XAVI CRITICISES TIMING OF REAL DECLARATION

MADRID: Spain great Xavi criticised the timing of Julen Lopetegui being announced as Real Madrid coach. Lopetegui was stunningly sacked as Spain boss Wednesday, a day after it was revealed he would be Zinedine Zidane’s successor at Madrid. Xavi, a 133-time Spain international, was unhappy with the timing of the announcement of Lopetegui’s Madrid move. “I am not the person to talk about it (Lopetegui joining Madrid),” the Barcelona great told Radio Marca. “It was not the most ideal or opportune moment.”

Martial wants to leave United, claims agent

LONDON: Manchester United winger Anthony Martial wants to leave the Premier League club due to a deadlock in contract negotiations, according to his agent Philippe Lamboley. Martial, 22, has a year left on his current contract but talks of a renewal remained stagnant. “After thinking about all the possibilities and scenarios, Anthony wants to leave Manchester United,” Lamboley told French news outlet RMC Sport.

Moscow workers set for Worldcupdayoff

MOSCOW: Some workers will mark the start of the World Cup with a day off in a push to ease the Russian capital’s notorious traffic jams. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin appealed last week to companies to give their staff time off “so they don’t end up in jams and there aren’t transport problems.” Those going to work are urged to use public transport.

Female Saudi flag bearers to miss Russia opener

MOSCOW/RIYADH: Six Saudi Arabia female teenagers slated to serve as their country’s flag bearers at the World Cup’s opening match in Moscow on Thursday will be replaced by Russians after their trip was cancelled due to “logistical circumstances”, organisers said. Named flag bearers as part of a programme run by Coca-cola, the girls, aged 13 to 17, were supposed to lead the Saudi team onto the pitch. But the organisers said they could no longer make it.