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

Skipper Battat leads Palestine on and off pitch at Asian Cup

• The 30-year-old captain will be the man his team look to once again for inspiration when Palestine face hosts and reigning champions Qatar in a daunting last-16 tie.
• The side ranked 99 in the world have progressed into the next round despite a deeply troubled build-up overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war

Son faces Saudis, Palestine make history in Asian Cup last 16

• The tournament has been whittled down from 24 teams to 16 but trying to predict who lifts the trophy on February 10 looks more difficult than ever
• Japan came to Qatar as favourites and looking to win the title for a record-extending fifth time, but they reached the knockout phase as only runners-up in their group behind Iraq

Coach Mancini lays out Saudi’s plan at Asian Cup

• "Our calculation is always to win all the games we play," said Mancini, who won the European Championship with his native Italy in 2021.
• Mancini has repeatedly played down Saudi Arabia's chances of winning the Asian Cup saying Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia are favorites.

Tata Group retains IPL sponsorship rights for record $300m

• Tata Group already holds the title sponsorship for the IPL and its sister competition, the Women's Premier League, which staged its first tournament last year
• The IPL attracts cricket's top international stars with bumper salaries, and features 10 sides competing in the sport's hugely popular Twenty20 format

Coach Mancini warns Saudi against taking Kyrgyzstan lightly

• Coach Mancini's team are ranked 56th in the world and are one of the contenders for the title while Kyrgyzstan are 98th
• The 59-year-old Mancini, who led Italy to European glory in 2021, took over ambitious Saudi Arabia in August last year