Messi Strikes Late To Down Tough Alaves

Barcelona escaped a scare on Philipe Coutinho's first start ad Lionel Messi struck with a trademark free-kick to drag the La Liga leader back from a goal down to beat Alaves 2-1 and restore its 11-point lead at the top.
Messi whipped home a beautiful free-kick six minutes from the end to down resilient Alaves, which just two points from the drop zone in 17th despite John Guidetti silencing the Camp Nou with a shock breakaway opener in the 23rd minute.
Luis Suarez had broken the away's side tough resistance with a sweet volley from Andres Iniesta's cross 18 minutes from the end, setting the stage for Messi's dramatic and stylish winner.
The Argentine's strije ensures that Barca stay unbeaten in the league, and keeps Atletico Madrid 11 points back despite their 3-0 hammering of Las Palmas earlier.
Barca coach Ernesto Valverdes said he was happy with Coutinho who had started Thursday's Copa del Rey clash with Valencia on the bench before making a second half appearance.
"Players are not machines who can fit in at once, like a new part," said Valverde.
"He did well, he wanted the ball. This is one more step for him. The other day, he played 25 minutes, this time a little more, he will integrate little by little."
With Diego Costa ouy injured, Atletico took a while to get going and had to wait until the 61st minute to open the scoring, Antoine Griezmann latching on to Juanfran's fine ball down the right flank before dinking neatly over Las Palmas stopper Leandro Chichizola.
"The first half was not very good but the coach gave us a good talking to at half-time, and we responded well," said Griezmann, whose goal was just his seventh in the league this season but his fourth in league and cup since the turn of the year.
"I feel good, I've started the year well and I hope to continue the goals and assists."
Frenchman Griezmann started the move that led to Atletico's second, intercepting a loose pass and setting Angel Correa free to scamper down the pitch and feed Fernando Torres, who shifted the ball onto his right foot and lashed home just his second goal of the season, the 600th scored by Atletico in all competitions during Diego Simeone's seven-year reign as coach.
An easy tap-in from Thomas Partey after great work from Yannick Carrasco two minutes from time completed the second-half rout of a desperate Las Palmas, who remain second from bottom and five points from safety.
Sevilla were denied the chance to close within three points of Real Madrid and the Champions League places after Angel Rodriguez scored a controversial equaliser deep in stoppage time to snatch a 1-1 draw for Getafe at the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Luis Muriel had slid in a 72nd-minute opener for hosts but with seconds to spare Juan Cala challenged Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico for a hopeful high ball, and with the Sevilla fans and players clamoring for a free-kick, Angel lashed home the leveler and celebrated under a hail of whistles and boos.

Agence France-Presse
Madrid

Guardiola Urges Referees To Protect Players After Sane Injury

Pep Guardiola has called upon referees to provide greater protection for players after Leroy Sane wad injured during Manchester City's 2-0 FA Cup win away to Cardiff on Sunday.
First-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling ensured Premier League leader City stayed onna course for the last 16 of the FA Cup.
But some of the shine of this latest victory waw removed when Sane failed to take the field for the second half after a bad tackle by Joe Bennett left the Germany winger with an ankle injury.
Cardiff defender Bennett was sent off in the closing seconds for yet another poor tackle on City substitute Brahim Diaz.
"He (Sane) will be out for a while - minimum two weeks, three weeks, one month, we will see tomorrow exactly," said City manager Guardiola.
"I said many times the only thing they (referees) have to do is protect the players.
"I can accept our disallowed goal, I don't know why but I accept. But please protect the players.
"Not the Man City players, all players. The only thing they can do is that - to protect the players - because it would not happen again.
"It happened once with Leroy, then it happened with Brahim again at the end.
"So for the football in general, and for the players who are the artist, they must do that. That's why we are all here."
Guardiola saw his fears echoed by the German soccer federation for which Sane will play a key role in the World Cup in Russia later this year.
"Hey, @CardiffCityFC. Just letting you know, we have a really important tournament in the summer. Please don't hurt our players. Thanks, #inSane," tweeted @DFB_Team_EN.
City is 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League and faces Arsenal in the League Cup final next month, when it also resumes its Champions League campaign.
"There are no words to describe the pride I feel about my players and my team," Guardiola said. "We have played many games and we do not have a big squad because of so many injuries and players with problems."
Neil Warnock, the manager of second-tier Cardiff, defended his side's approach by insisting City had been guilty of some poor challenges as well.
"They dished it out a bit, they had one or two naughty tackles," Warnock said. "He (Guardiola) is in England, what do you expect?
"I suppose when you're like that, you want everything to be nice, pretty and perfect. But you don't get that here, you get different challenges.
"They're so quick, that's the problem, with the movement and everything else, you think you're there and all of a sudden he's gone."
Warnock, however, did slam Bennett for a red card which has ruled the full-back out of next weekend's Champuonship trip to Leeds.

Agence France-Presse
London

Teves 'Feels Alive Again' On Boca Return

Carlos Tevez said he felt "alive again" after marking the start of his third spell with Boca Juniors by setting-up a goal in his team's 2-0 win over Colon de Santa Fe.
The former Manchester United and Juventus striker - who turns 34 next week - is back at his chilhood club after a miserable and controversial brief spell with Chinese club Shanghai Ahenhua.
Cristian Pavon gave Boca a second-minute lead with Charrua Nandez adding the second just after the hour mark in Saturday's game.
"It's exciting to feel being alive again," Teves, who was named captain for the match, told Argentine television channel TyC Sports?
Despitr lacking match fitness, Teves did have a helping hand in Nandez's goal while falling victim to a foul by Gustavo Toledo who was sent-off for his troubles in the 71st minute.
"It's an extra motivation for me that people continue to show the same affection. I enjoyed every moment."
The win allowed Boca to move to 33 points and increase their lead at the top of the table to aix points from San Lorenzo.
Teves, who earlier played for Boca between 2001-2004 and 2015-2016, arrived back in Argentina after describing his time at Shanghai Shenhua as a "holiday." He was widely criticized in China as he struggled to form after Shenhua reportedly made him the world's highest paid player on a weekly salary of €730,000 (US$899,000).

AFP/Buenos Aires

Mertens Keeps Napoli Top, Milan Stalls Lazio

Dries Mertens scored a double as Napoli reclaimed top spot in Serie A ahead of Juventus with a 3-1 win over Bologna on Sunday as AC Milan rekindled its push for Europe with a 2-1 win over Lazio.
Napoli restored its one-point advantage over champion Juventus that had moved top after Sami Khedira and Gonzalo Higuain scrored in a 2-0 win at nine-man Chievo on Saturday.
The championship battle looks increasingly like a two-horse race as behind the leader Lazio - ten points off Juventus in third - Inter Milan and Roma all failed to win.
I think this battle with Napoli will last for the whole season," said Germany internatioal Kehira.
"We worked hard during the break, the season is long and we're still in the running in all competitions - we want to be there until the end in every one."
In Naples, it proved to be a battle with Rodrigo Palacio nodding Bologna ahead after 25 seconds before an Ibrahima Mbaye own goal four minutes later pulled the host back.

AFP/Milan

Klopp Still Backs VAR Despite Liverpool's FA Cup Exit

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he remained a fan of the controversial video assistant referee system despite his team's bitterly disappointing 3-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Match referee Craig Pawson used the system no fewer than eight times during an eventful game at Anfield on Saturday, with VAR being trialed in English Cup competitions this season.
Three of those referrals, all in the first half, proved hugely important as Pawson and VAR Andre Marriner, based in a London television studio, disallowed a West Brom goal, awarded Liverpool a penalty and then allowed an Albion goal to stand.
"I think it's normal that it will change things," said Klopp. "Is it nice that West Brom celebrate a goal then somebody tells them it's not a goal? No, but I think it's important if a goal needs to be disallowed, it is disallowed.
"Normally after a game I have to explain to you (the media) a defeat which was not deserved because we didn't get a penalty or they scored another goal. Is it cool in January to have delays when it's cold, especially for the players? Maybe not.
"But it will become smoother and more fluent in the future," the German added.
In truth, Klopp and Liverpool benefitted from two of those three decisions and cold have been facing an even greater defeat had they not done so.
Roberto Firmino handed Liverpool an early lead only for Jay Rodriguez to score twice and Craig Dawson to add a third goal in first-half injury-time via defender Joel Matip, but only after the VAR ruled Rodriguez had not been offside.
Of the only two key VAR decisions, Pawson decided Gareth Barry was offside when Dawson headed in what would have been West Brom's third goal and then correctly judged that Jake Livermore fouled Mo Salah for a penalty which Firmino struck onto the crossbar.
Despite the victory, Albion manager Alan Pardew admitted he was amused by what he has witnessed.
"It's hard to know where to start," he said after his side, threatened with relegation from the Premier League, beat fourth-placed Liverpool.
"I don't think that is what we want to see going forward, whether you are a Liverpool or West Brom fan.
"Firstly there is no communication from the referee to us. Like in the NFL (American football), when there is a call and they say they are going to look at that.
"Then they reversed the Dawson goal, which if it wasn't for the system, would never have been dissalowed in any league game.
"The fourth official said it was offside, which surprises me from a corner. I have looked  at it and it is really marginal."
The experienced English boss added: "There is a question there. Are we going to start taking goals away from the entertainment for those slight margins? That is a worrt.
"The second one, you can argue Jake has lifted his arm. But would he have got a penalty in a normal game without VAR? I don't know.
"Buy the bigger decision was the four minutes for the Salah decision. You are going from high tempo work-rate to nothing. We had a hamstring (injury) just aftet that. As a coach, we have to get our players to mentally warm-up in that situation and keep themselves ticking over.
"You could say that is a lack of professionalism against us. I don't know. It is just bizarre. As a football person on the sidelines, I wasn't comfortable with the first half. It was a mysterious situation at times."
Liverpool was marginally better in the second half but could only add a consolation goal through Salah.
"I don't like to say it, but it's the truth," said Klopp. "West Brom deserved to win the game."

