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Qualcomm lambasts Apple for breaching company deals

IANS | New York |

US chip manufacturer Qualcomm has lambasted Apple in a court for breaching deals between the two companies and urged that the lawsuit filed in January against them by iPhone maker should be rejected.

Qualcomm has also accused Apple of harming its business and sought unspecified damages.

"We have negotiated hundreds of bilateral license agreements over the last two plus decades. And those have clearly established a clear market value for the tens of thousand, now of patents that we hold in the whole area of cell technology," a report in Fortune quoted a Qualcomm executive as saying on Monday.

Apple sued Qualcomm in January for nearly $1 billion over royalties, with Cupertino-based tech giant alleging the wireless chipmaker did not give fair licensing terms for its processor technology.

But Qualcomm refuted the allegations, saying that Apple had intentionally mischaracterised the agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology they had invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers "through our licensing programme".

Regulators in South Korea issued a nearly $1 billion fine against Qualcomm in a similar case. 

"Apple's lawsuit goes to the heart of Qualcomm's licensing model, which charges phone makers a percentage of the value of every phone, not just a cut of the price of specific modem chips used in phones," the report noted.

The threat is worrying for the investors in Qualcomm as the company's share price has lost 12 per cent since the day before Apple filed suit.

"Our chips had capabilities that Apple chose not to use in the iPhone 7, in my belief, because they wanted to basically employ a lowest common denominator approach. Intel's modem chip could not do, did not have the capabilities that our chips had," a Qualcomm spokesperson said.

Comparisons with Anas Rashid don’t bother Avinesh Rekhi 

IANS | Mumbai |

Actor Avinesh Rekhi, who features in Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji, says he is not bothered about being compared to Anas Rashid who essayed the lead in Diya Aur Baati Hum.

Diya Aur Baati Hum, which was aired on Indian television for over five years, got popularity due to the on-screen chemistry between its lead pair Sooraj (Anas) and Sandhya (Deepika Singh).

In the new show which is its sequel, Avinesh is seen as Umashanker, who is paired with Sooraj and Sandhya's daughter Kanak (Rhea Sharma).

"Comparisons with Anas Rashid don't bother me. For me, Umashankar is a new character and Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji is a fresh story taking forward the legacy the first season left behind," Avinesh said in a statement.

"The first show has done its job and created a strong fan following for itself and now it's our turn to live up to the expectations," he added.

Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji is aired on Star Plus.

Lok Sabha erupts over Kulbhushan Jadhav sentencing

SNS | New Delhi |

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed an uproar as the opposition raised the Kulbhushan Jadhav sentencing issue and demanded action from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This will be a murder if the government didn’t interfere. Pakistan is saying Kulbhushan is RAW agent, this is not true. Why the government is silent on this," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in Lok Sabha.

"PM Modi visited Pakistan but failed to raise the Kulbhushan Jadhav issue with his Pakistani counterpart," he added.

Kharge further said that Pakistan didn't follow international laws in the matter.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also raised the issue and demanded to bring Kulbhushan back home from Pakistan.

"Government should use its influence and try to bring him back here safe," Asaduddin Owaisi said in Lok Sabha.

"Pakistan military court is like a banana court where they have given a judgment without any evidence," he added.

The opposition party has also given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha on Kulbhushan Jadhav sentencing issue.

India on Monday summoned the Pakistan envoy saying proceedings that led to the sentencing of Kulbhushan Jadhav are 'farcical'.

"If basic norms of law and justice are not observed, the government and people of India will regard it as premeditated murder," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"It is significant that our High Commission was not even informed that Kulbhushan Jadhav was being brought to trial," the statement added.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said a Field General Court Martial awarded the capital punishment and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had confirmed the death sentence.

Jadhav was reportedly arrested on March 3, 2016 in Balochistan's Mashkel area for 'involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan’, the ISPR said.

‘Will withdraw if Governor’s rule not imposed in J&K’

IANS | Srinagar  |

Joint candidate of the Congress and National Conference for south Kashmir's Anantnag parliamentary seat, GA Mir, on Tuesday said that he will withdraw if the Governor's rule is not imposed in the state.

Mir on April 10 had opposed the deferment of the by-poll in Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

Talking to the media in Anantnag, Mir said the inability of the PDP-led coalition government in providing a peaceful atmosphere for the by-election had proved Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's failure.

