UNITED STATES
Takkas pleads not guilty
Costas Takkas, former secretary-general of the Cayman Islands Football Association, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to US charges that he participated in bribery schemes under investigation at world soccer’s governing body, FIFA. Takkas, who was extradited from Switzerland, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, to charges that include engaging in conspiracies to commit racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. He was released on a US$1 million bond, Nellin McIntosh, a spokeswoman for the US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, said in an e-mail. Takkas will be under house arrest in Miami, she said. A lawyer for Takkas did not respond to a request for comment. Takkas, a British citizen, is among 42 individuals and entities charged as part of a US investigation into more than US$200 million in bribes and kickbacks sought by soccer officials for marketing and broadcast rights to tournaments and matches. He was arrested in Zurich along with six other soccer officials in May last year as the US Department of Justice unveiled the blockbuster case.
URUGUAY
Suarez returns from bite ban
Striker Luis Suarez said he will not change the way he plays, but will come back to international soccer with “moderation” when he makes an expected return tomorrow from a nine-match ban for biting. Suarez is set to face Brazil in a 2018 World Cup qualifier after sitting out nine competitive international fixtures for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the last World Cup in Brazil almost two years ago. The Barcelona player has managed to keep out of trouble for his club since the incident, but said he will not change his aggressive style that has helped to make him one of the world’s deadliest strikers. “I am going to have the same attitude, I will still run, still pressure, still argue because no one is going to change the way I play,” he told reporters ahead of tomorrow’s match in Recife. “But with moderation, like I am doing now at Barcelona, being more intelligent about a lot of things, trying to take advantage of the situations life is putting in front of me... The only thing I want to do is play with the national side again and enjoy the warmth of the fans.” Uruguay have enjoyed a good start to their qualifying campaign, winning three out of their four games to sit in second place in the 10-team table, behind Ecuador, the only side to win all of their games so far. After facing Brazil, Uruguay return home to play Peru on Tuesday next week.
ENGLAND
West Ham sign Lanzini
West Ham United have agreed a permanent deal to sign Argentine attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini from Al Jazira, according to the London club’s co-chairman David Sullivan. The 23-year-old, who joined West Ham in July, has netted five goals in the league and will complete the deal when the transfer window reopens. Lanzini was brought in on a season-long loan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) club in July last year, with an option to make the move permanent. Sullivan confirmed that the club has signed Lanzini on a permanent deal. His son Jack Sullivan also tweeted that the player would sign a four-year contract. “Lanzini is a WHU player for the next 4 seasons, with a further 2 year option,” he tweeted. Lanzini has scored six goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for West Ham. The Buenos Aires-born midfielder made his professional debut for River Plate as a 17-year-old and spent the 2011-2012 season with Brazilian club Fluminense before moving to the UAE in 2014.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from