Mohammed Rashid: AFC Asian Cup about more than football for Palestine

Mohammed Rashid: AFC Asian Cup about more than football for Palestine
Defensive midfielder Mohammed Rashid and his teammates are footballers, not fighters; their role for many years has been to build awareness about the Palestinian struggle. (X: @persib)
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Updated 14 January 2024
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Mohammed Rashid: AFC Asian Cup about more than football for Palestine

Mohammed Rashid: AFC Asian Cup about more than football for Palestine
  • Palestinian team takes on Iran in their opening Group C fixture on Sunday night at Education City Stadium

Focusing solely on football is an impossible task for Palestine’s players. The build-up to the Asian Cup in Qatar has been marred by over three months of relentless attacks on Gaza, and while the recent escalation in violence has been shocking, playing against the backdrop of serious conflict is nothing new to those representing the Palestine national team.

Defensive midfielder Mohammed Rashid and his teammates are footballers, not fighters; their role for many years has been to build awareness about the Palestinian struggle — something even more vital in the current climate.

“Whenever we play for the Palestine national team, we are raising the name, raising the knowledge of our country and what is happening,” Rashid told Arab News, ahead of the team’s first match against Iran on Sunday night at Education City Stadium.

While most Palestinian players have historically tried to say out of politics, the current situation in Gaza has seen many use their voice to highlight the plight of their compatriots.

“As players we have always had to be careful what we say about politics because if you speak about it too much, they will stop you from playing,” Rashid said.

“It has happened before to my teammates; my friend Ahmed Abu Khadija was arrested the day we won the championship with Jabal Al-Mukaber last year. We try to focus on football, but it is difficult.”

Taking a clear moral stance is not something new to Rashid, who has been fundraising for those affected by the attacks on Gaza across his social media channels over the past couple of months. While playing for Persib Bandung in Indonesia, he refused to be photographed next to a FIFA anti-war banner in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Rashid’s personal protest against the hypocrisy of the messaging won him many admirers worldwide and contributed to him being named Indonesian football’s Fans’ Player of the Year.

“We were told to stand in front of a ‘Stop the War’ banner, but it hurt because (even before the current Gaza conflict), bombings would happen every couple of months in Palestine and nobody cared, nobody spoke about it,” Rashid said.

“I took a step back as I didn’t want to take the picture because it felt that nobody sees who we are and nobody sees that we’re living or that we exist. That’s why I did it and I have never regretted that.

“In Indonesia, everyone was supportive because they love Palestine, but I also received support from countries around the world. I will always stick by my principles.”

Rashid was born and raised in Ramallah and never had designs on being a professional footballer. He went to college in the US on a soccer scholarship, graduated and was happily working in a warehouse in Chicago when he first heard about an opportunity to sign for Palestinian Premier League club Hilal Al-Quds.

He traded Chicago for Jerusalem and made his senior debut for the Palestine national team a year later.

“I went from being a forklift truck driver to a footballer quite quickly, which was obviously a big change,” Rashid said. “Life back in Palestine also felt very different from what I had experienced in America.

“Fundamentally in America there’s freedom. Nobody asks you anything there or tells you you can’t go somewhere. There aren’t barriers and checkpoints where you are asked why you sneezed.

“The basis of a good life is being free, which is not something that we have in Palestine.”

Rashid played for Palestine at the 2019 Asian Cup, coming on a substitute in the 3-0 group stage defeat to Australia before playing most of the following match — a 0-0 draw against Jordan that saw Palestine narrowly miss out on reaching the last-16 for the first time.

This time around, motivation is even higher for Rashid and his teammates to make history and qualify for the knockout stage for the first time. Standing in their way is Iran, UAE and Hong Kong — the latter of which offers Palestine’s best shot at three points and potential progress through the group.

“The 2019 tournament was a great experience for me as s first time in a big continental competition; it gave me a taste of how it could be and was a great feeling to be able to play against players that play in the Championship and some in the Premier League, too,” Rashid said.

“The goal is to be to get out of the group stage this year because for the past two times we haven’t done it. This time we want to qualify to the next round and we have to take it step by step.

“We played against Iran in a in a friendly before the 2019 Asian Cup and we drew 1-1. But you know, right now it’s different. They are a World Cup team, a tough opponent, but at the end of the day it is football and you never know what can happen. There’s no impossible in football.”

Outside of football, many of Rashid’s fellow Palestinians face impossible situations amid the daily horrors in Gaza. The midfielder and his teammates know that the Asian Cup provides a platform to continue conversations about what is happening in Palestine.   

“Football has been important because it puts Palestine on the map. It makes people recognize where Palestine is, that it exists. The Asian Cup gives us another opportunity to make sure people are talking about Palestine.”


