Sports

AMMAN — Jordan Motorsport, the motor sport authority in the Kingdom, has revealed its calendar of activities for the 2015 season focusing on popular auto events — drifting and the speed test.

According to Othman Naseef, CEO of Jordan Motorsport, there will be a total of 23 events this season.

“Jordan Motorsport, headed by HRH Prince Feisal, saw that there is a need to increase the number of events due to the fact that people are getting more interested in watching auto sports, and drivers, especially new ones, can gain more experience,” he told The Jordan times.

“This season we have increased the number of drifting from four to five as we have seen a lot of positive response from fans,” he added.

Drifting was introduced for the first time as part of the agenda in 2014 and quickly gained a lot of fans.

Meanwhile, the Speed Test Championship will have five races in addition to Al Hussein Rumman Hill Climb. 

“The 2015 season will also focus on karting, which is considered the core for other auto sports, with five events and five rallies, in addition to the Jordan Rally, the fifth round of the Middle East Rally Championship which will take place in October,” he added. 

Naseef expects more participation from women drivers and young enthusiasts this season due to the additional number of events and the opportunity that is open to newcomers.

“We welcome newcomers and we are ready to provide all the guidance needed. We believe that this sport will always need young and ambitious drivers who one day may represent Jordan in global and regional events,” he said.

The first event on the calendar is Speed Test 1 on March 13.

LONDON — Daley Blind's injury-time equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw for Manchester United at West Ham United on Sunday but a point was not enough to regain third spot in the Premier League.

A determined West Ham side troubled United all afternoon and their perseverance paid off at the start of the second half when Cheikhou Kouyate scored a neat volley after juggling the ball.

But with time running out the Londoners failed to clear their lines and Dutchman Blind was on hand to guide the ball home from the edge of the box and snatch a point.

A draw for United keeps them fourth on 44 points from 24 matches, one behind Southampton and one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, while West Ham remain eighth with 37 points.

Earlier, West Bromwich Albion came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 at fellow strugglers Burnley and claim what could prove to be a crucial point in the fight for Premier League survival.

In a mid-table battle at St James' Park, Peter Crouch's late equaliser earned Stoke City a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United and kept Mark Hughes's side in the top 10.

Mounting pressure

West Ham made the better start at Upton Park and Enner Valencia forced two smart saves from David De Gea as the home side looked to expose the defensive frailties that have hindered United this season.

James Tomkins was the next West Ham player to test De Gea when the defender's header from a free kick called the Spanish keeper into action.

But Kouyate finally fired the Hammers in front after the break when he neatly juggled the ball in the box before twisting his body and volleying past the stranded De Gea.

United were struggling to create chances but striker Radamel Falcao squandered an opportunity when through on goal before Robin van Persie had a shot well saved by Adrian.

However, United showed their old battling qualities as West Ham failed to clear Marcos Rojo's ball forward and Blind struck to deal the Hammers a blow in added time.

United were forced to play the final few minutes with 10 men when defender Luke Shaw received a second yellow card.

Early spark

Burnley's Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings provided the early spark at a wet and gloomy Turf Moor as they each scored first half headers to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

But Chris Brunt earned West Brom a lifeline towards the end of the first half when he nodded in from a corner and substitute Brown Ideye completed the comeback for Tony Pulis's side in the second period when he powered in a header from Brunt's corner.

West Brom are 15th with 23 points from 24 matches, while Burnley are a point above the relegation zone in 17th with 21.

After a drab opening half at St James' Park, Jack Colback fired Newcastle in front minutes after being fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for a foul on Victor Moses.

Gabriel Obertan wasted a chance to double Newcastle's lead and former England striker Crouch punished them in the 90th minute when he headed in Geoff Cameron's pinpoint cross.

Stoke remain 10th with 33 points, while Newcastle are two points behind in 11th spot.

LONDON — Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has broken his 10-day silence in a tetchy news conference in which he made regular digs at England’s Football Association for its treatment of him.

Mourinho hasn’t spoken in public since last week, when he was fined £25,000 ($38,000) for claiming there has been a media-driven campaign against his team and when his star striker, Diego Costa, was handed a three-match ban for stamping on an opponent.

An unhappy-looking Mourinho chose not to discuss the Costa incident Friday, saying jokingly “maybe I’m punished to reflect. Maybe they [the FA] can read my reflection and [that] I don’t want.”

Mourinho said new signing Juan Cuadrado was available for Saturday’s match at Aston Villa “unless the Premier League or the FA say there are some rules to stop him”.

In another gripe at the FA, Mourinho referred to an incident this season when he was pushed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in the technical area during a game.

