Sports

AMMAN — The U-16 national football team plays Kyrgyzstan on Sunday in its last qualifier for the 2016 AFC U-16 Asian Championship.

The team is now second in Group B that includes Nepal, Oman and Kyrgyzstan as 45 nations are playing in 11 groups with group winners and four best second-placed teams moving on to the finals.

Jordan beat Oman 2-0 on Friday in their second match after losing their opening match to Nepal 2-1. Nepal took the group lead after they beat Kyrgyzstan 4-2 while Oman beat Kyrgyzstan 2-0.

Coach Abdulla Qitati who took over since from Frenchman Eric Deletang earlier this summer after Jordan finished last at the 5th West Asian Championship said “the match against Gulf Cup champ Oman revived our chances after the unexpected loss to Nepal” adding that “players are upbeat and are seeking a big win in the upcoming match”.

India will host the 2016 AFC U-16 championship with a total of 45 nations including the hosts participating in the qualifiers, and the draw seeding based on the rankings from the last edition in 2014 won by North Korea. The 45 nations were divided into two qualifying zones — West Zone with 24 teams and East Zone with 21 teams. Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams will qualify for the finals, with host India receiving an automatic qualification (total 16 teams). In case India finishes top of its qualifying group or among the four best second-placed teams, the next (5th) second best placed nation will qualify for the final competition.

Jordan was eliminated from the 2014 AFC U16 qualifiers held in Amman after finishing last in Group D. Jordan lost 2-1 to Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia and drew 4-4 with Syria.

Women’s team plays Vietnam

Meanwhile, the women’s national football team plays Vietnam on Sunday concluding Group A round 2 matches at the 2015–16 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament currently under way in Myanmar.

Jordan lost 1-0 to Thailand in their third match on Friday and has so far failed to score a single goal. They lost their qualifying chance earlier after a 3-0 defeat to Taiwan and 2-0 to Myanmar. Only the top team from this round will move to Round 3 to play the top five seeded teams — Japan, Australia, South Korea, North Korea and China — and only the top two qualify to represent Asia at the Olympic Games.

Currently 53rd in the latest FIFA rankings and leading all Arab teams at 11th in the Asian continent, team officials had voiced concern that “the task of clinching a berth from some of the best teams in East Asia was not easy”.

It is Jordan’s second time in qualifiers after the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers when it advanced to Round 2. In 2014, the senior women’s team exited Round 1 of the Asian Games and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup where it was also the only Arab team to have ever qualified. The squad is reigning West Asian champs after winning the title with Iran, Lebanon and the UAE missing the event.

AMMAN — The Samsung Amman Marathon kicks off October 9 with the participation of thousands of runners in the 42km, the 21km half marathon and 10km Fun Run.

 “Long distance running is designed to promote healthier lifestyles through training the body and the mind, we, at Run Jordan, have adopted this moto and seek to find partners who share our vision to develop the local community and promote good health. Our partnership with Samsung Electronics over the past seven years has proved to be a very effective one demonstrated by the great success of Samsung Amman Marathon, which has helped in putting Jordan on the international sporting map, as well as promoting the Kingdom as a prime destination for sports and tourism,” HRH Prince Firas Bin Raad, patron of the event and Run Jordan chairman of the board, said during the launching event.

Aqel Beltaji, mayor of Amman, stated that the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is keen on supporting national initiatives and programmes that contribute to supporting and developing local communities. He also said that GAM is proud of its strategic partnership and Run Jordan’s vision since it brings everyone together for a common goal.

Lina Kurd, vice director general of Run Jordan, told The Jordan Times that this year’s event is all about the city of Amman.

“The event is launched under the theme ‘Run to the Heart of the City of Amman’ and will have a new route for the 10km Fun Run which will start at Princess Alia Street: Al  Hussein sports City-Gate #1, down to Arar Street ending at the finish line at the Hashemite Square- Gate #1,” she said.

