ANKARA: Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho’s four-match suspension has been halved by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following a review of the club’s appeal.
Mourinho was handed a fine and the ban over his comments about Turkish referees after a game at rivals Galatasaray, where he criticized the match officials in a press conference following the 0-0 Super Lig draw on Monday.
The TFF fined the 62-year-old Portuguese 1.6 million Turkish lira ($43,963.89) but that was reduced to 558,500.
The penalties were due to “derogatory and offensive statements toward the Turkish referee” and accusations of chaos and disorder in Turkish football, according to the TFF.
The TFF said Mourinho’s remarks violated sports ethics, promoted violence and disorder and could incite fan incidents.
Monday’s game was refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic after both clubs requested a foreign official take charge.
Fenerbahce issued a statement on Tuesday defending Mourinho, saying his comments were taken out of context and deliberately distorted.
Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mourinho has previously been fined and suspended for his comments about Turkish match officials.
On Friday, Fenerbahce said Mourinho filed a lawsuit against Galatasaray after they accused him of making racist statements.
The Portuguese manager will return for Fenerbahce’s Super Lig match against Samsunspor on March 16.
Fenerbahce are second in Turkiye’s Super Lig, six points behind fellow Istanbul side Galatasaray.
Fenerbahce’s Mourinho has four-match ban halved after appeal
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Fenerbahce’s Mourinho has four-match ban halved after appeal
- Mourinho was handed a fine and the ban over his comments about Turkish referees after a game at rivals Galatasaray
- The penalties were due to “derogatory and offensive statements toward the Turkish referee“
Al-Ittihad move closer to Saudi Pro League glory as Al-Hilal stumble again
- After their lead at the top of the table was cut to just 4 points last week, Al-Ittihad bounce back with a 3-2 win over Ettifaq
- Al-Hilal draw 2-2 with Al-Shabab, leaving them 6 points adrift in second place with only 5 games left to play
Al-Ittihad took a big step toward the Saudi Pro League title on Monday, beating Ettifaq 3-2 to move six points clear at the top of the table ahead of Al-Hilal, who earlier drew 2-2 with Al-Shabab.
With just five games remaining, the Jeddah side are very much back in the driving seat after a 2-0 loss to Al-Fateh on Thursday, though they had to come from behind after Vitinho put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute, firing home from outside the area.
The home fans did not have long to wait before their team were back on level terms, however. Just six minutes later, Karim Benzema got on the end of a corner at the far post and sent a low ball across the face of goal for Danilo Pereira to convert.
Benzema himself put the leaders ahead after 35 minutes, as the French forward pounced on a sloppy backpass and slotted the ball past Marek Rodak.
In time added on at the end of the first half the advantage increased to 3-1, as Moussa Diaby delivered his 14th assist of the season when he fed the ball to Houssem Aouar in the area, who rolled his shot into the net.
There were signs of nerves seven minutes from time when the visitors pulled one back, Pereira heading a cross into his own net. However, Al-Ittihad managed to hold on and see out the game.
Earlier, Al-Hilal, who had moved within four points of the leaders last week, dropped points for the third time in four league games when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Al-Shabab.
In an exciting Riyadh derby, the home fans were stunned in the seventh minute when the visitors took the lead in spectacular fashion through Daniel Podence. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man advanced toward the area, cut inside and then, still outside the box, unleashed a perfect shot into the top corner of the net.
Al-Hilal equalized just after the half-hour mark with a well-worked goal. Renan Lodi found Salem Al-Dawsari on the left side of the area, who slipped through a smart pass for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to fire high into the net.
The 19-time champions took the lead just a minute after the restart when Malcom fed a pass through to Al-Dawsari on the left side of the area, and the Saudi international found his spot with a first-time low shot.
Midway through the second half, however, Al-Shabab were level again. Mohammed Al-Shwirekh climbed high on the edge of the six-yard box to head home a Cristian Guanca corner.
With 18 minutes to go, things almost got even worse for Al-Hilal, but their fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief when Yannick Carrasco’s goal, side-footed into the net from inside the box, was ruled out for offside.
