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sports Diaranson 24 Maart 2021

English rugby prefers Lions tour to be held in South Africa

(AP) — English rugby’s Sweeney said governing video call, “and we are run-
“preferred position” is bodies and organizers were ning out of time for a UK op-
for the British and Irish in “critical dialogue” over tion, frankly, as the days are
Lions to travel to South whether South Africa is capa- ticking by.
Africa rather than host ble of hosting the tour, which
a test series against the is scheduled for July and Au- “The preferred position has
Springboks, the head of gust. always been to be able to go
the Rugby Football Union to South Africa and play it
said Tuesday. “There was a possible Aus- in South Africa, either with
tralia option that has gone crowds or behind closed
RFU chief executive Bill away,” Sweeney said on a doors.”

Bale plans on returning to Real Madrid after Tottenham loan

contract runs until the end Mourinho appeared to ques-
of the 2021-22 season at Ma- tion Bale’s attitude after the
drid, where he had fallen out FA Cup loss to Everton in
of favor and struggled for February. But the player then
game time. enjoyed a resurgence, scoring
six goals in six games before
“I think the main reason I the season took a turn for the
came to Spurs this year was worse with a derby loss to
to play football," Bale said Arsenal and a Europa League
Tuesday while on duty with exit against Dinamo Zagreb.
Wales. “Going into the Euros
I wanted to be match-fit." Bale was benched for the 3-0
defeat in Croatia and the 2-0
The European Champion- Premier League win at Aston
ship opens for Wales against Villa on Sunday.
Switzerland on June 12.
“Over the last few years this
“The original plan was to do is probably the most match
a season at Spurs and after the fitness I’ve had," Bale said,
Euros still have a year left at looking ahead to Wales' open-
Real Madrid,” Bale said. "My ing 2022 World Cup qualifier
plan is to go back, that’s as far against Belgium on Wednes-
as I have planned.” day. “I’m feeling fresh and
ready to go. I always think
(AP) — Gareth Bale plans with form and fitness issues Tottenham manager Jose when things aren’t going too
to end his Tottenham stay The Wales captain returned dominating his second spell Mourinho said earlier this well at a club, it’s nice to get
at the end of the season to Tottenham on loan in Sep- in north London. month that Bale’s future be- away, especially mentally, get
and return to Real Ma- tember after seven years away yond the end of the season away from the club environ-
drid. and has had a mixed season The 31-year-old forward’s was a matter for Real. ment."

Spain’s good problem: Under-21s depleted as players move up

(AP) — The rapid rise of some “I have to apologize to De la Fuente, Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, while
talented youngsters has created he is often losing players from his Their other Barcelona teammate, the 20-year-old Gil has been playing
a good problem for Spanish soc- squad,” Luis Enrique said. “This con- 18-year-old Pedri, did make the jump well with Eibar while on loan from
cer before this week’s World Cup nection between the youth squads to the seniors after recently becoming Sevilla.
qualifiers and the Under-21 Eu- and the main team is a tradition al- a regular starter for the Catalan club
ropean Championship. ready. I don’t look at age, it doesn’t under coach Ronald Koeman. “I’m going to learn a lot,” Gil said.
matter if a player is 18 or 35, I only “I’ll be surrounded by the best play-
A fine run by a few youth players look at how they are performing, The 21-year-old Porro got his call- ers in the world and I hope to learn
prompted Luis Enrique, the coach of nothing more.” up thanks to good performances with from them.”
the senior team, to take them away
from the under-21 side that is trying Spain’s senior squad begins its Group
to retain its European title. B World Cup qualifying campaign
against Greece, then faces Georgia
Players such as Pedri González, Bry- and Kosovo. The under-21s play their
an Gil and Pedro Porro, who were set first group-stage match in Slovenia.
to lead the under-21s in the group
stage of the European Championship “I’m proud that so many under-21
beginning on Wednesday, are instead players make it to the main team,” De
with the senior team that on Thurs- la Fuente said. “That’s what we work
day starts its qualifying campaign for for, it has always been our priority. It
the 2022 World Cup. doesn’t bother us. We are prepared
for this situation. We will find other
Other players called up by Luis En- very good players.”
rique that were still eligible to be in
Luis de La Fuente’s younger squad De la Fuente kept some players who
are Leipzig’s Dani Olmo and Man- could have had a shot at making it
chester City duo Èric García and Fer- to the seniors, including Barcelona
ran Torres. teammates Riqui Puig and Óscar
Mingueza.