Meanwhile the Children’s Race will be held at King Hussein Park on October 2nd.

“As usual the children’s race will be held before the big event in order to give the children the chance to have their own marathon and enjoy it,” she added.

Kurd expressed his satisfaction with the popularity of the race considering it a family event.

“We have been able to attract the participation of individuals from various countries across the world,” she said.

“The Kingdom as a whole benefits from the success of the Samsung Amman Marathon, not only is Jordan now recognised as a prime destination for sports and tourism, but the benefits stretch beyond that as 20 per cent of the marathon proceeds go to charity,” she added.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics Levant president, Bumsuk Hong, stressed on the long standing partnership with Run Jordan, saying: “Through our social corporate responsibility programs, Samsung aims to improve the societies where it works. The marathon positively impacts individuals’ lives and places special focus on leading a healthy lifestyle by introducing running as a culture, thus creating a sustainable change within the community.”

According to Kurd, registration booths are now open for everyone and they are placed around the city.

“We have booths for registration in the following locations: Cozmo 7th Circle, City Mall, Taj Mall, Avenue Mall, Safeway Shmeisani, and Fitness First Gym in Abdoun and Shmeisani. Moreover, registration at Run Jordan’s headquarters in Shmeisani or online through the website www.runjordancom, is also available. Electronic payment methods are available on Run Jordan’s official website,” she said. 

Last year, Jordan runner Mithqal Abbadi was crowned champion of the 42km Full Marathon while Kenyan runner Sarah Kepasso (2h44m41s) broke all previous records in the same category for women.

Abbadi clocked 2h26m07s, followed by Jordan’s Fathi Al Dayyat (2h38m07s) and Mohammad Muhammad (2h38m44s).

AMMAN — The 64th Jordan Professional Football League enters its second week on the weekend with leaders Faisali playing Ramtha and Jazira taking on Hussein.

After Week 1, Wihdat are in the lead after they beat newcomers Asala 3-1, Faisali beat Ahli 1-0, Jazira beat Kufrsoum 2-0, while Ramtha against Shabab Urdun and That Ras versus Hussein ended 2-2, and Baqaa held Sarih 0-0.

In the kickoff of the local football season, Faisali got off to a positive start when they beat League champs Wihdat to win the 33rd Super Cup 1-0. It was a much-needed win for reigning Jordan Cup champs Faisali after a disappointing 7th place finish in the league last year.

Wihdat have been league champions for the last two consecutive years. Last year, they also won the Super Cup while Faisali won the Jordan Cup title.

Last season, and for the first time in years, the runner-up and third places went to Jazira and Ramtha. There was also a battle at the other end of the standings where, after Ittihad Ramtha dropped to Division 1, former champs Shabab Urdun, Faisali as well as Baqaa could have easily followed suit, but eventually Manshieh were relegated.

AMMAN — The women’s national football team plays Thailand on Friday in their third match at the Asian Round 2 qualifiers for the 2016 Summer Olympics football tournament currently under way in Myanmar.

The Kingdom lost its qualifying chances after losing 3-0 to Taiwan and 2-0 to Myanmar.

Currently 53rd in the latest FIFA World Rankings and leading all Arab teams at 11th in the Asian continent, the team’s preparation period, which only included a series of local matches as well as two matches against 81st ranked Morocco, was not sufficient to the task ahead. Coach Khader Eid had acknowledged that “the task of clinching a berth from some of the best teams in East Asia was not easy.”

Jordan had topped Round 1 Asian Group B qualifiers by beating Uzbekistan 2-0, Hong Kong 1-0 and Palestine 6-0 and qualified to Round 2, where they joined other group leaders Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. Only the top team from this round will move to Round 3 to play the top five seeded teams — Japan, Australia, South Korea and North Korea and China — and only the top two qualify to represent Asia at the Olympic Games.

