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☆ Want to Play in Asia’s Champions League? It Will Cost You.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At least nobody can accuse Asia’s soccer authorities of failing to sweat the small stuff. can still find the time to dictate precisely which water bottles, with which labels, fans should be allowed to carry into stadiums. That kind of attention to detail should reassure you that soccer’s future — from Beirut to Beijing, and Ulaanbaatar to Hobart — is in safe hands. Unfortunately, that is not quite the picture that emerges from a report, commissioned by soccer’s global players’ union, FIFPro, assessing the benefits and shortcomings of Asia’s most prestigious club competition, the Asian Champions League. Instead, the report documents a tournament that acts as an almost perfect microcosm of soccer’s general direction across the globe.

Persons: Hobart — Organizations: Asian Football Confederation, ’, Asian Champions League Locations: —, Beirut, Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Hobart

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korean and Tottenham Hotspur soccer superstar Son Heung-min was involved in a fight with a teammate the night before the national team’s disastrous loss in an Asian Cup semifinal match earlier this month, the country’s football federation confirmed to CNN on Friday. In the wake of the incident, the Korea Football Association later Friday fired head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who had questioned the resolve of his team during the tournament. A KFA statement said the team dinner took place in Qatar on February 5, before South Korea’s 2-0 loss to Jordan at the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. 87 in FIFA’s world rankings, was seen as a major embarrassment for the 23rd-ranked South Korean side. Son is the captain of both Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Premier League and of the South Korean side.

Persons: Son Heung, Jürgen Klinsmann, Lee Kang, Jordan, ”, Lee, Germain, Heung, Visionhaus, “, Lee “, ” Lee, ” “, Son, Klinsmann Organizations: South Korea CNN — South Korean, Tottenham Hotspur, CNN, Korea Football Association, Korean national football, Asian Football Confederation Asian, England’s Premier League, Paris Saint, France’s Ligue, English Premier League, Brighton & Hove Albion, JTBC, South, Asian, South Korea Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Qatar, France’s, London, Instagram

☆ Governing body backs one of world’s top referees amid fallout from controversial Asian Cup red card
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Football Australia says it is providing an Iranian-Australian referee and his family with “all the support they require” over the fallout from an Asian Cup match. Iraq had just taken a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute when Hussein was shown a red card by Faghani. “Aymen Hussein excessively delayed the restart of the game after scoring a goal in the 75th minute,” an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) statement said. “During the player’s celebrations, the referee strongly warned Aymen Hussein three times before finally showing him the second yellow card. Alireza Faghani shows Aymen Hussein a red card.

Persons: Alireza, Aymen Hussein, Jordan, Hussein, “ Aymen Hussein, “, Hussain Al Khurasani, Thaier, Reuters “, ” Al Khurasani, Aymen, Faghani, ” Organizations: CNN — Football Australia, Iranian, Faghani, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Jordan, CNN, Reuters, . Football Australia, -, Football Australia Locations: Australian, Iraq, Iraqi, Iran, Australia

☆ Asian Cup: Jordan produces stunning late comeback to beat Iraq following red card controversy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Jordan reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Cup after producing a remarkable late comeback thanks to two stoppage-time goals to beat Iraq 3-2 in controversial circumstances. Jordan’s Hamza Al-Dardour was then shown a red card to leave both sides a man short, before Nizar Al-Rashdan scored the winning goal in the 97th minute. Hussein is shown a red card after his goal. “However, I bear part of the responsibility for the loss, but there are others who bear greater responsibility than me for our defeat,” he added, likely referring to referee Faghani. “Considering that Aymen had already received a yellow card in the first half, a warning would have been more appropriate.

