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Saudi fans boo Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos at Spanish Super Cup final

Real Madrid player Toni Kroos. Credit: @IamPrinceSanya2
Real Madrid player Toni Kroos. Credit: @IamPrinceSanya2
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Updated 15 January 2024

Saudi fans boo Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos at Spanish Super Cup final

Real Madrid player Toni Kroos. Credit: @IamPrinceSanya2
  • The 34-year-old midfielder was targeted following his earlier criticism of players who chose to move from Europe to play in the Saudi Pro League

Riyadh: Real Madrid player Toni Kroos found himself at the center of a social media storm following his team’s victory in the Ƶ-hosted Spanish Super Cup, where he faced jeers from the crowd.

For the second consecutive match, Saudi fans booed the German whenever he touched the ball during Real Madrid’s 4-1 win against Barcelona in the competition’s final on Sunday.

The 34-year-old midfielder was targeted following his earlier criticism of players who chose to move from Europe to play in the Saudi Pro League.

In a post on X after the final, he said: “We just won a trophy!” 

In response, one X user said: “You won the trophy, but you lost the respect of all Saudi fans. We are not happy to see you in our country, we hope that is the last time.”

However, another user praised Kroos’ 95 percent passing accuracy in the match, despite the boos.

Kroos had received a similar negative reaction from the crowd during his team’s match against Atletico Madrid in the cup semi-final.


UAE to face Brazil in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024 final

UAE to face Brazil in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024 final
Updated 16 November 2024

UAE to face Brazil in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024 final

UAE to face Brazil in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024 final
  • The UAE team will play the final on Saturday night, against the Brazilian team, while the Spanish team will face the German side for third and fourth place

NEOM: Defending champions Brazil and UAE are through to the final of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024, after winning their last matches of the group stages against Japan and Ƶ on Friday.

In group A, the UAE team succeeded in overcoming the Saudi side with a 6-5 result, raising their score to 9 points, while the Green Falcons finished with 2 points in last place.

In the same group, the German team achieved their first victory in the tournament, after defeating the English side 6-3, to rise to second place with 3 points, ahead of the Three Lions, who are in third place on goal difference.

Meanwhile, in group B, the South American side beat Spain comfortably 9-1, while Japan beat China 9-0. With these results, the Brazilian team topped the group with 9 points and reached the final for the third year in a row, followed by Spain with 6 points, Japan with 3 points, while the Chinese team came last in the group without any points.

The UAE team will play the final on Saturday night, against the Brazilian team, while the Spanish team will face the German side for third and fourth place.

The match for fifth and sixth place will bring together Japan and England, and the Saudi team will face the Chinese side in the contest for seventh and eighth place.

UAE defender Waleed Abdullah spoke to Arab News after the match against the hosts, Ƶ.

“It is difficult to predict what will happen in the match,” he said. “The Brazilian team is very strong and ranked first in the world, and we have all respect for them. We will enter the match with high focus and do our best. In the end, it is an opportunity to face the world champion, and this is not the first time we compete with them.”

In the women’s group, a late goal from Brazilian striker Dani Barboza led to the team overcoming Ukraine 5-4 to reach the final against Spain, who put in a great performance and finished with a 4-1 victory over England.


Tamam team defeats Casa Riyadh in Silver Cup tournament

Tamam team defeats Casa Riyadh in Silver Cup tournament
Updated 15 November 2024

Tamam team defeats Casa Riyadh in Silver Cup tournament

Tamam team defeats Casa Riyadh in Silver Cup tournament

RIYADH: The Tamam Polo Team claimed victory over rivals Casa Riyadh on Thursday, beating them 5-4 in the Silver Cup Championship.

Taking place at Nofa Equestrian Resort in Riyadh, this is the third edition of the tournament, which continues until Nov. 16.

Taking place at Nofa Equestrian Resort in Riyadh, this is the third edition of the tournament. (SUPPLIED)

The Tamam team included Hashem Al-Alawi, Abdulmohsen Al-Hokair, Faisal Abu Nayan and Marcelo Antonio. Representing Casa Riyadh were Prince Salman bin Sultan, Ibrahim Al-Harbi, Salman bin Haif and Muhammed Naveed.

