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Egypt FA May Sue S/African Newspaper

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The Egypt Football Association (EFA) has threatened legal action against some South African newspapers over lurid allegations about the Pharaohs.

Three papers ran stories suggesting that the recent theft at Egypt’s team hotel happened when prostitutes hired by five players later took the money.

But the head of the EFA’s delegation at the Confederations Cup Mahmoud Taher says the reports are wide off the mark.

“We completely reject everything published in the papers,” Taher said.

“It is shameful, disgraceful and totally off-track.

“We are demanding an official apology from the newspapers that published all the false allegations. Otherwise, we are going for legal action.”

In South Africa to contest the Confederations Cup, the African champions are believed to have been playing, and beating Italy in Johannesburg at the time of the burglary.

The Egyptian delegation was so keen to address the issue it staged a hurriedly-improvised news conference shortly before departing South Africa last weekend.

The matter is now in the hands of Egypt’s ambassador in South Africa, whose World Cup CEO reserved praise for the North Africans.

“It’s an unfortunate incident but you leave this country with your integrity intact,” said Danny Jordaan.

“We hope to welcome you back next year for the World Cup.”

This weekend’s allegations were swiftly picked up in Egypt, where a vehement backlash against the players ensued – even from some of their partners.

“We come from a very religious country, our players are very religious, very disciplined and what was published has really hurt them back home,” Taher added.

“Due to our culture, the players have been subjected to terrible damage in Egypt and they’re in a very bad mood right now.”

The Egyptians have now been informed that four employees at the Protea Wanderers hotel are currently under investigation.

The hotel’s computerised system allows the police, who have possession of the building’s CCTV tapes, to know who went into each room and when.

The theft of some US$2,400 was discovered shortly after the Pharaohs returned to their hotel after humbling world champions Italy 1-0 at Ellis Park.

And the newspaper allegations were blamed, albeit alongside injuries and fatigue, for Egypt’s early exit from the tournament after losing 3-0 to the United States on the final group game.

“Unfortunately the players heard about it back home and it made a heavy impact,” explained Taher.

“We tried our best to get them out of this mood but the whole team is in a very bad psychological state because of what happened.”

The Egyptians were keen to stress their enjoyment of South Africa despite the incident.

“The 2010 World Cup will be an honour for all Africa not just South Africa,” said Taher.

“We’re here to support South Africa for 2010 and want to make everything easier, but unfortunately it went another way because of the press.”

A spokeswoman for the South African Police Service (SAPS) said they were investigating the case and would not release any details until the probe was concluded.

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Galaxy Win Sixth MLS Title

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LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title as they beat New York Red Bulls to delight a home crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The MLS Cup is the showpiece match at the end of the US season, pitching the champions of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference finals together.
This was the first MLS Cup between two sides from the largest cities in the United States, Los Angeles and New York, and it produced a hectic opening with all three goals scored in the first half-hour.
Red Bulls were the lowest seed to ever reach the final after finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, and their underdog status initially showed as Galaxy dominated the 29th MLS Cup early on.
Galaxy led after nine minutes when Joseph Paintsil squeezed his shot under goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and it was 2-0 soon after as Dejan Joveljic ran through the Red Bulls defence and finished with the outside of his boot.
Both men celebrated by holding up the shirt of team-mate Riqui Puig, the former Barcelona player who ruptured his ACL in the Western Conference Final which Galaxy won to reach this championship game.
Galaxy threatened to overwhelm their opponents as Sean Nealis headed a free-kick against his own crossbar.
But Red Bulls centre-back Nealis pulled his team back into the game after 28 minutes when he chested down and volleyed in from 15 yards when Galaxy players failed to clear a corner.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half: Galaxy right-back Miki Yamane struck the outside of the post, before Emil Forsberg curled an effort off the upright for Red Bulls.
But Galaxy, who had home advantage because of their better record in the regular season, held on to win their first MLS Cup since 2014.
Red Bulls remain without an MLS Cup title in their history after losing on what was their second appearance in the championship game.

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Bayern Extend Bundesliga Lead To Six Points

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Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a 4-2 win against Heidenheim.
A double from Jamal Musiala and goals from Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka saw Bayern extend their lead at the top of the table to six points as closest challengers Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a 2-2 draw by Augsburg.
Vincent Kompany was without the injured Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, Mathys Tel and Serge Gnabry, with Musiala starting on the bench.
Leroy Sane spurned two excellent early chances from close range before Upamecano headed the hosts in front from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Bayern enjoyed 86% possession and completed 10 times as many passes (503) as the visitors (51) in the first half, yet Alphonso Davies hit the post with the only other clear chance created.
To their credit, Heidenheim didn’t wilt and drew level when Mathias Honsak rounded stand-in Bayern goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after Upamecano under-hit a backpass.
Kompany immediately introduced Musiala from the bench and was rewarded five minutes later when the 21-year-old drove into the box and beat Kevin Muller with a low strike.
Bayern looked to have secured the three points when Goretzka’s shot deflected past Muller, but the visitors halved the deficit almost immediately through a Niklas Dorsch tap-in.
Any nerves soon dissipated when Musiala ran half the length of the pitch unchallenged to slot home the fourth and final goal.
Bayern will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League tomorrow before returning to domestic duty away against Mainz on Saturday.

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La Liga: Barca Stumble Again

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Robert Lewandowski continued his superb start to the season but could not prevent Barcelona dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Real Betis.
Lewandowski scored his 16th goal of the league campaign before Ferran Torres cancelled out Giovani Lo Celso’s penalty – but Assane Diao snatched a point for Betis with a late equaliser.
Real Betis could have easily scored twice in the opening three minutes but Raphina cleared Diego Llorente’s header off the goalline before Abde Ezzalzouli – formerly of Barcelona – saw his one-on-one effort saved by Inaki Pena.
Lamine Yamal wasted a good chance to break the deadlock from close range but team-mate Lewandowski made no such mistake.
The Poland international converted Jules Kounde’s cross from close range to finish a fine team move and score for the 23rd time in 21 games in all competitions.
Betis emerged from half-time with renewed energy but spurned three more clear chances.
Sergi Altimira and Lo Celso sent headers wide of Pena’s post before the Barcelona goalkeeper was called upon to tip Chimy Avila’s snap-shot wide.
Betis finally got their just reward when Lo Celso converted from the penalty spot after Barca substitute Frenkie de Jong felled Vitor Roque – on-loan from the Catalans – as he raced into the area.
Barca pushed for a winner and found it when substitute Torres beat the offside trap to latch on to Yamal’s reverse pass and finish past Fran Vieites.
It looked like Barca would see out the win, but in the fourth minute of injury-time 19-year-old substitute Diao swept home to rescue a point for the hosts.
The draw sees Barca surrender control in the title race. Flick’s side are five points ahead of closest challengers Real Madrid but Los Blancos have played two games fewer.
Barca will be in Champions League action against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 GMT kick-off) before facing Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, 15 December.

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