ISTANBUL: Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for three matches and handed a fine of around 6,000 pounds ($7,734.00) after grabbing the nose of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in the Istanbul derby, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said on Saturday.
The incident occurred at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, which Mourinho’s side lost 2-1 at home.
A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players, with the referee sending three players off, two from Galatasaray, and after the final whistle the 62-year-old Portuguese appeared to pinch Buruk’s nose who then fell dramatically to the ground.
“Mourinho shall be banned from entering the dressing room and the bench for three official matches,” TFF said in a statement.
Mourinho will miss the games against Trabzonspor, Sivasspor and Kayserispor.
Fenerbahce are second in the Super Lig, trailing leaders Galatasaray by six points with a game in hand.
Fenerbahce’s Mourinho banned for three games after nose grab incident in Istanbul derby
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Fenerbahce’s Mourinho banned for three games after nose grab incident in Istanbul derby
- The incident occurred at the end of the Turkish Cup quarter-finals
- A mass scuffle had broken out between both sets of players
Pakistani bowler Usman Tariq reported for suspect bowling action in PSL
- Tariq reported by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown after Quetta lost to Lahore Qalandars by 79 runs
- Last year, Tariq was also reported for a suspect bowling action during Quetta’s match against Karachi Kings
ISLAMABAD: Quetta Gladiators’ off-spinner Usman Tariq of Pakistan was reported for a suspect bowling action during the Pakistan Super League T20 tournament.
Tariq was reported by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown after Quetta lost to Lahore Qalandars by 79 runs at Rawalpindi on Sunday. Tariq bowled his quote of four overs and returned figures of 1-31.
He also picked up 2-26 against Peshawar Zalmi as Quetta began its campaign with a thumping 80-run win.
“As per the rules, Usman can continue to bowl in future (PSL) matches,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement. “However, if he is reported again, he will be suspended from bowling and will need to obtain clearance from an ICC-accredited lab before he can resume bowling.”
Last year, Tariq was also reported for a suspect bowling action during Quetta’s match against Karachi Kings at the same venue before the franchise voluntarily pulled out the off-spinner from the tournament to undergo the bowling test.
Later in last August, an ICC-accredited laboratory in Lahore cleared the off-spinner’s bowling action and he competed in domestic tournaments without being reported.
Alexxanderr triumphs at Global Champions Arabians Tour in Riyadh
- One of the most renowned stallions in the world was crowned Gold Senior Stallion Champion at Jump Saudi arena
RIYADH: The fourth stage of the Global Champions Arabians Tour in Riyadh saw Alexxanderr, one of the world’s most celebrated stallions, emerge triumphant at the purpose-built Jump Saudi arena.
With Tour legends such as Shahalel Al-Shaqab, D Borkan and Berlin MP returning to the arena alongside an impressive array of Saudi and international contenders, the event drew a strong crowd of breeders, dignitaries and fans for four days of competition.
Alexxanderr was crowned Gold Senior Stallion Champion while Arabella Al-Shahania took home the first gold for Al-Shahania Stud, Qatar, winning the Yearling Fillies Championship with a polished and elegant performance. Behind her Areej Akmal, representing Saudi Arabia’s AKMAL Stud, took silver, while AJ Sindala, gold medal winner in Muscat, completed the podium with a bronze for Ajman Stud.
In the Yearling Colts Championship, Mistiq Al-Shahania dazzled for Al-Shahania Stud with fluid, refined movement to claim gold. Nebras NA secured silver for Al-Naif Stud, Saudi Arabia, while Sharar Al-Manhal, a consistent presence on the Tour, earned bronze for SK Arabians, Qatar.
Shahalel Al-Shaqab extended her undefeated run with another gold for Al-Shaqab Stud, Qatar, in the Junior Fillies Championship, with Shahbrys HVP again following closely with silver for Ajmal Stud, Saudi Arabia, and Expectations Al-Wajba taking bronze for Al-Wajba Stud, Qatar.
D Borkan returned with force in the Junior Colts Championship, seizing his second consecutive gold for Dubai Arabian Horse Stud with yet another high-scoring performance. Chalino CJ earned silver for Al-Shahania Stud, and Naif Al-Areeb took bronze for Al-Nouf Stud, Saudi Arabia.
The Senior Mare Championship saw a commanding win for D Beisan of Al-Shaqab, delivering a flawless presentation of type and femininity. RK Sadeem earned silver for Ajman Stud, while Najla Umm Al-Udham earned a proud bronze for Umm Al-Udham Stud, Saudi Arabia.
