions in the final stages as Torres hit the post from Griezmann’s fine through ball and Neuer saved Koke’s follow-up effort.
Oblak made simple saves from Mehdi Benatia and Vidal in stoppage time as Atletico held out to record their 33rd clean sheet of the season.
Russia leads WADA’s 2014 doping tally
Russia was the top drugs offender in 2014 accounting for 148 of the 1,693 doping violations recorded, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Wednesday.
Athletics and bodybuilding were the worst offenders, accounting for more than 400 of the violations between them in WADA’s annual report for 2014.
Russia, which could miss the Rio Olympics athletics because of a doping scandal, was followed by Italy (123), India (96), Belgium (91), France (91), Turkey (73), Australia (49), China (49), Brazil (46) and South Korea (43) as the top 10 offending countries.
In total, individuals from 109 countries across 83 sports committed anti-doping rule violations.
A total of 1,462 of the doping violations arose through adverse analytical findings in conventional drug tests, while 231 were uncovered through evidence-based intelligence such as evading or refusing to submit a sample.
Athletics and bodybuilding were the worst offenders, accounting for more than 400 of the violations between them in WADA’s annual report for 2014.
Russia, which could miss the Rio Olympics athletics because of a doping scandal, was followed by Italy (123), India (96), Belgium (91), France (91), Turkey (73), Australia (49), China (49), Brazil (46) and South Korea (43) as the top 10 offending countries.
In total, individuals from 109 countries across 83 sports committed anti-doping rule violations.
A total of 1,462 of the doping violations arose through adverse analytical findings in conventional drug tests, while 231 were uncovered through evidence-based intelligence such as evading or refusing to submit a sample.
WADA Director General David Howman said the evidence-based violations highlighted “the increasing importance of non-analytical approaches to anti-doping.”
“The Report also reminds us of the importance of values-based education to prevention and risk minimization,” said Howman.
Russia’s place at the top of the doping charts comes with the country battling to ensure its track and field athletes are allowed to compete in the Olympics in August.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is to rule in June on Russia’s participation in the Games amid calls for their athletes to be banned.
Russian athletes were banned from competing internationally last year after an independent commission chaired by ex-WADA chief Dick Pound found evidence of state-sponsored doping in the country.
The commission report accused Russia of “sabotaging” the 2012 London Olympics by allowing the participation of several athletes with suspicious blood biological passport results.
It also accused staff at Russia’s main anti-doping laboratory of “aiding and abetting” drug cheats. The Russian Sports Ministry was also accused of issuing orders to “manipulate particular samples.”
WADA earlier this month revoked the Moscow laboratory’s accreditation due to “non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories and the related Technical Documents.”
“The Report also reminds us of the importance of values-based education to prevention and risk minimization,” said Howman.
Russia’s place at the top of the doping charts comes with the country battling to ensure its track and field athletes are allowed to compete in the Olympics in August.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is to rule in June on Russia’s participation in the Games amid calls for their athletes to be banned.
Russian athletes were banned from competing internationally last year after an independent commission chaired by ex-WADA chief Dick Pound found evidence of state-sponsored doping in the country.
The commission report accused Russia of “sabotaging” the 2012 London Olympics by allowing the participation of several athletes with suspicious blood biological passport results.
It also accused staff at Russia’s main anti-doping laboratory of “aiding and abetting” drug cheats. The Russian Sports Ministry was also accused of issuing orders to “manipulate particular samples.”
WADA earlier this month revoked the Moscow laboratory’s accreditation due to “non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories and the related Technical Documents.”
Law, Donald join Aussie coaching staff
South Africa great Allan Donald was Thursday hired by Australia as bowling coach for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, while Stuart Law will mentor the batsmen.
The renowned pace spearhead, whose speed saw him nicknamed “White Lightning”, temporarily fills the vacancy left by Craig McDermott who stepped down as bowling coach at the end of the World T20 in India.
Head coach Darren Lehmann said it was a massive coup to secure Donald’s services.
“He brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around,” he said.
“His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation.”
There was media speculation on Wednesday that Donald could also stay on for Australia’s summer series against South Africa, but this was not confirmed by Cricket Australia.
