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Professional Fighters League confirms debut fight card for Riyadh

Professional Fighters League confirms debut fight card for Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani, above, will be taking on Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud in the headline featherweight bout. (AFP file photo)
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Updated 25 April 2024
Arab News
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Professional Fighters League confirms debut fight card for Riyadh

Professional Fighters League confirms debut fight card for Riyadh
  • Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Qahtani takes on Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud in a featherweight main event
  • Season opener scheduled for The Green Halls in Riyadh on Friday, May 10 
Updated 25 April 2024
Arab News
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RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League has announced the matchups for its debut PFL MENA: Riyadh fight card which will feature some of the region’s rising stars.

The season opener at The Green Halls in Riyadh will feature fighters in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions, competing in the PFL Playoff win-and-advance format, the company announced on Thursday.

Headlining the card will be Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah “The Reaper” Al-Qahtani taking on Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud in a featherweight bout.

“We’re proud to offer fighters in the MENA region a chance to compete. By bringing top-tier events to the region, we’re not only serving passionate MMA fans but also pushing the sport forward. Our goal is to grow MMA and expand PFL’s reach globally,” Pete Murray, CEO of PFL, said.

All four PFL MENA Season events will be broadcast live on MBC Action and Shahid.

The complete fight card:

Featherweight: Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs Taha Bendaoud

Bantamweight: Ali Taleb vs Nawras Abzakh

Bantamweight: Xavier Alaoui vs Rachid El-Hazoume

Featherweight: Islam Reda vs Adam Meskini

Bantamweight: Tariq Ismail vs Jalal Al-Daaja

Bantamweight: Elias Boudegzdame vs Hassan Mandour

Amateur Female Atomweight: Hattan Alsaif vs Nada Faheem

Featherweight: Maraoune Bellagouit vs Motaz Askar

Featherweight: Ahmed Tarek vs Abdelrahman Alhyasat

Showcase featherweight: Mido Mohamed vs Yazeed Hasanain

Showcase flyweight: Malik Basahel vs Harsh Pandya

Topics: Mixed martial arts PFL Professional Fighters League

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Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying

Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying
Updated 21 sec ago
AP
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Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying

Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying
  • Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra
  • Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0
Updated 21 sec ago
AP

MELBOURNE: Son Heung-min scored his 50th international goal on Thursday as South Korea beat Kuwait 3-1 to take a big step toward an 11th successive World Cup appearance.
The Tottenham forward converted a penalty to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute and help South Korea earn a fourth successive win in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers to move five points clear at the top with five games to go.
Oh Se-hun headed in South Korea’s opener in the 10th minute and Son, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, extended the advantage after being fouled in the area. Mohammed Daham pulled a goal back with a spectacular strike with 30 minutes remaining but Bae Jun-ho sealed the win for the visitors.
“(Son is) such an important part of our team,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. “He just came back after being hobbled by injury.”
Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra while Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0.
In Group A, Iran defeated North Korea 3-2 in Laos to move onto 13 points, three clear of Uzbekistan which lost 3-2 at Qatar. The 2022 World Cup host stayed in fourth with seven points, level with the United Arab Emirates which defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-0.
In Group C, Australia and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Melbourne and remained level on six points from five games and are joined by China, which defeated Bahrain 1-0 with an injury-time goal from Zhang Yuning. Leader Japan will move seven points clear if they can defeat Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Only the top two of six in each group will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. The third- and fourth-place finishers will advance to the next stage.

Topics: Son Heung-min 2026 FIFA World Cup Kuwait Qatar UAE Jordan Iraq

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McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight

McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight
Updated 21 min 53 sec ago
AFP
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McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight

McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight
  • McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton
  • McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros
Updated 21 min 53 sec ago
AFP

DUBAI: Rory McIlroy claimed a share of the first-round lead at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday as he closed in on equalling Seve Ballesteros’ mark of six European Tour Order of Merit crowns.
McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
The 35-year-old McIlroy started the season-ending event in Dubai with a healthy lead over South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence who endured a nightmare day, signing for a one-over 73 which included five bogeys.
With 2,000 points on offer to the winner, McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros.
Playing partners Hatton and Paul Waring, who sealed the biggest victory of his career at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, hit the front at four under after they each birdied the 14th hole, but the Northern Irishman followed suit shortly after.
Hatton became the first person to reach five under with a birdie at the penultimate hole, only to be matched by McIlroy’s 48-foot putt at the same hole to share the lead with Englishman.
“I thought I played well. I hit the ball pretty well. I gave myself plenty of chances, plenty of looks,” four-time major champion McIlroy said.
“I want to go on from here and win the golf tournament. I’ve opened up with a really good score, but I need to go out and play similarly over these next three days, not just to try to win the tournament, but also to try to get the job done in the Race to Dubai.
“I’m under no illusions that that was probably Thriston’s worst day. If he goes out and has three good ones, I still need to go out there and play some very solid golf.”
Hatton, 33, carded seven birdies and two dropped shots in his round.
Dubai-based Waring reached the turn in 32 before mixing a bogey and birdie on the back nine to sit alone in third at four under.
There are seven players at three under — Billy Horschel, Matt Wallace, Adam Scott, Alex Fitzpatrick, Niklas Norgaard and Japanese duo Keita Nakajima and Rikuya Hoshino.

Topics: DP World Tour Rory McIlroy Seve Ballesteros

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Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30
Updated 14 November 2024
Arab News
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Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30

Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30
  • SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and the GT4 European Series
  • Some of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers will take part in the race
Updated 14 November 2024
Arab News

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, dubbed the fastest street circuit in the world, is set to host the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 for the first time on Nov. 29-30.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races — the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, which lasts for six hours and covers 1,000 km with more than 40 teams participating, and the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing, which is 250 km long and features more than 30 teams.
GT racing showcases car models designed for road use that have been expertly modified for high-speed endurance events, often proving to be more powerful and durable than Formula cars, according to a media statement on Thursday.
The championship is sponsored by Fanatec, a leading manufacturer of racing simulation equipment, offering a connection between real and virtual motorsports.
The race will see an array of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers take part, such as Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Ford.
The primary focus of GT racing is to challenge the endurance of both drivers and cars, particularly in events such as the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024.
Teams, drivers and spectators are set to make the most of the opportunities offered by the SAL Jeddah GT 2024. Saudi Arabia will again be in the global spotlight as it becomes an important destination for international motorsport stars and racing enthusiasts, in a new championship that stands apart from other regional competitions, the media statement said.

Topics: Jeddah Corniche Circuit SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024

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UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024
Updated 14 November 2024
AP
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UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024
  • “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
  • The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal
Updated 14 November 2024
AP

NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.

Topics: UEFA David Coote English Premier League (EPL) Jurgen Klopp

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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
Updated 14 November 2024
AP
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
  • A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
  • The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year
Updated 14 November 2024
AP

TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Topics: Jannik Sinner ATP World Tour Andrea Gaudenzi doping

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