Barcelona presidential rivals insist Messi is worth it

Barcelona (AFP) – Two of the candidates in Barcelona’s presidential election, Joan Laporta and Victor Font, insisted on Monday that Lionel Messi “generates more” than he earns, after his “colossal” club contract was published in a Spanish newspaper. 

“Leo generates much more income than the money he costs,” Joan Laporta, who is seeking to regain the presidency, told Rac1 radio. 

“We have done a study and he generates a third of Barca’s total income.”

“It’s not only the economic return,” Laporta said. “But also the emotional and sporting return, and the vivid moments he gives us.” 

Messi is in the last year of his contract. 

On Sunday, under the headline “the colossal contract that ruins Barcelona”, El Mundo published details of the current deal, signed in 2017. It said Messi could have earned 555 million euros ($674 million) by the time the deal expires.

Barcelona responded by saying it was not the source of the leak and it planned to sue El Mundo. The club did not, however, contradict the details.

Laporta is one of three candidates for the election on March 7. One of his rivals, Font, spoke on Onda Cero radio.

“To imply that Barca is ruined because of Messi is an absolutely erroneous conclusion,” he said. 

Both candidates condemned the “leak” to the Madrid newspaper and both promised they would do everything to keep Messi at Barca. 

“We have to do everything possible to keep Messi, in 2017 and today too,” said Font.

Laporta, the president when Messi first broke into the Barcelona team, agreed.

“I will do everything possible to keep Messi at Barca. I have had signals that he is happy in Barcelona, that he wants to stay.”

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Messi fuels Barcelona revival, Marseille violence, Poch beaten: Talking points from around Europe

Paris (AFP) – Lionel Messi kept up his improved form in La Liga as Barcelona won again amid more controversy about the Catalans’ finances, while there was drama on and off the field in France and the Milan clubs continue to fight it out at the top of Serie A. 

AFP Sport rounds up some of the main talking points from across the continent:

– Messi shows his worth to Barcelona –

Barcelona have said they will take legal action against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it published details at the weekend of Lionel Messi’s current contract, which it says is worth up to 555 million euros ($674 million) over four years. 

El Mundo called it the “colossal contract that ruins Barcelona”, just as the Catalans are wrestling with a dire financial situation, worsened by the pandemic, and with Messi’s future currently up in the air.

Yet the Argentine underlined his value to Barca by scoring a superb free-kick in their 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. Barca are unbeaten in 10 n La Liga, winning eight, with Messi scoring eight times in that run. 

However, both Barcelona and Real Madrid are 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who beat Cadiz 4-2 and still boast a game in hand.

– Madness in Marseille –

Marseille’s weekend game against Rennes in Ligue 1 was postponed after angry supporters attacked the club’s training ground, while the players were there, in what was called “a frenzy of unjustifiable violence”.

Local police said 25 arrests were made and seven officers were injured after several hundred Ultras stormed La Commanderie in a protest against the club leadership and the team’s poor recent run of results.

Marseille’s owner, the American tycoon Frank McCourt, called the protestors “thugs” and likened the incidents to last month’s storming of the US Congress.

The growing crisis comes with the former Champions League winners having slumped to ninth in Ligue 1 and after coach Andre Villas-Boas indicated he will leave at the end of the season. 

– First setback for Pochettino’s PSG –

On the pitch in France, the title race is hotting up after reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain suffered their first defeat under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, conceding at the death to lose 3-2 at struggling Lorient despite Neymar scoring two penalties.

It was a fifth defeat in Ligue 1 this season for PSG, who are third, three points behind leaders Lille. 

Lille beat Dijon 1-0, while Lyon are two points off top spot in second after scoring late to beat Bordeaux 2-1.

It could even become a four-way fight. Monaco are six points off the lead after winning their last five games.

– Bayern exact perfect revenge –

Bayern Munich maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the German Bundesliga by beating Hoffenheim 4-1 as Robert Lewandowski scored his 24th goal of the league campaign.

After a mini slump, the Bavarians have now four on the bounce and remain well clear of nearest rivals RB Leipzig.

The result against Hoffenheim also allowed Hansi Flick’s side to exact perfect revenge for their 4-1 defeat away to the same opponents in September, in what was their only loss in 46 matches in all competitions across a remarkable 2020.

The only cloud on Bayern’s weekend came as midfielder Corentin Tolisso was dropped and fined for getting a tattoo, therefore falling foul of Covid-19 quarantine regulations.

– Mixed fortunes for Zlatan, Lukaku as Milan clubs win –

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s spat with Romelu Lukaku dominated the headlines last midweek as Inter beat AC Milan in their Coppa Italia derby. On Saturday Ibrahimovic missed a penalty for the fourth time this season but Ante Rebic followed up to score and Franck Kessie later netted another spot-kick as Milan won 2-1 at Bologna.