“You know, the only surprise I had in relation to that was to be punished when I was pushed by another manager,” Mourinho said.

“Apart from that I can expect everything.”

Mourinho labelled himself the “Happy One” when he made his return to Chelsea in the summer of 2013 for a second spell as manager. But his outlook has changed somewhat in recent months, despite his team having led the Premier League from the start of the season.

He has constructed a siege mentality around his squad, perceiving that it is being targeted by referees, authorities and the media.

Mourinho said he was only attending the pre-match news conference to avoid getting another fine.

“You know why I’m here,” the Portuguese coach said, “so you cannot expect that I’m super happy to be here.”

On his recent silence, he added: “If you want, you can make a silence very noisy. Depends what you want to do. You could make noise with my silence, because you know the reason for my silence.”

Chelsea holds a five-point lead heading to Villa Park, where central midfielder Cesc Fabregas is fit to play after a hamstring injury. Costa misses out as he serves the second game of his ban.

Mourinho is looking for a first win at Villa Park — one of only two Premier League grounds, along with Newcastle’s St James’ Park, where he is yet to triumph.

Asked the reason for the winless record, his answer summed up his current mood.

“Because,” he replied, “the opponents score more goals than us and sometimes the same number of goals as us.”

LONDON — Brazil captain Neymar has tipped Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho to become the biggest star in England after some eye-catching displays in the Premier League.

The fleet-footed Coutinho has played an important part in Liverpool’s resurgence in recent weeks, with the Brazilian adding greater consistency to his burgeoning bag of tricks.

Barcelona forward Neymar played alongside Coutinho as they came up through the youth ranks of Brazilian football and is a big admirer.

“He can be the star player in England. This season I think everybody in England is seeing how talented he is — and I know he has a lot more to show,” Neymar was quoted as saying on the Liverpool website.

“When he has the ball at his feet, he can make things happen for himself and he can make things happen for other players. He is a very special player.”

Although few have doubted Coutinho’s talent, his ability to regularly influence games was often called into question.

He now seems to be a more consistent threat, however, and scored a superb winner to help Liverpool beat second tier Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup on Wednesday while creating both goals in their 2-0 win over West Ham United last weekend.

“He will play a big part in the future of the national team,” Neymar added.

“The national team is very strong, but the way he is playing for Liverpool, I’m sure he will be a big part of Brazil going forward.”

Liverpool visit local rivals Everton on Saturday with captain Steven Gerrard set for his last Merseyside Derby appearance before quitting the club to join Major League Football’s LA Galaxy at the end of the season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday that Everton fans would be glad to see the back of him and Gerrard is not expecting anything other than his usual antagonistic welcome at Goodison Park.

“I love the banter with Everton fans,” said the 34-year-old.

“It’s what it’s all about. It’s about rivalries and big games of football.

“I’m up for all that. I don’t mind it at all. Bring it on as far as I’m concerned. I’ve got respect for all the Everton players and the Everton fans. I think they’re a terrific football club, but once that whistle goes I want to beat them. That’s a good problem for me.”

AMMAN — With teams back in action in Leg 2 of the 63rd Jordan Professional League, Wihdat are five points ahead with Week 13 matches giving them a chance to boost it further.

Last week, Wihdat resumed their winning streak after a month-long break during which players were on national team duty at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia where Jordan was eliminated in the first round.

Wihdat came back to score a 2-0 win over Sarih, who remained third, while Ramtha lost their first match, 2-1 to That Ras, but remained second. The defeats of Ramtha and Sarih gave Wihdat the chance to move five points ahead.

That Ras are up a spot before they play Shabab Urdun and Jazira moved up to fourth after a 2-1 win over Ahli. Jazira will next play Ittihad Ramtha and have a chance to better their position as Sarih play second-placed Ramtha.

Baqaa beat Hussein Irbid 1-0 and moved up a spot. Now they play Manshieh hoping to score another win, while Hussein Irbid take on Faisali, who are seventh after a 1-0 win over Ittihad Ramtha.

Wihdat are still undefeated, followed by Ramtha and Sarih in the top three. Former champs Faisali and Shabab Urdun are down in the standings while former Jordan Cup champs That Ras are sixth. 

In Leg 1, Wihdat beat traditional rivals Faisali 2-0 but that was only the start of the former champs troubles as the club suffers an administrative crisis that has left the team trailing at the lower end of the standings for the first time ever since the League kicked off in 1944. Baqaa, a usual top five finisher, is now 10th after only two wins.

The Jordan Football Association (JFA) only scheduled the first four weeks of the current round as three Jordanian teams might play in Asian events in February and March. Wihdat will play the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League and will face Kuwait’s Qadissieh on February 10 in the preliminary round. If they win, they will advance to play Saudi Arabia’s Ahli a week later before advancing to play in the group stages.

