LONDON: Rugby superstar Sonny Bill Williams is set to refuse to wear the logo of Super League sponsor Betfred due to his religious beliefs, Toronto Wolfpack chairman Bob Hunter said.
The 34-year-old New Zealander, who switched codes for the second time following last year’s rugby union World Cup in Japan, converted to Islam in 2009.
Gambling firm Betfred have sponsored rugby league competition Super League since 2017 and last year agreed a two-year contract extension.
“We’re in discussions with Super League about this, but Sonny has been very clear in his stance on the matter,” Hunter told the Daily Telegraph.
“I think Betfred will benefit by taking the position that we respect and honor the player’s religious beliefs.
“In today’s society there are some very sensitive issues but I think the sponsor can say ‘yes, OK, we understand this. He’s a big brand and big name but we get it’.”
In 2017, Williams covered up a Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) logo on his Auckland Blues shirt.
It later emerged that he was exercising a “conscientious objection” clause in his contract, telling New Zealand Rugby he did not want to wear the logos of banks, alcohol brands or gambling sponsors.
Williams initially switched from league to union in 2008 and won back-to-back World Cups, earning 58 caps for the All Blacks. He has also tried his hand at boxing.
The former All Black is reportedly the highest-paid player in either code of rugby after signing a two-year deal at the Canadian club and Hunter said he had been given shares in the club as part of his package.
Hunter said Toronto were already starting to cash in on their big-name recruit before he had even played a competitive match.
“The fan interest just generally and the amount of media attention which helps you sell everything has been tremendous,” he said.
“A lot of my friends don’t understand rugby league and are not Wolfpack fans yet say ‘but I heard you signed this really big player, the LeBron James of rugby league’.
“Our season subscriptions have gone up about 30 percent and our sponsorship dollars are up 35 and it could (be) 40 percent by the end of the year.”
Toronto kick off their Super League campaign on February 2 against Castleford Tigers.
They will play a number of their early “home” matches in Britain due to the harsh Canadian winter. Their first game in Toronto will be in April.
Muslim player Sonny Bill Williams ‘to refuse to wear’ Super League gambling logo on shirt
https://arab.news/b628f
Muslim player Sonny Bill Williams ‘to refuse to wear’ Super League gambling logo on shirt
- The 34-year-old New Zealander converted to Islam in 2009
- Gambling firm Betfred have sponsored rugby league competition Super League since 2017
The Tour de France is returning to the UK in 2027 with a start from Edinburgh
For the Tour de France Femmes, it will be the first time holding stages in Britain, with the start location to be announced later
PARIS: Britain will host the Grand Départ of both the Tour de France and the women’s version of the race in 2027, organizers said Wednesday.
It will be the 28th time that the Tour de France starts from a foreign country, and the first time since 2014 — when the Tour began in the Yorkshire region — that Britain hosts the start of cycling’s biggest race. The 2007 Tour started in London.
For the Tour de France Femmes, it will be the first time holding stages in Britain, with the start location to be announced later.
The men’s and women’s races will take place on different dates.
Full details of the route have yet to be announced but organizers revealed that the men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh, Scotland. There will be stages in England and Wales, too.
When the Tour departed from Yorkshire, the event drew enormous crowds.
“The Tour de France and the UK share a rich history, and I am delighted to bring the Grand Départ to the country in 2027,” said Christian Prudhomme, the Tour de France director. “Britain has always welcomed the Tour with enthusiasm and pride, and this collaboration across England, Scotland, and Wales promises to make the event even more special.”
Three British riders have won the Tour — Bradley Wiggins in 2012, four-time champion Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas.
Last year’s Grand Depart took place in Florence, Italy, with the 2026 race due to start in Barcelona, Spain.
This year’s race will start from the northern French city of Lille.
It will be the second start of the women’s race outside France following the Grand Départ in the Netherlands in 2024, organizers said.
Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah stars foresee bright future for Saudi game ahead of SAFF Women’s Cup final
- The second competition will take place at Kingdom Arena on Wednesday night
- Manar Fraij, Al-Ahli’s football coach, said that the Saudi league was competing to be one of the best leagues in the Arab world
RIYADH: Ahead of the SAFF Women’s Cup final on Wednesday night, Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah coaches and players have spoken to Arab News about their football journeys, and predicted a bright future for the women’s game in the Kingdom.
