LYON, France: The head of Iraq’s delegation said Olympic chiefs had rejected their request not to display Israel’s flag next to Iraq’s during the Paris Games.
Iraq’s men’s football team beat Ukraine 2-1 on Wednesday in Lyon and lost 3-1 to Argentina on Saturday.
“When we arrived at Lyon Stadium (Wednesday), we found the Iraqi flag displayed next to the Israeli flag,” despite Israel’s team not having any matches in Lyon, Herda Raouf told AFP.
Raouf, whose country does not recognize the Israeli state and supports the Palestinian cause, added that his delegation had asked a representative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “to relocate or remove the Israeli flag,” but their wish was denied.
The committee’s representative argued, according to Raouf, that the “flags of all participating countries in the men’s and women’s football games needed to be displayed in alphabetical order.”
Raouf added that his delegation sent a formal protest by email to the IOC with the same demand before the game with Argentina, but the request was once again rejected.
French security forces identified the Ukraine-Iraq and Israel-Mali football matches on Wednesday as high-risk events.
Around 1,000 French police officers were on duty to provide security at Israel’s game against Mali, at which fans flew Palestinian and Israeli flags.
The Palestine Olympic Committee wrote to the IOC last week asking for a ban on Israeli athletes at the Paris Olympics over the war in Gaza, which was rejected.
Following a 1-1 draw with Mali, Israel’s team are in action against Paraguay on Saturday in Paris.
Iraq’s request to move Israel flag rejected by Olympic chiefs
https://arab.news/mbng4
Iraq’s request to move Israel flag rejected by Olympic chiefs
- “When we arrived at Lyon Stadium, we found the Iraqi flag displayed next to the Israeli flag,” despite Israel’s team not having any matches in Lyon, Herda Raouf said
- French security forces identified the Ukraine-Iraq and Israel-Mali football matches on Wednesday as high-risk events
New report shows why brands need to invest in women’s football in Saudi Arabia
- Among fans of women’s sport in the Kingdom, 61% follow football
- 56% of female fans would think more positively about brands that sponsor the women’s game
RIYADH: New research from football media company Footballco has revealed a growing interest in opportunities for women’s football in Saudi Arabia.
The report, released recently, also provides a profile of fandom in the region and how supporters want to consume both editorial and branded content.
Footballco’s study shows that among fans of women’s sport in Saudi Arabia, 61 percent follow football, compared to 47 percent globally.
This strong interest is relatively new, with 27 percent having followed women’s football for three to five years, 40 percent for up to two years, and one third stating that they have watched more games in the past 12 months.
The growth also highlights how, despite female fans being allowed into stadiums since 2018, some still felt excluded by the sport.
Seventy-two percent said that women’s football attracts fans who previously felt excluded from the sport, while 68 percent agree that inclusion can help tackle issues in broader society.
While females have played football in Saudi Arabia for decades, the Saudi Women’s Premier League only launched in 2022, making the surge in interest even more remarkable.
This is mirrored by the relatively high proportion of fans considering themselves Super Fans (21 percent). Only the US has a bigger proportion of Super Fans, and it is larger than in both Brazil and leading European markets.
Andy Jackson, Footballco’s senior vice president for the Middle East, said that globally an “increasing interest in women’s football follows an increasing interest in female empowerment.”
This was being replicated in Saudi Arabia with also a surge in interest in football more broadly, “creating a perfect storm that’s driving growth in both men’s and women’s football.”
The research shows that fans in the Kingdom see female players as great role models, more so than in other markets.
Saudi Arabia fans believe female footballers are the second-most inspirational group of women, beaten only by entrepreneurs. Globally, female footballers appear fourth behind entrepreneurs, actors and singers.
This should encourage brands to align themselves not only with women’s football as a sport but also with the women on the pitch. This point is emphasized by 56 percent of female fans saying they would think more positively about a brand that sponsors the women’s game.
For brands already involved in women’s football or those curious about opportunities, these numbers highlight that while socially conscious activations can be popular, they also need to align with broader lifestyle and cultural themes.
Sixty-one percent of women’s football fans say that they like it when content is a mixture of lifestyle and culture, rather than focusing on only the game.
By far, the most popular medium for this content is video, with 89 percent of fans naming it as their preferred format, which includes long- and short-form, live streams and documentaries.
Yasmin El-Bizri, Middle East and North Africa strategy director for Footballco, said: “Too often women’s football content and creative can be too focused on the struggle.
“While that’s important, it’s not everything and the output still needs to entertain and engage — this especially true in Saudi, where 54 percent of fans see women’s football as fun and entertaining.”
The research goes on to show that brands cannot rely on copying what they do for the men’s game. Sixty-six percent of fans say that the women’s game should be celebrated as different and that should be reflected by the media and the brands.
The research suggests brands should look at ways to increase participation for women and girls in all areas of football. Of those surveyed, 49 percent thought growth would be best achieved through more opportunities to play, while 30 percent wanted to see women in more off-pitch roles, in both men’s and women’s football.
“What’s clear is that Saudi women’s football isn’t an opportunity for brands in the future, it’s now,” Jackson added.