Ian Whittell
Agence France-Presse/Liverpool

English Teen Sancho Making Waves for Dortmund

An Englishmam is making waves in the Bundesliga with teen star Jadon Sancho, 17, showing off the skills at Borussia Dortmund which Pep Guardila watched slip away.
With their top-scoring striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sidelined as he chases a move to Arsenal, England Under-19 winger Sancho has been dazzling for Dortmund.
After he suddenly quit Manchester City last August, a move which shocked the club's head coach Guardiola, Sancho broke into Dortmund's first team a fortnight agp.
In order to move to Germany, Sancho reportedly rejected a £30,000 (€34,281, US$42,834) a week offer from City.
It left Guardiola claiming the Manchester giants could not have done more to keep Sancho, who cost Dortmund around €8 million.
Sancho, who turns 18 in March, started his first Bundesliga match a fortnight ago in a goalless draw at home to Wolfsburg and hit the post in the second-half.
The left winger played a key role in Dortmund's 1-1 draw at Hertha Berlin last Friday.
After Hertha scored early in the second-half, it was Sancho's cross which led to Shinji Kagawa's equalizer for Dortmund.
Sancho then linked up with Alexander Isak, 18, causing havoc down the left flank after the Swedish striker came off the bench.
Sancho fired just over the bar while Isak clipped the woodwork.
The teenagers are poised to link up again this Saturday when resurgent Freiburg - who are on a seven-match unbeaten run - visit Dortmund.
"He's a very good player, he's still very young, but I think we will have a lot of fun with him in the future," Dortmund head coach Peter Stoeger said of Sancho on Thursday.
The Englishman's talents are nothing new for Stoeger.
The Austrian had already tried to bring him to bottom side Cologne before the club fired Stoeger in December. A week later he replaced Peter Bosz at Dortmund.
Sancho originally seemed to be a long-term investment for Dortmund when he arrived last August.
He inherited Ousmane Dembele's No. 7 shirt, but spent the first-half of the season mostly with Dortmund's U-19 squad in the UEFA Youth League.
However, aftet Stoeger took charge, Sancho started in a friendly win against Fortuna Duesseldorf earlier this month in Marbella.
He has not looked back since the Spanish training camp.
"I'm in a happy place at the moment," Sancho told Bundesliga.com after atarting against Wolfsburg.
"I am just thankful the manager has faith in me and his team, that's a big thing for me, because I need to improve as a player.
Dortmund are 

Buffon Sets For Return, Lazio Prepares For Milan Match

Gianluigi Buffon is set to make his long-awaited return for Juventus as in-form Lazio travel to AC Milan for the first of their double header in Serie A action this weekend.
Veteran goalkeeper Buffon returns against Chievo on the weekend he turns 40 after struggling with a calf injury since the 1-0 win over Napoli on Dec. 1.
In his absence Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has impressed, conceding just one goal in seven Serie A games as the Turin side continue their push for a seventh straight Serie A title.
Juventus are just one point behind leaders Napoli after 21 games with Maurizio Sarri's side hosting Bologna on Sunday.
Massimiliano Allegri will be counting on bringing home all three points against Chievo, in 13th, and without a win in two months.
"Playing these kinds of games is always difficult, "said Juventus' Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia.
"If you face Inter or Roma, the coach does not even need to talk. Everyone is focused and ready to give their best.
"In games like the one on Saturday you can led to think that is easier to get a positive result, but that's not true.
"It will be a battle and we will have to be ready on both a physical and mental level."
The Italian championship looks increasingly like a two-horse race between Napoli and Juventus.
But Lazio, although seven points behind Juventus in third, have been picking up steam.
The Romans play AC Milan at the San Siro on Sunday in the first of a double header with the teams clashing again in the Italian Cup three days later.
Lazio are the Serie A's top scorers with 56 goals, including 13 in their last three games.
By contrast Milan are stuck in seventh position 15 points behind Lazio, despite the high ambitions and cash injected by their Chinese owners last summer.
"Lazio were a surprise for many people. We are up there now and they're starting to talk about us a little morw," said coach Simone Inzaghi.
Behind the leading trio Inter Milan and Roma have lost pacein recent weeks.
New Brazilian signing Rafinha is expected to make his debut as Inter look to get back winning at SPAL.
Luciano Spalletti's side have failed to record a victory since Dec. 3 with just four points from their last six games.
Inter are fourth and in the final Champions League position for next season but are increasingly under pressure.
Roma - fifth two points behind Inter - will play Sampdoria for the second time in the week after a 1-1 draw in Genoa last Wednesday.

Emmeline Moore
Agence France-Presse/Milan

PSG Fans Urged To Show Neymar 'Affection'

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has called on fans to show Neymar more "affection," despite the Brazilian's excellent form since joining the Ligue 1 leaders.
The world's most expensive player has struggled with injury since the winter break and was booed for taking a penalty on his only league appearance of 2018 so far against Dijon, which denied Edinson Cavani a chance to break the PSG goalscoring record.
But Neymar scored four times in an 8-0 rout that day and has been a key figure for the capital club this season with 24 goals, and Emery wants the PSG fans to get behind their star player.
"We need to give Neymar affection, he's a player we need to make the most of," the Spaniard said after Wednesday's 4-2 French Cup win over Guingamp.
"He is here, in Paris, and he's a great player."
PSG's ultras backed Neymar during the midweek game, unfurling a banner saying: "To boo playets run contrary to our values."
PSag head into Saturday's game against Montpellier at the Parc des Princes with an eight-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit over Lyon, after Bruno Genesio's men became only the second team to beat them in the league this term last weekend.
Neymar was absent for the 2-1 loss with an apparent thigh problem and has not played since returning from a rib injury for the trashing of Dijon, while reports in Spain have claimed Real Madrid are hopeful of signing the 25-year-old.
"He's continuing his recovery with the physio, I hope he'll be back with the team very soon," Emery added.
Kylian Mbappr is also an injury worrt for the match against Montpellier, who have the best defensive record in the French top flight, having been stretched off last Sunday after a clash with Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
"He's fine, we'll see if he can return on Saturday, but I hope he'll be ready at the latest for Lille (on Feb, 3). It was a hard knock and the risk is getting another blow," said Emery.
Cavani:s form in front of goal has dipped in recent weeks after a stellar start to the season, with the proximith of Zlatan Ibrahimivic's club scoring record appearing to have an adverse affect on hia game.
The Uruguayan is level with Ibrahimovic on 156 PSG goals, but he has scored just once in four outings, having managed 25 in 26 matches before that this season.
PSG announced the signing of former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra earlier this week, but Saturday's game will likely come too early for the France international despite him training for the first timeon Thursday.

Jed Court

• Agence France-Presse/Paris

Barcelona Through To Cup Semis as Coutinho Makes Debut

Lionel Messi scored what proved to be the winner as Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday in a game that saw Philippe Coutinho make his long awaited debut.
Luis Suarez scored an early opener in the quarter-final sedond leg before Messi's deflected offort gave Barcelona a 2-1 aggregate advantage as the holders overturned a 1-0 deficit from last week's first leg.
Messi had missed a penalty in that match as the leaders of La Liga were beaten for the first time since August, but they did enough on Thursday to join Sevilla, Valencia and Leganes in Friday's draw for the last four.
Coutinho was named on the bench for the first time since his 160 million-euro (US$192 million) transfer from Liverpool earlier this month.
The 25-year-old Brazilian was introduced midway through the second half in place of Andres Iniesta, entering the Camp Nou pitch to a huge roar from the home crowd.
By that point Ernesto Valverde's men had already turnes the tie around against the club for whom Coutinho played on loan from Inter Milan in 2012.
"We are placing a lot of hope in Coutinho," said Valverde.
"He is going to do well for us in the game. He can help us because he knows how to create, he's good in the one-on-one situations.
"He is also a player who's able to see the free man. We know he can be a danger with a shot or a decisive pass. I think he made a good start."
Suarez headed in Aleix Vidal's cross from the right at the back post in the ninth minute to open the scoring on the night and level the tie on aggregate.
The Uruguayan has now scored seven times in Barcelona's last six matches.
Messi scored in the 25th minute, hia shot beating goalkeeper Pau Lopez with the help of a sizeable deflection off Brazilian defender Naldo.
It was Barcelona's 4,000th goal at the Camp Nou in an official game.
Barcelona, who have won the Copa del Rey in the last three seasons, had a host of chances to put the tie to bed but saw out the victory, with Espanyol unable to get the away goal that would have swung the tie.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid were eliminated by Leganes, a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu seeing them go out on away goals and increasing the pressure further on coach Zinedine Zidane.
Valencia beat Alaves on penalties while Sevilla beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday for a 5-1 aggregate success.

Agence France-Presse
Barcelona

Pochettino Targers Long Tenure

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to remain at the London club for the long haul but believes the length of his tenure is ultimately out of his hands.
The former Argentina defender joined the club in 2014, having impressed at Southampton, and has created a fast and powerful side with a spine of young English players such as Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Dele Alli.
The 45-year-old signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until 2021 but that has fone little to end media speculation that he could be tempted away from England with Real Madrid a possible destination.
"Always I work like I want to be here for the rest of my life. That is my responsibility, how I take my job," Pochettino said when asked about a potential move to Spain on Thursday.
"But I am realistic (...) in England from the beginning of the season and today, there's many changes on the Premier League benches. Then it's not only you. It's about the results, ideas, it's the chairman, he can change and say 'come in, out'."
Pochettino, who played for Espanyol before managing them from 2009-2012, did, however, rule out taking over the manager's job at their city rivals Barcelona as well as Tottenham' rivals Arsenal should those positions become available.
"But tomorrow Daniel Levy (Tottenham chairman) could have a bad night and say, 'Oh I am going to sack Mauricio'. Then I look stupid saying I am not going to work in one place to another.
"You never know in soccer. That is the problem. It is a very unstable situation."

