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☆ China's Hisense aims to become the No. 1 TV company in the U.S. within 2 years, top executive says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING — Chinese home appliance company Hisense aims to become the No. 1 seller of television sets in the U.S. in about two years, Catherine Fang, president of Hisense International, told CNBC in an exclusive interview Monday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and Hisense Group Chairman Jia Shaoqian attended an event in Shanghai on Oct. 30 to mark the partnership. "We hope through this sponsorship we can increase our market share," Fang said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. The company was not immediately able to share to what extent those features were available on TV sets in the U.S.Hisense's 55-inch U8 TV series starts at around $700 in the U.S., while the 100-inch version costs around $3,000 or more.

Persons: Catherine Fang, Gianni Infantino, Mattias Grafström, Jia Shaoqian, Fang Organizations: Hisense, CNBC, FIFA Club, FIFA, Sports Locations: BEIJING, U.S, Miami, Shanghai

☆ Lionel Messi becomes Inter Miami’s all-time leading goal scorer after 11-minute hat-trick helps team to record point total
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Messi came on as a substitute in the second half and stole the show with a rapid-fire hat-trick, netting three goals between the 78th and 89th minute. This made the 37-year-old the all-time leading goal scorer in the club’s short history – his 33 goals take him past teammate Leonardo Campana’s current total of 32, according to the team. The win – the squad’s 22nd of the season – pushed Miami’s point total to 74, breaking the MLS record of 73 set by the Revolution in 2021, per the club. “For the team, it’s a boost of confidence, more confidence,” said head coach Gerardo Martino postgame, via Inter Miami. Carmen Mandato/Getty ImagesAnother excellent team goal, assisted by Suárez, gave Messi his hat-trick to cap off the scoring frenzy.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Leonardo Campana’s, –, ”, Gerardo Martino, it’s, ” Miami, Sam Navarro, Gianni Infantino, Luca Langoni, Dylan Borrero, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba –, Benjamin Cremaschi, Messi dribbles, Carmen Mandato, Suárez Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, England, Miami, Chase Stadium, MLS, “, Inter, USA, Reuters, FIFA, US, Eastern Conference, Eastern, CF Montréal, Atlanta United Locations: Inter Miami, New England, Miami

☆ Women soccer players call on FIFA to cut ties with Saudi oil giant Aramco
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —More than 100 soccer players from the women’s game have signed an open letter to FIFA, urging the sport’s world governing body to end its sponsorship deal with Saudi oil and gas company Aramco. In April this year, FIFA announced a four-year global partnership with the majority state-owned oil giant, giving it sponsorship rights to the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup. “The Saudi authorities trample not only on the rights of women, but on the freedom of all other citizens too,” the letter, addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, said. Last year, it produced an average of 12.8 million barrels of oil a day, far more than any other company. US oil and gas companies combined, however, produce more than Saudi Arabia, according to a 2023 analysis from the US Energy Information Administration.

Persons: Vivianne Miedema, Becky Sauerbrunn, trample, Gianni Infantino, “, Miedema, ”, John Walton, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sportswashing Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Saudi, Manchester City, Saudi Aramco, BBC, CNN Sport, Aramco, Manchester, Fox News, US Energy Information Administration, “ Grassroots, ”, Women’s Locations: Saudi, Aramco, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco

CNN —FIFA, football’s governing body, have announced a plan to address a Palestinian request to ban Israel from world football during a meeting held at their headquarters in Zurich on Thursday. The PFA called for FIFA to ban the IFA, its national teams and club teams earlier this year. FIFA charged an independent panel to pull together evidence which was presented on Thursday to the 37 members of the FIFA council. “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be mandated to initiate an investigation into the alleged offence of discrimination raised by the Palestine Football Association,” the outcome read. “The FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee will be entrusted with the mission to investigate – and subsequently advise the FIFA Council on – the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli football teams allegedly based in the territory of Palestine.”Both men’s national teams are in action next week.

