BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: Romelu Lukaku came on to score his first Premier League goal since September to keep Chelsea in the title race as the European champions came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1.
Reece James’ own goal put Villa ahead, but Jorginho quickly levelled from the penalty spot in a clash between two of the many English sides hit by cases of coronavirus.
Lukaku was one of Chelsea’s absentees due to a positive test for draws against Everton and Wolves last week that saw them lose ground in the title race.
But he made his return off the bench at the break and made an almost instant impact to head home Callum Hudson Odoi’s cross.
The Belgian’s blistering run then won a second Chelsea penalty in stoppage time that Jorginho slotted home.
Thomas Tuchel’s men move level on points with Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and back to within six of Manchester City, who were 6-3 winners over Leicester earlier on Boxing Day.
Villa’s own Covid outbreak saw manager Steven Gerrard forced into isolation after he tested positive on Christmas Day.
Gerrard has made a big impression since taking over in November, but this was another lesson in the gap he has to bridge to the Premier League’s top three after defeats to City and Liverpool.
The home side got off to the perfect start when James flicked Matt Targett’s effort over his own goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to open the scoring on 28 minutes.
However, the lead lasted just six minutes due to Matty Cash’s rash challenge on Hudson-Odoi inside the area.
Jorginho was Chelsea’s top league scorer last season despite all of his goals coming from penalties and the Italian international is his side’s leading marksmen in all competitions thanks to nine spot-kicks this season.
Lukaku will expect that to change over the coming weeks as the club’s record signing finds his form after a disrupted start to his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
He is still yet to start in the Premier League since suffering an ankle injury in October, with his positive test for Covid coming just as he was returning to full fitness.
But a Lukaku in form is what Chelsea need if they are to mount a serious title challenge with clashes against Liverpool and City to come in January.
The former Manchester United striker took just 11 minutes to make the difference as he timed his run perfectly to meet Hudson-Odoi’s cross and powered a header low past Emiliano Martinez.
Chelsea should have run out more comfortable winners as Mason Mount dragged his shot wide with the goal gaping after rounding Martinez.
The Argentine then spread himself to deny Hudson-Odoi when one-on-one.
But the only way Ezri Konsa could stop Lukaku as he powered his way through the Villa defense late on was by hauling him down and Jorginho got the better on Martinez once more from the spot.
Lukaku revives Chelsea’s title bid at Aston Villa
https://arab.news/rvqdt
Lukaku revives Chelsea’s title bid at Aston Villa
- Lukaku was one of Chelsea's absentees due to a positive test for draws against Everton and Wolves last week
- The Belgian's blistering run then won a second Chelsea penalty in stoppage time
Esports World Cup Foundation selects 40 clubs for $20m partner program
- The $20 million program will offer chosen clubs up to $1 million in funding to expand their brand
- The 2025 program offers modular funding for campaigns that engage fans, tell EWC-related stories and enable club-driven innovation
RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation announced the top 40 esports clubs that have been accepted into the EWCF Club Partner Program, an industry-leading initiative designed to promote the growth of esports organizations.
The $20 million program will offer chosen clubs up to $1 million in funding to expand their brand and grow their global audience through innovative content and marketing campaigns, leading up to and throughout the Esports World Cup 2025.
Faisal bin Homran, chief product officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, said that the organization’s mission is to build a sustainable future for esports clubs worldwide while creating opportunities for organizations from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
“This year’s 40 partnered clubs represent a diverse and dynamic cross-section of global esports, spanning legacy organizations, rising stars and global powerhouses that collectively define the rich history and the rapidly evolving future of the industry. By investing in their growth, the program will enable clubs to expand their audience and reach, strengthen their brands and gain greater visibility through fan-first content, shaping the future of esports as a global sport and mainstream entertainment.”