According to sources, Mir will hand over a memorandum in this regard to the concerned returning officer of the constituency on Tuesday.

The Election Commission has deferred the Anantnag by-poll to May 25.

EPL: Lukaku too good for Everton & high points from Gameweek 32

From Mourinho's startling skipper to Klopp's unnecessary tinkering, we have it all covered! 

Prithviraj Dev | New Delhi |

The English Premier League never fails to disappoint as each week there are a few eye-catching headlines that just prove that England’s top-flight is the most entertaining football league in the world.

The Statesman lists the major talking points from Gameweek 32 below, which created quite a flutter:

Lukaku set to move to greener pastures in summer?

Simply put, a player who manages to score 23 goals in a season (And there are six games remaining) despite being just 23, deserves to be playing for a team that are serious title-contenders or at least in the race for the European spots. Diego Costa (Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) are all playing for clubs that will finish in the top five or have qualified for a continental competition next season. 
Everton, under Ronald Koeman, have impressed in patches this season but largely, flattered to deceive. 
And after Lukaku’s brace in Everton’s thrilling win over champions Leicester, the signs point toward the burly Belgian shifting base to a ‘top’ club in the summer.
Arsenal lack a quality striker, so will Chelsea if Costa decides to pack his bags for China and should Zlatan not sign a contract extension, United will have a vacancy as well.
There is no shortage of potential suitors for the Belgian and Everton best get braced for a bidding war.

Marouane Fellaini = Manchester United’s Captain 100%

United managed to score three goals in a Premier League game and even won, yet the big news from their comprehensive win over Sunderland was the fact that Jose Mourinho chose to captain Marouane Fellaini. No, it wasn't April 1st! The Belgian has always been a divisive figure among the United faithful and while the criticism he suffers is uncalled for, the decision to hand him the armband was a bold one, which fortunately paid off for Mourinho. All of United’s old-hands were injured, which perhaps explains why Fellaini got the armband and now he has a 100% winning record as a captain, having won one game out of one.

Was Jurgen Klopp’s inspired change against Stoke City unnecessary?

While Liverpool managed to come from behind to win against Stoke, they did require two notable changes at half-time. Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino both came on at half time to replace youngsters Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool aren't competing in Europe or any other cup competition, which begs the question, why start the youngsters at a venue Liverpool haven't enjoyed much success in the past? While the Brazilians ensured a 2-1 victory, the changes would not have done wonders for the Woodburn and Alexander-Arnold’s confidence.

Crystal Palace: Giant Killers

Barely a week after their remarkable triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Eagles proved that result was no flash in the pan with a comprehensive win over Arsenal on Monday.
Much has been made of Arsenal’s listless performance against Palace, but not enough credit has been handed to the Eagles for their remarkable result. They had a simple game-plan which they stuck to throughout, defending with numbers and hit them on the counter. It worked beautifully with Wilfried Zaha and Yohan Cabaye, in particular, shining throughout. 

Sunderland set to be 1st relegated team?

While Sunderland were pushing United for the majority of the first half, Sebastian Larsson’s dismissal minutes before half-time did leave them with an unenviable task of playing against the visitors with a man short. And they didn't make things easier for themselves as the second half began, allowing Henrikh Mkhitaryan to add to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s opener, effectively sealing the result. Having played 31 games, the bottom-ranked Black Cats have just 20 points and Hull City, who are 17th, are a considerable 10 points ahead of them. Even if you factor in the extra game Hull have played, Sunderland best start prepares for the Championship.

Former Telangana ASI held in disproportionate assets case

PTI | Hyderabad |

A former assistant sub-inspector (ASI) was arrested by the Telangana ACB for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Acting on an information that ASI B Mohan Reddy had amassed disproportionate assets, ACB conducted an inquiry in which it was revealed that the official was in possession of properties to the tune of Rs.1.86 crore, a release issued by the bureau said here on April 10.

Searches were also conducted at the residences of Reddy, his relatives and associates in Karimnagar Town and other places on April 7, it said.

During the searches, five houses, one flat, 7 open plots, agricultural lands to an extent of about 6 acres, one car, all worth about Rs.1.86 crores were unearthed, said the release.

The matter is under investigation.

Chechnya opens world’s first concentration camp for homosexuals

PTI | Grozny |

Chechyna has opened the world's first concentration camp for homosexuals, where campaigners say gay men are being tortured with electric shocks and beaten to death, the media reported.