The Silver Cup is the first tournament of the season, played in a points system where the team with the most goals wins in the event of a tie.

Friday will see Casa Riyadh face Tuwaiq in the second round.


Saudi jiu-jitsu team win 10 medals at World Championship in Greece

Saudi jiu-jitsu team win 10 medals at World Championship in Greece
Updated 07 November 2024

Saudi jiu-jitsu team win 10 medals at World Championship in Greece

Saudi jiu-jitsu team win 10 medals at World Championship in Greece
  • Kingdom’s jiu-jitsu team scoop 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze at event held from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s jiu-jitsu team won 10 medals — three gold, three silver and four bronze — at the World Championship in Crete, Greece, which was held from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The gold medalists are Mohammed Al-Mukhlis in the under-69 kg category (Masters Division), Omar Nada in the under-94 kg category (Senior Team Division), and Abdullah Nada in the under-85 kg category (Youth Division).

Silver medals were won by Abdulmalik Al-Murdi in the under-62 kg category (Senior Team Division), Elias Banjar in the under-62 kg category (Youth Division), and Waleed Al-Haidari in the under-56 kg category (Youth Division).

Bronze went to Osamah Al-Marwia in the No Gi category, Khaled Habab, who earned two medals in the under-52 kg and No Gi - 52 kg categories (Youth Division), and Hadeel Qadha in the under-57 kg category (Junior Division).

Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation CEO Rakan Al-Fehaid thanked the government for supporting the athletes and helping them to achieve success.

The team had played a “significant role in elevating the Kingdom’s name on the global stage,” the report added.


Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership

Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership
Updated 05 November 2024

Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership

Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership
  • Pact between the parties was inked at the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh
  • Collaboration will help identify opportunities for improving public participation in physical activities

RIYADH: The Saudi Sports For All Federation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the STC Group to promote physical activity, encourage social integration through sports, and support the development of grassroots programs.

The signing ceremony took place last week at the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, which was held under the theme “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.”

Shaima Alhusseini, managing director of the SFA, and Maha Alnuhait, general manager of sustainability at the STC Group, inked the agreement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The collaboration will focus on establishing sustainability reporting frameworks, key performance indicators, and metrics in alignment with community-driven programs.

The SFA aims to leverage the telecom group’s expertise to achieve their goals and contribute to the objectives of Vision 2030, the SPA reported.


Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event
Updated 03 November 2024

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event
  • The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference

RIYADH: In an extraordinary night at Mohammed Abdu Arena as part of Riyadh Season’s WWE events, “Crown Jewel 2024” delivered a memorable evening of intense matches that wrestling fans will not soon forget.

The General Entertainment Authority CEO, Faisal Bafarat, awarded Cody Rhodes the “Crown Jewel 2024” men’s title and Liv Morgan the women’s title, with both receiving a new championship belt adorned with 50 carats of diamonds as the first champions in Crown Jewel history.

The event kicked off with an explosive opening match in which “The Bloodline,” led by Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga (accompanied by Tanga Loa), achieved a historic victory over Roman Reigns and “The Usos” (Jey and Jimmy Uso) in a six-man tag team match.

In the WWE women’s tag team championship match, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defended their titles successfully against fierce competition from teams including “Damage Control,” “The Meta-4,” and Chelsea Green with Piper Niven. Seth “Freakin” Rollins also delivered an outstanding performance, defeating “Big” Bronson Reed.

In the women’s showdown, Liv Morgan, the reigning RAW women’s champion, claimed the title of “Crown Jewel Women’s Champion” after defeating SmackDown women’s champion Nia Jax in a grueling battle.

The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference, heightening the evening’s excitement.

In a triple-threat match for the United States Championship, LA Knight retained his title after an intense victory over Andrade and Carmelo Hayes.

The night culminated in a grand finale as Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE champion, defeated heavyweight champion Gunther, emerging as the Crown Jewel Champion to thunderous cheers from the crowd.