All eyes on Saudi Yelo League as promotion playoff drama begins
RIYADH: The inaugural Yelo League playoffs kick off on Friday, bringing fresh excitement to the race for promotion to the Saudi Pro League.
Mma Sport News
Saudi-based Ivan Toney recalled to England squad by Tuchel
LONDON: England manager Thomas Tuchel insists Ivan Toney “deserves” his surprise recall for the forthcoming internationals against Andorra and Senegal. It is a first call-up for the 29-year-old since he left Brentford to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli last August. Toney, who has scored 22 goals in 29 Pro League games for the Saudi champions, made the last of his six England appearances in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain. “Ivan deserves to be with us, I think, and I’m convinced because he scored over 20 goals this season,” Tuchel said. “He won a major title with the Asian Champions League, in goals and assists made a huge contribution. “I thought, why not bring him over and let him travel to us? It’s a good occasion now to also test new players, see new players, meet Ivan first and see him in the environment.” Tuchel has also given a first senior call-up to Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. The Sierra Leone-born Chalobah has played 32 times for Chelsea this season as they chase Champions League qualification and target victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday. “He played a fantastic second half of the season with Chelsea.
Alexander-Arnold ‘deserves’ his part in Liverpool title party: Slot
LIVERPOOL: Arne Slot said Trent Alexander-Arnold “deserves” to be part of Liverpool’s title celebrations despite revealing he was unhappy with the defender’s performances in training at the start of the season. The England international announced his decision to quit his boyhood club earlier this month and is widely expected to join Real Madrid. He was booed by Liverpool fans when he came on as a second-half substitute in last week’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield and did not play in the 3-2 defeat at Brighton on Monday. Liverpool, who wrapped up the Premier League title last month with four games to spare, will be presented with the trophy after Sunday’s game against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. Slot was asked by reporters on Friday whether he had concerns that the celebrations would be overshadowed by an negative reaction to Alexander-Arnold. He said he had yet to make a decision on the extent of the right-back’s involvement. “I haven’t decided on that one yet but I think this should be a day that everybody is going to enjoy,” Slot said. “It’s been 35 years everybody is waiting for this moment.” Liverpool lifted the 2020 Premier League trophy behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions. Slot, in his first season at Anfield, said celebrations after Liverpool sealed the title against Tottenham were special. “I’m hoping that we can add a moment like this to it and I think everybody that’s in this stadium deserves to be there, the fans, the staff, but also the players,” he said. “One of my players is Trent so he definitely deserves to be there as well because he’s been part of an incredibly successful season and an incredibly successful (few) years at this club.”
Al-Ain set to host fourth UAE National MMA Championship
ABU DHABI: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation will host the fourth UAE National MMA Championship at ADNEC Centre Al-Ain on May 24 and 25.
UFC 315: Belal Muhammad makes first defence of his title
The welterweight title will be up for grabs at UFC 315 as champion Belal Muhammad makes his first defence against Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal.
Milan clinch 2-1 win with two quick-fire goals in rainy Genoa clash
GENOA: AC Milan secured a 2-1 victory over Genoa in a rainy Monday Serie A clash, with a rapid second-half turnaround driven by Rafael Leao’s equalizer and an own goal from Morten Frendrup.
Nottingham Forest draws at Crystal Palace as Champions League hopes fade
LONDON: Nottingham Forest drew with Crystal Palace 1-1 in the Premier League on Monday and saw its Champions League hopes fade. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men have spent most of the year in the league top three but a run of one win in four has dropped them behind Chelsea, Newcastle and a resurgent Manchester City. A win at Selhurst Park would have brought them equal with Chelsea and Newcastle but one point means it stays in sixth, with the top five qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Neither team was able to take control of a sometimes scrappy match that saw eight names go in the referee’s book. Palace took the lead with a penalty kick after an hour.
Minister of Sport receives 2025 AFC Elite Champions League winners Al-Ahli
JEDDAH: Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal received the 2025 AFC Elite Champions League winners Al-Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and congratulated them on their victory over Japan’s Kawasaki.