RAM, West Bank: The head of the Palestinian Football Association reinforced his call for Israel to be suspended from FIFA on Thursday, saying the Israeli Football Association was part of an “apartheid, racist government” that was damaging Palestinian soccer.
The PFA accuses Israel of obstructing its activities and restricting the movement of players between the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. It wants a vote on Israel’s suspension from FIFA at a congress on May 29.
“The Israeli federation is behaving as a part of the brutal, racist occupation,” Jibril Rajoub, a former politician who has headed the PFA since 2008, told reporters in the West Bank.
“The Israeli Football Association is not innocent ... The Israel FA has failed to take a stance against its government’s policy to hinder the development of Palestinian football.”
If FIFA were to suspend Israel, its teams and clubs would be barred from international events, including World Cup qualifications.
Although suspensions are not uncommon, FIFA has usually taken such action only when a government is deemed to have intervened in its soccer association’s affairs.
On Wednesday, Israel’s top soccer administrators met FIFA President Sepp Blatter in Zurich to try to avert the vote.
Afterwards, FIFA said Blatter had “reiterated his position that any member association that is fulfilling its statutory duties should not be suspended... This would also apply to the IFA as long as they fulfil such duties.”
The statement appeared to offer hope for the IFA, which has not been accused of violating FIFA statutes and argues that it cannot influence Israel’s security forces.
FIFA said it would host a meeting between IFA chairman Ofer Eini and Rajoub in the coming days. Rajoub said Blatter had called him urge him to meet his Israeli counterparts but he had not yet decided whether he would do so.
In the past, Blatter or his envoys have managed to broker compromises between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but this time Rajoub said he was not interested in a “private deal.”
“We are committed to the statues of FIFA, we are committed to the principles, but at the same time we are committed to go for the resolution in the congress of FIFA,” he said. “There is no compromise, there will be no private deal.”
As well as restrictions on the movement of players, Rajoub accuses Israel’s FA of turning a blind eye to racism against Arabs in Israeli football and says five Israeli league teams based on Jewish settlements built on occupied land should not be allowed to play.
The PFA has also complained about equipment ordered by the PFA being held up at Israeli customs. Israel says its actions are guided by security concerns.
In a letter to FIFA members, IFA chairman Eini urged them to reject the Palestinian proposal, saying it was “a flagrant move that seeks to mix politics with sport — something that is completely contrary to FIFA’s vision.”
The Palestinian proposal would need the approval of 75 percent of FIFA’s 209 member associations.
Israel is competing in the Euro 2016 qualifying event and its clubs will join European cup tournaments in July, when Israel is also due to host the European women’s under-19 championships. Suspension could force the event to be moved.
Two years ago, FIFA set up a task force, which included Blatter, the Israeli and Palestinian FA chiefs and the heads of the European and Asian confederations to address the Palestinian complaints.
Eini’s letter to FIFA members said that last year, Blatter appointed Cyprus FA president, Costakis Koutsokoumnis, to go to the region to gather information.
He wrote that Koutsokoumnis reported that the IFA was not involved in determining Israeli travel policy and that FIFA, together with the IFA and the PFA, should try to help guide Israeli security agencies’ procedures to ease the situation.
Palestinian football chief firm on Israel’s FIFA suspension
Palestinian football chief firm on Israel’s FIFA suspension
Pakistan wins the toss and elects to bat in third and final ODI against Zimbabwe
- Pakistan recovered from a first-match loss with a 10-wicket win in the second ODI
- ODI series will be followed by three Twenty20 matches at Bulawayo from Sunday
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Pakistan bounced back from a shocking loss in the rain-affected first match with a 10-wicket win in the second game after a maiden ODI century from Saim Ayub.
The tourists retained the same winning combination with Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed, and Salman Ali Agha the three spin options.
Ahmed and Salman sliced through the Zimbabwe batting lineup in the second match by sharing seven wickets between them with leg-spinner Abrar getting 4-33 in his debut ODI.
Zimbabwe brought in wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande and fast bowling all-rounder Faraz Akram for their first game of the series in place of Brandon Mavuta and Trevor Gwandu.
The ODI series will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 series starting at Bulawayo from Sunday.
LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back
- Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so
- In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green
MELBOURNE: Lucas Herbert drained an eagle at the last in a flawless eight-under-par 63 Thursday to lead the Australian Open in Melbourne and upstage LIV Golf teammate Cameron Smith who trails by two.
In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green.
Starting on the 10th, Australia’s Herbert sunk six birdies to no bogeys before his sensational eagle propelled him into the outright lead at the second event of the DP World Tour’s 2025 season.
He ended one clear of Rintaro Nakaro — Japan’s amateur champion in 2023 — and American Ryggs Johnson, with 2022 British Open champion Smith a shot further back in a four-way tie.
The mixed Australian Open involves men and women teeing off in alternating groups on the same courses.
Kingston Heath in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region is the main venue across all four days with Victoria Golf Club also hosting play on the opening two days.
“I felt like there was a lot of shots left out there,” said Herbert, a three-time winner on the European circuit, after negotiating soggy fairways and soft greens.
“I feel like that with every round of golf, to be fair, but didn’t really think I holed that many. Just hit it quite nicely.”
Nakaro was the early pacesetter with eight birdies, but his round was spoilt by a bogey at the last.
“I’m surprised but very happy,” said the 21-year-old, who plans to turn professional next year.
Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so.
He was one-over after three, but then reeled off six straight birdies to remain in the hunt.
“I mean the greens are soft and there wasn’t much wind out there this morning, so a lot of those par-fives played really quite short whereas typically you get one hole into the wind or something like that,” he said.
“So yeah, I was just able to take advantage of that.”
At stake for the men is a place at next year’s British Open at Royal Portrush with the top three earning a spot.
Chilean defending champion Joaquin Niemann, Smith and Englishman Jordan Smith are already exempt.
Niemann, also on the LIV Tour, had a day to forget with 73 while Smith carded 70.
Australia’s Su shot nine birdies in her 66 to lead the women’s field alongside Yang, just 17.
But they have Green, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year, breathing down their neck.
“I’ve worked really hard the last few months and felt like I was hitting the ball a lot better and just happy and proud,” said Su.
South African defending champion Ashleigh Buhai struggled to 73 to be seven adrift.
Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club
- Four Saudis, including Othman Almulla and Faisal Salhab, will participate in next week’s tournament
- Locals join Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton and Bubba Watson in stellar line-up
RIYADH: For the first time in its history, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers will feature an unprecedented line-up of Saudi Arabian players with four representatives from the Kingdom in the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-7 at Riyadh Golf Club.
Othman Almulla, Faisal Salhab, Saud Al-Sharif and Khalid Walid will take part in the competition, marking a groundbreaking moment for Saudi golf on a global stage. They are joined by Golf Saudi ambassador, the UK-born Shergo Al-Kurdi, who represents Jordan internationally.
Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer, has paved the way for the game’s growth in the Kingdom and remains a key ambassador for the sport. Before turning professional in 2019, he became the first Saudi golfer to win the Qatar Open and qualify for two professional events, the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2008 Qatar Masters.
“It’s an honour to be part of this milestone for Saudi golf, competing alongside my fellow countrymen on such a prestigious stage,” Almulla said. “The PIF Saudi International is a testament to the incredible progress golf has made in the Kingdom and the bright future ahead. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without Golf Saudi’s support, and I’m proud to represent Saudi Arabia while inspiring the next generation of golfers to elevate the game even further.”
Salhab turned professional last year and has represented Saudi Arabia at various international tournaments, including the Pan Arab Golf Championships. Attieh, meanwhile, made history in February 2024 at the International Series Oman when he became the first amateur player from Saudi Arabia to make the cut.
Almulla, Salhab and Al-Sharif are also Golf Saudi ambassadors, whose mission is to elevate the game in the Kingdom.
The growing number Saudi players, who will be competing alongside global superstars such as Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, reflect the targets set by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global golf destination.
Alongside the professional action, the Saudi International aims to encourage more individuals, particularly young Saudis, to take up the sport.
Through its Go Golf initiative, Golf Saudi offers three months of free lessons for all new golfers in the Kingdom, followed by 12 complimentary rounds, as well as discounted memberships and coaching. Golf Saudi is committed to expanding access to the sport for players at all levels and building a vibrant golf community in the Kingdom.
Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland
- Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over
- Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists
- Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory
MIAMI: Eastern Conference leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered their first home loss of the season with a surprise 135-124 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Cleveland’s second loss of the season came afer a strong second half display from Atlanta with De’Andre Hunter scoring 26 points off the bench, Jalen Johnson adding 22 points and Trae Young contributing 20 with a career-high 22 assists.
Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over.
Johnson said Young’s assists had been crucial to the victory and that he deserved more credit for his role on the team.
“He was really getting off the ball and finding everyone... a lot of people don’t necessarily talk about him even though he’s leading the league in assists, but they don’t talk about him as the playmaker,” Johnson said.
The win moves the Hawks to 8-11 on the season and Young said the team had shown what they were capable of.
“They are a really good team who have been playing well all year and I feel we have been a little inconsistent but the times that we have played well, we’ve played really well,” he said.
Donovan Mitchell scored 30 for Cleveland and Evan Mobley put up 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the Cavs missed out on a chance to become the first team to start with an 18-1 record.
Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Denver had come back from an early 12-point deficit with a 21-4 run midway through the game turning the contest in their direction.
The Houston Rockets needed overtime to beat the 3-14 Philadelphia 76ers, with Alperen Sengun scoring 22 points and claiming 14 rebounds and seven assists.
Half of Turkish center Sengun’s points came in overtime where the Rockets made sure of moving to 14-6.
“My teammates trusted me in overtime and I didn’t want to fail them,” Sengun said. “It was ugly but a win is a win in the NBA.”
James Harden scored 43 points for the Los Angeles Clippers as they beat the struggling Washington Wizards 121-96.
Harden scored 23 of his points in the first quarter and left the game late in the third quarter with the Wizards already condemned to their 13th straight defeat.
“We have to continue to find ways to win,” said Harden of the 12-8 Clippers.
“Defensively we need to do a lot better, sometimes we get a little too comfortable... we just need to continue to get better as a unit.”
The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets 98-94, with Tyler Herro scoring 27 points and Duncan Robinson draining six three-pointers in the win.
“He’s a shot-maker, he’s not afraid of the moment,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Herro.
Bam Adebayo claimed 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Heat while LaMelo Ball had 32 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte.
Miami’s star Jimmy Butler left the game in the third quarter with a tight back and did not return.
The Hornets were closing in on the lead but Herro made a 29-foot three-pointer and then grabbed Ball’s attempted pass to Brandon Miller for the crucial turnover.
Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory.
LeBron James helped with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds while France’s Victor Wembanyama top scored for the Spurs with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite being without injured Slovenian star Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks had a comfortable 129-114 win over the New York Knicks with Kyrie Irving scoring 23 points.
Dennis Schroder top scored with 29 points as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Phoenix Suns 127-117. Kevin Durant put up 30 points and 8 rebounds for the Arizona team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and had 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder in an impressive 105-101 win at the Golden State Warriors.
The Thunders lost forward Jalen Williams to an eye injury in the second quarter of the game while Stephen Curry was missing for the Warriors due to a knee injury.
Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India
- PCB says it’s unacceptable that Pakistanis play in India while Indians don’t come to Pakistan
- Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums chosen for tournament
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes it will get a fair deal on “equality” when the International Cricket Council (ICC) holds a virtual meeting on Friday to finalize details for next year’s Champions Trophy.
There’s an impasse for the eight-team, 50-over format tournament after India declined to tour Pakistan for the event, scheduled to be held from Feb. 19 to March 9.
A decades-long tense political situation between the two South Asian countries hasn’t seen India playing international cricket in Pakistan since 2008 when it competed in Asia Cup.
Both nations have competed in ICC tournaments with Pakistan touring India last year for the 50-overs World Cup.
“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in Lahore. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
The ICC board could decide the issue in a vote among members.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”
Earlier this month, the ICC told the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had informed the game’s governing body it will not tour Pakistan for the event. The PCB sent an email, asking the ICC reasons behind India’s refusal.
Naqvi said he’s been in “constant touch” with the ICC chairman Greg Barckley, but didn’t say whether he got the answers from the game’s governing body as to why India was not willing to tour Pakistan.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister in the Pakistan government, said that whatever decision the ICC makes on Friday, he will go to his government for the final approval.
Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi — the three venues chosen for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said he hoped the renovation of three stadiums will be completed well in time to host the event.
