RB Leipzig crowned FIFAe Club World Champion 2023 at Gamers8

RBLZ Gaming – RB Leipzig celebrate winning the FIFAe Club World Cup 2023 in Riyadh. (Getty Images)
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Updated 10 July 2023
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RB Leipzig crowned FIFAe Club World Champion 2023 at Gamers8

  • RBLZ Gaming – RB Leipzig take home share of largest prize pool in FIFAe history
  • RB Leipzig defeated Team FUTWIZ Europe following dominant run to final

RIYADH: RBLZ Gaming – RB Leipzig took home the trophy and $300,000 in prize money after winning the final of the FIFAe Club World Cup 2023 at Gamers8.

The 2v2 competition, with total prize money of $1 million, took place from July 6 to 9 at Riyadh Boulevard City.

RB Leipzig, a team composed of Umut, the champion of the FIFAe World Cup 2022, and Vejrgang, the youngest ever FIFAe Club World Cup champion, claimed the trophy, after defeating Team FUTWIZ Europe following a dominant run to the final.

The partnership between FIFAe and Gamers8 is worth a total prize pool of $3 million for three competitions taking place at the festival. The FIFAe Nations Cup 2023 begins on July 11 and will be followed by the FIFAe World Cup 2023 on July 16.

Adrian Rolli, head of e-football at FIFA, said: “We are proud to be able to continuously raise the stage for our clubs and players and it’s always amazing to see organizations like RB Leipzig rise to the occasion.

“This was a spectacular start to what will be the biggest FIFAe finals we’ve ever had. Congrats to the players, coach, and club on an amazing victory and setting the tone for the rest of the event.”

Anders Vejrgang, of RB Leipzig, said: “Of course we are happy that we won the money, but the trophy is so important for us three. Everyone knows that we are the best team, and we were finally able to prove it.”

RB Leipzig took an early lead with a goal at the 30-minute mark of the first leg. FUTWIZ responded quickly, but a pass from Umut set up Vejrgang to score, bringing the game to 2-1 at half-time of the first leg. RB Leipzig’s defence held firm in the second half to take a one-goal lead into the second leg.

With a tied score of 1-1 in the second leg, RB Leipzig won the final with an aggregate score of 3-2.


UK Athletics admits corporate manslaughter in death of UAE Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei

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UK Athletics admits corporate manslaughter in death of UAE Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei

  • UK Athletics had initially denied the charge when it appeared in court in March 2025 but entered a guilty plea on Friday

LONDON: UK Athletics has admitted corporate manslaughter over the death of Emirati Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei, who was killed in a training accident in London in 2017, it was reported on Friday.

Hayayei, 36, died after a heavy metal cage collapsed on him while he was preparing for the World Para-Athletics Championships at Newham Leisure Centre in July of that year.

The governing body had initially denied the charge when it appeared in court in March 2025 but entered a guilty plea on Friday during a hearing at the Old Bailey in London, media reports said.

Keith Davies, the head of sport for the London 2017 World Para-Athletics Championships, also pleaded guilty to a health and safety offense.

The 78-year-old had previously denied a charge of gross negligence manslaughter.

Prosecutor Karen Robinson told the court a two-day sentencing hearing should be scheduled for early June, confirming the prosecution would not pursue a trial and that all remaining matters would be resolved following sentencing.

Davies was granted continued bail, subject to conditions including cooperation with the UK Probation Service in the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

At the time of the fatal incident, Hayayei was training to compete at the London championships.

The UAE athlete had been due to take part in the F34 shot put, discus and javelin events.

A father of five, Hayayei made his Paralympic debut at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, finishing sixth in the javelin and seventh in the shot put.

London 2017 was set to be his second world championships appearance, having placed fifth in the discus and eighth in the shot put at the 2015 event in Doha.

A moment of silence was observed in Hayayei’s memory during the opening ceremony at the London Stadium.