THE HAGUE: Fewer hooligans will travel to Euro 2020 because of Covid restrictions but they will be more difficult to trace, European police warned Thursday as they unveiled a special operations hub in the Netherlands.
Officers from each of the 24 nations playing in the tournament across 11 countries will spend the next month monitoring threats from the control room at the EU’s police agency Europol in The Hague.
Beneath giant screens, with desks arranged according to their countries’ Euro 2020 groups, the 40 or so officers will be able to quickly share information and prevent trouble.
“Until now it’s still quiet at the front, but we are alert,” Max Daniel, the senior Dutch police officer in charge of the operations center, told a press conference at Europol.
“Because of the Covid rules we expect not so high a number of supporters at all, so I think the number of hooligans will be limited as well,” he added.
“But still it’s very difficult for us because of the Covid rules. Most of them will travel by car, and there will be a lot more movements... because of the fact that we play in several countries.”
Europol chief Catherine De Bolle said this year’s tournament was a security challenge of “unprecedented complexity.”
“The operations center is prepared to react to any criminal threat which may endanger the smooth flow of the competition,” De Bolle added.
Europol said it would also be monitoring other types of threats and crime during the tournament, including cybercrime and match-fixing and even fake Covid travel certificates.
Enforcing local Covid regulations will remain the responsibility of host nations.
But if there was “special information about groups that are willing to organize parties around stadiums we will give them information,” said Dutch policeman Daniel.
Inside the control room, set up in a large auditorium inside Europol’s granite-grey HQ, officers from each country sit at desks monitoring and collating information.
A total of 40 officers will work in a shift system covering all the match days and also being on call during the night.
“Of course the focus is on the Covid-19 issues. But we mustn’t forget the fact that we still have to face the hooliganism,” said Romanian police officer Adrian Dinca, one of the coordinators.
“It has not disappeared, it is still there.”
Britain is one of the countries running the center along with Romania and the Netherlands, despite its departure from the EU and therefore from Europol.
The three UK home nations of England, Scotland and Wales are all taking part in the tournament, and the final is at London’s Wembley stadium on July 11.
“Brexit has no impact whatsoever on the really important business that we do with other countries,” said Adrian Roberts of the UK Football Policing Unit.
“If we were to lose that overnight because of the perception that Brexit means we can no longer share intelligence and information, we’d be taking a lot of steps backwards.”
To prevent trouble, the hub will work with police “spotters” in each of the countries who gain intelligence on hooligans, officials said.
If trouble kicks off, officers will set up a “crisis room” with the countries involved.
But which team do the police officers think will win the tournament?
“We don’t have intelligence on that yet!” said Dinca.
Police unveil hooligan-busting Euro 2020 hub
https://arab.news/8xpza
Police unveil hooligan-busting Euro 2020 hub
- Officers from 24 participating nations across 11 countries will monitor threats from the Europol’s control room
- A senior Dutch police officer, because of Covid rules, expect the number of hooligans to be limited
World Supercross return promises more thrills in the sand for Abu Dhabi crowds
- Ethara’s Ali Al-Beshr and Tom Burwell of WSX spoke to Arab News about their partnership and the season finale on Wednesday
ABU DHABI: As part of Abu Dhabi GP Week, which wraps up the 2024 Formula 1 Championship, Yas Island on Wednesday night will also be the final World Supercross event of the 2024 championship.
Arab News spoke to two leading figures, from organizers Ethara and WSX, about the significance of hosting the World Supercross Abu Dhabi GP in the capital of the UAE.
Ali Al-Beshr
Executive director of Motorsport Development at Ethara
After the successful debut of WSX in Abu Dhabi last year, what is the significance of hosting the finale this year?
Hosting the WSX finale is a significant step forward for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
Last year’s debut showcased our ability to deliver a high-energy, world-class event, and this year we’re taking it to the next level by hosting the championship’s concluding round. This elevates the UAE’s position as a global hub for motorsport, demonstrating not just our logistical and operational capabilities but also our commitment to bringing diverse motorsport disciplines to the region.
What can fans expect from this year’s WSX finale, and how is it different from last year’s event?
From the moment fans step into Etihad Arena, they’ll feel the excitement of a championship-deciding event. With activities like pit walks, where fans can see the bikes and teams up close, and meet-and-greet sessions with the riders, fans are given unique access to the stars of the sport.
The track design has also been reimagined to make the races even more competitive and thrilling. Being the finale, there’s an added intensity as riders compete for the WSX and SX2 titles. Combined with larger fan zones and entertainment offerings, this year’s event is going to be a step up from last year’s event.
How do you see WSX influencing the growth of motorsport culture in the UAE?
WSX is a game-changer for motorsport culture in the UAE. It introduces a fresh, dynamic element to our calendar and appeals to a younger, more diverse audience. The high-adrenaline nature of supercross, with its sharp turns, steep jumps, and competitive intensity, makes it a sport that draws people in instantly. By hosting WSX, we’re not only entertaining fans but also inspiring them, especially young people who may want to pursue motorsport as a passion or career. This event complements our existing motorsport offerings at Ethara, like Formula 1 and karting, and helps to broaden the UAE’s reputation as a leader in motorsport innovation and development.
