MADRID: Spanish prosecutors said on Friday they had opened an inquiry into Atletico Madrid’s supporters over racist chants aimed at Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior ahead of the clubs’ La Liga derby clash. The investigation was opened following a complaint by an anti-racism organization over the chanting which erupted from a group of Atletico fans at their Wanda Metropolitano stadium before and during Sunday’s match. “You are a monkey, Vinicius, you are a monkey,” they could be heard chanting in footage recorded by Cope radio as the Real Madrid coach arrived at the stadium. It said there were “hundreds” of fans involved. Further chanting occurred during the match, with Atletico fans throwing things, including lighters, at Vinicius Junior and his Brazilian compatriot Rodrygo as they celebrated a goal. Real Madrid won 2-1. “Madrid prosecutors have opened an investigation into the racist-tinged chanting which was heard both inside and outside Atletico Madrid’s stadium against a Real Madrid player during their match on Sunday 18 September,” a statement said. “Prosecutors have asked the police to analyze the recordings of these incidents in order to identify the people who uttered these racist insults in order to see if they had any ties with violent or extremist groups,” it said. They had also asked the police to investigate whether the chanting was repeated inside the stadium, and have asked Atletico’s security staff to hand over any information “that could help clarify what happened,” it said. The incident drew sharp condemnation from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who on Tuesday criticized Atletico for not taking a stand against the racist chants from their supporters. “I’m a big supporter of Atletico Madrid, so I was very sad,” he told Politico on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, saying he had “expected a strong message from the club against this kind of behavior.” Atletico later released a statement saying the abuse was “unacceptable” and that they would will not stop until the culprits were found and banned. “Atletico Madrid condemns the unacceptable chants that a minority of fans sung outside the stadium before the derby,” it said. “We cannot allow our fan base be related with this type of behavior and question our values because of a minority who do not represent us.” La Liga said it would report the incident to the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee. The incident took place just days after Pedro Bravo, head of the Spanish Football Agents’ Association (AEAF), sparked a furor by saying on television that Vinicius needed to stop “acting like a monkey” when celebrating goals. The 22-year-old player is known for celebrating a goal with his trademark dance moves. But Bravo’s remarks touched a nerve in Brazil, where black players have been heckled with racist taunts by fans mimicking monkeys, with several big names saying his comment smacked of racism. Bravo apologized, saying he was using a phrase which was not intended to have racist connotations. The phrase is commonly used in Spain to mean “playing the fool.”

Saudi Arabia had Mohammed Al-Owais to thank for avoiding defeat in their World Cup warm-up match against Ecuador in Spain on Friday, which ended in a goalless draw.

The Al-Hilal goalkeeper was in sparkling form as he kept Herve Renard’s men from falling to a third consecutive loss at the hands of South American opposition, following defeats in June by Colombia and Venezuela.

With less than two months to go before their World Cup opener against Argentina, followed by games against Poland and Mexico, Friday’s draw will be seen as a decent result for the Green Falcons, even if they were second best for much of the game, struggled to make an impression in attack and failed to find the net for a third game in a row.

The South Americans dominated the opening period and will have been frustrated not to be ahead at the break. They should have gone ahead in the ninth minute when Pervis Estupinan sent over a perfect cross from the left. Piero Hincapie was able to get between three defenders and head the ball into the top corner of the net — or so everyone thought. Suddenly, Al-Owais came flying across the goal to make a fantastic save. It was not to be the only time the 30-year-old would be called into action.

There was still less than 15 minutes on the clock when Ecuador had their best chance of the game. Riyadh Sharahili was caught in possession at about the midway point of his own half and the ball was fed to Enner Valencia. Suddenly finding himself through on goal, the Fenerbache forward cut in from the left side but dragged his shot wide when faced with the onrushing Al-Owais.

Soon after, the striker did the same thing from a tighter angle on the other side of the area, as the men in yellow continued to find ways to get behind the Saudi defense.

On the 20-minute mark, Estupinan fired a free-kick over the bar as the pressure continued to mount. The gaps at the back were again in evidence moments later when a through ball from inside the Ecuador half almost released Valencia once more.

