LONDON: Son Heung-min said Tottenham team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur “almost cried” when he apologized over an alleged racist remark about the South Korean.
Bentancur was charged by the Football Association earlier this month with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview on Uruguayan TV.
The former Juventus midfielder had been asked in June by the host of the Canal 10 show for a Spurs player’s shirt, to which he replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Bentancur apologized to Tottenham captain Son, who said his team-mate had “made a mistake.”
But because the wording of the charge refers to an “aggravated breach,” he could reportedly be banned for six to 12 domestic matches.
Son, speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League home tie against Qarabag, said he could not say much at the moment because of the “FA process.”
“But I love Rodrigo, I love him. We’ve a lot of good memories, we started playing together when he joined (in January 2022),” he said.
“He knew. He apologized straight afterwards when we had holiday. I was at home. I didn’t even realize what was going on. He sent me a long message and you could feel it was coming from his heart.
“When we came back for pre-season, he felt really sorry and he almost cried when he apologized publicly and personally as well. He felt like he was really sorry. We are all human and all make mistakes and we learn from it.”
Son is one of only two players, along with Ben Davies, left at Tottenham from the squad that reached the Champions League final in 2019.
Defeat in Madrid to Liverpool extended the club’s trophy drought and it now stands at 16 years, but the South Korean forward is determined to end the wait for silverware this season.
“Yeah, it’s a dream. There is no hiding this. That’s what we work for,” Son said.
“Obviously, we are looking for another big competition that everybody wants to win. It’s going to be tough, a tough competition, a lot of games and a lot of traveling, which makes it even harder.”
Son says Spurs team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ over alleged racial slur
https://arab.news/4ryht
Son says Spurs team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ over alleged racial slur
- Bentancur was charged by the Football Association earlier this month with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview on Uruguayan TV
- Bentancur apologized to Tottenham captain Son, who said his team-mate had “made a mistake“
Lyon handed Ligue 2 relegation by financial regulator
Lyon can appeal the decision
LYON: Seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon have been relegated to the second-tier by French football’s financial watchdog, the French professional league (LFP) announced on Tuesday.
During a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November.
Lyon can appeal the decision.
Before the meeting, Lyon’s president John Textor said he was confident of avoiding the drop to Ligue 2 for next season, where the club has not played since 1989.
“We have made a variety of investments in recent weeks,” he said. “Everything is good financially.”
American Textor sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League outfit Crystal Palace earlier in the week. Lyon have reduced their salary bill and sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como.
Lyon qualified for next season’s Europa League after finishing sixth in the French top-flight.
If their relegation is confirmed, they would be replaced in Ligue 1 by Reims.
Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles.
Arab Golf Federation launches elite scholarship program with training camp in Riyadh
- 4-day camp marks first phase of broader initiative
RIYADH: A group of promising young Arab golfers has gathered in Riyadh this week for the launch of a new regional initiative aimed at preparing future champions for the international stage.
The Arab Golf Federation has begun its Elite Sports Scholarship Camp, a flagship program designed to identify and nurture top golfing talent from across the Arab world.
Held at Riyadh Golf Club, the four-day training camp marks the first phase of a broader scholarship initiative that will see selected players offered full-time development opportunities at the renowned IMG Academy in the US.
The camp, which includes 16 male and female golfers under the age of 18, has brought together rising stars from across the region, based on their performances in regional and international events.
The program is structured into two intensive phases. The first is focused on technical, physical and psychological assessments, and the second on simulated competitive rounds designed to test performance under pressure.
At the end of the camp, the top-performing players will be awarded full scholarships, beginning in August.
The package includes elite golf training, academic education, and access to sports science facilities, including strength and conditioning and mental performance coaching.
The initiative forms a key part of the federation’s long-term strategy to elevate Arab golf and create a pipeline of talent capable of competing at the highest levels by 2035.
Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, president of the Arab Golf Federation, said: “While we continue to lay a strong and sustainable foundation locally, we are also committed to partnering with the best international institutions to provide world-class training and professional development for our promising young players.
“This initiative reflects our dedication to investing in youth talent based on global best practices, empowering them to compete on the international stage.
“In the coming years, as we achieve our ambitious goals, we will be able to rely entirely on our local capabilities and deliver a comprehensive Arab system for developing future champions.”
Noah Alireza, secretary-general of the federation, described the camp as a pivotal moment for the sport in the region.
“This camp represents a turning point in our journey to establish a clear competitive pathway for Arab golfers,” he said.
“By combining world-class training, international exposure, and meticulous evaluation, we are laying a strong foundation for young Arab talents to rise to the top levels of the sport.
“The Elite Sports Scholarship Camp is a genuine launchpad toward realizing the Arab Golf Federation’s vision of producing a new generation of Arab champions capable of competing globally.
“Through comprehensive assessment programs and strategic partnerships with leading institutions, the federation is laying the groundwork for a promising future for golf in the Arab world, built on planning, professionalism, and investment in youth potential.”
Saudi Sport Ministry signs deals for new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah
- The project will include 2 world-class hotels offering integrated services designed to meet the needs of international sporting delegations and other visitors
- Development will also feature a fan zone, fitness and sports clubs, swimming pools, restaurants, shops, areas for athletes, and conference and event spaces
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport on Tuesday signed agreements with local and international companies to develop, build, manage and operate two new hotels at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
The ministry said the hotels will be world-class establishments built to the highest engineering standards, and offer integrated services designed to meet the needs of international sporting delegations and other visitors.