Persons: “, ” Gianni Infantino, ”, – Organizations: CNN — FIFA, FIFA Council, FIFA, FIFA Congress, ” CNN, Palestine Football Association, Israel Football Association, IFA, PFA, FIFA’s Congress, Palestinian, men’s, Israel, Nations League Locations: Israel, Zurich, Gaza, Palestine, Iraq, France

☆ Ambani's wedding kicks off in India this weekend. Here's who will be at the star-studded event
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Anant Ambani fiancée Radhika Merchant pose for a photo on the red carpet during their sangeet ceremony at Jio World Centre in Mumbai. All eyes are on this weekend's mega wedding in India, where the youngest son of Asia's wealthiest man prepares to tie the knot with his long-time sweetheart after months of lavish pre-wedding celebrations. Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani — the country's richest man and the billionaire chairman of Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries — is throwing a three-day wedding bash for his son that kicks off on Friday. The groom is his 29-year-old son Anant Ambani and 29-year-old Radhika Merchant, the daughter of Viren Merchant, owner of Encore Healthcare. The Ambani family has stayed mum about the star-studded guest list, but multiple media reports have said 16-time Grammy award winner Adele could be one of the main performers.

Persons: Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant, Mukesh Ambani, Viren Merchant, Ambani, Adele, Drake, Mike Tyson, Kim Kardashian, Ram Nath Kovind, Boris Johnson, Tony Blair, Mark Tucker, Jay Lee, Morgan Stanley's Michael Grimes, Gianni Infantino Organizations: Reliance Industries, Encore Healthcare, Wall Street, CNBC, Business, HSBC Holdings, Samsung Electronics Co, FIFA Locations: Mumbai, India, Hollywood, Bandra

☆ Soccer union launches legal action against FIFA over fixture congestion
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | Samuel Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —FIFA is facing a legal challenge over the world governing body’s “unilateral” decision to set the international match calendar – notably an expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup – unions representing soccer players said in a statement on Thursday. CNN has reached out to FIFA for comment on the legal action. As their union, we have a duty to intervene and to enforce their legal rights as employees. Manchester City lift the Club World Cup trophy in 2023 - the competition is set to expand from seven teams to 32 in 2025. Francois Nel/Getty ImagesIn addition to the larger Club World Cup, all three European club competitions will be expanded to 36 teams for the 2024/2025 season.

Persons: –, ”, David Terrier, “ It’s, Maheta Molango, “, Molango, Gianni Infantino, ” Infantino, Francois Nel, Vinícius Júnior, Ballon d’Or, Ronaldinho, Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Wayne Rooney –, David Beckham Organizations: CNN, FIFA, FIFA Club, English, ’ Association, des, FIFPRO, European Court of Justice, of Fundamental, Commerce, PFA, World League, of Football, FIFA Congress, Manchester City, Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Manchester United Locations: FIFPRO Europe, Europe, United States, Brussels, FIFPRO, Bangkok, Manchester, Real Madrid, Brazil, Madrid, England, Bellingham

☆ Vinícius Jr.: Spanish court orders prison time for soccer fans over racist abuse toward Real Madrid star
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Kevin Dotson | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Thank you to La Liga and Real Madrid for helping with this historic conviction.”The Brazilian vowed to keep using his platform to fight racism. “The three defendants acknowledged their criminal liability and have released an apology letter addressed to our player Vinícius Jr., to Real Madrid C.F. and to everyone else who felt offended and degraded by their behavior,” Real Madrid said in a statement. “La Liga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences for them.”Global soccer’s governing body FIFA also praised the news. “I am pleased to see the firm action and sentencing taken by the Spanish authorities in relation to the racist abuse directed at Vinícius Jr in a Spanish La Liga match in May 2023.

Persons: CNN —, Vinícius, Vinícius Jr, “, I’ve, I’m, ”, Pierre, Philippe Marcou, Javier Tebas, Gianni Infantino, Infantino Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, La Liga, Valencia CF, Spanish, LaLiga, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Liga, Getty, ” Real, ”, FIFA Locations: Valencia, Spain, Real, Real Madrid, AFP, ” Real Madrid, Spanish

