MUNICH: Greenpeace has apologized and Munich police are investigating after a protester parachuted into the stadium and injured two people before Germany’s game against France at the European Championship.
The protester used a powered paraglider with a motor attached to his back but lost control and hit overhead camera wires attached to the stadium roof, careening over spectators’ heads before he landed on the field ahead of Tuesday’s game. Debris fell on the field and main grandstand, narrowly missing France coach Didier Deschamps.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman on Wednesday slammed the Greenpeace stunt and said those behind it should reflect on what had happened.
“This was an irresponsible action that put people in great danger,” Steffen Seibert said, adding that it was a relief nothing more serious had happened.
Greenpeace spokesperson Benjamin Stephan apologized for the botched protest and the injuries caused.
“The paraglider didn’t want to go into the stadium yesterday. The pilot wanted to fly over the stadium while maintaining the necessary safety distance and only let a balloon float into the stadium with a message to Volkswagen, a main sponsor, with the demand that they get out of the production of climate-damaging diesel and gasoline engines quicker,” Stephan said.
“And there was a technical problem during the flight over — the hand throttle of the electric para motor failed, and because there was no more thrust, the glider suddenly lost height.”
Stephan said the pilot had no option but to make an emergency landing on the field after striking the steel cables attached to the stadium’s roof.
“We are in the process of clarifying this and are working with everyone and of course we take responsibility and would like to emphasize again that we’re very sorry, and that we apologize to the two people who were harmed,” Stephan said.
Bavaria interior minister Joachim Herrmann said snipers had the pilot in their sights.
“Because of the Greenpeace logo, it was decided not to have the snipers intervene,” Herrmann told the Bild tabloid. “If the police had come to another conclusion, that it was a terrorist attack, then the pilot might have had to pay for the action with his life.”
Seibert called on the organizers to “critically reflect on the purpose of such actions, which are about maximum spectacle for maximum PR-effect. This leads to such situations which potentially endanger the public.”
Local police had earlier blasted “such irresponsible actions in which a considerable risk to human life is accepted.”
Police spokesman Andreas Franken said the two men who were hurt both sustained light head injuries and have since been discharged from the hospital. They had been working at the game.
The 38-year-old pilot, who has an address in the southwestern state of Baden Württemberg, was unharmed. He was released late Tuesday but remains under investigation for a string of charges, including interfering with air traffic and bodily harm, as well as breaching the peace, Franken said.
Franken said security measures will be toughened for Saturday’s match between Germany and Portugal, but declined to give further details.
“Of course this will lead to us looking at our measures again and if necessary adapting them,” Franken said. “This must disturb and alarm us, and lead to us reviewing our concept.”
The protester’s parachute had the slogan “KICK OUT OIL!” and “Greenpeace” written on it.
The parachutist managed to land on the field and Germany players Antonio Rüdiger and Robin Gosens were the first to approach him. He was then led away by security stewards.
UEFA called the action “reckless and dangerous” and said “law authorities will take the necessary action.”
The German soccer federation also condemned the action.
“It could probably have turned out much worse,” Germany team spokesman Jens Grittner said.
UEFA and one of its top-tier tournament sponsors, Russian state energy firm Gazprom, have previously been targeted by Greenpeace protests.
In 2013, a Champions League game in Basel was disrupted when Greenpeace activists abseiled from the roof of the stadium to unfurl a banner protesting Russian oil and Gazprom, which sponsored the visiting team, German club Schalke.
Greenpeace later donated money to a charity supported by Basel, which was fined by UEFA for the security lapse.
UEFA defended its environmental credentials in a statement on Tuesday after the incident.
“UEFA and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 tournament,” UEFA said, “and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions.”
Greenpeace apologizes, local police slam Euro 2020 protester
https://arab.news/28s9m
Greenpeace apologizes, local police slam Euro 2020 protester
- German Chancellor’s spokesman slammed Greenpeace stunt and said those behind it should reflect on what had happened
- Greenpeace spokesperson apologized for the botched protest and the injuries caused
Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan added to basketball’s FIBA 3x3 World Tour
- 13th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour — the top competition on the 3x3 pro circuit — will take place in 18 cities around the world
- 3x3 will be part of the NEOM Beach Games, a major international sports event in the heart of the city
The International Basketball Federation has announced Almaty (Kazakhstan) and NEOM (Saudi Arabia) as the latest additions to the 3x3 World Tour.
