Sports
What will a Saudi 2034 World Cup look like?
The men’s football World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2034 with the promise of “one of a kind” stadiums and organisers insisting everyone is welcome.
However, the decision to award the tournament to the kingdom which will feature 11 stadiums that have not been built yet – one in a new city that hasn’t been built – is a controversial one.
Saudi’s bid was unopposed and the Football Association backed the 2034 hosts in Wednesday’s Fifa meeting.
It is the second time the competition will be held in the Middle East following the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
Saudi Arabia has invested around £5bn in sports since 2021, when the country’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman made it a key part of his strategy to diversify the economy, with a host of major sporting events brought to the kingdom, including high-profile boxing and Formula 1.
The country’s domestic football league now includes world stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar Jr, and the country’s Public Investment Fund owns Newcastle United and launched the breakaway LIV golf series.
However, the country has been accused of ‘sportswashing’ – using its unprecedented spending on sport to improve the oil-producing kingdom’s reputation over its human rights record and environmental impact.
So what will a World Cup in Saudi Arabia look like?
Sports
Havertz online abuse has terrible consequences – Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the online abuse of striker Kai Havertz and his wife has “terrible consequences” and needs to be “eradicated from the game”.
Havertz was criticised for his performance in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat by Manchester United, after he missed a glorious chance to win the game in normal time and then had his penalty saved in the shootout as United won 5-3 on penalties following the 1-1 draw.
The German’s wife Sophia shared screenshots of the “shocking” abuse she received on social media amid the game, including threats to the couple’s unborn child.
Arsenal have reported the abuse to the police and are working with a specialist data firm to identify the culprits, but Arteta says more must be done as he spoke before Wednesday’s north London derby against Tottenham.
“It’s incredible, honestly,” he said. “We really have to do something about it, because accepting that and hiding this has terrible consequences.
“It’s something we have to eradicate from the game because it’s so cynical and dependent to a result of an action.
“There is no other industry like this. When we played Ipswich on December 27, we won 1-0 and Kai Havertz scored. The whole stadium after that is singing the ‘Waka, Waka’ (his chant). That was 20 days ago. Where is the perspective?
“We are all responsible. That’s a really serious matter. It affects me. It affects him and everybody that is in the industry.
“We can accept it and say ‘that’s our job’, but there are certain limits and the line has to be drawn. We put a lot of attention on technology and what is next in football.
“What is next in football is that this should be prohibited. It cannot happen. That’s it.”
Meta, who own Instagram, removed the content for violating its policies.
Sports
I will not be the coach of a Red Bull team – Klopp
Jurgen Klopp says he has made a “clear commitment” that he will not become manager at one of the Red Bull clubs after starting his role as the organisation’s head of global soccer.
The former Liverpool manager was named in the role last year before officially starting at the beginning of 2025.
He has not had a managerial role since leaving Anfield last summer following a highly-successful nine year spell.
Klopp’s new role sees him take more of an oversight role across a number of clubs including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
But when asked at a media conference on Tuesday whether he might be tempted back into day-to-day management if a role at one of the clubs becomes available, Klopp said emphatically said “no”.
“I will not be the coach of a Red Bull team,” he said. “That is a clear commitment. As much as you can give a guarantee, I will not be a coach at all.
“I am probably the only person in this room who will be asked where are you in five years, I don’t have a clue.
“But I will not be a replacement of one of the Red Bull coaches.
Sports
Rising star Fonseca knocks out ninth seed Rublev
Joao Fonseca had a Grand Slam debut to remember as he knocked out ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the first round of the Australian Open.
The 18-year-old Brazilian thrilled the crowd as he caused the biggest upset of the tournament so far with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-6 (7-5) victory against Rublev.
Fonseca was playing in his first main-draw match at a major, having come through three rounds of qualifying without dropping a set in Melbourne last week.
The victory extends his winning streak to 14 matches – but who is tennis’ latest rising star?
-
Entertainment6 months ago
Earthquake scientists are learning warning signs of ‘The Big One.’ When should they tell the public?
-
International6 months ago
Tarar accuses Imran Khan of conspiring with Faiz Hameed to destabilise Pakistan
-
International4 months ago
PTI Announces Not to Boycott New Committees
-
Business4 months ago
Major Corruption Scandal Uncovered at WASA Multan: Rs1.5 Billion Embezzlement Exposed
-
Business6 months ago
The Impact of QR Codes on Traditional Advertising
-
Business3 months ago
High Court Blocks MDCAT Merit List Amid Controversy Over Exam Error
-
Business6 months ago
The Benefits and Problems of International Trade in the Context of Global Crisis
-
Business5 months ago
Fraud by Pakistani Firm Sparks Outrage in Business Community; Concerns Rise Over International Investment