How is the WSX finale aligned with your vision for long-term motorsport development in the UAE?
The WSX finale aligns seamlessly with our long-term goals for motorsport in the UAE. Our vision is to create a motorsport ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, and globally recognized. By bringing a sport like supercross to Abu Dhabi, we’re expanding the range of motorsport disciplines available in the region, inspiring interest from fans and aspiring athletes. Beyond the spectacle, events like WSX foster grassroots engagement by introducing new audiences to the thrill of motorsport and creating pathways for future talent development. The UAE has always been a pioneer in hosting world-class events, and by integrating WSX into our portfolio, we’re reinforcing our position as a hub for innovation, excellence, and community-focused growth in motorsport.
Tom Burwell,
CEO of WSX
How does having the WSX season finale in Abu Dhabi align with your vision for the championship’s global expansion?
Abu Dhabi is the perfect host for the WSX finale because of its commitment to hosting world-class sporting events and its global connectivity. The city offers unmatched infrastructure, a welcoming environment, and a unique ability to bring together fans from across the globe. Partnering with Abu Dhabi helps achieve our vision of making WSX a truly international championship by introducing supercross to new audiences.
How is WSX working to grow supercross as a sport in regions like the Middle East, where it is still relatively new?
By creating exciting, accessible events that introduce the series to new fans. By hosting our finale in Abu Dhabi, we’re showcasing the sport at its highest level, inspiring local interest and encouraging growth in the region. We also work to engage with the community through rider interactions, fan activations, and collaborations with local stakeholders to foster grassroots enthusiasm for the sport.
Do you see WSX becoming a recurring event in Abu Dhabi, and are there plans to expand its presence elsewhere the Middle East?
Abu Dhabi has already proven to be an outstanding partner for WSX, through races in previous seasons thanks to our collaboration with Ethara, a highly esteemed organisation in the region with a proven track record of delivering world-class events like Formula 1. This strong, long-standing relationship gives us great confidence in Abu Dhabi’s ability to host exceptional supercross events year after year. Ethara’s expertise and reputation solidify Abu Dhabi as a cornerstone of our vision for WSX in the Middle East. While we’re eager to expand supercross across the region, Abu Dhabi will remain a central part of our journey as we grow the sport globally.
UFC Star Amir Albazi set to headline stacked card at ADXC 8 in Al-Ain
- The event on Dec. 6 will feature several UAE fighters alongside global talent
AL-AIN: The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship is set for another night of jiu-jitsu and grappling action when ADXC 8 returns on Dec. 6 at the ADNEC Centre.
Coinciding with UAE National Day celebrations, the event boasts a stacked fight card which includes world-class grappling talent alongside Emirati jiu-jitsu stars.
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight No. 3 Amir Albazi headlines, taking on Brazil’s Jafel Filho in a highly anticipated main event. Known for his razor-sharp grappling and cage IQ, Albazi returns to his roots for a showdown that pits his precision against Filho’s explosive submission game.
The co-main event brings grappling fans a heavyweight clash between Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and rising star Haisam Rida. With a legacy built on multiple championship titles, Cyborg remains one of the sport’s greats. Rida, known for his unpredictable, high-energy approach, aims to prove the next generation is here to take over.
Highlighting the UAE’s growing dominance in jiu-jitsu, Khaled Al-Shehhi faces off against bantamweight specialist Thalison Soares, while Shamma Al-Kalbani, a trailblazer for Emirati women, meets China’s Peiqin Ge in a bantamweight clash. Omar Al-Fadhli, one of the UAE’s brightest talents, will take on Chile’s Nicolas Ponce in a lightweight battle.
Additional matchups on the card include a lightweight contest between grappling stars Movlid Khaybulaev and James Gallagher, a clash of styles in the welterweight division featuring Ahmad Al-Bousari and Craig McIntosh, and a regional showdown in the bantamweight division with Abdulmalik Al-Murdhi taking on Abdullah Al-Farsi.
Saudi Pro League to embrace OptaAI to enhance statistical analysis
- Every top-flight Saudi club, plus the league’s own media teams, will utilize new tools and performance insights from Stats Perform to enhance on-field analysis
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has expanded its agreement with Stats Perform to ensure every top-flight Saudi football club, as well as the league’s own media and digital teams, benefit from new tools and performance insights.
The extended deal includes OptaAI-powered Opta Vision, Stats Perform’s richest performance data, captured from every Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup and Super Cup fixture played throughout the season.
The data will be available to each club’s performance analysis department, enhancing on-field analysis and further deepening fan and sponsor engagement.
Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel said: “The Saudi Pro League has established itself as a leading force in football across Asia, recognized as the top AFC domestic competition.
“Aided by strategic partnerships, including our collaboration with Stats Perform, we harness innovative data solutions like live Opta feeds and artificial intelligence-powered Opta Vision data to enhance club performance analysis and scouting. This commitment to excellence drives our clubs’ competitive edge and enriches fans, ensuring the SPL continues to set new standards with its partners in delivering unforgettable football experiences to a global audience.”
