A Bangladesh court granted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-fifa-official-arrested-for-defaming-pm-sheikh-hasina-204158">FIFA council member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron bail </a>on Tuesday, her lawyer said, days after she was arrested on suspicion of defamation after saying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was neglecting football in the cricket-mad country.

"The court granted her bail until April 2 ... basically on medical ground as she is receiving cancer treatment," her lawyer, Liakat Hossain, told Reuters on Tuesday. Kiron will be released from prison when the prison authority receives the bail order.

Hasina's administration has recently been accused of cracking down on free speech and adopting an increasingly authoritarian style. The government, which won a third straight term in December, denies freedom of speech is under attack in the country of 165 million people.

Abul Hasan Chowdhury Prince, who filed the case against Mahfuza, said her comments against Hasina were derogatory.

If found guilty, Mahfuza could face up to two years in prison. Her arrest triggered criticisms from rights groups including Amnesty International.

"Championing football is not a crime. Mahfuza Akhter Kiron was merely exercising her right to freedom of expression by stating that the Prime Minister favoured cricket over football," said Saad Hammadi, South Asia Campaigner at Amnesty International.

"If the implications of a defamation case were not so serious, it would be laughable. Mahfuza Akhter Kiron must be released immediately and unconditionally."

A Bangladesh court granted FIFA council member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron bail on Tuesday, her lawyer said, days after she was arrested on suspicion of defamation after saying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was neglecting football in the cricket-mad country.

A Bangladesh court granted FIFA council member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron bail on Tuesday, her lawyer said, days after she was arrested on suspicion of defamation after saying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was neglecting football in the cricket-mad country. "The court granted her bail until April 2 ... basically on medical ground as she is receiving cancer treatment," her lawyer, Liakat Hossain, told Reuters on Tuesday. Kiron will be released from prison when the prison authority receives the bail order. Hasina's administration has recently been accused of cracking down on free speech and adopting an increasingly authoritarian style. The government, which won a third straight term in December, denies freedom of speech is under attack in the country of 165 million people. Abul Hasan Chowdhury Prince, who filed the case against Mahfuza, said her comments against Hasina were derogatory. If found guilty, Mahfuza could face up to two years in prison. Her arrest triggered criticisms from rights groups including Amnesty International. "Championing football is not a crime. Mahfuza Akhter Kiron was merely exercising her right to freedom of expression by stating that the Prime Minister favoured cricket over football," said Saad Hammadi, South Asia Campaigner at Amnesty International. "If the implications of a defamation case were not so serious, it would be laughable. Mahfuza Akhter Kiron must be released immediately and unconditionally."

Football: Bangladesh FIFA official held in defamation case gets bail

India is set to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020.

The decision to award the rights to India was taken at the FIFA Council meeting in Miami, USA on Friday.

"CONFIRMED: @IndianFootball will host the 2020 #U17WWC in #India," read a tweet by FIFA Women's World Cup.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
CONFIRMED: <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianFootball</a> will host the 2020 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U17WWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#U17WWC</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> 🇮🇳. <a href="https://t.co/kvRMR80RMO">pic.twitter.com/kvRMR80RMO</a>
— FIFA Women's World Cup 🇫🇷 (@FIFAWWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1106610991473836032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel also confirmed the news, saying organisers would ensure to make the event a "grand success."

"A very proud moment and an honour that our country #India and #AIFF has been confirmed as the host of #FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020. We will strive to make it a grand success," he tweeted.

By virtue of being the host country, India will take part in the prestigious tournament for the first time in its history.

This is the second FIFA tournament that is set to take place in India after it hosted the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup in 2017.

After the success of the Under-17 Men’s World Cup, India had expressed its interest in hosting the U-17 Women's World Cup.

Currently, the Indian women’s national team is participating in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2019 in Nepal, where it began its campaign with a thumping 6-0 win over Maldives on Wednesday.

Notably, India has an unbeaten record in the SAFF championship and has lifted the trophy four times.&nbsp;

India is set to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020. The decision to award the rights to India was taken at the FIFA Council meeting in Miami, USA on Friday.

India is set to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020. The decision to award the rights to India was taken at the FIFA Council meeting in Miami, USA on Friday. "CONFIRMED: @IndianFootball will host the 2020 #U17WWC in #India," read a tweet by FIFA Women's World Cup. CONFIRMED: @IndianFootball will host the 2020 #U17WWC in #India 🇮🇳. pic.twitter.com/kvRMR80RMO — FIFA Women's World Cup 🇫🇷 (@FIFAWWC) March 15, 2019 × All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel also confirmed the news, saying organisers would ensure to make the event a "grand success." "A very proud moment and an honour that our country #India and #AIFF has been confirmed as the host of #FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020. We will strive to make it a grand success," he tweeted. By virtue of being the host country, India will take part in the prestigious tournament for the first time in its history. This is the second FIFA tournament that is set to take place in India after it hosted the FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup in 2017. After the success of the Under-17 Men’s World Cup, India had expressed its interest in hosting the U-17 Women's World Cup. Currently, the Indian women’s national team is participating in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2019 in Nepal, where it began its campaign with a thumping 6-0 win over Maldives on Wednesday. Notably, India has an unbeaten record in the SAFF championship and has lifted the trophy four times.

India to host FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020

Ali Issa Ahmad, a British football fan, who was lingering earlier this year in jail in the United Arab Emirates for wearing a Qatari football jersey during the 2019 Asian Cup that Qatar state won.

Ahmad who potentially could have been sentenced to years in prison for supporting the wrong team in the eyes of the UAE was ultimately released after several days as the UAE sought to avoid the reputational damage his prosecution would have entailed.

Ahmad’s predicament suggested that the UAE’s stopping Qatari fans from attending recent Asian Cup matches and banning expressions of support for its nemesis because of the rift in the Gulf that has pitted the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia against Qatar is about more than political rivalries between states determined to shape the region in their mould.

Ahmad’s plight is part of a region-wide effort to ensure that football fans who played major roles in recent Middle East history don’t get another opportunity.

Fans were central in the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. They constituted the backbone of initial resistance to the military regime that in 2013 overthrew Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first and only democratically elected leader. And fans led the 2013 Gezi Park anti-government protests in Turkey and, beyond the Middle East, the 2014 anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine.

The effort to control football fans takes on added relevance with mass protests in the greater Middle East occurring in Sudan, Algeria and Jordan while Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev recently replaced his cabinet in a bid to halt mounting social unrest.

The effort takes various forms ranging from banning support in the Gulf for a team to brutal repression and the closure to the public of most domestic matches in Egypt since the 2011 revolt to attempts in Turkey to politically control all fan activity. Like in Turkey, those fans admitted into Egyptian stadia in limited numbers are first politically vetted to ensure that they don’t turn the pitch into a protest venue.

The effort has succeeded to some extent, even if legal measures to ban militant fan groups in Egypt and Turkey failed. The return to stadia of some fans in Egypt suggests that the government feels it has gained the upper hand.

“The Egyptian regime has specific issues with fans organising collectively for football. So if these fans can be depoliticised, they can return to stadiums. This is the real political motivation for allowing fans back into the stadium: the belief that they have successfully depoliticised the game,” said Ziad Akl, an analyst with the Cairo-based Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.

The proof is in the pudding. Indications are it hasn’t persuaded militant fans who although a minority were the heartbeat of Egyptian fandom.

“I haven’t been to matches for years, and I’m certainly not going to start now. I’m not stupid enough to give the security services my address, where I work, and my full name. I don’t mind doing this to vote or to get a national ID, but I won’t do this for a football match,” said a member of a Cairo ultras group.

He was echoing the response of Turkish fans to government efforts to force identification of fans through an electronic ticket system.

The ultras’ message was that militant football fans may be down but are not out and that Egyptian general-turned president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will have to get a grip on simmering discontent by addressing widespread social and economic discontent rather than relying primarily on brutal repression.

To be sure, the differences between 2011 and 2019 could not be starker. Al-Sisi presides over the worst repression in recent Egyptian history that has targeted even the slightest form of dissent, making toppled leader Hosni Mubarak’s rule look relatively benign.

Nonetheless, militant football fans pose enough of a continued threat to prevent the government from fully lifting the ban on spectators attending football matches that has been in place for much of the last eight years. The government recently agreed to allow a meagre 5,000 fans per match.

The ban was initially imposed when the popular revolt erupted in 2011 but was lifted once Mubarak was forced to resign after 30 years in office. It was reintroduced and has been in force uninterrupted since February 2012 when 72 supporters of storied Cairo club Al Ahli were killed in a stampede in a Port Said stadium in what many believe was an attempt by the military and law enforcement to cut the ultras down to a size that got out of hand.

“No one is excited that the fans are back. People went to the stadiums because of the atmosphere created by ultras - Egyptian football has died with the banning of ultras,” said one of the founding members of Ultras White Nights, the militant support group of Al Ahli arch rival Al Zamalek.

Among Egypt’s estimated 60,000 political prisoners are scores of militant supporters of football clubs who were not only prominent in the 2011 uprising but also in subsequent anti-government demonstrations.

The student protests against Al-Sisi’s coup, that turned the country’s universities into security fortresses, were brutally squashed by law enforcement forces abetted by the adoption of a draconic anti-protest law, tight control of the media, and a crackdown on non-governmental organizations.

The Ultras White Nights and their Al Ahli counterpart, Ultras Ahlawi, officially dissolved themselves in 2018 in a bid to ensure the safety of their members. With continued Ultras White Knights activity on social media, where both groups have/had huge followings, the dissolution was widely seen as tactical and a sign of goodwill.

"We are tired of going around police stations and prisons looking for our comrades. We want things to quieten down with the government, see the detainees go free and the crackdown end,” said former Ultras leader Mohammed Saheel.

“The Ultras are desperate and don’t see a bright future. They hope for a reconciliation with the regime to get their fellow members out of prison,” added journalist and football fan Mahmoud Mostafa.

The decision to dissolve came in the wake of a statement by the ultras that appealed to Al-Sisi to initiate a dialogue between the fans and police to iron out their differences. The called for the pardoning of detained militant fans.

The peace offering was a far cry from the ultras’ heyday. To the founders of various groups of ultras in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East, the battle for the stadia in the years prior to the 2011 revolts constituted a struggle for public space in a country governed by a regime that tolerated no uncontrolled public spaces.

The ultras constituted the only group that was willing to not only challenge government control of public space but also to put their lives on the line in staking their claim. They derived their title to the stadium from their analysis of the power structure of the sport that positioned ultras as the only true supporters of the club as opposed to a corrupt management that was a pawn of the regime and players who were mercenaries who played for the highest bidder.

That was what attracted thousands of young, under‐educated and un- or under-employed men who joined the ranks of the ultras because the fans were the only organised group that persistently and physically stood up to corrupt and brutal security forces who made their lives difficult in the stadia as well as in the neighbourhoods where they lived.

Members of the ultras and people close to them caution that the Al- Sisi government’s apparent success in whipping the ultras into submission may be temporary.

