Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/798939
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 2017 20 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL COMMONWEALTH GAMES Jose Mourinho had to be separated from Antonio Conte MANCHESTER United boss Jo- se Mourinho reminded Chelsea supporters of his Stamford Bridge successes and had to be separated from successor Antonio Conte during a feisty FA Cup tie on Monday night. The Portuguese, Chelsea's most successful manager, pointed to himself, then the pitch and sig- nalled with three fingers - for the number of Premier League titles he won in two spells - after being subjected to abuse from a section of fans behind the visiting dugout. And fourth official Mike Jones was required to intervene as Mourinho protested and Conte took exception. It was reminiscent of when, as Chelsea manager, Mourinho was pushed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, although it did not be- come physical on this occasion. Mourinho was sacked by Chel- sea for a second time in Decem- ber 2015, seven months after win- ning the Premier League title. He was boss when Chelsea won their first championship in 50 years in 2005. The self-proclaimed Special One was appointed United boss in May 2016 and suffered his big- gest defeat in English football as United lost 4-0 to Conte's Chelsea in the Premier League last Octo- ber. Chelsea supporters turned on some of the Blues players days later, but now Mourinho, who won the EFL Cup with United last month, is out of favour. Chants of 'Antonio' drowned out those of 'Jose Mourinho' from the visiting United fans. SOUTH Africa's government has expressed disappointment at the decision to strip Durban of the right to host the 2022 Com- monwealth Games, saying the budget it had guaranteed for the event was sufficient. The Commonwealth Games Federation said on Monday it was seeking a new host because the coastal city had failed to deliver on the promises it had made in its bid, including on governance, venues, funding and risk management. But South Africa's Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, said the financial demands of the CGF were excessive, and that in a tough economic climate the country would not leave itself exposed to an "open-ended guar- antee" on the event's budget. He said the government disa- greed with the CGF's statement, while respecting its decision as the rights holder. "Our country is regrettably not in a position to make huge finan- cial commitments given the cur- rent competing socio-economic needs and global economic downturn," he told reporters on Tuesday. "In the interests of fiscal dis- cipline and financial prudency, our government has considered all options and remains confi- dent that we have acted in the best interest of South Africa." "South Africa successfully hosted the All Africa Games with a budget of 252 million rand. Should it be compounded at 6 percent per annum over a period of 21 years, it will amount to 808 million rand in 2022. "The actual cost of the [All Africa] Games is an illustration that a multi-code sport event can be successfully hosted with- in an affordable budget." Birmingham and Liverpool have expressed an interest in stepping in to replace Durban in 2022. The 2018 event will be held on Australia's Gold Coast. Durban missed deadlines last November to sign the host city contract, establish an organising committee and make contracted payments to the CGF. Mbalula said the government had approved a budget of 4.32 billion rand (270.08 million pounds) which it believed was ample, using the country's host- ing of the All Africa Games 18 years ago as a yardstick. "The 1999 All Africa Games are comparable in size, the num- ber of athletes, the number of technical officials and the dura- tion, to the planned Common- wealth Games of 2022," Mbalula said. Disappointed South Africa denies skimping on Commonwealth Games budget South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula