WORLD CUP
Qatar final set for Dec. 18
FIFA ended more than four years of uncertainty over the timing of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by announcing on Thursday that it would be played in November and December, with the final on Dec. 18. FIFA spokesman Walter de Gregorio said the winter tournament would probably last 28 days, instead of the 32 for last year’s finals in Brazil, but this was still to be decided. “The executive committee today... decided that, yes, we are going to play in November and December, and, yes, the final is going to be played on Dec. 18,” De Gregorio told reporters. “It’s a Sunday and it’s also the national day of Qatar and, in principle, we try to play in 28 days. The next steps will be to have different talks especially related to the match calendar.”
ITALY
Parma declared bankrupt
Stricken Serie A side Parma were officially declared bankrupt on Thursday, a day after their chairman Giampietro Manenti was arrested in a money-laundering probe. Parma’s players have not been paid all season and it took just 10 minutes for a court to declare the club, rooted to the bottom of the league after finishing sixth last season, bankrupt. They have twice been docked points this season and are more than 100 million euros (US$107 million) in debt. The court in Parma appointed accountants Angelo Anedda and Alberto Guiotto as receivers. “I believe we’ll play on Sunday against Torino,” board member Osvaldo Riccobene told reporters at the end of the hearing. The crisis has had farcical undertones, with Parma’s players having to do their own laundry and drive the team bus.
ENGLAND
United my last job: Van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal revealed on Thursday that he plans to retire when his reign at Old Trafford comes to an end. Van Gaal is under contract with United until 2017 and he will walk away from the sport for good either when that deal expires or at the end of any extension. The 63-year-old former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Netherlands coach is enjoying his spell at United, but is keen to end his illustrious managerial career once his tenure is over, as he wants to spend time with his wife, Truus, in their holiday home on the Algarve. “I am old. This is my last job. For sure,” Van Gaal said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. “I have to pay attention to my kids, my grandchildren, but also to my wife. They deserve it. Now I cannot pay that attention. I was not at the birthday of my grandson, for example. I don’t like it. My wife wants to quit now, already! Five years ago! I have a paradise in Portugal. I want to quit to go there, play golf, eat fantastic food.”
COPA LIBERTADORES
Good week for Brazil
Cruzeiro rounded off a good week for Brazil in the Copa on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Mineros de Guayana, meaning that all five Brazilian clubs went unbeaten in this week’s matches. Cruzeiro’s win in Venezuela, which came after goals from Leandro Damiao and Marquinhos, was their first in three games, but it took them top of Group 3 alongside Club Deportivo Universitario of Bolivia. Atletico Mineiro got their first points on the board on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Independiente Santa Fe in Colombia. Sao Paulo and Corinthians both won in Group 2, with Corinthians beating Danubio of Montevideo 2-1 and a late goal from Michel Bastos enough to help Sao Paulo overcome holders San Lorenzo de Almagro. Internacional of Porto Alegre drew 1-1 at Emelec and are joint top of Group 4.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
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