Many believe that “nothing will happen. Standing up to the regime amounts to suicide. The question is how long that perception will last… Things will eventually burst. When and where nobody knows. But the writing is on the wall,” said a source close to the ultras.

Added a founder of one of Egypt’s original ultras groups: “This is a new generation. It’s a generation that can’t be controlled. They don’t read. They believe in action and experience. They have balls. When the opportunity arises, they will do something bigger than we ever did.”

This article is an edited version of a German-language chapter in a book to be published in conjunction with the Macht der Masse – 4e Halbzeit (Power of the Mass – 4th Intermission at the Ludwig Forum Aachen in Germany.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Ali Issa Ahmad, a British football fan, who was lingering earlier this year in jail in the United Arab Emirates for wearing a Qatari football jersey during the 2019 Asian Cup that Qatar state won.

Ali Issa Ahmad, a British football fan, who was lingering earlier this year in jail in the United Arab Emirates for wearing a Qatari football jersey during the 2019 Asian Cup that Qatar state won. Ahmad who potentially could have been sentenced to years in prison for supporting the wrong team in the eyes of the UAE was ultimately released after several days as the UAE sought to avoid the reputational damage his prosecution would have entailed. Ahmad’s predicament suggested that the UAE’s stopping Qatari fans from attending recent Asian Cup matches and banning expressions of support for its nemesis because of the rift in the Gulf that has pitted the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia against Qatar is about more than political rivalries between states determined to shape the region in their mould. Ahmad’s plight is part of a region-wide effort to ensure that football fans who played major roles in recent Middle East history don’t get another opportunity. Fans were central in the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. They constituted the backbone of initial resistance to the military regime that in 2013 overthrew Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first and only democratically elected leader. And fans led the 2013 Gezi Park anti-government protests in Turkey and, beyond the Middle East, the 2014 anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine. The effort to control football fans takes on added relevance with mass protests in the greater Middle East occurring in Sudan, Algeria and Jordan while Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev recently replaced his cabinet in a bid to halt mounting social unrest. The effort takes various forms ranging from banning support in the Gulf for a team to brutal repression and the closure to the public of most domestic matches in Egypt since the 2011 revolt to attempts in Turkey to politically control all fan activity. Like in Turkey, those fans admitted into Egyptian stadia in limited numbers are first politically vetted to ensure that they don’t turn the pitch into a protest venue. The effort has succeeded to some extent, even if legal measures to ban militant fan groups in Egypt and Turkey failed. The return to stadia of some fans in Egypt suggests that the government feels it has gained the upper hand. “The Egyptian regime has specific issues with fans organising collectively for football. So if these fans can be depoliticised, they can return to stadiums. This is the real political motivation for allowing fans back into the stadium: the belief that they have successfully depoliticised the game,” said Ziad Akl, an analyst with the Cairo-based Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. The proof is in the pudding. Indications are it hasn’t persuaded militant fans who although a minority were the heartbeat of Egyptian fandom. “I haven’t been to matches for years, and I’m certainly not going to start now. I’m not stupid enough to give the security services my address, where I work, and my full name. I don’t mind doing this to vote or to get a national ID, but I won’t do this for a football match,” said a member of a Cairo ultras group. He was echoing the response of Turkish fans to government efforts to force identification of fans through an electronic ticket system. The ultras’ message was that militant football fans may be down but are not out and that Egyptian general-turned president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will have to get a grip on simmering discontent by addressing widespread social and economic discontent rather than relying primarily on brutal repression. To be sure, the differences between 2011 and 2019 could not be starker. Al-Sisi presides over the worst repression in recent Egyptian history that has targeted even the slightest form of dissent, making toppled leader Hosni Mubarak’s rule look relatively benign. Nonetheless, militant football fans pose enough of a continued threat to prevent the government from fully lifting the ban on spectators attending football matches that has been in place for much of the last eight years. The government recently agreed to allow a meagre 5,000 fans per match. The ban was initially imposed when the popular revolt erupted in 2011 but was lifted once Mubarak was forced to resign after 30 years in office. It was reintroduced and has been in force uninterrupted since February 2012 when 72 supporters of storied Cairo club Al Ahli were killed in a stampede in a Port Said stadium in what many believe was an attempt by the military and law enforcement to cut the ultras down to a size that got out of hand. “No one is excited that the fans are back. People went to the stadiums because of the atmosphere created by ultras - Egyptian football has died with the banning of ultras,” said one of the founding members of Ultras White Nights, the militant support group of Al Ahli arch rival Al Zamalek. Among Egypt’s estimated 60,000 political prisoners are scores of militant supporters of football clubs who were not only prominent in the 2011 uprising but also in subsequent anti-government demonstrations. The student protests against Al-Sisi’s coup, that turned the country’s universities into security fortresses, were brutally squashed by law enforcement forces abetted by the adoption of a draconic anti-protest law, tight control of the media, and a crackdown on non-governmental organizations. The Ultras White Nights and their Al Ahli counterpart, Ultras Ahlawi, officially dissolved themselves in 2018 in a bid to ensure the safety of their members. With continued Ultras White Knights activity on social media, where both groups have/had huge followings, the dissolution was widely seen as tactical and a sign of goodwill. "We are tired of going around police stations and prisons looking for our comrades. We want things to quieten down with the government, see the detainees go free and the crackdown end,” said former Ultras leader Mohammed Saheel. “The Ultras are desperate and don’t see a bright future. They hope for a reconciliation with the regime to get their fellow members out of prison,” added journalist and football fan Mahmoud Mostafa. The decision to dissolve came in the wake of a statement by the ultras that appealed to Al-Sisi to initiate a dialogue between the fans and police to iron out their differences. The called for the pardoning of detained militant fans. The peace offering was a far cry from the ultras’ heyday. To the founders of various groups of ultras in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East, the battle for the stadia in the years prior to the 2011 revolts constituted a struggle for public space in a country governed by a regime that tolerated no uncontrolled public spaces. The ultras constituted the only group that was willing to not only challenge government control of public space but also to put their lives on the line in staking their claim. They derived their title to the stadium from their analysis of the power structure of the sport that positioned ultras as the only true supporters of the club as opposed to a corrupt management that was a pawn of the regime and players who were mercenaries who played for the highest bidder. That was what attracted thousands of young, under‐educated and un- or under-employed men who joined the ranks of the ultras because the fans were the only organised group that persistently and physically stood up to corrupt and brutal security forces who made their lives difficult in the stadia as well as in the neighbourhoods where they lived. Members of the ultras and people close to them caution that the Al- Sisi government’s apparent success in whipping the ultras into submission may be temporary. Many believe that “nothing will happen. Standing up to the regime amounts to suicide. The question is how long that perception will last… Things will eventually burst. When and where nobody knows. But the writing is on the wall,” said a source close to the ultras. Added a founder of one of Egypt’s original ultras groups: “This is a new generation. It’s a generation that can’t be controlled. They don’t read. They believe in action and experience. They have balls. When the opportunity arises, they will do something bigger than we ever did.” This article is an edited version of a German-language chapter in a book to be published in conjunction with the Macht der Masse – 4e Halbzeit (Power of the Mass – 4th Intermission at the Ludwig Forum Aachen in Germany. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Once the backbone of Middle Eastern protests, ultras are down but not out

Former France international Lassana Diarra has said he is "hanging up his boots" after his contract with Paris St Germain was terminated by mutual consent on Thursday.

Diarra, who also played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid, joined the Ligue 1 side on an 18-month deal in January 2018 and played 13 games in all competitions last season as PSG clinched a domestic treble.

The 33-year-old made only three league appearances this season under German boss Thomas Tuchel and said on Instagram it was time to "hang up his boots".

"For football, I gave a lot. Thanks to football, I received a lot. I did not do everything perfectly but I did it with heart, passion and kindness," Diarra added.

"Thank you to all those who have encouraged me throughout my sporting career. I turn the page but I forget nothing. I will continue to work with enthusiasm, determination and sincerity in my new projects."

Diarra, who played 34 times for France, joined Chelsea from Le Havre in 2005 and won the Premier League title with them before moving to London rivals Arsenal two years later.

He lasted only five months with the Gunners, however, and moved to Portsmouth, where he won the FA Cup in 2008.

Diarra switched to Real Madrid in 2009, where he won the league and cup, and also had spells in Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Former France international Lassana Diarra has said he is "hanging up his boots" after his contract with Paris St Germain was terminated by mutual consent on Thursday.

Former France international Lassana Diarra has said he is "hanging up his boots" after his contract with Paris St Germain was terminated by mutual consent on Thursday. Diarra, who also played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid, joined the Ligue 1 side on an 18-month deal in January 2018 and played 13 games in all competitions last season as PSG clinched a domestic treble. The 33-year-old made only three league appearances this season under German boss Thomas Tuchel and said on Instagram it was time to "hang up his boots". "For football, I gave a lot. Thanks to football, I received a lot. I did not do everything perfectly but I did it with heart, passion and kindness," Diarra added. "Thank you to all those who have encouraged me throughout my sporting career. I turn the page but I forget nothing. I will continue to work with enthusiasm, determination and sincerity in my new projects." Diarra, who played 34 times for France, joined Chelsea from Le Havre in 2005 and won the Premier League title with them before moving to London rivals Arsenal two years later. He lasted only five months with the Gunners, however, and moved to Portsmouth, where he won the FA Cup in 2008. Diarra switched to Real Madrid in 2009, where he won the league and cup, and also had spells in Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

France's Lassana Diarra hangs up his boots

Uruguay's Indian cricketers searching for a permanent home

Four people, two of the Spaniards, were injured on Wednesday in a brawl between fans of Lazio and Sevilla in downtown Rome, where the two squads will face off on Thursday in the first of two round-of-32 UEFA Europa League playoff matches, local media reported. 
 
The violence erupted around 9:30 pm on Leonina Street, near the Coliseum, where four people - the two Spaniards, plus an American and a Briton - were shot and seriously injured, according to local sources. 
 
The wounded were quickly taken to Spirito Santo Hospital, where one of them is said to be in particularly bad shape. 
 
The fight involved more than 40 people and some of them took refuge in nearby bars and restaurants when the gunfire broke out. 
 
Police are on the scene and are investigating the incident, interviewing witnesses and looking for the shooter or shooters. 
 
According to initial reports, a group of Lazio fans wearing masks and armed with truncheons and knives attacked some young people and Sevilla fans who were on Leonina Street, wounding some of them in the legs. 
 
More than 2,000 Sevilla fans traveled to the Italian capital to attend the match scheduled to begin at 6:55 pm Thursday at Olimpico Stadium. 
 
The Spanish fans will have to gather on Thursday on Piazzale delle Canestre, from where public bus service will be provided to Olimpico Stadium at 4 pm, according to security announcements published by Italian police. 
 
"Remember that in the central areas on Piazzale delle Canestre and in the streets adjacent to the Olimpico Stadium the sale of bottled beverages is prohibited, as is the transport of beverages in glass containers," the Sevilla football squad said recently in a communique. 
 
