Author: Associated Press
Saudi Arabia’s expanding influence and massive investments in global sports ahead of being confirmed as the 2034 World Cup host were outlined in a report Monday, which highlighted concerns about governance challenges off the field. The report, from Play The Game, a sports ethics institute based in Denmark, pointed to more than 900 sponsor deals – more than one-third linked to the $925 billion Saudi sovereign wealth fund – and a network of officials with dual roles in state, business, and sports. The oil-rich kingdom’s multi-billion-dollar investments in football, golf, boxing, tennis, esports, and an upcoming ski resort will culminate…
Four fans accused of racially abusing star forward Lamine Yamal and other Barcelona players during last month’s ” El Clasico” at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium are facing one-year stadium bans. On Monday, the Spanish football federation’s anti-violence committee recommended the bans, along with fines of up to 5,000 euros ($5,200) each, for the fans involved in the incidents during Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Madrid on Oct. 26. The commission in charge of combating violence, racism, and other hate crimes in sports also proposed a one-year ban and a fine for a fan accused of attacking two visiting supporters outside…
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to command respect and admiration from their peers, despite no longer playing for European clubs. At 37 and 39 years old, respectively, Messi and Ronaldo were the only players not based in Europe to be named to the 26-man shortlist for FIFPRO’s World Team of the Year, announced Monday. The other 24 nominees played for clubs in England, Germany, Spain, or France, with Kylian Mbappe being the sole French representative after spending last season at Paris Saint-Germain. No player from any Italian club was selected nor from any club in South America or Africa.…
James Harden has become just the second NBA player, alongside Golden State’s Stephen Curry, to reach 3,000 career 3-pointers. Harden hit the milestone during the first half of the Los Angeles Clippers’ 126-122 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, sinking three 3-pointers in each half and finishing with 39 points to lead the Clippers. “Another one of those accomplishments you never take for granted,” Harden said. “The amount of work I’ve put in – countless days and nights that most people don’t see – has paid off, so I’m just thankful.” Harden also came up just short of a…
James Harden has become just the second NBA player, alongside Golden State’s Stephen Curry, to reach 3,000 career 3-pointers. Harden hit the milestone during the first half of the Los Angeles Clippers’ 126-122 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, sinking three 3-pointers in each half and finishing with 39 points to lead the Clippers. “Another one of those accomplishments you never take for granted,” Harden said. “The amount of work I’ve put in – countless days and nights that most people don’t see – has paid off, so I’m just thankful.” Harden also came up just short of a…
The Qatar Grand Prix was a minefield of hazards, from a shattered mirror to dramatic crashes and unusually harsh penalties. Yet, Max Verstappen expertly shrugged them off, securing his ninth win of the season on Sunday, following his Formula One drivers’ title. Lando Norris, Verstappen’s closest title contender before the Dutch driver clinched the championship in Las Vegas last week, was battling to overtake Verstappen for the lead. However, a penalty for failing to slow down for yellow warning flags dropped him to the back of the pack. Verstappen, who claimed his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas, has won…
The Qatar Grand Prix was a minefield of hazards, from a shattered mirror to dramatic crashes and unusually harsh penalties. Yet, Max Verstappen expertly shrugged them off, securing his ninth win of the season on Sunday, following his Formula One drivers’ title. Lando Norris, Verstappen’s closest title contender before the Dutch driver clinched the championship in Las Vegas last week, was battling to overtake Verstappen for the lead. However, a penalty for failing to slow down for yellow warning flags dropped him to the back of the pack. Verstappen, who claimed his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas, has won…
A stampede during a football match in southern Guinea claimed the lives of around 60 people, including children, as security forces struggled to control clashes in the overcrowded stadium, according to local media and a coalition of political parties. The chaos unfolded Sunday afternoon during the final of a local tournament in Nzerekore, featuring the Labe and Nzerekore teams in an event honoring Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah acknowledged the incident on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “During the stampede, victims were recorded,” though he did not specify the number of casualties. Authorities are working to…
A stampede during a football match in southern Guinea claimed the lives of over 100 people, including children, as security forces struggled to control clashes in the overcrowded stadium, according to local media and a coalition of political parties. The chaos unfolded Sunday afternoon during the final of a local tournament in Nzerekore, featuring the Labe and Nzerekore teams in an event honoring Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah acknowledged the incident on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “During the stampede, victims were recorded,” though he did not specify the number of casualties. Authorities are working to…
Liverpool reigns supreme in the Champions League, toppling defending champion Real Madrid to a stunning 24th place in the 36-team standings on Wednesday. No one bore the weight of Madrid’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield more than Kylian Mbappe. The superstar, brought in during the offseason to revive the club’s European dominance, had a penalty saved in the second half and suffered the indignity of being floored by Conor Bradley’s impeccable tackle – an instant viral sensation. Under first-year coach Arne Slot, Liverpool is the only team to win all five matches in the competition’s new format. The Reds lead by…