Reuters/London

Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield United England Second Division PES 2018

Being Fashionable The Cheap Way

For fashion enthusiasts, being fashionable does not have to be expensive.
Second-hand fashion items from thrift stores, with prices not even half that of the items we can get from shopping malls, can make up a distinctive style that will ensure one stands out from the crowd.
"When you go to a mall with only Rp 200,000 (US$15) in your pocket, you will go home empty handed," said Amelia Vindy, a 23 year-old journalist and fashion enthusiast.
"However, with the same amount of money, you can go home happy and content with a sack full of pretty things from thrift stores," she exclaimed.
Vindy, Amelia's nickname, fell in love with thrift store clothes shopping in middle school. "At the time I wanted a pair of white trousers that were on trend but I didn't have enough money to buy them at the mall. I heard from my friends that stores in Pasar Senen sold good quality second-hand items and we went there to find the pants we really wanted," the resident of Bambu Apus, East Jakarta, said.
Pasar Senen in Central Jakarta hosts hundreds of tenants selling second-hand or residual imported fashion items. Vindy said pieces could be picked up for prices ranging from Rp 10,000 to Rp 150,000 depending on the quality of the fabric.
Although Vindy began thrift hunting to follow the current trends, now she buys thrift items to stand out from the crowd.
"The good thing about buying thrift fashion is that every item is one of a kind. You'll never run into someone who's wearing th same dress as you," she said, adding that often times, the items she purchased from thrift stores suddenly became the trend a few months later.
Vindy said noe thrift hunters could easily obtain unique items from online thrift stores, which sold curated second-hand pieces from thrift markets. She said the items sold online were typically more expensive than the ones bought from conventional thrift stores.
However, Vindy said these online stores saved her a lot of time.
One of the pioneers Vindy recommended was Let's Get Sparkle owned by Tuti Mahayani.
Aya, Tuti's nick name, said she had started her store only in May last year and that now she was steadily selling second-hand fashion items to almost 9,000 followers.
"My mom is a dressmaker, so I learned to love experimenting with clothes from her," she said. "I love to mix and match my clothes from her," she said. "I love to mix and match my clothes in crazy ways, which led my friends to ask me for fashion suggestions. I started my business because I wanted to share my taste with more people, especially to encourage them to be confident about their looks," she said.
Aya was reluctant to reveal her monthly revenue, but she said she allocated Rp 2 to 3 million per month to buy items from her trusted importers.
"I also dry clean the clothes because I want to make sure the buyers receive the items in mint condition, clean and fragrant," she said.
Another thrift hunter, Chalafabia Haris, 19, a resident of Kalibata, South Jakarta, shared his must-do cleaning procedures after a haul.
"You have to soak the clothes in boiling water for a night.
Afterwards, you have to wash them by hand. I believe washing by hand is a more throrough cleaning process," he said, adding that he once suffered extreme itchiness after wearing an unwashed T-shirt he bought from a thrift store.
His favorite thrift market in Jakarta is Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. "Simply, because Pasar Senen is too hot and messy, while Pasar Baru is air-conditioned," he said, laughing.
Fabi, Chalafabia's nickname, said he had just moved to Sydney to study business but that he continued his love for thrift shopping by frequenting various foundations that sold second-hand clothes for charity. "My favorite spots in Sydney are the Salvation Army and Vinnies," he said.
Febi said his mother protested his love for second-hand clothes.
"She said it's as if I don't have enougn money," he laughed, adding that now most of the clothes in his wardrobe were comprised of thrift items.
However, Fabi said he believed buying thrift items was a sustainable way of purchasing fashion pieces.
"I believe buying thrift means prolonging an item's wear duration. It helps to reduce garbage. I also always use my own shopping bag to prevent receiving new plastic bags from sellers," he said. "We can enjoy fashion and contribute to reducing trash at the same time." (gis)

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Mistakes Continue Despite VAR: Coach

Serie A referees are still making wrong decisions despite having the video replay system (VAR) to help them, AS Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco said after his side drew 1-1 with Sampdoria on Wednesday.
Sampdoria scored its goal from a penalty awarded for handball by Aleksandar Kolarov, a decision the referee made after reviewing the incident on a pitch-side video screen.
However, Roma believe they should have been awarded a free kick for obstruction on Kevin Strootman in the build-up.
"The VAR system should protect the teams, but it needs to be the same for everyone," Di Francesco told reporters. "My verdict? There are fewer protests and fewer sending-offs but (referees) are continuing to make mistakes, so from that point of view, I'm not in favor."
Di Francesco became the latest coach to question their use of VAR, which is being tested in Serie A this season as well as other leagues around the world. Soccer's rule-making body IFAB is due to decide in March whether to approve its use on a permanent basis and global soccer body FIFA wants to use it at the World Cup in Russia.

Reuters/Milan

Oz Goes Dutch With Van Marwijk

Bert van Marwijk, who led his native Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, will coach Australia at this year's tournament in Russia, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Thursday.
The 65-year-old most recently guided Saudi Arabia to World Cup qualification for the first time since 2006 and has coached club sides Feyenoord, Borussia Dortmund and SV Hamburg in addition to his four-year spell as Netherlands boss. He fell out with the Saudis after qualification and replaces Ange Postecoglou, who took Australia to their 2015 Asian Cup triumph but stood down for personal reasons after seeing the Socceroos through two olayoffs to qualify for Russia.
"This is a great result for Australian soccer, Bert van Marwijk is world class," FFA chief Stephen Lowy said in a statement.
"He took the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2010, he led the Saudi Arabian team to qualify directly for this year's Finals and most importantly, he knows a lot about our team closely as an opposition manager in the same group. "These experiences make him a compelling choice."

Reuters/Sydney

I Don't Control Transfers, Says Conte

Chelsea manager Antonie Conte said he has little impact on the club's transfer market activity after they were knocked out of the League Cup by Arsenal on Wednesday.
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 in the second leg of their semi-final after taking the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
The result capped a difficult period for the south London club, who have now failed to win six of their last seven games, discounting the penalty-shootout win over Norwich City in the FA Cup.
The manager said his squad was under a pressure due to a number of injuries and he was seemingly unhappy at a lack of activity in the transfer market.
"I don't have a big impact in the transfer market," he told reporters.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for AS Roma forward Edin Dzeko, and media reports in Italy on Wednesday said a deal was close.
Chelsea had reportedly targeted several strikers in the January window, including Andy Carroll and Ashley Barnes, as Conte looks to ease the burden on Alvaro Morata.
When asked about Dzeko, Conte reiterated that the situation was out of his hands. "I don't like to speak about the transfer market, the club decides our transfer market, as I said before my task is to try to improve my players," he said.

Reuters/London

World Cup On Track Despite Boycott

Qatar's preparation for the 2022 soccer World Cup are fully on track after it fixed supply lines briefly disrupted last year by a boycott by its Gulf neighbors, its foreign minister told Reuters.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said Qatar's economy was now growing much faster than anticipated and the huge gas exporter was well prepared to withstand the crisis in relations with its neighbors.
He also said the country was still counting on strong support from United States President Donald Trump to help solve the crisis and has filed legal complaints with Western regulators against what it sees as its currency and market manipulations by neighbors.

Reuters/Davos

Zidane Takes Blame as Real Madrid Suffers Humiliating Defeat

Real Madrid crashed to a humiliating Copa del Rey exit on Wednesday when it was knocked out by little Leganes in the quarterfinals with under-fire coach Zinedine Zidane taking the blame.
European champion Real lost 2-1 in the second leg at its Bernabeu home as the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate with its modest city neighbor going through on away goals despite having lost the first leg 1-0 last week.
"I am responsible for all of this. It's a failure for me," said Zidane who recently penned a contract extension until 2020.
Admitting that it had been his worst night as a coach, the Frenchman added: "It's a logical result, our opponents played their match and we did not.
"It a big blow. We did what we had to do in the first leg. Nobody expected this, especially me but this is soccer.
"I am the manager. i picked the team and I was wrong in many regards.It's up to me to find the solutions. I will continue to fight, to work, to battle and to find the things the team needs."
Javi Eraso gave Leganes a 32nd-minute lead with a spectacular curling shot from long range. Karim Benzema levelled on the night after 47 minutes thanks to a pass from Lucas Vazquez but Brazilian striker Gabriel Pires then hit the winner with a firm header eight minutes later.
It was a depressing evening for Zinedine Zidane's side who, despite being in the Champions League last 16 where they face Paris Saint-Germain in three weeks' time, are 19 points behind Barcelona in the Spanish title race.
The fans let their feelings known by booing off the team at half-time.
Leganes have a budget of just €45 million (US$55.8 million) - 15 times less than the €675 million commanded by mighty Real.
Even without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, who were rested Wednesday after starring in the 7-1 rout of Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend, Real should still have had enough firepower for a side languishing in 13th spot in La Liga.
Zidane started with Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio, who scored in the first leg but he got a warning of what was to come when Claudio Beauve saw a free-kick come back off a post.
But Leganes put on an inspired display, despite having their backs to the wall late in the game, to make the semi-finals but needed a 3-2 penalty shoot-out to defeat Alaves who won 2-1 for a 3-3 aggregate. On Tuesday, Sergio Escudero's goal after just 24 seconds set Sevilla on its way to a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid and a place in the semi-finals. Sevilla, finalists in 2016, had won the first leg 2-1.
Meanwhile, Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been named in the Barcelona squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey clash against Espanyol, his first call-up since his €160 million move from Liverpool.
Coutinho, who has been handed the number 14 shirt vacated by China-bound Javier Mascherano, had been side-lined by a thigh injury since his drawn-out transfer saga came to an end on January 6.