Donald, who has previously coached with England, New Zealand and South Africa, took 330 Test and 272 one-day international wickets during an illustrious career for South Africa that spanned 10 years.
Former Australia batsman Law, who has previously coached the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh national sides, was drafted in for the Test component of the Sri Lanka tour while current batting coach Greg Blewett takes leave for the birth of his second child.
Australia embark on a two-month series against Sri Lanka in July, playing three Tests—in Kandy, Galle and Colombo—along with five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
Before that, they have a one-day tri-series in the West Indies, which also includes South Africa.
Former Tasmania fast bowler Adam Griffith is the acting bowling coach for that tour.
Cricket Australia are still considering a full-time replacement for McDermott, with their former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who is head coach at English county Yorkshire, a top target.
S. Lanka restores Jayasuriya as selection boss
Sri Lanka on Wednesday brought back former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya to be the chief of a new panel of cricket selectors, following the country’s abortive defence of the Twenty20 World Cup.
The four-member panel was brought in to replace a previous ad-hoc committee headed by former Test player Aravinda de Silva, which was set up just hours before the team was due to leave for India.
The World T20 tournament last month saw reigning champions Sri Lanka crash out at the group stages.
Two selectors, Romesh Kaluwitharana and Ranjith Madurasinghe, have been retained in the new panel while the fourth man is Eric Upashantha, also a former player and selector.
Jayasuriya previously headed the selection panel from January 2013 to March 2015.
“The new (selection) committee will take office on May 1, 2016,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.
Sri Lanka tours England in May and June and will play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and one T20 match.
Mid-range missile test of N Korea fails
North Korea on Thursday tried and failed in what appeared to be its second attempt in two weeks to test a powerful, new medium-range ballistic missile, South Korea’s defence ministry said.
A ministry official said the North had fired what was understood to be a Musudan missile at around 6:40 am (2140 GMT Wednesday) from Wonsan on the east coast, but it plunged back to earth seconds after launch.
“It is believed to have failed,” the official told AFP.
There had been widespread intelligence reports in recent days that the North was preparing for another flight test of a Musudan, which is capable of striking US bases on the Pacific island of Guam.
North Korea initially launched a Musudan on April 15 -- the birthday of founding leader Kim Il-Sung-but the exercise ended in what the Pentagon described as “fiery, catastrophic” failure, with the missile apparently exploding just after take-off.
The failed tests come as the country is gearing up for a rare and much-hyped ruling party congress next month, at which Kim Jong-Un is expected to take credit for pushing the country’s nuclear weapons programme to new heights.
Nuclear test fears
There is growing concern that Pyongyang is preparing to conduct a fifth nuclear test in the run-up to the event which opens 6 May.
In recent months the North has claimed a series of major technical breakthroughs in developing what it sees as the ultimate goal of its nuclear weapons programme-an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to targets across the continental United States.
The achievements trumpeted by Pyongyang have included miniaturising a nuclear warhead to fit on a missile, developing a warhead that can withstand atmospheric re-entry and building a solid-fuel missile engine.
Last Saturday, it successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and was promptly criticised by the UN Security Council.
Existing UN resolutions forbid North Korea from the use of any ballistic missile-related technology, and South Korea said it would push for fresh penalties to be imposed on Pyongyang.
“The government strongly condemns this additional ballistic missile launch ... which is a clear violation of UN resolutions and an act of provocation,” the foreign ministry in Seoul said in a statement.
It said it would work with other UN members to “try to put the North’s regime under more sanctions.”
Longer range
The Musudan is believed to have an estimated range of anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres (1,550 to 2,500 miles). The lower range covers the whole of South Korea and Japan, while the upper range would include US military bases on Guam.
The missile has never been successfully flight-tested.
Two failures in swift succession will be seen as an embarrassment for the leadership, especially ahead of the party congress which is meant to celebrate the country’s achievements.
Speaking last weekend during a visit to Germany, US President Barack Obama warned that North Korea was making dangerous progress even when its efforts fell short of outright success.
“Although, more often than not, they fail in many of these tests, they gain knowledge each time,” Obama said.
“We take it very seriously, so do our allies and so does the entire world,” he added.
Anxiety has been high on the divided Korean peninsula since Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and a rocket launch a month later that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.
