Month: April 2019

Tottenham face a daunting task to keep their Champions League hopes alive after Ajax secured a crucial advantage in the semi-final first leg.

Donny van de Beek’s 15th-minute goal, steered cleverly past Hugo Lloris from close range, put Erik ten Hag’s exciting young side firmly in the driving seat going into the second leg in Amsterdam next Wednesday.

Spurs struggled to overcome the absence of forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – injured and suspended respectively – and their job was made even harder by the loss of defender Jan Vertonghen after he suffered a facial injury in the first half.

Vertonghen’s problem raised questions about player welfare after he was allowed to continue, albeit for only a few seconds, when he was clearly badly shaken up after an aerial collision involving team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana. He eventually had to be supported by two members of the Spurs staff as he went off.

Tottenham tried to force the pace after the break with plenty of possession, but it was Ajax who came close to adding a second when David Neres struck the inside of the post with Lloris beaten.

Ajax held on to their lead in relative comfort and it will need a stirring Spurs comeback to prevent the Dutch side facing either Barcelona or Liverpool in the final on 1 June.

Spurs come up short

Tottenham were not lacking in effort on what many regarded as the biggest night in their history, a first Champions League semi-final staged in their magnificent new stadium.

It was quality and threat that was missing, with Spurs unable to compensate for the damaging suspension of Son and the injury to top goalscorer Kane.

The burden fell on to Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli, along with Lucas Moura, but they were simply unable to trouble Ajax on a night of pure frustration for manager Mauricio Pochettino, his players and the supporters who packed this arena and backed their team superbly.

Spurs also missed the midfield industry of the injured Harry Winks and were hit further by the loss of defender Vertonghen, who was surprisingly allowed to carry on briefly despite a heavy blow to the head and apparent questioning by referee Mateu Lahoz.

The Premier League side are still not out of this tie, and if their Champions League run to the last four has proved anything, it is that they must never be discounted.

However, they were second best and lacking in punch here. They will need to produce much better if their dream of advancing to the Champions League final in Madrid is to be realised.

Ajax show class and maturity

Ajax’s advance to the Champions League semi-finals has made them the talk of European football after the manner in which they eliminated holders Real Madrid and Italian champions Juventus.

And it was easy to see what all the fuss is about as the visitors demonstrated maturity, composure and class in such a high-pressure environment to overcome Spurs.

Ajax took the game by the scruff of the neck early on, secured the goal their superiority deserved, then took the sting out of matters when required to close out the win.

Captain Matthijs de Ligt, just 19, showed leadership qualities beyond his years in defence, organising and ordering more experienced team-mates with expertise.

And in Barcelona-bound Frenkie de Jong, 21, and fellow midfielder Van de Beek, who is just a year older, this is an Ajax team with the class and youthful appearance that plays to this club’s greatest traditions.

Ajax have almost come from nowhere after the group stages – but this is a team that looks like they have the quality and confidence to go all the way.

Man of the match – Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)

Ajax score goal number 161 – the stats

• English sides have lost just three of their past 30 home matches against Dutch opposition in European competition, with Spurs accounting for two of those defeats (also in March 2008 against PSV).
• Only one of the 17 previous teams to lose the first leg at home in a European Cup/Champions League semi-final has progressed into the final (Ajax in 1996).
• Ajax have scored in nine consecutive Champions League away games for the first time.
• Ajax have won their past four away games in the Champions League, having failed to win any of their previous 12.
• Tottenham had scored in their previous 20 Champions League games before Tuesday, with Ajax the first side to stop them scoring since Bayer Leverkusen in November 2016.
• Ajax have scored 161 goals this season, 63 more than Spurs (98).
• Ajax’s Dusan Tadic has created 32 chances in the Champions League this season, the most by any player.
• The Dutch side’s Nicolas Tagliafico has been shown twice as many yellow cards than any other player in the Champions League this season (six). Indeed, only Alessio Tacchinardi (nine, Juventus 2002-03) has been shown more yellows in a single campaign.

‘We are still alive’ – what they said

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino on BT Sport: “In the first half we did not start in a good way. Ajax showed more energy, it was difficult for us to play. It was our lack of energy.

“After we conceded the goal – 25 to 30 minutes in – we started to be in the game. Moussa Sissoko provided good energy.

“Second half we pushed them and tried to create chances. It was an even game in the second half.

“We are alive. It’s only 1-0 down. We need to believe we can go there and win the game.

On playing with a five-man defence: “I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used – but there were not too many options. I am not happy – you cannot guess what happens if we play in a different way.