Yamal doubt for Barca ahead of Real Sociedad clash

Yamal doubt for Barca ahead of Real Sociedad clash
Updated 09 November 2024
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Yamal doubt for Barca ahead of Real Sociedad clash

Yamal doubt for Barca ahead of Real Sociedad clash
  • The coach also said he thought playmaker Dani Olmo would be ready despite feeling unwell overnight
  • “Lamine, he was (working) inside and did specific strength training. He’s had a lot of matches in the last weeks so we took care of him...” said Flick

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Saturday he is unsure if teenage winger Lamine Yamal will be fit to start the La Liga leaders’ visit to face Real Sociedad on Sunday.
The coach also said he thought playmaker Dani Olmo would be ready despite feeling unwell overnight, while defender Pau Cubarsi can play despite suffering a cut on his face during the team’s Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
“Pau, I think (he will be fit), he trained with us for the whole training session,” Flick told reporters.
“Lamine, he was (working) inside and did specific strength training. He’s had a lot of matches in the last weeks so we took care of him... we’ll see what the situation is tomorrow.
“With Dani he felt a little bit uncomfortable at night and this morning is doing better, so with him just treatments and medical things, I think he’s ready for tomorrow.”
Barcelona held a nine point lead on second-place Real Madrid heading into the weekend.
Flick also emphasized the importance of punctuality for his players.
Spanish media reported French defender Jules Kounde was left out of the starting line-up to face Alaves in October after arriving late for a team meeting.
“It’s a rule. I don’t speak about what happened in the past, it’s just about respect for the team,” said Flick.
“If you are five minutes too late, the others have to wait, this is not respect, this is not my understanding of being respectful.”


Stadiums & Mega Events zone to debut at Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh

Stadiums & Mega Events zone to debut at Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh
Updated 09 November 2024
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Stadiums & Mega Events zone to debut at Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh

Stadiums & Mega Events zone to debut at Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh
  • Didier Drogba and Anthony Joshua among speakers at event highlighting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s events landscape

RIYADH: Cityscape Global, the world’s largest real estate exhibition, is set to debut a Stadiums & Mega Events zone, powered by the Saudi Ministry of Sport, at this year’s event, from Nov. 11-14 at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center.

The new zone will highlight Saudi Arabia’s ascent in recent years as a leader in hosting global events, aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Stadiums & Mega Events will feature a zone that will bring together more than 80 industry experts and sports figures such as Didier Drogba, Anthony Joshua OBE, Emile Heskey, Gilberto Silva, Sol Campbell, Marta Corredera, Louis Saha, Jens Lehmann, Maxwel and John Obi Mike. The zone also offers more than 30 hours of exclusive content on innovation, sustainability and inclusivity in mega-event planning and stadium design.

The zone will explore three key tracks — redevelopment, diversification and sustainability. From Expo 2030 to the World Cup, attendees will have the chance to learn from event committees, football stars, architects and e-sports pioneers about how cities leverage cutting-edge arenas where innovation, sustainability and inclusivity thrive.

Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba will be on eof the guest speakers as Stadiums & Mega Events zone debuts at Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh. (Supplied)

“The Ministry of Sport is thrilled to be the official sponsor of the new zone, Stadiums and Mega Events at Cityscape Global 2024, powering insightful debate from over 80 industry experts and several iconic international sports stars,” said a Ministry of Sport spokesperson. “This event showcases how visionary projects are redefining sports and entertainment infrastructure, transforming future cities.”

Also speaking ahead of the event next week is former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who will be taking part in a session about what the future holds for the sports industry.

“I am excited to be attending Cityscape Global, the world’s largest real estate event, this November and seeing the transformation of sports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I will be speaking about the future of sports and esports on November 12th, along with doing a meet-and-greet.”

This year’s Cityscape Global will feature seven specialized conferences, with the Stadiums & Mega Events conference joining an illustrious lineup that includes The Future of Living Summit, Asset Horizons, Institutional Investors, DNA (Design & Architecture), PropTech, and FutureBuild. The conferences will feature more than 500 expert speakers.

“The launch of Stadiums & Mega Events is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to leverage the power of mega-events to showcase how the Kingdom is planning to redefine how stadiums are designed, built and delivered in a way that will change how fans experience sports in the future,” said Rachel Sturgess, senior vice president of Tahaluf, which organizes Cityscape Global. “The event next week will bring together some of the world’s leading investors and sports stars to discuss the upcoming mega events sector that will help transform Saudi Arabia into an aspirational tourism destination with events and attractions that captivate, unite and inspire.

“The urban development market is gearing up to accommodate the expected influx of people into the country, and our new Stadiums and Attractions feature will shed light on these plans,” she said. “The Saudi Arabian stadium construction industry is about to experience a sustained industry-wide boom, which the global sector attending the event in Riyadh next week will be eager to be a part of.”