☆ FIFA to take legal advice on calls to suspend Israel Football Association
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Zayn Nabbi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) had called for a vote to ban Israel before Infantino made the announcement over accusations that the IFA had violated FIFA rules during the continued war in Gaza. “Due to the obvious sensitivity of these matters, FIFA will mandate, as of now, independent legal expertise to analyse and assess the three requests made by the Palestinian Football Association and ensure that the statutes and regulations of FIFA are applied in the correct way,” Infantino said. “As I speak to you today, the Palestinian people, including the Palestinian football family, are enduring an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty ImagesRajoub went on to call for FIFA “to temporarily suspend the IFA as a member of FIFA with immediate effect.”Jordan Football Association general secretary Samar Nassar backed Rajoub, saying: “We are not here to deliberate on the human tragedy. And like anyone else, I was extremely, extremely shocked, and am extremely shocked at what’s happening in Gaza.”“I pray for all those people who suffer the unimaginable … and I want, like all of you, just one thing: peace.”

Persons: Gianni Infantino, Infantino, ” Infantino, “, Jibril Rajoub, ” Rajoub, Shino Moshe Zuares, Manan Vatsyayana, Rajoub, ”, Samar Nassar, ” Nassar Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Israel Football Association, IFA, Palestinian Football Association, Israel, FIFA Council, PFA, Getty, FIFA “, ” Jordan Football Association, “, Palestinian Association, UEFA Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Gaza, AFP, Yugoslavia, Russia, Africa, Israel

CNN —The Women’s World Cup will be held in South America for the first time after Brazil won the right to host the 2027 tournament, soccer’s governing body FIFA announced on Thursday. Brazil’s bid won 119 votes, FIFA said, while a joint bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany (‘BNG’) received 78. “Congratulations to Brazil,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “We will have the best World Cup in Brazil.”Brazil has hosted the men’s World Cup in 1950 and 2014. “You can be sure, with no vanity, we will accomplish the best World Cup for women.”The 2027 World Cup will be the 10th edition of the tournament.

Persons: Brazil’s, “, Gianni Infantino, ”, Ednaldo Rodrigues, Catherine Ivill, Marta Organizations: CNN, Brazil, FIFA, FIFA Congress, ” FIFA, South, Brazilian Football Confederation, Spain, England, Spanish, Force Locations: South America, Bangkok, Thailand, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, United States, Mexico, Brazil, ” Brazil, –, States, Australia, New Zealand

☆ Scandal Brought Reforms to Soccer. Its Leaders Are Rolling Them Back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The 12-page report was intended to save soccer’s governing body, FIFA, in its moment of existential crisis. Filled with reform proposals and drawn up by more than a dozen soccer insiders in December 2015, the report was FIFA’s best chance to show business partners, U.S. investigators and billions of fans that it could be trusted again after one of the biggest corruption scandals in sports history. In bullet points and numbered sections, the report championed high-minded ideas like accountability and humility. It also proposed concrete and, for FIFA, revolutionary changes: transparency in how major decisions were reached; term limits for top leaders and new limits on presidential power; and the abolition of well-funded committees widely viewed as a system of institutional graft. And there on the report’s final page, deep down a list of its authors, was the name of the man positioning himself as FIFA’s savior: Gianni Infantino.

Persons: Gianni Infantino Organizations: FIFA

☆ Jude Bellingham wants ‘more extreme consequences’ for fans who racially abuse players
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Amanda Davies | Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said players should have greater involvement in how decisions are made to tackle racism in soccer. “I do think there’s got to be more extreme consequences,” said Bellingham. In 2023, La Liga told CNN Sport that it cannot impose punishments on clubs or fans itself. European soccer’s governing body UEFA told CNN Sport that it has continued to publicly denounce racism and has launched multiple campaigns to try tackle the issue. Real Madrid superstarBellingham has flourished since joining Real Madrid from German side Borussia Dortmund at the start of the season, settling in much more quickly than many had expected.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Vinícius Júnior, there’s, ”, “, Vinícius Jr, Vinícius, Jose Breton, Gianni Infantino, Bellingham, he’s, El, Gareth Southgate’s, “ We’ve Organizations: CNN — Real Madrid, CNN, Black, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Valencia, Osasuna, Real, Bellingham, Getty Images, ” CNN, La Liga, Royal Spanish Football Federation, CNN Sport, FIFA, FIFA Congress, UEFA, Borussia Dortmund, League, England Locations: Bellingham, Madrid, Spain, Mallorca, Real Valladolid, Atlético, Getty Images Bellingham, “, German, England