“It was the not the shape that conceded the goal. Our approach to the game was not good. I am the manager so I have responsibility.”

On Vertonghen’s head injury: “We will assess him in the next few days and we will see.”

Champions League – your favourite football tournament?

Epic comebacks, record-breaking all-English classics, the world’s biggest superstars… is the Champions League your favourite football tournament?

Do you prefer it to the World Cup, the Premier League with this season’s incredible title race, La Liga or even the unpredictable EFL?

Tell us why. Get involved and contact us here.

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Three members of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle agreed with the opposition that he “had to go”, but then backtracked, US officials have said.

It comes after the opposition leader Juan Guaidó called on the military to help him end Mr Maduro’s rule.

Protesters took to the streets in the capital Caracas in support on Tuesday.

But military leaders appeared to be standing behind Mr Maduro, accusing Mr Guaidó of an attempted coup.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton offered no evidence that Mr Maduro’s loyalists were preparing to abandon him. The assertions were later repeated by Elliott Abrams, the US envoy for Venezuela.

Later, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged Mr Maduro had been prepared to leave the country on Tuesday and fly to Cuba but was talked down by Russia. He also has offered no evidence of the claim.

“They had an airplane on the tarmac. He was ready to leave this morning, as we understand it. Russians indicated he should stay,” Mr Pompeo told broadcaster CNN.

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino appeared on television surrounded by soldiers on Tuesday, asserting their continued loyalty to Mr Maduro.

However, according to the Mr Bolton, Mr Padrino was one of the men involved in three months of negotiations with the opposition.

He also named Supreme Court chief judge Maikel Moreno and presidential guard commander Ivan Rafael Hernandez Dala.

Mr Bolton said they had committed to “to achieve the peaceful transition of power from the Maduro clique” to Mr Guaidó, who the US, UK and a number of the other countries recognise as Venezuela’s rightful leader.

“All agreed that Maduro had to go,” Mr Bolton told reporters in Washington.

What’s happening in Venezuela?

This morning Mr Guaidó appeared alongside another opposition leader, Leopoldo López, who had been under house arrest since being found guilty of inciting violence during anti-government protests in 2014, in a three-minute video.

In it, he declared he was in the “final phase” of ending President Maduro’s rule and announced he had the support of “brave soldiers” in Caracas.

“The National Armed Forces have taken the correct decision… they are guaranteed to be on the right side of history,” he said.

However, the entire military did not appear to be backing Mr Guaidó as the morning continued.

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AFP

The BBC’s Guillermo Olmo, in Caracas, said Tuesday marked the most violent episode of the Venezuelan political crisis so far.

There were running clashes between Mr Guaidó’s supporters and armed military vehicles. Protesters were also seen throwing rocks, but being repelled by tear gas and water cannon.

Television cameras also caught the moment armoured vehicles drove into a crowd but it is unclear if there were any injuries in that incident.

Venezuela’s health ministry said 69 people had been injured across the country.

Read more about Venezuela’s crisis:

Mr Padrino appeared on the television saying the uprising by some members of the military had been “partly defeated”, but warned of possible bloodshed.

“The weapons of the republic are here to defend the nation’s sovereignty and independence,” he warned.

He also revealed one soldier had suffered a bullet wound.

By the end of the day, Mr López, who leads the Popular Will party of which Mr Guaidó is a member, his wife Lilian Tintori and their daughter had entered Chile’s embassy in Caracas to seek protection, Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

A failure, or more to come?

by Katy Watson, BBC News

Tuesday’s events have definitely been dramatic. But it’s not clear where it leaves Venezuela.

Juan Guaidó made a bold move by saying the armed forces were on his side early in the morning. And the fact that opposition politician Leopoldo López, who was under house arrest, stood beside him was also big surprise. Who had freed him and what did that say about the loyalties of the armed forces?

But as the day went on, little clarity emerged – who exactly is behind this so-called uprising? For Juan Guaidó to achieve the regime change he’s promised, he needs the generals at the top on his side. So far though, at least publicly, they remain loyal to Mr Maduro.

The situation on the ground is still confusing – but the confidence that the opposition had at the beginning of the day looks like it’s waning.

Leopoldo López and his family are now ‘guests’ at the Chilean residence in Caracas – is that a sign that once again, the opposition’s attempts to take power have failed, or is there another dramatic twist to come?

Judd Trump made three centuries to take a 7-1 lead over Stephen Maguire in the World Championship quarter-finals.

