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T H I S D AY •WEDNESDAY APRIL 27, 2016
WEDNESDAYSPORTS U E FA C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E
Atletico Gets Chance for Bayern Revenge
Club Atletico de Madrid at training session ahead of tonight’s clash with Bayern Munich in the semi final of the Champions League Bayern Munich destroyed Atletico Madrid’s dreams of winning the European Cup in 1974 and today, the Bavarians are out to wreck their hopes of reaching a second Champions League final in three years when they visit the Spanish capital for the semifinal first leg.
In the final in Heysel 42 years ago, an equaliser from defender Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck in the final minute of extra time cancelled out Luis Aragones’ opening goal and forced a replay, in which Bayern ran out 4-0 winners. That outcome led to
contrasting fortunes for both clubs – Bayern went on to win three consecutive European Cups and are now bidding for their sixth triumph in manager Pep Guardiola’s last season in charge before taking over at Manchester City. Atletico are still haunted by
the memory of Schwarzenbeck’s goal, which prompted the nickname “el pupas” (the cursed ones). History repeated itself 40 years later when Atletico led Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League final and Sergio Ramos headed in a 93rd-
Hillsborough: Jury Concludes Fans Unlawfully Killed Ninety-six football fans who died as a result of a crush in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, the inquests concluded yesterday. The jury found match commander Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield was “responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence” due to a breach of his duty of care. Police errors also added to a dangerous situation at the FA Cup semi-final. The prime minister said the inquests had provided “official confirmation” fans were “utterly
blameless”. After a 27-year campaign by victims’ families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated. The jury found they did not contribute to the danger unfolding at the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground on April 15, 1989. Nine jurors reached unanimous decisions on all but one of the 14 questions at the inquests into Britain’s worst sporting disaster. The coroner Sir John Goldring said he would accept a majority decision about whether the fans
were unlawfully killed - seven jurors agreed they were. When the conclusion of the unlawful killing was revealed, families were seen hugging each other in the public gallery and some punched the air. When considering how each of the 96 victims died the jury concluded many died well after 15:15 on the day of the match. The coroner at the original inquest in 1991, Dr Stefan Popper, said he would not hear any evidence relating to deaths beyond that time because he believed all the victims had died, or suffered fatal injuries, by then.
The deaths were ruled accidental and those verdicts were quashed following the 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel report, and new hearings were ordered. The new inquests found the direct medical cause of death was compression asphyxia in all but three of the victims. The earliest time of death was estimated from 14:57 and the last up to 17:00. Tony Bland, the 96th victim, died in 1993 after being left brain damaged, due to or as a consequence of compression asphyxia.
minute equaliser to force extra time before going on to thrash the Rojiblancos 4-1. Four decades after Schwarzenbeck robbed them of glory, Atletico are still chasing their first European Cup, yet are emboldened in their bid to go all the way this year after knocking out holders and favourites Barcelona in the quarterfinals. They beat Malaga 1-0 on Saturday thanks to substitute Angel Correa’s second-half strike to stay level on points with Barcelona, who top La Liga due to their superior head-to-head record. Bayern maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga by winning 2-0 at Hertha Berlin with second-half goals from Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa. A victory at home to Borussia Monchengladbach next week will see Bayern clinch a third successive title under Guardiola. Bayern have also reached the
German Cup final yet many believe the former Barcelona coach will have under-achieved at the club should he fail to win the Champions League. Midfielder Xabi Alonso rejected that suggestion, however, highlighting the Catalan’s positive influence. “I’ve no doubt his time here will leave an important base, independently of whether we have a fantastic end to the season or not. Our memories of him will be brilliant, and he won’t be a failure if we didn’t win the Champions League,” said Alonso. Atletico is the third Spanish team Bayern has met in as many years in the semifinals, having been knocked out by Real Madrid in 2014 and Barcelona last year. Atletico is without influential centre back Diego Godin due to a hamstring injury, while Bayern will be missing forward Arjen Robben and defender Jerome Boateng.
More Cash for Wimbledon Singles Champions The men’s and women’s singles champions at Wimbledon will get £2m each this year, with total prize money up to £28.1m, an increase of £1.35m. Last year’s champions - Serb Novak Djokovic and American Serena Williams - each pocketed
£1.88m. The 2016 championships, which take place at the All England Club, will also feature wheelchair singles events for the first time. Doubles tournaments have been running at Wimbledon for the past 10 years.
Total prize money for wheelchair players will be £200,000, a significant increase on 2015, when £64,000 was on offer in the two doubles events. Britain’s Jordanne Whiley, who has won the women’s wheelchair doubles at Wimbledon for the last
FIFA Threatens to Ban Egypt over Govt Interference World football governing body, FIFA, has issued an official warning to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) over government intervention in its affairs. The warning comes in the light of Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court ruling to dissolve the EFA board over election irregularities. FIFA rules prohibit any government intervention, as articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently
and with no influence from third parties. According to the letter, the EFA may face suspension in case the court decision was implemented. The EFA had already challenged the ruling and the court has set May 7 as a date for ruling in the case. “The court decision, if implemented, would most likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the EFA and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA
for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the EFA,” the letter read. Candidates for the EFA 2012 elections Magda El Helbawi and Hermas Radwan had dragged the EFA board to court over allegations of vote rigging during the elections. The court accepted the lawsuit in March and the verdict obligated Minister of Youth and Sports, Khaled Abdel-Aziz, to dissolve the EFA board headed by Gamal Allam.
two years, tweeted her delight at the news. Wimbledon also plans to boost its security and commitment to integrity in tennis following a number of damaging headlines about match-fixing and doping. These include stricter accreditation procedures, additional data provision, monitoring and analysis, more education and support for players and officials, as well as increased anti-doping measures.
WHAT OTHERS ARE PAYING Australian Open (2016): •Winners: AUD$3.85m (£2.04m) •Total: AUD$44m (£23.31m) French Open (2016): •Winners: €2m (£1.55m) •Total: €32m (£24.77m) US Open (2015): •Winners: $3.3m (£2.26m) •Total: $42,253,400 (£28.919m)
League Bloggers Award (LBA) March winner, Chisom Egbuchulam of Enugu Rangers, with his award at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, before their 2-1 victory over Nasarawa United