SPORT - The African Mirror

Nov

02

2023

Saudi Arabia sole bidder to host 2034 World Cup, FIFA says

FOOTBALL

SAUDI Arabia was the only football association to present a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup before the deadline closed, soccer's global governing body said on Tuesday. FIFA had invited bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament by October 31, and Saudi Arabia announced it would bid only minutes after the announcement on October 4. Australia said on Tuesday it would not be presenting a bid to host the tournament, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only candidate. "As established in the Bidding Regulations approved by the FIFA Council, the FIFA administration will conduct thorough bidding and evaluation…

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or for best player in the world

FOOTBALL

ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world, beating Norway's UEFA Player of the Year and Treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize. Inter Miami's Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years in Qatar last season.

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Vinicius vows to continue fight against racism as he wins Socrates Award

FOOTBALL

REAL Madrid winger Vinicius Jr will keep speaking out against racism in world soccer after receiving the Socrates Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony for his contribution off the field. Vinicius, who has been racially abused regularly in LaLiga games for the last two seasons, was recognised for starting a foundation that is building schools in impoverished areas and investing in education in Brazil. "I will remain strong in the fight against racism," said the Brazilian, who received the award from the Prince of Monaco. "It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to…

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

Saudi Arabia clear to host 2034 World Cup after Australia drops out

FOOTBALL

SAUDI Arabia was left as a shoo-in to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia confirmed it would not make a bid for soccer's global showpiece on Tuesday's deadline day. World soccer's governing body FIFA had invited bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament by October 31. Football Australia (FA) boss James Johnson had said the country was "exploring the possibility" of 2034, but on Tuesday the domestic governing body said it would instead focus on bids for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup. Australia's decision not to proceed with 2034 leaves Saudi Arabia…

Oct

31

2023

By JULIEN PRETOT

French football again left reeling by rioting fans as Olympics loom

FOOTBALL

FRENCH football was again marred by violence after Olympique de Marseille's Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais was called off when the visitors' bus and some fans were pelted with stones and beer bottles, injuring Lyon coach Fabio Grosso. Grosso, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, sustained facial injuries during the incident, leaving league officials to deal with another episode of rioting fans. Since Sunday's incidents happened outside Marseille's Stade Velodrome, the French League (LFP) has no jurisdiction to impose points deductions, although it could decide that the game has to be played behind closed doors. Interior Minister…

Oct

31

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: SPAIN GIRONA KEEP IMPRESSING IN BELLINGHAM'S LALIGA Real Madrid's England midfielder Jude Bellingham has dominated headlines again after another magnificent performance, scoring twice to secure a 2-1 win at Barcelona on Saturday. But Real do not have LaLiga's title race all their own way as Girona are level on 28 points with the Spanish giants after beating Celta Vigo 1-0 on Friday, their ninth win in 11 games. The surprise package of the season so far, Girona's 3-0 defeat at home to Real in late September are the only points dropped…

Oct

31

2023

By The African Mirror

Team-by-team analysis of the Mexico City Grand Prix

MOTORSPORT

TEAM-BY-TEAM analysis of Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, the 19th race of the 22-round Formula One season (teams listed in championship order): RED BULL (Max Verstappen 1, Sergio Perez retired) Verstappen lined up third and made a great getaway to take the lead into the first corner. He also led cleanly from the re-start. The win was his 16th of the season, a record, and 51st of his career to go level in the all-time lists with French great Alain Prost. He has now won five of the last six races in Mexico. Perez tried to pass Ferrari's Leclerc at…

Oct

30

2023

By MARK GLEESON

Uncertainty now for Springboks as winning era ends

SPORT

FOLLOWING their World Cup triumph, South Africa faces an uncertain future as they wait for a new coach to be appointed while many of the stalwarts within the squad are coming to the end of their test careers. Without a match for the next seven months, there is plenty of time to get things sorted for the side that won the Rugby World Cup on Saturday by squeezing past New Zealand 12-11 in the final at the Stade de France. First to be settled is what happens with Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who is seen as the maverick genius…

Oct

30

2023

By The African Mirror

Fury knocked down but beats Ngannou on a split decision

SPORT

WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury beat former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou on a split decision in a non-title fight in Saudi Arabia that almost delivered one of boxing's biggest upsets. Fury, the unbeaten holder of one of the sport's most prestigious belts, narrowly avoided a first defeat at the hands of a 37-year-old opponent who had never boxed professionally before but went through the full 10 rounds with some swagger. Ngannou dropped the Briton to the canvas in round three with a left hook and although the 35-year-old self-styled "Gypsy King" was able to see out the round he…

Oct

30

2023

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Ancelotti praises “stupendous” Bellingham after Clasico double

FOOTBALL

REAL Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti hailed Jude Bellingham as 'stupendous' after the midfielder scored twice to earn his side a 2-1 fightback win at Barcelona in Saturday's LaLiga 'El Clasico'. Ancelotti said the 20-year-old Englishman kept surprising him with his maturity and that he gave Real the spark they needed to recover against a Barcelona side who dominated proceedings before succumbing due to two late stunners. "(Bellingham) looks like a veteran out there because of his attitude. His first goal changed the dynamic completely of what was a difficult game for us," Ancelotti told a press conference. "I can't deny…