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☆ Jordan Henderson looks set to join a Saudi Arabian club. Once seen as an ally for LGBTQ groups, his move has drawn criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

On Thursday, the BBC reported that Liverpool had agreed to Henderson joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in a £12 million ($15.4 million) transfer. Liverpool and Al-Ettifaq did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on Henderson’s widely reported impending transfer. Except Henderson’s transfer has attracted more scrutiny than those other players who have moved to Saudi Arabia. Henderson wears a rainbow captain's armband in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign during a match. The country regularly receives criticism for its treatment of LGBTQ people, women and migrant workers, as well as its human rights record.

Persons: Jordan Henderson’s, He’s, Jürgen Klopp’s, Henderson, Ettifaq, Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino –, Laurence Griffiths, ‘ Football Ally, Mr Henderson, ” “, ’, 3LionsPride, “, Robbie de Santos, Jordan Henderson, ” De Santos, ” Organizations: CNN, England, Liverpool, English Premier League, Champions League, BBC, Saudi Arabian, Saudi Professional League, Stonewall, ‘ Football, Human Rights, Ukraine, Twitter, LGBT, CNN Sport, Communications, Affairs Locations: Saudi Arabia, Dammam, Al, Saudi, England

There have been 195 ACL injuries across women soccer’s top leagues, according to the ACL Women Football Club. “It’s not a coincidence I think that you get Leah and Beth injured after the Euros last summer,” said Arsenal star Miedema. Miedema believes this was an issue that world soccer’s governing body FIFA must address. A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found women to be three to six times more likely to experience an ACL injury than men. European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, referenced to CNN the Women’s Health Expert Panel it established, which has a “high priority” researching ACL injuries.

Persons: Vivianne, –, Miedema, we’ve, It’s, ” Miedema, CNN’s Christina Macfarlane, – Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Laura Wienroither, Canada’s Janine Beckie, Catarina Macario, France’s Delphine Cascarino, Ryan Pierse, ”, Pep, “, “ You’ll, Williamson –, “ It’s, Leah, Beth, “ They’ve, they’re, Leah Williamson, Clive Rose, Jonas Eidevall, Miedema’s Organizations: CNN, Arsenal, Women Football Club, United States Women’s National, League, English Premier League, FA, Champions League, England, ”, FIFA, of Sports Medicine, UEFA, Women’s, English Football Association, Super League, Barclays Women’s, Nottingham Trent University Locations: Netherlands, Man, Switzerland

☆ Dele Alli: Soccer star says he was molested during chaotic childhood. Two decades later he entered rehab.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“If God created people, it was them,” Alli told Neville of his adopted family. I decided to go to a modern day rehab facility for addiction, mental health and trauma” said Alli. It’s something people don’t want to do, going into rehab, it definitely sounds scary. The former Spurs star added that he had only checked out of rehab three weeks prior to appearing on Neville’s podcast. If you are outside of the US, please check CALM’s list of international services offering mental health support.

Persons: Dele Alli, ” Alli, Gary Neville, “, ”, Alli, we’ve, Neville, they’ve, Dan Istitene, can’t, Everton, ” Everton, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, England, Manchester United, Daily Mail, Turkish Süper Lig, Beşiktaş, Everton, English Premier League, Premier League, Turkish, Seskim, Tottenham Hotspur, Spurs, Tottenham, English Football Association, PFA, ’ Association, Chance, The FA Locations: Africa, Turkey

☆ The wildest demand Saudi Arabia made as part of its potential investment (takeover?) in the PGA Tour: get LIV Golf's Saudi boss a Masters green jacket
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Congress grilled the PGA about its bid to merge with LIV Golf and accept Saudi Arabian investment. As PGA Tour board member Jimmy Dunne put it, "There is simply an agreement to try to get to an agreement." LIV Golf would only play in the fall and not overlap with the heart of the PGA Tour season. What makes the demand even stranger is that the PGA Tour almost certainly does not have the power to grant this. After all, despite the initial fight between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, none of the defecting players were being withheld from competing in the majors.