It comes after it was claimed 100 gay men had been detained and three killed in Chechnya last week, the Daily Mail online reported on Monday.

A report by Novoya Gazetaon said authorities had set up several camps where homosexuals are killed or forced to promise to leave the republic.

One of the camps is reportedly at the former military headquarters in the town of Argun. 

Svetlana Zakharova, from the Russian LGBT Network, told the Daily Mail: "Gay people have been detained and rounded up and we are working to evacuate people from the camps and some have now left the region." 

"Those who have escaped said they are detained in the same room and people are kept altogether, around 30 or 40. They are tortured with electric currents and heavily beaten, sometimes to death," Zakharova added. 

One of those who escaped told Novoya Gazeta that prisoners were beaten to force them to reveal other members of the gay community.

Alexander Artemyev, from Amnesty International in Russia, told the Daily Mail: "We can only call on the Russian authorities to investigate the allegations. Homosexuals in Chechyna are treated very harshly and prosecuted daily and they are afraid to talk about it."

According to sources, President Razman Kadyrov allegedly ordered the clampdown, although officially his regime denied the arrests. 

Kadyrov, who introduced Islamic rule in the Muslim-majority region, has been accused of earlier human rights violations.

Chechnya opens world’s first concentration camp for homosexuals

PTI | Grozny |

Chechyna has opened the world's first concentration camp for homosexuals, where campaigners say gay men are being tortured with electric shocks and beaten to death, the media reported.

It comes after it was claimed 100 gay men had been detained and three killed in Chechnya last week, the Daily Mail online reported on Monday.

A report by Novoya Gazetaon said authorities had set up several camps where homosexuals are killed or forced to promise to leave the republic.

One of the camps is reportedly at the former military headquarters in the town of Argun. 

Svetlana Zakharova, from the Russian LGBT Network, told the Daily Mail: "Gay people have been detained and rounded up and we are working to evacuate people from the camps and some have now left the region." 

"Those who have escaped said they are detained in the same room and people are kept altogether, around 30 or 40. They are tortured with electric currents and heavily beaten, sometimes to death," Zakharova added. 

One of those who escaped told Novoya Gazeta that prisoners were beaten to force them to reveal other members of the gay community.

Alexander Artemyev, from Amnesty International in Russia, told the Daily Mail: "We can only call on the Russian authorities to investigate the allegations. Homosexuals in Chechyna are treated very harshly and prosecuted daily and they are afraid to talk about it."

According to sources, President Razman Kadyrov allegedly ordered the clampdown, although officially his regime denied the arrests. 

Kadyrov, who introduced Islamic rule in the Muslim-majority region, has been accused of earlier human rights violations.

SRK, Kajol’s ‘Suraj hua maddham’ recreated on TV show

IANS | Mumbai |

Actors Sanjeeda Sheikh and Keith Sequeria have recreated Bollywood's beloved on-screen couple Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's popular song Suraj hua maddham from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, for their upcoming TV show Love Ka Hai Intezaar.

With the backdrop of a desert, Sanjeeda and Keith will be seen romancing each other in the song Utre naa maahi rang in the show.

"Suraj hua maddham is a landmark song both visually and as a composition altogether. The visuals epitomise love as you start to think of a couple amidst grand backdrops. Our creative team wanted to create something which emanated a similar impact," Siddharth Malhotra, who has produced the show, said in a statement.

"Inevitably, we approached the creator of the original song, Sandesh Shandilya and are glad he came up with an original track 'Utre naa maahi rang' for our show," he added.

Love Ka Hai Intezaar will soon be aired on Star Plus.
 

‘Indian tourists spent nearly $12 billion in US in 2015’

PTI | Washington |

Over 1 million Indian tourists have spent a whopping $12 billion in the US in 2015, a tourism industry official has said here.

“Those 1.12 million Indian visitors spent nearly $12 billion dollars in the US in 2015 and that ranks seven as far as a source market in spend. Our Indian friends when they come, they stay longer and they spend more than on the average of a lot of our international visitors,” Chris Thompson, CEO and president of Brand USA, said.

Brand USA launched a digital campaign to attract Indians to the US, not withstanding the fact that recent surge in hate crimes in the US could have an adverse impact on Indians travelling to the US this year.