Persons: CNN — Jordan, Yazan Al, Naimat, Jordan, Iran’s Saad Natiq, Aymen Hussein, Hussein, Alireza Faghani, Jordan’s Hamza Al, Dardour, Nizar Al, Rashdan, Jesús Casas, Faghani, Jordan’s, ” Casas, Thaier, ”, Casas, Hussain Al Khurasani, “, ” Al Khurasani, Aymen Organizations: CNN, Iraq, “, Reuters, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, -, Football Australia Locations: Iraq, Spanish, Jordanian, Iraqi, Iran, Australia

CNN —After more than three years of going missing from world soccer, North Korean striker Han Kwang Song has reappeared, playing for his country in two recent World Cup qualifiers and scoring in the 6-1 win over Myanmar on Tuesday. Attempting to qualify for the World Cup for a third time, North Korea lost 1-0. The North Korea football federation, the Asian Football Confederation and world soccer governing body FIFA didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment on Han’s return to international football. The return of the North Korean wunderkind has surprised soccer pundits and fans, who worried about his safety and promising career being cut short. The Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home.

Persons: Han Kwang, Han, Duhail, –, Korean wunderkind, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, Han’s, Nicholas Pennington, Kwang, Choe, Pölten, Alberto Mier, Qatar’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, Tullio M Organizations: CNN, North, Myanmar, North Korean, Qatar, Al, Asian Football Confederation, FIFA, Korean, Serie, CNN Sport, Syria, Cagliari, Austria’s SKN, Italy’s, UN, Juventus, United Nations Security Council, Qatar Stars, Qatar Stars League, UNSC, Qatar Airways, Perugia, Getty, Tokyo, Beijing Winter Games, International Olympic Committee Locations: North Korean, Syria, Saudi Arabian, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Rome, Qatar, Korean, Pyongyang, Myanmar, Austria’s SKN St, Arezzo, Qatari, Korea, Ahli, Doha, Puglia, Beijing, Asia

☆ Sepahan: Iranian soccer club punished and fined $200,000 for displaying slain’s commander bust that forced cancelation of match against Saudi team
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Ben Morse | Mostafa Salem | Adam Pourahmadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Iranian soccer club Sepahan has been punished by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for displaying a bust of a divisive general, who was assassinated by the United States in 2020, which caused the cancelation of a game against a Saudi team. The Quds Force is an elite unit that handles Iran’s overseas operations – and one designated as a terrorist organization by the US and Saudi Arabia. He was killed in 2020 by a US drone strike ordered by then US President Donald Trump. A picture, obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim, showing Sepahan players leaving the pitch after the cancellation of the match in Isfahan, Iran. After playing three Asian Champions League Group C matches, Al-Ittihad tops the group with nine points after a trio of wins, with Sepahan in third place on four points.

Persons: Qasem Soleimani, ’ Al, Ittihad, ”, Soleimani, Donald Trump, Morteza Salehi, Mohammad Reza Saket Organizations: CNN, Iranian, Sepahan, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Saudi, Al, Jahan, Asian Champions League, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Force, ” Sepahan, Sport, Quds Force, US, Saudi Press Agency, AFP, Getty, Asian Champions League Group Locations: United States, Ittihad, Naghsh, Isfahan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Tehran, Riyadh, AFP, Al

☆ Too daunting to take on Saudis in 2034 World Cup bid, says Football Australia CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Australia would have found it difficult to compete with Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 men's World Cup, Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said on Tuesday after his country opted not to enter the race to stage the tournament. Johnson said Australia, who recently co-hosted the Women's World Cup with New Zealand, would instead focus on bids for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup. The president of the Asian Football Confederation, the sport's continental governing body to which Australia belongs, said "the entire Asian football family" would stand united in support of the Saudi bid. The 2026 men's World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. FIFA awarded the 2030 World Cup earlier this month to Morocco, Portugal and Spain, also adding centenary games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Persons: James Johnson, Johnson, we've, they've, Christian Radnedge, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Saudi, Football Australia, Australia, FIFA, Doha, Australian, New, Asian Football Confederation, Thomson Locations: Australia, Asia, Oceania, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, New Zealand, Brisbane, United States, Mexico, Canada, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay

☆ Saudi Arabia clear to host 2034 World Cup after Australia drops out
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Football Australia (FA) boss James Johnson had said the country was "exploring the possibility" of 2034, but on Tuesday the governing body said it would instead focus on bids for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup. The president of the Asian Football Confederation, the sport's continental governing body to which Australia belongs, said "the entire Asian football family" would stand united in support of the Saudi bid. Australia hosted a successful Women's World Cup this year but has never hosted a men's World Cup. "We believe we are in a strong position to host the oldest women’s international competition in the world - the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 - and then welcome the greatest teams in world football for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup," FA said. FIFA awarded the 2030 World Cup to Morocco, Portugal and Spain, also adding World Cup centenary games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

Persons: James Johnson, Bernadett Szabo, Ian Ransom, Neil Fullick, John Stonestreet Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Australia Press, Football Australia, Rights, Australia, FIFA, Asian Football Confederation, Saudi, AFC, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Oceania, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Melbourne

☆ Al-Dawsari, Kerr take Asian confederation's Player of the Year awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 31 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Salem Al-Dawsari has been named the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year with Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr taking the women's title at the regional body's awards ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Al-Dawsari, who scored Saudi Arabia's winner in their shock 2-1 victory over Argentina at the World Cup last year, took the men's award after also leading Al-Hilal to the final of the Asian Champions League and the Club World Cup. The awards were being held for the first time in four years as a result of the disruption caused to the game across the continent by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerr, who on Monday had finished as runner-up in the Ballon d'Or vote in Paris, won her award for the second time having previously been named the confederation's best female player in 2017. Shui Qingxia claimed the honours in the women's coaching category after she led China to the Women's Asian Cup last February in India, the country's first continental title since 2006.

Persons: Salem, Dawsari, Sam Kerr, Qatar's Almoez Ali, Mathew Leckie of, Kerr, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, China's Zhang Linyang, Saki Kumagai, Japan's Hajime Moriyasu, Shui Qingxia, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Football, Chelsea, Saudi Arabia's, Asian Champions League, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Australia, Doha, Argentina, Al, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Paris, China's, Japan, Germany, Spain, China, India

GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia is all but certain to host the men's 2034 World Cup after the Australian soccer federation declined to enter the bidding contest. “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and — having taken all factors into consideration — we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia said in a statement. Indonesia’s football association initially showed interest in a joint bid with Australia, potentially alongside Malaysia and Singapore, but that faded when Indonesia instead backed Saudi Arabia. Australia and New Zealand successfully co-hosted the Women's World Cup in July and August. Saudi Arabia also will host the men's Asian Cup in 2027 and has started a widespread construction program to build and renovate stadiums that likely also will be used for the World Cup.

Persons: “, LIV, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Gianni Infantino, Australia —, Minky Worden, ” Worden, ___ Organizations: GENEVA, FIFA, ” Football Australia, Newcastle, Saudi Crown, South America — FIFA, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Qatar, soccer, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi, Rights Locations: Saudi Arabia, Australian, Saudi, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, South, Asia, Oceania, Australia, Qatar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New, Brisbane, Queensland

☆ Indonesia wants to co-host 2034 World Cup with Australia, Malaysia, Singapore
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We are discussing (a bid) with Australia," PSSI President Erick Thohir was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald. When asked for comment on a possible joint bid, Football Australia referred Reuters to a statement last week that said it was "exploring the possibility of bidding for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and/or the FIFA World Cup 2034". The PSSI, Football Association of Malaysia and Football Association of Singapore have not responded to a Reuters request for comment. The 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams, will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. "The potential to win if we join with Australia, Malaysia and Singapore is bigger too."