Persons: LIV Golf, LIV, LIV Golfand, Jimmy Dunne, Woods, Rory McIlroy, Yasir Al, PIF, Donald Trump, Greg Norman, Chris Trotman, St Andrews, Andrews, Stephanie Asymkos, Augusta Organizations: Augusta National, PGA, Service, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, Investigations, Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, LIV, Aramco, Congress, Augusta National Golf, Getty, Augusta National Golf Cub, Golf, St, — Augusta National, Augusta, Uber, Microsoft, Boeing, Disney, English Premier League soccer, Newcastle United, Al, Wall Street Locations: Saudi, Wall, Silicon, Saudi Arabia, St

☆ HP joins United Airlines in sponsoring Wrexham, the Welsh soccer club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WREXHAM, Wales - April 10, 2023: Wrexham AFC owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds watch their team during the Vanarama National League fixture between Wrexham and Notts County at The Racecourse Ground. Wrexham AFC, the small Welsh soccer club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, on Tuesday announced new sponsorship from U.S. technology giant HP . Wrexham Association Football Club was born in a bar in 1864 and is on its way to great things," said Wrexham AFC Co-Chairmen McElhenney and Reynolds. The formerly struggling club has undergone a remarkable transformation since Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the team for £2 million ($2.6 million) in November 2020. "We're excited to bring the power of our technology to the club and broader community, supporting them to achieve their goals."

Persons: Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, HP, McElhenney, Reynolds, Vikrant Batra Organizations: WREXHAM, Wrexham AFC, National League, Wrexham, Notts County, Welsh, Hollywood, Tuesday, HP, United Airlines, Wrexham Association Football Club, Wrexham AFC Co, Vanarama National League, League, Disney, HBO, HP Global, English Premier League titans Chelsea, Manchester United, Major League, LA Galaxy Locations: Wales, U.S, Palo Alto , California, Wrexham

☆ Wimbledon on red alert for orange protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Every year we work with the Metropolitan Police and other agencies to review our security arrangements in line with relevant threat picture and of course. Bolton said it was not all about the numbers of people involved. "Some of it is about the type of intelligence that we're using and the tactics that we're using," she said. Last week's England v Australia cricket test at Lord's was briefly held up by powder-spreading protesters, following similar incidents at the World Snooker Championship and English Premiership rugby final. Reporting Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas, Andrew Couldridge, we've, Sally Bolton, Bolton, enjoyably, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas REUTERS, Wimbledon, All England Club, Metropolitan Police, Australia, English Premiership rugby, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, England, Lord's

☆ Flush with cash, the Middle East is ramping up investment in soccer as a soft power push
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Michael Considine | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Manchester City's victory in the UEFA Champions League final over Inter Milan was historic for a number of reasons. Manchester City's win, heavily backed by UAE money, comes as Saudi Arabia and Qatar look to ramp up their investment in the sport. The UAE's Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008 and has since proceeded to spend more on transfers than any other club in world soccer. The scale of the investment has attracted criticism, with human rights group Amnesty International saying the UAE's spending amounts to one of soccer's "most brazen attempts to 'sportswash' a country's deeply tarnished image." "But in terms of soft power, image reputation, nation branding, I think it's significant as well."

Persons: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Mohammed bin Zayed, Sheikh Mansour, it's, Simon Chadwick, CNBC's Organizations: Manchester, UEFA Champions League, Inter Milan, English Premier League, soccer, United Arab Emirates, Manchester City's, Manchester United, Amnesty, CNBC, Manchester City, Skema Business School Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

☆ Saudi Arabia's cold-blooded crown prince keeps winning
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Joe Ciolli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The recent PGA-LIV golf merger is the latest example of growing Saudi influence on sports. Originally viewed as a deep-pocketed but unserious distraction from the PGA Tour, they effectively muscled into the picture through sheer financial willpower. The new PGA Tour might look a whole lot like the old one, except with a far wealthier outside party controlling the purse strings. And that's kind of been the Saudi strategy as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expanded his influence over multiple sports worldwide. Detailed below are the six recent high-profile examples of how the Saudi PIF keeps winning:

