Alexxanderr wins gold as Global Champions Arabians Tour concludes fifth stage in Cannes

Alexxanderr claimed Gold in Cannes for Al-Mirqab Farm. (Supplied)
Alexxanderr claimed Gold in Cannes for Al-Mirqab Farm. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 16 June 2025
Follow

Alexxanderr wins gold as Global Champions Arabians Tour concludes fifth stage in Cannes

Alexxanderr wins gold as Global Champions Arabians Tour concludes fifth stage in Cannes
  • Focus now on Netherlands as competitors eye World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme in Doha

CANNES: The 2025 Cannes edition of the Global Champions Arabians Tour came to a close on Sunday with Alexxanderr, owned by Al-Mirqab Farm, taking home the prestigious Senior Stallion Gold Championship title.

Held at the Stade de Hesperides, the fifth stage of the tour and first European stop offered a blend of world-class Arabian horse competition, cultural experiences, and Riviera glamour.

A high-profile crowd of horse owners, celebrities, influencers, partners, and members of the public attended the event over three days.

Bader Al-Darwish, the CEO of the Global Champions Arabians Tour, said: “Cannes has once again proven to be a spectacular stage for our tour.

“This event reflects everything we stand for — excellence, integrity, and the celebration of Arabian horse heritage.

“Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their remarkable performances. We are honored to bring this experience to such a stunning destination and grateful for the support of our partners who made it possible.”

With $1.63 million in prize money awarded across all classes, the Cannes stage once again cemented its position as a highlight of the GCAT calendar. The results will contribute to the overall tour rankings, bringing competitors closer to the prestigious Leading Male, Leading Female, and Top Handler titles.

The competitors were challenging for a chance to qualify for the World Arabian Horse Championship Supreme, which is set to take place in December in Doha.

Meanwhile, the tour continues to its sixth destination in the Europe and Middle East Series at Valkenswaard in the Netherlands from July 18-20.


Pioli quits as coach of Saudi side Al Nassr

Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

Pioli quits as coach of Saudi side Al Nassr

Pioli quits as coach of Saudi side Al Nassr
No official reason was given for the split
“We would like to thank Mr.Pioli and his staff for their work last season,” said Al-Nassr

PARIS: Al-Nassr have parted company with their Italian coach Stefano Pioli, the Saudi side announced on Wednesday.

No official reason was given for the split after only nine months in the post but Pioli’s name has been linked with joining Fiorentina for a second spell in charge of the Serie A side.

“Al-Nassr announce that Mr.Pioli and his staff no longer coach the first team,” Cristiano Ronaldo’s club posted on social media.

“We would like to thank Mr.Pioli and his staff for their work last season,” added Al-Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League.

Pioli, who guided AC Milan to the 2022 Serie A crown, only joined Al-Nassr in September 2024.

Prior to his near five-year stint at AC Milan, the 59-year-old coached several other Italian sides including Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Lazio and Bologna.

Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona

Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona
Updated 3 min 7 sec ago
Follow

Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona

Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona
  • Crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
  • In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad has returned to full training

RIYADH: The Saudi football national team resumed training today in San Diego as preparations intensify for their upcoming quarterfinal match against Mexico in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who started in the recent match against Trinidad and Tobago. They underwent recovery exercises at the fitness center.

The second group, consisting of the remaining players, held their training session at San Diego Wave facilities. The session began with warm-ups, followed by possession training, finishing exercises, and concluded with stretching routines.

In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad returned to full training with the group.

The national team will continue its preparations with a closed training session scheduled for Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. (San Diego time) at the Performance Center training grounds.


FIFA investigates if Real Madrid’s Rüdiger was racially abused by opponent at Club World Cup

FIFA investigates if Real Madrid’s Rüdiger was racially abused by opponent at Club World Cup
Updated 11 min 25 sec ago
Follow

FIFA investigates if Real Madrid’s Rüdiger was racially abused by opponent at Club World Cup

FIFA investigates if Real Madrid’s Rüdiger was racially abused by opponent at Club World Cup
  • FIFA confirmed late Tuesday it is formally investigating
  • A verdict is likely before Pachuca play Thursday in their final Group H game

MIAMI: FIFA has opened a disciplinary case at the Club World Cup after Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger claimed he was racially abused by Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral.

Rüdiger, who is Black, and Cabral clashed in the final minutes of Madrid’s 3-1 win Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After the German player spoke to referee Ramon Abatti, the Brazilian match official made the FIFA-approved signal with raised arms crossed to start an anti-discrimination protocol.

FIFA confirmed late Tuesday it is formally investigating.

“Following an assessment of the match reports, the FIFA disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against Pachuca player Gustavo Cabral in relation to the incident involving him and Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger,” the soccer body said.

A verdict is likely before Pachuca play Thursday in their final Group H game, against Al Hilal in Nashville.

