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{ F1 chief: No choice over Bahrain(UKPA) – 3 hours ago

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has insisted postponing the Bahrain Grand Prix was the only way forward for fear of potential trouble during the race weekend.

In the wake of the political upheaval in the Gulf kingdom, human rights activists had threatened to target the race to further their cause, but following discussions between the crown prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Ecclestone and the FIA, it was felt to call off the race was the best course of action.

"I'm a little bit disappointed that it has now been postponed, but if you look at the way that part of the world is at the moment, it is the only thing anyone could do," Ecclestone told BBC Sport. "The crown prince and I discussed the whole thing and did what we thought was right for everybody."

He added: "We were happy to go along with more or less what he had in mind. It would have been no good us saying 'No, we're going to be there whether you like it or not'.

"The crown prince thought it was the correct thing to do, and that would be on safety obviously. Can you imagine if everybody had been there and suddenly there had been a little bit of an uprising again? It would have been bad for everyone."

Prince Salman cited his country's need for time to heal as one of the primary reasons behind the decision.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," said Prince Salman.

"Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date.

"I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Bernie Ecclestone for his support and understanding.

"After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together, reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

Agences de presses

Labels: Association, Bahrain, Chief, choice, Press

{ Torres has ruined team's rhythm and the solution is the one thing the manager does not have: time

The moral of Chelsea's season might end up being "be careful what you wish for". Their owner, Roman Abramovich, spent £75m on Fernando Torres and David Luiz during the January transfer window to re-energise their flagging campaign but the result has been the polar opposite.

The sums never seem to add up at Chelsea, who announced a loss of £71m on the same day they spent even more again on two new recruits. The profit and loss margin since that day makes just as uncomfortable reading as the recent set of club accounts – two games, one point, no goals.

Those who enjoy a dash of schadenfreude with their football will no doubt be taking great delight at the sight of Torres struggling for a goal in a Chelsea shirt. The great Spaniard seemingly had forgotten the skill of bringing the ball under control against Fulham on Monday night, as four chances to break his duck for his new club went begging. However, it was not just Torres who looked a little lost on a chilly night by the Thames. The rest of the Chelsea side were laboured and off-key, as if the arrival of Torres and the defender Luiz had destabilised the team, rather than strengthened it.

Their fledgling recovery following the worst run in form for more than a decade has been blown off course by the intervention of Abramovich. Before Torres joined, Chelsea had won four and drawn one of their previous five games; since he arrived they have lost one and drawn one.

Ancelotti has tinkered with his formation in an attempt to accommodate Torres but it has not so far worked. He did not dare to change tactics when Chelsea were going through their "bad moment" in the build-up to Christmas, having been talked out of making alterations to the system by the players. But he has done just that to squeeze in Torres, and the goals have dried up as a consequence.

What Ancelotti needs is time; time to work in training on building up an understanding between Torres and the other strikers; time to settle on a formation that will work, and then putting in the hours in training to make it happen instinctively; time for the other players to become accustomed to how Torres likes to receive the ball; time for the back four, and the midfield, to adjust to the arrival of Luiz and his tendency to dribble from the heart of the defence.

However, time is something Ancelotti does not have, and it is something not even Abramovich can buy. Chelsea are finding out the hard way why so many clubs do not like buying players in January, because it can cause damage in the short term. Bring in new faces in the summer and you have weeks to make the necessary alterations to tactics; do it in the winter, and you only have a few days to make a few hasty adjustments.

Torres is simply too good a player, and Ancelotti too good a manager, for the whole thing not to work, sooner or later. The danger is that Chelsea could slip so far behind Tottenham in the race for fourth place that instead of contesting the Champions League next season, they could be looking at the Europa League.

The recent dropped points to Liverpool and Fulham have left Chelsea in fifth, two points behind Spurs. That could be about to get much worse, however, as the fixtures are starting to conspire against Ancelotti. Should Chelsea beat Everton in their FA Cup fourth-round replay on Saturday, they will have to move their upcoming home game against Manchester United to later in the season to accommodate their fifth-round tie with Reading. That would mean their next league game would be the trip to Blackpool on 7 March, by which time they could have fallen eight points behind Tottenham, should Harry Redknapp's side win their games at Blackpool and Wolverhampton.

Chelsea would have games in hand, but the pressure would be immense on them to win them. Ancelotti said on Monday night he is confident Chelsea will finish in fourth place, despite their recent hiccups. The arrivals of Torres and Luiz have certainly increased the options open to Ancelotti. However, it could be argued he is now spoilt for choice, and the pressure is mounting on whether he can find a solution in time to save Chelsea's season.

Upsetting the applecart?

Before Torres:

9 January Chelsea 7-0 Ipswich

15 January Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn

24 January Bolton 0-4 Chelsea

29 January Everton 1-1 Chelsea

1 February Sunderland 2-4 Chelsea

P5, W4, D1, F18, A3

With Torres:

6 February Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

14 February Fulham 0-0 Chelsea

P2, W0, D1, F0, A1

Agences de presses

Labels: Ancelottiaposs, Chelsea, choice, Independent, spoilt, Suddenly, upset

{ Carroll & Suarez: Backed by Villa to be Kop legends

Villa & Torres: International team-mates

SKY SPORTS ON SKY
There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.David Villa is convinced international team-mate Fernando Torres made the right decision in joining Chelsea.

The Spanish striker broke the British transfer record during the winter window, securing a £50million move to Stamford Bridge on deadline day.

Torres has since revealed that he opted to take on a fresh challenge after growing impatient at Liverpool.

His debut for his new employers saw him pitched in direct competition against the Reds, with fate handing him an immediate opportunity to renew acquaintances with his former Anfield colleagues.

He failed to hit the heights expected of him in that clash, with Liverpool claiming a 1-0 win in a game which saw Torres substituted after 65 minutes.

However, Barcelona star Villa, who won the World Cup alongside Torres last summer, believes his fellow frontman will provide value for money at Chelsea.

He said: "Liverpool are not enjoying a good year. I am totally convinced that his move to Chelsea will go well and he will succeed in London.

"It's been very difficult for him, but I'm pleased because I know he wanted to go there. He is very happy and I wish him well."

Villa, who joined Barca from Valencia last summer after being linked with a move to England, has also applauded Liverpool for the manner in which they have gone about replacing Torres.

The Reds have spent big to land Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, and Villa believes both will be successful on Merseyside.

He added: "Each year there are big transfers of this type. It's normal. All teams need to strengthen when they want to win things.

"Liverpool needed to reinforce after the sale of Fernando. They [Carroll and Suarez] are two great players who are worth every penny. I'm sure they'll be a hit with the fans."

Fulham v Chelsea. Click here to bet.


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Labels: choice, SkySports, supports, Torres, Villa