"In addition, traveling to the stadium by other means is prohibited as is the use of pyrotechnical items. Those who violate any of these rules will be subject to police measures. In addition, any problem must be communicated to the proper authorities by calling the toll-free emergency number 112. The only (stadium entrance) reserved for visiting fans is the 'DISTINTI SUD' - 'SETTORE SUD MONTE MARIO,'" the Sevilla statement added. 
&nbsp;

Four people, two of the Spaniards, were injured on Wednesday in a brawl between fans of Lazio and Sevilla in downtown Rome, where the two squads will face off on Thursday in the first of two round-of-32 UEFA Europa League playoff matches, local media reported.

Four people, two of the Spaniards, were injured on Wednesday in a brawl between fans of Lazio and Sevilla in downtown Rome, where the two squads will face off on Thursday in the first of two round-of-32 UEFA Europa League playoff matches, local media reported. The violence erupted around 9:30 pm on Leonina Street, near the Coliseum, where four people - the two Spaniards, plus an American and a Briton - were shot and seriously injured, according to local sources. The wounded were quickly taken to Spirito Santo Hospital, where one of them is said to be in particularly bad shape. The fight involved more than 40 people and some of them took refuge in nearby bars and restaurants when the gunfire broke out. Police are on the scene and are investigating the incident, interviewing witnesses and looking for the shooter or shooters. According to initial reports, a group of Lazio fans wearing masks and armed with truncheons and knives attacked some young people and Sevilla fans who were on Leonina Street, wounding some of them in the legs. More than 2,000 Sevilla fans traveled to the Italian capital to attend the match scheduled to begin at 6:55 pm Thursday at Olimpico Stadium. The Spanish fans will have to gather on Thursday on Piazzale delle Canestre, from where public bus service will be provided to Olimpico Stadium at 4 pm, according to security announcements published by Italian police. "Remember that in the central areas on Piazzale delle Canestre and in the streets adjacent to the Olimpico Stadium the sale of bottled beverages is prohibited, as is the transport of beverages in glass containers," the Sevilla football squad said recently in a communique. "In addition, traveling to the stadium by other means is prohibited as is the use of pyrotechnical items. Those who violate any of these rules will be subject to police measures. In addition, any problem must be communicated to the proper authorities by calling the toll-free emergency number 112. The only (stadium entrance) reserved for visiting fans is the 'DISTINTI SUD' - 'SETTORE SUD MONTE MARIO,'" the Sevilla statement added.

4 Seriously hurt, including 2 Spaniards, in Italy football brawl

Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi will not be sent back to Bahrain after Thailand dropped extradition proceedings against him on the Gulf State's request, a prosecutor said Monday.

Araibi, a former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-send-me-to-bahrain-refugee-footballer-hakeem-al-araibi-pleads-in-bangkok-194949">Bahraini national youth team player</a>, was granted refugee status in Australia after fleeing charges in the oil-rich kingdom connected to Arab Spring protests.

But was stopped in Thailand in November attempting to go on his honeymoon.

Since then, he has been detained in a Bangkok prison pending a court ruling over the extradition request from the Bahraini government —&nbsp;a move the footballer has pleaded against as he fears torture if returned.&nbsp;

Monday brought a stunning about-turn from the Bahraini government, which withdrew the extradition request, said Chatchom Akapin, Director-General of the International Affairs Department at the prosecutor's office.

"We have been informed that Bahrain wants to withdraw the (extradition) request.... if they don't want him, we have no reason to keep him here," he told AFP.&nbsp;

Chatchom added that the process to release Araibi is under way.&nbsp;

The Australian government has repeatedly called for Araibi's return and the case has become a cause celebre in the football world, with FIFA also urging the Thai premier to intervene.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) last week cancelled the under-23 men's national team&nbsp;plans to hold a training camp in Thailand ahead of the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers next month.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had also repeatedly pushed for his release, saying that he had written letters to his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-O-Cha and stressed "how strongly Australians feel about this".&nbsp;

The Gulf state's reversal of the extradition request is surprising.

Only last week it issued a statement last week defending its decision to pursue Araibi after he fled while awaiting trial.

He was convicted in absentia in 2014 for damaging a police station.

But Araibi says the case is bogus and tied to his criticism of&nbsp;Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, a member of Bahrain's ruling family.

Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi will not be sent back to Bahrain after Thailand dropped extradition proceedings against him on the Gulf State's request, a prosecutor said Monday.

Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi will not be sent back to Bahrain after Thailand dropped extradition proceedings against him on the Gulf State's request, a prosecutor said Monday. Araibi, a former Bahraini national youth team player, was granted refugee status in Australia after fleeing charges in the oil-rich kingdom connected to Arab Spring protests. But was stopped in Thailand in November attempting to go on his honeymoon. Since then, he has been detained in a Bangkok prison pending a court ruling over the extradition request from the Bahraini government — a move the footballer has pleaded against as he fears torture if returned. Monday brought a stunning about-turn from the Bahraini government, which withdrew the extradition request, said Chatchom Akapin, Director-General of the International Affairs Department at the prosecutor's office. "We have been informed that Bahrain wants to withdraw the (extradition) request.... if they don't want him, we have no reason to keep him here," he told AFP. Chatchom added that the process to release Araibi is under way. The Australian government has repeatedly called for Araibi's return and the case has become a cause celebre in the football world, with FIFA also urging the Thai premier to intervene. Football Federation Australia (FFA) last week cancelled the under-23 men's national team plans to hold a training camp in Thailand ahead of the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers next month. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had also repeatedly pushed for his release, saying that he had written letters to his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-O-Cha and stressed "how strongly Australians feel about this". The Gulf state's reversal of the extradition request is surprising. Only last week it issued a statement last week defending its decision to pursue Araibi after he fled while awaiting trial. He was convicted in absentia in 2014 for damaging a police station. But Araibi says the case is bogus and tied to his criticism of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, a member of Bahrain's ruling family.

Thailand frees refugee Bahrain footballer

Fire swept through a training facility for Brazil's most popular football club Flamengo Friday, killing at least 10 people, authorities said.

The pre-dawn blaze in Rio de Janeiro hit a building that housed youth-category players aged 14 to 17, firefighters said.&nbsp;

In addition to the deaths, three people were injured in the fire.

The cause was not immediately known.

Globo TV broadcast aerial footage of the fire, which it said had been brought under control after it burned for two hours.

The fire broke out at 5am (Brazil time) in the Vargem Grande district of Rio in a modern facility where the top-flight professional Flamengo squad also trains, the news website G1 said.

The dead were six players and four team staff, the channel Sportv said.

The main team had been due to practice at the same facility later in the morning.

Youth league teams also train at the facility, known as Ninho do Urubu.&nbsp;

Flamengo is the most popular club in football-crazed Brazil.

Distraught relatives rushed to the facility seeking information about loved ones, TV footage showed.

The training camp is in an area of western Rio that was hit by a huge storm Wednesday night. Six people were killed.

Because of those heavy rains the football facility remained without electricity or water Friday as the fire broke out, G1 reported.

Fire swept through a training facility for Brazil's most popular football club Flamengo Friday, killing at least 10 people, authorities said. The pre-dawn blaze in Rio de Janeiro hit a building that housed youth-category players aged 14 to 17, firefighters said.

Fire swept through a training facility for Brazil's most popular football club Flamengo Friday, killing at least 10 people, authorities said. The pre-dawn blaze in Rio de Janeiro hit a building that housed youth-category players aged 14 to 17, firefighters said. In addition to the deaths, three people were injured in the fire. The cause was not immediately known. Globo TV broadcast aerial footage of the fire, which it said had been brought under control after it burned for two hours. The fire broke out at 5am (Brazil time) in the Vargem Grande district of Rio in a modern facility where the top-flight professional Flamengo squad also trains, the news website G1 said. The dead were six players and four team staff, the channel Sportv said. The main team had been due to practice at the same facility later in the morning. Youth league teams also train at the facility, known as Ninho do Urubu. Flamengo is the most popular club in football-crazed Brazil. Distraught relatives rushed to the facility seeking information about loved ones, TV footage showed. The training camp is in an area of western Rio that was hit by a huge storm Wednesday night. Six people were killed. Because of those heavy rains the football facility remained without electricity or water Friday as the fire broke out, G1 reported.

Fire in Brazil kills at least 10 in Flamengo youth football facility

A fire swept through the training centre of Rio de Janeiro football club Flamengo on Friday, killing 10 people, including members of the club's youth side, firefighters and news reports said.

At least three youths aged 14 and 15 were injured in the blaze. All three were taken to hospital, one of them reportedly in a serious condition.

The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning at the Ninho do Urubu, a state-of-the-art training centre that was expanded and opened only two months ago.

Like many clubs who sign youngsters from across the country, the facility has accommodation for teenagers, although it was unclear exactly how many players were among the dead.

One of them was identified as Christian Esmerio, a 15-year-old goalkeeper.

"I had the pleasure of knowing you, unfortunately, an accident interrupted your dream," Gabriel Batista, a senior keeper at the club, wrote on Instagram.

Expanded new facility

After years of financial difficulties, Flamengo last year spent 23 million reais ($6.2 million) to expand the Ninho do Urubu training ground.

In addition to accommodation for young players, the facilities include several pitches, an aquatic park, a gym, a medical centre and a mini stadium.

The Ninho do Urubu, or Vulture's Nest, is so called because the club's symbol is a vulture.

Vinicius Junior, the teenage Real Madrid forward who trained at the facility before joining for the Spanish giants last year, tweeted his condolences.

"What sad News! Praying for everyone! Strength, strength, strength," he wrote.

The fire follows days of heavy rains that hit the city and claimed at least six lives. The rains led Flamengo to close parts of its social club and cancel regular training sessions it organises for children.

Flamengo, the alma mater of players such as Zico, Junior and Leonardo, is one of the best-supported clubs in Brazil and is famous around the world. Known by fans as the Red-and-Black, they won the Copa Libertadores, South America's version of the Champions League, in 1981 and lifted the Intercontinental Cup a few months later.

Zico, who is outside Brazil, wrote on Instagram: "What a shock getting this news here on the other side of the world," the former Brazil midfielder wrote. "May the Red-and-Black nation have strength and faith to get through this moment."

Flamengo made no official statement other than to tweet that it was in mourning. But rival teams across Brazil, including fellow Rio sides Botafogo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama, tweeted their solidarity.

The tragedy came a day before the side were due to play arch rivals Fluminense at the Maracana stadium. The derby match is now expected to be postponed.

One of Flamengo's most high-profile fans, the country's vice-president, also expressed his condolences.

"As a fan and sportsman I stand in solidarity with the families, the club and the Red-and-Black nation," General Hamilton Mourao wrote on twitter. "May God comfort all."

A fire swept through the training centre of Rio de Janeiro football club Flamengo on Friday, killing 10 people, including members of the club's youth side, firefighters and news reports said.