The 40 partner clubs, reaching more than 300 million fans, will drive global growth by creating compelling experiences and content that deepen their connection with fans worldwide, including behind-the-scenes production, player documentaries and live fan experiences that excite their communities. The 2025 program offers modular funding for campaigns that engage fans, tell EWC-related stories and enable club-driven innovation.
The 2025 EWCF Club Partner Program represents a global roster, including six clubs from China, alongside additions from rapidly expanding markets like Japan, India and Latin America. The full lineup is: 100 Thieves, All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Cloud9, Edward Gaming, EVOS, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, G2 Esports, Gaimin Gladiators, Gen.G, Gentle Mates, HEROIC, JD Gaming, Karmine Corp., Movistar KOI, LEVIATAN, LOUD, MOUZ, NAVI, NIP.eStar, ONIC, POWR, REJECT, S8UL, Sentinels, T1, Team BDS, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Team RRQ, Team Secret, Team Spirit, Team Vitality, Twisted Minds, virtus.pro, Weibo Gaming, Wolves Esports and ZETA DIVISION.
The 2025 Club Program applications in China were supported by Tencent E-Sports, which facilitated the process for 20 clubs that have applied.
Six clubs were selected, including All Gamers, Bilibili Gaming, Edward Gaming, JD Gaming, Weibo Gaming and Wolves Esports — China’s most dominant teams, engaging more than 125 million Chinese fans through gaming, entertainment and lifestyle content. Additionally, eStar, as part of NIP, has also been added to the lineup, further serving the expansion of the Club Partner Program in China and activating Chinese fans.
All clubs were selected through a rigorous evaluation process that reviewed almost 200 applications, included assessing their competitive track record in the Club Championship in 2024, their potential across multiple games, social media presence, fan engagement and their strategic plans for activating their global esports audience.
Eight clubs received direct invitations based on their EWC 2024 Club Championship ranking, while the remaining spots were allocated through an open application process. Nineteen clubs joined for the first time, and 21 returned from the inaugural year.
Fabien “Neo” Devide, chairman and co-founder of Team Vitality, said that esports is evolving faster than ever, and the EWCF Club Partner Program is driving that evolution by giving clubs the tools to grow, engage fans and compete at the highest level.
He added: “EWC 2024 was a defining moment for us — winning points in five games, two podium finishes and securing a top-four finish at the Club Championship. The scale and energy of the event proved just how influential esports has become. We’re proud to be part of the program again, fueled by the enthusiasm of French fans who continue to support and inspire us as we look to elevate our game, win as many tournaments as possible and carry Team Vitality’s colors high on the biggest stage in esports.”
Mosaad Al-Dossary, co-founder and chairman of Team Falcons, said that the return of the EWCF Club Partner Program highlights the growing impact of esports and its expanding influence in engaging fans globally.
“Following our Esports World Cup victory, we understand the dedication required to compete at the highest level, and Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role in the esports and gaming industry continues to set the standard. We look forward to once again competing among the best and securing another win to make our country proud,” he added.
Ibraheem Al-Tamimi, founder and CEO of POWR, said that the team is excited to be part of the EWCF Club Partner Program and to compete on the grand stage of the Esports World Cup this summer.
“This initiative presents a fantastic opportunity to grow our fan base and reach millions of fans. As we make our debut at the EWC, we look forward to showcasing our talent, representing our country and contributing to the continued growth of the global esports ecosystem,” he added.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
Djokovic player union launches legal blitz against governing bodies
- ATP and WTA responded by vowing to defend themselves against the claims
- “The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades,” said the PTPA
MIAMI: A tennis union co-founded by Novak Djokovic on Tuesday announced a series of legal actions aimed at the sport’s governing bodies, alleging “anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.”
The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) said it was suing both tour organizers, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
The International Tennis Federation (ITF), and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) were also named as defendants in a series of actions in the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union.
Both the ATP and WTA responded by vowing to defend themselves against the claims with the men’s tour saying the PTPA has “consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress.”
The PTPA was set up by Djokovic and Canadian Vasek Pospisil in 2020. Some 20 players were named as part of at least one of the actions.
