Saudi football body suspends, fines Ronaldo over gesture

• Saudi Arabian Football Federation said the Al-Nassr captain and former Porto star was also fined a total of $8,000 for the move, which broke rules against provoking the public
• Video emerged after his side's 3-2 win against Al-Shabab showing Ronaldo making a repeated thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to crowds chanting Lionel Messi name

Booed Israeli swimmer says she felt safe in Qatar

• Gorbenko took silver in the 400m freestyle but the crowd in Qatar whistled when she went up to collect her medal
• Israeli swimmer said she had no misgivings about going up to collect her medal, despite the hostile reception

Extreme E races for electric SUVs 2024 kick off in Jeddah

• The fourth annual "Extreme E" all-electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV) off-road racing series will witness the participation of eight two-racer teams
• The first edition of this global competition was held in AlUla in 2021 and the 2022 and 2023 editions were held in NEOM

Qatar eyes second successive Asian Cup in final against Jordan

• With much of the crowd behind them and as reigning champions, Qatar will be expected to beat a Jordan side ranked 29 places below them by FIFA
• In striker Akram Afif, Qatar have one of the players of the tournament and he scored a glorious goal against Iran to take his tally to five in six games

Paris Olympics’ organizers worry heatwave can spell trouble for games

• Organizers of the Paris Olympics, which will run from July 26 to August 11, say they are "fully aware" of the climate-related risks to the Games
• Operational teams have run simulations looking at the consequences of shifting some outdoor events to earlier or later start times to avoid the heat

McIlroy has ‘frank discussion’ with Spieth over Saudi comments

• Jordan Spieth, who took McIlroy's spot on the board in November, raised eyebrows this week with his comments that the merger may no longer be necessary for the PGA Tour
• Speith's remarks came after the PGA Tour announced a new a partnership and investment deal with the Strategic Sports Group (SSG)

Jordan defeats Tajikistan to reach first Asian Cup semi-final

Al Nassr thrash Inter Miami as Ronaldo, Messi watch on

• Ronaldo's calf injury prompted Al Nassr to cancel their two-game China tour last week and it denied him what could have been a last match against rival Messi
• Their most recent meeting came in January 2023 when Ronaldo played in a Saudi select team beaten 5-4 by Messi's PSG

Saudi football chief brands Mancini penalty walkout ‘unacceptable’

• The Italian did not stick around to see South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan eliminate his Saudi side in the last 16 in Doha with the decisive spot-kick
• Roberto Mancini, 59, apologized afterwards for walking down the tunnel before their fate was sealed, saying: "I thought it was finished."

Iran ‘following dreams’ in trying to win first Asian Cup since 1976

• Three-time champions Iran face Syria in Qatar with a quarter-final against Bahrain or pre-tournament favorites Japan up for grabs
• Along with holders Qatar, Iran are the only team left in the competition who went through the group stage with a 100 percent record