Sterling becomes first signing of Chelsea’s new era

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United on May 8. (File/AFP)
Short Url
Updated 13 July 2022
Follow

Sterling becomes first signing of Chelsea’s new era

  • The 27-year-old forward signed a five year contract for a fee reported to be $59 million

LONDON: England international Raheem Sterling on Wednesday became Chelsea’s first signing since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club, ending his successful spell at Manchester City.
The 27-year-old forward signed a five year contract for a fee reported to be £50 million ($59 million).
“England star Raheem Sterling has joined Chelsea from Manchester City on a five-year contract,” said the buying club in a statement on their website.
Sterling had pre-empted his move earlier on Wednesday by posting a goodbye message on social media saying he left City as a “man” having arrived from Liverpool as a 20-year-old.
However, once the signing became official Sterling — who is with Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the United States — turned his attention to what he hopes to achieve under Thomas Tuchel.
“I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’s management,” he said in a statement.
“London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge.”
Sterling, capped 77 times, won four Premier League titles among nine major trophies since joining City from Liverpool in 2015.
A key player in the early years of Pep Guardiola’s reign at City, Sterling scored 131 goals in 337 appearances for the English champions.
However, his regular place in the starting line-up at City came increasingly under threat from the signing of Jack Grealish for a Premier League record £100 million last year, plus the emergence of Phil Foden from the club’s academy.


Vincent Labrune re-elected to another 4-year term as French soccer league president

Updated 35 sec ago
Follow

Vincent Labrune re-elected to another 4-year term as French soccer league president

The league (LFP) said Labrune received strong support from the board and was then elected by the general assembly in the first round
The vote was expected to be tighter because Labrune had faced criticism in recent months over the handling of the league’s TV rights

PARIS: French league president Vincent Labrune was re-elected Tuesday to another four-year term with an overwhelming majority.
The league (LFP) said Labrune, who was formerly club president of nine-time French champion Marseille, received strong support from the board and was then elected by the general assembly in the first round of ballots with 85.67 percent percent of the votes.
“After a first mandate marked by emergency solutions and long-term responses to the unprecedented crisis in the financing of audiovisual rights, an era of transformation for professional soccer has now begun,” the league said in a statement.”
The vote was expected to be tighter because Labrune had faced criticism in recent months over the handling of the league’s TV rights.
Following the collapse of its record-breaking TV rights contract with Spanish-based broadcaster Mediapro four years ago, the league hoped it could get up to 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) per year from the sale of broadcasting rights for 2024-29 but had to lower its target.
In the end, the league settled for 500 million euros per year after sealing a late deal with British streaming platform DAZN and BeIN Sports.
Under Labrune, the French soccer league also approved an investment deal with private equity firm CVC Capital Partners as part of a new commercial subsidiary in charge of marketing media rights. CVC invested 1.5 billion euros in return for a 13 percent stake in the new commercial subsidiary managing TV rights, valuing the entire capital of the commercial subsidiary at 11.5 billion euros.
The CVC deal, which was sealed in 2022 after French soccer came close of bankruptcy, is supported by a large majority of clubs. But it has been challenged by Le Havre, which launched a lawsuit against the French league because it is unhappy with the repartition of the money.
In addition, the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office said this year it was assessing a complaint focusing on possible misappropriation of public funds when the LFP’s trading company was created following the partial transfer of capital to CVC.
The league said Tuesday it will now work on reducing the deficit of its clubs and enhancing the value of its competitions in partnership with broadcasters and CVC.
After the Mediapro collapse, the league was forced to ask the government to set up a financial rescue plan amid huge revenue losses exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. The deal with Mediapro should have been worth more than 4 billion euros ($4.8 billion) over four years for the top two tiers but collapsed after only four months.

Late Kadesh winner puts Saudi Arabia back on World Cup path

Updated 3 min 58 sec ago
Follow

Late Kadesh winner puts Saudi Arabia back on World Cup path

  • Victory looked unlikely after 20 minutes with China a goal up and Saudis a man down

DALIAN: Unlikely hero Hassan Kadesh put Saudi Arabia back on track for 2026 World Cup qualification with a late goal that saw them beat China 2-1.

Roberto Mancini has coached some top-class talent in his career but — Sergio Aguero aside — he can rarely have had such cause to hug one of his players at the end of a game. The Al-Ittihad defender, having never previously scored for his country, has now notched up two goals.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was exactly what the Green Falcons needed after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Indonesia five days ago. It was exactly what under-fire Mancini needed too.

The win was looking unlikely when, after 20 minutes, Dalian was rocking — China were a goal up, and the Saudis were a man down. But the visitors dug in and then fought hard until the end. 

Kadesh’s heroics mean Saudi Arabia has four points from the opening two games. However, they still have much to do if they are to finish in the top two of Group C and automatically book a spot at the 2026 tournament,

The opening goal could not have been simpler for a Chinese team thrashed 7-0 by Japan last Thursday. Brazilian-born Fernandinho sent over a corner kick from the right and, at the edge of a crowded six-yard box, the ball hit the jumping Ali Lajami before finding the back of the net. 