“The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades,” said the PTPA statement.
“The ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA operate as a cartel by implementing a number of draconian, interlocking anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.”
“Tennis is broken,” said Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the PTPA.
“Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety.”
The statement listed alleged abuses they are targeting.
It said the defendants “colluded,” “fixing prize money and suppressing player earnings” forcing “an unsustainable schedule” and exploiting players financially.
The bodies show a “disregard for players” by making them “compete in 100-degree (Fahrenheit) heat, endure matches that ended at 3 am, and play with different and injury-inducing tennis balls.”
The PTPA also cited image right ownership, sponsorship restrictions and the “draconian system of ranking points.”
The statement also complained that tennis violates player “privacy rights.”
“Players are subjected to invasive searches of personal devices, random middle-of-the-night drug tests, and interrogations without legal representation,” it said.
The ATP said that it was continuing to make change, with player input and hit back at the union.
“While the ATP has remained focused on delivering reforms that benefit players at multiple levels, the PTPA has consistently chosen division and distraction through misinformation over progress,” the statement read.
“Five years on from its inception in 2020, the PTPA has struggled to establish a meaningful role in tennis, making its decision to pursue legal action at this juncture unsurprising.
“We strongly reject the premise of the PTPA’s claims, believe the case to be entirely without merit, and will vigorously defend our position. The ATP remains committed to working in the best interests of the game — toward continued growth, financial stability, and the best possible future for our players, tournaments, and fans,” the tour concluded.
The WTA also defended their approach to the game and said that PTPA’s action “is both regrettable and misguided, and we will defend our position vigorously in due course.”
In addition to Djokovic and Pospisil, the seven-member PTPA executive council also includes players, Hubert Hurkacz, Ons Jabeur, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Taylor Townsend and Zheng Saisai.
Australian Nick Kyrgios, France’s Varvara Gracheva and American Reilly Opelka have joined the PTPA’s case in the United States, while Frenchman Corentin Moutet and Japan’s Taro Daniel have joined the case in the United Kingdom.
Courtois back and Belgium are looking to turn the page on ‘Courtoisgate’
- The appointment of Rudi Garcia as the new coach this year paved the way for Courtois’ return
- The 32-year-old goalie was picked for the Nations League playoff doubleheader against Ukraine
BRUSSELS: Thibaut Courtois is back with Belgium after a 21-month absence and the Red Devils are hoping the Real Madrid goalkeeper’s return will herald the start of a new era for the national team after a lean spell.
Courtois abruptly left the team in June 2023 ahead of a European Championship qualifier after falling out with Belgium’s then-coach, Domenico Tedesco. Their feud, which began over a captaincy dispute and was dubbed “Courtoisgate,” quickly escalated and damaged their relationship beyond repair.
The appointment of Rudi Garcia as the new coach this year paved the way for Courtois’ return. The 32-year-old goalie, who has made 102 appearances for Belgium, was picked for the Nations League playoff doubleheader against Ukraine.
After being away from the group for almost two years, Thibaut met with his Belgium teammates on Monday to settle any possible lingering misunderstanding.
“We’ve put things right, the squad has fully accepted Thibaut’s decision, and now we’ve got our sights set on moving forward, winning both playoff matches and qualifying for the World Cup,” Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans said on Tuesday during a press conference attended by Courtois.
Courtois said he had been in contact with other Belgium internationals over the last two years, but that speaking in front of the group this week to explain himself and clear the air was important.
“I thought it was clear to everyone. But when I got here yesterday, I saw that it wasn’t,” Courtois said. “So it’s nice to be able to speak in front of everyone. Everything is clear, we’re moving forward. Let’s not talk about it anymore from now on.”
Courtois’ comeback does not seem to please everyone, though.
Courtois doesn’t satisfy everyone
Koen Casteels, who was Belgium’s starting ‘keeper at the 2024 European Championship, has made himself unavailable for the national team reportedly because of the circumstances around Courtois’ return to the fold. Casteels also suggested that other players were not enthusiastic about Courtois’ return.
