Puel hit by Leicester’s ‘hardest week’ after owner’s tragic death

London (AFP) – Claude Puel admits his Leicester players are struggling to come to terms with the most traumatic week in the club’s history as they prepare to return to Premier League action following the tragic death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Thai billionaire Vichai, who brought the Premier League title to Leicester in 2016, was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside the club’s King Power Stadium following Saturday’s match against West Ham.

Mourners have turned the King Power into a shrine, with flowers and tributes laid around the arena as the city grieves the loss of the charismatic Vichai.

“This has been without doubt one of the hardest weeks in the history of this football club,” Puel said on Thursday. 

“The tragic loss of five lives has left us numb and in shock and our prayers and love remain with Vichai’s family and with the all of the families who have lost a loved one.”

Leicester postponed Tuesday’s League Cup home game against Southampton, but the Foxes will return to action for the first time since Vichai’s death when they travel to Cardiff in the Premier League on Saturday.

Manager Puel has had the difficult task of dealing with players stunned by a tragedy that rocked the football world.

Many of his squad visited the stadium to pay their respects this week and Puel conceded it has been a painful few days.

“Vichai made Leicester City into what it is. He made it a family and made a dream. He invested in the club, the city and he invested in the people.

“He truly was loved by everyone inside and outside the club. Personally it was a privilege to work for him. It was a privilege for the faith he showed in me and the moments we shared. 

“To see all of the messages and the flowers and shirts outside the stadium this week show how many lives he touched.”

– Vichai’s legacy –

Former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri paid his respects by visiting the ever-growing shrine on Thursday.

Ranieri, who masterminded Leicester’s stunning Premier League title triumph in 2016, was accompanied by Srivaddhanaprabha’s son Aiyawatt as he laid a wreath outside the stadium.

Given the circumstances, Puel knows the result of Leicester’s clash with Cardiff is of secondary importance. 

But he hopes his team can use their forthcoming matches to pay tribute to the man whose investment and ambition turned the club into kings of England for one magical season.

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Copa Libertadores set for Buenos Aires ‘clasico’ final

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Fierce Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate will contest the Copa America final later this month after seeing off Brazilian opposition in the semi-finals.

It will be the first time two Argentine sides face each other in the final, pitting the two halves of the Buenos Aires ‘clasico’ encounter in a mouth-watering two-legged tie.

Carlos Tevez’s Boca secured their place in the final with a 2-2 draw away to Palmeiras on Wednesday to complete a 4-2 aggregate victory having won the first leg in Buenos Aires 2-0.

The night before, though, there was a highly contentious semi-final between Gremio and River in Porto Alegre.

The Uruguayan referee needed a protective police cordon after awarding a late penalty against the hosts that allowed River to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit to progress on away goals by winning the return 2-1.

Reigning champions Gremio have appealed the result to Conmebol, the South American football confederation, complaining they were the victims of two refereeing errors — one leading to the game-winning penalty award, the other an alleged handball when River scored their opening goal.

The Buenos Aires rivals have faced each other in the Libertadores before, the last time in the quarter-finals in 2015 when River triumphed to lift their third trophy.

Boca, who last triumphed in 2007, have claimed the cup six times, a figure bettered only by another team from Buenos Aires, Independiente with seven.

The first leg at Boca’s Bombonera stadium is on Wednesday with the return match at River’s Monumental stadium scheduled for November 28.

It comes just two days before a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires in which leaders from around the world, including United States President Donald Trump, will be attending, meaning the city’s security forces will already be heavily occupied.

As a result, the second leg could be either brought forward a week to November 21 or delayed until December 5.

This will be the last year the Libertadores final is played over two legs. From 2019 it will adopt the same format as its European equivalent, the Champions League, and hold a one-off final at a pre-designated venue.

The 2019 final will be played in the Chilean capital Santiago.

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Ancelotti’s Napoli play catch-up in Serie A as PSG loom

Milan (AFP) – Napoli will be looking to hit struggling Empoli hard in Friday’s early Serie A match to keep touch with leaders Juventus before next week’s Champions League blockbuster against Paris Saint-Germain.

Carlo Ancelotti knows well that at home against Empoli, his side have to get back on track for the title after last Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Roma, thanks to Dries Mertens’ late equaliser.

Napoli, with 22 points from 10 games, are now third, level on points with Inter Milan, who are ahead on goal difference, but six points adrift of seven-time champions Juventus.

