Saudi football body suspends, fines Ronaldo over gesture
Sports newspaper Al-Riyadiya reported Ronaldo as saying he respected all football clubs and that the gesture expressed "strength and victory"...
McIlroy has ‘frank discussion’ with Spieth over Saudi comments
SSG includes a number of high-powered sports owners including the Fenway Sports Group, owners of English Premier League club Liverpool,...
Economy
Morocco fans celebrate the impossible and ask for more
There were celebrations across the Arab world and in Europe after Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 in Qatar to become the...
- Waving flags of Morocco, Algeria, Syria and Palestine and singing in Arabic, the happy fans mingled with tourists in Paris to celebrate Morocco's win over Portugal
- On Saturday, in East Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza, Palestinians celebrated with fireworks, cheers and horns
Arts & Culture
Morocco down Portugal to become first ever African World Cup semi-finalists
Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals as Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half goal sealed a tense...
- Morocco took a 42nd-minute lead through En-Nesyri's header as they came on strongly late in the first period.
- Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was sent on early in the second half by coach Fernando Santos.
Business
‘Investment in sports a key part of global economy’
“Sports economies involve infrastructure, new talents, air traffic, travel, and other components,” Al Marri adds, noting that there are many...
- Investment in sports is a key part of the global economy, being one of the main pillars of the new economy, says UAE’s Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri
- Sports economies involve infrastructure, new talents air traffic, travel, and other components, adds Al Marri, who is also the Chairman of Investopia
Geostrategy
Qatar’s Dr cool says air conditioned marathon possible in Gulf state
There are already air-conditioned streets in the Katara cultural district and Qatar has a 1.1 kilometer air-conditioned jogging track in...
- Sports authorities have not commented, but Saud, an engineering professor at Qatar University, said an air-conditioned marathon course could be built.
- Saud, who previously developed air conditioning for Ford Mondeo cars, spent 13 years working on the cooling used at seven of the eight World Cup stadiums.
Geostrategy
Saudi sole bidder to host 2027 Asian Cup after India exit
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Saudi Arabia on Monday became the sole bidder to host the 2027 Asian Cup after India...
- The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement that the All India Football Federation had pulled out from the selection.
- The statement did not provide any reasons for India's decision.
Arts & Culture
World Cup without booze makes atmosphere less aggressive, more family friendly
Some say the absence of booze in stadiums and its limited availability elsewhere in the Arab nation has detracted from...
- The sale of alcohol at World Cup stadiums in Qatar was banned two days before the tournament in a policy U-turn, although it is available at fan zones and most international hotels
- And matches particularly involving teams from South America and North Africa have still played out in front of electric atmospheres.
Business
Doha Souq abandons tradition to become World Cup party base
Qatar is hosting the first World Cup in an Arab nation, but the hosts along with fellow Arab states Tunisia...
- The market where locals drink coffee, buy spices, Arab robes, gold jewellery has become popular with fans
- Crowds gather around a giant golden thumb sculpture in the market that has become a magnet for fans of winning teams
Geostrategy
Riots erupt in Brussels after Morocco beat Belgium in World Cup
A surveillance helicopter flew over the city before calm was restored at around 7:00pm (18:00GMT). A journalist saw protesters burning...
- Spokeswoman of Brussels police said some fans were armed with sticks and a journalist "was injured in the face by fireworks"
- Video images showed police with batons and shields sweeping the city Centre. Riot police also dispersed fans in Amsterdam and The Hague
Business
Iran coach fumes at Klinsmann’s World Cup remark
The former USA coach said a series of niggling fouls and the conduct of the Iranian coaching staff during the...
- Klinsmann, a member of FIFA's seven-member technical study group that is analysing the World Cup in Qatar, took aim at Iran's antics following their 2-0 Group B win against Wales
- Queiroz invited Klinsmann to visit the Iranian camp at the World Cup to "listen how much they love and respect football" despite the "outrageous" criticism
Arts & Culture
Lewandowski breaks World Cup duck as Poland beat Saudi Arabia
DOHA, QATAR - Robert Lewandowski scored the first World Cup goal of his prolific career on Saturday when he netted...
- Poland are a point ahead of Saudi Arabia thanks also to Piotr Zielinski's roofed finish and an incredible double save from Wojciech Szczesny after Salem Al-Dawsari's penalty.
- Herve Renard's Saudi team could still be second in the group come the end of the day as they are two points ahead of Mexico and three in front of Argentina.
Saudi football body suspends, fines Ronaldo over gesture
Sports newspaper Al-Riyadiya reported Ronaldo as saying he respected all football clubs and that the gesture expressed "strength and victory"...
Company News
Sports shift economic goalposts for Middle East
Arts & Culture
Latest News
Educational institutions are shaping UAE’s tomorrow
"Dubai's schools attract students of various nationalities seeking holistic education. These schools emphasize well-rounded education, with a sports culture enhancing...
Arts & Culture
Esports scores big for Saudi economy, culture & jobs
The Kingdom, with its passion for sports and tech, is set to reshape the competitive gaming landscape by hosting the...
Arts & Culture
No suspension for Mazraoui over Gaza post, says Bayern Munich
Berlin, Germany - Bayern Munich on Friday said defender Noussair Mazraoui would not be suspended, after a probe into the Moroccan...
Geostrategy
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Geostrategy
Middle East emerges as a global esports powerhouse
The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by...
- The Middle Eastern region, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is swiftly becoming a global esports hub, driven by its vast gamer community and strategic investments
- The region's esports growth transcends gaming, with stakeholders from elite teams to media firms collaboratively shaping the region's live entertainment future
Women’s squad seeks its share of Saudi football boom
A FIFA+ documentary released last month tracks how the national team has seized on new freedoms, contrasting the hostility its...
- The Saudi women squad only formed two years ago and entered the FIFA rankings in March, at 171st place
- The eager Saudi players are standard-bearers for broader changes afoot in Saudi Arabia
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia announces bid to host World Cup in 2034
The bid "intends to deliver a world-class tournament and will draw inspiration from Saudi Arabia's ongoing social and economic transformation...
- Sport is a major component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to transforms Saudi Arabia into a tourism and business hub.
- In the coming weeks, the kingdom is set to host the final LIV Golf League tournament of the regular season and a boxing match featuring Anthony Joshua.