No COVID-19 test for world cup fans
DOHA: Qatar is to drop pre-arrival COVID-19 tests before the World Cup, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, weeks after announcing that the million-plus incoming fans do not need vaccinations.
FIFA World Cup Sport News
Real Madrid sans Benzema beat Sevilla 3-1 to extend lead
MADRID: Karim Benzema proudly showed his Ballon d’Or award to fans at the Santiago Bernabeu and then sat back as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 3-1 and increased their lead in the Spanish league on Saturday.
Saudi sport minister crowns Ben Maher winner of Longines championship
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal on Saturday crowned British jockey Ben Maher winner of the Longines Global Champions Tour, ending a 15-city tour around the world that ended in Riyadh’s historic Diriyah. Prince Abdulaziz, who is also president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and president of Diriyah Season, also crowned the three winners of the Riyadh tour, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Spanish soccer star Garcia ‘glad to pay more tax to help out’
BILBAO, Spain: Athletic Bilbao forward Raul Garcia agrees with the Spanish government’s plan to impose a temporary tax on the richest people in the country. Budget minister Maria Jesus Montero announced in September that some of those in the wealthiest minority of the population would be taxed more during the next two years, because of rampant inflation caused by fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine. “Obviously we live in a comfortable financial situation, but it does not isolate me from the situations that my friends, my family are living in,” Garcia told Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Casemiro’s last-gasp leveller rescues Man Utd in Chelsea draw
LONDON: Casemiro rescued Manchester United as the Brazil midfielder grabbed his first goal for the club in stoppage-time to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Saturday. Erik ten Hag’s side were seconds away from defeat after Jorginho’s 87th minute penalty put Chelsea ahead in United’s first match since Cristiano Ronaldo was sent into exile. But former Real Madrid star Casemiro ensured United left west London on a six-match unbeaten run as he netted with a header that was awarded by goal-line technology after crossing the line by millimeters.
Saudi Arabia beat North Macedonia in World Cup warm up match
ABU DHABI: Saudi Arabia beat North Macedonia 1-0 on Saturday at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as part of the Green Falcons’ preparatory program for the FIFA World Cup next month.
Díaz nets 2 as Milan beats Berlusconi-owned Monza 4-1
MILAN: A first-half brace from Brahim Díaz helped AC Milan to a 4-1 win over Monza in Serie A, making it an unhappy return to San Siro for former Rossoneri CEO Adriano Galliani on Saturday. Divock Origi scored his first goal for Milan and substitute Rafael Leão sealed the game after Filippo Ranocchia had pulled one back for Monza. The only negative note for Milan was the sight of Díaz limping off early in the second half clutching his left thigh.
Lamia Bahaian: ‘Sky’s the limit’ for women’s football in Saudi Arabia after Premier League launch
Last Thursday football history was made in the Kingdom when the first-ever Saudi Women’s Premier League fixture took place between Al-Nassr and Sama at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium’s reserve pitch in Riyadh.