“As we’ve seen in more established markets, the brands that see the greatest benefits are those that are involved early on and get recognized for their contribution to supporting the game.”
Footballco’s research is based on data collected from more than 8,000 women’s sports fans across the world, including more than 1,000 from Saudi Arabia.
Footballco is home to a global football media brand, GOAL, and the biggest Arabic-language sports website, Kooora.
Footballco also operates two dedicated Arabic women’s football brands, INDIVISA, which covers the game and culture from the grassroots, and the Gen-Z YouTube show Yalla Girl.
PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis
- A PSG side that looked imperious in the first 45 minutes were suddenly all at sea as Villa missed a series of chances to take the game to extra time
BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: Paris Saint-Germain survived a second half onslaught to beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate and reach the Champions League semifinals despite a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday.
The French champions were cruising toward the last four when full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes struck in the first 27 minutes to add to their 3-1 first leg lead.
Youri Tielemans pulled a goal back for the English side before half-time and two goals in two minutes from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa transformed the tie early in the second period.
PSG were thankful to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for keeping Unai Emery’s men at bay and preventing another famous collapse in the Champions League knockout stages.
Villa boss Emery was in charge of PSG when Luis Enrique’s Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first leg deficit with a dramatic 6-1 win in 2017.
Luis Enrique again emerged victorious over his compatriot but was the one this time given a scare of blowing a seemingly unassailable lead.
Villa had not experienced a European night like this since 1983 and there was an embarrassing moment for the hosts before a ball was kicked as the Europa League anthem was played instead of the famous pre-match hymn of the Champions League.
Desire Doue’s stunning strike to begin PSG’s fightback from 1-0 down in last week’s first leg was not enough for him to retain his place in the side.
But Luis Enrique’s decision to start Bradley Barcola was justified when he sprinted down the left and Emiliano Martinez spilled his cross into the path of Hakimi, who fired home the opener on 11 minutes.
Another blistering break from the visitors cut Villa open as Ousmane Dembele squared for left-back Mendes to stroke in his fourth Champions League goal of the season and second of the tie.
Villa’s refusal to give up the fight was rewarded when Tielemans’ deflected effort pulled a goal back before half-time.
Villa fanatic Prince William and his son George were among the home support that were in raptures as what seemed an impossible fightback came closer to reality.
McGinn’s deflected effort flew into the top corner to restore parity on the night at 2-2.
Emery’s decision to start with Marcus Rashford up front ahead of top scorer Ollie Watkins was a controversial one before kick-off.
Rashford has been reborn since a January loan move from Manchester United.
The England international was denied a goal by a stunning save from Donnarumma.
But from the resulting corner, Rashford nutmegged Fabian Ruiz, skipped past Vitinha and cut the ball back for Konsa to slot in at the near post.
A PSG side that looked imperious in the first 45 minutes were suddenly all at sea as Villa missed a series of chances to take the game to extra time.
Donnarumma produced another brilliant save to prevent Tielemans’ header finding the top corner.
Marco Asensio then had the chance to net against his parent club only for Donnarumma to fly out from his goal to block.
Konsa should have headed in another enticing Rashford delivery.
But Rashford’s removal for Watkins proved a turning point as PSG restored control and should have added to their lead in the closing stages as Martinez saved from Hakimi and Doue.
Willian Pacho blocked Ian Maatsen’s goalbound effort in stoppage time to deny Villa at the death.
But they have surpassed expectations in their first experience of the elite level of European football for over four decades.
For PSG, their quest to win the competition for the first time goes on and they have rarely had a better opportunity to end that wait.
Arsenal are their likely semifinal opponents as the Gunners take a 3-0 quarter-final, first leg advantage away to holders Real Madrid on Wednesday.
On the other half of the draw Barcelona will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in a heavyweight clash.
But PSG are arguably the continent’s form side and with the Ligue 1 title long since sewn up, can focus entirely on conquering Europe in Munich on May 31.
Barca through to Champions League semis despite Guirassy hat-trick
- Guirassy reignited Dortmund’s belief with a third on the 76th-minute mark
DORTMUND, Germany: Barcelona are through to the Champions League semifinals with a 5-3 aggregate win, despite losing 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday with Serhou Guirassy hitting a hat-trick.
Holding a 4-0 lead after a dominant performance in Catalonia, the visitors were made to sweat as Dortmund and Guirassy nearly pulled off a stunning turnaround.
Guirassy put Dortmund in front with a Panenka from the spot with 11 minutes gone and headed them two goals clear early in the second half.
Dortmund sensed a sensation but Barcelona hit back, Fermin Lopez forcing Ramy Bensebaini into an own goal with just over half an hour remaining.
Guirassy reignited Dortmund’s belief with a third on the 76th-minute mark and the final stages may have been different had Julian Brandt not been offside before scoring with 11 minutes remaining.
Despite losing their first competitive game in 2025, Barcelona are through to the semis, keeping their dream of a remarkable treble alive, 10 years after last completing the feat by winning the Champions League in Berlin.
Barcelona, considered title favorites, will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the final four.
Clearly outclassed in the first leg, Dortmund will take inspiration from Tuesday’s performance, not least the goalscoring form of Guirassy.
