Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/540322
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 12 JULY 2015 55 Sport FOOTBALL ATHLETICS FOOTBALL Manchester United forward Robin van Persie is a Fenerbahce player, says club chairman Robin van Persie appears to be heading for the Old Trafford exit with Fenerbahce confirming they have opened talks with Manchester United over the striker THE Dutch striker is set for a medical this weekend ahead of his transfer, which was con- firmed by Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yıldırım: "Robin van Persie is coming to Istanbul on Sun- day." United and Van Persie are thought to have reached a set- tlement over the final year of his contract - though with the Dutch international set to earn £240,000-a-week in the Super Lig, no doubt any financial is- sues were quickly settled. As well as that huge wage, Van Persie will also benefit from a 10 per cent tax rate. Furthermore, the deal being offered is appar- ently for four years, a stagger- ingly long and lucrative deal for a player who will be 32 when the new season starts. The 31-year-old scored 30 goals for United as they won the league in 2012-13 following his £24 million move from Arsenal. His impact since then, how- ever, has been muted due to a series of niggling injuries, and he was limited to 10 goals in 29 appearances under compatriot Louis van Gaal last season. On Thursday, Fenerbahce an- nounced via Twitter: "Fenerbah- ce has begun to transfer talks with Robin Van Persie and his club Manchester United." Fenerbahce signed Van Persie's former United team-mate Nani on Monday for a reported £4.25 million. Van Persie's transfer fee is said to be not much more, at £5m. Assuming Van Persie is sold, United would have only Wayne Rooney, James Wilson and the injured Javier Hernandez - out with a broken collarbone - in their squad as recognised strik- ers following the exit of on-loan Falcao at the end of the season. Robin van Persie Bonello Spiteri wins gold in European Triathlon Championships A very positive day for the Malta Triathlon Federation as the three females triathletes obtained ex- ceptional results at the European Triathlon Championships (Sprint Distance) that kicked off yester- day in Geneva, Switzerland. Danica Bonello Spiteri managed to complete her own personal podium of continental medals after she got Bornze in Israel in 2012 and silver in Austria just 12 months ago. She put in a great performance and today claimed the topmost place on the podium by winning her category in the fe- males 30-34 years. Bonello Spiteri completed her swim of 750 metres in 12 minutes and 36 seconds, in third place, just behind fellow Maltese triathlete Seguna. Bonel- lo Spiteri had a blistering transi- tion and was in the lead just after the first handful of kilometres on the bike course. She managed to hold tight to the lead both in the cycling and running legs to finish in a time of 1 hour, 114 minutes and 7 seconds. Se- guna, who finished the swim in second place lost some places during the cycle but managed to fight back and grabbed 4 place at 2 minutes and a half minutes after Bonello Spiteri. In the 20-24 female category, Hannah Pace had some strong work to do in the central part of the race after exiting 7th from the swim. however, as from the first part of the cycling leg, she fought back and was in 4th place at the end of the 20KM cycle. She con- tinued her climbing up the clas- sification as she obtained thrid place in the first part of the run and managed to claim the bronze medal in a time of 1 hour, 16 min- utes and 8 seconds. This is the second European medal for Pace after her Gold in Turkey in 2013. The attention will now shift to Sunday morning as 3 Maltese Triathletes will be in action again, this time in the Standard (Ol- ympic) Distance, which will see the athletes swim 1500 metres, undertake 2 laps around the Le- man Lake quays and finishing it off by a 10KM run. The Maltese Team will consist of Fabio Spiteri in the mens 40-44 category, Gra- ham Borg in the 30-34 category, while Hannah Pace will be in ac- tion againg in the female 20-24 section. The whole team in Geneva is support by the Malta Triathlon Federation through the presence of President Cyprian Dalli and with the help of the Maltese Ol- ympic Committee and the Euro- pean Triathlon Federation. Danica Bonello Spiteri, Margaret Seguna and Hannah Pace Giuseppe Baresi Inter legend Giuseppe Baresi arrives in Malta this week YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt GIUSEPPE Baresi, who for many years served as a captain of FC Internazionale, will visit Malta be- tween the 16 and 20 July. On Friday 17 July, Inter Club Pupi Zanetti will be organising a recep- tion that will be held at the club lo- cated at Triq l-Irmigg, Msida. During this activity the Interisti will have the opportunity to meet Baresi and ask him questions dur- ing an interview and after every- one will have the chance to take a signature and / or photo. There will be a variety of fingerfood and also two free drinks. The activ- ity will be for the price of €12. On Saturday 18 July, Baresi will make a visit Gozo. Therefore, all Inter fans are en- couraged to honor their presence to Baresi , which forms part of the history of Inter. Those interested in attending the reception can visit the club during opening hours; Fri- day from 6 to 8pm as well as Sun- day from 10am till noon. In case of any difficulty, please contact Paul Fenech on 99494762 or another member of the commit- tee. Gozo members should con- tact Susan Galea on the number 99262692. For more information visit our website www.icpupizanettimalta. com or the club's official facebook https://www.facebook.com/icpupi- zanettimalta.