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Fri/Sat/Sun August 25~27, 2017

ENGLAND record-scorer Wayne Rooney called time on his often tempestuous international career Wednesday, retiring from duty after spurning an offer to return to the squad.

“I believe now is the time to bow out,” the former England captain said in a statement. “I will always remain a passionate England fan.”

A return to form since leaving Manchester United to go back to Everton in the offseason had seen England manager Gareth South-gate approach Rooney about returning for upcoming World Cup qualifi ers. But the 31-year-old striker has decided to focus on his club career, quitting Eng-land duty with a record 53 goals in 119 appearances — more than any other outfi eld player.

“It was great Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that,” Rooney said. “However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from interna-tional football.

“It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me. Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me.”

Rooney never progressed beyond the quarterfi nals of a tournament with England and his struggles on the interna-tional stage often saw him cast as the fall guy for his country’s inability to come close to adding to its solitary title in the 1966 World Cup.

English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke acclaimed Roone as “an icon of his genera-tion and an undoubted legend of the game.”

“It goes without saying that Wayne has deservedly earned the right to forever be called a Three Lions great.

“It’s with sadness that we see Wayne call time on his interna-tional career but we respect his decision and expect to see him continue to contribute to Everton and the rest of the football world for many years to come.”

(SD-Agencies)

CHINESE Football Association (CFA) has debunked rumors claiming it is set to sack head coach Marcello Lippi.

China, sitting bottom of its group, only has a slim hope of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.

Lippi’s side will have to win both of its remaining qualifi ers fi rst and then keeps an eye on other teams’ results to reach the competition in Russia.

Several reports claim the CFA is left frustrated by Lippi’s performance and is planning to

part ways with the former Italy national team boss.

However, the CFA on Thurs-day quashed talk that Lippi will be sacked.

“Lippi’s efforts in improving Chinese soccer and the progress the team has made thus far serve as an example for all to see,” the CFA said in a statement.

“We will, as always, strive to provide an ideal environment for Lippi and his backroom staff. No effort will be spared to fully sup-port and coordinate with his job of preparing for future games.”

The CFA also stressed that youth development will take priority over any other matter in Lippi’s tenure.

“The future of Chinese soccer hinges on the development of youngsters, which acts as the most important facilitator in gaining progress,” the state-ment added.

“Lippi is willing to offer his advice, help young Chinese soccer players in their develop-ment and make a contribution to their future success.”

(SD-Agencies)

THE suspended Cristiano Ronaldo vented his frustrations with a stunning strike as Real Madrid defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in the Trofeo Santiago Berna-beu on Wednesday.

The star forward has missed the last two matches, includ-ing his team’s opening game of the 2017-18 Liga season, and is banned from competitive domestic action for three fur-ther games after being sent off and then pushing the referee in the fi rst leg of the Supercopa de Espana against Barcelona.

While all eyes were under-standably on Ronaldo in this exhibition game, links between the past and future of Spanish and Italian soccer were also apparent by glancing at the team sheets, as Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Simeone, the offspring of former Azzurri international Enrico Chiesa and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone respectively, started for Fiorentina.

Young goalkeeper Luca Zidane was introduced by his father for the hosts in the second half, while Ianis Hagi, son of Romania great Gheorghe Hagi, who played for both Bar-celona and Madrid, came on in the second half for La Viola.

It was the less storied fi gure of Jordan Veretout, rescued last month from an unhappy spell at Aston Villa, who opened the scoring for Fiorentina after just four minutes, stabbing a fi rm fi nish from the top of the

BOCA Juniors president Daniel Angelici has threatened to take Shanghai Shenhua to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to demand payment of more than US$3 million related to the transfer of striker Carlos Tevez.

Tevez joined Shenhua in Janu-ary for a transfer fee in the region of 11 million euros (US$12.96 million) and Angelici claims the Chinese side has not paid the Argentine club since the initial payment was made when the transfer was completed.

“We are preparing a claim to present to the Court of Arbitration for Sport because we have written several times to the club and have had no

response,” Angelici told local media Wednesday, claiming Shenhua owed Boca more than US$3 million.

The 33-year-old former Man-chester United and Juventus for-ward is currently in Buenos Aires for treatment on a calf injury that has seen him miss much of his fi rst season in China.

Tevez has played just 11 times in the Chinese Super League since his highly anticipated arrival ahead of the current season, scoring two goals as Shenhua has struggled.

He was granted leave to return to Argentina after signing an agreement with the club guaran-teeing he would return before the

resumption of the Chinese Super League following the upcoming international break.

Tevez met with Angelici soon after his arrival in Argentina last week amid rumors he is seeking a third stint at the club.

“Tevez had lunch with the president of Boca? Well, we know nothing about that,” a spokesman for Shenhua said.

“He is now on holiday, he has the right to meet anyone he wants to, this is his freedom. We won’t comment on something like that, let alone interfere with it.

“But we want to stress again that he will report to the club Aug. 30.”

(SD-Agencies)

Ronaldo nets stunner in exhibition game

box past Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

It did not take long for Los Blancos’ stars to assert them-selves, though.

The in-form Marco Asensio linked up with the man he has been shining in the absence of, playing in Ronaldo down the left of the opposition penalty area. The Portugal star dragged his shot across the face of goal and Borja Mayoral was on hand to fi re home from close range.

In the 33rd minute it was Ronaldo who grabbed the spotlight, charging down the left wing, cutting inside and beating defender German Pez-zella before fi ring a brilliant fi nish into the far top corner of the net, leaving Marco Sporti-ello helpless.

Madrid continued to domi-nate without forcing a third before half-time, when the beleaguered visitors offered their starting XI some

much needed respite by changing the entire team.

Zidane initially suffi ced himself with just three swaps, including the introduction of son Luca in place of Casilla.

Star playmaker Isco mean-while came on for Asensio in the 62nd minute and there were also cameos from Casemiro, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos, although neither side proved able to add to the scoreline in the time remaining. (SD-Agencies)

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) reacts after scoring against Fiorentina in the Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu on Wednes-day. SD-Agencies

Wayne Rooney

Rooney ends England career despite recall

CFA denies Marcello Lippi is about to be sacked

Marcello Lippi

Boca threatens legal action over non-payment of Tevez fee

Carlos Tevez