MaltaToday previous editions

maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2014 22 Sport FOOTBALL Supporter wants Barca president named in Neymar transfer case THE Barcelona club member who accused former president Sandro Rosell of tax evasion over Neymar's transfer wants his successor and the club vice-president also named in the case, his lawyer said yesterday. Jordi Cases - a fan who as a club member has certain voting rights - said current president Josep Maria Bartomeu and vice-president Javier Faus, who were on the previous board, should be implicated, Cases's legal representative Felipe Izquierdo told Spain's TV3. "We ask for Bartomeu and Faus to be charged for two reasons," he said. "The first is to do with the tax of- fice, in which we are not involved, but if there has to be a payment then it must be made by them (person- ally) and not the club members. "The second is over three contracts with Neymar over clauses which we understand to be unnecessary and non-existent." The club has claimed Neymar cost 57.1 million euros ($76.59 mil- lion) from Brazilian club Santos last year. But earlier this year Bartomeu said the cost of the transfer was close to 100 million euros ($134.13 million) after 17.1 million euros ($22.94 mil- lion) was paid to Santos and 40 mil- lion euros ($53.66 million) was paid as a "compensation fee" to a compa- ny owned by Neymar's parents. Rosell resigned in January fol- lowing a Spanish court's ruling to examine the Brazilian's move to Barcelona and he was replaced by Bartomeu. Faus said he was unconcerned by the threat. "Our legal team says that there is nothing to fear," he told a news con- ference at Camp Nou yesterday. "No, I wouldn't resign, we are calm." Neymar Everything is new to me at Inter - Vidic NEMANJA Vidic has reflected on how 'everything is new' to him at In- ter, early impressions at the club and facing Manchester United. The Serbian is preparing for the new season with the Nerazzurri this summer, after ending his as- sociation with Manchester United following the expiry of his contract in June. And after a month of his acclima- tisation to the Italian way of work- ing, the defender admits not much is familiar. "From the atmosphere with my team-mates to the methods of work, from the language to the cooking, everything is new for me," Vidic told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I have been welcomed and the presence of some Slavs in the squad is helping my adaptation. "There's greater attention to detail, to the tactics. Perhaps over there [in Manchester] there was more inten- sity, more exercises on speed. But you work hard anyway. "Maybe later playing in a three- man defence will be easier, but I have to adapt and it takes a bit of time. The weekend against Real Madrid we did pretty well. Beside their goal, they did not have many chances. "Although it was not the true Real Madrid, the result gave us confi- dence in our daily work. It is still too early to say where we will arrive. We need at least another two weeks. "Are my best years behind me? This can only be known in the field. I am trying to prepare myself to the maximum, then we will judge. "Am I able to play two games a week? Mazzarri will decide." Vidic was asked of his first impres- sions of his new coach and what in particular has struck him about Walter Mazzarri. "Everything and nothing. He is very determined, but at 32 nothing surprises you much. "Every coach has their ideas and it is fortunate for a player. Because this opens up our minds. "And Erick Thohir? It was a brief meeting, but I really like his energy and the fact that he wants to gradu- ally give a solid foundation to the project." Vidic will very quickly be reu- nited with his former club, as Inter face Manchester United in the early hours of Wednesday morning as part of the International Champi- ons Cup. "Although it is a friendly and there won't be too much pressure, it will feel strange to be playing against my past," he said. "I shall see again so many friends, some I have kept in contact with via text during the summer, but we have not spoken about this game. "What did I learn in England? There I grew in every aspect. In the field it should be the players [that have the biggest influence], but the coach is influential as are the club. After 25 years, Sir Alex Ferguson left a great void, which was difficult to fill immediately. "How can Italian clubs close the gap to the English? By working hard. They have more means and care much about the youth sector. "We must try to imitate them, although Italy has a different cul- ture. But some things will begin to change." Vidic was asked if he had know Louis van Gaal would be at Man- chester United if he would have de- cided to sign for Inter. "It is useless to look to the past. I decided in one day and I am sure that I made the right choice. "Did I lean on Dejan Stankovic for advice? Much. Deki has been at In- ter since I had been at Manchester United and had only good memo- ries. "Now that I am here I can say that he was right." Inter have been linked with a move for Manchester United forward Javi- er Hernandez. "Chicharito has done great things and scored decisive goals, especially under Ferguson. He is very strong, a classic prima punta with a nose for the net. But [sporting director Piero] Ausilio knows all to well what to do in the market." Nemanja Vidic Download the MaltaToday App now

• Cover