Noise levels from the 48,000 home fans rose dramatically and things got even worse for Saudi Arabia soon after. On his back and on the floor, Kanno kicked out at Jiang Shenglong’s chest and was swiftly shown the red card.

Saudi Arabia were shaken but stirred themselves to hit back and take something from the game. Seven minutes before the break, they were back on level terms.

Nasser Al-Dawsari whipped in a delightful cross from a corner to find Kadesh at the near post, whose delightful low header hit the Chinese net and silenced the home crowd. Soon after, Al-Dawsari fired wide, and Saudi hearts were in their mouths as, almost on half-time, Wu Lei headed outside the post with Mohammed Al-Owais able only to stand, watch and hope.

Another Chinese corner caused chaos early in the second half, with Wang Shangyuan heading the ball home from close range. However, a VAR check led to the goal being rules offside.

Just after the hour there was nearly more good news when Salem Al-Dawsari, who always seemed to feel the game was there to be won, burst free of the red defense. The away fans behind the goal were ready to celebrate but, somehow, the Al-Hilal star hit the crossbar and the ball bounced away.

A penalty call, also by Al-Dawsari, was waved away and China came close with just 15 minutes left, Al-Owais getting down to push away a curling shot from Li Lei.

As the final whistle approached the game started to drift and a draw seemed certain. But in the final minute, Saudi Arabia got another corner and there was an unmarked Kadesh, powerfully heading the ball home high into the net for his second goal of both the game and his international career.

China never really looked like scoring again, and the final whistle found the hero of the hour and his teammates jumping up and down as they celebrated the win.

Saudi Arabia will face Japan on Oct. 10 for their next 2026 World Cup qualifying match.


Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani set on becoming Professional Fighters League’s first featherweight champion

Updated 10 September 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani set on becoming Professional Fighters League’s first featherweight champion

  • PFL MENA 3 semifinal playoffs take place in Riyadh on Sept. 20

RIYADH: Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Saudi Arabia’s breakout MMA star, is laser-focused on capturing the inaugural PFL MENA featherweight title as he prepares for the semifinal playoffs in his hometown of Riyadh on Sept. 20.

Since joining the Professional Fighters League in 2023, the 27-year-old has proved a dominant force, winning his first two showcase fights and establishing himself as a rising star in the featherweight division.

Al-Qahtani kicked off 2024 with more success, delivering a stunning knockout victory over Edukondala Rao at the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event in Riyadh.

The knockout win not only solidified his reputation but also made him a household name in Saudi Arabia’s MMA circles, propelling him into the spotlight as the face of PFL MENA.

After his triumph at PFL MENA 1, Al-Qahtani secured a semifinal spot by dispatching Yazeed Hasanain. Now, he is set to face Jordan’s Abdulrahman Al-Hayassat in a high-stakes semifinal bout at PFL MENA 3 at Boulevard Riyadh City.

Al-Qahtani, who is undefeated in the PFL at 4-0 and has a 9-1 career record, said he has been preparing meticulously for the fight. “I’m fighting Al-Hayassat on my home turf and in front of my crowd.

“Naturally, I study my opponents thoroughly before every fight, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to devise the right strategy that will enable me to win and advance to the next round.”

“I’ve prepared perfectly for this fight, and I’m confident in my ability to win and qualify for the final,” he added.

“My focus is on the belt and winning the fight. My opponent’s statements about his ability to win won’t affect me. I know my capabilities well, just as I know his.”

For Al-Qahtani, fighting in Riyadh adds an extra layer of motivation. “My goal is to entertain my supporters who always stand by me, and I won’t let them down. I’ll easily defeat my Jordanian opponent,” he promised.See the complete PFL MENA 3 semifinal fight card below:

Featherweight:

Abdullah Al-Qahtani (9-1) vs. Abdelrahman Al-Hayassat (4-0)

Welterweight:

Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-6) vs. Omar El-Dafrawy (11-6)

Welterweight:

Mohammad Alaqraa (6-0) vs. Amir Fazli (6-2)

Lightweight:

Souhil Tairi (7-4-1) vs. Mohsen Mohammadseifi (5-1)

Bantamweight:

Ali Taleb (10-1) vs. Jalal Al-Daaja (11-8)

Featherweight:

Islam Reda (11-1) vs. Marouaune Bellagouit (5-0)

Bantamweight:

Elias Boudegzdame (19-8) vs. Rachid El-Hazoume (14-3)

Lightweight:

Georges Eid (9-4, 1 no contest) vs. Omar Reguigui (4-0, 1NC)

Alternate featherweight showcase bout:

Adam Meskini (8-3) vs. Yazeed Hasanain (3-1)


Top Olympic sponsor Panasonic is ending its contract with the IOC

Updated 10 September 2024
Follow

Top Olympic sponsor Panasonic is ending its contract with the IOC

  • In a statement, Panasonic said it became an IOC sponsor in 1987 and expanded to the Paralympics in 2014
  • It did not make clear why it was changing course and said only that is was related to continual ‘reviews how sponsorship should evolve’

TOKYO: Olympic sponsor Panasonic is terminating its contract with the IOC at the end of the year, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

Panasonic is one of 15 companies that are so-called TOP sponsors for the International Olympic Committee. It’s not known the value of the Panasonic sponsorship, but sponsors contribute more than $2 billion in a four-year cycle to the IOC.