Agence France-Presse
Madrid

Stories Hidden Within Southernmost Strip of Korea

Take the scenic route to South Gyeongsang Province by train. Drift down past Gyeonggi Province, Sejong City, and Namwon, where the most famous pansori love story of Chunhyang is set.
Change at Suncheon and it's a short trip to Hadong-gun and Namhae-gun - where you will find unique people with stories to tell.
When you are visiting a place just a stone's throw away from the shore, make sure to try some of the seafood. One of the delicacies of the area is the Chinese mitten crab soup, which is served with the crabs ground up to a porridge-like consistence. The taste is unique, although might not be to everyone's liking.
If you visit Hadong in autumn, you will find yourself surrounded by mountains colored in the various shades of the season. One of the gems of the region is the tiny village of Pyeongsa-ri, where famed writer Park Kyung-ni got the inspiration for her epic novel Toji.
Toji is grand saga that looks at the fall and revival of a once prominent family during the late Joseon period and times of Japan's colonization of Korea. The story follows Choi Champan - a former "yangban," which is equivalent to the aristocrats of the West - and his family through Korea's most tumultuous years.
While Choi is a fictional character, those captivated by his story have built a house exactly like the one depicted in the books and the building has become a tourist attraction on its own right.
Poet Choi Yeong-wook built and managed the house, based on his close relationship with the author Park.
He is one of the experts chosen by the state-run Korea Tourism Organization to offer tourist programs that best describe their region.
"This is where Seomjin River and Jirisan meet, the lands with a sad history. This is why Park decided that it should be the background for her story," said Choi.
The house stays true to the traditions, with separate sections for workers, different members of the family, and in accordance to the rule that the most important elements - including the building where the husband stays - stay on the right side of the center of the house where the wife stays.
It provides a spectacular view of the entire village, including the vast farmlands, surrounding mountains, and the skies that extend as far as the eye can see.
Choi has been sharing his stories related to Toji and Park with visitors, but there are not yet regular tourism packages featuring the poet and the house. Those lucky enough to get a glimpse of him around the house can ask for tales related to Toji, albeit in Korean.
For more information, (055) 882-2675. The house is closed on Mondays.
Heading on further south, you will enter Namhae-gun. The area is surrounded by the ocean and has beautiful views of the coast.
Stepping into Samdong-myeon, however, you will find a town of European-style houses with white walls and red, pointed roofs. You have entered the German Village, hosted by Namhae-gun since 2002 to offer retirement homes for former Korean nurses and miners who were sent to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s.
The nation was in the process of rebuilding after the 1950-53 Korean War left the land in ruins, and was in dire need of foreign capital. Germany, on the other hand, was suffering a labor shortage.
A museum dedicated to the miners and nurses offers stories of how they worked in hopes of a better future.
Seok Suk-ja, a former nurse who went there in 1973, was one of the first residents to settle in the German Village. She works at the museum now, telling tales of her life and work as a Korean nurse in the little German city of Leiclingen.
"Of all the countries around us, Germany was the only one that reached out to us," she said. "We were so thankful that Germans paid us a similiar amount to what they did their own citizens. Civil servants of Korea at the time were paid around 15,000 won, and us nurses were paid over 10 times that amount."
From 1965 to 1973, the miners and nurses sent home US$102 million, which accounted for 10 percent of Korea's export during that time.
Seok and around 40 former nurses and miners had set the foundations for the village. Every October, the villagers host a beer festival that is designed to be a local version of Germany's Oktoberfest. Some of the 40 homes in the village also offer lodgings.

Yoon Min-sik/The Korea Herarld/ANN

Mascherano Latest Star To Make China Move

Argentine international defender Javier Mascherano was unveiled as the Chinese Super League's most high-profile signing in a year on Wednesday as he joined Hebei China Fortune from Barcelona.
The highly decorated 33-year-old is the biggest name to head to China since his fellow Argentine Carlos Teves 12 months ago. After a series of record transfers, Chinese authorities moved to crack down on sky-rocketing deals last year.
Mascherano will take the number 14 shirt - the same he wore at Barcelona and for his country - and team up with another Argentina international, Ezequiel Lavezzi, at Hebei, who are based in the northern city of Qinhuangdao and are coached by former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
"After reaching agreement with Barcelona FC and the player himself, the distinguished Argentine captain Mascherano has, starting today, officially joined Hebei China Fortune Football Club," the Chinese side said, without disclosing the transfer fee.
Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Mascherano,who can also play as a defensive midfielder, was leaving the club after seven-and-a-half successful seasons, without stating his destination.
The Catalan giants said Mascherano would be given an official farewell on Wednesday and say goodbye to fans at Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final, second leg against Espanyol.
Last month, Sport, a Catalan daily, said that Hebei had reached a deal to sign him from Barca for €10 million (US$12.2 million), conditional on the Spanish club plugging the gap, which they did by signing Colombian center-back Yerry Mina.
Chinese media however put the transfer fee at 5.5 million euros, saying that is just under the treshold that would trigger a 100 percent tax under rules imposed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on incoming foreign transfers last May.
The surcharge was a way of reining in Chinese clubs who in recent transfer windows shelled out huge amounts on international stars, prime among them Tevez, who moved back to Boca Juniors earlier this month after a miserable year at Shanghai Shenhua.
Shanghai SIPG have also spent big, buying up the likes of Brazilians Hulk and Oscar, the attacking midfielder signed last year for an Asian-record 60 million euros from Chelsea.
The CFA brought in the levy partly to encourage CSL teams to cultivate local players instead.
Tevez, a team-mate of Mascherano's at West Ham United more than a decade ago, became a reviled figure in China and recently said that his stint in Shanghai - where he earned a reported €730,000 a week - was "a holiday."

Agence France-Presse
Shanghai

2026 World Cup Bid 'Can Ride Out Trump Controversy'

World Cup 2026 bid leaders Tuesday expressed their confidence that the joint United States-Canada-Mexico campaign will be strong enough to withstand any political fallout from US President Donal Trump's reported labeling of some nations as "shithole countries."
Bid chairman Sunil Gulati warned last week that political controversies involving Trump could hurt worldwide perceptions of America and damage the bid as they go head-to-head with Morocco.
He touched upon stormy US relations with North Korea, Trump's plan to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change in comments reported on ESPN's website.
When quizzed in London on Tuesday about the potential repercussions after Trump reportedly labelled African nations, Haiti and El Savador as "shithole" nations, Gulati said the bid team could not control politics.
"It will change over time and we've got all the assurances we need from all three governments to support the bid in all areas that are important to FIFA or the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in an Olympic tournament," he said.
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) president Victor Montagliani tweeted his support for Haiti and El Savador following the political firestorm earlier this month but he refused to directly condemn Trump when pushed by reporters on Tuesday.
"The politics of the day are always the politics of the day," said the president of the confederation for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
"When we first started even thinking about bidding, which was years ago (...) there was the politics of the day back then.
"I can't even remember what it was to be quite honest with you but I'm sure there was a certain political environment. There is one right now and there will be one when we get to 2026.
"But consistently for us, from a bid perspective, it's always been about football and it will always be about football."
Gulati played down fears that fans from countries seen by Washington as a security risk would not be allowed to visit the tournament, saying they would be welcome to attend subject to security checks.
Gulati, who will remain chairman of the united bid committee despite his departure next month after 12 years as US Soccer's president, vowed that an expanded 48-team event with 80 games in the three countries would be an "unparalleled economic package."
"We can give you a couple of numbers which no one in the world can match and it's because of the size of our stadiums (...) What we're talking about is five million tickets."
"The record for the World Cup, not just average attendance but total attedance, is still held by the 1994 World Cup (in the United States)," he said.
"It is about bringing our three countries together in what will be a first-ever joint bid that was planned as a joint bid, three big countries, an expanded World Cup and what this can mean for the football family. We are not taking anything for granted."

John Weaver
Agence France-Presse/London

Man City Into First Final of Guardiola Era

Pep Guardiola saw his Manchester City side pushed hard before defeating second-tier Bristol City in an entertaining League Cup semi-final on Tuesday to leave him one game away from winnimg his first major trophy in English football.
Guardiola's runaway Premier League leaders, eyening an unprecedented season quadruple given they also remain involved in both the FA Cup and Champions League, won 3-2 on the night for a 5-3 aggregate win over the Championship side.
They kicked off with a narrow advantage at Ashton Gate after a 2-1 first-leg win at the Etihad Stadium.
But goals either side of half-time from Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero effectively saw Manchester City to a win in Tuesday and success over the two legs as they reached their first final under former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager Guardiola.
Bristol City were undaunted, however, with Marlon Pack pulling a goal back in the 64th minute before Aden Flint scored deep into stoppage time.
However, there was still time for Kevin De Bruyne to round off the scoring for Manchester City.
Guardiola's men will now face the winners of Wednesday's Emirates Stadium semi-final between their Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley on Feb. 25, with the two London clubs deadlocked at 0-0 after a first-leg stalemate.
"We are so happy to be there, to reach this final," Guardiola, whose debut season as City boss last term saw him end a campaign without a trophy for the first time in his managerial career, told SkySports.
"We played an amazing game until 2-0 and then we lost control, these type of games never end until the end.
"This is a lesson for next weekend in Cardiff in the FA Cup and especially for the Champions League," the Spaniard warned.
"At 2-0 we knew it would be easier because they needed three or four goals but with one minute left it was 2-2 and anything could happen."
Guardiola played down the personal importance of reaching a Wembley final! Saying: "It's not for me, it's for Manchester City, a club who are trying to reach another level.
"I know that we will be judged by trophies we win but we are so happy," he insisted. "Nobody can take away what we have done, but Chelsea or Arsenal is strong teams."
Meanwhile Pack summed up the mood of the home side by saying: I'm proud of the boys and proud to be part of this team. Hopefully we can take this into the league now and keep it going."
It looked as if Bristol City would deny Manchester City a goal in the first half of Tuesday's match.
But three minutes before the break, Hordur Magnusson made the mistake of trying to shepherd the ball out of play rather than clearing and was dispossessed near the byline by Bernardo Silva.
His cross was fired in by Sane and left Bristol City, chasing promotion to the lucrative Premier League, with a mountain to climb.
Four minutes after the re-start Aguero, Manchester City's all-time leading goalscorer, seemed to put the result of the tie beyond doubt.
The Argentina striker, fresh from a hat-trick in a 3-1 league win over Newcastle United last weekend, still had plenty to do following De Bruyne's cross-field ball.
But he made light of a tight angle by letting fly with a shot into the top corner from 18 yards out.

