Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s first female international referee was appointed by FIFA on Thursday, less than a year after the kingdom’s national women’s team made their debut.
Anoud Al-Asmari’s international badge is the latest in a series of steps in football by the Saudis, who have lured 37-year-old great Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League and are mulling a World Cup co-hosting bid.
“I am happy to be the first Saudi female referee to receive the international badge in the history of Saudi sports,” Asmari, one of eight Saudis on the international panel announced by the world body.
Asked how she would feel about officiating a men’s game, Asmari, 34, said she wouldn’t give it any thought until it was approved by the Saudi FA.
In Saudi more opportunities have started to open up in women’s sport in the recent years, including a women’s football league that started in November 2021.
The first Saudi women’s national team, coached by German veteran Monica Stapp, beat the Seychelles 2-0 in their maiden official match last February.
Saudi Arabia, whose neighbor Qatar hosted the World Cup in November and December, has applied to hold the Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and is the sole bidder for the men’s version in 2027.
It is also considering a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup alongside Egypt and Greece.
Saudi Arabia's first female international referee was appointed by FIFA
https://arab.news/bmbvs
Saudi Arabia's first female international referee was appointed by FIFA
- Anoud Al-Asmari’s one of eight Saudis on the international panel announced by the world body
Newcastle boss Howe eager to hang onto goalkeeper Dubravka
- Newcastle manager Eddie Howe still hopes goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will stay at St. James’ Park beyond the end of the January transfer window
LONDON: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe still hopes goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will stay at St. James’ Park beyond the end of the January transfer window.
The in-form 35-year-old Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab as he enters the final six months of his contract with the Magpies.
Dubravka has conceded just two goals in seven games in all competitions — all of them victories — while deputising for the injured Nick Pope during a run where Newcastle are closing in on a place in the English League Cup final and are fifth in the Premier League table.
“Martin’s been in a difficult situation,” Howe said Friday.
“Like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer, with every player that I’ve ever worked with, there’s always that feeling of doubt.
“He will naturally want some conclusion to his future, whether that’s a new contract with us, whatever the outcome. But he’s certainly played very well and I’ve been really pleased with him.
“He’s more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Again against Arsenal (a 2-0 win in the first leg of a League Cup semifinal), I thought he was very, very good, so hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him.”
Dubravka was seen to be in tears following the conclusion of Tuesday’s game against Arsenal, in what many observers interpreted as a farewell to Newcastle.
He was signed by former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez, initially on loan, in January 2018, but has largely been a back-up to England international Pope for the last two-and-a-half years, a period which included a loan spell at Manchester United.
But he has shown his value in recent weeks with Howe, who must decide whether or not to rest Dubravka for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against fourth-tier Bromley, saying: “I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally, he’s very invested.
“Of course, all those things will be playing a part in his decision-making and our decision-making and hopefully there’s a successful outcome at the end.”
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Burnley’s England under-21 international James Trafford should Dubravka move on.
And Howe refused to say whether Pope, who is back in training, remained his first-choice goalkeeper.
“It’s always in a state of flux,” he said. “It’s always changing and moving because that’s down to the player’s performances.”
Manuel Neuer set to return in goal for depleted Bayern as Jamal Musiala is out with illness
- Musiala hasn’t been training because of illness and now is confirmed to miss Bayern’s first league game of the new year
MUNICH: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to return for Bayern Munich for the first time in more than a month in Saturday’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Moenchengladbach but Jamal Musiala will miss out.
The 38-year-old Neuer missed Bayern’s last four games of 2024 with a broken rib and wasn’t in the squad for a friendly against Salzburg on Monday, but now looks fully fit again, coach Vincent Kompany said Friday.
Neuer’s return for Bayern’s first league game of 2025 is all the more important after backup Daniel Peretz injured a kidney in a training incident on Wednesday. He’s expected to miss a few weeks, Kompany said.
Kompany confirmed Musiala, who hadn’t been training because of illness, won’t be available Saturday for the German league leader.
Among several other absences are midfielder João Palhinha, who hasn’t played since early November with an adductor muscle tear, and defender Dayot Upamecano, who’s serving a one-game Bundesliga suspension for five yellow cards.
Sowter, Hose shine for Desert Vipers in warm-up match against Gulf Giants ahead of DP World ILT20 start
- Vipers’ win sees team easily surpass Giants’ total of 125 at the ICC Academy in Dubai
DUBAI: Ahead of their opening match of the DP World ILT20 against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Sunday, the Desert Vipers produced an impressive performance against the Gulf Giants in a warm-up match played at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The Giants batted first and were bowled out for 125, a target the Vipers chased down with ease to the extent that the two sides’ head coaches, James Foster of the Vipers and the Giants’ Andy Flower, agreed on a new target of 186. The Vipers fell just three runs short of that mark, but it was still an encouraging display
The Vipers bowling was highlighted by Nathan Sowter’s four for eight, while Dhruv Parashar and David Payne contributed with two wickets apiece. Speaking with the Vipers Voices podcast after the match, Sowter said he was pleased with what he delivered in match conditions.