A fire swept through the training centre of Rio de Janeiro football club Flamengo on Friday, killing 10 people, including members of the club's youth side, firefighters and news reports said. At least three youths aged 14 and 15 were injured in the blaze. All three were taken to hospital, one of them reportedly in a serious condition. The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning at the Ninho do Urubu, a state-of-the-art training centre that was expanded and opened only two months ago. Like many clubs who sign youngsters from across the country, the facility has accommodation for teenagers, although it was unclear exactly how many players were among the dead. One of them was identified as Christian Esmerio, a 15-year-old goalkeeper. "I had the pleasure of knowing you, unfortunately, an accident interrupted your dream," Gabriel Batista, a senior keeper at the club, wrote on Instagram. Expanded new facility After years of financial difficulties, Flamengo last year spent 23 million reais ($6.2 million) to expand the Ninho do Urubu training ground. In addition to accommodation for young players, the facilities include several pitches, an aquatic park, a gym, a medical centre and a mini stadium. The Ninho do Urubu, or Vulture's Nest, is so called because the club's symbol is a vulture. Vinicius Junior, the teenage Real Madrid forward who trained at the facility before joining for the Spanish giants last year, tweeted his condolences. "What sad News! Praying for everyone! Strength, strength, strength," he wrote. The fire follows days of heavy rains that hit the city and claimed at least six lives. The rains led Flamengo to close parts of its social club and cancel regular training sessions it organises for children. Flamengo, the alma mater of players such as Zico, Junior and Leonardo, is one of the best-supported clubs in Brazil and is famous around the world. Known by fans as the Red-and-Black, they won the Copa Libertadores, South America's version of the Champions League, in 1981 and lifted the Intercontinental Cup a few months later. Zico, who is outside Brazil, wrote on Instagram: "What a shock getting this news here on the other side of the world," the former Brazil midfielder wrote. "May the Red-and-Black nation have strength and faith to get through this moment." Flamengo made no official statement other than to tweet that it was in mourning. But rival teams across Brazil, including fellow Rio sides Botafogo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama, tweeted their solidarity. The tragedy came a day before the side were due to play arch rivals Fluminense at the Maracana stadium. The derby match is now expected to be postponed. One of Flamengo's most high-profile fans, the country's vice-president, also expressed his condolences. "As a fan and sportsman I stand in solidarity with the families, the club and the Red-and-Black nation," General Hamilton Mourao wrote on twitter. "May God comfort all."

The US&nbsp;television audience for Sunday's Super Bowl on CBS Corp dropped about 5.3 per cent from last year, according to preliminary Nielsen data released by the network on Monday.&nbsp;

About 44.9 per cent of households in 56 major markets tuned in to watch the favoured New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in a humdrum match that was the lowest-scoring game in the Super Bowl's 53-year history.&nbsp;

That is down from 47.4 per cent a year earlier when again viewership had lagged from the prior year.&nbsp;

"It suffered from not being a very good game," said Patrice Cucinello, a director at Fitch Ratings credit agency. "A 13 to 3 defeat with the Rams barely putting up a show didn't really help the numbers."

Even with a softer audience, she said, "it will still be a boon for advertising revenues for CBS."

Ad spots averaged $5.2 million for a 30-second slot.

The US television audience for Sunday's Super Bowl on CBS Corp dropped about 5.3 per cent from last year, according to preliminary Nielsen data released by the network on Monday.

The US television audience for Sunday's Super Bowl on CBS Corp dropped about 5.3 per cent from last year, according to preliminary Nielsen data released by the network on Monday. About 44.9 per cent of households in 56 major markets tuned in to watch the favoured New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in a humdrum match that was the lowest-scoring game in the Super Bowl's 53-year history. That is down from 47.4 per cent a year earlier when again viewership had lagged from the prior year. "It suffered from not being a very good game," said Patrice Cucinello, a director at Fitch Ratings credit agency. "A 13 to 3 defeat with the Rams barely putting up a show didn't really help the numbers." Even with a softer audience, she said, "it will still be a boon for advertising revenues for CBS." Ad spots averaged $5.2 million for a 30-second slot.

Super Bowl audience dips from last year, early data shows

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics.

The arrest by Thai authorities of Al Araibi, acting on an Interpol red notice arrest warrant issued despite the fact that he had been granted political asylum in Australia, raises questions about the effectiveness of Interpol safeguards against exploitation of its powers.

It is also a reflection of a far broader global battle for continued rule of law that is being challenged by autocrats, authoritarians, populists and nationalists on multiple fronts.

“It’s really emblematic of this breakdown of multilateral institutions, particularly those premised on western liberal democratic values which in the wake of the cold war we saw come into ascendance. These institutions were not built with the internal safeguards and mechanisms to protect them against bad faith actors. Once you let them inside the gates, nothing prevents them from poisoning the well,” said Jonathan Reich, an attorney who has worked with Russian business people and anti-corruption dissidents targeted by Russia via Interpol.

Al-Araibi’s case further highlights the incestuous and inextricable relationship between sports and politics that international sports associations strenuously deny.

Nowhere is that relationship increasingly more evident than in the Gulf with Al-Araibi’s arrest; the politicisation of the Asian Cup as a result of the rift between Qatar and its boycotting detractors, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Saudi and UAE efforts to substantially increase their influence in global soccer governance, and the Saudi-Qatar dispute over broadcasting rights.

Qatar’s winning of the Asian Cup on Friday was as much a sports achievement as it was a political statement of the country’s resilience and ability to host the 2022 World Cup that had been called into question from day one and was targeted by its Gulf detractors since they declared a diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state 18 months ago.

Al-Araibi has been kept in prison to allow Bahrain to formally request his extradition even though Interpol withdrew the non-binding red notice a week after issuing it. He was on Friday remanded for another 60 days in prison as a Thai court held hearings on the request.

The focus on Interpol safeguards as a result of Al-Araibi’s continued detention and the organisation’s inability to ensure that its mistakes can be corrected was bolstered this week by documents leaked by dissident Turkish journalists in Europe that allege abuse of Interpol procedures by Turkish law enforcement and intelligence.

The documents allege that Turkey has obtained through Interpol information about dissidents in Belgium, Germany and Poland on the basis of purported false charges that nonetheless failed to result in the issuance of a red notice warrant.

Al-Araibi’s detention since November when he arrived with his wife in Bangkok for their honeymoon and the Turkish leak are but the two latest incidents that point fingers at Interpol procedures.

Fair Trials, an international criminal justice watchdog, has documented numerous cases of abuse of Interpol procedures, applauded the organisation for efforts to avoid abuse, and called on it to introduce further safeguards.

In one prominent case, Interpol was put in an embarrassing position in October when its then president, Meng Hongwei, was arrested on a visit to his native China after the police organisation had accepted a resignation letter purportedly signed by Meng and tendered by the Chinese government, which said he was being probed over suspected corruption. Interpol said it had no choice but to comply with the request.

Al-Araibi’s case bolsters the call for further safeguards and focuses attention on the need for mechanisms to counter the fallout of abuse.

A player for Bahrain’s national team, Al-Araibi was arrested in November 2012 while walking to a cafe in Bahrain to watch a Real Madrid-Barcelona game and beaten in detention. He was accused of vandalising a police station at a time when he had been playing in a match that had been aired on live television.

Al-Araibi spent three months in detention and was sentenced to ten years in prison but managed to flee to Australia before the verdict was issued by a judge, who like Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world soccer body FIFA vice president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family.

Al-Araibi’s case erupted as Sheikh Salman is running for another term in AFC elections scheduled for April.

Al-Araibi asserted that Sheikh Salman, who at the time of his arrest in the Gulf state was head of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and has long been accused of involvement in the arrest and abuse during mass anti-government protests in 2011 of some 150 Bahraini athletes and sports executives, had failed to respond to requests for help from the player’s family and lawyers.

Sheikh Salman has said he had not received a request for assistance. Sheikh Salman has consistently denied any association with the 2011 events despite the fact that Bahrain’s state-run news agency linked him to the arrests in several reports at the time.

Conspicuously, Sheikh Salman has remained silent about Al-Araibi’s case while the AFC only this week called for the first time for his return to Australia in a statement by its vice president, Praful Patel.

The AFC this week said Patel rather than Sheikh Salman was responsible for Middle Eastern affairs. It said Sheikh Salman had been recused from overseeing the region because of potential conflicts of interest. It was the first time that the AFC disclosed the recusal.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach have been calling for Al-Araibi’s release for several weeks.

For Bahraini exiles like S Yousif Almuhafdah, a Berlin-based human rights activist, Al-Araibi’s case is one way of focusing attention on Bahrain and trying to ensure that others are spared the soccer player’s fate in a world in which the cards are stacked against them.

Says Almuhafdah, who was detained in the same cell as Al-Araibi before both men left Bahrain: “Nothing will change any time soon. But we have a responsibility to those who stayed behind and remain behind bars.”

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics.