That result kept the Rossoneri two points clear of Inter at the top of Serie A, as Antonio Conte’s side beat Benevento 4-0 with Lukaku scoring a brace at San Siro.

The Belgian is on 14 league goals for the season and Inter remain best-placed to overhaul Milan, even if Roma, Juventus, Lazio and Napoli all also won at the weekend.

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Kane ‘optimistic’ of quick return from injury, says Mourinho

London (AFP) – Harry Kane is “optimistic” he can return from his latest injury setback in just two weeks, according to Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho.

The Spurs striker was sorely missed during Sunday’s dismal 1-0 defeat at lowly Brighton after damaging both ankles in last week’s 3-1 loss to champions Liverpool.

The England captain has undergone scans and, according to his manager, is upbeat about a swift recovery.

He will almost certainly miss home games against Chelsea and West Brom, as well as the FA Cup fifth-round trip to Everton, but could be back to face Premier League leaders Manchester City on February 13.

“The news is pretty good news,” Mourinho told club media. “After Liverpool, no idea. Then the next day we were thinking about three weeks, something like that.

“I do not want to be super-optimistic but Harry is optimistic.

“He has the experience of some injuries in ankles and in Harry’s mind it is a couple of weeks, so let’s see if he is right.”

Kane has scored or assisted 23 of Tottenham’s 34 Premier League goals this season.

Real Madrid loanee Gareth Bale was given a rare opportunity to impress in his absence against Brighton but was largely ineffective, while Brazilian forward Carlos Vinicius went closest to an equaliser after coming off the bench.

Spurs, who topped the table in December, have now won just two of their past nine league games and are six points adrift of the top four.

Captain Hugo Lloris said the team were lacking confidence as they prepare to host Chelsea on Thursday.

“It’s the moment to stick together but there is a lot of disappointment from the players, from the manager and coaching staff, from the fans because we expect more from us,” he said.

“It’s a situation we need to fix as a team. The confidence will be back as soon as we get one good result.”

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African players in Europe: Salah scores twice, Lorient duo stun PSG

Paris (AFP) – Liverpool star Mohamed Salah said he “likes facing West Ham” after scoring two superb goals against them at the weekend in a 3-1 triumph for the Premier League defending champions.

It was the eighth time the 28-year-old Egyptian had faced the Hammers and the two-time African Footballer of the Year has bagged nine goals in those matches.

In France, a couple of Lorient substitutes, Nigerian Terem Moffi and Congolese Yoane Wissa, scored late goals in a dramatic 3-2 Ligue 1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

Here, AFP Sport rounds up the performances of African stars in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

He ended his goal drought in the champions’ crucial win at West Ham. With leaders Manchester City winning against Sheffield United 24 hours earlier, there was no margin for error as Liverpool try to keep pace. Salah, who had gone six league games without scoring, ensured Jurgen Klopp’s men would move within four points of City as he produced two sublime finishes in the second half. He is the first player to score at least 20 goals in all competitions in four consecutive seasons for Liverpool since Ian Rush in the 1980s.

JORDAN AYEW (Crystal Palace)

The Ghana forward provided the assist as Crystal Palace beat Wolves 1-0 at Selhurst Park. Roy Hodgson’s side were unable to break down stubborn Wolves until Ayew teed up Eberechi Eze’s goal on 59 minutes. Ayew has gone 12 games without scoring for Palace and has just one goal to his credit this season.

ITALY

FRANCK KESSIE (AC Milan)

Kessie stood up to take Serie A leaders AC Milan’s second penalty of the game after Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the first, and the Ivorian scored in a 2-1 win over Bologna. Kessie planted the ball into the middle of the net on 55 minutes for his seventh league goal this season, with six coming from the spot, matching his previous best goal tally for a season in 2018-2019.

JEREMIE BOGA (Sassuolo)

Ivorian Boga found the net with the last kick of the game to rescue a 1-1 draw for eighth-placed Sassuolo against Cagliari. It was his third league goal this season.

EBRIMA COLLEY (HELLAS VERONA)

Gambian Colley celebrated on the eve of his 21st birthday with his first league goal for ninth-placed Hellas Verona in a 3-1 defeat at Roma. The ex-Atalanta player came off the bench after 55 minutes and scored seven minutes later with a header.

GERMANY

SILAS WAMANGITUKA (VfB Stuttgart)

The Democratic Republic of Congo winger scored for the fourth consecutive Bundesliga game with an incredible individual goal to seal Stuttgart a 2-0 win at home to strugglers Mainz. Wamangituka picked up the ball on the edge of his own box before capping a mazy 70-yard run with an emphatic finish to claim his 11th league goal of the season.