☆ FIFA Said to Be Close to TV Deal With Apple for New Tournament
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, is close to an agreement with Apple that would give the tech company worldwide television rights for a major new tournament, a monthlong, World Cup-style competition for top teams that will be played for the first time in the United States next summer. The value of the deal might be as little as a quarter of the $4 billion FIFA had first estimated, the people said. It is unclear if the deal with Apple will include any free-to-air rights, meaning the entire event could be available only to subscribers of Apple TV+, a factor over which senior executives at FIFA have raised concerns. Should the deal go through, it would be the first time that FIFA, which will stage the first expanded 48-team men’s World Cup in the United States in 2026, has agreed to a single worldwide contract. It would also represent the latest foray into soccer for Apple, which in 2022 signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion agreement for the global streaming rights to Major League Soccer.

Persons: Gianni Infantino Organizations: FIFA, Apple, FIFA’s, Major League Soccer Locations: United States, China

☆ Fenerbahçe vs. Trabzonspor: FIFA condemns Turkish league violence after soccer fans storm pitch and attack players
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned the violence that broke out after Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch and attacked Fenerbahçe players following a Turkey Süper Lig match Sunday. Security forces tried to shield Fenerbahçe players, as fans stormed the pitch. Trabzonspor fans invade the pitch and clash with Fenerbahçe players and security staff after the match. We need to be tolerant towards each other and have common sense.”This is the latest controversy to engulf Turkish football. In December, Faruk Koca, the president of top-flight Turkish soccer club Ankaragücü resigned, a day after he punched a FIFA-licensed referee in the face.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, ” Infantino, Ali Yerlikaya, “, Fenerbahçe, Abdullah Avci, Ismail Kartal, Faruk Koca, club Ankaragücü Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Trabzonspor, Lig, Security, Turkish, Ihlas News Agency, Reuters, Turkey Football Federation, Trabzonspor A.Ş, Super League, BBC Sport, club Locations: Turkey, Fenerbahçe, Trabzon, Turkish

☆ DC and Marvel are reprinting coveted crossover comics
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( John Towfighi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Comic-book store owner Jermaine Exum couldn’t believe his ears when a customer asked to reserve a copy of the upcoming 960-page “DC versus Marvel” comics collection. The "DC Versus Marvel Omnibus," to be released August 6, 2024, is a collection of various crossover comics, and just the second collaboration by DC and Marvel in two decades. From 1976 to 2003, crossovers between the DC and Marvel universes (“Superman vs. Uslan recalled similar “interplay” among the companies, citing a regular DC vs. Marvel softball match in Central Park as evidence of camaraderie. The comic "Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1", will be reprinted in the upcoming collection.

Persons: Jermaine Exum couldn’t, “, ”, Lex Luthor –, ” Marvel, Exum, Michael Uslan, Carmine Infantino, Stan Lee, ” Uslan, Marvel, DC Walt Simonson, I’m, ” Simonson, Uslan, Walt Simonson, DC Ben Saunders, Denny O’Neil, George Pérez, Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr, Batman, Simonson, ” Saunders, Saunders, Federico Parra, James Gunn, Marvel’s, Peter Safran, Kevin Feige, ” Ethan Sacks, “ Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, Bill Finger, William Moulton Marston Organizations: CNN, Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Hollywood, ” Comics, Teen Titans, New Teen Titans, University of Oregon, Acme Comics, “, Marvel Studios, Guardians, Galaxy, DC Studios Locations: Greensboro, North Carolina, Central, Greensboro , North Carolina, Venezuela, Caracas, AFP, Greece, Rome, Egypt

☆ Sébastien Haller: After recovering from testicular cancer, Ivory Coast striker scores winner in AFCON final
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

In the quarterfinals against Mali, Ivory Coast pulled off yet another great escape, once again scoring a last-minute equalizer before grabbing a winner in extra-time. The team’s uncanny ability to come back from the brink had earned them the nickname ‘Zombie Elephants’ and Ivory Coast lived up to its moniker again in the final. After Nigeria had taken a first-half lead through William Troost-Ekong’s header, the host nation fought its way back into the match. Cheered on from the stands by legendary striker Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast equalized just after the hour mark through Franck Kessié. Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and FIFA President Gianni Infantino also watched as Ivory Coast claimed its third AFCON title.