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics. The arrest by Thai authorities of Al Araibi, acting on an Interpol red notice arrest warrant issued despite the fact that he had been granted political asylum in Australia, raises questions about the effectiveness of Interpol safeguards against exploitation of its powers. It is also a reflection of a far broader global battle for continued rule of law that is being challenged by autocrats, authoritarians, populists and nationalists on multiple fronts. “It’s really emblematic of this breakdown of multilateral institutions, particularly those premised on western liberal democratic values which in the wake of the cold war we saw come into ascendance. These institutions were not built with the internal safeguards and mechanisms to protect them against bad faith actors. Once you let them inside the gates, nothing prevents them from poisoning the well,” said Jonathan Reich, an attorney who has worked with Russian business people and anti-corruption dissidents targeted by Russia via Interpol. Al-Araibi’s case further highlights the incestuous and inextricable relationship between sports and politics that international sports associations strenuously deny. Nowhere is that relationship increasingly more evident than in the Gulf with Al-Araibi’s arrest; the politicisation of the Asian Cup as a result of the rift between Qatar and its boycotting detractors, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Saudi and UAE efforts to substantially increase their influence in global soccer governance, and the Saudi-Qatar dispute over broadcasting rights. Qatar’s winning of the Asian Cup on Friday was as much a sports achievement as it was a political statement of the country’s resilience and ability to host the 2022 World Cup that had been called into question from day one and was targeted by its Gulf detractors since they declared a diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state 18 months ago. Al-Araibi has been kept in prison to allow Bahrain to formally request his extradition even though Interpol withdrew the non-binding red notice a week after issuing it. He was on Friday remanded for another 60 days in prison as a Thai court held hearings on the request. The focus on Interpol safeguards as a result of Al-Araibi’s continued detention and the organisation’s inability to ensure that its mistakes can be corrected was bolstered this week by documents leaked by dissident Turkish journalists in Europe that allege abuse of Interpol procedures by Turkish law enforcement and intelligence. The documents allege that Turkey has obtained through Interpol information about dissidents in Belgium, Germany and Poland on the basis of purported false charges that nonetheless failed to result in the issuance of a red notice warrant. Al-Araibi’s detention since November when he arrived with his wife in Bangkok for their honeymoon and the Turkish leak are but the two latest incidents that point fingers at Interpol procedures. Fair Trials, an international criminal justice watchdog, has documented numerous cases of abuse of Interpol procedures, applauded the organisation for efforts to avoid abuse, and called on it to introduce further safeguards. In one prominent case, Interpol was put in an embarrassing position in October when its then president, Meng Hongwei, was arrested on a visit to his native China after the police organisation had accepted a resignation letter purportedly signed by Meng and tendered by the Chinese government, which said he was being probed over suspected corruption. Interpol said it had no choice but to comply with the request. Al-Araibi’s case bolsters the call for further safeguards and focuses attention on the need for mechanisms to counter the fallout of abuse. A player for Bahrain’s national team, Al-Araibi was arrested in November 2012 while walking to a cafe in Bahrain to watch a Real Madrid-Barcelona game and beaten in detention. He was accused of vandalising a police station at a time when he had been playing in a match that had been aired on live television. Al-Araibi spent three months in detention and was sentenced to ten years in prison but managed to flee to Australia before the verdict was issued by a judge, who like Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world soccer body FIFA vice president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family. Al-Araibi’s case erupted as Sheikh Salman is running for another term in AFC elections scheduled for April. Al-Araibi asserted that Sheikh Salman, who at the time of his arrest in the Gulf state was head of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and has long been accused of involvement in the arrest and abuse during mass anti-government protests in 2011 of some 150 Bahraini athletes and sports executives, had failed to respond to requests for help from the player’s family and lawyers. Sheikh Salman has said he had not received a request for assistance. Sheikh Salman has consistently denied any association with the 2011 events despite the fact that Bahrain’s state-run news agency linked him to the arrests in several reports at the time. Conspicuously, Sheikh Salman has remained silent about Al-Araibi’s case while the AFC only this week called for the first time for his return to Australia in a statement by its vice president, Praful Patel. The AFC this week said Patel rather than Sheikh Salman was responsible for Middle Eastern affairs. It said Sheikh Salman had been recused from overseeing the region because of potential conflicts of interest. It was the first time that the AFC disclosed the recusal. FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach have been calling for Al-Araibi’s release for several weeks. For Bahraini exiles like S Yousif Almuhafdah, a Berlin-based human rights activist, Al-Araibi’s case is one way of focusing attention on Bahrain and trying to ensure that others are spared the soccer player’s fate in a world in which the cards are stacked against them. Says Almuhafdah, who was detained in the same cell as Al-Araibi before both men left Bahrain: “Nothing will change any time soon. But we have a responsibility to those who stayed behind and remain behind bars.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A struggle for rule of law: Detained Bahraini footballer catapults Thailand to centre stage

Real Madrid and Barcelona were the highest earning clubs in European <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-my-request-to-all-please-do-not-make-evms-a-football-says-cec-sunil-arora-191353&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjE4Y3YzIXgAhVGKY8KHeJTCgMQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1GWcece2JOcH_7NNaYmVGN">football </a>last season, knocking Manchester United off top spot, according to the latest Deloitte 'Football Money League' published on Thursday.

Deloitte based their survey of the top 20 earning clubs in Europe on the annual financial statements of the company or group running each club, or other direct sources, covering the 2017/18 season.

Real returned to top spot for the first time since 2014/15 with revenues of 750.9 million euros ($854.6 million). Their revenue increased by more than 75 million euros year-on-year as they secured their third successive Champions League title.

Deloitte said the rise was "primarily due to the commercial growth of 54.8million euros including an uplift in sponsorship, merchandising and exploitation of increasingly lucrative pre-season fixtures."

Dan Jones, a partner in the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-conducts-raid-at-sports-authority-of-india-office-in-delhi-191061&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj0jJS-zYXgAhUTUI8KHbcnCW8QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3jVchPzkIErDz2wgPexxl0">Sports</a> Business Group at Deloitte said: “Real Madrid’s outstanding financial performance in 2017/18 is built on their long history of success on the pitch, most recently three consecutive Champions League titles.

"This has enabled the club to continue to drive commercial revenue as the appetite to partner with Europe’s most successful clubs remains stronger than ever," he added.

Barcelona had earnings of 690.4 million euros, a rise from 648.3 million in the previous year.

Manchester United, who topped last year's table, saw their revenue calculation fall slightly to 666 million euros from 676.3 million but they are one of a record six Premier League teams in top 10.

Football finance expert Rob Wilson, of Sheffield Hallam University, said United's drop to third in the rankings was expected.

"This was predictable mainly due to the timing of commercial and sponsorship renewals. The big-ticket items; shirt manufacturing and shirt sponsorship being renewed and improving the overall position of a number of clubs.

"MUFC don’t go back to the negotiating table for a while yet. Expect them to stay off the top spot for a good few years yet, particularly with a possible reduction in matchday revenue if they miss out on qualification to the Champions League."

United's position was also affected by exchange rates as their actual revenue measured in pounds sterling rose slightly from 581.2 million to 590 million.

The club is rated the number one football brand by KPMG and the most valuable club by Forbes.

There are no Italian clubs in the top 10 with Juventus slipping to 11th place, while Bayern Munich is the sole German club.

Real Madrid and Barcelona were the highest earning clubs in European football last season, knocking Manchester United off top spot, according to the latest Deloitte 'Football Money League' published on Thursday.

Real Madrid and Barcelona were the highest earning clubs in European football last season, knocking Manchester United off top spot, according to the latest Deloitte 'Football Money League' published on Thursday. Deloitte based their survey of the top 20 earning clubs in Europe on the annual financial statements of the company or group running each club, or other direct sources, covering the 2017/18 season. Real returned to top spot for the first time since 2014/15 with revenues of 750.9 million euros ($854.6 million). Their revenue increased by more than 75 million euros year-on-year as they secured their third successive Champions League title. Deloitte said the rise was "primarily due to the commercial growth of 54.8million euros including an uplift in sponsorship, merchandising and exploitation of increasingly lucrative pre-season fixtures." Dan Jones, a partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said: “Real Madrid’s outstanding financial performance in 2017/18 is built on their long history of success on the pitch, most recently three consecutive Champions League titles. "This has enabled the club to continue to drive commercial revenue as the appetite to partner with Europe’s most successful clubs remains stronger than ever," he added. Barcelona had earnings of 690.4 million euros, a rise from 648.3 million in the previous year. Manchester United, who topped last year's table, saw their revenue calculation fall slightly to 666 million euros from 676.3 million but they are one of a record six Premier League teams in top 10. Football finance expert Rob Wilson, of Sheffield Hallam University, said United's drop to third in the rankings was expected. "This was predictable mainly due to the timing of commercial and sponsorship renewals. The big-ticket items; shirt manufacturing and shirt sponsorship being renewed and improving the overall position of a number of clubs. "MUFC don’t go back to the negotiating table for a while yet. Expect them to stay off the top spot for a good few years yet, particularly with a possible reduction in matchday revenue if they miss out on qualification to the Champions League." United's position was also affected by exchange rates as their actual revenue measured in pounds sterling rose slightly from 581.2 million to 590 million. The club is rated the number one football brand by KPMG and the most valuable club by Forbes. There are no Italian clubs in the top 10 with Juventus slipping to 11th place, while Bayern Munich is the sole German club.

Real and Barca replace United as top-earning clubs: Deloitte

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sunil-arora-takes-charge-as-new-chief-election-commissioner-of-india-180847">Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora</a> Friday lamented that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were being treated like a "football" by parties suffering electoral losses, and said the voting equipment was foolproof as far as fears of manipulation were concerned.

Talking to reporters here upon the conclusion of his two-day tour of Bihar, the CEC, heading a team of the poll panel, said though EVMs could suffer occasional technical snags, they were promptly fixed.

"It is not possible to manipulate the EVMs. It is definitely foolproof as far as apprehensions of conspiracy and manipulation are concerned. But technical snags are possible as in case of any other device," he said.

"But the incidence of snags has been very low. In the recent assembly polls in five states, 1.76 lakh EVMs were installed out of which only six reported the malfunction. The complaints were promptly taken care of," Arora claimed.

Asked about apprehensions expressed about EVMs by several parties, he said they had noticed that whenever a party lost an election it started having complaints about EVMs which vanished the moment it won.&nbsp;

"It is my request to all, please do not make EVMs a football," Arora said.

He said VVPATs were introduced to address the misgivings that people might have about EVMs.&nbsp;

"The Lok Sabha polls would see the use of these on a still larger scale. The Election Commission is committed to holding the elections in a free and fair manner," he said.

Replying to a query regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he said once all preparations are complete and the election schedule drawn, the EC would announce it at a press conference in New Delhi.

He also said during the EC team's tour of Bihar, instructions were issued for completing the revision of electoral rolls by January 31.

Earlier, on Thursday upon its arrival in the city, the EC team had interacted with representatives of various political parties which had come up with suggestions to improve the poll process.

While the RJD had come out strongly against the EVMs and advocated reverting to the use of ballot papers, the JD(U) had stressed on making VVPATs available at every polling booth.

The CPI came up with an elaborate list of suggestions which included limiting the number of voters in a booth to 800 and setting up mobile polling stations which could be of help to those having difficulty in travelling to their respective booths.

The BJP requested that complaints of anomalies in electoral rolls be seriously looked into and resolved.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Talking to reporters here upon the conclusion of his two-day tour of Bihar, the CEC, heading a team of the poll panel, said though EVMs could suffer occasional technical snags, they were promptly fixed.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora Friday lamented that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were being treated like a "football" by parties suffering electoral losses, and said the voting equipment was foolproof as far as fears of manipulation were concerned. Talking to reporters here upon the conclusion of his two-day tour of Bihar, the CEC, heading a team of the poll panel, said though EVMs could suffer occasional technical snags, they were promptly fixed. "It is not possible to manipulate the EVMs. It is definitely foolproof as far as apprehensions of conspiracy and manipulation are concerned. But technical snags are possible as in case of any other device," he said. "But the incidence of snags has been very low. In the recent assembly polls in five states, 1.76 lakh EVMs were installed out of which only six reported the malfunction. The complaints were promptly taken care of," Arora claimed. Asked about apprehensions expressed about EVMs by several parties, he said they had noticed that whenever a party lost an election it started having complaints about EVMs which vanished the moment it won. "It is my request to all, please do not make EVMs a football," Arora said. He said VVPATs were introduced to address the misgivings that people might have about EVMs. "The Lok Sabha polls would see the use of these on a still larger scale. The Election Commission is committed to holding the elections in a free and fair manner," he said. Replying to a query regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he said once all preparations are complete and the election schedule drawn, the EC would announce it at a press conference in New Delhi. He also said during the EC team's tour of Bihar, instructions were issued for completing the revision of electoral rolls by January 31. Earlier, on Thursday upon its arrival in the city, the EC team had interacted with representatives of various political parties which had come up with suggestions to improve the poll process. While the RJD had come out strongly against the EVMs and advocated reverting to the use of ballot papers, the JD(U) had stressed on making VVPATs available at every polling booth. The CPI came up with an elaborate list of suggestions which included limiting the number of voters in a booth to 800 and setting up mobile polling stations which could be of help to those having difficulty in travelling to their respective booths. The BJP requested that complaints of anomalies in electoral rolls be seriously looked into and resolved.