In case Wihdat advance in the Champions League, the team will be replaced by the League’s fourth-placed team, That Ras, in the AFC Cup alongside Jazira, who were nominated after two-time AFC Cup champs and League runner-up Faisali declined.

Locally, the Jordan Cup semis will see Faisali play Wihdat and Ramtha face That Ras. Wihdat won the first major competition of the 2014/15 football season after they beat Baqaa 2-0 in the 32nd Super Cup.

Last season, Wihdat won the Jordan Professional League for the 13th time and beat Baqaa to win the Jordan Cup, while Shabab Urdun beat That Ras to win the 31st Super Cup. The JFA Shield was not held.

LONDON — Peter Shilton is not overly keen on the prospect of Wayne Rooney breaking his England caps record even though he describes the Manchester United striker as “a little genius” and “a street fighter”.

The former Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leicester City, Stoke City and Derby County goalkeeper made 125 appearances for his country between 1971-90 and Rooney is closing rapidly on his total, having already played 101 times by the age of 29.

“If he does beat my record I’ll be the first to congratulate him,” Shilton told Reuters in an interview.

“I wouldn’t say I want him to beat my record because I’m very proud of it but if he does it means he’s going well and England are going well so from that respect I’ll be pleased.

“He hasn’t really done it in major tournaments for England for one reason or another, the last World Cup in Brazil and the one before in South Africa for example, but to me he’s always been a little genius, a little street fighter,” said Shilton.

“He’s someone you want in your team and he does score goals at international level. He’s playing well and anything could happen in the next couple of years.”

Shilton, who ended his England career when his side were knocked out in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, does not think it is a foregone conclusion that the 46-goal Rooney will break his record.

“Wayne’s at that stage when he could go on for another three or four years but I’ve also in the past seen people like Gary Lineker and Michael Owen finish their England careers very quickly,” said the 65-year-old.

“Strikers tend to be a little bit like that. Sometimes it depends on the individual although Wayne I look upon as more of a midfield-style player than an out-and-out striker like Lineker or Owen.

“Those two were very much reliant on pace and when a little bit of that went and they picked up an injury or two, it wasn’t easy for them to get back,” added Shilton.

Luck needed

“Wayne will need a bit of luck. He’s captained the side very well in recent games although not exactly against top quality opposition,” added Shilton in reference to England’s Euro 2016 Group E qualifying opponents Slovenia, Switzerland, Lithuania, Estonia and San Marino.

“It looks like he’s going to go very close to my record but there’s still a fair way to go and anything can happen.”

Shilton, who won the European Cup with Forest in 1979 and 1980, also said that he believes England’s top three goalkeepers Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Ben Foster are not quite at the top of the international pile.

“I think Hart at Manchester City makes a few too many mistakes for a top-level keeper and some of that might be down to technique,” he added.

“Forster has done well for Southampton but I also see some bits in games where he could have done a little better,” said Shilton who is the worldwide ambassador for the Sidekick Football Training Machine.

Shilton believes goalkeeping standards in the Premier League are generally not what they were.

“I feel techniques are not as good as they could be. It’s sometimes about sharpness and reactions these days,” he explained.

BARCELONA — Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insinuated that bitter enemies Real Madrid had a part to play in the Neymar transfer court case in which he has been called to give evidence.

“We have done nothing wrong and we will keep saying the truth. The signing of Neymar took place using the most prestigious lawyers,” Bartomeu told Spanish television.

“Other clubs wanted to sign Neymar paying more money but they didn’t manage it and they didn’t like that. Someone now has overstepped the line.

“I’m not saying Madrid are behind this but Neymar’s father told me that there were two offers: Barca and Madrid. Madrid wanted to buy him and were ready to pay more for him.

“A year ago Neymar was playing well and then all this fuss suddenly came up. Maybe somebody doesn’t like him. Now again he is playing well and there is another judicial process.”

Bartomeu also suggested that there is a political campaign against the club over its prominent role in Catalan nationalism.

“A year ago we allowed the Camp Nou to be used for the Liberty Concert, we play with the colours of the Senyera [the Catalan flag]... maybe that isn’t liked,” he said.

“I can see a sport and politics issue but we are going to keep going as we are and reach the end which is my role. We are paying a political price.”

Bartomeu will be questioned on February 13 over whether Barcelona and their directors defrauded the Spanish tax office of 2.8 million euros ($3.21 million) during the 2014 tax year.

