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International cricket strives to leave Asia Cup 2025 behind

LONDON: Last week’s column suggested that Pakistan were the favorites to beat Bangladesh for a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final. It also suggested that the contest would be close. Prior to the match I asked a respected match commentator for his prediction. His view was that Pakistan ought to win but this “depended on how they turned up on the day.” Pakistan have a reputation for mercurial performances. The match that unfolded was gripping and flawed. The body language and mannerisms of the players conveyed the tensions involved.

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup

JEDDAH: Jameel Motorsport has announced its entry in Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup. Behind the wheel will be one of the most successful driver pairings in Extreme E history, Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor.

Football cannot solve conflicts like Gaza but carries message of peace, says FIFA’s Infantino

*FIFA promotes peace amid global conflicts, says Infantino*FIFA faces calls to suspend Israel from international footballZURICH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich.“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason...

Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson recalls 60s international showcase ahead of NBA Abu Dhabi Games

ABU DHABI: Few basketball players have shaped the game the way Oscar Robertson has. The Hall of Famer, known as The Big O, was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season — a feat not repeated until Russell Westbrook managed it more than 50 years later. He was also the league’s inaugural Rookie of the Year in 1961 and later captured an NBA championship with Milwaukee.

‘Bigger and bigger’: Baseball United inaugural season edges closer

DUBAI: The inaugural season of Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, edged closer with the announcement that tickets are now on sale. The competition will feature Baseball United’s four founding franchises — Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, and Mid East Falcons — playing a total of 21 games in 30 days at Baseball United Ballpark at The Sevens in Dubai.

UCI chief says Israeli athletes are welcome amid boycott calls

Lappartient said: “We are not a tool for sanctions, we are a tool in the service of an ideal of bringing people together with the unifying power of sport”He dismissed questions about double standards despite the UCI’s ban on Russian and Belarusian teams from events over Russia’s war in UkraineKIGALI: The world cycling governing body (UCI) will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts, UCI president David Lappartient declared on Friday, saying sport should unite rather than punish.Lappartient, who was re-elected the body’s president for a third four-year term at the UCI Congress on Thursday, was speaking on the sidelines of the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.Earlier this week, a UN Commission of Inquiry said in a report that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza — an accusation that Israel has dismissed — and called for Israel’s suspension from international football, but Lappartient said the UCI would not go down that path.“It is perfectly normal for them to be here, because we believe — and I am speaking on behalf of the UCI but I could almost say that these are also Olympic values — that sport is not a tool for punishment,” he told reporters.’NOT A TOOL FOR SANCTIONS’Lappartient, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added: “The IOC has confirmed our position.“We are not a tool for sanctions, we are a tool in the service of an ideal of bringing people together with the unifying power of sport, with the aim of promoting peace.

FIFA sanctions Malaysia for fielding foreign-born players with fake documents

ZURICH: FIFA has sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia after finding documents submitted to naturalize seven foreign-born players were doctored. The players — Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano — were all born abroad and featured in Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier in June. The players breached regulations concerning forgery and falsification, FIFA said on Friday. The FAM submitted eligibility inquiries to FIFA, and in doing so “used doctored documentation to be able to field the above players,” the governing body said. Each player was suspended for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs ($2,510). The FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs ($438,000). The players’ eligibility to play for Malaysia will also be investigated, FIFA added. Vietnamese media reported its national team will be awarded a 3-0 win for the June match, but FIFA made no comment. Malaysia leads Asia Group F in qualifying with six points from two games, three clear of Vietnam in second.

No complacency for Real ahead of Alonso’s first Madrid derby as coach

MADRID: Real Madrid have made a perfect start to the season under Xabi Alonso, but their new coach warned against complacency on Friday ahead of his first Madrid derby in charge of LaLiga’s leaders. Alonso spent five seasons as a player with Real but now takes his team to the Metropolitano stadium to take on Atletico in his latest role with his side in impressive form. Real have won all six league matches, conceding three goals, and hold a two-point advantage over champions Barcelona. “We’ve only played six and got full points, but some games were a real struggle so we can’t get overconfident,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game. “You can’t think that just by stepping onto the pitch you’ll win because of the badge you wear or the squad we have. I believe the more we educate ourselves to come out switched on for any match at any ground, the more games we’ll win. “And if we win a lot of games, if we have that natural activation, we can pick up a lot of points. But we mustn’t relax because a lapse can cost you.” Alonso has faced Atletico as manager when in charge of Bayer Leverkusen — drawing 2-2 in Madrid in 2022 shortly after taking over the German club and losing 2-1 away last season — but going there with Real is a very different prospect. “It’s definitely different going to the Metropolitano with any other club than with Real Madrid,” Alonso said. “Because of the healthy rivalry and I think that’s something beautiful, something that’s been enjoyed for many years, and hopefully we can keep enjoying it tomorrow as well.”

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NBA Sport News

International cricket strives to leave Asia Cup 2025 behind

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup

Football cannot solve conflicts like Gaza but carries message of peace, says FIFA’s Infantino

Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson recalls 60s international showcase ahead of NBA Abu Dhabi Games

‘Bigger and bigger’: Baseball United inaugural season edges closer

UCI chief says Israeli athletes are welcome amid boycott calls

FIFA sanctions Malaysia for fielding foreign-born players with fake documents

No complacency for Real ahead of Alonso’s first Madrid derby as coach