Iraq boots Casas citing unpermitted exit as World Cup hopes hang by a thread
Iraq has sacked national team coach Jesus Casas Garcia after the Spanish manager left the country without permission, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) said on Tuesday.
Palestine Sport News
‘We played for Gaza’: How Palestine’s U-20 Women’s team went from underdogs to champions
AMSTERDAM: When rank outsiders secure a victory they tend, often, to be of the moral variety. If victory is achieved it rarely ends up with an outsider advancing to the final match and lifting the trophy.
LIVE: Office smashed and covered in red paint as police launch investigation - latest updates
A Manchester office block has been targeted for the second time in five weeks - with windows smashed and red paint covering the building.
President Macron announces potential recognition of Palestinian state in coming months
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France plans to recognise Palestine as a state in June this year.
Thousands flee Gaza's Rafah after Israel issues new evacuation orders
Thousand of Palestinians fled Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah on Monday after the Israeli military issued new sweeping evacuation orders, indicating it could soon launch another major ground operation.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world as holy month of Ramadan comes to a close
Muslims around the world bid farewell to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and celebrated the holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Sunday.
Bayern survive St. Pauli scare to stay on course for Bundesliga title
BERLIN: Leroy Sane spared Bayern Munich’s blushes with two second-half goals on Saturday, as the Bundesliga leaders beat relegation-threatened St. Pauli 3-2 to stay six points clear at the top of the table. Sane settled Bayern’s nerves after an uneasy first half, as Vincent Kompany’s side struggled once again against weaker opposition. “It was a bit tight at the end, but we are really happy to have got the three points,” Sane told Sky. Having dropped unexpected points against Bochum and Union Berlin in recent weeks, Bayern were under pressure to avoid a third slip after reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen narrowed the gap to three points with a 3-1 win over Bochum on Friday. Sane insisted that pressure was a good thing for Bayern, “because it helps us keep our rhythm when we know we have to win every game.” Yet they looked sluggish against a fearless St.
Martinez punishment ‘out of Flick’s hands’ as Barca focus on title
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he is focussed on winning games despite the threat of a potential punishment for an ineligible line-up rumbling on in the background. Flick selected Inigo Martinez in the 3-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga on Thursday, after the Spanish defender had withdrawn injured from the national team squad for their recent Nations League matches. Osasuna appealed to the Spanish football federation on Friday over Martinez being ineligible, citing FIFA rules regarding players which have not joined up with their national teams when called on. “We won three points and this is my focus, so I’m focussing on the next match against Girona,” Flick told a news conference Saturday, a day before leaders Barcelona host Girona in La Liga. “The other thing is not in my hands, it’s not about me.” FIFA rules state that players cannot appear for their clubs within five days of the last national team match, if they did not join the squad when called upon without the federation’s permission. Martinez played 90 minutes against Osasuna after pulling out of international duty with knee discomfort, as Barcelona took a three-point lead at the top of the table. The match was played on Thursday after being initially postponed from March 8, when a Barca club doctor died, with neither side wanting to play it this week but both having appeals against it rejected. Flick lined up against Osasuna with star striker Robert Lewandowski on the bench, although he later scored when appearing as a substitute. The Polish veteran has 23 goals in La Liga, leading the scoring charts, known as the Pichichi, ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe on 20. “Lewandowski is focussed on the success of the team, not just winning the