The 13th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour — the top competition on the 3x3 pro circuit — will take place in 18 cities around the world.
Almaty will host the first-ever visit of the World Tour to Kazakhstan, while NEOM, in hosting the event for the first time, will build upon its established track record of holding a Super Quest in 2022 then a Challenger in 2023.
3x3 will be part of the NEOM Beach Games, a major international sports event in the heart of the city.
Updated 2024 season:
Utsunomiya Opener (April 27-28)
Marseille Masters (May 31-June 1)
Ulaanbaatar Masters (June 8-9)
Chengdu Masters (June 22-23)
Edmonton Masters (July 6-7)
Almaty Masters (July 13-14)
Lausanne Masters (Aug. 16-17)
Debrecen Masters (Aug. 31-Sept. 1)
Shanghai Masters (Sept. 21-22)
Wuxi Masters (Oct. 6-7)
Amsterdam Masters (Oct. 12-13)
Macau Masters (Oct. 19-20)
Abu Dhabi Masters (Oct. 26-27)
Manama Masters (Nov. 1-2)
NEOM Masters (Nov. 7-9)
Shenzhen Masters (Nov. 16-17)
Hong Kong Masters (Nov. 23-24)
World Tour Final (December)
The location and dates of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final will be announced at a later stage.
China to host 2025 Saudi Super Cup, attracting global football stars
- Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner
- Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr
Riyadh: In a significant move for Saudi football, China is set to host the Saudi Super Cup 2025 tournament from Aug. 14 -17, according to the sports daily Arriyadiyah, a sister publication of Arab News.
Reports suggest that the decision to award China the hosting rights came after intense competition, particularly from Emirati and Qatari contenders. Despite strong bids from Doha and Abu Dhabi, the Chinese proposal emerged as the frontrunner. Additionally, Saudi officials are keen to relocate the tournament away from the Gulf region, aiming to engage a broader global audience and promote Saudi football.
One of the driving factors behind China’s successful bid is the presence of renowned international football stars in Saudi teams, contributing to their widespread popularity. Leading figures like Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr, Neymar Jr. representing Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, and Firmino, captain of Al-Ahli, add considerable allure to the competition.
The previous edition, held in Abu Dhabi, saw Al-Hilal clinch victory over their rivals Al-Nassr with a 2-1 scoreline.
Qualification for the upcoming Super Cup has been secured by Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, based on their performance in the Saudi Pro League, known as the Roshn Saudi League. However, the participants from the King’s Cup, as well as its runner-up, are yet to be determined.
In recent Roshn League action, the Yellow Team, Al-Nassr, secured their place in the Super Cup by defeating hosts Al-Khaleej with a solitary goal. This victory propelled them to 71 points, firmly securing their second-place standing, a position out of reach for Al-Ahli, currently in third with 52 points and six matches remaining. Even with a perfect score, Al-Ahli would fall short of overtaking Al-Nassr, who, despite potential losses in their remaining fixtures, maintain a comfortable lead.
The Blue Team, Al-Hilal, who still need seven points to conclude their league campaign, have also booked their spot in the Super Cup. The tournament’s semifinals will feature clashes between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, as well as Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej.
Both Al-Khaleej and Al-Ittihad will vie for a spot in the final, eyeing the opportunity to secure one of the two coveted slots in the Super Cup.
In the event that both teams fail to progress and the finalists emerge from the capital’s rivalry — Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr — Super Cup regulations dictate that the available slots will be awarded to the third and fourth-placed teams in the Roshn League standings.
Should only one of the capital’s teams advance to the cup final, they will automatically claim their Super Cup berth, either as champions or runners-up, with the remaining slot going to the third-placed team in the league.
Moroccan World Cup star Amallah enjoying La Liga life with Valencia
- Before his club’s trip to Barcelona, the midfielder spoke to Arab News about playing in Spain, his country’s World Cup heroics and Arab players in Europe
VALENCIA: At international and club level, the past few years have been pretty memorable for Valencia and Morocco star Selim Amallah.