Persons: Sébastien Haller, Ouattara, Haller, Les Éléphants, Coast, Jean, Louis Gasset, Emerse Faé, –, Themba, Faé, William Troost, Didier Drogba, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra’s, “, Ivory Coast’s Adingra, ” Drogba, Arsène Wenger, Gianni Infantino Organizations: CNN, Ivory, Africa, of Nations, German, Borussia Dortmund, Dortmund, Cancer, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Congo, Reuters, Arsenal, FIFA Locations: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory

☆ ‘New York New Jersey’ Got the World Cup Final. Now Comes the Hard Part.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( David Waldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The governor of New Jersey leaped from his chair and raised his hands high above his head as if he had just scored the winning goal in a World Cup final. Gathered around a TV in a lounge at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., with a group of colleagues, family and friends on Sunday, Gov. Phil Murphy watched as Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, announced that MetLife Stadium would be the site of the 2026 World Cup final. “The significance of a World Cup final dwarfs anything else in global sports. I am just beyond thrilled that we were honored with the final game.”

Persons: Phil Murphy, Gianni Infantino, Murphy, “, Mr, ” Organizations: MetLife, Sunday, Gov, FIFA, New Jersey Meadowlands Locations: New Jersey, East Rutherford, N.J

☆ Mike Maignan: Subjected to racist abuse, AC Milan star now finds himself being kicked around like a political football
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —A leading soccer goalkeeper, who is Black and was subjected to racist abuse during a match in Italy’s top league last month, now finds himself being kicked around like a political football. Maignan received widespread support from the football world and FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for automatic forfeits for teams whose fans have racially abused players. Maignan speaks with referee Fabio Maresca during the match between AC Milan and Udinese. AC Milan players react after Maignan was racially abused by Udinese fans. ‘Simply shameful’The Maignan incident comes 11 years after another AC Milan star – midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng – made history by walking off the pitch during a friendly match after suffering abuse for 25 minutes.

Persons: Mike Maignan, Stefano Pioli, Maignan, Gianni Infantino, Fabio Maresca, Alessandro Sabattini, Alberto Felice De Toni, “, ” De Toni, ”, De Toni, Pietro Fontanini, Matteo Salvini, Maignan didn’t, ” Fontanini, Jennifer Lorenzini, Fontani, Tobias Jones, Jones, “ They’re, ” Jones, Kevin, Prince Boateng –, Carlo Tavecchio, Valerio Pennicino, Tavecchio, ” Boateng, “ There’s, It’s, it’s, ” Kevin, Prince Boateng, Pro Patria Busto Arsizio, Daniele Mascolo, Anne Frank’s, Samuel Umtiti –, Lameck Banda, Lameck, Manuel Lazzari of, Maurizio Lagana, Infantino, Frenchman Organizations: CNN, AC Milan, French national, Udinese, Frenchman, Serie, Milan’s Serie, Bologna, San, Milan, FIFA, AC Monza, Udinese’s, Lega, Reuters, Football, Black, Lazio, Lega Seria, Serie A, Gazzetta dello, Pro Patria Busto, Shutterstock, AS Roma, French, Ligue, Lille –, Lecce, “ Lazio Locations: Italy’s, Udine, Italy, San Siro, Curva, —, Maignan, England, Russia, Italian, Shutterstock Lazio, Rome, Manuel Lazzari of Lazio, Lazio

