Spanish Teams Told to Play
Despite the worst terrorist attack in Spain’s history Thursday, four Spanish league teams played in UEFA Cup matches throughout Europe.
All four had asked that their matches be postponed, but UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, did not honor the requests. Only Villarreal played at home, defeating AS Roma, 2-0, in a first-leg fourth-round match.
The other three teams lost on the road: Mallorca, 4-1, at Newcastle United in England; FC Barcelona, 1-0, at Glasgow Celtic in Scotland; and Valencia, 1-0, at Genclerbirligi in Ankara, Turkey.
“By playing the games under these difficult circumstances, we hope to show to the world the true spirit of fair play and respect in football,” UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said.
Earlier Thursday, a series of bombs hidden in backpacks exploded in quick succession, blowing apart four commuter trains and killing nearly 200 people and wounding about 1,400 in the Spanish capital of Madrid.
The Spanish Football Federation also said that the league’s games would go ahead this weekend with players wearing black armbands, and a minute’s silence for the victims before kickoff.
Real Betis’ Brazilian winger Denilson said the league should have postponed the schedule.
“I wouldn’t have thought twice about it,” he said.
Said Atletico de Madrid Coach Gregorio Manzano: “Soccer’s aim is to try to make supporters enjoy themselves and get excited, the opposite of what we are lamenting today, where the lives of people have disappeared in an instant.”
Players Get Bail
Three English Premier League players jailed the last six days in Cartagena, Spain, on charges of sexual assault have been granted bail, their attorney said.
The Leicester City players -- Keith Gillespie of Northern Ireland, Frank Sinclair of Jamaica and Paul Dickov of Scotland -- were provisionally charged last Friday with sexual assault and breaking and entering at a hotel room in southeast Spain after a complaint by three women.
They were brought to court for further questioning Thursday, and a lawyer for the players, Ana Ruiperez, said that judge Jacinto Areste had decided to grant bail.
Ruiperez said the players expected to be released today once paperwork was done.
Dugarry Leaves
French World Cup star Christophe Dugarry has left Birmingham City of England by mutual agreement after an injury-plagued season and his family’s inability to feel comfortable in a new environment.
Dugarry, who scored France’s first goal in the 1998 World Cup on its way to the title, said he had been living alone the last six months.
“Soccer in England is great but life in England is very difficult outside of London,” Dugarry told French sports daily L’Equipe. “I don’t regret the experience ... but it was a family choice.”
Galaxy Game
The Galaxy travels north to Santa Barbara today to play the San Jose Earthquakes in an exhibition game at UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at Soccer Action in Goleta and Soccer Central in downtown Santa Barbara or through UC Santa Barbara’s men’s soccer office. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for kids 14 and under. Details: (805) 893-3473.
Quick Passes
Canada and new Coach Frank Yallop will take on Wales at Wrexham, Wales, in a friendly on March 30 in preparation for its World Cup qualifying games against Belize in June.... Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini broke his right hand in practice and will sit out Saturday’s game against Bolton.... Bochum of the German Bundesliga and midfielder Sunday Oliseh agreed to cancel the former Nigeria captain’s contract, 12 days after he broke the nose of teammate Vahid Hashemian during an argument.
-- Compiled by Jim Barrero