Trump won the last six frames in his second-round win over Ding Junhui and took the first six against Maguire.

The Englishman made breaks of 131, 67, 106, 78 and 101 against the Scot to build a huge lead going into Wednesday’s sessions.

Four-time champion John Higgins and 2010 winner Neil Robertson are all-square at 4-4 after the first session.

Australia’s Robertson went 3-1 and 4-2 ahead, but Scot Higgins made a break of 73 to level up the contest. They resume on Wednesday at 10:00 BST.

Ali Carter continues to trail Gary Wilson 9-7 after the second session of their quarter-final.

Two-time finalist Carter, runner-up to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2008 and 2012, surged into a 3-0 lead but Wilson responded by taking five in a row in the opening session.

Former taxi driver Wilson added to his earlier century with another 134 break as well as a run of 51.

David Gilbert took control against Kyren Wilson by opening up a 10-6 lead after the second session.

The pair tied at 4-4 after the first, but Gilbert – a former potato farmer – made breaks of 78, 102, 72 and 60 for a four-frame cushion heading into Wednesday’s final session.

Luton Town and Barnsley have secured promotion back to the Championship after Tuesday’s results saw both Portsmouth and Sunderland lose.

Pompey lost 3-2 at home to Peterborough, while the Black Cats were beaten 2-1 at Fleetwood Town.

Luton will be back in the second tier following a 12-year absence, while Barnsley have secured an immediate return after relegation last season.

The Hatters are now favourites to seal the League One title on Saturday.

Barnsley, level on 91 points, could still overhaul them even if Luton are victorious at home to Oxford United, but only with a heavy win at Bristol Rovers.

The Tykes are currently four goals worse off on goal difference and have scored less too (79 to the Hatters’ 87), so they would have to win by a margin five goals better than whatever Luton manage.

If Luton fail to win, Barnsley would simply have to better their result to finish as champions.

Happy Hatters

Luton had fallen into non-league for five years following their departure from the Championship in 2007, but have competed their return courtesy of a third promotion in six seasons.

Financial problems led to points deductions – which saw the club docked 10 points in 2007-08 and 30 points the season after – as they suffered three successive relegations to drop out of the English Football League 10 years ago.

John Still started the rise back up English football’s pyramid when Luton won the Conference in 2014, Nathan Jones took them up behind Accrington Stanley from League Two a year ago – and now caretaker boss Mick Harford, Luton’s manager when they were relegated from the Football League in 2009, has returned the club to the second tier.

Luton’s promotion challenge did not look at all likely over the first few weeks of the season, after they picked up one point from their first three games and were 12th after 10 matches.

But, from the end of October, they were almost unstoppable. Not even the mid-season departure of Nathan Jones to Stoke City, described by chief executive Gary Sweet as “a little bit unethical” could disrupt them.

Luton reeled off six league wins on the spin under Harford as they went 28 league games unbeaten before losing at Charlton Athletic in mid-April.

The division’s top scorer James Collins has been a huge influence since the turn of the year, having netted 16 of his 25 goals this season since Boxing Day.

With Harford expected to step aside for a longer-term appointment in the summer and plans for a new 23,000-capacity stadium gaining traction, the Kenilworth Road outfit will hope they can repeat their late 1980s and early 1990s heydays, when they spent a decade in the top flight.

Overjoyed at Oakwell

After relegation under Jose Morais 12 months ago, to further mar a season clouded by the loss of owner Patrick Cryne, Barnsley’s march to promotion under new German boss Daniel Stendel has always looked a distinct possibility.

After starting the season without conceding a goal in their first four matches, only once did they really wobble, when they suffered back-to-back defeats at Charlton and Shrewsbury Town in late October.

Victory at home to Fleetwood in April kicked off a run our four successive wins which ultimately secured promotion, as Portsmouth and Sunderland’s respective challenges faltered.

It speaks volumes for the respect with which they are held that five Barnsley players – goalkeeper Adam Davies, defenders Dimitri Cavare and Ethan Pinnock, midfielder Alex Mowatt and striker Kieffer Moore – were named in the PFA League One team of the season.

Now the test for Barnsley, having got back to second-tier level, is to stay there, which they did for eight straight years from 2006 to 2014.

Having then spent two seasons in League One, before going back up via the play-offs in 2016, they came back down two seasons later.