In the final championship of the event, Alexxanderr claimed the Gold Senior Stallion Championship for AL Mirqab Farm, Qatar. Berlin MP, the Muscat champion, followed with silver for Hleetan Stud, Qatar, while ES Harir took bronze for SK Arabians, UAE.
As the Tour progresses to its next destinations, Shahalel Al-Shaqab continues to lead the female rankings with an unbeaten record, while Sharar Al-Manhal climbs in the male standings. The handler leaderboard remains topped by Paolo Capecci, who continues to impress with consistent performances across categories.
Next week, the Global Champions Arabians Tour makes its American debut in Miami Beach, USA, from April 17-19 at 36th Street Park, marking the second stage of the GCAT Americas Series. The Tour then returns to Europe in June for the Cannes stage.
UFC to host its first event in Azerbaijan
- June 21 card features light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr
BAKU: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, will make its debut in Azerbaijan with a main event featuring former UFC light heavyweight champion and No. 4-ranked contender Jamahal Hill against No. 7-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.
In partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, the UFC event will be on Saturday, June 21 at the Baku Crystal Hall.
The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony with Dana White, the UFC president and CEO, and Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov in Miami before UFC 314 last Saturday.
“Azerbaijan and the city of Baku have an incredible history of hosting massive global sporting events,” White said. “We have so many great athletes from in and around this country that it was a natural next destination for us. I’m excited to have our debut event there on June 21.”
Gayibov emphasized the significance of the event in advancing Azerbaijan’s role in the international sports community.
“Hosting UFC in Baku marks another significant milestone in our efforts to develop Azerbaijan as a regional sports leader,” he said. “Thanks to President Ilham Aliyev’s unwavering support and attention, along with his successful sports policy, Azerbaijan has gained international recognition in the world of sports — and the city of Baku has established itself as a key hub for major global sporting events.
“This partnership with UFC further strengthens our reputation as a global sports hub, showcasing our commitment to sports development and international cooperation.”
Former champion Hill (12-3 1NC, from Michigan, US) aims to make a quick return to the Octagon for his second bout of 2025. The first Dana White’s Contender Series alum to become an undisputed UFC champion, his route to the title included wins over Thiago Santos, Johnny Walker and Jimmy Crute. Hill now plans to make a statement against Rountree Jr. and turn his attention to the championship picture.
Rountree Jr. (14-6 1NC) competes for the first time since his valiant Fight of the Night effort against Alex Pereira at UFC 307 in October. A devastating striker with 9 of his 13 wins coming by way of KO, Rountree Jr. has entertained fans with victories over Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson and Modestas Bukauskas. He now looks to take Hill’s spot in the top five with another signature performance.
Also featuring on a stacked card will be the return of Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5) as he aims to become the first Japanese UFC champion. Standing in his way will be No.10-ranked Russian flyweight Tagir Ulanbekov (16-2) who is training under former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and also has his eyes on the top of the flyweight division.
Expect fireworks as heavyweights collide with No.5 ranked Curtis Blaydes (18-5) taking on Dana White’s Contender Series standout Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1) who will be looking to make a statement in his Octagon debut.
Additional bouts on the card include:
Middleweight: Ismail Naurdiev, Austria/Morocco (24-7) vs. Junyong Park, South Korea (18-6).
Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab, Egypt (6-0) vs. Mohammed Usman, Nigeria/US (10-4).
Bantamweight: Irina Alekseeva, Russia (5-2) vs. Klaudia Sygula, Poland (6-2).
Bantamweight: Daria Zhelezniakova, Russia (9-2) vs. Melissa Mullins, England (7-1).
UAE National MMA Championship 3 concludes in Dubai
- More than 300 athletes took part in the event at Shabab Al Al-Ahli Club
DUBAI: The UAE National MMA Championship 3, organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, concluded on Sunday after two days of competition at the Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai.
More than 300 male and female athletes from different age groups participated, attracting crowds that reflect the sport’s growing popularity in the country.
The final day of the championship featured competitions in the Youth A (16-17 years old) and Adult (18 years and above) categories.
Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the success of the championship, highlighting the strong turnout and broad participation from clubs and academies across the country.
“The UAE National MMA Championship supports the federation’s vision of growing the practitioner base, identifying talent, preparing future champions, and strengthening the presence of mixed martial arts in the local sports scene,” he said.