Agence France-Presse
Bristol

Escudero Helps Sevilla Down Atletico

Sergio Escudero's goal after just 24 seconds set Sevilla on their way to a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid and a place in the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-finals on Tuesday.
Sevilla, finalists in 2016, were in charge of this quarter-final with a 2-1 first leg success.
And Escudero's lightning contribution all but sealed Atletico's fate.
Antoine Griezmann leveled on the night with a sublime lob in the 13th minute, but the second half was only minutes old when Ever Banega scored from the penalty spot to put Sevilla back in charge.
Pablo Sarabia bagged Sevilla's third in the 79th minute with a frustated Atletico coach Diego Simeone sent to the stands at the end of the tie.
"This knock-out is my responsibility. Now we have to improve because there are still four months of competition," said Simeone.
On Wednesday Real Madrid, leading 1-0 after the first leg, host Leganes with Alaves facing Levantes, while on Thursday Barcelona complete the quarter-finals against Espanyol.

AFP/Madrid

Neville Apologizes For Sexist Tweets

Phil Neville apologized on Wednesday for the sexist tweets that have overshadowed his appointment as the new coach of the England women's soccer team.
No sooner had the former Manchester United and England defender been named to his new position on Tuesday then old messages from his Twitter handle @fizzer18 re-appeared.
They included a 2012 post that said: "U women of (sic) always wanted equality until it comes to paying the bills #hypocrites."
In another post that same year, Neville tweeted: "Morning men couple of hours cricket be4 (before) work sets up nicely for the day."
Asked why he had only referred to men in his message, a reply in Neville's account said: "When I said morning men I thought the women would of been busy preparing breakfast/getting kids ready/making the beds-sorry morning women!"
Neville, 41, appeared to delete his Twitter account after the comments were re-published.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his employers at England's Football Association, Neville said: "Following comments made a number of years ago I would like to clarify that they were not and are not a true and genuine reflection of either my character or beliefs, and would like to apologize.
"I am fully aware of my responsibilities as the England Women's head coach and immensely proud and honored to have been given the role. I am now looking forward to the future and will work tirelessly to try and help bring success to the team."
Neville has also faced flak for a lack of previous experience coaching in the women's game, although he has enjoyed brief stints in the backroom staffs of Manchester United, England men's Under-21s and Spanish club Valencia.
The Women's Sports trust have questioned his credentials, saying: "We are also saddened by Phil Neville's historical tweets and the lack of comment about this from the FA."

AFP/Londong

Treasures of The Faith

More than 6,000 years of Japanese ways of life and religious beliefs are on view until Feb. 18 at the National Museum Bangkok, in an exhibition that completes a long-planned cultural exchange between Thailand and Japan.
Like its predecessors - the "Land of Buddha" exhibitions of Thai artefacts that drew 200,000 visitors to museums in Tokyo and Kyushu - "The History of Japanese Art: Life and Faith" commemorates 130 years of diplomatic relations between the nations.
That figure is echoed in the number of precious artefacts assembled for each exhibition. In the case of the current Japanese show, they date from prehistory to the Edo Period of the early 17th century.
The evolution of Buddhist art in Japan is illustrated with sacred and historical statues, all part of an exhibition marking 130 years of diplomatic relations with Thailand.
There are earthen pottery, sculptures, paintings and other forms of fine art reflecting the uniqueness of Japanese beliefs and traditions. Three items are classified as national treasures and another 25 as "important cultural properties".
Museum director Phnombootra Chandrajoti says Japanese and Thai researchers worked closely to select the artifacts that best represented their countries' histories and the cultural relationship between them.
"The collection we loaned to Japan last year was the largest if its kind. It included an elaborately carved door from Wat Suthat and invaluable gold objects from Wat Ratchaburana."
The exhibition from Japan occupies the recently renovated Siwamokkhaphiman Hall, which boasts an open plan and beautiful high ceilings.
Phnombootra says Japanese and Thai experts spent 18 months installing humidity and temperature controls, suitable lighting and secure glass cabinets.
The government's Fine Arts Department has devoted several years to returning the buildings within the museum compound to their former glory. It was formerly Wang Na Palace, erected in 1782, about the same time the Grand Palace was built.
Siwamokkhaphiman Hall, which served as the viceroy's throne hall, is the first structure to be renovated. Work is underway on two more.
"As an historical building, the hall is subject to relativity high humidity," says museum curator Wiparat Praditarchip. "Except for the glass cabinets set out in a 'U' shape around the hall, the rest of the cabinets are new and designed specially to hold priceless works. They're fitted with controls to maintain the humidity at 55 to 60 per cent and the temperature at 25 degree Celcius."
Phnombootra says Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn viewed the exhibition in Tokyo last year.
"She pointed out to us how the Japanese pay so much attention to detail in displaying priceless antiquities. Every artefact was placed on a sheet of unbleached wood wrapped in unbleached paper, then on a base to prevent any chemical damage or discoloration. We've used the same technique, except that we've used unbleached fabric instead of paper."
The exhibition covers five general topics.
"The Dawn of Japanese Art" has prehistoric artworks created long before Buddhism arrived from China and Korea.
The oldest piece is an earthenware vessel dating to the Jomon Period (14,000-300 BCE). Its elaborate decoration - flames are depicted - suggests it was used in religious ceremonies and, coming from an area of Niigata Prefecture known for heavy snowfalls, signified human efforts to survive the winter.
"Every Japanese child is familiar with the Dogu figurine from history textbooks," says Wiparat of an unglazed clay female statuette also from the Jomon. "It's one of Japan's important cultural properties."
In "Buddhist Art", bronze statues of Sakayamuni and Buddhist scriptures begin to emerge, originating from Korea and appearing during the mid-sixth-century reign of Emperor Kinmei, which coincided with Siam's Dvaravati period.
Buddhist art flourished during the Heian period (ninth-13th centuries) as members of the nobility commissioned fine pieces. Two carved wood statues of the Buddha from this period are on display, including the Seated Yakushi Nyorai, believed to ward off misfortune.
Wiparat also notes the Seated Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu, one of the manifestations of Avalokitesvara, depicted with six arms.
"That comes from esoteric Buddhism and is strongly influenced by Indian Buddhism. One of his arms holds the Wheel of Dharma, representing his protection of the world.
"While Japan learned of Buddhism from China and Korea, Thailand got it from Sri Lanka and India. The Japanese selected their most sacred Buddhist statues to show here as a way of blessing Thailand."
One of the national treasures in the exhibition is an 11th-century painting of the 16 arhats (perfected persons), with bright paint on the reverse of the silk screen lending a gentle sense of colour, and pigments added sporadically to the front for highlights and shadows. The effect is strikingly three-dimensional.
"The historical artefacts made from silk and paper can't be exhibited longer than four weeks at a time lest they be damaged by humidity or light," says Phnombootra. "We'll replace some pieces on Jan. 24 with others of the same significance."
The next part of the show covers the creativity and invention that flourished under the court aristocracy and the warrior (samurai) class between the Heian and Edo periods (early 17th to late 19th centuries).
A 12th-century sword is embellished with a pattern of long-tailed birds in mother-of-pearl, unlaid on Nashiji lacquer. The handle is wrapped in the skin of a white ray, believed imported from Ayutthaya.
"At the time, deerskin and stingray skin were among Ayutthaya's chief exports," says Wiparst.
You can also see European-style armor, including a cuirass lavishy decorated with the Chinese character for a "heaven" and a silhouette of Mount Fuji.
There's a jinboari - a coat worn over armor - made from yak fur dyed black, and the formal garments of court ladies, pocket purses carried by ladies of the warrior class, and costumes and masks from Noh theatre.
The tea ceremony so deeply associated with Japanese culture dates to around 1,000 years ago,when the custom of drinking tea first took root, an outcropping of Zen beliefs. Historical utensils used in the tea ceremony are shown.
Finally, Edo culture takes center stage in the pageant of history as Japan's cultural center  shifted from Kyoto and Osaka to the city that ultimately became known as Tokyo.
Among the innovations of the era were multicolored woodblock prints (nishiki-e), among whise practitioners Hokusai is the best known globally.
Limited in their public appearances, women of the time expressed their individuality through fashion, as seen in the georgeous garments and elaborate combs and hairpins.

ANN/The Nation/Khetsirin Pholdhampalit

Manchester United Tops World Soccer Money List

Manchester United has retained its position as the highest revenue-generating soccer club in the world, edging out Spain's Real Madrid by the narrowest margin ever between the top two.
The Premier League club topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the 10th time by posting a revenue for the 2016-2017 season of €676.3 million (US$827.25 million), €1.7 million more than the reigning European champion.
Barcelona was third on €648.3 million.
The combined revenue for the top 20 highest-earning clubs rose by six per cent to a record €7.9 billion.
The top 20 was made up of 10 English clubs, which were boosted by the fact that 2016-2017 was the first season of the current Premier League broadcast rights deal.
The remaining 10 clubs comprised of three each from Spain, Germany and Italy and one from France. Seven-time European champions AC Milan dropped out of the top 20 for the first time.
The €44.5 million United received from UEFA for their victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the 2017 Europa League final was crucial to retaining their number one status, although broadcast revenue is now the largest individual revenue stream for the top 20, accounting for 45 percent.
Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: "United's ability to retain first position is all the more impressive against the backdrop of the weakened pound against the euro, and with both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona forecasting further revenue growth in 2017-18, the battle at the top will likely come down to on-pitch performance again next year.
"With all three clubs through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, it may be as simple as the club that goes furthest in the competition will have the best chance of topping the Money League next year."
Big movers include former Premier League champions Leicester City, which climbed from 20th last year to 14th, and Southampton, which enters the top 20 for the first time in 18th position. Both were boosted by playing in European competitions last season.
Elsewhere, Inter Milan climbed four places to 15th thanks largely to commercial growth following its takeover by Chinese company Suning Holdings Group.