 It is Jordan’s second time in qualifiers after the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers when they advanced to Round 2. In 2014, the senior women’s team exited Round 1 of the Asian Games and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup where they were also the only Arab team to have ever qualified. The squad is reigning West Asian champ after winning the title with Iran, Lebanon and the UAE missing the event.

U-16 boys team needs to win

Meanwhile, the U-16 national football team plays Oman on Friday in its second match in qualifiers for the 2016 AFC U-16 Asian Championship where it is playing in Group B with Nepal, Oman and Kyrgyzstan.

Jordan stumbled in its first match losing to lowly Nepal 2-1. Its upcoming match is vital to keep qualifying chance alive before playing host Kyrgyzstan. Oman beat Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in its first match.

The squad lost to Qatar 2-1 in its last friendly before the qualifiers. Earlier it played only four official friendlies losing 3-2 and 4-2 to the UAE and also 3-2 to Palestine before defeating them 2-0. 

Current coach Abdulla Qitati took over after Jordan finished last at the 5th West Asian Championship under French coach Eric Deletang when the squad failed to score a single win — losing 1-0 to the UAE, 5-0 to Iraq, 1-0 to Palestine, before tying Saudi 2-2 in the West Asian event. 

India will host the 2016 AFC U-16 championship with a total of 45 nations including the hosts participating in the qualifiers, and the draw seeding based on the rankings from the last edition in 2014 won by North Korea. Jordan was eliminated from the 2014 AFC U-16 qualifiers held in Amman after finishing last in Group D. Jordan lost 2-1 to Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia and drew 4-4 with Syria.

Spanish clubs gave another demonstration of their efficiency in Europe when Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla began their Champions League campaigns without conceding a goal in convincing victories on Tuesday.

Real, the record 10-time winners and 2014 champions, crushed 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 at the Bernabeu, Atletico won 2-0 at Galatasaray and Europa League holders Sevilla thumped Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

The success of Spanish clubs marked a sharp contrast with their rivals from the English Premier League, with Manchester United and Manchester City both surrendering their lead in 2-1 defeats at PSV Eindhoven and at home to Juventus.

Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to reach 80 Champions League goals when he netted a Group A hat-trick against Shakhtar, who had midfielder Taras Stepanenko sent off five minutes into the second half.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, who hit five past Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, moved three clear of Barca forward Lionel Messi on the all-time scoring chart.

Afterwards, the 30-year-old hit back at critics who had suggested he might be past it after he failed to score in Real’s opening two La Liga games of the campaign.

“Before I was bad and now I am good because I scored eight goals,” Ronaldo told Spanish television.

Antoine Griezmann struck twice for Atletico, the 2014 runners-up, as Diego Simeone’s side made light of what can be a intimidating trip to Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul.

The France forward said the Group C victory would help the team put Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat at home to Barca behind them.

Sevilla coach Unai Emery said his side’s Group D performance against Gladbach, when they missed one penalty but scored from two others, would help boost confidence as the Andalusians try to get their stuttering La Liga campaign going following a defeat and two draws in their opening three matches.

“Today we found the identity we are looking for this season,” Emery told a news conference. “It gives us confidence to help turn around our results in La Liga.”

Draxler fires Wolfsburg to win

Julian Draxler’s first goal for Wolfsburg was enough for the Bundesliga runner-up to begin their second Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

Draxler, brought in from league rival Schalke to replace the departed Kevin de Bruyne, broke the deadlock in the Group B game five minutes before the break. The Germany midfielder stabbed home the rebound from close range after Igor Akinfeev saved his initial headed effort from Ricardo Rodriguez’ cross.

Wolfsburg dominated the match but failed to take a number of chances to put the result beyond doubt.

“If you look at the chances and counter attacks we had, should have made it 2-0 fairly quickly. Then we would have been a little more at ease,” Wolfsburg winger Andre Schuerrle said.