Thompson said it is too early to arrive at a definite conclusion.

On an average, international visitor spend around $4,500.

“I know the amount Indians spend is higher than that,” Thompson said.

As per available statistics, Indians on an average spend more than $7,000 per visit to the US and stay in the country on an average for over 35 nights.

Incidentally, Chinese visitors spend ($7,486) and stay for over 37 nights, according to a recent report of the International Trade Administration of the US Department of Commerce.

Don’t divide Indian cinema: Priyanka Chopra

IANS | New Delhi |

Every year, when the National Film Award winners are announced, a tally is drawn between who won more — Hindi or regional films. For actress-producer Priyanka Chopra, they are all, after all, Indian.

This divide between regional and Hindi cinema is uncalled for, affirmed Priyanka, whose Marathi film production Ventilator won three honours at the 64th National Film Awards.

"I am not a negative person. I'd like to think that finally regional cinema is getting the credit it deserves because there are too many incredible storytellers and filmmakers there. As they get opportunities, and producers back them, regional films are getting more exposure and, of course, they will do well.

"I don't think there should be a comparison because, eventually, we are all Indian and these are all Indian films," Priyanka told IANS over phone from New York, living up a deja vu moment — she was in the same city when she won the Best Actress National Film Award for Fashion in 2010.

"I am extremely excited that Indian cinema — whether it is regional or Hindi — has grown leaps and bounds and it is making such incredible films. I'd like to focus more on that than dividing us," added the former beauty queen, who has garnered visibility in American showbiz, and spearheads the banner Purple Pebble Pictures with her mother Madhu Chopra.

Under her banner, so far Bhojpuri entertainer Bam Bam Bol Raha Hai Kashi, Punjabi film Sarvann and the Marathi movie Ventilator have seen the light of day. More are in the pipeline: Sikkimese movie Pahuna, Marathi film Kay Re Rascala, Konkani film Little Joe, Kaha Ho? and two Bengali films — Brishtir Oppekhyayy and Bus Stop E Keu Nei — apart from one in Hindi.

"My reason for setting up this company was to give opportunities where opportunities were denied, or give opportunities where they were not provided… And we only do that based on content and merit," Priyanka explained, pointing out the decision to make a Sikkimese film "because no film has ever been made in Sikkim".

And when not one but three National Awards come along for one of such projects, it is highly encouraging, said the 34-year-old.

Ventilator, an endearing story of a joint family whose eldest member is on a medical ventilator, won the awards in the categories Best Director for Rajesh Mapuskar, Best Editing for Rameshwar Bhagat and Best Sound Mixing for Alok De at the 64th National Film Awards.

As a young producer, she is elated over the appreciation.

"We're a small production company and we are taking baby steps. I formed this company with the thought that I want to make films for new talent, new directors and actors, because I didn't have that (platform) when I joined the business as an actor. So, I wanted to be able to provide that.

"I am so happy that this is Rajesh's first Marathi film and he has won an award, and the film has won three (National Awards). I am excited and encouraged that content is king, eventually. As a company, we keep making films that are content-heavy and this is a great encouragement," added Priyanka, who is more emotional about Ventilator especially as she wanted to make it for her late father.

The actress is currently in New York to shoot for the second season of American TV show Quantico, and will soon be in India for a 10-day break before she heads back to the US to promote her Hollywood debut Baywatch.

Since her work commitments in the US and in India require a fair amount of juggling, how does she manage being a hands-on producer?

"I am extremely hands-on. I am a control freak. Nothing moves without me knowing, especially creatively. It does get difficult as I've to get someone to fly down the hard drives of the films to me… or I've to sit in the middle of the night and talk to the directors when the edit is happening.

"I guess because I am an actor and producer, I am more creatively involved. I see the posters to font to edit… I am involved with everything to add to the fun and pain of everyone I am working with," quipped the actress, who finds her mother to be a "good" partner with a "great business acumen".

AFA announces Edgardo Bauza sacking

The South American nation risks failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

AFP | Buenos Aires |

Argentina's football association fired Edgardo Bauza as coach of the crisis-hit national team as it struggles to qualify for next year's World Cup, the head of the body said Monday.

It was the first big move by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) since it in March picked new executives tasked with ending three years of turmoil in the Argentine game.