Reuters
London

Liverpool Suffers Surprise Defeat

Fourth-placed Liverpool was stung by a 1-0 defea at Premier League basement side Swansea City which withstood a second-half onslaught to secure the points after taking the lead through defender Alfie Mawson at the Liberty Stadium on Monday.
Swansea went ahead five minutes before the break when an attempt to clear by Liverpool's £75 million (US$104.88 million) defender Virgil Van Dijk landed at the fee of Mawson who swept the ball home for his sixth league goal this season.
Van Dijk, playing in his first league game since signing from Southampton, had earlier flashed over a header from a first-half corner, while Mohamed Salah blazed the Dutch defender's lofted pass over the bar on the half-hour mark.
Liverpool upped the tempo in the second half, dominating possession and attacking from all angles, and Roberto Firmino saw his late header come back off the post, but Swansea managed to hold on for only their fifth league win of the season.
Liverpool had no lost in 18 games, having just ended the unbeaten league record of runaway leader Manchester City, but it fluffed its lines in the face of some stout defending.
The loss leaves the Reds on 47 points, three behind Chelsea and six off Manchester United, with Tottenham Hotspur two points outside the top four after a draw at Southampton on Sunday.
Manchester City leads the way with 65 points from 24 games.
"I told my players: Liverpool is a strong team. Like a Formula 1 car," Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal told Sky Sports after a win that took his side level on 20 points with second-bottom West Bromwich Albion and three off the safety zone.
"If you put that F1 car in the 4 p.m. London traffic, the F1 car will not drive very fast. That's exactly what we had to do. Let them play in a way they don't like.
The plan seemed to work as the visitors struggled to find a way through the Swansea defense in the first half. Van Dijk looked composed but a lack of movement in front of him limited his options as he brought the ball out of defense.
Mawson's goal lit a fire under the Liverpool attack and they surged forward after the break, notching 17 of their total 21 attempts on goal in the second period.
Mohamed Salah buzzed between Swansea's defensive lines, playing clever passes and shooting as soon as he got a sight of goal as Liverpool chased an equalizer, but all too often the Merseysiders fired either high or wide of the target.
Firmino came closest to scoring deep into stoppage time, but his header across the goal came back off the left-hand post and Adam Lallana was unable to steer home the rebound as Swansea breathed a sigh of relief at the final whistle.

Reuters/London

MU Signs Sanchez From Arsenal In Swap Deal

Manchester United signed Chile forward Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in a swap deal with midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan after a protracted transfer saga finally ended on Monday.
The 29-year-old Sanchez, who was out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season, has joined the Old Trafford club after local rivals Manchester City had pulled out of the race.
British media reported that Sanchez, who will wear United's iconic No. 7 shirt, has joined the club on a 4.5-year deal, while Arsenal announced that Armenia captain Mkhitaryan, who turned 29 on Sunday, had signed a long-term contract.
Sanchez said: "I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down.
"I am very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United's first team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why the club wanted to bring me here."
Sanchez missed Arsenal's 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday to have a medical in Manchester in Sunday.
He would have been available on a free transfer whe his contract expired in four months' time but once City baulked at the amount of money involved in a mid-season deal, United manager Mourinho urged his club to step in.
"Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he will complete our very young and talented group of attacking players," said Mourinho.
"He will bring his ambition, drive and personality - qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club's dimension and prestige."
United is second in the domestic standings, 12 points behind Manchester City, and will hope Sanchez can help it cut the gap on its neighbor while also helping it progresses in the Champions League, where it faces Sevilla in the last 16.
Sanchez almost joined City at the end of the August transfer window but that deal fell through as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was unable to sign a replacement in time. He scored 80 goals in 166 appearances after the London club paid £35 million (US$48.83 million) for him in July 2014, and won the FA Cup in 2015 and 2017, scoring in both finals.
Missing out on the Champions League this season was a bitter disappointment, however, followed by another blow when Chile failed to qualify for this year's World Cup finals.
A move to either of the Manchester clubs became a preferable option to signing a new contract. Arsenal wanted Mkhitaryan in exchange and he was delighted to join the London club.
Mkhitaryan had an 18-month spell at Old Trafford in which he made 39 league appearances but scored only five goals. He did score when United won last year's Europa League final and will aim to help Arsenal progress from the last 32 in that competition.
"I'm very happy that we could finish this deal and I'm very happy to be here. It's a dream come true because I've always dreamed of playing for Arsenal. Now that I'm here, I'll do my best for this club to create history," said Mkhitaryan.
Wenger, whose side are sixth but hope for a top four finish, added: "Henrikh is a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he's very committed as well. I must say he's a player who has all the attributes."
Mkhitaryan, who British media said had signed a 3.5-year contract at The Emirates, was a regular in United's first XI at the start of this season but fell out of favor under Mourinho and had started only one of its past 13 league games.
He joined United on a four-year deal in July 2016 for an undisclosed fee from Borussia Dortmund, where he had become one of the most highly regarded attacking midfielders in Europe.
Before joining Dortmund in 2013, Mkhitaryan spent four years in Donetsk, Ukraine, first with Metalurh and later with Shakhtar.

Simon Evans
Reuters/Manchester

Coach Rules Out Socceroos Gig In Russia

Leading local contender Graham Arnold has ruled himself out of taking the Socceroos to the World Cup in Russia, but kept the door open to coaching Australia in the future.
Arnold was one of the main candidates to replace Ange Postecoglou, who quit in November after the Socceroos beat Honduras in an intercontinental play-off to qualify for Russia 2018.
The coach of A-League side Sydney FC, Arnold had worked under the Socceroos' Dutch coaches Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek and managed the team during the 2007 Asian Cup.
Sydney FC said late Monday the 54-year-old would remain at the club "for at least the 2017/2018 A-League regular season and finals series, which ends in early May.
"I am committed to Sydney FC and 100 percent focused on seeing out this season and winning two more trophies for this great club," Arnold said in a statement. "I can confirm I will not be coaching the Socceroos in Russia."
Sydney chairman Scott Barlow added that Arnold and the club would also continue discussions about the coach's long-term plans. Local media has reported that governing body the Football Federation Australia (FFA) appeared to favor a foreign coach for a short-term stint to shepherd the Socceroos through the World Cup in June-July.

AFP/Sydney

Juve Keeps Up The Pressure On Napoli

Juventus moved back within a point of Serie A leaders Napoli with a 1-0 win at home to Genoa on Monday although it was hardly a convincing display from the defending champion.
Douglas Costa scored in the 16th minute, ending Genoa keeper Mattia Perin's run of four successive clean sheets in the league, to keep his second-placed team on Napoli's heels.
Napoli and Juve have each won their last five Serie A games, to reach 54 and 53 points respectively, with Lazio and Inter Milan now trailing the Turin side by 10 points.
Costa found Mario Mandzukic on the left and he wrong-footed the Genoa defense with a neat pass back to the Brazilian who was left unmarked to slip the ball past Perin from close range.
Genoa were penned into their half for most of the opening period although Diego Laxalt threatened with a long-range drive which fizzed over Wojciech Szczesny's crossbar.
Juventus continued to dominate possession after halftime but could not to find the killer sexond goal.
Genoa grew in confidence and pushed forward near the end, causing rare panic in the Juve area before Giorgio Chiellini cleared the ball, but they never looked truly threatening.