And that was how things remained at the final whistle, as Al-Hilal’s title aspirations took what might prove to be a significant knock from another stumble, with the time available to make amends rapidly running out.
Gill, Sudharsan help toppers Gujarat boss Kolkata in IPL
- Gujarat posted 198-3 after Sai Sudharsan, who hit 52, and Gill put on 114 runs for the first wicket
- Bowlers combined to restrict Kolkata to 159-8 with skipper Ajinkya Rahane playing a lone hand with 50
KOLKATA: Shubman Gill led from the front with his 55-ball 90 to help Gujarat Titans hammer holders Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs on Monday and consolidate their top spot in the IPL.
Gujarat posted 198-3 after Sai Sudharsan, who hit 52, and Gill put on 114 runs for the first wicket to lay the foundations of the total at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
The bowlers then combined to restrict Kolkata to 159-8 with skipper Ajinkya Rahane playing a lone hand with 50 to register Gujarat’s sixth win in eight matches.
Kolkata, who won their third title of the popular T20 tournament last year, slipped to their fifth defeat in eight matches.
The batters set up victory for Gujarat with England’s Jos Buttler hitting an unbeaten 41 off 23 balls as he steered the team after the opening stand between the Sudharsan and Gill.
“We never talk about that one of us has to stay until the end,” player-of-the-match Gill said on being asked about one of their top three staying through to the end in most of the matches.
“We just talk about how we can score runs in these conditions and how to take the game deep.”
Gill was watchful at the start but the left-handed Sudharsan hit a few boundaries to get Gujarat going after being invited to bat first.
Gill took on Moeen Ali with a six and two fours in the second spell for the former England spinner and soon reached his third half-century of the season.
The in-form Sudharsan raised his fifth 50-plus score in this edition as he went past 400 runs to nudge out Lucknow Super Giants batsman Nicholas Pooran (368) as the leading batsman.
Buttler is third with 356 runs in his eight innings.
Andre Russell handed Kolkata its first breakthrough as the pace bowler dismissed Sudharsan after his 36-ball knock but he came under attack from Buttler who hit him for three successive boundaries.
Buttler and Gill kept up the attack before fast bowler Vaibhav Arora denied the Gujarat captain his hundred.
Buttler lost another partner in Rahul Tewatia but Gujarat finished with a flourish in a 18-run 20th over from Arora.
In reply, Kolkata lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over of the chase when Mohammed Siraj got the Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman trapped lbw for one.
Sunil Narine, a left-hand opener, and Rahane hit back with regular boundaries in a brisk partnership of 41 until Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan broke the stand.
Rashid had Narine caught out for 17 before Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer put on another stand to keep Kolkata in the hunt.
Sai Kishore removed Iyer on 14 and fellow spinner Washington Sundar sent back Rahane stumped out after his fifty to derail the chase.
“When you are chasing 199, you expect a good opening start with the batters, that’s where we are struggling throughout this tournament,” said Rahane.
“I thought 199 chaseable on this wicket, we bowled really well, we faltered with our batting.”
Russell added some spark with a 15-ball 21 as he hit three fours and one six but Rashid picked up his second wicket to remove him thanks to a Buttler stumping.
Season’s leading bowler Prasidh Krishna then took two wickets in one over to take his count to 16.
The ESL Saudi Challenge returns in 2025 with two editions
- Events will highlight Saudi Arabia’s role in the e-sports world and its alignment with Vision 2030
- ESL Saudi Challenge is a platform for emerging local talent to shine on the world stage, linking Saudi players with international opportunities and audiences
RIYADH: ESL FACEIT Group, the world’s leading e-sports company, has announced the return of the ESL Saudi Challenge for 2025, with two editions confirmed for May and December.
The expansion is part of EFG’s long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s gaming ecosystem and supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its National Gaming and Esports Strategy.
Kicking off the 2025 season, the first round of open qualifiers will take place on April 24-26, followed by a second round scheduled for May 1-3. The competition will then advance to the playoffs on May 7-8 and 14-15, culminating in a live grand final at VOV Gaming on May 30.