Opta Vision combines complete player tracking, on-ball event and aggregated fitness data alongside multiple AI-enriched predictive metrics, enabling analysts to quickly identify new and pioneering performance traits at a player and team level.
Data from dozens of overseas competitions will also be made available to recruitment analysts working for Saudi Pro League clubs to improve their data profiling when scouting players. Each SPL club will also have access to their own internal Opta Pro Hub software where they can manage all scouting activity, including player reports and recruitment shortlists.
Fan engagement will be boosted with Opta feeds offering a wider range of experiences, both pre-match and in-game. These include the stats hub on the official Saudi Pro League website and app, the official RSL Fantasy game and the syndicated world broadcast feed.
Live Opta data feeds will also be available to the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, official league partners and media departments at every Saudi Pro League club.
Stats Perform’s chief revenue officer, Steve Xeller, said: “We are delighted that the Saudi Pro League are the latest to expand their use of our services to include OptaAI-powered solutions. Our people, including our dedicated team in the region, will continue to work tirelessly to help ensure the SPL and its clubs continue to go from strength-to-strength, on the field and off it, for the benefit of their growing audience of millions of global fans.”
Jaylen Brown sparks Celtics to 108-89 rout of Heat
- The 28-year-old shooting guard finished with seven rebounds and four assists as Boston improved to 17-4 to remain second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavaliers
- Timberwolves blew past an anemic Los Angeles Lakers offensive performance to romp to a 109-80 victory
NEW YORK: Jaylen Brown rattled in 29 points as the Boston Celtics got back to winning ways with a 108-89 rout of the Miami Heat on Monday.
Brown, who missed Boston’s 115-111 home defeat to Cleveland on Sunday due to illness, spearheaded a potent Celtics offensive effort against a depleted Miami lineup at TD Garden.
The 28-year-old shooting guard finished with seven rebounds and four assists as Boston improved to 17-4 to remain second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cavaliers.
Payton Pritchard once again caught the eye with a sharpshooting performance off the bench, knocking down five three-pointers from 12 attempts to finish with 25 points.
Derrick White, who also missed Sunday’s defeat to Cleveland, also impressed for the NBA champions with 19 points including five three-pointers.
Jayson Tatum added 18 points as Boston kept the scoreboard ticking over, establishing a hefty double-digit lead midway through the third quarter before cruising to victory.
The Celtics’ prowess from outside the arc was decisive, with Boston making 19-of-55 attempts from three-point range, in sharp contrast to Miami, who finished with only 8-of-35.
Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. led Miami’s scorers with 19 points apiece.
In Minneapolis, the Timberwolves blew past an anemic Los Angeles Lakers offensive performance to romp to a 109-80 victory.
The Lakers led fleetingly in the first quarter but were never in the contest thereafter, making just 32-of-79 attempts from the court and converting just six three-pointers from 31 attempts throughout.
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 18 points while Rudy Gobert finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Point guard D’Angelo Russell topped the Lakers scorers with 20 points while Anthony Davis added 12 points. LeBron James finished with just 10 points from 4-of-16 shooting.
In Atlanta, De’Andre Hunter bagged 22 points while Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels added 19 points each to give the Hawks a comfortable 124-112 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Atlanta’s fourth straight victory helped them improve to 11-11 for the season.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, remain bottom of the Western Conference after stumbling to their ninth consecutive defeat.
In Chicago, the Bulls powered to a 128-102 drubbing of the Brooklyn Nets thanks to 21 points from Nikola Vucevic and a triple double from Australian star Josh Giddey, who posted 20 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
NBA: Timberwolves blow out Lakers 109-80 behind Randle, Gobert and tough defense
- Julius Randle scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS: Julius Randle scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers 109-80 on Monday night.
Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 15 for the Wolves (10-10), who limited the Lakers to their lowest point total since a 122-73 loss at Dallas in 2017, according to Sportradar.
Anthony Edwards had only eight points on 3-for-13 shooting for the Wolves, but his Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis were just as quiet for the Lakers (12-9).
James, who has missed 19 straight 3-pointers, had 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting. Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell scored 20 in his return from illness and to the starting lineup.
After beating Utah 105-104 on Sunday, the Lakers traveled another time zone east to face a team they beat 110-103 in the season opener behind 36 points and 16 rebounds from Davis.
Takeaways
Lakers: Rookie coach J.J. Redick assessed his team at the quarter mark of the season “uneven and inconsistent.” The Lakers’ fifth loss in their last seven games didn’t even clear that bar.
Timberwolves: With the defense locked in, Minnesota’s other priorities are reviving its transition game and 3-point shooting. Both boxes were checked. The Timberwolves went 15 for 35 from deep and had 20 fast-break points.
Key moment
Gobert, the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was plenty disruptive against Davis and the Lakers. Gobert stole an inbounds pass from Max Christie for a rare fast-break dunk late in the third.
Key stat
The Wolves held their opponent under 100 points for the second straight game and fourth this season. In 2023-24, when they led the league in scoring defense, they held opponents to double digits 23 times.
Up next
The Lakers play at the Miami Heat on Wednesday, when the Wolves visit the Los Angeles Clippers.