VATICAN CITY
New, old stars play for pope
International soccer sensations from Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi to Roberto Baggio will take to the pitch in Rome next week for a charitable “peace match” organized by Pope Francis, organizers said on Monday. Kickoff will be at 8:45pm on Sept. 1 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, but the 77-year-old pope will not be cheering from the stands, despite being an avid soccer fan. Nor will he catch it on the big screen, a Vatican official said, although the Argentine pontiff is expected to meet with all the players before the match. Players on the match list include Argentina’s Messi, Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o and Israel’s Yossi Benayoun. Former stars will also dust off their boots for the game, from Italy’s Baggio, to the Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchencko and Chile’s Ivan Zamorano. Former Inter captain Javier Zanetti, who is organizing the event, told journalists the idea had first been discussed during a private audience he had with the pope last year. “It’s the pope’s initiative and a new challenge for peace,” said Zanetti, a fervent Catholic known for his charity work. Viewers will be able to donate money by text message and the funds collected going to a project supporting poor children in Buenos Aires.
LA LIGA
Dangda thrilled with debut
Teerasil Dangda, the first Thai to play in La Liga, has spoken of his delight at making his debut for UD Almeria in a 1-1 draw with RCD Espanyol on Sunday. The 26-year-old striker, who is on a season-long loan from Thai Premier League side Muangthong United, came off the bench in the first fixture of the new season. “I was already happy when I was named one of the substitutes,” he was quoted as saying by the Nation on Monday. “I’m delighted to see action on the pitch. I can’t really describe my feelings. I didn’t know whether I was delighted, excited or nervous.” While little-known overseas, Teerasil is a household name in Thailand. He refused to be drawn on the prospects of a long-term deal with Almeria — who narrowly avoided relegation last season. “Let’s see how it turns out,” he was quoted as saying.
CHILE
Federation sues Puma
The Football Federation of Chile has filed suit against German sportswear and equipment maker Puma for “systematically violating” its contract, a newspaper reported. The federation filed its complaint through the Santiago Chamber of Commerce saying Puma sent its uniforms for the FIFA World Cup late, after first mistakenly sending kits for Ghana, according to daily El Mercurio. Puma failed to do marketing and advertising studies it had agreed to, and delivered balls in such poor shape they had to be swapped out, the complaint reportedly alleges. The federation wants to cut short the contract with Puma, which runs through July 31 next year, the newspaper said.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Russia takes ex-Hearts boss
Russia has granted asylum to Vladimir Romanov, the former owner of Scottish Premier League side Hearts, who is wanted in Lithuania over alleged bank fraud, prosecutors said on Monday. The chief prosecutor’s office in Vilnius said Moscow had refused to extradite the Russia-born Romanov, who is suspected of fraudulent activity as the head of his now-bankrupt Ukio Bankas group. The 67-year-old magnate fled Lithuania last year after the central bank suspended operations at Ukio Bankas, citing irregularities. Romanov faces up to seven years in prison if found guilty.
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
‘SOURCE OF PRIDE’: Newspapers rushed out special editions and the government sent their congratulations as Shohei Ohtani became the first player to enter the 50-50 club Japan reacted with incredulity and pride yesterday after Shohei Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. The Los Angeles Dodgers star from Japan made history with a seventh-inning homer in a 20-4 victory over the Marlins in Miami. “We would like to congratulate him from the bottom of our heart,” top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo. “We sincerely hope Mr Ohtani, who has already accomplished feat after feat and carved out a new era, will thrive further,” he added. The landmark achievement dominated Japanese morning news
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or