Can 2021 handle the burden of all of this year’s postponed sporting competitions?

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The Dubai World Cup horse race was due to take place on March 25, it was then due to take place without any spectators before it was eventually decided to postpone the 28th race until next year. (File/AFP)
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Updated 15 April 2020
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Can 2021 handle the burden of all of this year’s postponed sporting competitions?

  • Major stand-alone events demand more decisive action on the other hand
  • With postponements and rearrangements announced almost daily, 2021 could be one of the most sports event-heavy years of all time

DUBAI: For many reasons, least important of them sporting ones, next year can’t come soon enough for most people. Still, when sports competitions eventually do return, 2021 looks like it might have an almost unbearable burden on it.

The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it a complete shutdown of all sports fixtures, some cancelled, others suspended indefinitely and many that have, optimistically, been moved to future dates.

With postponements and rearrangements announced almost daily, 2021 could be one of the most sports event-heavy years of all time.

Of most immediacy is perhaps annual competitions and leagues. 

Will the 2020 Formula 1 season, for example, be completed this year? Scheduled to start in March, the season has been delayed until June with two races already cancelled and seven postponed.

We are fast approaching a time when questions will be asked whether all 2020 Grand Prix events will be suspended. Season 2021 might just have to be the 70th edition after all.

As things stand, many domestic football leagues, including some of Europe’s biggest, have tentatively set return dates in May or June. That is, it goes without saying, if the coronavirus crisis has by then eased significantly to not put players, staff and organizers under any threat.

Most likely, many matches will be played behind closed doors as taking unnecessary risks with huge congregations of fans is almost certainly out of the question in the next few months.

The big question remains, how long will the 2019-20 season be persevered with?

With just a handful of matches left in most domestic campaigns around the world, and with many teams within touching distance of glory - or failure - the debate has raged on whether to void ongoing campaigns or restart them once a semblance of normality returns.

For fans of the likes of PSG, Liverpool, Celtic and other clearly dominant teams, almost guaranteed success would be snatched. For rival fans, of course, a chance to gloat, never mind the human cost of the catastrophe that has brought about this dilemma.

What is no longer doubt is that whatever decisions will be taken, and even if competitive action does return in the coming months, it looks like the consequences will inevitably spill over into 2021,

The general consensus is that the current campaigns, most of which are almost 75 percent completed, will have to be concluded for many logistical, financial and broadcasting reasons, before the subsequent ones are started.

There has even been suggestions that the prospective 2020-21 season (scheduled for an August start) could be become played across the 2021 calendar, leading to a similar 2022 campaign ahead of the winter world Cup that year.

It would be an unprecedented disruption to a mostly global football calendar that has stood for decades. But then we are living in unprecedented times.

That’s before we even get to the number of international football events taking place this year and next.

The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to kick off in Cameroon on January 9, 2021, as things stand. As with all other competitions, the chances of that going ahead as planned decrease with every passing day that the coronavirus crisis continues to rage.

Euro 2020, second only in terms of importance to the World Cup, has already been tentatively moved forward a year, and then there is the matter of the UEFA Nations League which was meant to start its second edition in September. Its fate remains unknown.

The 2021 Women’s European Championships were set to kick off at Old Trafford on July 7, but with the intrusion of the postponed men’s events, now looks almost certain to be postponed until 2022, pending an official decision by UEFA.

There was genuine concerns that the potential rescheduling of the two men’s competitions will overlap with and inevitably detract from what was going to be hugely-anticipated tournament in England. A year’s delay means the women’s competition will now share a calendar year with the men’s World Cup, albeit not at the same time.

Rescheduling football tournaments is proving more than 2021 can seemingly handle. 

“It is the biggest crisis that football faced in history,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said last month.

“We all know that this terrible virus that is all across Europe made football and all life in Europe quite impossible. We knew we have to stop the competitions."

And there’s more.

The 47th edition of Copa America, a completion that often seems to take every year, meanwhile, was set to run from June 12 to July 12 this year in Argentina and Colombia. Not surprisingly it has now been pushed back to June 2021.

Then there’s the big one; the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, initially scheduled for a July start. Having ignored reality and common sense for as long as was humanly possible, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) eventually succumbed to common sense, and pressure from competing nations and athletes, by delaying the games until next year.

In the Middle East, increasingly home to some of the most high-profile global sporting events, decisions will have to be taken on what will be postponed and what, inevitably, is cancelled.

The UAE’s Arabian Gulf League, Saudi Professional League and other regional football leagues, like almost all FIFA approved competitions, have been suspended and plans for resumption for now seem to be nothing more specific than playing it by ear.

Major stand-alone events demand more decisive action on the other hand.

