Chelsea agree to buy winger Schuerrle
LONDON: Jose Mourinho, back for a second spell as coach of Chelsea, set up his first signing when the Europa League winners agreed today to buy winger Andre Schuerrle from Bayer Leverkusen. “Chelsea Football Club and Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement for the transfer of Andre Schuerrle subject to the completion of legal documentation and related matters, including personal terms and passing a medical,” the Londoners said in a statement. The transfer fee was not disclosed but media reports have put it at 18 million pounds (Rs 163.71 crore). Germany international Schuerrle scored 11 Bundesliga goals last season. (Reuters)
Valdes to play out contract with Barca
MADRID: Goalkeeper Victor Valdes will play out the last season of his contract with Barcelona, president Sandro Rosell said on Thursday. The international, who has just arrived in Brazil with the world and European champions for the Confederations Cup, has rejected the chance to renew his deal with the La Liga champions beyond 2014. The 31-year-old has said he would like to experience different leagues and cultures after almost a decade as Barca’s number one choice, which raised the possibility of him leaving during the closed season. A long-term replacement will still be required for Valdes, with reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto aged 37, but Rosell was not specific when he spoke about possible reinforcements beyond Brazil forward Neymar. “I believe we will sign one or two more players,” he said. “That also depends on whether players leave.” The club has been rocked by the news on Wednesday that their World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and his father have been accused of tax fraud related to image rights by the Spanish tax authorities. The prosecutor’s office for tax crimes in Catalonia has accused them of filing fraudulent tax returns for the years 2006 to 2009 and of owing more than four million euros (Rs 31 crore). Messi, who is due to play for Argentina in a friendly in Guatemala on Friday, has denied wrongdoing, and Rosell backed the club’s leading scorer. “Messi’s family is quite calm about it,” he said. “They have our support. I have no doubt about his innocence.” (Reuters)
Spain hit 3 against the Netherlands in Euro Under-21s
PETAH TIKVA (Israel): A rampant Spain beat the Netherlands 3-0 on Wednesday to set up a semifinal against Norway in the Euro Under-21 championships. Three Spain strikers scored in a flowing performance as a much-changed Netherlands side, who will now clash with Italy in the second semi, were less tight in defence than in their two previous tournament outings. Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata slotted home an easy chance in the 26th minute to set the dominant Spaniards on course for victory. Malaga playmaker Isco hit the second on 32 and Alvaro Vasquez of Getafe made it 3-0 in the 90th minute. Germany beat Russia 2-1 in the second group match in Netanya between the two eliminated teams. Italy finished top of Group A, which was completed on Tuesday, with two wins and a draw, after they equalised late in injury time to edge Norway into second spot. Spain, who are defending the trophy they won two years ago, will play Norway in the earlier of Saturday’s two semi-finals in Netanya, while the Netherlands return to Petah Tikva to face Italy. The final will be played in Jerusalem on June 18. (Reuters)
Nigeria players strike, miss flight
WINDHOEK: Nigeria’s football team went on strike on Thursday, refusing to leave their hotel in Namibia and missing a flight to Brazil where they are supposed to compete in the Confederations Cup, which gets underway at the weekend. Sources said the Nigerian players were angry over unpaid bonus money promised to them after they beat Kenya in a World Cup qualifier last week. They had been promised payment after Wednesday’s match against Namibia in Windhoek, where a 1-1 draw took the African champions closer to the final stage of qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. (Reuters)