The ministry’s acting director general of investment, Badr Al-Juraissi, attended signing ceremonies for the agreements with Kushan Real Estate Development Company, represented by its CEO, Marwan Al-Qaidi; Zuhair Fayez Partnership, which will provide design and engineering consultancy services and was represented by its chairperson, Zuhair Fayez; and IHG Hotels and Resorts, which will provide hotel services and was represented by Haitham Mattar, its regional managing director.
The hotels, expected to provide a total of 585 rooms, will be built on a 16,000-square-meter site at the sports city, the ministry said, and will help support the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to attract major sporting events.
The development will also include a fan zone, fitness and sports clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail stores, dedicated areas for athletes, and conference and event spaces.
The ministry said the initiative forms part of its ongoing efforts to achieve its strategic goals, including engagement with the private sector in the development of the nation’s sports industry. It will also support environmental improvements through infrastructure development, and in doing so directly contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, officials said.
Abdulaziz bin Moammar promises ‘to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi’ at PFL MENA Showdown
- Fighting in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in Bin Moammar’s career
- Saudi fighter says his connection to combat sports began long before joining PFL
RIAYDH: Saudi fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar continues his preparations for his second bout in the Professional Fighters League – Middle East and North Africa, scheduled for July 4 in Riyadh.
The event is part of a major promotion organized by the PFL, featuring a strong lineup of top regional fighters — a large crowd is expected.
Bin Moammar said returning to fight in Riyadh is a pivotal moment in his career: “Fighting in Riyadh isn’t just another match — it’s a responsibility. This is my city, where I grew up. My real fans are here. Fighting in front of them gives me a different kind of energy. There’s no room for complacency or backing down.”
He said that his connection to combat sports began long before joining the PFL, but his debut with the organization significantly expanded his visibility and fan base.
“I had a decent following before joining, but after my first fight in Jeddah, I felt a real surge in engagement. People started to recognize me more, follow me, and anticipate my next fights,” the Saudi fighter said.
The fight in Jeddah was an important first step for Bon Moammar who said: “It gave me confidence, and winning lit a fire inside me to keep going. But now in Riyadh, the challenge is bigger, and expectations are higher.”
Discussing his current training, the fighter revealed that he is in the middle of an intense local training camp in Riyadh, dedicating nearly all his time to preparation.
“Full focus on training has kept me away from my family, but I believe every moment of sacrifice now will pay off later. The camp is physically and mentally exhausting, but I’m determined to bring the best version of myself into the cage,” he said.
He further promised his fans “to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi who dreams of excelling in this sport.”
Bin Moammar knows the road is long and that professionalism is not easy but said: “I’m ready to walk it to the end. Your support is my greatest weapon.”
San Francisco 49ers host first community event in UAE
- Event features flag football coaching session in Dubai
- 49ers announced in March that they had been granted activation rights in the UAE
DUBAI: The San Francisco 49ers have made history by becoming the first NFL franchise to host an event in the UAE. It followed the announcement that the league had granted the 49ers marketing, fan engagement, and commercial rights in the market.
The event — which featured a flag football coaching session and youth flag football clinic in Dubai — highlights the club’s continued investment in youth athletics and the growth of flag football worldwide in the lead-up to the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The 49ers announced in March that they had been granted activation rights in the UAE as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
The initiative builds on the team’s success in other global markets, including the UK and Mexico in which the 49ers’ local fan base has grown by at least 50 percent. The 49ers have hosted more than 50 community events in the UK and Mexico since 2021, leaving a lasting impact on local youngsters.
Tuesday’s event was held at GEMS World Academy Senior School, which is part of the largest network of schools in the UAE, serving 125,000 students.
The day began with staff from the 49ers training more than two dozen physical education teachers in the fundamentals of coaching flag football. Then around 30 students, aged 10-11, participated in a flag football clinic, enjoying different NFL-themed practice drills and an introduction to flag tag. Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the 49ers, also made a special appearance to engage with students and interact with fans.
Stephanie Rogers, executive vice president of marketing for the 49ers, said the occasion marked “an exciting milestone in the 49ers’ global fandom journey.”
She added: “We’re thrilled to see so much local enthusiasm for the San Francisco 49ers and flag football. We have been warmly welcomed by the community and we look forward to building long-lasting relationships with future fans and partners here.
“Our commitment is not just about flag participation but about creating a journey for youth development. Across a combination of in-person events, digital activations and community initiatives, we aspire to share the storied history of the 49ers with the UAE.”
Elevate recently announced its role as the 49ers’ agency of record for global marketing efforts, after acquiring Rise Group, the Middle East’s sports and entertainment agency. The partnership will strengthen the team’s ability to make a meaningful impact in the UAE.
Dave McCann, partner at Rise Group, said: “The 49ers are synonymous with innovation and community engagement, and we look forward to unlocking more opportunities for both the team and MENA (Middle East and North Africa region) partners as we continue to grow in the region.
“We’re excited to help shape the future for both the 49ers and flag football in the UAE.”
The 49ers are also announcing the launch of their Arabic social media channels — on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook — during their visit to further engage with local communities.