Reuters/Milan

'The Evil Wthin 2' - Is Deliciously Gory Gross-Out Fun Adventure

Following up on the unexpected goofy fun of its 3-year-old predecessor, The Evil Within 2 is a pretty high caliber survival-horror video game.
It won’t change anyone's perception of video gaming not the survival-horror genre by any means, but its universe is even more consistently fun and exciting to wade through.
With the same element of B-horror cheesiness that made the first game so memorable (even if not in the way its creators intended), The Evil Within 2 expands its universe into something resembling an open-world in which its protagonist, Detective Sebastian Castellanos of the Krimson City PD, goes rummaging around Union, a town that is basically every small American town cliche rolled into a haunted one complete with cool store fronts.
The spooky moodiness of Union pervades throughout the game, with sharp graphics that is a clear development from the first game. There are side missions and plenty of things to keep players busy.
Along with his mysterious partner-in-survival, Kidman, Castellanos embarks on a mission to locate his daughter, Lily, who he thought had died alongside his wife in a house fire. The reality of her existence was brought to him by agents of Mobius, who are basically the 1990s B-movie person of what a futurisric shadowy/ghost organization would be.
All these elements work together well simply because they are united in their addictive cheesiness. As a before, it is best not to take the narrative to seriously, even if there is a more personal sense of stake this time around, though it doesn't help that some of the B-movie awkwardness gets in the way; as in the odd way Castellanos doesn't sound surprised to find out that his previously-thought-as-dead daughter is actually, you know, not dead.
Castellanos himself remains a rather-dull protagonist, with a washed-up law officer routine that has been done better many times before in video games. It is mostly the fault of the clunky dialogue that gives him (and the other characters) that sense of robotic emotionality, but it's a sore point in an otherwise decent game considering how strong modern video game characters are these days.
The essence of the first game remains intact. This is still basically a Resident Evil knock-off with a more fluid sense of movement and pace. The town of Union is just the right amount of expansion the game needs. It's significantly larger than the setting of its 2014 predecessor, but not too much so that players feel overwhelmed and the developers lose control of the environment.
There's a freeing sense of playing that wasn't there before, with players now having a little more leniency in how they would like to approach each mission or problem. For instance, when running into creatures, or when a side mission feels like a good breather to take between brawling against the waves of monsters.
Those monsters all look great though, with the kind of gruesome deliciousness that harkens back to the Resident Evil series and 1980s gross-out horrors.
Overall, the sequel works in providing more dynamics from the grind that sometimes come when having to try a mission over and over again to complete it.
As Costellanos, players will be able to remain in touch with a host of friendly NPCs (Non-playable characters) such as Kidman via a communicator, which itself is an item that will assist in locating some secondary objectives (meaning ones players are not required to complete, but may lead to new knowledge or items).
There are also a good amount of safe houses where players will be able to do what survivors do in these kinds of game - namely save their progress, get new items, craft weapons and get health goods.
As before, however, there are ibvious issues with the game's controls, which too often feel clunky and sometimes even frustating. But alongside issues such as the way the game stubbornly refuses to make clear the damage inflicted upon enemies - all the while making the impact of certain attacka underfined - makes the "action" parts sometimes dull to go through.
Clunky controls and robotic dialogue aside, The Evil Within 2 is overall a fun little horror adventure. There's a basic-ness even as it expands its range that makes it easy to just pick up and play without much emotional investment. Sometimes, that's all you need in a video game.

Developer: Tango Gameworks
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Reviewed in PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Marcel Thee
Contributor of Jakarta Post/Jakarta

MU Simply Had To Go For Sanchez: Irwin

Players of the caliber of Alexis Sanchez do not become available very often so Manchester United had no choice but to make a move for the Arsenal forward, former Ireland defender Denis Irwin has said ahead of the Chilean's expected move to Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old Sanchez, who is out of contract at the end of the season and was also a target for leaders Manchester City, missed Arsenal's 4-1 league win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
British media reports say he will seal his move to United this week with Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining Arsenal in a swap deal.
"When a player of that ability comes along, I think you got to be in the market for him," Irwin, who played over 500 games for United during 12 trophy-laden seasons, told Reuters.
"He's a player who knows the Premier League, his goal record (...) he's an experienced international. He's quick, he's strong.
"It would be great if he comes to Manchester United because he would not just add to our squad but our team. He's a really good player and I think he will be a good addition, really good."
The Chile international has scored 80 goals in 166 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since joining from Barcelona for £35 million (US$48.52 million) in July 2014.
The 52-year-old Irwin, now working a United ambassador, was speaking in Mumbai as part of Gulf Oil's fan-building campaign for the club's supporters, who were invited to a live screening of the Premier League away fixture against Burnley on Saturday.
Irwin lauded Jose Mourinho's ability to attract top players and said the Portuguese manager had done enough to warrant an extension to the three-year contract he signed in 2016.
"Since he's come in 16-17 months back, he's brought in some really good players," said the former left-back, who was one of Alex Ferguson's key players.
"He attracts good players and all of them have strengthened us. He knows he's not there yet but we are getting back to where we should be.
"I feel we are lot more competitive that 16 months ago. For me, he's been fantastic. Two trophies last season, progression on the field, we are getting better and stronger, I don't see any reason why not (give him an extension)?"
United struggled in the transition after Ferguson left Old Trafford following their 20th and m9st recent Premier League title in 2013.
David Moyes replaced Ferguson but was sacked after 10 months to be replaced by Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, who then made way for Mourinho after two seasons.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach has led the club to two trophies, plus the Community Shield, but United failed to challenge fo the league title.
Curently second in the league with 53 points, they sit 12 points behind rivals City after 24 games.
"We are in a much better position than last season. We were forever in sixth and finished sixth," Irwin added.

Sudipto Ganguly
Reuters/Mumbai

Real Defies Crisis Talk as Barca Extends Lead

Real Madrid moved back into the top four of La Liga by thumping lowly Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo ending a miserable run of league form with a late double.
But Barcelona still extended its lead to 11 points - and 19 ahead of Real - as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both hit a brace in a 5-0 romp at Real Betis.
Ronaldo had only scored four league goals before Sunday's clash with third-from-bottom Deportivo, but the Portuguese added Real's fifth and sixth with a smart volley and a diving header as it moved back above Villarreal and into the Champions League places.
Villareal had temporarily taken fourth with a 2-1 win over Levante on Saturday after beating Real at the Bernabeu for the first time ever last week.
Gareth Bale and Nacho also bagged braces each side of halftime and Luka Modric curled home a 68th-minute beauty as Real came back from a shock early deficit, a 23rd-minute tap-in from Adrian, to romp to an emphatic victory and ease the pressure on coach Zinedine Zidane.
"We need that. In any case, it's what we were missing in the sense that scoring seven goals at home this season, it's hugely satisfying, and a relief," said Zidane.
The win leaves Real five points behind Valencia in third, after Marcelino's side had two players sent off in a shock 2-1 loss at lowly Las Palmas on Saturday.
Real had come into Sunday's match in crisis following some dismal performances that culminated in last week's defeat to Villarreal, and the mess seemed to have grown deeper when Adrian tapped home Lucas Perez's low cross.
However, the home side reacted immediately and by halftime was 2-1 up thanks to Nacho's neat first-time strike and a superb curling effort from Bale.
The floodgates opened in the second half, with Bale adding his second from a towering header and Luca Modric expertly whipping home Real's fourth.
Ronaldo met Casemiro's cross to make it five and then crashed home Lucas Vasquez's cross, taking a boot in the face from Fabian Schar in the process.
As Ronaldo was led off the pitch to have his bleeding head quickly patched up he asked to see the phone of one of Real's medical staff and, pointing the camera at himself, used it to check the damage to his face.
Nacho completed the rout in the dying minutes.
Second-placed Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Girona on Saturday meant Barca extended its lead with victory, leaving coach Ernesto Valverde waxing lyrical about Messi.

Agence France-Presse
Madrid

Serie A Hits Back After Napoli's Complaint

Serie A has hit back at Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri after he complained about a "gigantic mistake" in the fixture list, saying that the league leaders had been scheduled to play after title rivals Juventus in upcoming matches.
Napoli went first this weekend, beating Atalanta 1-0 away on Sunday to go four points clear of Juventus, which hosts Genoa on Monday. But Juve, aiming for a seventh successive title, will go first from next weekend until mid-March.
"(The league) could compromise and make us play at the same time, or allow us to play some of our games before them," Sarri told reporters after Sunday's game.
"I'm sure this was done in good faith but you wonder about the capabilities of whoever decides these things," he said. "It's a gigantic mistake."
Serie A has published its fixtures schedule for the next seven rounds of matches. Next weekend, the Turin side will visit Chievo on Saturday before Napoli hosts Bologna on Sunday.
On the wewkend of Feb. 3-4, Juventus plays on Sunday afternoon with Napoli taking to the field the same evening, and on the weekend after that, Juve plays on Friday and Napoli on Saturday.
On Feb. 18, Juventus plays at midday and Napoli in the afternoon and on the following weekend, Juventus plas on Sunday and Napoli a day later. Juventus plays in the early evening on March 3 followed by Napoli in the late match, while on March 11, Juventus plays in the afternoon and Napoli in the evening. Serie A replied in a statement that in the first half of the tournament, Napoli had gone first in 14 of the 19 rounds of matches.