IHLAS BEBOU (Hoffenheim)

The Togolese winger put in a superb cross just before half-time, which was volleyed home by Andrej Kramaric in Hoffenheim’s 4-1 defeat at Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

EDMOND TAPSOBA (Bayer Leverkusen)

The Burkinabe was in the thick of things during Leverkusen’s tense 1-0 defeat at second-placed RB Leipzig, which left the visitors fourth in the table. The 21-year-old was lucky to avoid a booking after clattering into Leipzig’s Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth, then scorer Christopher Nkunku, with both heavy challenges sparking heated clashes in an often bad-tempered affair.

FRANCE

TEREM MOFFI, YOANE WISSA (LORIENT)

Nigerian youngster Moffi and DR Congo forward Wissa both came off the bench to score late on and grab Lorient a remarkable 3-2 victory over defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. Wissa levelled for the struggling hosts in the 80th minute, before naive PSG defending allowed Moffi to sprint clear from the halfway line and slot in an injury-time winner.

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Alcohol in 2022 World Cup stadiums – for those who can pay

Doha (AFP) – Alcohol will be available to football fans in stadiums at the 2022 World Cup, but so far only to those purchasing hospitality packages, the contractor behind the premium offerings has said.

Despite the Muslim nation’s strict rules around alcohol consumption, the announcement indicates that Qatari authorities agree in principle with serving it at the venues — the clearest indication yet that beer and other drinks could be available for ordinary fans.

The question of alcohol at the World Cup has dogged the Qatari organisers since the conservative Islamic emirate won the right to host the tournament back in 2010.

No ruling on the availability of alcohol in stadiums for standard ticket-holders has yet been issued.

Speaking at Monday’s launch of packages for the tournament, Jaime Byrom, the chairman of MATCH Hospitality, the World Cup hospitality provider, said: “It is our expectation that people will be able to (drink).

“We expect that, depending on the decisions taken by others — we will of course always comply with whatever regulations, whatever laws are decreed — certainly at this point in time we are planning to be in a position to serve alcohol in our hospitality programme.”

In a sales presentation, MATCH Hospitality touted their most premium offering for the World Cup, the Pearl Lounge box at the 80,000-seat Lusail stadium, which will feature “mixologists, Champagne selection, sommeliers, and premium spirits”. No price was given.

Sales and consumption of alcohol are tightly controlled in Qatar. Only a handful of bars and restaurants linked to luxury hotels are permitted to serve, and a single state-controlled off-licence bottle shop sells to holders of liquor permits. 

Temporary visitors, including soccer fans, will not be eligible to purchase from the bottle store under the current rules.

While alcohol prices have dipped modestly in recent years, a pint of beer outside of happy hours commonly costs in excess of $15, with glasses of wine reaching almost $20.

It is a crime to be intoxicated in public in Qatar and there is zero tolerance for drink driving.

Qatar experimented with a “wet fan zone” during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup when fans were permitted to consume alcoholic beverages at a site on the outskirts of Doha. A beer cost around $7 and supporters responded favourably.

That year, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi said that “alcohol is not part of our culture, but hospitality is”.

There will be no fan zone at this year’s Club World Cup featuring European champions Bayern Munich, which gets underway Thursday, due to strict coronavirus prevention measures.

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Liverpool expected to boost defensive options on transfer deadline day

London (AFP) – Liverpool are expected to sign Ben Davies from Championship side Preston to ease their defensive crisis before a quiet January transfer window closes late on Monday.

The Premier League’s leading clubs have been unusually restrained this month, with the coronavirus and new Brexit rules dampening the market after a big summer spend.

The January window, which closes at 2300 GMT, is typically regarded as a seller’s market and often a time for stopgap measures but Liverpool have been forced to act.

The champions are missing all of their senior central defenders, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip out of action. First-choice back-up Fabinho recently joined the injured list.

It us understood that Liverpool have agreed a fee with Preston for the 25-year-old Davies.

A medical was scheduled for Monday, with 19-year-old Dutchman Sepp van den Berg likely to head the other way on loan for the rest of the season.

Liverpool are also reportedly interested in Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car but the Ligue 1 side’s struggle to find a replacement at short notice could scupper any potential move.

Klopp, whose side are third in the Premier League table, admitted on Friday that no club would be prepared to sell him an “£80 million ($110 million) centre-back” in the final days of the transfer window.

“This calibre of player the teams would not sell them now,” he said. “We need to find the right player and one which suits our financial situation, that’s clear as well.”

– Alli to PSG? –

Uncertainty lingers over the future of Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli, who has been linked with a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain, now managed his former boss Mauricio Pochettino.

The England midfielder has been out of favour at Tottenham under Jose Mourinho, barely featuring in the Premier League this season.

Mourinho said last week he was not expecting Alli to depart but admitted “sometimes unexpected things can happen”.

Major moves involving “Big Six” Premier League clubs appear unlikely on Monday.