Persons: Mohammed bin Salman, LIV, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Mohammed's, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi PIF Organizations: Saudi Public Investment Fund, Morning, PGA, LIV, PGA Tour, English Premier League team, Saudi, league, Prince, CIA Locations: England, Saudi, Saudi Arabia

☆ Opinion: The impact of PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal goes far beyond sports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Aaron David Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Yet, these days, the sad truth is that Saudi Arabia has no need for sportswashing. And in December 2019, Saudi Arabia became president of the G-20, hosting a virtual summit because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The golf deal is a reminder that “money money money” is a formidable diplomatic political tool. A US brokered deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia would be a powerful counterpoint to China’s recently facilitated Iranian-Saudi détente. Of course, one can hardly be shocked to learn that where’s there’s money, golf and Saudi Arabia, there just might be a Trump angle as well.

Persons: Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, LIV Golf, Joe Biden’s, it’s, we’ve, you’re, Jamal Khashoggi, , Cristiano Ronaldo, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Blumenthal, Biden, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, It’s, LIV, can’t, Zelensky, Bashar al, Assad, Mahmoud Abbas, ”, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Trump, Eric Trump, Facebook George Orwell Organizations: Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Democratic, Republican, CNN, PGA, English Premier League soccer, One, LIV, PGA Tour, Washington Post, Saudi Crown, MBS, Arab, US National, Trump, Twitter, Facebook, Saudi Locations: East, Saudi, United States, Saudi Arabia, Washington, Berlin, Sochi, Davos, Connecticut, China, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israeli, Israel, Iranian, Britain

☆ Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Swedish legend announces retirement from football at age 41
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced his retirement from a glittering soccer career at the age of 41, leaving Italy’s Serie A as the league’s oldest-ever goal scorer. “It’s time to say goodbye to football, but not to you,” an emotional Ibrahimovic told the Rossoneri fans at the San Siro stadium. Ibrahimovic won the Eredivisie twice and the KNVB Cup in 2002. Following his spell at the Dutch club, Ibrahimovic went on to play for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. His stint in Spain was short-lived as he was loaned to AC Milan in 2010, in a move made permanent in 2011.

Persons: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, “, Ibrahimovic, ” Ibrahimovic, ”, “ It’s, Swede, Germain Organizations: CNN, Serie, AC, Hellas Verona, San, International Federation of, Sweden’s, Malmö FF, Ajax, KNVB, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Paris Saint, Manchester United, Ibrahimovic, Spanish, Barcelona, La Liga, League, English Premier League, Europa League, MLS, LA Galaxy, Milan’s, Udinese Locations: San Siro, Netherlands, Europe, Barcelona, Paris, Italy, Catalan, Spain

☆ Phil Neville: David Beckham's Inter Miami 'part ways' with head coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former Manchester United and England star Phil Neville has been sacked as head coach at David Beckham’s Inter Miami, the team announced on Thursday. Beckham, 48, is one of the co-owners of Inter Miami, alongside brothers Jorge and Jose Mas. “He and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans. “Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach. He guided Inter Miami to the MLS Cup playoffs in 2022 and, according to the club, he has helped progress several youth academy prospects’ careers.

Persons: Phil Neville, David Beckham’s, Neville, Beckham, Alex Ferguson, Jorge, Jose Mas, Phil, ” Beckham, “ Phil, Jim Rassol, Reuters “, ” Neville, “ I’m, ”, Jason Kreis, Javier Morales Organizations: CNN, Former Manchester United, David Beckham’s Inter Miami, United, English Premier League, Inter Miami, ” Inter Miami, New York Red Bulls, MLS, Eastern Conference, Miami, England women’s, Inter, FC Dallas, Reuters, Inter Miami CF, Club Locations: England, Beckham, Miami, New

☆ Lionel Messi: What next for arguably the greatest player in history?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —After helping Paris Saint-Germain win its 11th Ligue 1 title at the weekend, Lionel Messi has some thinking to do. While Messi struggled with injury during his first season in Paris, he still managed to show flashes of his brilliance. Earlier this year, Messi’s long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi club Al Nassr for an eye-watering sum of money, perhaps paving the way for other superstars to follow suit. “I think money is always a factor in human decision making,” Mora y Araujo said, amid reports Saudi club Al Hilal was targeting Messi’s signature. Despite an array of world class talent, PSG has failed to win the Champions League with Messi.