Reuters/Milan

The Best Way To Enable a 5G Future

Fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks promise to blow away existing 4G connections. Acxording to the US government, the new systems will deliver 1,000 times more traffic, with far superior reliability and faster response times. Movies will glisten in ultra-high definition, while cities become smart, autonomous cars safe, and the Internet of Things ubiquitous. Mobile broadband may out-perform fiber optics, as The Economist notes, putting "your phone on steroids."
The Wow Factor obscures the obstacles. Rollout for 5G depends on access to bandwith. And here the ghost of Herbert Hoover stands tall. His legislative brainchild, the Radio Act of 1927, sandbags innovation by defining spectrum uses upfront, prior to authorization.
That we are even talking about 5G - let alone 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G - reveals that Hooverian public policy is possible to overcome. But it takes a while. First generation cellular was touted by the US Federal Communications Commission in 1945, but licenses were not issued until 1984-1989.
Under the Radio Act, each slice of the airwaves must be allocated according to "public interest, convenience or necessity," a bureaucracy-enforcing meme that is a devil's playground for insiders. Key players include incumbents opposed to competing inventions as well as corporate counsel billing for slow rolls by the hour.
Television licenses, for instance, specify transmission format, channel size, station location, antenna height, emission power, and business model (ads okay, but not subscriptions).
As new technologies have been discovered, and video has shifted to cable, satellite, or broadband networks, frequencies set aside beginning in the 1930s have been frozen in time. The TV Band continues as a phantom allocation, serving a market gone bye-bye.
Some 49 TV channels today consume more spectrum than Verizon and AT&T, the two largest US mobile carriers, jointly utilize. Even after, as currently planned, one quarter of the TV band has been shifted to mobile markets by 2020, some 35 channels will remain walled off for the delivery of I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners.
Try explaining that resource distribution decision to your teenager as she scrolls through episodes of Netflix's Gilmore Girls transmitted over the air to her iPhone, entirely bypassing broadcast TV frequencies. The new apps demonstrate huge progress. But the fact that legacy "set asides" continue to endure is a sad waste.
The government is not oblivious to the problem. The FCC has officially sworn off micro-mamaging wireless wireless markets, instead endowing licensees with spectrum rights that "can be quickly repurposed for new flexible uses," as it wrote in 2016.
The "ready availability of the spectrum," the FCC continues, will "drive the development of a robust ecosystem" hosting new services, devices, and applications.
While fifth-generation networks are unlikely to be widely deployed before 2020, spectrum regulators are now asking for public input. But policymakers must ask the right questions.
When officials inquire about the precise nature of evolving services they raise issues that cannot be settled up front, squandering time and computer memory. Even after taking decades to craft cellular telephone rules, the FCC had no idea that mobile would become a mass market (not a luxury niche), that handsets would become pocket (not car) phones, that texting and data (not just voice) would become standard, or that digital was superior to the analog standard it mandated.
And that was after vast input from scientist, management consultants, broadcasters, Motorola, and AT&T.
The way to proceed is to auction broad, liberal spectrum rights to competitors. Restrictions on services, devices or business models should be eliminated.
The wrong way is to ask, as in an August 2017 FCC notice about permitting 5G use in lightly utilized 3.7 GHz to 4.2 GHz frequencies: "Are there recent technological advancements that could facilitate the deployment of mobile services? (...) Commenters should address the costs and benefits of mobile use in the band and provide detailed technical and economic data to support their suggestions."
As an economist, of course, I appreciate the regulators' attempt to boost the demand for new studies. But the "detailed technical and economic data" of greatest interest will be observed only after spectrum is opened, innovation is unleashed, and networks compete. With flexible rights in the marketplace, this will happen. Until then, it's all academic.
Licenses to use this band are already being auctioned in Australia, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Policy-makers overseas and in the United States need only relax their restrictions to see what amazing innovations might spring forth.
In the same 2017 notice, the FCC asks a better question: "Are there opportunities to incentivise relocation or repacking of incumbent licensees to make spectrum available for flexible broadband use?" And, "We seek comment on whether auctions (...) could be used to increase the availability of flexible use spectrum?"
Bingo. By focusing on how rights - not markets - should be designed, the FCC may be able to avoid useless food fights. The virtue of the rights-based approach was demonstrated when liberalized TV band licenses (no longer limited to broadcasting) were used by competitors to blast "mobile TV" - hyped as the Killer App of 2005 - to handsets.
The service was a flop but, not to worry: by 2020, licensees had exited that business and flipped the licenses to 4G networks. Today that bandwith whisks video to smartphones - the same app, more efficiently delivered.
Auctioning spectrum rights and eliminating needless restrictions is the better way to discover our 5G future.

Thomas W. hazlett
Reuters

The writer is HH Macaulay endowed professor of economics at Clemson University. He formerly served as chief economist of the FCC. His latest book is The Political Spectrum: The Tumultuous Liberation of Wireless Technology, from Herbert Hoover to the Smartphone Yale, 2017.

India Limits Visitors To Save Taj Mahal

India is to restrict the number of daily visitors to the Taj Mahal in an attempt to preserve th iconic 17th-century monument to love, its biggest tourist attraction.
Millions of mostly Indian tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year and their numbers are increasing steadily as domestic travel becomes easier.
Experts say the vast crowds increase wear and tear on the white marble tomb, which already must undergo regular cleaning to stop it turning yellow from polluted air, and could put pressure on its foundations.
In future only 40,000 local tourist will be allowed to enter the historic complex per day, authorities said recently.
"We have to ensure the safety of the monument and visitors as well. Crowd management was emerging as a big challenge for us," an official with the Archeological Survey of India which controls the monument, told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The restrictiona will not apply to foreigners, who pay 1,000 rupees to enter.
Indian visitors normally pay just 40 rupees, but will be able to buy the more expensive ticket if they want to get around the limit.
The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth in 1631.
Anyone wanting to see the main crypt, which houses the couple's spectacular marble graves inlaid with semi-precious stones, will also have to pay for the pricier ticket.
The graves also date back to the 17th century but do not actually contain the bodies of the royal couple who are buried under a separate lower chamber.
The decision to restrict visitors comes after five visitors were injured in the crush on the last day of the year, which often attracts large crowds.
Daily visitor numbers to the Taj Mahal average 10,000-15,000 but can be much higher at weekends, going up to around 70,000.
Nearly 6.5 million visited the monument in 2016, according to government figures.
The Taj Mahal has attracted world leaders and royalty including former US president Bill Clinton. Diana, the late British princess, was famously photographed alone on a marble sear there in 1992.
But the mausoleum faces an array of threats, including the yellowing effects of smog. In 2016 green stains on its rear wall were blamed on excrement from insects.
Authorities have in the past covered the iconic monument's facade with "mud packs" made of Fuller's earth, which draws out the impurities, to restore its whiteness.

AFP Relaxnews

Why Does This Re-Engineered Motorcycle Cost $115,000?

Every day, in a nondescript, sun-beaten warehouse 15 minutes outside of Austin, you'll find a handful of foot-long beards and tattos so bad they're excellent. The guys at Revival Cycles weld metal and pound leather with the kind of grit you could stick in your jaw and chew.
The crew creates composite motorcycles and rebuilds vintage bikes: cafe racers, dirt bikes and track rockets as potent to ride as they are arresting to look at. The variety of forms is jolting, from a flat-seated scrambler-type with insectile blue-and-white tanks to a reimagined Ducati painted up like Christmast. Most cost six figures and take many months to make. The entry-level 140 motorcycle (above), a beast of brushed alloy that takes about 650 hours to build, starts at US$115,000.
Revival is the brainchild of Alan Stulberg, 42, a former software salesman who taught himself how to weld by building a shipping container, and Stefan Hertel, a mechanical engineer who once lived a quiet life making medical devices in Michigan. "They are literally engineering new (parts), and then they just bury them in the bike, and it's not even the selling point," says Mark Buche, an executive at BMW Group's motorcycle wing, Motorrad. "It's not just them bolting together some parts." Under Hertel, who's 37, the engineering team has applied for 10 patents.
It all started a decade ago, when Stulberg lost-his job. "I was unaware of how much I didn't fit in," he says, broke up with his girlfriend, and rode for a year through Europe on a KTM LC4 Enduro dirt bike. Appreciating the size and breadth of the hiking community there, he realized that other people would like seeing motorcycles built from the ground up as much as he did. So Stulberg opened Revival Cycles in 2008. Hertel joined soon after.
Today, Revival occupies multiple fabrication shops, employs a full-time staff of 19, and sells branded goods online and from a retail store in downtown Austin. It also turns out six built-from-the-ground-up motorcycles a year. Clients can give as much input as they want into the design process, though most defer to Hertel's genius. Last year, Revival's revenue was in the mid-seven figures, up from $12,000 its first year, Stulberg says.
"Alan is an artist and designer and imaginer, and Stefan is this engineer savant," says Rob Stalford, a crude oil options trader in Houston who bought a Revival in 2013. "These guys have incredible vision."
The team's decision to not limit itself to one style of bike makes the work inefficient and costly - but it's constantly building a knowledge base and, thus, a creative edge. Stalford saw the benefits when he ordered his Revival. Hertel and Stulberg started it by eliminating all the stock plastics from the 900SS-SP Ducati that served as the base, then rebuilt it from the chassis out, creating their own lightweight steel frame, adding new bearings and lights, polishing the flat aluminium body until it shone like a mirror and added custom drop handlebars wrapped in oxblood leather. The process took one and a half years.
Even if you don't want to buy a bike, you can attend one of several annual Revival motorcycle shows, where even suits are welcome. The next is in April. "I wanted to create something new," says Stulberg, who knows how to intimidating his world of motorcycles can be. "I want to make everyone feel at home."

Hannah Elliott
Bloomberg/New York

City Back On Track, MU Keeps Up The Chase

A Sergio Aguero hat trick helped Manchester City get back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United, as it stayed 12 points ahead of Manchester United which had to dig deep to secure a 1-0 win at Burnley.
Chelsea stayed three points adrift of United as it enjoyed a 4-0 victory at Brighton and Hove Albion, while Arsenal was quick off the mark, scoring four goals inside the first 22 minutes in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Having suffered its first league defeat of the season at Liverpool last weekend, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side initially struggled to find rhythm at the Etihad Stadium before Aguero glanced in a Kevin De Bruyne cross after 34 minutes.
The Argentine doubled its lead from the penalty spot shortly after the hour mark when Raheem Sterling was brought down by Javier Manquillo in the box.
Four minutes later, Jacob Murphy dinked the ball over home goalkeeper Ederson to score his first goal for Newcastle and briefly close the gap to City to nine points, thanks to a goal from Anthony Martial.
The Frenchman blasted home off the under-side of the bar in the 54th minute after brilliant work from Romelo Lukaku, who held off two challenges before finding the Frenchman with a sweeping cross-field pass.
Burnley, which slip to eight with the loss, fought hard for an equalizer and Icelandic winger Johann Berg Gudmonsson struck th bar with a free kick.
"It was cetainly a battle and that is what you get when you come to Turf Moor - it is about character and we showed thatbin abundance today," said United defender Phil Jones
Manager Jose Mourinho said after the game that he "thinks" Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will complete his move to Old Trafford, while British media reports said that Henrikh Mkhitaryan was due to have a medical at Arsenal in the next 48 hours to complete the transfer swap.
The disappointment of Arsenal fans in losing Sanchez will have been eased by its attacking display against Crystal Palace in a comfortable win at the Emirates.
Arsenal, which had not won in its last five games in all competitions, struck its four goals in a blistering start to the match.
Nacho Monreal headed in from a Granit Xhaka corner and then turned provider for close-range goals by Alex Iwobi in the 10th and central defender Laurent Koscielny three minutes later.
French atriker Alexandre Lacazette made it four for the home side in the 22nd minute, collecting a clever backheel from Mezul Ozil in the area before turning to curl his strike around outstratched Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Palace captain Luka Milivojevic pulled one back for the visitors in the 78th minute.

Simon Evans
Reuters/Burnley