SOCCER
Thailand boss resigns
The president of Thailand’s soccer association yesterday announced his resignation following political pressure over brawling between the kingdom’s national team and Indonesia during the men’s final at the Southeast Asian Games. Indonesia defeated Thailand 5-2 in the final last month that saw players and coaches on both sides clash on two occasions with four red cards issued. The Thailand Football Association later apologized and handed out lengthy bans to two players, two officials and a coach. In a statement on Facebook, association president Somyot Poompanmoung said that Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who heads the country’s national Olympic committee, had ordered him to stand down as president at a meeting on Friday. “As President of the Football Association of Thailand ... I am ready to follow the order of General Prawit,” Somyot said.
SOCCER
Cardiff ordered to pay
FIFA has ordered Cardiff City to pay French club Nantes the remaining installments for the transfer fee of Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash in 2019 before he could join the Welsh team. Sala died when the light aircraft he was traveling in from France crashed into the English Channel in January 2019, two days after Cardiff had announced the signing of the 28-year-old Argentine forward from Nantes. Cardiff had already been ordered by FIFA to pay the first installment of the ￡15 million (US$19 million) transfer fee, a decision that was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in August last year. Soccer’s world governing body on Friday ordered Cardiff to pay the last two installments as well.
ICE HOCKEY
Women’s league planned
Organizers on Friday announced plans to launch a new women’s professional ice hockey league in January next year that they hope would provide a stable, economically sustainable home for the sport’s top players. The North American league is expected to start with six teams — three in the US and three in Canada — a person with knowledge of the league’s plans said. “I don’t think there’s a more significant moment for the game since women’s ice hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998,” Professional Hockey Federation commissioner Reagan Carey said. “I think it will forever change the landscape of our sport — and certainly for the better.”
TENNIS
WTA eyes Saudi Arabia
Women’s tennis is looking into the possibility of getting into business with Saudi Arabia. WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon on Friday said that he visited that country with players in February as part of the evaluation process. “It’s a very difficult and very challenging topic that’s being, obviously, measured by many, many different groups right now,” Simon said at an event in London to mark the 50th anniversary of the meeting that led to the founding of the WTA. He said that there “are still tons of issues in Saudi Arabia” with regard to women’s rights, but added: “The Saudis are talking to a lot of people and a lot of different sports right now. I think everybody’s evaluating what this means and: How do you move forward with that?”
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
Taiwanese sprinter Chen Yi-cen on Friday won the silver medal in the women’s 400m final at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, with a time of 53.16 seconds. Chen, 15, was the youngest among the eight finalists, and her performance also met the qualifying standard of 53.50 seconds for the Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September and October. Chen first made her mark at the National Games in Tainan in 2023, at the age of 13, winning the women’s 400m final in 55.55 seconds to become the youngest gold medalist in the history of the event. Meanwhile,
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
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