With Ecuador firmly in control, Saudi Arabia almost took a shock lead five minutes before the break during a rare foray into opposition territory. Hincapie fell over near the penalty area and suddenly Firas Al-Buraikan, the top scorer in the Saudi Professional League last season, was in on goal. The Al-Fateh forward pushed into the area and though he had options for passing, he rightly decided to go for goal himself. But the shot was tame; low and straight at Alexander Dominguez, who made his first real save of the game.

The first half ended on a more familiar note. Firstly Valencia’s long-range shot was turned away by Al-Owais, who then had to make another fine save from the resultant corner as Valencia again came close.

There was more energy in the opening period of the second half from the Saudis as they looked to get in the faces of their opponents and deny them time and space on the ball.

Clear chances were still hard to come by but at least Ecuador, who will line-up against Qatar in Doha on Nov. 20 in the opening match of the World Cup, were not cutting through the Saudi Arabian defense quite as often as they had in the first half.

But then Al-Owais was forced back into action as he pulled off an impressive double-stop from substitute Jose Cifuentes. The Los Angeles midfielder’s first shot, a half-volley from the edge of the area, was cleared by the goalkeeper’s boot. His volleyed follow-up bounced up off the turf and was looping toward the top of the net when Al-Owais acrobatically tipped it over the bar.

He made an even better save with 17 minutes remaining, when Michael Estrada outpaced Ali Al-Bulaihi to run onto Estupinan’s long ball. Al-Owais was quick off his line to make the save.

Saudi Arabia’s best attacking moment came with eight minutes remaining. Salem Al-Dawsari, who had been working hard without ever managing to have the influence he wanted, saw his shot blocked and the rebound fly straight into Dominguez’s arms.

Ecuador continued to push for a winner but could not find a way past Al-Owais, who did more than enough to ensure that any talk of replacement by goalkeeping rival Abdullah Al-Mayouf, left out of the squad by Renard, will fade for now.

Al-Owais has another chance to impress on Tuesday, when the Saudi preparations for the World Cup continue with a match against the USA, who were defeated 2-0 by Japan on Friday in Germany.  

LE HAVRE, France: Richarlison struck twice as Brazil showcased their World Cup credentials by putting on an attacking masterclass in a 3-0 victory over Ghana in Friday’s friendly in Le Havre. Marquinhos headed Brazil in front from a corner and Richarlison doubled the lead before the half-hour. The Tottenham Hotspur striker nodded in a third on 40 minutes. Unbeaten throughout World Cup qualifying, Brazil’s only competitive loss since going out to Belgium in the 2018 quarter-finals in Russia came against Argentina in last year’s Copa America final. Brazil coach Tite fielded a strong, attack-minded side that could well start their opening game of the World Cup against Serbia in Lusail on November 24. Ghana lost Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey to injury in the warm-up, on what was a challenging night for the Black Stars. Five-time world champions Brazil hit their stride right away, Neymar unhindered by the small cut during Wednesday’s training session that required minor treatment. In red-hot form to start the season with Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar quickly began to threaten down the left in tandem with Vinicius Junior. Richarlison blazed over from Lucas Paqueta’s cutback, the new West Ham signing also fizzing a shot just past the post. Brazil were soon in front though as Marquinhos powered in from Raphinha’s inswinging corner in the ninth minute. Raphinha should have scored himself when Vinicius’ audacious cross with the outside of his right boot picked the Barcelona man out at the far post. Neymar created Brazil’s second goal, allowing Thiago Silva’s pass to run beyond him before rolling it toward Richarlison, who swept a first-time shot low into the corner of Joseph Wollacott’s goal. The PSG star was again the provider as Brazil increased their advantage, whipping in a free-kick that Richarlison glanced home at the near post. Ghana barely avoided conceding a fourth before the break when Neymar teed up Paqueta, whose effort was saved by Wollacott before Raphinha’s follow-up was blocked. Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams, who won one cap for Spain in 2016, and Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu came on for their Ghana debuts at half-time. Bremer, the center-back who joined Juventus from Torino in July, made his first Brazil appearance, replacing Thiago Silva. Andre Ayew’s header clipped the bar on the hour as Ghana finally tested Brazil, whose rhythm slowed as Tite turned to his bench with the introduction of Antony and Matheus Cunha. Former England Under-21 international Tariq Lamptey, another of Ghana’s new recruits, got his first minutes for the four-time African champions as Otto Addo emptied his bench. Neymar nearly capped off another sparkling performance with a goal of his own, but shot weakly at Wollacott after a mesmerising run. Atletico Madrid’s Cunha was denied a first Brazil goal in the closing minutes by a desperation goalline block after Wollacott parried Rodrygo’s attempt. Brazil take on Tunisia in their final pre-World Cup tune-up at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday, while Ghana head to Spain to face Nicaragua. Elsewhere, Cyle Larin and Jonathan David were on target as Canada beat World Cup hosts Qatar 2-0 in Vienna. Mehdi Taremi got the only goal as Iran beat Uruguay 1-0 while Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 with Ecuador.