The 27-year-old joined the La Liga team on loan from Segunda Division club Real Valladolid in the summer of 2023, having been part of the Moroccan squad that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
On Monday night the Belgian-born midfielder will be part of the Valencia team, currently eighth in La Liga and led by club legend Ruben Baraja, that will take on Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.
Amallah is delighted with the way things have worked out for him.
“I’m thrilled to be playing in Spain because it’s one of the best leagues globally,” Amallah, fresh from a practice session at Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, Valencia’s state-of-the-art training complex, told Arab News.
“It’s a league I wanted to play in and I've succeeded,” he said. “I anticipated more playing time initially,” he added. “I recognize the invaluable learning experience this season has offered. Frankly, I’m very happy to be here.”
While historically many players from North Africa have thrived in La Liga and other European leagues, very few from the Middle East or Gulf states have even attempted to make that leap.
Amallah feels more Arab players should make that move, not just to experience new sporting challenges and cultures, but primarily to succeed as professionals on the pitch.
“Yes, of course, I believe making history in a championship or for your country is something you aspire to achieve, and it’s one of my goals,” he said.
Without question the highlight of Ramallah’s career to date was Morocco’s incredible march to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Along the way, the Atlas Lions defeated Spain and Portugal, before losing out to France, who were defending world champions.
“It was truly incredible,” said Amallah. “These are memories that I believe will last forever. None of us expected to reach such a remarkable level. We also demonstrated that Moroccan players and our clubs can compete at the highest levels of football. We take immense pride in representing our country.”
Part of the experience in Qatar was the overwhelming support that teams from Arab countries received, with members of various communities uniting to support the regional teams.
“It was an immense source of pride, as our support extended beyond just the Moroccan people to encompass all Muslim communities,” said Amallah. “We took great pride in demonstrating the significant presence of Muslims in football, proving our ability to not only inspire pride among Moroccans but also among the entire Arab and African world through our dedication on the field.”
After the euphoria of Qatar 2022, there was more good news for Morocco when the country was named co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
But before the football world showpiece, Amallah said that he and his colleagues will be eyeing more success on the pitch.
“I believe there’s still more for us to prove and demonstrate that Morocco remains a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “We have an exceptional team with talented players, and while the expectations may have risen, we’re determined to rise to the occasion and give our all to represent our country.”
Paul Hughes set for Bellator debut in Dublin
- ‘Big News’ Hughes first Bellator appearance will be against Hawaii’s Bobby King, Saudi-backed PFL announces
- Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson defends title against undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov
NEW YORK: The Professional Fighters League has announced that Ireland’s Paul Hughes (11-1) will make his promotional debut against Hawaii’s Bobby King (12-6) in a Lightweight bout on Saturday, June 22 at Bellator Champions Series at 3Arena in Dublin.
Bellator Champions Series Dublin is headlined by Welterweight World Champion Jason Jackson (18-4) facing undefeated Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0), and the stacked fight card also features a Women’s Featherweight clash between two former title challengers, when Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) takes on Australia’s Arlene Blencowe (15-10).
A Bantamweight No. 1 contender matchup is also on the docket, as Kasum Kasumov (15-1) of Russia goes toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Matheus Mattos (14-2-1). At Middleweight, undefeated Hungarian Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) will look to remain undefeated when he faces American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta (8-1). A previously announced contest pitting Peter Queally against Yancy Medeiros has been scrapped from the card.
At 27 years old, Hughes accomplished everything possible on the regional stage before entering free agency, and was sought after by every major mixed martial arts promotion on the planet before choosing to join PFL. A former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion prior to making the leap to Lightweight, Hughes has won eight of his 11 professional wins via stoppage and now will try his hand against Bobby King when he competes on June 22.
A six-fight veteran of Bellator, King proudly hails from Hawaii and has faced some of the toughest tests Bellator’s Lightweight division has to offer, facing names the likes of Alexander Shabliy and Gadzhi Rabadanov.