The 25th Dubai World Cup, until recently the world’s richest horse race but now overtaken by the Saudi Cup, has already been postponed pushed back from March 28 until next year. 

But some organizers of remain more optimistic. The inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International, the first female professional golf tournament to be played in Saudi Arabia, has been delayed until Oct. 8-11, 2020.

The new date for the $1 million event at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club was agreed by tournament promoters and owners, Golf Saudi, and the Ladies European Tour (LET), with some of the world’s finest golfing talent still expected to showcase their skills on Saudi shores during this landmark occasion.

“Postponing the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International originally scheduled to take place in March, was a difficult decision,” Alexandra Armas, LET CEO, said.

“However, we have been extremely impressed by Golf Saudi’s commitment to working through the challenges and making this historic event happen. We would like to thank all stakeholders for their incredible support, and I am sure that this fantastic new tournament will be one of the major highlights of 2020.”

Logistically, the postponement looks feasible if the spread of the Covid-19 virus starts to show signs of abating during the summer. 

But for now, many questions remain. Until the world regains some sort of appearance of normality – whatever that might be - spring events will just have to wait. At least until 2021.


Al-Nassr lead the way as Saudi teams score big in global football social media rankings

Updated 12 June 2025
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Al-Nassr lead the way as Saudi teams score big in global football social media rankings

  • Riyadh side ranks 16th globally in terms of followers, with more than 62m across platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube
  • Other Saudi clubs in top 100 include Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli; teams from other Arab nations include Al-Ahly and Zamalek of Egypt, and Moroccan side Raja Casablanca

RIYADH: Saudi clubs made a strong impression in the latest global social media rankings for football teams, with Al-Nassr confirmed as the most-followed Arab club worldwide.

In a report published on Wednesday by the Football Observatory, a research group within the International Centre for Sports Studies, Al-Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League this season, ranked 16th globally in terms of followers, having amassed more than 62 million across platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

The club’s regional online dominance was widely attributed to the global appeal of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for the team in December 2022, and its rapidly growing fanbase.

Al-Hilal, this season’s runners-up in the league, ranked 24th, with 37.7 million followers, driven by strong social media engagement linked to success in continental competitions and a squad featuring a number of international stars.

Pro League champions Al-Ittihad took 49th spot in the rankings with 15.5 million followers, ahead of many European and American clubs, thanks to recent high-profile signings and domestic success. Al-Ahli ranked 66th with 10.7 million followers, their digital success bolstered by a recent return to the Saudi Pro League and a vibrant presence on TikTok and Instagram.

Several clubs in other Arab countries also appeared in the top 100, including Egyptian side Al-Ahly, who with 57.7 million followers ranked 18th globally and were the top African side, fellow Egyptian club Zamalek (45th, 17.2 million followers) and Moroccan team Raja Casablanca (59th, 12.3 million).

The researchers said the rankings reflected the growing global reach and digital influence of Arab football, with Saudi clubs in particular gaining ground on traditional powerhouses in Europe and the Americas such as Real Madrid, who topped the rankings with 473.7 million followers, Barcelona (2nd, 427.4 million), Manchester United (3rd, 233.6 million) and Flamengo of Brazil, the highest-placed South American team, who ranked 15th with 66.4 million followers.


Hattan Alsaif returns for 2025 PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh

Updated 11 June 2025
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Hattan Alsaif returns for 2025 PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh

  • Saudi amateur will face three-time Lebanese MMA champion Nour Al-Fliti
  • Welterweight champion Omar El-Dafrawy to face Daniele Miceli in main event

RIYADH: The Professional Fighters League on Wednesday announced the full card for PFL MENA 2, to be held at Riyadh’s Green Halls arena on Friday, July 4.

In the main event, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight champion Omar “God First” El-Dafrawy (13-5-0) returns to the city of his title win to face 2024 PFL Europe welterweight finalist Daniele “The Cyborg” Miceli (13-6-0) in the SmartCage.

The co-main event features a welterweight clash between Kuwaiti Mohammad Alaqraa (7-1-0) and Palestinian Omar “187” Hussein (11-6-0). Alaqraa, a 2024 PFL MENA finalist and current division leader, is seeking redemption after suffering the first loss of his professional career in last year’s finals. Hussein, a former PFL Europe standout, is aiming to hand Alaqraa a second defeat and make a strong statement on the Middle Eastern MMA scene.

In a highly anticipated bantamweight quarterfinal bout, Algeria’s Mokthar “Le Kabyle” Benkaci (24-9-0) will face Lebanon’s Marcel Adur (19-7-0). Both fighters are known for their explosive striking and finishing power, making this a strong contender for the most thrilling bout of the night.