The UN Security Council responded with its toughest sanctions to date, angering the North, which has since made repeated threats of attacks targeting the South and the United States.
“It is believed to have failed,” the official told AFP.
There had been widespread intelligence reports in recent days that the North was preparing for another flight test of a Musudan, which is capable of striking US bases on the Pacific island of Guam.
North Korea initially launched a Musudan on April 15 -- the birthday of founding leader Kim Il-Sung-but the exercise ended in what the Pentagon described as “fiery, catastrophic” failure, with the missile apparently exploding just after take-off.
The failed tests come as the country is gearing up for a rare and much-hyped ruling party congress next month, at which Kim Jong-Un is expected to take credit for pushing the country’s nuclear weapons programme to new heights.
Nuclear test fears
There is growing concern that Pyongyang is preparing to conduct a fifth nuclear test in the run-up to the event which opens 6 May.
In recent months the North has claimed a series of major technical breakthroughs in developing what it sees as the ultimate goal of its nuclear weapons programme-an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to targets across the continental United States.
The achievements trumpeted by Pyongyang have included miniaturising a nuclear warhead to fit on a missile, developing a warhead that can withstand atmospheric re-entry and building a solid-fuel missile engine.
Last Saturday, it successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and was promptly criticised by the UN Security Council.
Existing UN resolutions forbid North Korea from the use of any ballistic missile-related technology, and South Korea said it would push for fresh penalties to be imposed on Pyongyang.
“The government strongly condemns this additional ballistic missile launch ... which is a clear violation of UN resolutions and an act of provocation,” the foreign ministry in Seoul said in a statement.
It said it would work with other UN members to “try to put the North’s regime under more sanctions.”
Longer range
The Musudan is believed to have an estimated range of anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres (1,550 to 2,500 miles). The lower range covers the whole of South Korea and Japan, while the upper range would include US military bases on Guam.
The missile has never been successfully flight-tested.
Two failures in swift succession will be seen as an embarrassment for the leadership, especially ahead of the party congress which is meant to celebrate the country’s achievements.
Speaking last weekend during a visit to Germany, US President Barack Obama warned that North Korea was making dangerous progress even when its efforts fell short of outright success.
“Although, more often than not, they fail in many of these tests, they gain knowledge each time,” Obama said.
“We take it very seriously, so do our allies and so does the entire world,” he added.
Anxiety has been high on the divided Korean peninsula since Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and a rocket launch a month later that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.
The UN Security Council responded with its toughest sanctions to date, angering the North, which has since made repeated threats of attacks targeting the South and the United States.
20 killed in air strikes on Aleppo hospital
Air strikes overnight on the al-Quds hospital in the rebel-held Syrian city of Aleppo killed 20, including three children and the last paediatrician in the city, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday.
The British-based organisation said in the past six days in Aleppo 84 civilians had been killed in government air strikes and 49 civilians were killed in rebel shelling of government-held areas. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Alison Williams)
Syria ceasefire should be ‘revitalised’
The UN’s Syria envoy said Thursday he planned to hold another round of peace talks next month, but called for a stuttering ceasefire to be “revitalised” before setting a date, as at least 20 civilians were killed in second city Aleppo.
Staffan de Mistura made the comments after briefing the United Nations Security Council on the talks, which he said had made gains despite escalating violence on the ground that continues to threaten the fragile truce.
He said the United States, which supports some rebel groups, and regime ally Russia needed to act, calling on them to organise a high-level Syria meeting before negotiations resume.
As the latest round of negotiations went on recess, de Mistura said he wanted to open a fresh set “during the course of May”, to build on momentum gained so far.
But he added that he was waiting to fix a date in the hope that world powers would use their leverage to strengthen the ceasefire, which needed to be “urgently revitalised”.
Staffan de Mistura made the comments after briefing the United Nations Security Council on the talks, which he said had made gains despite escalating violence on the ground that continues to threaten the fragile truce.
He said the United States, which supports some rebel groups, and regime ally Russia needed to act, calling on them to organise a high-level Syria meeting before negotiations resume.
As the latest round of negotiations went on recess, de Mistura said he wanted to open a fresh set “during the course of May”, to build on momentum gained so far.
But he added that he was waiting to fix a date in the hope that world powers would use their leverage to strengthen the ceasefire, which needed to be “urgently revitalised”.