☆ Ivan Toney: Brentford and England striker banned for eight months and fined for breaching betting rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Ivan Toney, the star striker for English Premier League club Brentford, has been suspended from soccer and fined £50,000 ($62,407) due to “breaches of The FA’s Betting Rules,” England’s Football Association announced on Wednesday. According to the FA, Toney “was charged with 262 breaches of FA Rule E8 in total between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021. The FA subsequently withdrew 30 of these breaches and he admitted to the remaining 232.”Rule E8 in the FA’s handbook highlights the rules around betting. Brentford said the club was aware of the eight-month ban decision and is awaiting the written report from the independent Regulatory Commission who ruled on the case. According to the FA, Toney can return to training only with the Bees for the final four months of his suspension starting September 17.

☆ EddIe Howe: Man charged with assault after appearing to shove shoving Premier League manager during match
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A spectator walked towards the Newcastle technical area late in the match before confronting and then appearing to shove Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. Leeds United said it had issued a lifetime ban on the spectator. “Leeds United can confirm that following an incident at our Premier League match against Newcastle United today, an arrest has been made and a lifetime ban has also been issued,” the club said in a statement. In a press conference after the match, Howe called for the security of players and team staff at Premier League matches to be improved. The safety of staff, players, is paramount for me at the Premier League, any matches in the football league, and we need to be mindful.

☆ JJ Watt does pub crawl ‘research’ after investing in Premier League-bound Burnley
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Just getting to know the supporters, I want to earn their trust by showing them how much we care and how passionate we are. “It’s research, I’m doing research – and lots of pints of Guinness along the way. The Royal Dyche took to Twitter to mark Watt’s visit, sharing an image of him behind the bar on Monday. Lovely gent, such a great reception in the pub from all us Claret fans,” the pub added. Kompany is best known for his exploits as the captain of Manchester City, with whom he won four Premier League titles.

☆ Sebastian Steudtner has turned to science as he chases the world’s biggest waves
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Matt Majendie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

CNN —Sebastian Steudtner holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. Steudtner holds the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed. Win, win, win or perform, perform, perform. How boring is it to win and win and win? If I want to catch waves, I don’t think about you because you’re in my way, so you’re naturally competitive.

☆ JJ Watt and Kealia Watt invest in Premier League-bound Burnley FC
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After retiring from professional football in the NFL earlier this year, JJ Watt is turning his hand to soccer as he and his wife Kealia announced their investment in English club Burnley FC on Monday. In a statement released by the club, JJ Watt said: “When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition. Kompany is best known for his exploits as the captain of Manchester City, with whom he won four Premier League titles. Manager Vincent Kompany has guided Burnley back to the Premier League. Burnley’s chairman Alan Pace said of the Watts’ investment: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia into the Clarets family.

☆ Ex-NFL star J.J. Watt announces investment in Premiere League football club
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEx-NFL star J.J. Watt announces investment in Premiere League football clubFive-time NFL Pro-Bowler J.J. Watt joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss his minority stake investment in Burnley Football Club, which is set to compete in English Premier League next season.