Taking place on March 19 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the match will feature two of the top teams in Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning women’s football scene.
Manar Fraij, Al-Ahli’s football coach, said that the Saudi league was competing to be one of the best leagues in the Arab world, even at the level of Africa and Asia.
“The presence of players who meet high standards supports the Saudi league and draws more attention to it,” she said. “It has helped Saudi players to interact with experienced players, those who’ve played in the biggest international and global events. All of this benefits the Saudi players, the Saudi league, and the Saudi national team. I expect that in about three years, the Saudi women’s national team will reach a very high level.”
She highlighted the growth of female players in the Kingdom, noting a surge in new players under the age of 15.
“It’s all part of the infrastructure that the Saudi federation is working on in a sequential, excellent manner. Today, the mindset of the Saudi player has changed … Today, I’m seeing professionalism in the game. Saudi Arabia has started to show up on the scene.
“Their commitment beyond training, even off the field, is reflected in their performance, and it’s clear, whether in the achievements of the Saudi national team or the Saudi league. When I see a 19-year-old Saudi player running alongside a 30-year-old professional who’s played in Europe and the Champions League, that’s something truly impressive.”
Fraij said that the Saudi league had become desirable for players internationally, but she emphasized that the Kingdom’s players should be given the opportunity to play.
“We’ve seen this year’s signings — clubs have brought in players of a very high level,” she said. “Of course, it’s good; the more professionals there are, the better. But on the condition that Saudi players still get their chance in the league and in the cup, so that cohesion remains clear, and we keep building the foundation and gaining experience for the Saudi national team.”
Morocco international and Al-Ahli captain, Ibtissam Jraidi, said that the league this year was different to last year, pointing out that there had been major improvement and development.
“Even the efforts from the Saudi Federation to support Saudi girls in achieving their dreams, letting them play matches and play football, have made a difference,” she said. “Honestly, even the Saudi players themselves have improved a lot. I can see it clearly, even among the girls in my team and in other teams as well. They’ve developed so quickly, and that’s really nice and positive. The attention and support from the Saudi Federation are what helped them develop like this.”
The captain, who became the first Arab to score a goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, said that she prepares herself by focusing solely on the match.
“I don’t think about anything else so that I can perform at my true level on the field — to help my team and my teammates. My mind is on the match, and specifically on what I need to do on the field, and nothing else.”
Luis Andrade, head coach of Al-Qadsiah, told Arab News that the journey to the final had been built on belief, teamwork and determination.
“We have overcome big challenges to be here, and we are ready to take the next step,” he said. “Our players have shown incredible character throughout this competition, and we aim to make history for the club and our fans.”
Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah captain Rayanne Machado said that playing in the final was a dream come true for their team.
“We have worked so hard to reach this stage, and we are fully prepared to fight for the title,” she said. “We respect Al-Ahli’s quality, but we believe in ourselves and our ability to bring this trophy home for Al-Qadsiah.”
This is the second SAFF Women’s Cup, which began in October, and saw 16 teams from both the Saudi Women’s Premier League and the Saudi Women’s First Division League competing for glory. A campaign by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, #SeeOurGlory, was launched earlier in the week to celebrate the event and encourage fans to attend the final.
Algerian boxer Khelif ‘not intimidated’ by Trump as she targets second Olympic gold in LA
- “I will give you a straightforward answer — the US president issued a decision related to transgender policies in America,” she told Britain’s ITV News
- “This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me. That is my response“
LONDON: Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, at the center of a gender row at the Paris Games, is targeting a second gold in Los Angeles and says she will not be intimidated by Donald Trump.
The US president last month signed an executive order barring transgender women from competing in the female categories of sports.
Trump had previously said the 25-year-old fighter had transitioned from being a man, even though that is not the case.
“I will give you a straightforward answer — the US president issued a decision related to transgender policies in America,” she told Britain’s ITV News.
“I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me. That is my response.”
Olympic chiefs earlier this week recommended that boxing be included at the 2028 Games in LA after a new governing body was provisionally recognized.