“The involvement of different age groups reflects our commitment to building generations capable of competing at the highest levels locally, regionally, or internationally.
“This third edition is also a key milestone in preparing our athletes for upcoming competitions, especially the sixth edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championship, which will take place in Abu Dhabi in July 2025,” he added.
Ekonian Andenet, a coach at ADMA Academy, said: “Our team took part in today’s competitions with more than 40 male and female athletes. This tournament is significant to us because it brings together top-level participants from clubs and academies across the country. It gives our athletes a valuable chance to test their skills, apply what they’ve learned in training, and prove they can win and earn medals. It also helps strengthen their preparation for international competitions.”
Saif Al Jneibi from ADMA, who won gold in the Youth Boys welterweight (under-77.1kg) division, said: “I’m happy to be competing in the tournament for the second time. I lost in the last edition by submission, but I didn’t give up and kept training hard. I had strong support from my family, coach, and teammates at the club, and today I managed to take first place. The matches were tough. I thank the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation for their continued support and for organising top-level tournaments.”
Harden bags 39 as Clippers edge Warriors to clinch playoff spot
- The defeat for Golden State means the Warriors must now secure their place in the playoffs via the four-team play-in tournament starting this week, hosting Memphis on Tuesday
- Denver clinched the fourth seed in the West with a 126-111 victory over the second-seeded Houston Rockets
LOS ANGELES: James Harden scored 39 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 124-119 in overtime to clinch the final playoff spot in a thrilling last day of the NBA regular season on Sunday.
Harden’s superb display in San Francisco helped the Clippers bag the fifth seed in the Western Conference and sets up a first-round postseason series with the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets.
The 35-year-old Harden’s points tally included two crucial back-to-back three-pointers in overtime which ultimately proved decisive in a back-and-forth duel that saw the lead change hands 23 times.
The defeat for Golden State means the Warriors must now secure their place in the playoffs via the four-team play-in tournament starting this week, hosting Memphis on Tuesday.
Harden, meanwhile, praised the Clippers’ composure in closing out victory in front of the Warriors’ vociferous home support.
“We knew it was gonna be a hostile environment, and the main goal was just to win the game,” Harden told ESPN. “Whether it’s scoring, whether it’s playmaking...it’s whatever it takes at this point.”
The win was the Clippers’ eighth straight victory to close out the regular season, ensuring they will enter the playoffs as the form team in the Western Conference after a campaign where few gave them much hope.
“We know we’re a good team and we’re excited to show the world that we’re a good team,” Harden said.
Harden was backed with 33 points from Kawhi Leonard while Ivica Zubac added 22.
Stephen Curry led Golden State’s scoring with 36 points while Jimmy Butler added 30 points.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr praised the Clippers performance after a gripping contest.
“That was a big-time basketball game — they’re one of the best teams in the NBA, and so are we,” Kerr said. “It was a great, great game — high-level stuff, stars being stars. We came up short but not for lack of effort.
“There was a lot of great execution, and lot of stuff that was very impressive. But we couldn’t quite pull it off.”
In other games on Sunday, Denver clinched the fourth seed in the West with a 126-111 victory over the second-seeded Houston Rockets.
The win capped a tumultuous week for the Nuggets, who fired head coach Michael Malone on Tuesday with the playoffs beckoning in a move that stunned the NBA.
Denver were always in control of Sunday’s clash, leading by as many as 36 points in the fourth quarter after taking the lead midway through the first period.
Denver’s interim coach David Adelman reserved praise for Serbian star Nikola Jokic, who finished a regular season campaign in which he averaged a triple double with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
“I’ve been around special players, I’ve never seen any player like him,” Adelman said.
“The work he puts in away from it. Just how systematic he is, professional, no wasted steps. He is absolutely the most impressive basketball player I’ve ever seen.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves meanwhile snaffled sixth place in the West — the final automatic playoff berth — with a 116-105 defeat of the Utah Jazz.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch paid tribute to his team’s effort in muscling their way into the playoffs.
“I’m super proud of their body of work this year,” Finch said. “We didn’t make a big trade in the middle of the season to sort thing out, or fire coaches to try to sort things out — they sorted it out themselves. Those guys made the right adjustments and sacrifices and figured who they needed to be as a team. All credit to them.”
The win means the Timberwolves will face the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