The ESL Saudi Challenge is a platform for emerging local talent to shine on the world stage, linking Saudi players with international opportunities and audiences.
“What’s happening in the Kingdom today sets the tone for the future of global e-sports.” said Franck Guignery, senior vice president for the MENA region at EFG. “We’re witnessing a generation of players with world-class potential. The ESL Saudi Challenge is more than a tournament, it’s a launchpad — a gateway that connects Saudi talent to the global esports arena. For the industry, this isn’t just an opportunity — it’s a turning point.”
Each 2025 edition of the tournament will spotlight Overwatch 2 as its flagship title, with a $20,000 prize pool and offering winners a direct path to global competitions. This year’s grand finals will culminate in a live showdown, bringing the region’s top talent to the big stage.
Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad in key Saudi Pro League clashes as title race heats up
- Al-Hilal hope to beat Al-Shabab to pressure leaders Ittihad
- Al-Ittihad host Al-Ettifaq and seek to extend 4-point lead
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League title race intensifies on Monday as Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad both face crucial tests in round 29.
Al-Hilal take on Al-Shabab at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, aiming to keep the pressure on league leaders Al-Ittihad.
Jorge Jesus’ side come into the match full of confidence after a commanding 3-0 win over Al-Khaleej, while Al-Shabab were held to a goalless draw by Al-Okhdood in their last outing.
Hilal boast a strong record against Shabab, winning 19 of their 33 previous league meetings, with just five victories for Shabab and nine draws.
Hilal have scored 59 goals across those encounters, compared to Shabab’s 32, with their biggest win coming in the 2020–21 season — a 5-1 thrashing.
Jesus has a full squad at his disposal, including Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo.
Al-Shabab coach Fatih Terim is also boosted by the return of key players, including Ukrainian goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan, Belgian captain Yannick Carrasco, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, and Argentine midfielder Cristian Guanca.
Al-Hilal currently sit second in the table with 61 points, trailing Al-Ittihad by four points, while Al-Shabab are sixth with 50 points.
And later on Monday, attention shifts to Jeddah, where Al-Ittihad host Al-Ettifaq at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, with kickoff at 9 p.m.
After suffering a surprise 2-0 defeat to Al-Fateh in the last round, Laurent Blanc’s Al-Ittihad will be desperate to return to winning ways and protect their lead at the top of the table.
Al-Ettifaq, meanwhile, arrive on the back of a 1-0 victory over Al-Riyadh and will be hoping to cause an upset.
Al-Ittihad have enjoyed the upper hand historically, winning 15 of the 29 previous league meetings, compared to seven wins for Al-Ettifaq, with seven matches drawn.
Ittihad have scored 53 goals in those fixtures, while Ettifaq have 32. Their most emphatic result came in the 2013–14 season, a 5-2 triumph for Ittihad.
With just five rounds remaining, every point is crucial. Al-Ittihad currently lead the standings with 65 points, while Al-Ettifaq are seventh with 40.
As the season enters its final stretch, Monday’s results could have a major impact on the destination of the league trophy.
Pakistan Super League fails to ignite in early matches
- Excitement that once defined the PSL has been conspicuously absent in the first 10 games
DUBAI: As the 10th match was completed in the Pakistan Super League, a third of the way into the tournament, it feels as if it is stuck in first gear. The excitement that once defined the league — packed stadiums, electrifying contests, a sense of national celebration — has been conspicuously absent. This is especially the case in Karachi. In the 2019 final, the National Stadium, despite logistical challenges, hosted a rocking full house. Now, it has sparsely populated stands.
The explanations being put forward are poor experience for spectators, poor viewing and a difficult venue to access. This does not fully explain the decline. Perhaps the truth is more uncomfortable. After two years of underwhelming performances by the national team, the public’s passion for the game may be suffering from disillusionment. Even so, the pattern is not even, as attendances in Rawalpindi have been much better, suggesting that interest has not completely evaporated. Nevertheless, it is an ongoing concern.