Persons: Erick Thohir, Akmal, Michael Church, Peter Rutherford Organizations: FIFA, Sydney Morning Herald, Football Australia, Reuters, Asian Football Confederation, Football Association of Malaysia and Football Association of Singapore, Qatar, Indonesian, Soccer, Herald, Thomson Locations: Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Asia, Oceania, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Bali, Peru, Malang

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Soccer officials in Australia and Indonesia have floated the idea of teaming up in a bid to rival Saudi Arabia for the hosting rights to the men’s World Cup in 2034. The Sydney Morning Herald reported comments Wednesday from Indonesia soccer federation president Erick Thohir about ongoing talks that could also include Malaysia and Singapore in a possible bid. Political Cartoons View All 1206 ImagesThohir is an Indonesian government minister who has ties to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Any opponent to Saudi Arabia in the 2034 World Cup contest has to express official interest by Oct. 31. FIFA has said it will decide which months to play the 2034 World Cup after its members confirm the host at a meeting likely to be held late next year.

Persons: Erick Thohir, Israel, Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, ___ Organizations: — Soccer, Sydney Morning Herald, Indonesia, FIFA, Israel, International Olympic Committee, Inter Milan, Italian soccer, Asian Football Confederation, AFC Locations: SYDNEY, Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Argentina, Indonesian, Italian, Asia, Oceania, United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, South America, Saudi Arabian, Australian

☆ Saudi Arabia will bid to host 2034 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CAIRO, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia announced it will bid to host the 2034 World Cup just minutes after the world soccer's governing body FIFA invited countries from the Asia and Oceania regions to submit bids. "Saudi Arabia’s inaugural FIFA World Cup bid is backed by the country’s growing experience of hosting world-class football events and its ongoing plans to welcome fans across the world to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup." After FIFA said that the 2034 World Cup will be held in the Asia or Oceania region, Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa welcomed the decision. "We strongly believe it paves the way for a more equitable opportunity for all confederations to bid for, and host, the prestigious FIFA World Cup - the pinnacle of world men’s football," he said. The 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams, will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Persons: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Moaz Abd, Osama Khairy, Mohamed Yossry, Rohith Nair, William Maclean Organizations: FIFA, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Saudi, Saudi Arabia’s, AFC Asian, Asian Football, Saudi Pro League, Thomson Locations: CAIRO, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Oceania, Saudi, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, United States, Canada, Mexico, Cairo

☆ Bust of slain commander forces cancellation of soccer match between Iranian and Saudi teams
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The Quds Force is an elite unit that handles Iran’s overseas operations – and one designated as a terrorist organization by the US and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in the capital following the execution of a Shiite Muslim cleric in Saudi Arabia. The recent détente however brought hopes of long-lasting peace as Saudi Arabia redirects its resources toward economic development. Iranian and Saudi teams competed last month for the first time in seven years in Iran, where billboards in the streets welcomed the Saudi teams in English, Arabic and Farsi. Iranian soccer fans have also been seen wearing Saudi team jerseys after the kingdom’s clubs made high-profile purchases of international soccer stars.

Persons: Qasem Soleimani, Soleimani, Donald Trump, Ittihad, Tasnim, Morteza Salehi, Mohammad Reza Saket, –, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ” Organizations: UAE CNN —, Asian Champions League, Saudi, Sepahan FC, Jahan, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Force, Quds Force, US, Al, Sepahan, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Saudi Press Agency, AFP, Getty, CNN, Soccer, Saudi Arabia’s Crown, MBS Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Saudi, Iran, United States, Al, Ittihad, Naghsh, Isfahan, Saudi Arabia, China, Tehran, Riyadh, AFP, Iranian