Schuerrle should have scored early on after being played through by Draxler only to be thwarted by Akinfeev’s foot, and Daniel Caligiuri beat the offside trap, but hesitated and allowed Georgy Shchennikov to make a crucial block.

“We have to be more decisive in front of goal,” Caligiuri said.

The Russian visitors improved somewhat in the second half, Pontus Wernbloom forcing Diego Benaglio into action before Zoran Tosic’s shot was easily dealt with by the Wolfsburg ‘keeper.

The German side’s first Champions League campaign also began with a win over CSKA, 3-1 on September 15, 2009 thanks to Brazilian striker Grafite’s hat trick.

Newcomer Astana beaten

Nicolas Gaitan and Kostas Mitroglou scored in the second half to give Benfica a 2-0 win over plucky Champions League newcomer Astana in their Group C opener Tuesday.

Gaitan got the breakthrough in the 51st minute, breaking into the area from the left flank and firing a low drive into the far corner. Mitroglou extended the Portuguese club’s lead 11 minutes later when he tapped in Eliseu’s cross from the left.

The goals came after a frustrating first half in which Benfica dominated the run of play, but lacked the speed and imagination to pierce Astana’s packed defence.

Astana, the first team from Kazakhstan to reach the competition’s group phase, produced a competent performance and looked poised to upset Benfica when substitute Aleksei Schetkin hit the post in the 46th minute.

Benfica mostly dictated the game but in the first half lacked the speed and imagination to pierce Astana’s packed defence.

Junior Kabananga and Georgi Zhukov threatened for Astana but the visitors didn’t have the sophistication needed to make any real headway.

Benfica are making their sixth consecutive Champions League appearance and has lost just one of their last 15 European games at the Stadium of Light.

Di Maria inspires PSG

Di Maria brought his delicate touch to Paris St Germain’s game as the French champions started their Champions League campaign with a routine 2-0 home win against Malmo on Tuesday.

Di Maria scored after four minutes of their Group A match o and Edinson Cavani made it 2-0 in the 61st minute in a one-way encounter at the Parc des Princes.

Playing against the club where he started his career, PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic looked a bit rusty, having played only one league game in an injury-plagued start to his season. He was replaced by Javier Pastore 15 minutes from time.

Malmo thought their moment had come in the 26th minute but Markus Rosenberg’s goal was disallowed after the forward had fouled Thiago Silva.

AMMAN — The fourth round of the Jordan Rally Championship kicks off on Friday with the participation of nine drivers.

The event is headed by Khaled Juma who is heading the standings with 75 points and is getting ready to participate in the Jordan Rally October 15-17.

Juma, who proved to be a touch contender, will face tough competition from a host of drivers, who are willing to do anything for a place at the podium.

Drivers have to cover a total distance of 310.76km with six special stages (73.6km) on gravel tracks around the Dead Sea area.

Drivers will pass through Turky 1 & 2 (9.43km), Shouneh 1 &2 (15.309km) and Baptism site (11.80km).

In the third round, Juma topped the standings after clocking 1h 02m 06s, followed by Ehab Shurafa (1h07m56s and Basheer Azar (1h12m10s).

Co-driver Barkev Shadian, who is teaming with woman driver Lina Hadidi in a Subaru Impreza, told The Jordan Times that it will not be an easy job.

“We have been training for some time now but we know it will not be easy at all as the level of competition is high and the tracks are really difficult. That puts a lot of pressure on the car and the driver,” he said.

Hadidi clocked 1h14m04s and settled in the fourth place in the third round.

“We will try to have an effective strategy in order to get an advanced position in the event and hopefully we will not face any mechanical issues with the car,” he added.

Jordan Motorsports CEO Othman Naseef said that the event will be a great rehearsal before the Jordan Rally takes place.

“Everyone will be eyeing for more experience to assist them in the upcoming big event. We have one month before the Jordan Rally, the event will have challenging tracks through the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea areas and we are really excited,” he said.