Among the few eye-catching deals that have taken place over the past month, Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has joined West Ham on loan after slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard has arrived at Arsenal, also on a loan deal, while Mesut Ozil made a much-anticipated exit from the club, joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Aston Villa last week signed French midfielder Morgan Sanson from Marseille in a deal worth a reported £15.5 million.

Struggling West Brom have made three signings, including the loan capture of Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne.

And boss Sam Allardyce was quoted after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Fulham as expressing his desire to add to that before Monday’s deadline.

Tim Bridge of Deloitte’s Sports Business Group told the Press Association news agency that clubs were being cautious because of their straitened circumstances.

“I think this month more than ever feels as if clubs are taking a bit of a watching brief and are not currently willing to spend in the way they previously have done,” he said.

“That’s a reflection of the fact that all clubs have suffered a huge revenue loss, everybody’s aware of that, and I think clubs are slowly trying to understand what that means for their business models.

“So I think naturally there’s probably an element of consideration, of taking the time to understand exactly where the market’s at, and I would imagine people making the decisions at clubs at the minute are probably struggling to understand what represents true value.”

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‘Our history’: modest Doha stadium far cry from World Cup venues

Doha (AFP) – Away from the lavish air conditioning and hand-manicured turf of Qatar’s World Cup Stadiums, two of which will host the world’s best clubs from Thursday, sits Doha Sports Stadium. 

The modest ground, the first in the Gulf with a grass pitch, nestles in the heart of the old city flanked by low-slung concrete villas, Doha’s modest inventory of dive bars, and a bus station. 

Despite its deceptively simple exterior of low walls it has hosted footballing titans including Pele as well as boxer Muhammad Ali, known as Cassius Clay until 1964, since opening its doors in 1962. 

“This stadium means a lot to me. I grew up in this stadium. My start was on this stadium with the big stars,” said retired Qatar and Al-Sadd star Hassan Mattar. 

“It started here very beautifully at that time.”

Four floodlights tower above the modest neighbourhood which is a far cry from the skyscraper hotels and office blocks clustered together on the opposite side of the West Bay. 

A vintage yellow post box speaks to the district’s history, a stone’s throw from the coast and a dhow harbour as well as the Bidda area which has served as the ruling Al-Thani dynasty’s seat of power.

The venue is open-air except for a small pavilion containing the VVIP toilets reserved for the great and the good of the emirate and beyond.

– ‘A huge difference’ –

By contrast, 60,000-capacity Al-Bayt stadium which will host World Cup matches in 2022 features hotel suites with views of the pitch and balconies in the stands.

“This was the main stadium in Qatar, and in those days the fans filled the stands,” Mattar said of Old Doha Stadium’s 4,000 capacity. “I have fond memories. This stadium was the only grass planted in the Gulf countries.”

Mattar said that seeing the likes of Pele on his home turf had inspired him and many other Qataris, leading to the country’s modern day infatuation with football.

Maintaining grass pitches is an arduous, water-heavy challenge in the country where summer temperatures routinely exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

At the Khalifa Stadium 15 kilometres (10 miles) west, which opened in 1976 and will host World Cup games in 2022, groundsmen would “touch up” the turf with green paint to help overcome the brutally hot Gulf summers.

“Switching from this stadium to the new stadiums, yes, there is a huge difference,” said Mattar.

Now Doha Sports Stadium wants for nothing and has received the support of Qatar’s former ruler, the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani according to those involved in the venue.

Its lush green surface is nowadays used to train Qatari FIFA-level referees as well as hosting smaller youth and exhibition matches.

But its vintage appeal and understated heritage value have been eclipsed by Qatar’s seven new-build stadiums in recent years. 

– Sporting ambition –

Criticisms of worker welfare on those projects and the environmental cost of air conditioning each of the open-roof stadiums which will host 2022 matches have dogged the jewels in Qatar’s World Cup crown. 

Another criticism of Qatar’s hosting of the global soccer spectacle next year is that the country has limited footballing history and even more limited competition credentials.

A clutch of faded but proudly displayed photographs in the Doha Sports Stadium’s pavilion speaks to a modest but distinct footballing tradition which pre-dates the glitz and glamour of Qatar’s petrodollar-fuelled international sporting ambitions.

“We used to go up to the stadium fence and put stones under our feet to watch matches,” said local sports historian and journalist Sultan Jassem.

“As children, we didn’t have money. When big stars like Pele, Clay and (Michel) Platini came along we were dreaming and in awe,” he added, thumbing a black and white photograph of Ali at the venue where a ring was erected on the pitch, a stop on the The Greatest’s tour of the Middle East before fighting Joe Frazier.

“Clay’s show match in Qatar in 1971 brought a special sporting flavour and improved Qatar’s reputation.

“It’s our history.”

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