SPAIN
Neymar signing cleared
Barcelona on Monday admitted their relief at a conclusion by the Spanish league that there was nothing irregular about their signing of Brazilian star Neymar last summer, although the deal remains under criminal investigation. Barcelona were indicted in February over alleged tax crimes relating to the 86 million euro (US$118 million) signing of the 22-year-old and the league had requested more details at the same time. However, the league told the Catalans on Friday last week that they had done nothing to infringe the rules, Barcelona said. The scandal over the signing of Neymar from Santos led to the resignation of Barcelona president Sandro Rosell in January. State prosecutors have alleged that Barcelona owe the taxman 9 million euros. The case was started by one of Barca’s own members, Jordi Cases. He accused Rosell of misappropriation for not declaring publicly that 40 million euros of the 57.1 million euros initially quoted by Barca was paid to N&N, a company controlled by the player’s parents. Following Rosell’s resignation, the club revealed that the entire cost of the transfer, including Neymar’s signing bonus, commissions, marketing deals, a donation to the player’s foundation and other deals, totaled 86.2 million euros.
SPAIN
Thousands attend funeral
Barcelona and the world of Spanish sport on Monday gathered in the city’s cathedral for the funeral service of former coach Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday last week after a long battle with cancer aged 45. More than 1,500 people, including the Barcelona squad, attended the service for Vilanova, who had been cremated on Saturday. He was first diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland over two years ago and was forced to step down as Barcelona boss in July last year after just one season in charge to continue receiving treatment. “He will always be in our heart and we will never forget him,” Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said. About 53,000 people queued up to pay their respects to Vilanova in a dedicated section of Barca’s Camp Nou over the weekend. “Of all the things that my father told me, the most important is that life is too short to be unhappy,” Vilanova’s daughter, Carlota, said.
SPAIN
Celta edge closer to safety
RC Celta de Vigo virtually secured their place in the top flight next season with a 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Real Valladolid, who remained in the drop zone. Celta scored a pair of goals either side of halftime to move up to 10th, 11 points ahead of 19th-placed Valladolid, but they are still not mathematically secure since their opponents have four matches to play because of a game in hand, against Real Madrid. Nolito scored twice and Charles also netted, before Stefan Mitrovic’s own-goal put the hosts ahead 4-0 after just 49 minutes. Valladolid substitute Manucho notched a consolation goal in the 75th minute.
AUSTRALIA
Broich voted best player
Brisbane Roar midfielder Thomas Broich was named Player of the Year in Australia’s A-League on Monday, becoming the first player to win the award for a second time. Broich received 506 votes from fellow A-League players, who voted throughout the season, finishing well ahead of Melbourne Victory’s James Troisi with 290 votes and Brisbane teammate Luke Brattan with 264. Adam Taggart of the Newcastle United Jets, who was fourth with 243 votes, won the Young Footballer of the Year award and the Golden Boot for his 16 goals this season.
Kawhi Leonard on Sunday scored 41 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a lopsided 115-96 victory at Minnesota. The 34-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion, matched the second-best road scoring effort of his career as the Clippers improved to 25-27. “Just being aggressive. My teammates trust me,” Leonard said. “Every moment when I touch the ball — assist, shooting the basketball or getting a rebound — I’m just trying to help the team win.” Leonard made three steals in a row at the start of the contest. “Just wanted to come out early in the
FLOP TO CONQUEROR: It was sweet vindication for Sam Darnold, who played for four NFL teams before his debut season in Seattle ended in the ultimate win The Seattle Seahawks on Sunday coasted to Super Bowl glory, routing the New England Patriots 29-13 as Sam Darnold sealed his journey from flop quarterback to conqueror of the NFL’s biggest prize. Brushing off a reputation for wilting in big games, journeyman quarterback Darnold threw for a touchdown and 200 yards on the grandest stage of all to give the Seahawks their second-ever Lombardi Trophy. “It’s unbelievable. Everything that has happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. The victory was buoyed by a dominant defensive display and kicker Jason Myers’
Donyell Malen on Monday scored in each half as AS Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 to stay in touch with the chasing pack at the top of Serie A. Leaders Inter are eight points clear of city rivals AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champions SSC Napoli. Roma are three points further back along with Juventus. Dutch centerforward Malen had scored only once in four appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa last month, but he proved his worth on Monday with two excellent finishes. He ran on to a clever through-ball from Gianluca Mancini and his deft chip over the goalkeeper
Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the cohosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the World Cup yesterday in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, for their second win in Group B. The 2014 champions piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9. The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a 50 in T20 World Cups. Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century. It has been
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