Courtois said he did not know what Casteels was talking about, adding that his fellow ‘keeper was responsible for his decision.
Asked if he had any regrets, Courtois admitted he might have overreacted, but reiterated his claim that Tedesco did not show enough respect. Courtois said he had some physical issues at the time, and that Tedesco never came to check how he felt.
“I had never seen that in my 16-year professional career,” he said. “I know I don’t have the easiest personality, I’m a winner and I speak my mind, so it didn’t help. Things should have been solved within the team.”
Tielemans praised Garcia’s efforts toward team harmony after a controversy “that unfortunately did more harm to our squad than what we wanted.”
Under Garcia’s predecessor, who was hired in February 2023 with the goal of rebooting the Red Devils, Belgium failed and Tedesco was fired after disappointing performances at both Euro 2024, when they lost to France in the round of 16, and the Nations League.
Garcia’s first match in charge is on Thursday against Ukraine, with the mission to keep the Red Devils in League A. Belgium will then start its qualifying for the World Cup in June.
PFL MENA returns to Saudi Arabia as part of Jeddah Season
- The Professional Fighters League will kick off second season in the region at the Onyx Arena on May 9
JEDDAH: The Professional Fighters League has announced that season two of PFL MENA will kick off at the Onyx Arena in Jeddah on Friday, May 9.
Following a successful debut in 2024, the second season aims to expand mixed martial arts in the Middle East by highlighting local talent and providing fighters a pathway to international success.
This season, PFL MENA will be partnering with Jeddah Season to elevate the sport of MMA in the Middle East.
The organization will also continue to promote Middle Eastern talent, with the inclusion of Jeddah-based fighters. This includes debutant Malik Basahel (21-3-1), and Ahmed Makki, who will be competing in his final professional bout.
“We’re very excited to be coming back for a second season and expanding our reach to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” said Jerome Mazet, PFL MENA’s general manager.
“Jeddah is home to a number of amazing fighters and has a strong fanbase, so we’re excited and grateful to bring the sport of MMA back to this incredible city.”
He said last season “was a massive success” that elevated the sport and created “stars that represent the quality and level of Middle Eastern MMA.
“We cannot wait to put on even more amazing events and build even more stars this year.”
Tickets will be available from Tuesday, March 25.
From Palestine to Pittodrie: Oday Dabbagh proving a popular addition to Aberdeen’s attack
- Club’s manager and supporters have taken the 26-year-old to their hearts after he scored 3 times since joining in February
- Dabbagh’s next matches will be the World Cup qualifiers for Palestine against Jordan on Thursday, and then Iraq on March 25
PERTH: From Palestine to Pittodrie is a road less travelled, let alone by talented center-forwards, but Oday Dabbagh’s move to Aberdeen Football Club is proving to be a fruitful one.
Dabbagh has scored three goals in six games since he joined Aberdeen on loan at the beginning of February from Charleroi in Belgium, with the Scottish Premiership club securing an option to buy this summer.
There were no goals on Saturday at McDiarmid Park in Perth as his fourth-placed side drew 0-0 at relegation battlers St Johnstone. But there were plenty of examples of why the 26-year-old Palestinian has quickly become a popular figure at Aberdeen.
Dabbagh flashed a header wide just wide of the post, produced a lovely back heel to set up Topi Keskinen for a blocked shot and impressed with his hold up and link play.
The latter is especially true with Scotland international Kevin Nisbet, whom manager Jimmy Thelin has recently chosen to play just behind Dabbagh in Aberdeen’s attack.
“Oday is a good combination player,” Thelin told Arab News after the match. “He connects well with other players. I think him and Kevin have got a good relationship in the team. Oday has strengths.
“Today, we couldn’t give him so much to work on with the passes into the box, but he’s good at finding spots in the box and when he gets opportunities he’s really calm and finds the goals.”
