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French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions

French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Thursday criticised the unfurling of a giant "Free Palestine" banner at a Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer match, saying it was "unacceptable". (X/@KonateFC)
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Updated 07 November 2024

French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions

French minister criticizes PSG fans’ ‘Free Palestine’ banner; club to escape UEFA sanctions
  • European soccer’s governing body UEFA said the club would not face sanctions
  • Retailleau, asked if he would seek sanctions against PSG, told Sud Radio: “I am not ruling out anything. I will demand explanations from PSG“

PARIS: French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Thursday criticized the unfurling of a giant “Free Palestine” banner at a Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer match, saying it was “unacceptable.”
However, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said the club would not face sanctions.
Retailleau, asked if he would seek sanctions against PSG, told Sud Radio: “I am not ruling out anything. I will demand explanations from PSG.”
The French federation (FFF) president, Philippe Diallo, was summoned for a meeting at 0900 GMT at the interior ministry on Friday, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters, adding it had not yet confirmed its attendance.
The FFF has no power over European club competitions.
French TV channel BFM said PSG director general Victoriano Melero was also summoned. PSG did not respond to a request for comment.
Fans from PSG’s hard-line Auteuil Kop group displayed a huge “Free Palestine” banner before their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, eight days before France play Israel in Paris in a Nations League game.
“In no way was this tifo (banner) intended to convey a message of hatred — quite the contrary,” the group, Collectif Ultras Paris, said in a statement.
“The message that accompanied it is explicit and is a call for peace between peoples,” the group said, adding that the banner was made outside the stadium.
Their action took place as Israel pressed on with a military offensive in Gaza that has killed about 43,400 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza health ministry figures.
The conflict broke out after Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people.
PSG said after the game they had not been made aware of any plans to display such a message.
“Paris St. Germain recall that the Parc des Princes is — and must remain — a place of communion around a common passion for soccer and firmly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium,” the club said in a statement.
Minister Retailleau said: “Of course the club president is responsible. I want to know how this tarpaulin arrived, how it was deployed.”
A UEFA spokesperson said that PSG would not face disciplinary proceedings as it only bans political messages deemed insulting or provocative.
Last year, the Scottish club Celtic were fined 17,500 euros ($18,907) for fans’ waving Palestinian flags at a Champions League match.
Questions have been raised about security surrounding the France v Israel Nations League game next Thursday in a country that has the largest Jewish community in Europe as well as its biggest population of Muslims.


Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa

Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa
Updated 58 min 13 sec ago

Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa

Newcastle agree $74.30 million fee for Brentford’s Wissa
  • The 28-year-old DR Congo international has been the number one target for Newcastle

LONDON: Newcastle United have agreed a fee of 55 million pounds ($74.30 million) to sign Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, according to English media reports.
The 28-year-old DR Congo international has been the number one target for Newcastle since it became clear their striker Alexander Isak wanted to join Liverpool.
Isak was poised to complete a British record 125 million-pound move to the Premier League champions on Monday.
Wissa scored 45 goals in 137 Premier League appearances for Brentford since arriving from French club Lorient but has not featured this season as he held out for a move.
Last week he issued a statement via social media pleading with Brentford to allow him to join Newcastle.
Wissa, who had two years of his contract remaining at Brentford, is expected to have a medical at Newcastle later on Monday before completing his move.
His arrival will be a boost to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe whose side have had two 0-0 draws in their opening three games.


Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi

Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi
Updated 01 September 2025

Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi

Toney claims hat-trick as Al-Ahli cruise to cup win over Al-Arabi
  • 5-0 win at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah sees side advance to round of 16 in King Cup

BURAIDAH: Ivan Toney notched his second hat-trick for Al-Ahli on Sunday as the Asian champions defeated Al-Arabi 5-0 in the round of 32 in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Cup, also known as the King Cup.

Toney scored after 31 and 82 minutes before completing his night's work deep into stoppage time at the end of the match. Enzo Millot and Fahad Al-Rashidi scored Al-Ahli’s other goals.

The win, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, saw Al-Ahli advance to the round of 16.

The Englishman also scored a hat-trick against Al-Hilal in February in the Roshn Saudi League, paving the way to a memorable 3-2 win for his team.

Toney’s hat-trick against Al-Hilal was completed from open play, while his treble against Al-Arabi came from two penalties and a direct free-kick.

The striker has now scored five times this season: one in the Saudi Super Cup, another in the first round of the Saudi Pro League, and a hat-trick in the cup.


Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup

Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup
Updated 01 September 2025

Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup

Baniyas claim adult-division title at Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup
  • Sharjah Self-Defence, Al-Ain and Al-Jazira win age groups under 14, 16 and 18 respectively at Shabab Al-Ahli

DUBAI: The two-day Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup concluded on Sunday night with Baniyas winning the division for adults at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai.

The participants included clubs and academies from across the UAE, with Sunday featuring the finals in the age groups under 14, 16 and 18, and in the adult division.

Baniyas athlete Sultan Mohamed Al-Kaabi said: “Winning this title is a joy beyond words.

“We spent a long time preparing and training for this important championship. The challenge was tough as we faced many strong opponents, but in the end, the victory was ours.”