EVMs being treated like football by parties suffering electoral losses: Chief Election Commissioner

India's hopes to qualify for the maiden knock-out round berth were shattered after losing to Bahrain in the final Group A match at Al-Sharjah Stadium on Monday.&nbsp;

India defended well throughout the match but in the 90th minute, Bahrain was given a penalty when&nbsp;India captain Pronay Halder committed a careless tackle inside the box.&nbsp;

Bahrain's&nbsp;Jamal Rashid, without making a mistake, hit the winner and booked a knock-out berth for his team.&nbsp;

India finished outside the top two after the group's other game between UAE and Thailand ended in a 1-1 draw.&nbsp;

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⏱ FULL-TIME:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bahrain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bahrain</a> are through to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AsianCup2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AsianCup2019</a> round of 16! 
 
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Entering their final group game following a 4-1 win over Thailand and a 0-2 loss to hosts United Arab Emirates, a determined India held on for 90 minutes before conceding.&nbsp;

This was India's fourth appearance in the continental showpiece, beginning with the 1964 edition, in which only four teams participated.&nbsp;

In their next Asian Cup in 1984, India were knocked out in the first round and they suffered a similar fate in 2011, when they lost heavily to Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.&nbsp;

However, the team under coach Stephen Constantine started the tournament with the demolition of Thailand.&nbsp;

They were a shade unlucky against UAE and went down fighting, but looked determined against Bahrain.&nbsp;

The Blue Tigers started off shakily after losing defender Anas Edathodika to injury as early as the second minute, but Sandesh Jhingan and his colleagues managed to stave off the Bahrain strikers until the blunder inside the box.&nbsp;

India's hopes to qualify for the maiden knock-out round berth were shattered after losing to Bahrain in the final Group A match at Al-Sharjah Stadium on Monday. India defended well throughout the match but in the 90th minute, Bahrain was given a penalty when India captain Pronay Halder committed a careless tackle inside the box.

India's hopes to qualify for the maiden knock-out round berth were shattered after losing to Bahrain in the final Group A match at Al-Sharjah Stadium on Monday. India defended well throughout the match but in the 90th minute, Bahrain was given a penalty when India captain Pronay Halder committed a careless tackle inside the box. Bahrain's Jamal Rashid, without making a mistake, hit the winner and booked a knock-out berth for his team. India finished outside the top two after the group's other game between UAE and Thailand ended in a 1-1 draw. ⏱ FULL-TIME:#Bahrain are through to the #AsianCup2019 round of 16! 🇮🇳 India 0-1 Bahrain 🇧🇭 pic.twitter.com/2ylGSJJenv — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 14, 2019 × 30 minutes of absolute excitement to go! 🇮🇳🇧🇭🇦🇪🇹🇭 What do these four managers have up their sleeves? #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/pJqoDvUoAg — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 14, 2019 × Entering their final group game following a 4-1 win over Thailand and a 0-2 loss to hosts United Arab Emirates, a determined India held on for 90 minutes before conceding. This was India's fourth appearance in the continental showpiece, beginning with the 1964 edition, in which only four teams participated. In their next Asian Cup in 1984, India were knocked out in the first round and they suffered a similar fate in 2011, when they lost heavily to Australia, South Korea and Bahrain. However, the team under coach Stephen Constantine started the tournament with the demolition of Thailand. They were a shade unlucky against UAE and went down fighting, but looked determined against Bahrain. The Blue Tigers started off shakily after losing defender Anas Edathodika to injury as early as the second minute, but Sandesh Jhingan and his colleagues managed to stave off the Bahrain strikers until the blunder inside the box.

India out of Asian Cup after 90th-minute loss to Bahrain

AFC Asian Cup: India Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh reflects on India's Historic win

Egypt will host the 2019&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over security.

"I am pleased to announce that Egypt will host CAN (Cup&nbsp;of Nations) 2019," Malagasy Ahmad told reporters.

"I want to thank the two countries -- they came to the rescue of the CAF when we saw that the evolution of the work in Cameroon was not developed."

A CAF official told AFP that Egypt received 16 votes from the executive committee, South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;one and there was one abstention.&nbsp;

Ahmad made the announcement just hours after CAF said it would not disclose the winner until Wednesday to allow the media to concentrate on the annual awards ceremony in Dakar later Tuesday.

It will be the fifth time Egypt stage the biennial showpiece of African football after 1959, when the country was called the United Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and 2006.

Egypt only entered the running to host the&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations when fellow north African country Morocco announced they would not bid to do so.

Morocco were the hot media favourites to replace Cameroon as hosts and Egypt said they "did not want to compete against a fellow Arab nation".&nbsp;

Egypt boast many international-standard venues with the Cairo International Stadium (72,000) and Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria (87,000) boasting the largest capacities.

Ismailia, Port Said and Suez are other possible venues for tournament matches as the&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations returns to north&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;after a 13-year absence. &nbsp;

Challenges

The choice of Egypt will immediately make them favourites to win a record-extending eighth&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations title this year.&nbsp;

They won three of the four previous tournaments they hosted, failing only in 1974 when they were beaten by Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the semi-finals.

The star of the current team, Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah, is favourite to retain the African Player of the Year award in Dakar.

Security and weather will be two challenges facing Egypt in the first&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;of Nations to feature 24 teams, up from 16 in Gabon two years ago.

Egypt faces a constant terror threat in the volatile Middle East region and the weather during the tournament is expected to be hot and humid.

Djamel Belmadi, coach of 2019 qualifiers Algeria, said recently that he would prefer South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;to host the tournament because of the cooler weather conditions there.

"It is almost impossible to play (in Egypt) given the heat and humidity," he told the Algerian media. "The weather conditions in South&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;are more pleasant."&nbsp;

Egyptian football official Karam Kordi responded: "It would be better if Belmadi said he was afraid of the enthusiastic Egyptian supporters."

Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda have qualified for the 2019 tournament.&nbsp;

The other 10 places will be filled after the final qualifiers between March 18 and 26.

Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday.

Egypt will host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between June 15 and July 13, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad announced in Dakar Tuesday. The CAF executive committee preferred Egypt to South Africa as replacements for original hosts Cameroon, who were dropped due to delays in preparations and concerns over security. "I am pleased to announce that Egypt will host CAN (Cup of Nations) 2019," Malagasy Ahmad told reporters. "I want to thank the two countries -- they came to the rescue of the CAF when we saw that the evolution of the work in Cameroon was not developed." A CAF official told AFP that Egypt received 16 votes from the executive committee, South Africa one and there was one abstention. Ahmad made the announcement just hours after CAF said it would not disclose the winner until Wednesday to allow the media to concentrate on the annual awards ceremony in Dakar later Tuesday. It will be the fifth time Egypt stage the biennial showpiece of African football after 1959, when the country was called the United Arab Republic, 1974, 1986 and 2006. Egypt only entered the running to host the Cup of Nations when fellow north African country Morocco announced they would not bid to do so. Morocco were the hot media favourites to replace Cameroon as hosts and Egypt said they "did not want to compete against a fellow Arab nation". Egypt boast many international-standard venues with the Cairo International Stadium (72,000) and Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria (87,000) boasting the largest capacities. Ismailia, Port Said and Suez are other possible venues for tournament matches as the Cup of Nations returns to north Africa after a 13-year absence. Challenges The choice of Egypt will immediately make them favourites to win a record-extending eighth Cup of Nations title this year. They won three of the four previous tournaments they hosted, failing only in 1974 when they were beaten by Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the semi-finals. The star of the current team, Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah, is favourite to retain the African Player of the Year award in Dakar. Security and weather will be two challenges facing Egypt in the first Cup of Nations to feature 24 teams, up from 16 in Gabon two years ago. Egypt faces a constant terror threat in the volatile Middle East region and the weather during the tournament is expected to be hot and humid. Djamel Belmadi, coach of 2019 qualifiers Algeria, said recently that he would prefer South Africa to host the tournament because of the cooler weather conditions there. "It is almost impossible to play (in Egypt) given the heat and humidity," he told the Algerian media. "The weather conditions in South Africa are more pleasant." Egyptian football official Karam Kordi responded: "It would be better if Belmadi said he was afraid of the enthusiastic Egyptian supporters." Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda have qualified for the 2019 tournament. The other 10 places will be filled after the final qualifiers between March 18 and 26.

Egypt to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Cricket-mad India stunned Thailand 4-1 at the Asian Cup football tournament on Sunday, veteran striker Sunil Chhetri scoring twice in their Group A opener.

Watched by the 12 Thai schoolboys rescued from a flooded jungle cave last year after being trapped for more than two weeks, the War Elephants had little answer to India's brimming energy in Abu Dhabi.

Chhetri opened the scoring when he smashed home from the penalty spot after 27 minutes.

The Blue Tigers were in front for just seven minutes, Thai captain Teerasil Dangda restoring parity by bravely heading home a Theerathon Bunmathan free kick.

But Chhetri drilled his second of the game moments into the second half following a lung-bursting run down the right from Udanta Singh.

Things got worse for Thailand when Anirudh Thapa chipped in a third in the 68th minute before substitute Lalpekhlua Jeje completed the rout to leave India as unlikely group leaders.

Hosts United Arab Emirates were held 1-1 by Bahrain in Saturday's curtain-raiser.

Cricket-mad India stunned Thailand 4-1 at the Asian Cup football tournament on Sunday, veteran striker Sunil Chhetri scoring twice in their Group A opener. Watched by the 12 Thai schoolboys rescued from a flooded jungle cave last year after being trapped for more than two weeks, the War Elephants had little answer to India's brimming energy in Abu Dhabi.

Cricket-mad India stunned Thailand 4-1 at the Asian Cup football tournament on Sunday, veteran striker Sunil Chhetri scoring twice in their Group A opener. Watched by the 12 Thai schoolboys rescued from a flooded jungle cave last year after being trapped for more than two weeks, the War Elephants had little answer to India's brimming energy in Abu Dhabi. Chhetri opened the scoring when he smashed home from the penalty spot after 27 minutes. The Blue Tigers were in front for just seven minutes, Thai captain Teerasil Dangda restoring parity by bravely heading home a Theerathon Bunmathan free kick. But Chhetri drilled his second of the game moments into the second half following a lung-bursting run down the right from Udanta Singh. Things got worse for Thailand when Anirudh Thapa chipped in a third in the 68th minute before substitute Lalpekhlua Jeje completed the rout to leave India as unlikely group leaders. Hosts United Arab Emirates were held 1-1 by Bahrain in Saturday's curtain-raiser.