Barcelona initially claimed that the cost of the Neymar transfer from Santos ahead of last season was 57.1 million euros ($65.41 million) but the case was taken to court by a fan seeking transparency over the deal.

Former president Sandro Rosell resigned in January, 2014, after a judge decided to investigate and call him to testify.

Bartomeu, having replaced Rosell, gave a breakdown of the cost of the Neymar transfer which revealed that it amounted to 86.2 million euros ($98.75 million) with the inclusion of payments to the player and his family.

Judge Pablo Ruz feels there is sufficient argument to investigate a claim that tax was not paid on an outstanding instalment of the transfer that took place at the start of Bartomeu’s presidency in January last year.

Bartomeu’s pending court appearance is the latest incident in a troubled year for him at the helm of the club.

The boardroom crisis in the aftermath of a transfer ban for two windows over the signing of foreign U-18 players led him to bring forward presidential elections to the end of this season.

LONDON — Seeking to clean up scandal-scarred FIFA would seem a comparatively straightforward mission for HRH Prince Ali compared with one of his current roles in Jordan.

“I work right now in the field in crisis management, which is probably a good thing for someone running for the FIFA presidency,” the prince said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

It is seven years since the Princeton University-educated prince established Jordan’s security and crisis management centre. It is a job he will step aside from if successful in his bid to unseat Sepp Blatter in May to take control of world football.

The prince was speaking in London just as Jordan was contending with the security crisis created by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in neighbouring Syria and Iraq. Hours after Prince Ali’s interview in London, a Jordanian pilot captured by the IS group was confirmed as having been killed.

“We are very, very concerned,” the prince said. “This is a global phenomenon which affects all of us... it’s a world threat and one that will take a while to resolve.”

As a FIFA vice president for Asia and president of the Jordan Football Association, the prince is troubled by the impact too on the sport as IS has gained territory.

“There are concerns. I did volunteer to go to Iraq to see what can be done to help them play the sport they love,” he said. “Football should not be held hostage to anyone. It’s global, it’s for the world.”

The prince’s own position at FIFA relies on him preventing Blatter from winning a fifth, four-year term in May, with his own four-year spell representing Asia on world football’s governing body ending soon.

Although the FIFA presidential poll is of the 209 national associations, the perception is that Blatter’s re-election is a formality given how many countries benefit from FIFA’s financial support for development projects.

The prince believes there is a “culture of intimidation” sustaining the 78-year-old Blatter’s reign with a fear of speaking out.

“I have never been intimidated myself, but I do know there is a little bit of a culture of fear and ramifications, especially for members who maybe are not England or the US, but for smaller FAs who get a lot from FIFA,” the prince said. “I understand the concerns that doing the right thing might harm the support that they get.”

The prince’s election nominations came from the United States, England, Belarus, Malta, Georgia and his homeland.

But his inability so far to gain backing beyond Jordan in the Asian Football Confederation or from Caribbean and South American federations underscores the challenge of ending Blatter’s rule, which stretches back to 1998.

“It’s a long campaign now until May 29 so I don’t think anyone should be written off,” the prince said at his campaign launch at a London hotel. “I don’t think anyone has a stranglehold on any confederation.”

But there is also a split within European governing body UEFA, which has links to the prince’s campaign. Dutch football association chief Michael van Praag and Portugal great Luis Figo are also currently being vetted by FIFA’s election committee to become formal candidates after the close of nominations last week.

“It’s symptomatic of the need for change,” the prince said of the four-man field who he hopes will get a chance to engage in a televised debate.

By then the prince would have to set out a distinctive vision to transform FIFA that differs from his rivals — including Blatter — beyond current pledges to tackle racism and match-fixing, and to prioritise development and transparency.

A challenge for the prince could be showing how, as a member of a Royal family, he is equipped to make FIFA a more accessible and effective governing body.

“There is no royalty in football,” the prince said. “Titles mean nothing. What is important is that we do our best for the sport.”

LONDON — For one of the sharpest — and most-admired — minds in football, Jose Mourinho is becoming increasingly predictable with his attempts to cast Chelsea as the victims of a grand conspiracy.

To hear Mourinho tell it, it’s as if pundits and the media conspire to undermine Chelsea by agreeing on a line of attack that is then executed as part of a mysterious “campaign”. A Chelsea player tumbling in the penalty area is labelled a diver. A Chelsea player who catches an opponent’s ankle has executed a vicious stamp.

And the referees, according to Mourinho’s mantra, are susceptible enough to all this campaigning that it can affect their decision making during a match.

There is of course no grand conspiracy, as imagined by Mourinho, being played out. But it is easy for him to rail against outside targets — just as he did at Real Madrid, where he managed to turn a large section of Spanish media against him.

