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.
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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.
France's Caroline Garcia says will retire from tennis
PARIS: France’s former world number four Caroline Garcia said on Friday she will retire from tennis, with the French Open starting this weekend her last time at Roland Garros. An 11-time title winner on the WTA tour and former French Open women’s doubles champion, Garcia wrote on social media that she has “a few tournaments left” and will then call it quits. “Dear tennis, it’s time to say goodbye,” the 31-year-old said. “After 15 years competing at the highest level, and more than 25 years putting pretty much every second of my life into it, I feel ready to start a new chapter.” Garcia has earned nearly $19 million in prize money and won the season-ending 2022 World Tour Finals, seen as the next rung down from Grand Slams. That same year she won the French Open doubles title for the second time with compatriot Kristina Mladenovic. Her best run in singles at a major was the semifinals of the US Open, also in 2022. She reached a career-high four in the world but is now ranked 145th. “My tennis journey hasn’t always been easy. Since my early days, tennis has been much more than just winning or losing.
Gary Lineker’s football podcast to leave BBC Sounds after social media row
Gary Lineker’s football podcast will have its last episode on the BBC’s audio streaming service this week, the PA news agency understands.
Rich List: Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth falls by over £6billion
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth has fallen by £6.473 billion in the last year, according to this year’s Sunday Times Rich List.
Saturday sport: Armagh and Donegal lock horns in the Ulster football final
For the second successive year, Armagh and Donegal lock horns in the Ulster Senior Football Championship final later.