Brighton and Liverpool handed contrasting Europa League draws
Europa League debutants Brighton were drawn to take on former Champions League winners Ajax and Marseille in Friday's group stage draw.
Europa League Sport News
Max Verstappen bids for record-breaking 10th straight Formula 1 win at Monza on Sunday
MONZA, Italy: For Max Verstappen it’s not about records, it’s about winning. The Red Bull driver could do both at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday as he looks to firmly etch his name in the Formula One record books. Having equaled Sebastian Vettel’s F1 record of nine straight victories at the Dutch GP last weekend, Verstappen can break it on the famous Monza track. But the 25-year-old is focused on one sole thing: the victory. “I mean, I never thought that I would win nine in a row, first of all,” Verstappen said. “But yeah, now that we are here, of course I’ll try to win 10, but it’s more about that I want to just win.” Vettel set the consecutive wins record in 2013 with Red Bull during its first dominant era — when he won four straight titles — and Verstappen remembers how astounded he was as a teenager when he saw the German driver achieve that feat. “I remember when he did it, I said ‘Wow, that’s just a crazy number.
Champions Al-Ittihad host Al-Hilal in first Classico of the Saudi Pro League season
The new Roshn Saudi League season is slowly getting into gear and, with world class talent on display and the planet watching, it seems as if every game is a massive one.
Next World Forum driving major business growth in gaming and esports
RIYADH: The Next World Forum, the global industry gathering created to shape the future of the gaming and esports sector, has helped drive major business growth, organizers said on Thursday as the two-day conference concluded.
Hacken give Dons a finishing lesson on bad night for Scots
PARIS: A disastrous European week for Scottish clubs ended with the three teams in Europa League and Conference League playoff second-leg action losing on Thursday.
Villa add to Hibernian misery as Scottish trio crash out
Aston Villa booked a place in the Europa Conference League group stage by sweeping aside Hibernian 3-0 on the night and 8-0 on aggregate.
Footballer Jenni Hermoso says ‘in no moment’ was kiss with Luis Rubiales consensual
BARCELONA, Spain: Spanish soccer player Jenni Hermoso said Friday that ‘in no moment’ did she consent to a kiss by soccer federation president Luis Rubiales. Hermoso issued a statement through her union hours after Rubiales claimed in an emergency meeting of the Spanish soccer federation that the kiss was consensual. Facing his possible removal from office, Rubiales refused to step down despite the uproar he caused with the kiss, which happened during a medals ceremony last Sunday after the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia. “I won’t resign,” Luis Rubiales declared four times in quick succession at the meeting. The 46-year-old Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, is under immense pressure to leave his post. The kiss marred the title celebrations in front of a global audience, and criticism has steadily mounted. Spain’s acting prime minister, players unions, players for Spain’s women’s team, and even some players on men’s teams have said he must go. Several Spanish news media outlets reported on Thursday that Rubiales would step down.
FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales over kiss
LAUSANNE: FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales on Thursday after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso following the Women’s World Cup final last weekend. “The FIFA disciplinary committee informed Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final,” world football’s governing body said in a statement. FIFA said the incident “may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA disciplinary code.” Spain star Hermoso released a joint statement with union Futpro on Wednesday, which called for action to be taken against the RFEF president. “We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable,” the statement said. Human rights organization Amnesty International offered their backing to Hermoso on Thursday. “Amnesty International wants to show their support for the demands of the player, who has asked the (RFEF) to set underway ‘exemplary measures’ regarding the non-consensual kiss,” said the organization in a statement. “(We) underline that this behavior is a form of sexual violence like any other, and cannot be justified in any way.” Spain’s women’s football league, Liga F, has also called for Rubiales to be sacked. The RFEF have opened an investigation into Rubiales’ conduct and are holding an emergency meeting on Friday. Rubiales, 46, initially attacked his critics before eventually apologizing but the criticism of his behavior has not abated. Spa