Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/740013
21 Sport FOOTBALL MOTOGP maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2016 Inter fans refuse to accept Mauro Icardi as captain INTER Milan fans will never rec- ognise Mauro Icardi as their cap- tain, they said on Tuesday, as the fallout from the Argentine for- ward's controversial autobiogra- phy continued. Inter said on Monday the 23-year-old would be sanctioned over comments in the book but would not be stripped of the cap- taincy. But the Curva Nord hardcore supporters criticised the decision, posting a statement on their web- site, saying: "Icardi is not our cap- tain, not now or ever." Icardi has been Inter's top scorer for the past two campaigns and is again this season. But he has upset some fans af- ter an account in his book about a confrontation with one of the ultra leaders in 2015 in which he claimed the fan ordered a child to hand back the Argentine's shirt af- ter the player had given it to him. The ultras say Icardi's version of events is an invention. On Sunday he was greeted by several insulting banners at San Siro as he took to the pitch for In- ter's Serie A game against Cagliari, which they lost 2-1. He also missed a penalty during the match – which the Inter fans applauded. The fans said the incident would not affect their support for the rest of the team, who have slumped to 11th in Serie A. "Inter need us," the statement said. Inter Milan's Icardi reacts after missing a penalty shot against Cagliari last Sunday Ibrahimovic vows to be clinical after Anfield miss MANCHESTER United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has vowed to be more clinical in front of goal after miscuing a header in Mon- day's goalless draw at Liverpool. Ibrahimovic, who has struck four Premier League goals this season, combined with Paul Pogba for United's best moment at Anfield, only for the Swede's close-range header from the Frenchman's cross to bumble harmlessly across goal. "I needed to chase the ball in- stead of attacking the ball, but still I should have put it at least on the target. But the next game, I will do better," Ibrahimovic told reporters. "I think the game was a good game, a difficult game at the same time. I mean away against Liverpool - Liverpool are unbeat- en against the top teams...I think it was a good result." United are seventh in the league standings, five points be- hind leaders Manchester City, and Ibrahimovic said the club were determined to mount a title charge. "The season is long. I see many teams are losing points at the same time. Any week, different things can happen so it is impor- tant to win the games you need to win and stay on the top," he added. "I mean, if you win two games in the row you're on the top. That's the way it has been so far. If we can get the wins we need to win the points then we are in touch, but it is a long season." "We are there, we are fighting, we are getting points. We just need to click and then it'll be easier." Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic Hayden replaces Pedrosa for Australia NICKY Hayden will return to Repsol Honda for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix, riding in place of the injured Dani Pedrosa. Hayden competed for Honda in MotoGP between 2003 and 2008, clinching the 2006 champion- ship, before embarking on spells with Ducati and Aspar. Hayden switched from MotoGP to World Superbikes for 2016, though made an outing at Motor- Land Aragón when he replaced Jack Miller at Marc VDS. "For me it's crazy hard work but it's a chance, 10 years after win- ning my world title, to get back to my old 'dream team'," he said. "Doing a weekend at Phillip Is- land on a factory Honda, it's pret- ty emotional for me to even think about it, and I'm very grateful for this opportunity and the trust that Honda gives me. "Everybody worked a lot on every detail to make it possible for me so now I'm excited to get on a plane, to get down to Phil- lip Island and hopefully I can do a good job for the team." Pedrosa fractured his collar- bone during practice for the Japa- nese Grand Prix. "I left the hospital and I have a check-up scheduled for Wednes- day," said Pedrosa, who under- went surgery on Saturday in Bar- celona. "Only after that will I have a better idea about the recovery time and about when I'll be able to get back on my bike."