But this time they have taken just one season to get back up and, assuming they can hang on to him in the same way that they did not with his promotion-winning predecessor Paul Heckingbottom, they maybe look in better shape under Stendel to consolidate.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his team will “suffer” against Barcelona, but will also have chances in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The Reds meet the Spanish champions at the Nou Camp on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

“Will we be perfect? That’s not possible. Will we make mistakes? Oh, yes. Will we suffer? Oh, yes, 100%,” said the German.

“Will there be moments when we have a chance? Yes, 100%. I hope we will use them – that is what we will try to do.”

Klopp, who guided Liverpool to last season’s final, added: “We can feel completely free to play our game. It is a brilliant team here at Barcelona.

“We were in contention last year, but they have been in contention for nearly 20 years. It will be so difficult, but I couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity.

“I hope my players feel the same.”

Like Liverpool, Barcelona are five-time European champions.

However, four of those titles have come in the past 13 years, in contrast to Liverpool’s sole success since 1984, which came in 2005.

Indeed, last year’s run to the final came after Liverpool had failed to qualify for the competition in the previous season, while Barcelona are in the midst of an unbeaten run of 31 home games in the Champions League.

“I would say a draw would not be the worst result in the world, not that we go for it, but it would be OK,” added Klopp, who also took Borussia Dortmund to the 2013 final.

“So many people came to Barcelona and had a plan and in the end they got a proper knock.”

Liverpool are also fighting for a first domestic league triumph in 29 years, sitting two points behind Manchester City with two games to play.

However, even with Liverpool relying on City dropping points in order to win the Premier League, Klopp would not be drawn on whether the Champions League represented his side’s best chance of winning a trophy this season.

“We still have to play against Barcelona,” he said.

“We have a chance in both these competitions, but we have to play these games. I never understand when people think a game is won or lost before it is played.

“At the moment, I do not need to know which is the better chance for us to win. We will try to play our best football, then we will see what we can get from it.

“When we go home, we will not be playing against City, we will be playing against Newcastle. But nobody has to think about that game tomorrow, because it would be a massive mistake to play Barcelona with 15% or 20% of your mind on Newcastle.”

Champions League – your favourite football tournament?

Epic comebacks, record-breaking all-English classics, the world’s biggest superstars… is the Champions League your favourite football tournament?

Do you prefer it to the World Cup, the Premier League with this season’s incredible title race, La Liga or even the unpredictable EFL?

Tell us why. Get involved and contact us here.

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Getty Images

Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito is set to formally mark his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne on Wednesday, a day after his father became the first emperor to abdicate in two centuries.

In his first act as emperor, he will inherit Japan’s Imperial Treasures in a deeply symbolic ceremony.

The emperor in Japan holds no political power but serves as a national symbol.

Emperor Akihito, 85, who chose to abdicate due to his age and failing health, stepped down on Tuesday.

“I hereby pray for the well-being and happiness of our country and people of the world,” he said in his final address.

The new imperial era “Reiwa”, whose name signifies order and harmony, began at midnight local time, and will last as long as Naruhito’s reign.

What will happen at the ceremony?

The Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi – or Ceremony for Inheriting the Imperial Regalia and Seals – will begin at 10:15 local time (01:15 GMT).

Naruhito, 59, will receive three objects – a mirror, sword and gem – which are passed down through generations of emperors and are seen as the symbols of imperial power.

• Japan’s powerful unseen Imperial Treasures

He will then give his first address as new emperor.

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Getty Images

“In 1989 when Akihito [ascended the throne], he spoke about social welfare and peace,” Ken Ruoff, director at the Centre for Japanese Studies at Portland State University, told the BBC.

These were goals that Emperor Akihito worked towards during his Heisei era, and his interactions with those stricken by disease or disaster endeared him to many Japanese.

“I think from Naruhito’s first words, we’ll have a good sense of what the new emperor’s plans will be. I think it will set the tone [of the new era],” Professor Ruoff said.

Emperor Akihito took up the role of a diplomat during his reign, becoming an unofficial ambassador for Japan and travelling extensively to other countries, – something Naruhito is expected to continue.

What do we know about the new emperor?

Naruhito is Japan’s 126th emperor. He attended Oxford University, and became crown prince at the age of 28.

In 1986, he reportedly met his wife, Crown Princess Masako Owada. at a tea party. They married in 1993.

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AFP PHOTO / IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AGENCY

Princess Masako later told reporters that she had accepted Naruhito’s proposal after he said: “You might have fears and worries about joining the imperial household. But I will protect you for my entire life.”

• The prince taking Japan into a new era

The princess, who reportedly suffers from a stress disorder, admitted in December that she felt “insecure” about becoming empress, but pledged to do her best to serve the people of Japan.