The 29-year-old Guinean, who has spent most of his career bouncing between the first and second divisions in Germany and France, now has 13 Champions League goals this season, more than any other player.
Despite a big first-leg lead, Hansi Flick made good on his pre-match pledge to continue attacking, opting against resting any of his attacking trident of Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal or Raphinha.
With coach Niko Kovac admitting Dortmund needed a “miracle” to reach the semis after the debacle in Catalonia, the hosts’ task got a little harder when captain and center-back Emre Can was ruled out with injury just before the match.
But Dortmund raced out of the blocks, Guirassy and strike partner Maximilian Beier going close inside the opening 10 minutes before Pascal Gross was the victim of a clumsy foul in the box by Wojciech Szczesny.
Guirassy stepped up to the spot and was nerveless, calmly unleashing a Panenka to get the hosts underway.
Dortmund sliced Barcelona open repeatedly without reward until half-time but made it count four minutes into the second-half, Guirassy heading in a Ramy Bensebaini assist from a corner.
With Dortmund’s 81,355-strong Westfalenstadion smelling blood, Barcelona’s familiar response was to send their attack down the right and the move paid off almost immediately.
After Yamal’s cross was half-cleared, Fermin Lopez found himself in the teenager’s channel, whipping a pass toward Lewandowski which Bensebaini hit into his own net.
With Barcelona content to control possession as the clock wound down, Guirassy relit the hosts’ hopes when he scored his third in the final quarter of an hour, blasting in from close range after some delightful dribbling from teenage winger Julian Duranville.
The home fans erupted when Brandt scored three minutes later, but the midfielder was offside, allowing Barcelona a breather.
Barcelona managed to hold on despite waves of energetic Dortmund attacks in the final stages to remain on track for the treble.
Europa League anthem played by mistake before Villa-PSG in Champions League
- A minute or so later, the more famous Champions League anthem was finally played
- This is Villa’s first season in the Champions League
BIRMINGHAM, England: Call it being inexperienced in the Champions League.
There was confusion before kickoff in the second leg of the quarterfinal between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday when the anthem for the second-tier Europa League competition appeared to be played by mistake as players from both teams lined up.
A minute or so later, the more famous Champions League anthem was finally played at Villa Park — by which the players were almost ready for the kickoff. In the crowd was Prince William, the heir to the throne and a die-hard Villa fan.
This is Villa’s first season in the Champions League. The team previously played in Europe’s top competition in the 1982-83, as reigning champion when it was called the European Cup.
The pre-match error was followed by mistakes on the field as the hosts fell 2-0 behind to PSG by the 27th minute thanks to goals by full backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes. PSG had a 3-1 advantage from the first leg.
Sharjah stun Al-Taawoun in late semifinal turnaround
- 2 goals in added time put UAE side through to AFC Champions League Two final
- Saudi team led from first leg, missed early chances to put tie beyond reach
SHARJAH: Sharjah scored twice in injury time on Tuesday to beat Al-Taawoun 2-1 on aggregate and move into the final of the AFC Champions League Two.
Trailing from the first leg of the semifinal in Saudi Arabia, the team from the UAE were facing defeat until goals in the 94th and 99th minutes turned the tie on its head and broke Al-Taawoun hearts.
The Saudi Pro League team have only themselves to blame as they could have been out of sight after 15 minutes.
Seconds after the start, Sultan Mandash raced free of the defense only to pull his shot just wide. Then, in the third minute, a defensive slip from Cho Yu-min gave Musa Barrow a golden chance just outside the area, but with just Adel Al-Hosani to beat, the Gambian pulled his first-time shot just wide.
Undeterred, the men from Buraidah continued to pour forward in a threatening fashion and were then given a penalty. In the 10th minute, Roger Martinez went down under a challenge in the area from Abdulrahman Shahin and while the referee gave nothing, VAR thought otherwise and the penalty was awarded.
Up stepped Dutch midfielder Aschraf El-Mahdioui, but the midfielder’s low shot was too close to the goalkeeper and too tame and Al-Hosani made the save.
It gave the home team and their fans a real lift. Al-Taawoun almost paid for their wastefulness midway through the first half. Free just inside the box, Ousmane Camara should have scored but his low shot was well saved by Abdulquddus Atiah.
It was then Al-Hosani’s turn to turn away a fierce drive from Faycal Fajr as the first half ended goalless.
The game remained in the balance. Midway through the second half, Luanzinho saw his free kick bounce off the top of the net. Soon after, Atiah had to get down well to make a save from a cross that had bounced through the area.
As Al-Taawoun defended more deeply, Sharjah continued to push forward in search of an equalizer.
It came, four minutes into injury time as Camara bundled home at the far post after Al-Taawoun had failed to deal with a free kick.
Five minutes later, the dramatic turnaround was complete. Caio Lucas slipped the ball into the left side of the area for Firas Ben Larbi to smash a first-time shot home. The home fans went crazy while the visitors sank to the floor in the knowledge that a glorious chance for Asian silverware had been snatched away.
The Emirati club will play either Lion City Sailors of Singapore or Australia’s Sydney FC in the final on May 18.