“We will fight to the end, the goal is very clear,” said Ancelotti at Thursday’s press conference.

“There are several teams that aim to get closer to Juve, Inter had a positive run and they’re closer like us and that increases the competitiveness of the championship.

“AC Milan are getting closer now too.”

The Napoli coach was playing his cards close to his chest as he ruled out resting players including Lorenzo Insigne ahead of Tuesday’s game at home against PSG.

“If there’s rotation I will do it only to put on fresh players for this game.

“Some players will change but I won’t name names to keep you guessing.

“The next match is not in my thoughts, the one against Empoli is now the most important.”

“We’re in a good period, we’re in good shape mentally and physically .. but there are always pitfalls just around the corner.”

Empoli lost 2-1 to Juventus last weekend after a Cristiano Ronaldo double, and are in the relegation zone with just three points from their last nine games.

– ‘Built to win’ –

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus host Cagliari on Saturday, before next week’s visit by Manchester United, with Inter Milan at home against Genoa on Saturday, ahead of their date with Barcelona in the San Siro.

Allegri remains wary of the threat of resurgent Inter, who are looking for their seventh straight league win against Genoa, who have just three days to recover from their 2-1 loss to AC Milan.

“Inter had a great game against Lazio (last weekend) and are an important rival against whom we should have great respect,” said Allegri.

“They have all the credentials to compete for the title, the team was built to win the Scudetto and to fight with us and Napoli. 

“Spalletti is a very experienced coach and has brought Inter to the Champions League.”

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La Liga seek fan support for Miami match

Madrid (AFP) – La Liga launched a petition on Thursday to prove supporters are behind its plan to stage a league game between Girona and Barcelona in the United States.

Both clubs have signed a formal request submitted by La Liga to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to allow the fixture to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on January 26.

Key organisations, however, have objected to the idea, prompting La Liga to seek the approval of fans as part of a #BringUStheGame campaign.

The petition, initiated by La Liga North America, reads: “Imagine watching Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Cristhian Stuani, Portu, and others competing right here at home. A real league match, with points on the line…There’s only one problem. 

“Some of the key decision makers are falsely claiming it won’t be good for the game in the US. So we, the fans, need to fight for this match by telling them: It’s good for the fans. It’s good for the game.

“Are you in? The more support we have, the harder we’ll be to ignore.”

The targeted fixture is scheduled as a home game for Girona at their Estadi Montilivi, where theoretically they would hold a greater advantage.

Fans have been offered a compensation package, including free flights to the match, but even one game abroad would arguably disturb the balance and integrity of the competition.

RFEF president Luis Rubiales has been vocal in his opposition to the idea while the Spanish players´ association (AFE) has maintained players will have the final say.

La Liga must be granted permission by the RFEF and US Soccer Federation, as well as UEFA and CONCACAF, the governing bodies in charge of European and North American football respectively.

FIFA´s approval is not mandatory but its president Gianni Infantino said last week that world football´s governing body would forbid the proposal.

“FIFA will not authorise the playing of a match either in the United States or in any other location that isn’t the stadium of Girona,” Infantino said.

“As FIFA president, I announce that the organisation is against La Liga’s idea and will forbid Girona-Barca to be held in the United States or any other country that isn’t Spain.”

La Liga have indicated they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if FIFA prohibit moving the match.

The plan is part of a 15-year deal struck between La Liga and the American media company Relevent, aimed at promoting soccer in the United States.

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PSG superstars need more teamwork, says striker Cavani

Monaco (AFP) – Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani says Paris Saint-Germain’s team of dazzling individuals including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe need to work more as a team if they are to win the Champions League.

In an exclusive interview with AFP, Cavani said the importance of winning the Champions League for the French club was drummed into him even before he signed from Napoli in 2013.

“It’s an objective that the club discussed with me before I signed the contract,” said ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League Group C clash in Naples.

“It is in my head. It flows through my veins. I want to win it because that is the job that was presented to me when I came (to PSG).”

PSG’s domination of Ligue 1 — they have won five of the past six championship titles — allows them to prepare well for their ultimate goal of winning Europe’s premier club competition.

But the Champions League has produced nothing but heartbreak for PSG and their Qatari owners, who have plunged millions in the club in the hope of creating one of the continent’s top sides.

PSG’s hopes ended at the quarter-finals four years in succession from 2013-2016, and at the last 16 in the past two campaigns.