☆ Amid anguished joy, ‘nothing is impossible’ for the Palestinian national soccer team on its Asian Cup adventure
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Eoin Mcsweeney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —As the echoes of the final whistle rang out around the Abdullah bin Khalifa stadium in Doha, Qatar, Palestinian players celebrated with anguished joy last week. The historic sporting moment for Palestinians comes as Israel’s war against Hamas rages in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and initiating a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian Football Association says that, as of December 6, 55 football players are amongst the dead, including amateur and youth members. Some Palestinian national team footballers, like Saleh, have reportedly lost family members or have relatives and friends trapped in Gaza. Palestinian national team players observe the national anthems prior to the AFC Asian Cup Group C match between Iran and Palestine at Education City Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Persons: Abdullah, Oday, Israel, Rami Hamada, Mohamed Saleh, Mohammed Rashid, CNN’s Eleni Giokos, “, Hong Kong, ”, “ We’re, Rashid, Mohammed Saleh, Hector Retamal, Saleh, ” Rashid, there’s, “ They’ve, ” Mohammed Rashid of, Mohammad Mohebbi, Masashi Hara, Gianni Infantino, we’re, Robert Cianflone, Monday’s Organizations: CNN, Palestinian national soccer team, AFC Asian, Hong, Qatar, Iran, Palestinian, UAE, Group C, Janoub, Getty, Ministry of Health, Palestinian Football Association, West Bank, Palestinian soccer, Education City, FIFA, UEFA, Russian, Israel, Persib, “, Hamas Locations: Doha, Qatar, Palestinian, Gaza, Hong Kong, Hong, Palestine, Al, AFP, “, Ramallah, Israel, Iran, Al Rayyan, Ukraine, Persib Bandung, refence, Russia

☆ Gigi Riva, Italy’s all-time leading scorer, dies aged 79
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Italian soccer great Luigi ‘Gigi’ Riva died on Monday at the age of 79, according to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Nicknamed ‘Rombo di Tuono’ (‘Roar of Thunder’) – a nod to his shooting and physical strength – Riva is Italy’s leading all-time national team goalscorer, a title he has held since 1973 after passing Giuseppe Meazza. Have a good trip, beloved Gigi.”Riva made his international debut aged 20 and was part of the side that won Italy’s first ever European Championship. He more than played his part, opening the scoring in the final against Yugoslavia, which Italy won 2-0. He joined the club at the age of 19 after making his professional debut for Serie C team Legnano-Ivrea.

Persons: Luigi ‘ Gigi ’ Riva, Riva, ‘, Tuono, –, – Riva, Giuseppe Meazza, Gianni Infantino, Gigi, ” Riva, Italy’s, ”, Arrigo Sacchi, Legnano, Gigi Riva, Alessandro Sabattini, Marcello Lippi’s Organizations: CNN, Italian Football Federation, ‘, FIFA, Yugoslavia, Italy, West Germany, Cagliari, Serie C, Sardinian, Serie A, France Locations: Italy, Mexico, Italy's, Brazil, Sardinia, Ivrea, Cagliari

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan says too many people are “complicit” in allowing racism to continue blighting soccer, and urged authorities to take stronger action after he suffered racist abuse on Saturday night. It's not the first time it's happened to me and I'm not the first person it's happened to,” Maignan wrote in French on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The fans in the stands, who saw everything, who heard everything but decided to stay quiet, you are complicit,” Maignan continued on X. Enough is enough.”Maignan, whose brilliant performances helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2022, praised those who helped him to cope. "We reaffirm our aversion to any form of discrimination and express our profound solidarity with the AC Milan player Mike Maignan in light of Saturday’s deplorable incident at our stadium.

Persons: Mike Maignan, Maignan, DAZN, “ It's, It's, I'm, ” Maignan, “ We've, ”, Prince Boateng, Mario Balotelli, Lukaku, Gianni Infantino, Kylian Mbappé, ” Mbappé, “ Organizations: MILAN, — AC Milan, Udinese, Serie, FIFA, Maignan, Milan, AC Milan, ” Udinese, “ Udinese Locations: Italy

☆ Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday condemn ‘racist gesture’ aimed at player during English soccer match
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —English soccer clubs Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday have jointly condemned a “racist gesture” allegedly aimed at Coventry midfielder Kasey Palmer during their match on Saturday. Palmer, who is Black, said it was a “couple” of fans making “monkey chants.”The alleged incident took place during a match in the Championship, English football’s second tier, which Coventry won 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium. “Disappointed to even have to come on here & write this,” Palmer said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “They’re ignorant people… You can be booed or whistled when you’re away from home, that’s normal, but what happened today has no place in football,” Maignan said. The match resumed less than 10 minutes later, and Milan would win a dramatic encounter 3-2 in the final minutes.

