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Reuters
8 minutes ago
- Reuters
Al Hilal face ban from 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup
Aug 5 (Reuters) - Holders Al Hilal will be banned from the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup if they qualify after withdrawing from this season's four-team competition, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation's (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said on Tuesday. The decision came after Al Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played from August 19-23 in Hong Kong, citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4. "Al Hilal refused to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025-2026 season after the official schedule for the competition was issued," the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said in a statement. "As a result, the committee ruled that Al Hilal had violated Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations and fined the club 500,000 Saudi Riyals ($133,000) to be paid to the SAFF," the statement added. In addition to the fine, the club was banned from participating in the 2026-27 Super Cup and stripped of any financial awards allocated for this season's competition. The committee said the decision is subject to appeal. Al Hilal have been asked for comment. They won the Super Cup by beating Al Nassr last season for a record-extending fifth title. The Saudi Super Cup is contested by the winners and runners-up of the King's Cup and Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal finished second in the 2024-25 Pro League behind Al-Ittihad. Al Hilal, who were due to face King's Cup runners-up Al Qadsiah in the Super Cup semi-finals on August 20, have been replaced by AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli. Since Al-Ittihad won the Pro League and King's Cup, the extra Super Cup spot was awarded to Al Nassr - the third-placed team in the league - who they face in the semis on August 19. ($1 = 3.75 riyals)
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Greenwood nears international return with Jamaica
Mason Greenwood is close to a return to international football after being granted citizenship and given a Jamaican has not played an international since his only England cap against Iceland in September 2020. Within 48 hours he had been sent home, along with Manchester City's Phil Foden, for breaching Covid quarantine secured a Jamaican passport only a change from the Football Association (FA) to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is required for Greenwood to be cleared to feature in next month's World Cup qualifiers against Bermuda and Trinidad and left Manchester United after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February joined Spanish club Getafe on loan and then, in 2024, signed for Ligue 1 side Marseille on a permanent 23-year-old scored in Marseille's pre-season 1-1 draw with Sevilla at the weekend, and has been linked with moves to Inter Milan and Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr. Greenwood is part of a renewed drive by Jamaica, managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, to recruit UK-raised players through their family links. Brentford's Rico Henry and Tottenham's Tyrese Hall, who has joined Notts County on loan, also fall into that category. Jamaica are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time, having done so in 1998.
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jose Mourinho fights back tears during tribute to his Champions League winning Porto captain Jorge Costa
A tearful Jose Mourinho declared 'it's a part of my history that goes' as he paid tribute to his former Porto captain Jorge Costa, who has died at the age of 53. Mourinho offered a tribute during a press conference before Fenerbahce's Champions League qualifier on Wednesday, which fell just hours after the news of Costa's passing. Costa had been the captain and linchpin of Mourinho's Porto side, which famously lifted the Champions League in 2004. The defender, who won 50 caps for Portugal, won 24 trophies during his time at Porto including the Uefa Cup and eight Primeira Liga titles. Costa had returned to Porto last year as a director of football after a managerial career that spanned 16 different teams. He passed away at Porto's training centre on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. 'It's part of my history that goes,' a tearful Mourinho said, before being asked about his previous reflection that Costa was not a captain but a leader in his dressing room. 'You have captains and you have leaders. It's not always about the armband but what you represent,' Mourinho added. 'And Jorge was one of these guys who cleaned the garbage and let the coach do his job as a coach. 'That's perfection for a coach when his captain does this work. Of course, I'm very sad it's part of my history that goes. 'But let's forget football, let's focus on him, on Jorge, on his kids, who I met when they were really kids, but now are grown men. 'And I'm here now because if he could speak with me now he would tell me, come on, do your press conference. And he would say tomorrow play the game Mister, win the game and forget about me. That would be Jorge. 'So that's what I'm going to try and do, do my job today, do my job tomorrow and then cry after. But today and tomorrow I have a job to do and I know Jorge would tell me to do my job.' Mourinho in 2022 had hailed Costa as a 'leader' of his team, recalling a story where the centre back had done the 'dirty work' in expressing his fury at half-time in a match they had trailed 2-0. He stated that Costa had then asked him 'coach us', before the defender scored a rare two goals to help secure a 3-2 victory. According to reports in Portgual, Costa had suffered a cardiac arrest while at Porto's training centre. Costa, who had previously had a heart attack in 2022, had reportedly complained of intense heat several times after giving a television interview to SportTV. A Bola reported that Porto's medical team provided first aid and used a defibrillator, before Costa was taken to the Sao Joao Hospital. Costa was admitted into intensive care, but died in the early afternoon. The former central defender played for Porto between 1990 and 2005, making 324 appearances in all competitions for the club. He is best remembered for serving as Mourinho's captain as Porto famously won the Champions League in 2004. Porto had beaten Manchester United, Lyon and Deportivo La Coruna in the knock-out stage of the competition, before easing to a 3-0 win over Monaco in the final. Costa had also lifted the UEFA Cup the previous season and won the Portuguese title on eight occasions with the club. He also won the Intercontinental Cup, five Taca de Portugal trophies and eight Super Cups during his time at Porto. Costa returned to the Porto last year to serve as a director of football. 'Jorge Costa, the legendary FC Porto captain and current Director of Professional Football, passed away this Tuesday from cardiac arrest,' a Porto statement read. 'Fútbol Clube do Porto expresses its deepest sadness and consternation at the passing of an inescapable figure in the Club's history. 'Throughout his life, both on and off the field, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion, and an unwavering spirit of achievement. He touched generations of fans and became a major symbol of Porto. 'In this time of immense grief, Futebol Clube do Porto extends its deepest condolences to Jorge Costa's family, his friends, and all who shared unforgettable moments with him. 'As this is a time of grief for his entire family and for the Porto Alegre family, we ask everyone to exercise the required discretion and respect during this time of farewell. More information will be released in due course. 'Jorge Costa's legacy will forever live on in the memories of all Porto fans. 'You will never be forgotten, Captain.' The defender made 50 international appearances for Portugal, including representing his nation at the 2002 World Cup. Costa had a brief spell in the Premier League, making 24 appearances in a loan spell with Charlton in the 2001-02 season. He finished his playing career in Belgium with Standard Liege, before embarking on a managerial career with saw him take charge of 17 different teams. This included coaching eight different Portuguese teams, including Braga, as well as spells in Cyprus, Romania, France, Tunisia, India and as head coach of Gabon's national team. A Braga tribute read: 'SC Braga received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Jorge Costa, a historic figure in national football who, throughout his extensive sporting career, also represented the colors of our club, both as head coach and assistant coach. 'The terrible news of his passing shakes the entire national sports community, and SC Braga cannot help but join in the immense pain shared by his family, his friends, and the entire FC Porto structure.' Charlton also paid tribute writing in a statement: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Jorge Costa at the age of 53. 'The thoughts of everyone at Charlton Athletic are with Jorge's family and friends at this difficult time.' It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of Portuguese legend Jorge Costa. "Jorge was more than a football player," said Aleksander Čeferin. "He was a leader and a true warrior who inspired generations. He embodied grit, resilience and loyalty. " — UEFA (@UEFA) August 5, 2025 Cristiano Ronaldo also shared a message on Instagram, writing 'Goodbye, Jorge Costa' A tribute from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin read: 'It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of Portuguese legend Jorge Costa.