Coach Unai Emery was fired last summer and left for Arsenal after failing to bring the trophy to Paris and new coach Thomas Tuchel has inherited the task of realising the dream.

Tuchel has brought the emphasis on teamwork to PSG’s training ground, said Cavani.

“He has a wonderful mentality and likes to win with a strong team structure,” said the 31-year-old, voted PSG player of the year in 2017.

“He wants everyone to play together and that is what is important for me.”

– All together –

Cavani cited Atletico Madrid and Juventus as clubs who play together with the kind of robust, disciplined teamwork that Tuchel is trying to instil into PSG.

“That does not mean that we (PSG) do not work together,” said Cavani, whose star has declined since fellow strikers Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, and teenage sensation Mbappe joined him in attack.

But Cavani denied there was friction.

“We are a work in progress,” he said. “That does not mean I don’t get on with Neymar or Mbappe. I hope that work with the new coach can give the perfect structure to produce a big season — all together.”

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Hodgson promises Zaha full backing over online attacks

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has promised Wilfried Zaha the club’s full backing after the forward received racist abuse and threats on social media following his side’s Premier League draw with Arsenal.

Zaha, who has found himself at the centre of an ongoing debate over simulation in recent months, was targeted after winning a late penalty to help secure a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

Hodgson, who left the Ivory Coast international behind nursing a shoulder problem as the rest of the squad headed north for Wednesday’s 1-0 League Cup fourth-round defeat at Middlesbrough, condemned those who had abused him.

“As far as Wilf is concerned, the club will do everything they can to support him in this way,” said the former England manager. 

“I don’t think there are many people out there, except perhaps the odd Twitter troll who knows no better, who believe that racially abusing people or threatening people is the right way to go.”

Zaha took to social media to stand up for himself following the Arsenal game and revealed on Instagram Tuesday that the abuse had escalated.

He wrote: “For all the people taking it one step further and being racist and wishing death on my family I wish you and your families the best too x p.s my life is still very good despite your hate.”

Zaha won a late penalty at Selhurst Park when he was caught by Granit Xhaka, with Luka Milivojevic converting the resulting spot kick to earn his side a point.

Xhaka said in a post-match television interview he thought the incident had been a “clear penalty”.

When asked how Zaha was, Hodgson replied: “Well, he was fine the last time I saw him.

“He took a bang on the shoulder at the weekend, which will be fine by the game with Chelsea — it would have been very difficult to have played him today with that knock on the shoulder anyway.

“But when I spoke to him yesterday, he was fine.”

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Brazil’s Tardelli gets ban for rubbing face during China anthem

Shanghai (AFP) – China’s football association has handed a one-game ban to Shandong Luneng’s Brazilian midfielder Diego Tardelli for rubbing his face during the Chinese national anthem before a game.

The country’s Communist regime passed a law last year to severely punish people who disrespect the anthem, and Tardelli is not the first prominent figure to be punished in China over the “The March of the Volunteers”.

Tardelli, 33, was looking down and rubbing his face with his right hand as the anthem played before the game against Shanghai SIPG on Sunday.

“Tardelli’s manners were not solemn when the national anthem was played and sung, causing adverse social impact,” the CFA said in a punishment notice published on Wednesday.

The ruling shocked some fans.

“Touching his face is undignified behaviour? That’s a bit of exaggeration,” wrote one person on China’s Twitter-like Weibo microblogging website.

But others backed the ban.

“What’s wrong with CFA’s action? No matter which country you come from, you should show respect to a country’s national anthem and national flag,” another post read.

With global interest in Chinese football growing, the CFA has been busy dishing out bans, fines or warnings for on- and off-field misdemeanours that would go unpunished or receive a mere wrist slap in most countries.

SIPG received a warning and a 40,000 yuan ($5,800) fine from the CFA for arriving late to the game on Sunday before beating Shandong Luneng 4-2.

Tardelli’s ban came weeks after authorities in Shanghai detained a popular live-streamer for five days after she waved her arms and mimicked a conductor as she sang the anthem during a broadcast.

In September last year, the National People’s Congress passed a law against mocking the national anthem, with a punishment of up to 15 days in jail. The NPC changed the criminal law in November to allow sentences of up to three years.

President Xi Jinping, considered China’s most powerful leader since Chairman Mao Zedong, has stepped up the promotion of patriotism in the world’s most populous country.

Xi also has grand ambitions to turn China into a global football powerhouse that could one day host a World Cup.

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