☆ Erling Haaland scores his 50th goal of the season and equals an English Premier League record
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Arguably no player has made such an impact in his first season in the English Premier League. No Premier League player has ever scored as many. Only Everton’s Dixie Dean, who scored 63 goals in the 1927/28 season, has scored more goals in English football during a single top-flight campaign, according to the Premier League. The penalty was his 34th goal in the league, equaling Alan Shearer (1994-95) and Andy Cole (1993-94) for the most goals scored in a Premier League season. City still has hopes of completing the ‘treble’ as Pep Guardiola’s side remains in contention to win the league, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

☆ Manchester City vs. Arsenal: Kevin De Bruyne inspires Premier League champion to key title race victory over Arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Manchester City landed a key blow in the English Premier League title race after the defending champion secured a 4-1 win against current leader Arsenal. The game encapsulated the differences between the two sides and showed where they are in their respective evolution. The home side took control of the game from the start and went ahead after just seven minutes through a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne goal from outside the box. Manchester City then missed big opportunities to double its advantage before John Stones headed home a De Bruyne freekick just before the interval. De Bruyne added a third in the second half, and although Rob Holding reduced the deficit, Erling Haaland completed City’s comprehensive win as he scored his 33rd Premier League goal of the season in stoppage time.

☆ Wrexham: Paul Rudd films emotional moment between Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after promotion
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It was an emotional moment captured by fellow Hollywood stalwart Paul Rudd, who filmed the pair in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Boreham Wood. After a moment to themselves, Reynolds and McElhenney then shared a long hug before the latter appeared to wipe away tears from his eyes. Footage and photographs on social media showed Rudd drinking in the local pub and meeting excited Wrexham fans ahead of Saturday’s match. Martin Rickett/PA Images/Getty ImagesMany other celebrities took to social media to congratulate Wrexham after its promotion into the Football League. Rudd appears in photographs alongside Wrexham fans in The Turf Pub ahead of Saturday's match.

☆ Wrexham secures promotion in front of jubilant owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham CNN —Wrexham fans are still singing, they will likely be singing into the night, serenading their famous owners in the process, because the wait for promotion is finally over. On a raucous evening at the Racecourse, and with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – the actors who have transformed the club since their 2021 takeover – in the stadium, Wrexham secured promotion to the Football League after a 15-year absence. Wrexham will next season compete in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league. New Wrexham fans, from Ohio, Los Angeles, Washington and Arizona, had come to Wales this week; some had tickets, some just wanted to be in the city to see for themselves what they had watched on TV. When Reynolds and McElhenney took ownership of the club in February 2021 few could have imagined the impact the pair would make.

☆ An elite soccer player criticized Elon Musk as 'some crazy dude' after Twitter took away his blue checkmark
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Twitter removed the blue checkmarks on Thursday for all users who didn't subscribe to Twitter Blue. That included several of the English Premier League's elite soccer players, who hit back at Elon Musk. Elite soccer players from England's Premier League took aim at Elon Musk after their blue checkmarks were taken away on Thursday. Twitter Blue led to several trolls impersonating high-profile accounts, while those who've paid for the blue checkmark have been mocked. Meanwhile, Gary Lineker — a former England soccer player who now hosts the BBC's "Match of the Day" — said he had subscribed to Twitter Blue.

☆ Manchester United: Despite $800 million squad, reality hits home for Erik ten Hag after another 'unacceptable' Red Devils meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In truth, Ten Hag will likely be counting himself lucky that his team only lost by three goals on a night United was second best in every department. “We have to face that we let ourselves down and we let the fans down,” Ten Hag told the club’s website. “We didn’t match the standards that you can expect from a team like Manchester United. Everyone can expect higher standards from Manchester United.”It was a night to forget for David de Gea and Harry Maguire. Erik ten Hag now turns his attention to a huge FA Cup semifinal against Brighton.

☆ The Saudi Rebuild That Has Newcastle Chasing a Champions League Payday
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

In the first season after Newcastle United theoretically became one of the richest clubs in any sport in the world, its new Saudi-backed owners had just one job. Before they could turn the English Premier League on its head, they needed to make sure they could stay in the league at all. At the time, in October 2021, the club was in 19th place, flirting with relegation to the second tier of English soccer and the financial calamity that comes with it. If Newcastle dropped out of the Premier League, the whole project would fall years behind schedule, at best. At worst, it would just fall apart.

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