Mumbai red as BCCI move IPL final
New Delhi: The Mumbai Cricket Association got a jolt on Saturday as the IPL Governing Council decided to shift the final of the high-profile event on June 1 from Wankhede Stadium to Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. Although the BCCI press release did not specify the reason for shifting the final, a top official told PTI on condition of anonimity that the anti-Srinivasan attitude of some of the MCA office-bearers had played a part in the decision. The official said since MCA belongs to the anti N Srinivasan faction which still rules the roost, this decision was intended to get even with some top MCA officials who have openly expressed their displeasure at the Tamil Nadu strongman continuing at the helm. However, those who attended the GC meeting were aware about the reasons given. “The unofficial reason given is the atrocious quality of the Wankhede Stadium’s Hospitality Box which is very cramped. The BCCI will be having a clutch of high-profile guests from across the globe including senior ministers in the UAE government. That’s one reason why some of the decision makers felt that Wankhede will be inappropriate as a venue,” the official said. The second reason given is MCA having problems in dealing with Mumbai Police. “There are always shortage of VVIP Car Parking passes for the BCCI members. A lot of them have complained that they have to walk down a fair distance from the allotted car parking areas,” the official said. (PTI)
Barca don’t owe me apology: Martino
MADRID: Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino does not believe the club owe him an apology after sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta was filmed this week meeting with Celta Vigo coach and former Barca player Luis Enrique. The meeting, which apparently took place at Luis Enrique’s home, prompted speculation Barca were preparing to appoint the former Spain midfielder to replace Martino, who has had a disappointing first season in charge at the Nou Camp. “Nobody needs to ask my forgiveness,” Martino, who has contract until the end of next term, told a news conference ahead of Sunday’s La Liga game at Elche. “Nothing the club has done is inappropriate,” added the Argentine. “They did not make any error. Either now or in the 10 months I have been here.” At the start of last month, Barca were on course to repeat their historic treble from 2009 when they won the Champions League, La Liga and the King’s Cup under Pep Guardiola, becoming the only Spanish club to achieve the feat. However, they faltered in key games, losing narrowly to Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition and Real Madrid in the Cup final. Their bid for a fifth domestic league title in six years also appeared to be over but Atletico’s defeat at Levante last weekend and consecutive draws for Real reignited their campaign. With two games left, Atletico are top on 88 points, Barca have 85 in second and Real 84 in third and the top two meet at Barca’s Nou Camp stadium on the final day of the season next weekend. (Reuters)
This only the beginning for ’Pool: Rodgers
LONDON: The Premier League title appears to have slipped through Liverpool’s fingers but manager Brendan Rodgers is satisfied with the spirited campaign of a team he insists will return stronger next season. The Reds exceeded expectations to come tantalisingly close to ending their agonising 24-year title wait but defeats by Chelsea and draw at Crystal Palace in their last two games have dealt body blow to their hopes. They must now beat Newcastle United tomorrow and pray title favourite Manchester City lose at home to West Ham United. Far from regretting how the title charge has rather fizzled out over the final stages, a satisfied Rodgers vowed his team would return stronger. “This is only the beginning for us,” the northern Irishman told the Liverpool Echo newspaper. “This season isn’t a one-off. I think there is an easy gauge on that. You only have to look at our progress. This will be arguably the best run at a title the club has had for 24 years. Steven Gerrard is 33 years of age and this is the closest he has got to winning it. This is his first real sample of a title run-in and he will be even better next season. Think of the experiences these players will have had. Just think what Raheem Sterling is going to be like, what Jon Flanagan is going to be like, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Philippe Coutinho… These are all young players. We are going to improve. Of course, I would expect the other teams to spend and improve but we will get better as well.” (AFP)
Sammy quits Tests as Ramdin takes over
St John’s (Antigua and Barbuda): Darren Sammy retired from Test cricket just hours after being replaced by Denesh Ramdin as West Indies captain. Sammy, 30, had been in charge of the Test team since October 2010. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said that he will remain in charge of the Twenty20 international squad. Sammy played in 38 Tests, captaining in 30 of those appearances. “Darren Sammy has formally notified the West Indies Cricket Board of his decision to retire from Test cricket,” said a WICB statement on Friday. “Sammy has also informed the Board of his decision to continue to make himself available for selection for the other formats of the game.” (AFP)