"I told him that he is no longer the coach of Argentina," the AFA's new president Claudio Tapia told reporters after meeting with Bauza at the association's headquarters.

The world number two-ranked football nation risks failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

Star striker Lionel Messi will miss the country's three remaining qualifying matches due to suspension. After a defeat to Bolivia last month, Argentina dropped to fifth place in the regional table — out of the top-four automatic qualifying positions.

IndiGo announces ‘three-day summer vacations offer’

IANS | New Delhi |

Budget passenger carrier IndiGo on April 10 announced a "three-day summer vacations offer" for its passengers with all-inclusive fares starting at Rs.999 across its network.

"IndiGo passengers who wish to travel at low fares can avail this attractively priced all-inclusive offer starting at Rs.999 on 6E network – both domestic and international sectors," the low cost carrier said in a statement. 

According to the airline, the three-day offer will start from April 10 to April 12, 2017 and will be applicable for travel between May 1 to June 30, 2017 on select destinations.

PM Modi pays tribute to Jyotiba Phule

IANS | New Delhi |

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to social reformer Jyotiba Phule on his birth anniversary and hailed him for his role in transforming the plight of women and lower castes.

"I bow to Mahatma Phule on his jayanti. His selfless efforts towards social reform, women empowerment and education had transformative impacts," Modi tweeted. 

Jyotiba Phule was born in 1827 in Maharashtra and belonged to the family of flower-sellers, a profession which gave him his surname. 

He, along with his wife, Savitribai Phule, are remembered for fighting for women's rights and people of lower castes. 

Phule is also credited with opening the first school for girls in India. 

Calls for Wenger to resign grow louder after Palace loss

Arsenal legend Ian Wright claimed Wenger has lost the support of his players.

AFP | London |

Arsene Wenger faces renewed calls to resign after Arsenal's miserable season spiralled out of control with furious fans turning on his flops during their humiliating 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

Wenger's side hit a new low on a chastening evening in south London as struggling Palace condemned the shambolic Gunners to their heaviest Premier League defeat of the season.

Wenger's side have lost four successive away league games for the first time in his 21-year reign as manager.

Goals from Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic gave Palace their first home win over Arsenal since 1979 and left Wenger in turmoil after his team's fifth defeat in their last eight league games.

With many Arsenal supporters again demanding Wenger resign, the toxic atmosphere around the north Londoners boiled over as fans refused to give the ball back to Gunners right- back Hector Bellerin when it went into the away section in the second half.

Instead, they berated Bellerin and his team-mates with chants of "you're not fit to wear the shirt", with the Spaniard having to be consoled by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when he was jeered again at the final whistle.

Wenger and his squad were targeted for more abuse when they made their way from the dressing room to the team bus.

Arsenal's shocking surrender leaves them in sixth place, lagging seven points behind fourth placed Manchester City.

With Wenger's record of leading Arsenal into the Champions League for 19 consecutive years in severe danger, the beleaguered Frenchman acknowledged he has to find a way to avoid the mutinous mood wrecking what may yet prove to be his final season in charge.

"I want the fans to support the team, but I can understand they are extremely frustrated, like we all are," Wenger said.

"We came with the desire to win the game, but in the decisive moments of the game Palace were sharper. To see us lose in that way is disappointing. It's part of my job to build the confidence. We have a week to do it. it's our job. We will try to do it." 

Faced with the prospect of missing out on the Champions League for the first time since 1997, Wenger has hardly helped his cause by refusing to confirm if he will sign an extension to the contract which runs out at the end of the season.

The uncertainty over his future has been a major distraction for a team lacking the fighting spirit required to cope with adversity.

Wenger conceded Arsenal's chances of making the Champions League via a top-four finish look bleak, but he refused to be drawn on whether or not he will stay.

"I think it will be very difficult certainly," he said.

"I don't want to speak about me tonight. I'm not in the mood.

At the moment, I pay more respect to the fact we had a disappointing result."

Looking shell-shocked and far less defiant than he often is at such downbeat moments, Wenger must have been devastated by the way the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott went missing when he needed them most.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright claimed Wenger has lost the support of his players and even the Gunners boss admitted Palace had shown more passion.

"They were sharper and more decisive than us," he said.

"In the second half they came out strong and scored again.

"After that it was more difficult. "I don't say the players gave up. For a long time we were unbeaten away but since we lost a few we don't have the confidence. "You could sense it had an impact on us after the second goal."

