POISSY, France: Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisted Saturday the statistics indicate “the best season” of his career as he brushed aside talk of tensions with some of his players.
“Statistically, it’s my best as a coach. Even if you (the media) criticize, that there are lies invented, it’s my best in terms of numbers, chances generated by us, by the opponents, it’s the best,” the Spaniard said ahead of Sunday’s league match against Lyon.
PSG head into the final round of Ligue 1 games this calendar year unbeaten domestically and with a five-point lead from nearest challengers Marseille and Monaco at the top of the table.
However, they are in 25th place in the Champions League rankings and in the elimination zone of the elite European tournament.
“I look at everything the team does, the players, and we don’t depend on any particular player, only on the team. And I see that the level of training is rising, that the players are getting better every day,” he said.
The former Barcelona and Spain coach brushed aside talk of tensions with France winger Ousmane Dembele, insisting he had “the same relationship with all the players.”
“I’m a coach. I’m not their father, brother or ‘bro’, I decide, I have to make decisions, I have no problem making them, those that I consider to be the best for my team,” he explained.
The idea is to “get everyone out of the comfort zone, those who play more as well as those who play less. I have always done it in my career and I do not intend to change.
“To see the best version of these players, we can make unpopular decisions. It’s a team, like an orchestra, there can’t always be players doing the same thing, we have to coordinate.”
After the Lyon match, PSG play Monaco in Ligue 1 next Wednesday followed by a French Cup tie against Lens on December 22.
PSG coach Enrique having ‘best season of my career’
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PSG coach Enrique having ‘best season of my career’
- “I look at everything the team does, the players, and we don’t depend on any particular player, only on the team,” he said
- The former Barcelona and Spain coach brushed aside talk of tensions with France winger Ousmane Dembele
Jota rescues 10-man Liverpool in Fulham draw, Arsenal frustrated
Jota grabbed a valuable equalizer as Liverpool extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 matches
LONDON: Diogo Jota rescued Liverpool as the Premier League leaders recovered from Andy Robertson’s early red card to snatch a 2-2 draw with Fulham, while Arsenal’s title challenge was dented by a goalless stalemate against Everton on Saturday.
With just four minutes left at Anfield, Arne Slot’s side were in danger of losing for just the second time in 15 top-flight games this season.
But Jota grabbed a valuable equalizer as Liverpool extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 matches since a loss to Nottingham Forest in September.
With last weekend’s Merseyside derby at Everton postponed by severe weather, Liverpool have now gone two league games without a win following their 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
The Reds sit five points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who can close the gap with a win against Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Liverpool were rocked in the 11th minute as Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira met Antonee Robinson’s cross with an agile volley that deflected in off Robertson.
The Reds suffered another blow when Scotland left-back Robertson was sent off in the 17th minute for a professional foul on Harry Wilson.
But Slot’s men have made a habit of coming from behind this season and Cody Gakpo equalized in the 47th minute with a stooping header from Mohamed Salah’s cross.
The Dutch forward’s ninth goal in all competitions this season was the prelude to a period of sustained Liverpool pressure.
But Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz delivered a sucker punch as he bundled over the line from Robinson’s cross in the 76th minute.
That set the stage for a dramatic finale as Jota levelled in the 86th minute with a cool finish past Bernd Leno from the edge of the area.
Arsenal failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s rare stumble as the Gunners were kept at bay on a frustrating afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.
The north Londoners have become a force from set-pieces, scoring 23 goals from corners since the start of last season.
But their lack of firepower outside of that route has been questioned this season and once again they were hampered by a failure to turn pressure and possession into goals.
After a second successive league draw, third-placed Arsenal remain six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand on last season’s runners-up.
Newcastle handed Ruud van Nistelrooy his first defeat as Leicester boss with a 4-0 rout at St. James’ Park.
Former Manchester United striker Nistelrooy had taken four points from his first two games since replacing the sacked Steve Cooper.
But Newcastle ended that encouraging start as Jacob Murphy drilled a clinical finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area in the 30th minute.
Bruno Guimaraes nodded in Newcastle’s second goal in the 47th minute after Lewis Hall headed Anthony Gordon’s free-kick toward the Brazilian.
Alexander Isak bagged the Magpies’ third two minutes later with a close-range finish and Murphy struck again on the hour to leave Leicester two points above the relegation zone.
Jack Taylor’s stoppage-time goal gave Ipswich a priceless 2-1 win over relegation rivals Wolves at Molineux.
Kieran McKenna’s team went ahead through Matt Doherty’s 15th minute own goal after Wolves made a hash of clearing Liam Delap’s cross.
Just as Wolves fans were calling for chairman Jeff Shi and owners Fosun to sell the club, Matheus Cunha grabbed a 72nd minute equalizer as his shot beat Arijanet Muric’s weak attempted save.
But Taylor headed home from a 94th minute corner to seal Ipswich’s second league win since their promotion to the top tier.
Third-bottom Ipswich are just one point adrift of safety, while second-bottom Wolves are three points behind them after an 11th loss in 16 league games piled further pressure on boss Gary O’Neil.
Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in a battle of top four contenders in Saturday’s late game.
Women’s fencing championship wraps up in Dammam
- 215 fencers from 22 clubs battle it out at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City
- Gold medals awarded in saber, foil and epee events
RIYADH: The women’s Saudi Fencing Championship ended on Saturday, with the winners of the general and under-14 categories presented with their medals by Saudi Fencing Federation President Ahmed Al-Sabban.
A total of 215 fencers from 22 clubs took part in the contest, which was held at the Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City in Dammam.
In the general category, Ruba Al-Masri of Al-Ula won the saber competition, with Lamed Al-Marri and Dhay Al-Ameeri, both of Al-Nahda, taking gold in the foil and epee events respectively.