“We hope that everyone will enjoy their time and have a safe rally,” he added.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Feisal, chairman of Jordan Motorsport, has highlighted the vital role played by the Jordan Rally in promoting the Kingdom to the world, according to a statement from the Jordan Rally Media Service.

Speaking with one month to go until the event’s favourite sporting and social event is held on October 15-17, Prince Feisal said that the Jordan Rally is “much more than a sporting event” and delivers a strong global message.

“It is no secret that Jordan is located between a rock and a hard place and that we live in a tough neighbourhood, but despite all that has been happening around us Jordan remains a shining beacon of safety and security,” said the prince in the statement.

“The Jordan Rally is an example of how life goes on here. We have held exceptional events year after year which attract participants, officials and fans from across the world.

“And the media coverage that comes with hosting an event of this magnitude ensures that images of Jordan as an exciting leisure and sporting destination are beamed to millions of televisions across the region and beyond.

“This is why we say that the Jordan Rally is much more than a sporting event. It is a vital marketing tool that shows the world we are open for business, and provides a secure home from home for anyone that wants to come here. A very warm welcome awaits.”

The rally will get under-way on the afternoon of October 15 with a specially created spectator event. It will then be followed by two days of thrills and spills on challenging tracks through the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea areas.

Routes are selected that showcase some of the Kingdom’s most stunning scenery with the event itself based at the lowest land point on Earth on the banks of the Dead Sea, providing a breathtaking natural backdrop.

The region’s very best drivers are expected, and they will be up against some of the best talent that Jordan has to offer.

ROME — AS Roma supporters may be looking ahead to Barcelona’s Champions League visit with some trepidation and coach Rudi Garcia certainly does not seem to be bursting with optimism.

Roma have finished second in Serie A for the last two seasons but still there is still a clear gap between themselves and Europe’s top clubs, despite the addition of Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah.

Barcelona’s visit to the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, which kicks off their Champions League title defence, comes just under a year after Roma lost 7-1 at home to Bayern Munich in the same competition.

The Bavarians sliced through the Roma defence almost at will as they scored five goals in a bewildering half hour spell in the first half.

Roma went on to finish third in the group after taking one point in two games off Manchester City, while domestically they have come up short in matches against Juventus, with three defeats in their last four league meetings,

With that in mind, Garcia has already made it clear that he would be happy to finish second in a group that also includes Champions League regulars Bayer Leverkusen and Belarus champions BATE Borisov.

“The target in the Champions League is to get past the group stage and to the Round of 16,” Garcia said in an interview last week with Radio Monte Carlo. “Behind Barcelona, it is an open group.”

There was just a hint of optimism when he said: “Everybody is convinced that they will get 18 points, so that implies getting six off us, but sometimes miracles happen in football.

“We’ve got nothing to lose and we’ve got to do all we can to upset the odds.”

The match takes Barcelona coach Luis Enrique back to the club where he spent an unimpressive season in 2011/12, when Roma were clearly in transition.

The two sides last met 13 years ago, again in the Champions League second group stage, when they drew 1-1 in Barcelona and Roma won the return 3-0 with Luis Enrique in the Barcelona side.

Incredibly, there is one playing survivor from those games — Roma playmaker Francesco Totti who will turn 39 at the end of the month.

“I want to win at least one title with my captain, Francesco Totti,” said Garcia. “I don’t know if Totti or the Pope are more important in Rome, but I can certainly say that for Francesco, the Roma shirt is like a second stint.

“He’s an extraordinary player, on and off the field, and we are just pacing him in training, but he never asks for any special favours.”

German champions Bayern Munich will be stepping on the gas against Olympiakos in their Champions League group stage opener in Piraeus on Wednesday, hoping to kick off their European campaign with a performance worthy of a title contender.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, in his third season in charge and still chasing his first European crown with the Germans, was unhappy with his team’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, pledging for a quicker, more focused game against the Greek champions.