A related concern is the quality of cricket. Only one of the 10 matches has been genuinely close. While there have been flashes of brilliance, 17-year-old Ali Raza’s four wickets for Peshawar Zalmi against Multan Sultanas, for instance. the overall standard has been patchy. The tournament desperately needs more competitive matches to reignite excitement.
Islamabad United have been a class apart amid the mediocrity, their star shining more brightly than the rest. United are unbeaten after four matches comfortably lead the table. IU have played like true defending champions. Their success is not accidental, being built on consistency, smart recruitment and a culture of professionalism from the top down.
The franchise’s owners, Ali and Amna Naqvi, have been model stakeholders from the beginning. They have created a professional cricketing environment and let their team’s performances speak for themselves. There are no mid-tournament podcasts, no unnecessary media grandstanding, just a quiet, determined focus on cricket.
It is no surprise that their squad always plays with freedom and smiles on their faces. Sahibzada Farhan has set the tone and leads the batting charts with 214 runs at an average of 53.5, transferring his domestic form into the PSL. New overseas signing, the experienced Jason Holder, tops the wicket-taking charts with 11 wickets at an average of 11. He has provided a boost for his captain, Shadab Khan, who came into the tournament with poor form but has captained impressively and performed well with both bat and ball. It looks as if IU are united and the team to beat, especially after comfortably defeating the Karachi Kings in the 10th match by six wickets.
In a mixed start by Karachi Kings, two wins and two defeats, there have been bright spots. James Vince, ever the elegant run machine, has carried his form seamlessly into the PSL, proving yet again why he is one of the most dependable overseas players in franchise cricket. Equally encouraging has been the resurgence of Hasan Ali, who looks in the best rhythm he has been in for years — bowling with fire, swing and his trademark aggression. Tim Seifert has had a good start to the tournament too, but the Kings need to find consistency in both batting and bowling, which means more players realizing their potential.
Peshawar Zalmi, usually one of the league’s most consistent sides, have looked oddly out of balance. The makeup of their bowling attack in the first two games was confusing. The continued exclusion of Mehran Mumtaz, a promising young spinner, has raised eyebrows, especially when their current combinations are not working.
An apparent reluctance to blood younger players feels like one of the significant failures of the PSL. It compares unfavorably with the Indian Premier League where a 14-year-old recently burst on to the scene. In the PSL, some of the best young players either warm the bench or are not even in the squads. An exception to this for Zalmi has been the young bowler, Ali Riaz. His wiry frame will need filling out to deal with the demands of fast bowling but he has consistently reached speeds of 140kph or above, combined with swing and skill. He has also shown character, especially with four wickets for 21 in the win against Multan Sultans.
Zalmi also has the big issue of Babar Azam to address. The former Pakistan captain’s form has been uncharacteristically subdued but, as everyone knows, class is permanent. Zalmi’s hopes hinge on Azam quickly rediscovering his touch. If he does, they will have the firepower to challenge. The team management will be delighted to see Saim Ayub slot back into the team after injury, while the attacking batting style and character of Mohammad Haris is the sort that the national team ought to be looking to build the future around. After losing the first two games, Zalmi appear poised for improved results.
At the bottom of the table, Multan Sultans remain winless after three matches. Owner Ali Khan Tareen has been omnipresent, attending training sessions, involving himself in team huddles and making himself a constant talking point. He speaks about raising professionalism and standards, but his approach may not be the optimum one. A step backwards may better serve the players, rather than give the impression that he is about to pull on the shirt and take the field himself.
Quetta Gladiators, after a brilliant first game, stumbled in the next two matches, exposing the batting frailties that many suspected existed in the squad. Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars have been a pleasant surprise, holding second in the table on net run rate. The team has displayed fight and good skills. One player living up to my prediction is Rishad Hossain, the young Bangladeshi leg-spinner, who has been exciting in claiming six wickets.
The 11th match will be the last played in Karachi, as the tournament moves on to Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi. It is to be hoped that closer matches ensue, along with a better standard of cricket to encourage the fans to come out in greater numbers. All of those outcomes are much needed to attract future investment and quality players in the increasingly crowded space for franchise tournaments in cricket’s calendar.