It will be Pachuca’s last game at the Club World Cup because the Mexican team cannot finish higher than third in the standings and will not advance to the round of 16.

The 39-year-old Cabral has denied the racism allegation and said he used an insult that is common in his native Argentina.


Pakistan to play T20I series in Bangladesh next month

Pakistan to play T20I series in Bangladesh next month
Updated 25 June 2025
Follow

Pakistan to play T20I series in Bangladesh next month

Pakistan to play T20I series in Bangladesh next month
  • Pakistan to play three T20Is from July 20-24 as preparation for 2026 World Cup
  • Pakistan beat Bangladesh 3-0 at home in T20I series in May and June this year

LAHORE: The Pakistan men’s team will travel to Bangladesh next month to play three Twenty20 internationals as part of the build-up to next year’s World Cup.

Pakistan’s tour will be a reciprocal one after they hosted Bangladesh for three T20Is in May-June this year, all won by the home team and played in Lahore.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it has arranged various series to build for the World Cup to be co-hosted in India and Sri Lanka next year.

“Pakistan will arrive in Dhaka on 16 July before taking on the home side in the matches on July 20, 22 and 24 as part of the build-up for the World Cup,” the PCB said in a statement.

All three T20Is will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National cricket stadium in Dhaka.

From Bangladesh, Pakistan team will fly to the West Indies to play three T20Is and as many one-day internationals the schedule of which will be announced later.

Series schedule in Bangladesh

16 July — Pakistan men’s team arrival
20 July — First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
22 July — Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
24 July — Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka


South American fans ignite Club World Cup, Palmeiras v Botafogo to set it ablaze

South American fans ignite Club World Cup, Palmeiras v Botafogo to set it ablaze
Updated 25 June 2025
Follow

South American fans ignite Club World Cup, Palmeiras v Botafogo to set it ablaze

South American fans ignite Club World Cup, Palmeiras v Botafogo to set it ablaze
  • Some arenas, particularly Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, have been transformed not just by Lionel Messi-mania, but by the sonic boom of Boca Juniors and Palmeiras fans
  • Boca’s blue and gold, as well Palmeiras’ cream and green, have filled the stands in roaring, boisterous displays

MIAMI: As the expanded 32-team Club World Cup approaches the knockout rounds, one clear highlight has been the electric atmosphere generated by South American supporters, whose passion, volume and spectacle have left their global counterparts in the shade.

Some arenas, particularly Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, have been transformed not just by Lionel Messi-mania, but by the sonic boom of Boca Juniors and Palmeiras fans.

Boca’s blue and gold, as well Palmeiras’ cream and green, have filled the stands in roaring, boisterous displays.

Boca fans turned the Hard Rock Stadium into a replica of their La Bombonera home stadium, their chants and celebrations so powerful they made the stands shake, even drawing admiration from Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany.

They stormed Miami Beach for a giant ‘Banderazo’, grilling, dancing and chanting for hours ahead of their team’s opening game against Benfica.

While some matches in Cincinnati and Orlando struggled to draw more than a few thousand spectators, Boca and Palmeiras played in front of 60,000-plus fans, creating scenes more akin to Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires than suburban America.

Palmeiras fans brought the flair and noise to their final Group A game against Inter Miami on Monday, where a late 2–2 comeback was roared on by their diehards who made the hosts feel like they were on foreign soil.

But beneath the celebrations lurks a rivalry that is becoming one of South America’s fiercest: Palmeiras v Botafogo.

Though the two clubs hail from different Brazilian cities — Palmeiras from Sao Paulo, Botafogo from Rio — fate has thrown them together repeatedly over the past three years.

It began when Palmeiras staged a dramatic surge to snatch the Brazilian league title from Botafogo two years ago, a collapse that stung deeply in Rio.

The following season Botafogo got revenge, knocking Palmeiras out in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores before going all the way to win the title.

Sunday’s last-16 showdown in Philadelphia promises to be the fiercest yet and will add another chapter to what is rapidly becoming the defining duel of modern Brazilian football.

’REAL WORLD’
For European clubs used to pristine stadiums and moments of silence, the raw fervor from South America has been a wake-up call.

“I love when I see Botafogo, all the Brazilian teams, Argentinian teams, how they celebrate, how they are together, I love them,” said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.

“I like how all the games are tight, except one or two, and people are surprised, European teams lose. Welcome to the real world. Welcome to the real world my friends,” he added.

Bayern’s Kompany echoed the sentiment.

“I’ve had a long career ... that crowd was hostile in the best possible way ... Many fans would pay to watch that,” he said after his team beat Boca Juniors 2-1 last week.

With the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the World Cup in 2026, South American fans are likely to become the beating heart of the tournament with their spontaneous, relentless energy.

Their presence at the Club World Cup has turned the event from a corporate experiment into something electric and alive, and left their European counterparts with something to think about.