The Bavarians needed an 90th minute penalty from Thomas Mueller, a controversial decision that referee Knut Kircher admitted later was a mistake, to edge past their opponents and maintain a perfect start to the season.

“We cannot allow that to happen,” said forward Robert Lewandowski. “It will not be an easy game in Greece and the atmosphere there is fiery. We have to play very well from the start and not from the 46th minute as we did against Augsburg.

“We need to step more on the gas,” the Polish striker said, with Bayern also due to play Dinamo Zagreb and Arsenal in Group F.

Bayern, who won the last of their five European Cups in 2013, will be without wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

Douglas Costa, in fine form since joining them in the close season, is again expected to start on the left, with teenager Kingsley Coman also an option after the talented Frenchman came on as a substitute for his Bayern debut against Augsburg.

Central defenders Medhi Benatia and Holger Badstuber will also miss the game through injury with Javi Martinez likely to be included in the squad after recovering from a year-long ligament injury.

The Spanish holding midfielder was an unused substitute against Augsburg.

“We should learn our lessons from the Augsburg match because that should not happen,” said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm. “We need to be able to turn on the switch.”

Bayern’s big name absences mean little for Olympiakos, who are well aware of the monumental task ahead.

“I do not think we should talk too much about the players missing because it makes no difference. There is so much quality in their squad,” said Olympiakos defender Omar Elabdellaoui.

The Greek titleholders, who have won their last six home fixtures in the Champions League, have also reinforced their squad, bringing in experienced former Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

They are also on an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to April, which also included three wins out of three games in the Greek league this season.

“We need to focus on our work. We believe we can get something out of it because if you don’t believe then you have already lost even before the game,” said Elabdellaoui.

Out-of-sorts Chelsea have a golden opportunity to restore battered self-confidence when they face Maccabi Tel Aviv in their opening Champions League Group G match on Wednesday.

The Premier League champions slumped to their fourth defeat in six games when they lost 3-1 at Everton on Saturday.

Manager Jose Mourinho said he was under no pressure after the match but, according to media reports, he swore at Everton counterpart Roberto Martinez after being made to wait for his post-match news conference.

Earlier, Mourinho admitted the poor run of results were the worst of his career, but added he was the man to lead Chelsea out of their hole.

ZURICH/NEW YORK — The Swiss attorney general’s office will investigate a contract for media rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, two Swiss law enforcement officials said over the weekend.

The inquiry follows a television news report asserting that FIFA sold the rights for rates far below market to a Caribbean football organisation, whose leader then resold them for much more.

The interest by Swiss prosecutors, who are already investigating how FIFA awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights to Russia and Qatar, expands the scrutiny facing FIFA and its president, Sepp Blatter, along with Jack Warner, former head of the Caribbean football federation.

Warner is under indictment in the United States for an alleged bribery scheme relating to other football media rights in the Americas. Blatter faces no charges. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

The latest inquiry involves a 2005 contract to televise the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in parts of the Caribbean.

Swiss broadcaster SRF reported on Friday that FIFA signed over the media rights to the Caribbean Football Union for $600,000, but that Warner, head of the CFU at the time, then transferred the rights to his own company and resold them in a deal worth between $15 million and $20 million.

SRF posted excerpts of the contract on its website showing that Blatter and Warner signed it themselves.

A spokeswoman for US prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York did not respond to a request for comment on whether American authorities, who are running their own sweeping investigation of alleged corruption in football, would join Swiss law enforcement in looking at the contract.

A US lawyer for Warner declined to comment, and the Caribbean Football Union did not respond to an after-hours request for comment on Sunday. An attorney for Blatter referred to a statement issued by FIFA on Saturday.

In its statement, the organisation said the agreement with the Caribbean group promised FIFA much more than the up-front fee, and that FIFA was to receive half of any profits related to subcontracting the rights.

If FIFA was due to receive substantially more than the upfront payment, that could undercut any argument that the fee paid was substantially below market value.