“Yes, it was obviously a great start and it was nice to get a few wickets,” he said. “I was happy with how they came out and I hit my lengths quite well. It is nice to get a win for the boys and get the feeling of how we want the competition to go.”
Speaking about bowling in partnership with UAE finger-spinner Dhruv Parashar, Sowter said the duo worked well together and also used their time together after time in the field to discuss strategy ahead of the main competition.
“I think they (Gulf Giants) got off to a good start, and then we kind of just pegged them back a little bit. And then we started getting wickets and it happened quite quickly. I think we took maybe six wickets in three overs there.
“So, it put a bit of sting in the tail and that was nice. Dhruv bowled really well and we have had a few conversations after, about how we can go about things through the competition as well, either if we play together or if Dhruv plays with (Wanindu) Hasaranga.
“It is good to have those conversations because you can have days like this where you can learn a lot more than just getting a few wickets.”
Sowter added that he felt pleased with how preparations have gone ahead of Sunday’s opening encounter with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
“It is going well,” he said. “I think the Vipers’ mantra is you get what you need (at training) and you get out of there.
“So, I think the boys are building up really nicely. I think, for myself, it is about making sure you do not overdo it. But you do not want to underdo it as well. And I think the coaching staff here give you a great mix of that and they allow you to take control of your own cricket. I think that helps players a lot, or it does help me a lot, to just pick and choose when I need to do what or how much I need to do.
“I feel like we have got a good mix of players who know each other, and have played a lot of cricket against each other or with each other. So, I think we will be all right going forward.”
Meanwhile on the batting side of things, Adam Hose was top scorer for the Vipers with 47 from 23 balls, including four fours and three sixes, and said he was glad to have put on a good show.
“Yes, it was a nice start to it, from a personal and a team’s perspective,” he said. “I think it is always tough to gauge where you are at, especially since I have not been here (in the UAE) too long.
“We have had a couple of really good outdoor sessions, but having not played much (after the English domestic season) prior to this competition, it is always fairly tough to know where you are.
“I think I just gave myself a little bit of a chance, faced a few balls, and then I felt like I got into my work, started picking the ball up early and seeing the length. Fortunately, a few came out the middle of the bat tonight.”
Hose was the Vipers’ top scorer last year in a pre-tournament practice match against the Dubai Capitals, but that came off the back of time in Australia at the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers.
This time, the build-up has involved rest and reflection for the player, and he said he thought it had been a positive for him.
“(I am here) off the back of a little bit of time off back in England for New Year and Christmas which, to be honest with you, was really nice.
“I have just tried to focus, especially in the last two days, on the basics of what I know works well for me — that is having a good, strong base, tracking the ball for as long as possible and being as still as possible.
The Desert Vipers’ first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Former champs Medvedev and Rublev set for Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships return
- Lineup for the 2025 edition of the ATP 500 Event includes world No.8 Alex de Minaur, two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas
DUBAI: The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships return on Feb. 16 with the 33rd edition of the ATP 500 tournament featuring some of the biggest names in the sport.
Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 champion, heads to Dubai after a challenging season in which he finished without a title for the first time since 2017. Currently ranked world No.5, the 28-year-old Russian boasts an impressive 20 career titles, including the 2021 US Open. Despite his year ending in defeat at the Nitto ATP Finals, Medvedev will hope to start 2025 on the right foot by reclaiming his crown.
Also playing will be Andrey Rublev, the 2022 champion who is currently the world No.9 after claiming two ATP titles in 2024, picking up trophies at the Madrid Open and Hong Kong Open. With 16 titles to his name, the 27-year-old stands as a strong contender for another successful campaign in Dubai.
“This year’s ATP 500 tournament is shaping up to be another memorable event, and we’re excited to welcome back former champions Medvedev and Rublev,” said Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free and chairman of the tournament’s organizing committee.
“This is the 25th year of the WTA week and the 33rd year for the ATP week. Over that time we have always had a fantastic line-up of players who provide the fans with a stellar fortnight of tennis and this year will be no exception.”
Adding to the men’s roster is Alex De Minaur, currently No.8 in the world. The 25-year-old Australian reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 in July 2024 and has secured nine ATP singles titles.
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked No.11, brings additional firepower. The former world No.3’s career highlights include an ATP Finals victory and multiple Grand Slam final appearances, including the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Completing the confirmed lineup is No.19 Karen Khachanov, a 28-year-old renowned for his performances in high-stakes matches. A former world No.8, Khachanov memorably defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2018 Paris Masters final to claim his biggest crown to date and reached the men’s singles final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak, who is also deputy managing director of Dubai Duty Free, added: “Fans from across the globe will be treated to another fantastic edition of the ATP 500 tournament. With some of the top players already confirmed and more to be announced in the weeks ahead, we’re excited about the competitive level of this year’s event.”
Meanwhile, a star-studded Women’s Tennis Association lineup will see the world’s top 10 female players descend for the 25th Dubai women’s tournament. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini and the world’s top three players — Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, who won a third consecutive French Open in 2024, and Coco Gauff — lead an impressive pack.