☆ Ronaldo sparks fightback as Al-Nassr given Asian Champions League scare
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 2 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Al-Nassr survived a scare in the Asian Champions League on Monday with the Saudi Pro League side coming from a goal down to hand Tajikistan's Istiklol a 3-1 defeat in Riyadh. The Asian Football Confederation said the game, which was due to be played in Isfahan's Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium, had been "cancelled due to unanticipated and unforeseen circumstances". In Group B, Uzbekistan's Nasaf climbed into pole position after claiming their second win in a row when Azizbek Amonov struck twice in a 3-1 win over Al Sadd of Qatar. Ruzikul Berdiev's team hold a two point lead over Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates, who beat Jordan's Al-Faisaly thanks to a 20th minute goal from Moussa Marega, an Asian Champions League winner with Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in 2021. Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nassr, Senin Sebai, Istiklol, Ronaldo, Anderson Talisca, Luis Castro's, Al Duhail, Omid Alishah, Qasem Soleimani, Ali Jasim, Sanzhar Tursunov's, Siavash Haghnazari, Nasaf, Azizbek Amonov, Al, Ruzikul, Jordan's, Moussa Marega, Saudi Arabia's Al, Michael Church, Ken Ferris Organizations: Asian Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Brazilian, Iran's Persepolis, Iran's Sepahan, Saudi, Asian Football Confederation, Air Force Club, AGMK, Air Force, United Arab Emirates, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Dushanbe, Saudi, Qatar, Isfahan's, Uzbekistan, Al, Ittihad, Al Sadd, Sharjah, Hilal

☆ Asian confederation cancels commercial deal 'with immediate effect'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Final Draw - Katara Opera House, Doha, Qatar - May 11, 2023 General view outside the venue before the draw REUTERS/Mohammed Dabbous/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Asian Football Confederation terminated its commercial relationship with Football Marketing Asia "with immediate effect" on Friday, less than three years into an exclusive eight-year deal with the Hong Kong-based company. "The AFC's decision takes into careful consideration the new challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving post-pandemic commercial environment," the confederation said in a statement. The original deal was renegotiated in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global shutdown caused significant complications ahead of the start of the contract. The AFC have since moved the 24-nation tournament to Qatar and have postponed the finals until January. "The AFC are now in the process of appointing a new exclusive partner for the 2023-2028 term with more details to be announced in due course," the confederation said.

Persons: Mohammed Dabbous, FMA, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, Opera House, Asian Football Confederation, Football Marketing, DDMC Fortis, FMA, Lagardere Sports, Entertainment, Wuhan DDMC Culture, Sports, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Wuhan

☆ Yamashita among first women referees for men's Asian Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Round of 16 - Netherlands v South Africa - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia - August 6, 2023 Referee Yoshimi Yamashita during the match REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita is among five officials who will be the first women to referee matches at the men's Asian Cup next year, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday. Yamashita also officiated at last year's men's World Cup in Qatar. Australian Katherine Jacewicz will also be among the referees for the tournament, while assistants include Japanese duo Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi and Kim Kyoung-min of South Korea. "For the first time ever, women match officials are poised to make their debut at Asia's most prestigious men's national team competition...," the AFC said in a statement. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yoshimi Yamashita, Carl Recine, Yamashita, Katherine Jacewicz, Makoto Bozono, Naomi Teshirogi, Kim Kyoung, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Sydney Football Stadium, REUTERS, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Asia's, men's, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Netherlands, South Africa, Sydney, Australia, Qatar, South Korea, China, Bengaluru

☆ Saudi soccer clubs to play in Iran for the first time in seven years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Iranian and Saudi soccer clubs will be facing off on a home-and-away basis for the first time since 2016, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement Monday. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is set to play Iranian giant Persepolis FC in Tehran on September 19. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in the Iranian capital following the execution of a Shi’ite cleric in Saudi Arabia. But both countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties in March after seven years of hostility, in a landmark deal mediated by China. Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sport in recent times, with teams in the Saudi Pro League – the professional men’s league in the country – signing a slew of global stars.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s, Benzema’s Al, Neymar’s Al, Hilal, It’s Organizations: CNN, Asian Football Confederation, AFC, Asian Champions League, Persepolis FC, Sepahan SC, football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Football Federation Islamic, Saudi, Saudi Pro League Locations: Saudi, Iran, Tehran, Ittihad, Isfahan, Mazandaran, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Asia, Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Riyadh, China