FIFA also said it terminated the contract in 2011 after the Caribbean football organisation failed to meet its financial obligations or follow subcontracting requirements.

Blatter has not been accused of wrongdoing by Swiss or US authorities. Among the issues the FBI is examining is Blatter’s stewardship of FIFA, sources have said.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the SRF report, and neither the broadcaster nor FIFA have made the full contract available. It remained unclear how much Warner might have made from the deal or whether the Caribbean football federation breached the contract as alleged by FIFA. Reuters also couldn’t determine whether the contract’s terms stipulated that FIFA ultimately would collect much more than the up-front fee.

World football was thrown into turmoil in May when US prosecutors disclosed an indictment of nine football officials, including several from FIFA, and five sports marketing executives. Authorities charged them, including Warner, with wire fraud and money-laundering involving more than $150 million.

Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber and US Attorney General Loretta Lynch are due to speak about their FIFA investigations on Monday at a news conference in Zurich.

Warner, who left organised football in 2011, has said in the past that he had evidence he was gifted World Cup television rights in his region a number of times, including for the 2010 and 2014 events, in return for securing votes for Blatter’s campaigns for FIFA president. He said the money made from media rights was used “to develop Caribbean football”.

FIFA has dismissed Warner’s claims as false and said that television rights had nothing do with Blatter’s election campaigns.

Since his indictment in May, Warner has remained in Trinidad and vowed to resist US efforts to bring him to New York to face charges.

AMMAN —– Jordan’s national basketball squad headed to the Philippines on Monday for a final training camp and friendlies as teams prepare for the tipoff of the 28th FIBA Asia Championship in China starting September 23.

Jordan ended a four nation friendly in China where the squad lost the final match 76-65 to the Chinese Olympic team. In the earlier round Jordan beat China 72-70, Palestine 95-55 and the UAE 101-72.

The squad is expected to be joined by stars Zaid Abbas and Sam Daghlas, who were both playing abroad and were not part of the line-up in the past two years.

During summer, the team had an inconsistent training agenda and only managed to play two friendlies against Palestine prior to its departure.

Due to financial constraints crippling the Jordan Basketball Federation (JBF), Jordan declined to participate at the William Jones Tournament and the King Abdullah Cup was cancelled.

Participation at the EXPO event was not deemed technically needed with no top tier teams competing, but the JBF went ahead after all other options were exhausted and after managing to secure partial coverage of participation costs.

The Kingdom clinched one of three qualifying slots to the event after they beat Iraq 86-71, lost to Lebanon 92-74 and beat Palestine 92-76 and took runner-up spot after they beat Syria 80-69 at the West Asian Basketball Association Championship earlier this summer.

Lebanon took top spot but it was the qualification of Palestine, for the first time ever, that was historic following its 70-62 win over Iraq. 

Host China and 2014 FIBA Asia Cup champion Iran automatically qualified to the event which qualifies the winner to represent Asia at the 2016 Summer Olympics basketball tournament.

In the preliminary round, the sixteen teams will play in four groups of four with the top three teams advancing to the second round where the qualifying teams from groups A and B shall form Group E, while those from Groups C and D shall form Group F. The teams shall play the teams from the group they had not faced before. The top four teams from each group would proceed to the final round. The champion will qualify to the 2016 Summer Olympics. The runner-up, third and fourth place will qualify to the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Jordan will play in Group C alongside China, South Korea and Singapore and the top three teams will move to Round 2 to join the top three from Group D which includes Taiwan, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Qatar.

Group A includes Iran, Japan, India, Malaysia, and Group B has the Philippines, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Palestine.

Although the men’s basketball team reached the World Championship in 2010 — and it was the only Jordanian team to actually reach a world championship in a team sport alongside the Junior team in 1995 — official support for Jordan’s second most popular sport is seen as below par by most observers, leading to a decline in the game locally and less competitive advantage on the regional scene.