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Reuters

Masako was educated at Harvard and Oxford, and had a promising career as a diplomat before her marriage.

The couple’s only child, Princess Aiko, was born in 2001. However, Japan’s current law restricts females from inheriting the throne so she is not her father’s heir.

Naruhito’s brother Prince Fumihito will be next in line to the throne, followed by the new emperor’s nephew, 12-year-old Prince Hisahito.

Why is the Japanese monarchy important?

It’s the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world. Legends date it back to about 600 BC.

In fact, Japanese emperors used to be seen as gods, but the country’s wartime emperor Hirohito – Naruhito’s grandfather – publicly renounced his divinity at the end of World War Two, as part of Japan’s surrender.

The role was redefined by Emperor Akihito, who helped repair the damage to Japan’s reputation after the war.

• The life and reign of Akihito
• The emperor with a human touch

In 1991, two years after he ascended the throne, Akihito and the empress broke with convention and knelt down to speak to people affected by a volcanic eruption in Nagasaki. After the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown which killed thousands in eastern Japan, the former emperor and his wife Michiko were praised for reaching out to comfort survivors.

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Their interactions with people suffering chronic diseases like leprosy, who have been marginalised in Japan, were also a sharp departure from the past.

Akihito will now be known as “Joko”, which means “grand emperor”, and by the English title “Emperor Emeritus”, while Michiko will be “Empress Emerita”.

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British Steel

British Steel has secured a £100m loan from the government to pay its EU carbon bill, a source close to the company has said.

The money means the private equity-owned firm will avoid a steep EU fine.

The firm said earlier this month it needed the funds to settle its 2018 pollution bill due at the end of April.

Sky News said the government money was used to pay for the company’s carbon credits – and that British Steel would repay the money on commercial terms.

The firm has been hit by a European Union decision to suspend UK firms’ access to free carbon permits until a Brexit withdrawal deal is ratified.

The EU’s emissions trading system‘s rules allow industrial polluters to use carbon credits to pay for the previous year’s emissions, or trade them to raise money.

Each free permit gives a firm the right to emit a ton (1,000kg) of carbon dioxide (CO2).

‘Responsive and supportive’

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) declined to comment on British Steel specifically, but said it was in “regular conversation with a wide range of companies”.

Beis is expected to make a formal announcement on Wednesday.

British Steel has previously said ministers and officials from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had “been responsive and supportive”.

Private equity firm Greybull Capital rescued Tata Steel’s long products business – which makes steel for the rail and construction sectors – during the depths of the steel crisis in 2016, saving more than 4,000 jobs.

It paid a nominal £1 fee for the assets, but pledged to plough up to £400m into the business which it rebranded British Steel.

Workers had to take pay cuts and reductions in their pensions in return, but the company has since returned to profit.

The company employs 4,000 people at its Scunthorpe plant and has sites in Teesside, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has called on the ATP player council to act after Justin Gimelstob’s sentencing for assault and end “a shameful period” for the sport.

Gimelstob, 42, is one of three player representatives on the ATP board.

The American, also a former player, received three years probation and 60 days community service after pleading “no contest” to a battery charge.

Swiss Wawrinka, 33, says players “need to speak out” about the subject.

The player council, led by 15-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia, has the power to remove Gimelstob, but would need the consent of at least six of its 10 members.

“It simply cannot be possible for anyone to condone this type of behaviour and, worse, support it,” Wawrinka, who has won Australian Open, French Open and US Open titles, posted on social media.

“In any other business or sport we would not be discussing this.

“The ATP council needs to do something about this and finally end this conversation and shameful period in our great sport.”

Wawrinka’s comments come after Britain’s Andy Murray became the first leading player to call on Gimelstob to quit his role on the ATP board.

Gimelstob, who has also worked as a coach and TV commentator, was sentenced in Los Angeles last week.

Former friend Randall Kaplan alleged that early in the evening of 31 October, Gimelstob “punched him in the head and face more than 50 times” in front of Kaplan’s pregnant wife Madison and two-year-old daughter.

Mrs Kaplan went on to have a miscarriage, which the couple believe was a result of the stress of the attack.

“I don’t see, with everything that has gone on, how it’s possible for him to remain in a position of authority or management at the ATP right now,” Murray told The Telegraph.

Following Gimelstob’s sentencing, the ATP said his future was a “subject for review by the board and/or the player council”.

It added: “The election for the role of the next Americas player representative on the ATP board – the position currently held by Gimelstob – will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, 14 May in Rome.”