Persons: Kasey Palmer, Palmer, ”, ” Palmer, I’ve, Doug King, Dejphon Chansiri, Mike Maignan, “, ” Maignan, Maignan, Fabio Maresca, Gianni Infantino, Italy “, – Infantino Organizations: CNN, Coventry City, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Sheffield, Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough, Zuma, AC Milan, Udinese, Sky Sports, Milan, FIFA Locations: Sheffield Wednesday’s, Coventry, Italian, Milan, England, Italy

☆ Pack your jerseys. The era of 'sports tourism' is here
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Randy Mulyanto | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Sports tourism, as it's called, is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. "The sport tourism market will continue as long as new opportunities to play and compete exist," she said. Justin Setterfield | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesFor some countries, these events are an opportunity to raise their international standing. Patrick Smith | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesTravel + Leisure Co. and Sports Illustrated Resorts announced plans to open a network of sports-themed resorts in American college towns. Ryan Pierse | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

Persons: Lisa Delpy Neirotti, George, Neirotti, Delpy, Justin Setterfield, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dustin Johnson, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Delpy Neirotti, Lewis Hamilton, Kym Illman, Jay Wardle, Narendra Modi, Robert Cianflone, Gianni Infantino, Major League Baseball —, Patrick Smith, GetYourGuide, Ryan Pierse Organizations: Summer, Games, Sports, United Nations World Tourism Organization, George Washington University's, Management, Sport, Padres, NFL, MLB, FIFA, Getty, CNBC Travel, Saudi Crown, Fox News, Adara, ICC Men's Cricket, The Bank of Baroda Economics Research, Narendra, MotoGP, Rugby, Las Vegas, Companies, Major League Baseball, Sports Illustrated Resorts, University of Alabama —, McLaren Technology, U.S ., CNBC, Olympic Games, Olympic Locations: Mexico City, Germany, London, Brisbane, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, Singapore, India, New Zealand, Indonesia, France, United States, Tuscaloosa , Alabama, U.S, New York

☆ Inside Man: How FIFA Guided the World Cup to Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Tariq Panja | More About Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Italian reaction to Mr. Infantino’s suggestion was at first “prudent and within a few hours negative,” said Pietro Benassi, who was the prime minister’s most senior diplomatic adviser. Three years later, Saudi Arabia would get its prize anyway. On Oct. 31, after an expedited process that caught its own members by surprise, FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup. To many in soccer, Mr. Infantino’s advocacy for Saudi Arabia was nothing new. In the years since his visit to Rome, he had also pitched the Saudis’ co-hosting idea to Greece; championed multimillion-dollar Saudi investments in soccer; and helped shepherd rules changes that all but assured the kingdom would wind up with the World Cup.

Persons: Conte, Jamal Khashoggi, Infantino’s, ”, Pietro Benassi, Infantino, ’ Organizations: Saudi, The Washington Post, FIFA Locations: Italy, Egypt, Italian, Cairo, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Rome, Greece, Saudi

GENEVA (AP) — The near certainty that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 men's World Cup unites two of the most influential men in world sports: the leader of soccer's governing body and the kingdom's crown prince. In the case of Saudi Arabia, U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi was slain inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The men’s World Cup should earn Switzerland-based FIFA more than $10 billion in almost entirely tax-free revenue. “Mohammed bin Salman wants Saudi Arabia to be a hub of anything and everything,” Middle East expert James Dorsey said. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic and FIFA canceled the planned June 2021 relaunch in China of its Club World Cup event.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sportswashing, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed, Infantino, King Salman, Prince Mohammed's, “ Abraham, ”, Donald Trump, ” Infantino, Mohammed's, Cristiano Ronaldo, “ Mohammed bin Salman, James Dorsey, Greece —, —, Australia –, they’ve, James Johnson, “, Yasser Al Misehal –, – Organizations: GENEVA, FIFA, Australia, Qatar, White House, “ Abraham Accords, United Arab, Soccer, Newcastle, Russia, Saudi, ” Football Australia, ” FIFA, FIFA Council, Fox News Locations: Saudi Arabia, Persian, Saudi, U.S, Istanbul, Riyadh, Switzerland, Gulf, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Europe, Swiss, China, Qatar, United States, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Greece, Africa, South America, Asia, Oceania, Saudi Arabian, Australia

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

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