Palace moved six points clear of the bottom three and boss Sam Allardyce hailed a magical 10 days that also included a win at leaders Chelsea.

"One or two more results and we should be safe, but it's a massive night for everybody, and a huge week for us all," he said.

Centre forgoes Rs.56,418 crore tax from SEZs in Apr-Dec

IANS | New Delhi |

The government forwent Rs.56,418 crore in taxes pertaining to special economic zones (SEZs) during the first nine months (April-December) of 2016-17, Parliament was informed on Monday.

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that SEZ exports stood at Rs.3.58 lakh crore during the April-December period of the last fiscal ended March 31. 

Such exports had amounted to over Rs.4.67 lakh crore during the entire 2015-16 fiscal. 

For the full financial year 2015-16, these zones had received duty exemptions worth Rs.52,216 crore, she added.

SEZs enjoy various tax benefits such as 100 per cent income tax exemption on export income for the first five years and 50 per cent for the next five years.

The minister also said that as on date, 109 SEZs developers had sought cancellation of their projects in some states as they had found the projects to be economically unviable in the changed economic situation.

As many as 28 SEZs were cancelled in Maharashtra, followed by 14 in Telangana and 10 in Tamil Nadu, she said.

Neymar seeks redemption in UEFA Champions League

Neymar's infractions against Malaga on the weekend bordered on the absurd.

AFP | Barcelona |

One month after leading the most improbable of comebacks, Neymar earned himself the scorn of Barcelona's fans with a pair of senseless bookings.

He'll get a chance to redeem himself on Tuesday when his team faces Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

Neymar picked up a pair of unnecessary yellow cards on Saturday and got sent off with 25 minutes left and his team trailing by a goal at Malaga.

Without him, the undermanned side lost 2-0 and squandered an opportunity to close in on Spanish league leader Real Madrid, which was held to 1-1 by Atletico Madrid.

Neymar's infractions bordered on the absurd. Or tragicomic. The Brazilian got his first yellow card for bending over to tie his boot laces and not giving space for a Malaga player to cleanly take a free kick.

Then, knowing he was one false step from leaving his team with 10 men, Neymar charged into a Malaga player with no real chance to win back the ball.

As if he hadn't hurt his team enough already, Neymar may have made matters worse by sarcastically applauding the assistant referee as he exited the field.

The sending-off meant Neymar will be suspended for the next match against Real Sociedad, but his added dose of bad attitude could earn him an extended suspension, putting in danger his availability for the match at Madrid on April 23 that will go a long way to deciding the domestic title.

Referee Gil Manzano included Neymar's sarcastic applause in his report to the Spanish federation's competition committee, which will meet on Tuesday to decide the length of his suspension.

The front page of Barcelona-based sports daily Sport on Sunday summed up the incredulity of Barcelona's supporters by splashing the headline "UNFORGIVABLE" over a photo of Manzano showing Neymar his well-deserved red card.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique tried to deflect criticism of Neymar by pointing at Manzano's decisions.

"There were nasty tackles from behind that didn't earn bookings, while other fouls committed by us were," Luis Enrique said. "The rules are to be interpreted, but they should be the same for all."

Excuses aside, what a month is has been for the Brazil striker. His two goals and last-gasp pass for the winner in the dying minutes of Barcelona's historic 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on March 8 earned him praise.

The result sent Barcelona through 6-5 on aggregate, making it the first team to overturn a 4-0 first-leg loss in the competition.

Neymar's performance, which he rightly called the "best of my career," appeared to mark a watershed moment for the 25 -year-old Brazilian. Suddenly, he wasn't just Lionel Messi's flashy sidekick; he had willed Barcelona to victory as only a true leader can.

Now, with his reputation tarnished, Neymar heads to Turin for the first of two legs against a Juventus side he helped beat two years ago in the Champions League final to give Barcelona its fifth European Cup.

Europe has suited Neymar again this season. While Messi leads the Champions League with 11 goals, Neymar tops the competition with eight assists, to go along with four goals of his own.

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta insisted on the need to regroup for the Juventus match.

"There isn't long to go and mistakes are most costly as we reach the end," Iniesta said. "Now we have to switch focus and concentrate on the Champions League, a competition that is very enticing. What we have to do is go there and play a great game."

A great game without any tantrums from Messi's heir apparent.