TURIN, Italy: Juventus reported a record loss of 254.3 million euros ($246 million) for the 2021-22 financial year at a board of directors meeting on Friday — adding to its recent struggles on the field. Their the fifth consecutive year Juventus have reported a loss, and their 44.4 million euros ($43 million) more than in 2020-21. Juventus said the increase in losses was mainly due to decreased income from TV rights and media revenues due to fewer Champions League matches. Juventus were eliminated by Villarreal in the first knockout round of last season’s Champions League. The Bianconeri have also lost their opening two matches of this season’s Champions League — to Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica — and have won just two of seven Serie A games. Last weekend, Juventus lost at promoted Monza — raising questions about the status of coach Massimiliano Allegri.

BARCELONA: Several members of Spain’s women’s team published a statement on Friday criticizing the Spanish football federation (RFEF) for claiming they had decided to retire from international duty and for making details public from an email they had sent. Late on Thursday the RFEF published a statement implying 15 players were threatening not to play unless coach Jorge Vilda was sacked, criticizing them and saying they would not be considered for selection again unless they apologized and admitted their mistake. However, the players, along with 2021 Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was not reported to be among those who sent the initial email to the RFEF, responded, saying they had not retired. “In no case have we resigned from the Spanish national team as the RFEF points out in their official statement,” read the letter published by the players on social media. “We have maintained and will continue to maintain an unquestionable commitment to the Spanish national team. “That is why we requested, in our communication sent to the RFEF, not to be called up until situations are changed which affect our emotional and personal state, our performance, and consequently the results of the national team and could cause undesirable injuries.” The players also denied asking for the dismissal of Vilda as was insinuated by the RFEF’s statement. “We understand our job is not to choose who is in that position, but to express constructively and honestly what we consider can improve the performance of the group,” added the players. The disagreement has been greeted in different ways, with Marca’s front page on Friday morning labelling the players’ actions “blackmail,” while former two-time women’s World Cup winner with the USA, Megan Rapinoe, backed the players with a message on Instagram. “You got a 16th (player) standing with you in the US,” wrote Rapinoe. “This many players together like this is so powerful. We should all listen.”

PRAGUE: Portugal play the Czech Republic in the Nations League on Saturday with Cristiano Ronaldo’s team hoping to set up a showdown with Spain to decide who advance to the Final Four tournament. Ronaldo, who will be looking to add to his international record of 117 goals, is one of seven Portugal players who are only one yellow card from a suspension that would rule them out of their final group game against Spain. Spain lead Group A2 with eight points, one more than Portugal, with two games remaining. The Czechs are in third place with four points. Switzerland are last with three. A victory in Prague would mean that Portugal — regardless of the Spain-Switzerland result on Saturday — have the chance to finish top when the Iberian neighbors meet in Braga on Tuesday. But first Portugal must beat the Czechs for a second time after winning 2-0 in June. The Czechs have only one win in four group games. “Since the beginning the goal has been to reach the final four,” Portugal midfielder Rúben Neves said. Portugal were upset 1-0 in Geneva after Switzerland scored in the opening minute and held on the rest of the way. That was the only loss for Fernando Santos’ side in the tournament that also serves as preparation for the World Cup starting in November. Portugal will be without suspended defender João Cançelo, while veteran central defender Pepe is injured. “Pepe is extremely important, but we are lucky to have players with lots of talent,” Neves said. The four group winners in the top tier advance to the Final Four tournament, scheduled for June 14-18. The teams finishing at the bottom of each group are relegated to League B.