The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows:
- Friday, May 17 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — Accor Arena
- Saturday, June 22 — Bellator Champions Series Dublin — 3Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bellator Champions Series San Diego — Pechanga Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 14 — Bellator Champions Series London — OVO Wembley
- Saturday, Oct. 12 — Bellator Champions Series Chicago — Wintrust Arena
- Saturday, Nov. 16 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — ADIDAS Arena
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 – Bellator Champions Series – TBD
Updated Bellator Champions Series Dublin main card:
Welterweight World Title bout: C-Jason Jackson (18-4) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (12-0)
Lightweight bout: Paul Hughes (11-1) vs. Bobby King (12-6)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Sinead Kavanagh (9-6) vs. Arlene Blencowe (15-10)
Middleweight bout: Norbert Novenyi Jr. (7-0) vs. Dalton Rosta (8-1)
Bantamweight No. 1 Contender bout: Kasum Kasumov (15-1) vs. Matheus Mattos (14-2-1)
Light Heavyweight bout: Simeon Powell (9-1) vs. Abdullah Er-Ramy (7-1)
Bantamweight bout: Brian Moore (16-10) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (10-1)
Bantamweight bout: Sarvarjon Khamidov (15-0) vs. Marcirley Alves (12-3)
Featherweight bout: Nathan Kelly (10-2) vs. Fabacary Diatta (9-1)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Olena Kolesnyk (9-6) vs. Sara Collins (5-0)
Women’s Featherweight bout: Michelle Montague (4-0) vs. Karolina Sobek (4-2)
Evans and Cassidy give Jaguar a 1-2 finish in Monaco E-Prix
- Duo recorded the team’s second such triumph in Formula E history
- Evans broke a streak of four previous misses where he led but did not secure a win in the principality
MONTE CARLO: Mitch Evans claimed victory in the 2024 Monaco E-Prix, breaking his streak of four prior misses where he had led but failed to win.
Leading his Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Nick Cassidy, Evans executed the team’s strategy flawlessly, securing a dominant 1-2 finish for the British team. Their tactics, including strategic use of ATTACK MODE boosts, propelled Evans to his first Monaco win and Jaguar TCS Racing’s second 1-2 finish in Formula E.
“It feels mega, and a lot of relief to finally get that first win here,” said Evans after his win. “It feels like it should have come a few years earlier, but finally got it done today. Extra special as it’s my first win of the season as well here. Hopefully, this is a turning point for me and I can start to consistently get big points. I’ve been chipping away at it but nothing too crazy, so it’s come at a crucial time. It just feels amazing, and a massive team effort with Nick today to get a Jaguar 1-2 here in Monaco.”
With this victory, Evans bumps himself up to fifth in the drivers’ standing and solidifies his position as a championship frontrunner for Season 10, while Jaguar TCS Racing maintains its impressive lead in the Teams’ running.
Behind the top three, Stoffel Vandoorne’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne was close behind in fourth. Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche finished fifth, while Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E Team crossed the line sixth. Seventh place went to Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche, followed by Nissan’s Sacha Fenestraz of Nissan Formula E Team. Captain of consistency, Maximilian Gunther of Maserati MSG Racing, took ninth place securing more points for the Monaco-based outfit, while Norman Nato of Andretti Formula E rounded out the top 10.
As the season progresses, the stage is set for further excitement and fierce battles on the track, with the next rounds scheduled to take place in Berlin for the next double-header on May 11 and 12.
“It’s an unreal feeling, it’s been an epic day,” Cassidy said. “Last year, we were 1-2 as well so it’s pretty cool actually that it’s the other way around. I’m really happy for him. We can be really proud of our effort today and it’s a great result for Jaguar TCS Racing.”
Away from the on-track action, British boxing champion Anthony Joshua also stole the show, engaging with drivers and dropping hints about his upcoming fight. Amid the buzz of the pre-race media activities, Joshua revealed the date for his next match at Wembley Stadium in London.
Sharing insights from his illustrious career, Joshua drew parallels between boxing and motorsport, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for success. As the crowd eagerly awaited news of his next opponent, Joshua tantalized with names like Filip Hrgovic, Daniel Dubois, and Deontay Wilder, hinting at a potential showdown with Tyson Fury.
With royalty in attendance, including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, the event culminated in the presentation of trophies to the podium-sitters, marking yet another thrilling chapter in Monaco’s motorsport history.
The next race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2024 Berlin E-Prix double-header on Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12.