In a statement, Panasonic said it became an IOC sponsor in 1987 and expanded to the Paralympics in 2014. It did not make clear why it was changing course and said only that is was related to continual “reviews how sponsorship should evolve.”

Two other Japanese companies are also among the IOC’s 15 leading sponsors. Toyota, which for several months has been reportedly ready to end its contract, was contacted Tuesday by The Associated Press but offered no new information.

“Toyota has been supporting the Olympic and Paralympic movements since 2015 and continues to do so,” Toyota said in a statement. “No announcement to suggest otherwise has been made by Toyota.”

Japanese sponsors seem to have turned away from the Olympics, likely related to the one-year delay in holding the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The COVID-19 delay reduced sponsors’ visibility with no fans allowed to attend competition venues, ran up the costs, and unearthed myriad corruption scandals around the Games.

Tiremaker Bridgestone said “nothing has been decided.”

Toyota had a contact valued at $835 million — reported to be the IOC’s largest when it was announced in 2015. It included four Olympics beginning with the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games in South Korea and ran through the just-completed Paris Olympics and Paralympics.

Reports in Japan suggest Toyota may keep its Paralympic Olympic sponsorship.

The IOC TOP sponsors are: ABInBev, Airbnb, Alibaba, Allianz, Atos, Bridgestone, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Intel, Omega, Panasonic, P&G, Samsung, Toyoto, and Visa.

In a report several months ago by the Japanese news agency Kyodo, unnamed sources said Toyota was unhappy with how the IOC uses sponsorship money. It said the money was “not used effectively to support athletes and promote sports.”

Japan was once a major font to revenue, but increasingly the IOC has sought out sponsors from China, with increasing interest from the Middle East and India.

Japan officially spent $13 billion on the Tokyo Olympics, at least half of which was public money. A government audit suggested the real cost was twice that. The IOC contribution was about $1.8 billion.

The Tokyo Games were mired in corruption scandals linked to local sponsorships and the awarding of contracts. Dentsu Inc, the huge Japanese marketing and public relations company, was the marketing arm of the Tokyo Olympics and raised a record-$3.3 billion in local sponsorship money. This is separate from TOP sponsors.

French prosecutors also looked into alleged vote-buying in the IOC’s decision in 2013 to pick Tokyo as the host for the 2020 Summer Games.

The IOC had income of $7.6 billion in the last four-year cycle ending with the Tokyo Games. Figures have not been released yet for the cycle ending with the Paris Olympics.

The IOC’s TOP sponsors paid over $2 billion in that period. The figure is expected to reach $3 billion in the next cycle.


Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open set for third edition in early 2025

Updated 10 September 2024
Follow

Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open set for third edition in early 2025

  • 28 singles players and 16 doubles pairs will come together for 8 days of tennis action in the UAE capital

ABU DHABI: The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is set to return for the third time in 2025 after its successful second edition earlier this year.

The Women’s Tennis Association and International Management Group have announced that the tournament will take center stage at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from Feb. 1-8.

Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Aref Hamad Al Awani, said: “We continue to steadily build on the success of this prestigious championship, following the excellence demonstrated in the past two editions.

“The championship highlights our commitment to hosting world-class events in Abu Dhabi, the global sports capital, backed by the confidence of official sports federations and organizations, as well as the exceptional infrastructure that positions Abu Dhabi as a premier global destination, attracting top sports stars from around the world.”

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has quickly established itself as one of the highest-profile tournaments in women’s tennis, with strong line-ups competing for valuable ranking points.

With 28 singles players and 16 top doubles teams, the third edition aims to build on the success of this year’s event, where former Grand Slam champion and World No. 4 Elena Rybakina clinched the singles title and Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sofia Kenin triumphed in the doubles.

Homaid Al-Shimmari, deputy group CEO and chief corporate and human capital officer for Mubadala Investment Company, said: “The third edition of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open promises to be the best yet, offering an unparalleled experience that celebrates world-class tennis. Our commitment to this event highlights our dedication to supporting women’s professional tennis, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s global presence, and fostering engagement through world-class sporting experiences.”

Women’s Tennis Association CEO Portia Archer added: “We’re excited to welcome the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open back for the 2025 season after an impressive second edition featuring eight of the world’s top 20 players. The tournament’s exceptional organization and passionate fan base make it a favorite among WTA players.”