Asian Cup 2019: Sunil Chhetri strikes twice as India beat Thailand 4-1

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, will be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1, 2019. The 16-team format, which was used from 2004 to 2015, has been expanded and now, for the first time, the Asian Cup tournament will be contested by 24 teams.

AFC Asian Cup 2019: Schedule, Time and Venue

The Palestinian football team are taking part in their second-ever&nbsp;AsianCup&nbsp;in the coming days, and team members born in various parts of the world are hoping to spring a few surprises.

The team qualified four years ago for the first time but crashed out in ignominious fashion, losing all three games to an aggregate score of 11-1.

This year, with the help of several players from the Palestinian diaspora, they hope to do better.

Around five million Palestinians live in the blockaded Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank, but&nbsp;around another six million are estimated to live elsewhere.

Chilean defender Alexis Norambuena said the players speak in a mix of languages to understand each other.

"Football is a way to give some joy to the people and for us to represent them in this&nbsp;cup&nbsp;that is quite important for the country," he said.

"We aim to represent them and give them enough joy so the people can be entertained a bit."

The tournament begins in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Back home in the West Bank, football lovers are also willing their players on to new heights.

At a recent second division league game, player Sameh Sheikha told AFP that the team's participation "represents a country at a time when we are still living under occupation."

"We hope the team achieves good results this time, because the team has become stronger than before," he said.

There are perhaps cautious reasons for optimism.&nbsp;

Despite being made up of mostly amateurs, the team beat Bhutan 10-0 on aggregate to qualify for the tournament.&nbsp;

This and other good results saw them rise to a record high 75th in the FIFA world rankings, though they have since slipped back to 99th.

'Surprise them'

Palestinians say that Israeli restrictions on players' movements limit potential, whether that means checkpoints in the West Bank or the blockade on Gaza, where Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

Sport is also an area where Palestinians seek to advance their cause.

Their football federation has been a member of FIFA since 1998 and plays in the&nbsp;Asian&nbsp;Football Confederation.

The Palestinians were also granted the status of UN non-member observer state in 2012.

This year's&nbsp;Asian&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;side has a little more of an international feel.

They are led by an Algerian coach and among those donning the red jersey in the Emirates is Yashir Pinto, a Chilean who qualifies for the team due to his Palestinian ancestors.

Another Chilean with Palestinian roots on the team, Jonathan Zorrilla Cantillana, said "I think we are preparing in a very good way and we will try to create a surprise, to surprise them with the training we got here, and I think we will arrive well prepared at the&nbsp;cup."

The bookkeepers still see Palestine as very much outside shots.

While regional giants Japan, South Korea and Iran are again among the favourites, Palestine have odds as high as 2,000 to one.

Their group is also a little daunting, with a game against Jordan followed by matches against group favourites Australia and Syria.

Yet while few expect them to have any chance of coming home with the&nbsp;cup, in the Palestinian territories there is optimism.

"The national team is a source of pride, and it is competing at the&nbsp;Asianlevel. This confirms the progress of the level of our sport," said Mohamed Sulaiman, a football coach in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

"Our team is strong and we hope we can achieve something."

In Qatar, Norambuena said "it's very nice to have these days to get to know each other more and we hope this will help us do good in this&nbsp;cup."

The Palestinian football team are taking part in their second-ever AsianCup in the coming days, and team members born in various parts of the world are hoping to spring a few surprises.

The Palestinian football team are taking part in their second-ever AsianCup in the coming days, and team members born in various parts of the world are hoping to spring a few surprises. The team qualified four years ago for the first time but crashed out in ignominious fashion, losing all three games to an aggregate score of 11-1. This year, with the help of several players from the Palestinian diaspora, they hope to do better. Around five million Palestinians live in the blockaded Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank, but around another six million are estimated to live elsewhere. Chilean defender Alexis Norambuena said the players speak in a mix of languages to understand each other. "Football is a way to give some joy to the people and for us to represent them in this cup that is quite important for the country," he said. "We aim to represent them and give them enough joy so the people can be entertained a bit." The tournament begins in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday. Back home in the West Bank, football lovers are also willing their players on to new heights. At a recent second division league game, player Sameh Sheikha told AFP that the team's participation "represents a country at a time when we are still living under occupation." "We hope the team achieves good results this time, because the team has become stronger than before," he said. There are perhaps cautious reasons for optimism. Despite being made up of mostly amateurs, the team beat Bhutan 10-0 on aggregate to qualify for the tournament. This and other good results saw them rise to a record high 75th in the FIFA world rankings, though they have since slipped back to 99th. 'Surprise them' Palestinians say that Israeli restrictions on players' movements limit potential, whether that means checkpoints in the West Bank or the blockade on Gaza, where Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008. Sport is also an area where Palestinians seek to advance their cause. Their football federation has been a member of FIFA since 1998 and plays in the Asian Football Confederation. The Palestinians were also granted the status of UN non-member observer state in 2012. This year's Asian Cup side has a little more of an international feel. They are led by an Algerian coach and among those donning the red jersey in the Emirates is Yashir Pinto, a Chilean who qualifies for the team due to his Palestinian ancestors. Another Chilean with Palestinian roots on the team, Jonathan Zorrilla Cantillana, said "I think we are preparing in a very good way and we will try to create a surprise, to surprise them with the training we got here, and I think we will arrive well prepared at the cup." The bookkeepers still see Palestine as very much outside shots. While regional giants Japan, South Korea and Iran are again among the favourites, Palestine have odds as high as 2,000 to one. Their group is also a little daunting, with a game against Jordan followed by matches against group favourites Australia and Syria. Yet while few expect them to have any chance of coming home with the cup, in the Palestinian territories there is optimism. "The national team is a source of pride, and it is competing at the Asianlevel. This confirms the progress of the level of our sport," said Mohamed Sulaiman, a football coach in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "Our team is strong and we hope we can achieve something." In Qatar, Norambuena said "it's very nice to have these days to get to know each other more and we hope this will help us do good in this cup."

With help from diaspora, Palestinians hope for Asian Cup surprise

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona was released from hospital after being admitted earlier on Friday with internal bleeding in the stomach which was discovered during routine examinations, his daughter Dalma said.&nbsp;

"For those who were really worried about my dad I can tell you that he is well," Dalma wrote on twitter after fears over her father’s health spread. "He is going home soon."&nbsp;

The 58-year-old was having a routine medical in his homeland before returning to Mexico, where he is coach of second division side Dorados de Sinaloa, when doctors discovered the problem.&nbsp;

However, a source close to the family told Reuters the problem was not serious and that the former Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona midfielder, who famously led his country to the 1986 World Cup title, was not in any danger.

Another source said Maradona, who left the hospital without talking to the media, may have to undergo more tests.

Friday's scare was the latest for Maradona, who has suffered frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to the extravagant lifestyle that helped make him one of the most admired and iconic footballers of the 20th century.

He last fell ill at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an executive box at the Argentina-Nigeria game. Argentina won 2-1 to reach the last 16, where they were knocked out of the tournament by eventual winners France.

Maradona was taken into hospital in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems linked to cocaine use. He later underwent drug rehabilitation in Cuba and Argentina before a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 helped him lose weight.

In 2007 he checked himself into a clinic in Buenos Aires to help him overcome alcohol abuse problems.

In recent months he has walked with the aid of crutches due to problems with his knees.

The unexpected news of his admittance to hospital on Friday came just hours after Maradona’s lawyer confirmed he would coach in Mexico for a second consecutive season.

Maradona took over at struggling Dorados de Sinaloa in September and got them into the playoffs where they lost to Atletico San Luis.

“Diego Maradona has arranged to continue with the Dorados de Sinaloa and will stay as coach of the team for the whole season,” his agent Matias Morla wrote on twitter.

The club said his assistant Jose Maria Martinez would lead the team until Maradona returned.

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona was released from hospital after being admitted earlier on Friday with internal bleeding in the stomach which was discovered during routine examinations, his daughter Dalma said.

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona was released from hospital after being admitted earlier on Friday with internal bleeding in the stomach which was discovered during routine examinations, his daughter Dalma said. "For those who were really worried about my dad I can tell you that he is well," Dalma wrote on twitter after fears over her father’s health spread. "He is going home soon." The 58-year-old was having a routine medical in his homeland before returning to Mexico, where he is coach of second division side Dorados de Sinaloa, when doctors discovered the problem. However, a source close to the family told Reuters the problem was not serious and that the former Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona midfielder, who famously led his country to the 1986 World Cup title, was not in any danger. Another source said Maradona, who left the hospital without talking to the media, may have to undergo more tests. Friday's scare was the latest for Maradona, who has suffered frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to the extravagant lifestyle that helped make him one of the most admired and iconic footballers of the 20th century. He last fell ill at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an executive box at the Argentina-Nigeria game. Argentina won 2-1 to reach the last 16, where they were knocked out of the tournament by eventual winners France. Maradona was taken into hospital in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems linked to cocaine use. He later underwent drug rehabilitation in Cuba and Argentina before a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 helped him lose weight. In 2007 he checked himself into a clinic in Buenos Aires to help him overcome alcohol abuse problems. In recent months he has walked with the aid of crutches due to problems with his knees. The unexpected news of his admittance to hospital on Friday came just hours after Maradona’s lawyer confirmed he would coach in Mexico for a second consecutive season. Maradona took over at struggling Dorados de Sinaloa in September and got them into the playoffs where they lost to Atletico San Luis. “Diego Maradona has arranged to continue with the Dorados de Sinaloa and will stay as coach of the team for the whole season,” his agent Matias Morla wrote on twitter. The club said his assistant Jose Maria Martinez would lead the team until Maradona returned.

Diego Maradona out of hospital after internal bleeding scare

India captain Sunil Chhetri backs the squad's young core to play out of their skins and test their Asian Cup opponents when they kick-start their campaign on Sunday.

Coach Stephen Constantine has selected a 23-man squad whose average age is below 25 as India look to improve on their last appearance in 2011 when they were knocked out in the group stage.

"Apart from me and Gurpreet (Singh), it's a first-time experience for all else," Chhetri told the All India Football Federation website. "Everyone is ready to grab this opportunity.

"I can assure you that it won't be an easy job for other teams to face us.

"We are a team who hate to lose, and we have proven it in recent times. We are working as per the plan."

India face Thailand in their Group A opener in Abu Dhabi on Sunday before taking on hosts United Arab Emirates (Jan. 10) and Bahrain (Jan. 14).

"At the moment, our sole focus is on our opening fixture, the game against Thailand," Chhetri said. "We know that Thailand will be a very tough opponent and we are concentrating only on them.

"We are not looking (at) anything beyond that. There are matches against UAE and Bahrain lined up but we will think about them only when they come."

India captain Sunil Chhetri backs the squad's young core to play out of their skins and test their Asian Cup opponents when they kick-start their campaign on Sunday.

