Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, coach of the Italian club Roma, said on Wednesday that he will one day join the Saudi Professional Football League, without setting a time limit for that.
Jose Mourinho's (60 years old) contract with Roma "Wolves" expires at the end of the current season (2023-2024), amid conflicting news about extending his contract or leaving and experimenting in a new league.
The name of the Portuguese coach was linked to the move to the Saudi Professional League, after the boom in international contracts in the competition since his compatriot, the star Cristiano Ronaldo, joined the ranks of Al-Nasr Club in January 2022, attracting the best players and coaches from around the world.
Mourinho said in an interview with the Italian Rai1, when asked about the possibility of training in the Saudi League: “I think I will go and train there, yes but that day will not be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”
On the sidelines of the interview, Mourinho ruled out the idea of returning to coaching Real Madrid, which he coached between the years (2010 and 2013).
It is noteworthy that Jose Mourinho supervised the training of major clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Porto, over the course of 23 years of his coaching career, and he owns 26 titles.
“The Special One” Mourinho won the World Coach of the Year award four times, and is considered the only coach in the history of football to have achieved three European Union championships for clubs, winning the Champions League in 2004 and 2010, and the European League in 2003 and 2017. Then the new third tournament, the European Conference League, with Roma in 2022.
The President of FIFA comments on the events of the Brazil-Argentina match and hints at sanctions
Swiss Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), commented on the events that took place in the match between Brazil and Argentina, at dawn on Wednesday, as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Riots and violence occurred by the fans during the “Super Clásico” match between the two traditional rivals, Brazil and its Argentine guest (0-1), at the famous “Maracana” Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, within the sixth round of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, events.
The pitch also witnessed great enthusiasm from the players of the Brazilian and Argentinian national teams, and excessive roughness and arguments between them, most notably between Lionel Messi, the captain of the “Tango,” and Rodrigo, the samba star and Spanish Real Madrid.
Infantino said in a statement posted on his Instagram account, commenting on the riots: “There is absolutely no place for acts of violence in football, on or off the field. Such events, as we saw during the FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Brazil.
"Argentina at the Maracana Stadium has no place in our sporting society."
He added: “Without exception, all players, fans, staff and officials must be safe and secure to play and enjoy football, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure this is respected at all levels.”
Infantino (53 years old) hinted through his blog that FIFA would take decisive measures regarding the events that took place in the Super Clásico.
The start of the “Super Clásico” match between the two traditional rivals, the “Seleção” and “Tango” teams, was delayed for about half an hour due to a crowd riot witnessed in the stands of the famous “Maracana” stadium, by Argentine fans, which almost ended the match before it began.
The Brazilian police intervened to stop the riots, using sticks, which required the intervention of Lionel Messi and the stars of the Argentine national team to defend their people and calm things down.
Then Messi and his teammates moved to the locker room, explaining that this was to calm things down a little and check on their families and those close to them among the fans.
A European club was fined over the Palestinian flag
UEFA imposed a fine on Scottish club Celtic, due to its fans waving Palestinian flags during a Champions League match.
UEFA imposed a fine of 15,200 pounds ($19,000) for raising Palestinian flags during the match against Atletico Madrid last month in Glasgow.
UEFA said in a statement that the hundreds of flags were considered “provocative messages of an offensive nature.”
Thousands of Celtic fans challenged the club's management, after they raised the Palestinian flag before the match that was held on October 25.
UEFA have fined Celtic FC €29,000 for this act of solidarity with Palestine by its fans on 25th October 2023.
Now, watch how Celtic fans respond. Last time UEFA did this Celtic fans raised £160,000 for Palestinian charities.
Fans, who had been warned by the Scottish club against raising flags, were heard singing “You'll Never Walk Alone” while carrying Palestinian flags in a video that was widely shared on social media.
Supporters also raised two large banners at Celtic Park, reading “Free Palestine” and “Victory to the Resistance.”
Celtic occupies fourth place in Group E of the Champions League with one point after four matches.
The club was also fined £10,000 due to fans blocking the corridors and using fireworks.
The F1 circus is ready for the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi
Jakarta - Five days after winning in Las Vegas , Max Verstappen will ride in a Red Bull car for the final time this season on Friday as he looks to extend his winning streak at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The three-time world champion may be exhausted and experiencing jet lag due to the 12-hour time difference following the four races he will compete in on the American Continent.
At the night race in Las Vegas last week, Verstappen celebrated his 18th of 21 Grand Prix wins on the 2023 calendar and the 53rd victory of the Dutch racer's career.
This achievement made him equal the achievements of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who still lost the number of wins to Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (103).
With Sergio Perez finishing third in Vegas, behind Charles Leclerc's Ferrari, it confirmed the top two driver rankings belonged to Red Bull, who beat Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bull have also won the constructors' title by a gap of more than 400 points.
It is also the first time since 2015 that the top three driver rankings have been locked in before the season-ending race.
Red Bull has been so dominant this season that no competing team is currently claiming 400 constructor points.
Therefore, the main spectacle at the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend will be the battle for points between Mercedes (392 points), who are trying to maintain second place in constructors from the threat of Ferrari (388 points).
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged that this was a critical race weekend and expressed his readiness to give his best.
"Ferrari has narrowed the gap in the constructors to just four points and we are ready to give our best in Abu Dhabi to come out on top," said Wolff, quoted by AFP.
"They have shown good performance recently, but we know we have not been optimal in the last few races. This will be a tight battle and hopefully we can finish the season with a strong performance and be in pole position," said Toto.
Meanwhile, McLaren and Aston Martin are involved in a fierce battle for fourth place in the team standings, with each having reliable drivers such as Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso. The two Spaniards, along with
the His rivals, such as Lando Norris from McLaren and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, are preparing to fight in a race that could determine the final position in the drivers' standings.
Carlos Sainz, with one win this season, has the edge. However, tough competition from Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc could make the race even more interesting.
Although Verstappen is the favorite with his dominance at the Yas Marina circuit since 2020, Lewis Hamilton's absence from the first free practice session adds an element of mystery to the competition.
The reason is, the Mercedes team will give junior racer Frederik Vesti the opportunity to make his debut free practice session in F1 with Hamilton's car.
Meanwhile, with the unexpected dynamics of the race, Abu Dhabi is ready to be a spectacular stage for an unforgettable F1 season finale.