“How can you have substantial talks when you have only news about bombing and shelling?” de Mistura asked.
The announcement came after regime strikes on an Aleppo hospital and nearby residential building late Wednesday left at least 20 civilians dead, including two children, according to civil defence volunteers in the country.
A doctor who was the only paediatrician in the rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods of Aleppo was also among the dead, an AFP correspondent on the ground said.
Video footage filmed by AFP showed the badly damaged hospital, aid workers transporting the victims in ambulances and a weeping man holding a child.
In separate attacks on the east and west of the city earlier in the day, 16 people died, including at least five civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and defence volunteers.
State news agency SANA blamed rocket attacks and gunfire in the west on Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front and its allies.
Political transition
De Mistura highlighted that all parties at the Geneva-based talks now recognised the need for a new transitional government in Syria that should be tasked with drafting a new constitution, even if huge divides remain on the nature of that government.
The talks are focused on creating a transitional government capable of leading Syria out of a brutal civil war that has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced millions.
“No one is doubting any more that there is an urgent need for a true and credible political transition,” he told reporters.
“There is a clear understanding that a political transition should be overseen by a new, I repeat new, credible and inclusive transitional government, which will be replacing the present governance arrangement,” he said.
But the UN mediator declined to discuss the most daunting obstacle at the talks-the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) has insisted that Assad cannot be part of a transitional government and must agree to leave power as part of any peace deal.
Government negotiators have said Assad’s fate is not on the agenda at the talks.
The HNC, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and the West, officially withdrew from this round last week to protest escalating violence, but left technical experts in Geneva who continued to meet with UN mediators.
On Wednesday Russia asked the UN to blacklist Jaish al-Islam, a major Syrian rebel group that counts HNC chief negotiator Mohammed Alloush among its members.
The group is “closely linked to terrorist organisations, primarily the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda”, Moscow’s ambassador to the UN said.
But Alloush rejected the accusation and said Russia was committing “massacres” with its air and artillery strikes in support of Assad.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby backed de Mistura’s concern over escalating violence, adding, “We urge Russia to press the Assad regime to fulfil its commitments under (previous resolutions)”.
The announcement came after regime strikes on an Aleppo hospital and nearby residential building late Wednesday left at least 20 civilians dead, including two children, according to civil defence volunteers in the country.
A doctor who was the only paediatrician in the rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods of Aleppo was also among the dead, an AFP correspondent on the ground said.
Video footage filmed by AFP showed the badly damaged hospital, aid workers transporting the victims in ambulances and a weeping man holding a child.
In separate attacks on the east and west of the city earlier in the day, 16 people died, including at least five civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and defence volunteers.
State news agency SANA blamed rocket attacks and gunfire in the west on Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front and its allies.
Political transition
De Mistura highlighted that all parties at the Geneva-based talks now recognised the need for a new transitional government in Syria that should be tasked with drafting a new constitution, even if huge divides remain on the nature of that government.
The talks are focused on creating a transitional government capable of leading Syria out of a brutal civil war that has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced millions.
“No one is doubting any more that there is an urgent need for a true and credible political transition,” he told reporters.
“There is a clear understanding that a political transition should be overseen by a new, I repeat new, credible and inclusive transitional government, which will be replacing the present governance arrangement,” he said.
But the UN mediator declined to discuss the most daunting obstacle at the talks-the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) has insisted that Assad cannot be part of a transitional government and must agree to leave power as part of any peace deal.
Government negotiators have said Assad’s fate is not on the agenda at the talks.
The HNC, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and the West, officially withdrew from this round last week to protest escalating violence, but left technical experts in Geneva who continued to meet with UN mediators.
On Wednesday Russia asked the UN to blacklist Jaish al-Islam, a major Syrian rebel group that counts HNC chief negotiator Mohammed Alloush among its members.
The group is “closely linked to terrorist organisations, primarily the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda”, Moscow’s ambassador to the UN said.
But Alloush rejected the accusation and said Russia was committing “massacres” with its air and artillery strikes in support of Assad.
US State Department spokesman John Kirby backed de Mistura’s concern over escalating violence, adding, “We urge Russia to press the Assad regime to fulfil its commitments under (previous resolutions)”.
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