‘Real-Barca spats could hurt Spain’
MADRID: Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla says he’s worried that the growing friction between Real Madrid and Barcelona will have a negative impact on the national team. Cazorla told Spanish newspaper La Nueva Espana on Sunday that the situation for the world champions has reached its “limit.” Malaga’s new playmaker said that while the atmosphere on the team is still good, “if these problems continue they could eventually hurt the group.” A bench-clearing brawl in Barcelona’s 3-2 victory over Madrid in the Spanish Supercup earlier this week was the latest flare-up between the two squads that provide the bulk of Spain’s team. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was again at the center of the growing storm between the archrivals. The Portuguese coach poked a finger in the eye of Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova after a wild tackle by Madrid defender Marcelo on Barcelona newcomer Cesc Fabregas sparked a scuffle between the two sides at Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday. (Agencies)
Soccer game abandoned after shoot-up
MEXICO CITY: A soccer match in Mexico’s first division was abandoned after a shootout just outside a stadium in the northern city of Torreon forced players and spectators to take cover. Players ran to their dressing room and fans dived for cover when shots rang out near the end of the first half of the scoreless game between Santos and Monarcas Morelia. Match officials suspended the game in the 40th minute yesterday. The attorney general of the state of Coahuila, Jesus Torres, said the shooting began after three vehicles with armed men failed to stop at a military checkpoint outside the stadium, prompting an exchange of fire. The Mexican Defense Ministry later issued a statement saying army personnel were not involved in the incident and only arrived at the scene later. (Reuters)
Motorsports: Gill, Urs top for MRF
Bangalore: Gaurav Gill (co-driver Musa Sherif) and Lohitt Urs (Srinivasa Murthy) expectedly completed a 1-2 finish for Team MRF in the 37th Karnataka-1000, the fourth round of the Speed Indian National Rally Championship here on Sunday. Overnight rains made the terrain slushy and the organisers were forced to cancel the last Special Stage due to safety reasons, but it was the 29-year-old Delhi-based Gill who showcased his car control to safely negotiate the treacherous conditions that led to retirement of 22 of the 41 starters. (IANS)