The Swedish manager’s thoughts were echoed by St Johnstone defender Zach Mitchell, who described Dabbagh and the Aberdeen attack as a “threat” and that shutting them out was a “tough challenge.”
In Dabbagh’s previous match, Queen’s Park proved not as fortunate. That day Palestine’s record scorer — 16 goals from 45 caps — netted a double in the quarterfinal of the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie, Aberdeen’s home ground, in a 4-1 victory that earned a semifinal versus Hearts in April.
In a rollercoaster season for Aberdeen, the semifinal is an opportunity to get one step closer to winning silverware for the first time since 2014.
It is a bristling statistic for a club that enjoyed great success under the legendary Alex Ferguson in the 1980s, including three league title triumphs and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup trophies.
Under the guidance of Thelin, the club’s fifth manager since 2021, Aberdeen had a remarkable start to the season, winning 10 of their first 11 league matches and even briefly topping the Scottish Premiership table.
A dramatic decline that can be attributed to injury woes, defensive frailties and a lack of goals leaves Aberdeen a point behind third-placed Hibernian — who were bottom in November. The gap between Hibernian and Edinburgh rivals Hearts in sixth is a mere five points.
With champions Celtic once again comfortably ahead of second-placed Rangers, finishing third is the aim for Aberdeen in the league. Third place earns a spot in the second round of Europa League qualifying, while fourth seals the equivalent starting point in the Conference League.
Winning the Scottish Cup would earn Aberdeen coveted silverware and a Europa League playoff-round spot next season.
That leaves ample opportunity for Jerusalem-born Dabbagh to further endear himself to the Dons supporters. In the games prior to Dabbagh signing, Aberdeen had failed to score in five league matches and not won in the Scottish Premiership since Nov. 9.
“He’s the new type of striker that Aberdeen have needed this season,” Aberdeen fan Cameron Carnie told Arab News outside McDiarmid Park before the match on Saturday.
“He’s going to do well. He’s a lot more direct than the strikers we’ve had this season. I think it’s a different dynamic, and he’s good in the air as well. The fans have absolutely taken to him pretty well.
“Everyone wants him on a permanent deal. He’s shone enough already. Hopefully he just keeps on banging in the goals.”
Fellow fan Alan Hay, like Carnie from Aberdeen, a city in the northeast of Scotland famous for being the country’s oil capital, was of a similar mindset with regards to Dabbagh’s stint in a red shirt.
“It’s early days but there’s signs of promise,” said Hay. “He’s maybe trying a little bit hard at times but I’m feeling quite positive. There’s a quickness, an awareness and an alertness to his game.
“He’s willing to run. People love an exotic striker so it’s something a bit different. He’s got a bit of personality about him.”
Dabbagh is the first Palestine international to play in Scottish football’s top flight. The striker began his career with Palestinian club Hilal Al-Quds before moving to Kuwait.
He then signed with Al-Salmiya, Qadsia, Al-Yarmouk and then Al-Arabi where he won the Kuwait Premier League and became the league’s top scorer.
Dabbagh moved to Europe for the first time when he joined Portuguese side Arouca in 2021 before joining Charleroi on a three-year deal in 2023.
Dabbagh’s next matches will be for his national team against Jordan on Thursday, and then Iraq on March 25 in World Cup qualifiers. Both matches are taking place at the Amman International Stadium due to the situation in his homeland.
When Dabbagh returns to Aberdeen, for whom he wears the No. 11 shirt, there is much to play for.
At the end of Saturday’s match at McDiarmid Park, Dabbagh and the rest of the Aberdeen players walked to their supporters to applaud them before leaving the field.
Among the throng of red shirts and scarves, a Palestinian flag was proudly waved in the air.
Should the next stage of Dabbagh’s footballing journey include the goals that propel Aberdeen to European football and — even more enticing — silverware, there will be many more Palestinian flags hoisted in celebration.