☆ Asian confederation boosts prize fund in revamped club competition from 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Kicking off in September 2024, the leading 24 club sides from across the continent will play in the new AFC Champions League Elite, with the winners earning US$12 million. The AFC Champions League Elite headlines a new three-tier set-up and replaces the existing format, in which clubs complete in either the AFC Champions League or the secondary AFC Cup. "Today the AFC is embarking on a new and historic era with these forward-looking initiatives in both men's and women's Asian club football," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement. Details about the AFC Women's Champions League, including start date, prize fund and the number of clubs involved, have yet to revealed. The playoff rounds of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, the last under the current model, are due to kick off on Tuesday.

Persons: Marius Hoibraten, Alexander Scholz, Issei Kato, HONG KONG, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Michael Church, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, AFC, League, Diamonds, Urawa, AFC Champions League REUTERS, Asian Football Confederation, Champions League, AFC Champions League Elite, US, League Elite, AFC Champions League, AFC Challenge League, AFC Women's Champions League, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Saitama, Japan, HONG, Asia

CNN —South Korean soccer star Son Jun-ho has been arrested in China for allegedly accepting bribes as Beijing clamps down on alleged corruption in the upper ranks of Chinese football. A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday the ministry was aware of Son’s situation and that local Korean diplomatic missions were providing consular assistance. Wang said China would provide South Korean officials with the “necessary facilitation” to perform their consular duties. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it had written to the Chinese Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation regarding the player on Tuesday but had not yet heard back. Vice President Kim Jeong-bae was checking on Son’s condition with the South Korean Foreign and Sports Ministries, a KFA official told CNN.

☆ Infantino to serve another four-year term as FIFA President
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 17 (Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino will serve another four-year term at the helm of world soccer’s governing body after emerging as the only candidate for the next election in March. He will be re-elected at the FIFA congress in Rwanda in March for a third term. Infantino won the FIFA presidency in 2016 on an initial three-year term, replacing Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected in 2019. He thanked more than 200 members associations who FIFA said had offered him their backing for another term as President. Infantino was then re-elected unopposed, having won a second term at FIFA’s Paris Congress in 2019.

☆ Qatar to stage 2023 Asian Cup, most likely in early 2024
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and President of Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani pose during an announcement ceremony of 2023 Asian Cup at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 17, 2022. Asian Football Confederation/Kamarul Akhir/Handout via REUTERSKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Qatar will stage the next Asian Cup in place of original hosts China, the Asian Confederation (AFC) announced on Monday, with the tournament likely to be moved from mid-2023 to early 2024 to avoid the heat of the Gulf summer. The Asian Cup is held every four years. The QFA is proposing all eight be used for the Asian Cup, Al Salat said. Qatar was also one of three nations bidding to stage the 2027 edition of the Asian Cup after Iran and Uzbekistan withdrew expressions of interest.

☆ K-pop pioneers BTS back South Korea's 2023 Asian Cup bid
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 13 (Reuters) - K-pop group BTS have added a bit of 'Dynamite' to South Korea's bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup with a new video backing the country's campaign to stage a first major soccer tournament since they shared the 2002 World Cup with Japan. "Millions of people cheering in the streets astounded the world during the 2002 World Cup in South Korea," band member Jimin said in the video, recalling the response to South Korea reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Registerloading"Those special moments will be witnessed again in June and July of next year if South Korea is chosen as the host of the 2023 Asian Cup," his BTS band mate J-Hope added. South Korea won the inaugural Asian Cup in 1956 and retained the trophy as hosts four years later. China was set to stage the 24-team Asian Cup in June and July next year but relinquished its hosting rights in May as it pursued a zero-COVID policy.

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