In Mourinho’s mind, Chelsea striker Diego Costa was only banned for three games for stamping on Emre Can in last week’s League Cup semifinal win over Liverpool because of criticism by former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp and media scrutiny.

Before the Football Association’s fast-tracked retrospective sanctioning of Costa for treading on Can — the Spain striker was cleared of stamping on Martin Skrtel — the governing body punished Mourinho for a misdemeanour the previous month.

The decision to book Cesc Fabregas for diving at Southampton — revealed by replays to be a bad decision by the referee — led to Mourinho first claiming there is “a clear campaign” in which the media is influencing referees’ decision.

“People, pundits, commentators, coaches from other teams — they react with Chelsea in a way they don’t react to other teams,” Mourinho said. “They put lots of pressure on the referee and the referee makes a mistake like this.”

The FA fined Mourinho last Thursday £25,000 ($38,000) for this outburst, deciding they were “improper and brought the game into disrepute”.

Although Mourinho was cleared of implying the refereeing was biased, the constant insinuations that officials are professionally inadequate, even pre-disposed to act against Chelsea, are damaging for football.

For referees, protecting their integrity is everything. Without it their authority is neutered.

Mourinho’s fight with the media industry is on his terms.

If Chelsea are champions again come May, Mourinho will undoubtedly judge the verbal skirmishes with officials and the media to have been worthwhile.

Even if he creates a few more enemies.

LONDON — Europe’s top clubs shunned any last-minute scramble for players on the final trading day of the season Monday, with Premier League leader Chelsea making the only major deal by completing formalities to sign Juan Cuadrado.

The 26-year-old winger left Fiorentina for around $40 million on a four-and-a-half-year deal as Chelsea offloaded Andre Schuerrle to German side Wolfsburg.

Cuadrado, who starred at the World Cup for Colombia, scored five goals in 17 matches for Fiorentina this season. He joins a Chelsea side competing for titles in the Premier League and Champions League, although the first chance for silverware comes in the March 1 League Cup final against Tottenham.

“This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me,” Cuadrado said.

Manchester United vice captain Darren Fletcher was allowed to join West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer as the transfer window closed.

The 31-year-old midfielder has spent his entire career at United, making 342 appearances and winning the league five times, but he has been unable to earn him a place in Louis van Gaal’s starting line-up this season.

It was a busy transfer deadline day at Tottenham which started by tying its breakthrough player of the season to a new contract. The 21-year-old striker Harry Kane signed a deal through 2020 after scoring 20 goals in all competitions this campaign.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s Tottenham career is over after being released from his contract. The defender has not played for the club since May 2013 and spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers.

Winger Aaron Lennon was sent on loan to Everton until the end of the season after losing his place in the team and starting only three league matches this season.

Southampton, who are fourth in the league, added midfielder Filip Djuricic to the squad for the rest of the season on a loan deal from Benfica. And defender Ryan Bertrand’s loan move from Chelsea was made permanent.

In south London, Crystal Palace signed up two wingers.

Wilfried Zaha was already on loan from Manchester United, but has now permanently rejoined the club he left in 2013 on a five-and-a-half-year deal. Zaha, who was Alex Ferguson’s last signing as Manchester United manager, made only four appearances for the club. South Korea international Lee Chung-yong joined Palace from Bolton on a contract through 2018.

Here is a look at the other key activity on deadline-day in parts of Europe:

Italy

As Juventus re-signed Alessandro Matri on loan from AC Milan, Sebastian Giovinco was sent on loan to Major League Football team Toronto.

Monday also saw several other players rejoin former clubs, with Luca Antonelli returning to AC Milan, Marco Borriello signing up for a third spell at Genoa and Davide Santon moving back to Inter Milan on loan from Newcastle.

France

Marseille, who are locked in a three-way battle for the French title with Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, strengthened their attacking options by signing winger Lucas Ocampos on loan from Monaco.

PSG, whose ambitions are slowed by UEFA Financial Fair Play sanctions, did not invest a single euro on new players in the transfer window after selling midfielder Clement Chantome to Bordeaux for a reported fee of 750,000 euros ($851,000). 

Germany 

Schuerrle’s deal to return to the Bundesliga underscores Wolfsburg’s ambition to become Bayern Munich’s closest challenger in the German League and a permanent contender in the Champions League. Wolfsburg stunned Bayern 4-1 to kick off the second half of the season on Friday to deal the defending champion their first defeat.

Schuerrle signed through 2019, Wolfsburg said.

Details of the deal were not disclosed, but German media speculated that Wolfsburg paid a club record 30 million euros ($34 million) for Schuerrle.