Local favorite Hattan Alsaif (AM 3-0-0) returns to the SmartCage for what is likely to be another exciting amateur showcase. The rising Saudi talent faces her toughest opponent yet in Nour Al-Fliti (AM 1-1-0), a three-time Lebanese MMA champion and IMMAF Asian Championship silver medalist.

Rounding out the card, Abdulaziz Bin Moammar (AM 1-0-0) will represent the Kingdom in a catchweight 160 pound showcase amateur bout against Egypt’s Hassan Ahmed (AM 3-1-0).


Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut

Updated 11 June 2025
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Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut

  • Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium

LOS ANGELES: The Saudi national football team touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning ahead of their participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14 across the US.

The Green Falcons arrived at LAX International Airport from Jeddah and will hold their pre-tournament training camp in San Diego.

Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium.

The team was received at LAX by the Kingdom’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Bandar Al-Zaid.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal expressed appreciation to the consulate for its warm welcome and logistical support.

The squad will begin their preparations with a closed training session on Wednesday evening at the San Diego Performance Center.


Koeman keeps Depay hungry for goals after equalling Van Persie’s record

Updated 11 June 2025
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Koeman keeps Depay hungry for goals after equalling Van Persie’s record

  • Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands’ 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie’s record of 50

GRONINGEN: Memphis Depay was denied the chance to complete a hat-trick on Tuesday, and take sole possession of the Dutch national team’s all-time scoring record in the process, as coach Ronald Koeman said he wanted to keep him hungry for goals.
Depay scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes of the Netherlands’ 8-0 win over Malta in a World Cup qualifier to equal Robin van Persie’s record of 50.
Both players have 50 goals in 102 international appearances.
“I equalled Van Persie, I am happy with that,” said Depay, who was taken off in the 72nd minute with the Dutch 4-0 up.
“But this is just an interim total. Of course I am also going for 51, 52 and also 53. If I had played longer, I might have scored one more tonight,” he told reporters.
“I didn’t say anything about the fact that the coach took me off early. I was already happy that I could do what I’ve been doing for years ... scoring.”
Depay scored his first international goal against Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but it has not always been smooth sailing over the years with the national team.
“We have had some turbulence over the years,” he said.
“There have been many coaches and many players have come and gone. The times have shaped me and made me realize what I want.
“Ultimately, it’s important that we’re at the World Cup and that we go far.”
Koeman has consistently backed Depay over his two spells in charge of the Dutch, even when he struggled with his club form.
“I’ve always thought Memphis is a great player. I think he deserves a great compliment. He’s had a year full of injuries, but he’s fit and hungry now,” said Koeman.
“It’s great that he didn’t score the third, because then he stays hungry,” he quipped on Dutch television.


Saudi Arabia’s 2026 world motorsport championship dates announced

Updated 11 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s 2026 world motorsport championship dates announced

  • FIA president highlights technological milestones, new talent emerging on global stage

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia will again host several major world motorsport championships it has been confirmed, with 2026 dates announced by international governing body, the FIA.

The Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend will take place on Jeddah’s street circuit from April 17-19, with the 24 cars running on 100 percent sustainable fuel.

The news was confirmed at the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau yesterday, chaired by the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Three other F1 world championship rounds will also be held in the Middle East — in Bahrain from April 10-12, Qatar from Nov. 27-29, and the season finale in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 4-6.

The Kingdom will also once more stage back-to-back races in Jeddah as part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar, from Feb. 13-14, while four rounds of the 2026 F2 Championship will be held in the Middle East to coincide with the F1 races on 13-14 February, while four rounds of the 2026 F2 Championship will form part of the F1 weekends in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The Dakar Rally again kicks off the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, from Jan. 3-17, while the Rally du Maroc takes place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge from Nov. 22-27. Bahrain will represent the Middle East as part of the 10-round F3 calendar.

Ben Sulayem told World Motor Sport Council members: “2025 is proving to be an exciting year across all our championships with technological milestones being reached, new talent emerging and battles being fought on the track and across stages each week.

“This year is a powerful opportunity for us to innovate and grow. New agreements across our championships are unlocking fresh potential, we are enhancing the level of competition and expanding our global reach. Each race shows the passion and dedication of our community.”

The World Council also approved one of the final pieces of a compelling puzzle that will mark the start of a new era for the FIA World Rally Championship from 2027.

The rules have been undergoing final refinements and updates over the past six months, and confirmation in Macau of the reference volumes for bodywork cements the commitment set out by the FIA to put flexibility at the core of the regulations.

To this end, the rules define a zone in which all of the bodywork panels must be located, but manufacturers and constructors have freedom within it to scale and integrate wide-ranging designs. 

This means cars ranging from saloons to hatchbacks, crossovers and completely bespoke designs could be entered over the 10-year regulation cycle through to 2037.