With FIFA expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 World Cup, the Kingdom is developing its land to give visitors a 360-degree experience, where, when arriving to attend matches, they also have multiple tourist attractions to view. In addition to the FIFA 2034 bid, Saudi Arabia is undertaking several major projects, such as the King Salman Sports City and the Sports Boulevard in Riyadh.

“Participating in Cityscape Global is a pivotal moment for us at the Sports Boulevard Foundation, as we contribute to the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s sports and mega events sector,” said Jayne McGivern, CEO of the Sports Boulevard Foundation.

Boxing legend Anthony Joshua will also be joining the line-up of sporting celebrities when the doors open to the public next week.

“I am stepping out of the boxing industry to step into the world of real estate, and I am with the world’s biggest event, Cityscape Global, in Riyadh. We are going to talk about how the world of sports fuses with the world of business, as well as real estate, the future of Riyadh and the future of boxing,” Joshua said.


PSG to curb political slogans in wake of ‘Free Palestine’ banner

PSG to curb political slogans in wake of ‘Free Palestine’ banner
Updated 08 November 2024
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PSG to curb political slogans in wake of ‘Free Palestine’ banner

PSG to curb political slogans in wake of ‘Free Palestine’ banner
  • PSG promised to “guarantee the absence of political messages” in the stands
  • “The club was not aware of the plan to display such a message“

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain say they will make sure there is no repeat of a midweek unfurling by fans of a banner proclaiming “Free Palestine.”
The huge banner covered an entire section of the stadium at the Parc des Princes Wednesday night ahead of PSG’s defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
As well as the slogan “Free Palestine,” the banner showed a bloodstained Palestinian flag, a gesticulating man with a keffiyeh scarf covering all his face except his eyes, the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and a young boy wrapped in the Lebanese flag.
On Friday, after a meeting with the French football federation and government officials, PSG promised to “guarantee the absence of political messages” in the stands.
“A frank and constructive dialogue made it possible to identify solutions that PSG is committed to putting in place from the next match at the Parc des Princes,” a government spokesperson told AFP.
The banner, which was unfurled by the Paris Ultras Collective (CUP) hard-core fan group, was shown above another slogan which read: “War on the pitch but peace in the world.”
“The club was not aware of the plan to display such a message,” PSG said in a statement Wednesday evening.


Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool

Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
Updated 08 November 2024
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Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool

Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
  • Slot appeared to have a tough ask to follow Jurgen Klopp
  • The Dutch coach has won 14 and drawn one of his 16 matches in charge

Liverpool: Arne Slot said he is not shocked by a stunning start to life in charge of Liverpool as the Reds have stormed to the top of the Premier League and Champions League.
The Dutch coach has won 14 and drawn one of his 16 matches in charge in all competitions as the holders have also progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals.
Slot appeared to have a tough ask to follow Jurgen Klopp.
But he has built on the solid foundations left by the German after Liverpool finished third in the Premier League behind Manchester City and Arsenal last season.
“Surprise isn’t the right word I’d use because I knew the quality of our team. But quality is one thing, to be consistent is a second thing,” said Slot at his pre-match press conference ahead of hosting Aston Villa on Saturday.
“From the moment I started working with them I saw how much energy they put in on a daily basis and that is I think the reason you can be consistent.”
Liverpool were inspired by the power of the Anfield crowd to come from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 last weekend to move two points ahead of City at the top of the Premier League.
A similar atmosphere helped blow Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen away 4-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Slot is keen to keep his players’ feet on the ground but is happy for the fans to get excited about the possibility of just a second league title in 35 years.
“If the end result of them being excited is to bring the atmosphere of the second half against Brighton and the whole game against Leverkusen, I am hoping they will keep being excited because that atmosphere helped us a lot,” added the former Feyenoord boss.
Diogo Jota remains sidelined but should return after November’s international break.


Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona
Updated 08 November 2024
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Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

BARCELONA: Raphinha knew he would have a hard time getting off Barcelona’s bench with the soccer world enthralled by teen phenom Lamine Yamal and the club eyeing to sign another hot prospect in the attack.

Instead of pouting, he evolved.

While the entire Barcelona team improved under new coach Hansi Flick, no player has made such a leap forward this season as Raphinha.

His 12 goals and team-leading 10 assists across all competitions are a big part of why Barcelona is playing its best soccer since the exit of Lionel Messi more than three years ago.

But if one player looked to be on the out when the season started, it was the Brazil forward.

Raphinha seemed destined to become a second-choice right-side winger after 17-year-old Yamal helped Spain win the European Championship in dazzling style. To make matters worse, the club was heavily linked to a possible transfer bid to pry Spain left-side winger Nico Williams away from Athletic Bilbao.

That move never materialized for Williams, but Raphinha was still left with either playing in a new position or being a backup to Yamal.

And when Flick gave him the chance to have a new role, he made the most of it.