The decision still needs to be rubber-stamped by a full session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week in Greece.
“Second gold medal, of course,” said Khelif. “In America, Los Angeles.”
She added: “This experience has taught me a lot. I believe that if the old Imane operated at 50 percent of her potential, then the Imane Khalif of today is even more motivated and determined.
“I have learned so much from this campaign against me, and what happened at the Paris Olympics was an eye-opening experience. I feel even stronger now than I was before.”
Khelif’s triumph in Paris, along with that of Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, sparked a raging gender eligibility debate, with high-profile figures such as Trump and Elon Musk weighing in.
She revealed she was “deeply affected mentally” by the “major media campaign” surrounding her, and said her mother was attending hospital almost daily as her family shared the brunt of the attacks.
Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the International Boxing Association’s 2023 world championships after the organization, the long-standing governing body of amateur boxing, said they had failed gender eligibility tests.
The IOC has severed links with the IBA over financial, governance and ethical concerns. The IBA is led by the Kremlin-linked Russian Umar Kremlev.
Last month the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing as the body to oversee the sport at future Games.
“As we say in Algeria, those who have nothing to hide should have no fear,” Khelif told ITV. “The truth became clear at the Paris Olympics — the injustice was exposed and later, the truth was acknowledged by the Olympic Committee in Paris.”
She added: “For me, I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one.
“I have competed in many tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and other major competitions, as well as four world championships.
“All of these took place before I started winning and earning titles. But once I began achieving success, the campaigns against me started.”
The debate over transgender athletes and athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) in women’s sport has been a central issue in the ongoing IOC presidential race, which concludes on Thursday.
The three leading candidates — Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry — have spoken of the need to “protect the women’s category.”
World Athletics president Coe told AFP in an interview last year: “If we do not protect women’s sport and we don’t have a clear and unambiguous set of policies to do that, then we run the risk of losing women’s sport.”
Khelif said: “I hope the next president of the IOC leads with true sportsmanship, stays committed to Olympic principles, and upholds the values of fair play.”
French soccer federation sends support to Fofana after online racist abuse
- The governing body said Wednesday the online attacks “are unacceptable”
- Fofana used his Instagram stories to highlight the messages
PARIS: The French soccer federation has condemned the racist abuse directed at Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana after the Premier League team’s loss at Arsenal.
The governing body said Wednesday the online attacks “are unacceptable” and called for the abusers to be prosecuted and sanctioned.
“I want to assure Wesley of my full support,” federation president Philippe Diallo said. “On the pitch as elsewhere, racism is intolerable. It must be fought and punished.”
Fofana, a 24-year-old Marseille native, used his Instagram stories to highlight the messages he was sent on the platform after Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Emirates Stadium. They included racist words and monkey emojis.
Chelsea said they were “appalled and disgusted” by the rise in online abuse toward their players.
Fofana started the match and was substituted after 86 minutes.
Pakistan football team to travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow for AFC Asian Cup qualifier camp
- Pakistan will face Syria in AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture on Mar. 25 in Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahsa
- Green shirts to resume training camp in Saudi Arabia under Head Coach Stephen Constantine
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's national football team will travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, where they will resume training for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture against Syria, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement.
Pakistan will kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign against Syria on Mar. 25 at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
The green shirts concluded their training session in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday night, the PFF said.
"The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, where they will continue their training under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine," the PFF said.
Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Constantine, who previously served as the country's head coach from late 2023 until mid-2024, as head coach for the Syria fixture.
Pakistan's inclusion in the qualifier was made possible after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) lifted its international suspension against the country earlier this month.
FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected its electoral reforms. Following the suspension, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA's proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting in Lahore this month.
Pakistan are placed in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
PAKISTAN PROBABLES
Goal-Keepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Adam Khan
Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Haseeb Khan, Junaid Shah, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Fazal, Abdul Rehman and Waqar Ihtisam
Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Ali Zafar, Muhammad Umar Hayat, Rahis Nabi, Toqeer ul Hassan, Umair Ali and Moin Ahmed
Forwards: Fareedullah, Harun Hamid, Imran Kayani, Mckeal Abdullah, Abdul Samad, Shayak Dost and Muhammad Adeel Younas
