David Beckham arrives in Sweden for funeral of former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson

David Beckham arrives in Sweden for funeral of former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson
The private jet of English former football player David Beckham lands at the Karlstad airport, in Karlstad, Sweden on September 12, 2024, one day prior to late Swedish soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson’s funeral service. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 12 September 2024
Follow

David Beckham arrives in Sweden for funeral of former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson

David Beckham arrives in Sweden for funeral of former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson
  • Beckham was England’s captain under Eriksson, who was in charge of the team from 2001-06
  • Beckham was pictured in Swedish media checking into a hotel in Karlstad

KARLSTAD, Sweden: England soccer great David Beckham arrived in Sweden on Thursday ahead of the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson, his former national-team coach.
Eriksson died on Aug. 26 at the age of 76, eight months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.
Beckham was England’s captain under Eriksson, who was in charge of the team from 2001-06, and visited his former coach in Sweden in June.
Swedish news agency TT reported that Beckham landed in the early evening on Thursday at Karlstad airport, which is a short drive from Torsby — a town, located about 310 kilometers (193 miles) west of Stockholm, where the funeral will take place Friday in the 600-seat Fryksande church. Beckham was pictured in Swedish media checking into a hotel in Karlstad.
Torsby is in the region of Varmland, where Eriksson grew up and died.
After the church ceremony on Friday, a musical procession will accompany the coffin that will be transported the 700 meters (766 yards) to a museum in Torsby with a large number of original wooden houses with traditional furnishings. Speeches and eulogies will be given there.
“It is an honor to be able to come to his funeral, although it is a sad day,” Roy Hodgson, another former England coach who also arrived in Torsby on Thursday, was quoted as saying by the local Warmlands Folkblad outlet.


Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe

Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe
Updated 26 September 2024
Follow

Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe

Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe

BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski continued his fine form and earned La Liga leaders Barcelona a 1-0 win over Getafe on Wednesday.

The Polish forward struck from close range in the first half to maintain Barca’s 100 percent record in the league so far this season with their seventh victory.

Barcelona dominated despite not being able to add to their lead and restored a four-point advantage on Real Madrid, who beat Alaves on Tuesday.

Coach Hansi Flick started Inaki Pena in goal for the stricken Marc-Andre ter Stegen, out for months with a severe knee injury, and brought Marc Casado and Alejandro Balde back into the side.

The reserve goalkeeper, who conceded 32 times in 17 matches across all competitions last season, heard his name chanted supportively by fans behind his goal and saved an early header from Carles Perez.

By contrast his opposite number David Soria’s weak touch on Jules Kounde’s cross led to Barcelona’s opener on 19 minutes, the ball falling perfectly for Lewandowski to finish from close range.

The 36-year-old striker has seven goals in La Liga this season and leads the scoring charts, seemingly rejuvenated under Flick after struggling at times last season.

Teen starlet Lamine Yamal might have doubled the lead moments later when Raphinha played him in, but he nudged inches past the post.

Soria made a good save from Raphinha, who collected the August player of the month award before kick-off, and soon sent another effort skidding wide.

Yamal almost bent home a delicious curling strike from distance before the hour, but Soria tipped it over the crossbar.

The Getafe goalkeeper also palmed a dangerous Raphinha free-kick around the post as Barcelona pushed for a second to put the match to bed.

Spain’s Euro 2024 hero Yamal clipped the top of the crossbar with a vicious effort from distance, as Barca started to grumble about Getafe’s persistently heavy challenges.

Raphinha missed a golden chance in the final stages, heading wide after a clever dart into the box but Barcelona were not punished for their profligacy.

Getafe, 19th, are still winless and wasted a fine chance of their own at the death when Borja Mayoral failed to get a shot away when well placed and free inside the box.

The leaders next travel to face Osasuna on Saturday, before second-place Real Madrid face rivals Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Sunday.


France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup

France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup

France denies match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup
  • Les Bleus and Iran played an indolent first half before Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second half, triggering angry reactions from other teams.

PARIS: France brushed off allegations of match-fixing after their 4-1 defeat against Iran sent them into the softest part of the draw at the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
Les Bleus and Iran played an indolent first half before Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second half, triggering angry reactions from other teams.
“Iran and France, coaches and players alike, have disgraced my sport. You are a disgrace to the world,” Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo wrote on X.
Retired Brazil great Falcao was quoted by French media as saying: “It shows a lack of respect for the World Cup. The match was clearly fixed from the first minute.”
Both France and Iran were already qualified for the last 16 but the result meant that world number 10 France, second in Group F, will take on Thailand, ranked ninth before a potential quarter-final against 13th-ranked Paraguay.
Iran, the world number four, will be up against sixth-ranked Morocco ahead of a possible last-eight clash against world number one Brazil.
“It was Iran’s responsibility to be in charge of the game. The draw is more open for us but our main goal was not to get booked and to avoid injuries,” France coach Raphael Reynaud said.
The French football federation and world governing body FIFA were not immediately available for comment.


Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids
Updated 59 min 35 sec ago
Follow

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids

Judy Murray, Garbine Muguruza conduct tennis clinic for Saudi kids
  • Event in Diriyah held ahead of WTA Finals in Riyadh in November
  • ‘It’s important that we share the sport as much as we can,’ Murray says

RIYADH: Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray and former world No. 1 Spanish-Venezuelan Garbine Muguruza conducted a tennis clinic for children at the Net Tennis Academy in Diriyah on Tuesday.
Ahead of the WTA Finals that will be held for the first time in Riyadh in November, the pair spoke to Arab News about the growth of the sport in the region.
“I think there is a new generation now ... We have great players from all nationalities and we feel like every tournament there’s different winners. So that means that it’s very competitive,” Muguruza, who will act as tournament director for the upcoming event, said.
Public events could help to raise the profile of the sport, she said.
“One very good example is what we are doing here today. We are bringing the community together, especially the kids. The kids are the ones that are going to follow our footsteps and be the next generation.”

Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray, the mother to former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, has said she sees a bright future for tennis in Saudi Arabia. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

The Saudi Sports for All Federation and Saudi Tennis Federation are working together to stage the Tennis for All program at SFA Neighborhood Clubs in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province. The initiative is one of several launched to encourage people across the Kingdom to become more physically active.
Murray, who is mother to former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, had a similar message.
“It’s important that we share the sport as much as we can with those in the local community,” she said.
“The bigger your workforce, the more you can share your sport with any kids, teens, adults who might be interested in getting involved and picking up a racket.”

Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray conducts a tennis clinic for children in Diriyah, as part of an initiative to grow the Saudi game. (AN photo: Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

But the most important thing was passion, she said.
“I look at my sons, who were professional players for many, many years. They’re 37 and 38 now and they still love the game. They still love competing. They’re real students of the game. They really research, study it, love it. And I think I would say exactly the same for myself. I love the game.”
Having worked directly with the SFA, Murray said she saw a bright future for tennis in Saudi Arabia.
“I think bringing the World Tour Finals here for a three-year period and also having brought the next gen finals here, and there are a number of other things in the pipeline that will bring some major events into Saudi, the closer you can get your people to the action, live action, the more they are probably inspired to try it ... the more they believe that they could actually do it as well,” she said.
“I think that the goal is by 2030, to have a million people playing tennis, which is always good to have a target and I actually think you’re going to smash that target.”

 


Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’

Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’

Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev ready for crunch battle in Kingdom’s ‘IV Crown Showdown’
  • Rivals bid to become undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world  

LONDON: Boxers Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev both said on Wednesday they were fully prepared and ready to become the undisputed light-heavyweight champion of the world in their clash in Saudi Arabia next month.

The event on Oct. 12, dubbed the “IV Crown Showdown,” referring to the four belts on the line, will headline the opening ceremony of the 2024 Riyadh Season.

Russian-Canadian Beterbiev, who holds the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council belts, has knocked out all of his 20 opponents.

Russian Bivol, who has an undefeated 23-0 record, has won three fights since his victory over Canelo Alvarez in 2022, and is putting his World Boxing Association title on the line in the fight in Riyadh.

Bivol said at a press conference in London on Wednesday that he was eager to unify all belts, and added: “Oct. 12 will be an unforgettable night for boxing fans. Competing at Kingdom Arena, one of the world’s top venues, is an honor, and I’m grateful to Riyadh Season for this opportunity.”

Beterbiev also praised Riyadh Season’s contributions in taking boxing to new levels, and added: “I’m ready to claim another belt and become the undisputed champion.”

Tickets for the highly anticipated showdown went on sale on Wednesday. Fans can secure tickets for the event via the WeBook platform, organizers said.

The event will boast a seven-match undercard, including Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker taking on Liam Cameron in the light-heavyweight division, and Riyadh Season’s first women’s fight between Australian Skye Nicolson and Britain’s Raven Chapman.

Saudi boxer Mohammed Al-Aqel also features in a bout against Mexico’s Jesus Gonzalez in the welterweight category.


Son says Spurs team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ over alleged racial slur

Son says Spurs team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ over alleged racial slur
Updated 25 September 2024
Follow

Son says Spurs team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ over alleged racial slur

Son says Spurs team-mate Bentancur ‘almost cried’ over alleged racial slur
  • Bentancur was charged by the Football Association earlier this month with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview on Uruguayan TV
  • Bentancur apologized to Tottenham captain Son, who said his team-mate had “made a mistake“

LONDON: Son Heung-min said Tottenham team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur “almost cried” when he apologized over an alleged racist remark about the South Korean.
Bentancur was charged by the Football Association earlier this month with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview on Uruguayan TV.
The former Juventus midfielder had been asked in June by the host of the Canal 10 show for a Spurs player’s shirt, to which he replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Bentancur apologized to Tottenham captain Son, who said his team-mate had “made a mistake.”
But because the wording of the charge refers to an “aggravated breach,” he could reportedly be banned for six to 12 domestic matches.
Son, speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League home tie against Qarabag, said he could not say much at the moment because of the “FA process.”
“But I love Rodrigo, I love him. We’ve a lot of good memories, we started playing together when he joined (in January 2022),” he said.
“He knew. He apologized straight afterwards when we had holiday. I was at home. I didn’t even realize what was going on. He sent me a long message and you could feel it was coming from his heart.
“When we came back for pre-season, he felt really sorry and he almost cried when he apologized publicly and personally as well. He felt like he was really sorry. We are all human and all make mistakes and we learn from it.”
Son is one of only two players, along with Ben Davies, left at Tottenham from the squad that reached the Champions League final in 2019.
Defeat in Madrid to Liverpool extended the club’s trophy drought and it now stands at 16 years, but the South Korean forward is determined to end the wait for silverware this season.
“Yeah, it’s a dream. There is no hiding this. That’s what we work for,” Son said.
“Obviously, we are looking for another big competition that everybody wants to win. It’s going to be tough, a tough competition, a lot of games and a lot of traveling, which makes it even harder.”