The emirate’s long-standing tennis championships will again run as back-to-back competitions, with the WTA week getting under way on Feb. 16, followed immediately by the ATP event on Feb. 24.
‘Delighted’ to return to Abu Dhabi, says Team Cup director
- Graham Glynn spoke to Arab News about the reasons for hosting the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, the players taking part, and event’s importance for Ryder Cup selection
ABU DHABI: The Team Cup, the UAE’s first major golf tournament of 2025, tees off in Abu Dhabi on Friday, as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against a Great Britain & Ireland team captained by Justin Rose.
Ahead of the match-play event, Arab News spoke with Team Cup Championship Director Graham Glynn, who looked ahead to the competition over the weekend at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.
The popularity of golf in the region continues to grow. What makes the Team Cup different to some of the other more established events?
There is no doubt that golf fans within the UAE are spoilt for choice when it comes to high-profile events.
In November, we enjoyed the inaugural DP World Tour Play-Offs, comprised of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship, while the New Year sees the return of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
While the Team Cup (formerly Hero Cup) is less established than those tournaments, what makes the event stand out from others is the match-play format, as opposed to the more traditional stroke-play format.
Match-play golf calls upon collective contributions and, in the Team Cup, every player will be involved in each session, making it the ultimate team test as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against Justin Rose’s Great Britain & Ireland.
While similar to the Ryder Cup, the format is not identical, with players paired up for the first two days, before the final-day singles against each other.
The collaborative element is something fans in the UAE won’t be used to watching in-person, and will undoubtedly make for some exciting and gripping action.
Why was Abu Dhabi Golf Resort selected as the host venue for the tournament?
We are blessed, here in the UAE, to have an array of elite-level golf courses all across the country, and there is certainly no shortage of options.
Abu Dhabi Golf Resort is one of the most impressive courses in the region and offers the perfect layout for match-play golf.
The venue opened over 20 years ago and boasts an illustrious history with tournament golf having played host to high-profile events down the years, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, while some of the biggest names in the sport have competed there.
From a logistical perspective, it’s a great venue due to the fact there is an on-site hotel, meaning players have the course and practice facilities on their doorstep, along with the world-renowned Falcon Clubhouse, which offers breathtaking views of the course.
Access for spectators, both in terms of getting to the course, and then moving around once on-site, is also fantastic, which is obviously hugely important for an event which will attract large numbers of fans.
Having hosted the Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort in 2023, we were delighted with its success both from a player and fan perspective, which is why we have chosen to return for the Team Cup.
With the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari and the Hojgaard twins (Nicolai and Rasmus) confirmed to be competing, what does that say about the overall quality of the competition?
There will certainly be a strong lineup of talent on show, with plenty of big names who fans will be familiar with, and both teams each have players who have previously competed in the Ryder Cup.
However, what I really enjoy about this tournament is the fact we have those high-profile figures playing alongside some of the DP World Tour’s blossoming talents, with both teams combining youth and experience.
For example, the event’s oldest (Justin Rose) and youngest (Tom McKibbin) players will be part of the same team, with 23 years between them, which is a wonderful story and indicative of what the Team Cup is all about.
Aside from the big names, which players should fans look out for?
Italy’s Matteo Manassero is undoubtedly a player to watch, and he has a very interesting backstory, having become the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, at the age of 17, when he clinched the Castello Masters in 2010, before then stepping away from the game completely.
Following his return in 2019, he has continued to improve. This year, he won the Jonsson Workwear Open and finished 12th on the DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings, also securing a PGA TOUR card for 2025.
Aaron Rai, from England, is one of the lesser-known players in the competition, but don’t be fooled. He is a highly accomplished performer who boasts two DP World Tour victories, including at the Scottish Open in 2020 when he defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff. He won on the PGA TOUR earlier this year and is one to watch.
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is the youngest player involved at 21 and having only turned professional in 2021, he has already claimed a maiden DP World Tour victory at last year’s Porsche European Open.
Regardless of age or experience, the Team Cup is a tournament packed full of quality, and we can all look forward to watching some brilliant golf over the three days.
Can you tell us about the structure and format of the event?
The event will follow the same format as 2023, with the teams competing in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday.
Every player will take part in all four of the sessions. Each match will be worth one point, and the team who crosses the 12.5-point mark will be crowned Team Cup winners.
With so much talent on show, across both teams, we are hugely excited about what’s in store and I think it will be a tight and exciting battle.
How important is the event in terms of Ryder Cup selection?
It will certainly play a part, although only Luke Donald, who will lead Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, knows to what extent.
Luke has been heavily involved in proceedings up to now, and he has spoken publicly about how significant the Hero Cup was in 2023, particularly in relation to experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment.
As we know, there were players involved in that event who went on to play key roles in Team Europe’s success in Italy.
Competing in the Ryder Cup is a major milestone for any European player, and naturally those who are involved in the Team Cup will be eager to stake their claim, which should make for some fantastic competitive action.
