AFC names India’s Chhetri Asian Icon

NEW DELHI: Talismanic Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri was on Friday named an Asian Icon by the game’s continental governing body on his 34th birthday and received effusive praise for rivalling the world’s greatest players of his generation in scoring goals.

Chhetri is currently the highest goal-scoring active Asian player with 64 strikes from 101 matches and third in the world after superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. who also helped as assistant coach with the national side, replaces Jorge Sampaoli, who stood down last month after the World Cup in which Argentina were eliminated by France 4-3 in the round of 16.

Argentina have had three different men in charge since Alejandro Sabella resigned in 2014.

NEUER DENIES OZIL’S CLAIM OF RACISM

BERLIN: Germany captain Manuel Neuer has denied that Mesut Ozil was the victim of racism within the German FA (DFB), but admitted the fiasco has taken a toll on the players. “We’ve always tried to integrate all the players and we’ve also done everything for our teammates to make them feel good going into games,” said Neuer at Bayern’s pre-season training camp in southern Bavaria.

CHELSEA’S WILLIAN TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION

LONDON: Chelsea midfielder Willian has initiated legal proceedings following the appearance of a “forged” letter which appears to state a change of agents for the Brazil international. The 29-year-old posted the letter, which states that Denirobson Dias had given permission to Renee Pinheiro Anunciacao to represent Willian to clubs in the UK and France.

WILLIAMS JOINS STOKE ON SEASON-LONG LOAN

LONDON : Everton defender Ashley Williams has joined secondtier Championship side Stoke City on a season-long loan, both teams have announced. The Wales international has not played for the Merseyside outfit since March. Stoke open their campaign against Leeds United.