Sharjah Self-Defence, Al-Ain and Al-Jazira won the age groups under 14, 16 and 18 respectively at Shabab Al-Ahli.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, congratulated the winning clubs and academies, and thanked Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai for hosting the tournament.

“The Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup is a major fixture in our annual sports calendar, with both technical and community significance,” he said.

“This edition featured outstanding competition that showcased the efforts of clubs and academies, while also playing a vital role in discovering and developing young talent across age groups.”

Zayed Al-Kaabi, head coach of Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, said: “We succeeded in winning the under-16 title today, along with second place in both the under-14 and under-18 categories.

“We are pleased with these results and look forward to continuing the club’s journey of achievements and securing more titles to strengthen our standing locally.”

Harib Al-Hammadi, Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club athlete, added: “Winning the under-18 title is a proud moment for me and my teammates. Our hard work and preparations paid off, and this victory motivates us to push for even more success in the upcoming championships.”


Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday
Updated 01 September 2025

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other at the US Open on Monday
  • This will be the sixth matchup between Gauff and Osaka as pros – and the second at Flushing Meadows

NEW YORK: Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are scheduled to face each other in the US Open’s fourth round on Monday.
Gauff, a 21-year-old from Florida, is the Grand Slam tournament’s No. 3 seed. Osaka, a 27-year-old who was born in Japan and moved to the US with her family at age 3, is the No. 23 seed.
They have won a combined three titles at Flushing Meadows.
Monday’s winner will make it to this year’s quarterfinals.
Here is what you need to know about the most-anticipated match of the US Open so far:
When and where do Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka play each other Monday?
The match will be held in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The exact time it will start is uncertain; that will depend on how long the contest before theirs takes to finish.
Gauff vs. Osaka is the second match in the tournament’s biggest arena on Monday, after Andrey Rublev of Russia plays against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the fourth round of the men’s bracket, starting at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
So Gauff and Osaka could begin as early as 1:30 p.m. or perhaps closer to 2 or 3 p.m. – or maybe even later than that. There is just no way to know for sure.
How can I watch Osaka vs. Gauff on TV?
ESPN is showing the US Open in the United States. Other countries’ broadcasters are listed here.
How often have Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka met head-to-head?
This will be the sixth matchup between Gauff and Osaka as pros – and the second at Flushing Meadows.
Back in 2019, also in Ashe, Osaka defeated a 15-year-old Gauff in straight sets, then consoled the teary American afterward and invited her to speak to the spectators.
Gauff has won three of the four matches they have played against each other since then, so she leads the head-to-head series 3-2.
How many Grand Slam titles have Osaka and Gauff won?
Osaka owns four Grand Slam singles championships, including at the US Open in 2018 and 2020. The other two came at the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021.
Gauff, who has been working with a new coach on her serve to try to overcome double-faulting problems, has collected two major trophies in singles – at the US Open in 2023 and the French Open this year – and one in doubles.


Al-Hilal officially certified as Ƶ’s most decorated team

Al-Hilal officially certified as Ƶ’s most decorated team
Updated 01 September 2025

Al-Hilal officially certified as Ƶ’s most decorated team

Al-Hilal officially certified as Ƶ’s most decorated team
  • A wide-ranging report by the Ƶn Football Federation has certified every regional, national and continental title claimed by clubs across the Kingdom

RIYADH: Al-Hilal have topped the list of Ƶ clubs with the most regional, national and continental titles, with 90 championships.

This is according to the Saudi Football History Documentation project released on Sunday by the Ƶn Football Federation.

Al-Ittihad (59) came in second, followed by Al-Ahli (53), Al-Nassr (48), and Al-Shabab (43). In sixth are Al-Ettifaq (42), followed by Al-Qadsiah (14), Al-Fateh (12), and Al-Taawoun (11).

According to the report, Al-Hilal has the most league titles (21), followed by Al-Ittihad (14), Al-Nasr (10), Al-Ahli (nine), Al-Shabab (six), Al-Ettifaq (two), and one title each for Al-Wehda and Al-Fateh.

The project confirmed that four out of 68 league championships — now the Saudi Pro League or Roshn Saudi League — were not completed. The incomplete seasons are 1966-67, 1967-68, 1969-70, and 1975-76.

 

 

Of the 37 editions of the King Cup, Al-Hilal (nine) top the list of winners, followed by Al-Ahli (eight), Al-Ittihad (six), Al-Nassr (five), Al-Shabab (three), Al-Ettifaq (two), with one title each for Al-Wehda, Al-Taawoun, and Al-Faisaly.

In the Crown Prince Cup, discontinued in 2017, Al-Hilal (13) top the honor roll, five ahead of second-placed Al-Ittihad (eight). Al-Ahli (six) are third, followed by Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr with three titles each.

Six other teams have won the title: Al-Wehda, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Qadsiah, Al-Riyadh, Al-Faisaly, and Al-Fayha.

Overall, Al-Hilal (43) top the winners’ list of the Kingdom’s three major domestic competitions, followed by Al-Ittihad (28), Al-Ahli (23), Al-Nassr (18), and Al-Shabab (12).

The documentation project is an initiative of the Ƶn Football Federation in collaboration with FIFA, Ministry of Sports, General Authority for Radio and Television, King Abdulaziz Foundation and Saudi Pro League.