In the under-14s, Zainab Al-Matar of Al-Huda won the saber competition, with Layla Obeid (Al-Hilal) and Salma Al-Muhanna (Al-Nahda) taking gold in the epee and foil events.
Diallo reelected head of French football
- Diallo won just over 55 percent of the vote to beat Le Graet’s former ally Pierre Samsonoff
- Diallo, 61, welcome the “strong legitimacy” the vote gave him and praised the “democratic maturity which does honor to our sport
PARIS: Philippe Diallo was comfortably reelected president of the French Football Federation on Saturday.
Diallo, who took over after the resignation of long-standing former chief Noel Le Graet in 2023, won just over 55 percent of the vote to beat Le Graet’s former ally Pierre Samsonoff.
For the first time in France’s largest sports federation which boosts 2.4 million members, the presidents of amateur clubs could vote electronically along with the heads of professional clubs with 11,500 voters compared to fewer than 250 previously.
Diallo, 61, welcome the “strong legitimacy” the vote gave him and praised the “democratic maturity which does honor to our sport.”
He said he would begin a nationwide discussion on French football from mid-January “to define together our roadmap for aid to amateur football.”
During the campaign Diallo highlighted his record within the federation including a 100 million euros ($105 million) per year contract from 2026 with American sportswear brand Nike.
Diallo also courted amateur football by increasing the budget from 100 to 150 million euros annually between now and 2028, and underlined his ambition for women’s football where he wants to double membership from 250,000 to 500,000 within five years.
Diallo stepped up in January 2023 when Le Graet first moved aside and then was forced to resign following accusations of sexual and psychological harassment, bringing to an end more than a decade in charge.
President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announces FIA’s return to profitability
- ‘Improvement in financial health due to significant reduction of operating costs through an increase in revenues and savings’
DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president, has lauded the organization’s return to profitability due to a significant reduction of operating costs driven by an increase in revenues and savings.
The Emirati former professional rally driver, who was appointed FIA president in December 2021, was speaking after financial results to date for 2024 were unveiled at World Council meetings during the FIA General Assemblies Week in Kigali, Rwanda.
The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) is the governing body of motorsport, including Formula 1, and promotes safe, sustainable and accessible mobility for all road users across the world.
The FIA forecasts an operating result of $2.3 million (SR8.6 million) profit in 2024 — a remarkable improvement given that it stood at just over $25 million loss in 2021. The forecast operating result would be the best of the last seven years and the first positive one since 2018.
This accomplishment is the product of a wide-ranging reform of the FIA introduced by 63-year-old Dubai-born FIA President Ben Sulayem. This included a fully independent financial audit of the organization.
“This achievement is a result of our commitment of reform of the organization in the areas of governance and finance,” Ben Sulayem said.
“The new FIA leadership inherited a financial situation which was not sustainable in 2022. We have worked hard to reduce a sizeable deficit and have stabilized the overall financial health of the federation.
“We have implemented cost-containment measures and revenue-generating strategies to put the FIA on a more sustainable financial footing to meet our primary purpose of supporting our member clubs.”
Several measures have been introduced to streamline the FIA’s accounting and reporting procedures to create a sustainable financial model.
Ben Sulayem said that the future of motorsport was being “driven by innovation and purpose,” noting significant investment from the FIA across global grassroots activities alongside substantial research and development in the safety, volunteers and officials spaces.
The Vision 2030: FIA Motorsport Strategy, which provides a substantial platform for growth and further success, was also unveiled in Kigali during the FIA General Assemblies Week, with more details to be shared in 2025.
“This year has been a time of change and growth,” Ben Sulayem said. “We have built a stronger organization redefining our leadership with high-level appointments that bring a wealth of professional experience to the Federation.
“Together, we are forging the future of global motorsport and as we celebrate 120 years of the FIA, we honor the achievements of our past while propelling ourselves to a future driven by innovation and purpose.
“The FIA is on the right track. The 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season was record-breaking and highly competitive, and we continue our collaboration with Formula 1 and General Motors as we move toward an eleventh team on the grid from 2026.”
The 2024 F1 season concluded in dramatic style with the FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship being decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. McLaren claimed the honors in the UAE capital city, winning their first FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in 26 years.
Baniyas leads Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Mubadala Arena
- Day 1 of the fifth and final round of the competition saw Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in second, followed by MOD UAE in third place
ABU DHABI: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club took the lead on the opening day of the fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Mubadala Arena, Abu Dhabi.
Competitions for men and women in the U18, adult and master categories began with hundreds of athletes from leading clubs and academies across the UAE competing on the mats.
Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club finished second, followed by MOD UAE in third place.
“Today, we witnessed matches that reflect strength, performance and the spirit of challenge in the youth, adult and master categories,” said Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation. “The athletes demonstrated outstanding skills and experience, positioning themselves as role models for future generations of athletes.”
Al-Dhaheri said that the championship, in its inaugural event, had established itself as a vital platform for nurturing a new generation of champions who embodied the nation’s aspirations and had the potential to represent the UAE on international stages.
Ribamar Santiago, coach of Baniyas Club, said: “The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship has elevated the level of challenge for all participants and clubs. It unites elite players in a professional and well-organized competitive atmosphere. We are honored to be part of this prestigious tournament, which serves as a fitting finale to a dynamic sports season.
“Baniyas Club is competing with 328 male and female players over three days,” Santiago said. “Our athletes delivered exceptional performances today, with matches testing their skills at the highest level. The fierce competition inspires us to refine our strategies and enhance our performance. We are eager to maintain our momentum and aim for podium finishes in the days ahead.”