India captain Sunil Chhetri backs the squad's young core to play out of their skins and test their Asian Cup opponents when they kick-start their campaign on Sunday. Coach Stephen Constantine has selected a 23-man squad whose average age is below 25 as India look to improve on their last appearance in 2011 when they were knocked out in the group stage. "Apart from me and Gurpreet (Singh), it's a first-time experience for all else," Chhetri told the All India Football Federation website. "Everyone is ready to grab this opportunity. "I can assure you that it won't be an easy job for other teams to face us. "We are a team who hate to lose, and we have proven it in recent times. We are working as per the plan." India face Thailand in their Group A opener in Abu Dhabi on Sunday before taking on hosts United Arab Emirates (Jan. 10) and Bahrain (Jan. 14). "At the moment, our sole focus is on our opening fixture, the game against Thailand," Chhetri said. "We know that Thailand will be a very tough opponent and we are concentrating only on them. "We are not looking (at) anything beyond that. There are matches against UAE and Bahrain lined up but we will think about them only when they come."

Asian Cup 2019: Youthful India will prove handful in Asian Cup, says Sunil Chhetri

India are hoping to use the Asian Cup as a key building block towards realising a dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals but doubts remain over the quality of the side ahead of next month's continental showpiece in the United Arab Emirates.

India has a population of 1.3 billion but the nation's obsession with and success on the cricket pitch has left it a massive underachiever on the football field.

The national side is 97th in the FIFA rankings and yet to play at a World Cup, but All India Football Federation president Praful Patel is confident their fourth Asian Cup appearance will prove to be a vital stepping stone.

"The... dream needs to be achieved by 2026 as there will be eight teams from Asia in the FIFA World Cup," Patel told reporters last week, adding the team would just not be looking to make it out of the group stage in the UAE.

"You just always cannot live a dream and we have to make the Asian dream a reality."

India's qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar was more a case of coming in through the back door when the country advanced by winning the AFC Challenge Cup, a tournament for the lowest ranked nations in the continent.

That was their first appearance since 1984 and while they remain the dominant force in South Asia, India are still a long way behind regional powerhouses Japan, Australia, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

They failed to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup and the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) decision to increase the number of finalists from 16 teams to 24 has helped the country return to the tournament.

India, managed by English coach Stephen Constantine, have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Thailand for the Jan. 5-Feb. 1 tournament.

"The Asian Cup is a massive tournament for India and everyone involved in the sport," Constantine said. "We have three games from Jan. 6-14 and I am focusing on them.

"We will take one game at a time and we have scouted Thailand intensively to the point that we have watched them three-four times for analysis."

Sunil Chhetri is the only surviving member of the 2011 team who lost all three group games in Qatar and his tally of 65 goals from 103 international matches since his 2005 debut makes him India's most prolific striker.

Comparing the preparation of the current squad with the one that played in the tournament eight years ago, Chhetri said the 2011 team were together for six months while the current crop have been busy playing for their clubs in domestic leagues.

A 28-member squad left India for Abu Dhabi on Dec. 20 to prepare for the quadrennial tournament and played one friendly against Oman on Thursday, a 0-0 draw, while other Asian sides have warmed up with a string of matches.

Since their last appearance at the finals in 2011, India have only played two matches against a top-six Asian side when they were grouped with Iran for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, losing both ties without scoring a goal.

"We have two weeks there in Abu Dhabi to get acclimatised. As far as preparation is concerned, it's okay," Constantine added. "I think we could have had a few more games but that was not for lack of trying.

"We sent letters to 25-30 different nations asking for game. We wanted to play against teams in Asian Cup. We've tried the best we can."

India are hoping to use the Asian Cup as a key building block towards realising a dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals but doubts remain over the quality of the side ahead of next month's continental showpiece in the United Arab Emirates.

India are hoping to use the Asian Cup as a key building block towards realising a dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals but doubts remain over the quality of the side ahead of next month's continental showpiece in the United Arab Emirates. India has a population of 1.3 billion but the nation's obsession with and success on the cricket pitch has left it a massive underachiever on the football field. The national side is 97th in the FIFA rankings and yet to play at a World Cup, but All India Football Federation president Praful Patel is confident their fourth Asian Cup appearance will prove to be a vital stepping stone. "The... dream needs to be achieved by 2026 as there will be eight teams from Asia in the FIFA World Cup," Patel told reporters last week, adding the team would just not be looking to make it out of the group stage in the UAE. "You just always cannot live a dream and we have to make the Asian dream a reality." India's qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar was more a case of coming in through the back door when the country advanced by winning the AFC Challenge Cup, a tournament for the lowest ranked nations in the continent. That was their first appearance since 1984 and while they remain the dominant force in South Asia, India are still a long way behind regional powerhouses Japan, Australia, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia. They failed to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup and the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) decision to increase the number of finalists from 16 teams to 24 has helped the country return to the tournament. India, managed by English coach Stephen Constantine, have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Thailand for the Jan. 5-Feb. 1 tournament. "The Asian Cup is a massive tournament for India and everyone involved in the sport," Constantine said. "We have three games from Jan. 6-14 and I am focusing on them. "We will take one game at a time and we have scouted Thailand intensively to the point that we have watched them three-four times for analysis." Sunil Chhetri is the only surviving member of the 2011 team who lost all three group games in Qatar and his tally of 65 goals from 103 international matches since his 2005 debut makes him India's most prolific striker. Comparing the preparation of the current squad with the one that played in the tournament eight years ago, Chhetri said the 2011 team were together for six months while the current crop have been busy playing for their clubs in domestic leagues. A 28-member squad left India for Abu Dhabi on Dec. 20 to prepare for the quadrennial tournament and played one friendly against Oman on Thursday, a 0-0 draw, while other Asian sides have warmed up with a string of matches. Since their last appearance at the finals in 2011, India have only played two matches against a top-six Asian side when they were grouped with Iran for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, losing both ties without scoring a goal. "We have two weeks there in Abu Dhabi to get acclimatised. As far as preparation is concerned, it's okay," Constantine added. "I think we could have had a few more games but that was not for lack of trying. "We sent letters to 25-30 different nations asking for game. We wanted to play against teams in Asian Cup. We've tried the best we can."

Asian Cup 2019: India sees it as stepping stone towards future dream

The 17th Asian Cup tournament, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.

Here is all you need to know about the tournament:

-The Asian Cup is the pre-eminent football tournament in the vast continent, although it had inauspicious beginnings in 1956 when four teams played a round-robin tournament in Hong Kong, two years after the Asian Football Confederation was formed.

-Hong Kong's Chang Chi Kong scored the competition's first goal in front of 30,000 spectators against Israel, who won the game 3-2. South Korea went on to win the title ahead of Israel with the hosts third and South Vietnam fourth.

-It is the second oldest continental football tournament in the world behind South America's Copa America, which began in 1916.

-The tournament has been dominated by the traditional powerhouses of Asian football with Japan having won the most titles - their fourth coming in a 1-0 victory over Australia in 2011.

-Israel won the title in 1964 and finished third in 1968 but did not take part in Asian competition after 1974 due to political issues with Arab nations. It moved to UEFA in 1994.

-South Korea won the first two tournaments and were losing finalists in 2015.

-Iran won three successive titles from 1968-1976 - their only victories in the competition - and are still the only side to win three successive tournaments. They finished third in 1980.

-Saudi Arabia won successive titles in 1984 and 1988 but were beaten 1-0 by hosts Japan in the 1992 final. The Saudis then won the 1996 title on penalties against hosts UAE.

-Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning coach Carlos Alberto Perreira has won the tournament twice, with Kuwait in 1980 and Saudi Arabia in 1988, and is the only coach to win two titles. UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni could match him in 2019 having led Japan to their 2011 triumph.

-Iran centre forward Ali Daei holds the record for most goals in the tournament, scoring eight times in 1996, four of which were in the 6-2 demolition of South Korea in the quarter-finals. Daei also holds the career record of 14 goals.

-The tournament was held on a four-yearly basis until 2004, when the AFC decided to change the timing to avoid clashing with the Summer Olympics and the European Championships.

-The next tournament was jointly hosted by Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia in 2007 - the only time hosting rights were granted to more than one country. It was later called a 'mistake' by then AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam.

-Australia became part of the Asian Confederation after the 2006 World Cup and won the title on home soil in 2015.

-The tournament was expanded from 16 to 24 teams for the 2019 edition. Kyrgyzstan, Philippines and Yemen will make their Asian Cup debuts in the UAE.

-The United Arab Emirates will be hosting the tournament for the second time after edging out Iran in the bidding. They were runners-up on home soil in 1996.

-Eight stadiums will host matches: Zayed Sports City Stadium, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium and Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium and Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain as well as Sharjah Stadium.

-The Zayed Sports City Stadium, which was built in 1980 and has a capacity of 45,000, will host eight matches, including the opener on Jan. 5 between the hosts and Bahrain and the final on Feb. 1.

-The winners of the tournament will represent Asia in the 2021 Confederations Cup.

The 17th Asian Cup tournament, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1. Here is all you need to know about the tournament: -The Asian Cup is the pre-eminent football tournament in the vast continent, although it had inauspicious beginnings in 1956 when four teams played a round-robin tournament in Hong Kong, two years after the Asian Football Confederation was formed.

The 17th Asian Cup tournament, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1. Here is all you need to know about the tournament: -The Asian Cup is the pre-eminent football tournament in the vast continent, although it had inauspicious beginnings in 1956 when four teams played a round-robin tournament in Hong Kong, two years after the Asian Football Confederation was formed. -Hong Kong's Chang Chi Kong scored the competition's first goal in front of 30,000 spectators against Israel, who won the game 3-2. South Korea went on to win the title ahead of Israel with the hosts third and South Vietnam fourth. -It is the second oldest continental football tournament in the world behind South America's Copa America, which began in 1916. -The tournament has been dominated by the traditional powerhouses of Asian football with Japan having won the most titles - their fourth coming in a 1-0 victory over Australia in 2011. -Israel won the title in 1964 and finished third in 1968 but did not take part in Asian competition after 1974 due to political issues with Arab nations. It moved to UEFA in 1994. -South Korea won the first two tournaments and were losing finalists in 2015. -Iran won three successive titles from 1968-1976 - their only victories in the competition - and are still the only side to win three successive tournaments. They finished third in 1980. -Saudi Arabia won successive titles in 1984 and 1988 but were beaten 1-0 by hosts Japan in the 1992 final. The Saudis then won the 1996 title on penalties against hosts UAE. -Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning coach Carlos Alberto Perreira has won the tournament twice, with Kuwait in 1980 and Saudi Arabia in 1988, and is the only coach to win two titles. UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni could match him in 2019 having led Japan to their 2011 triumph. -Iran centre forward Ali Daei holds the record for most goals in the tournament, scoring eight times in 1996, four of which were in the 6-2 demolition of South Korea in the quarter-finals. Daei also holds the career record of 14 goals. -The tournament was held on a four-yearly basis until 2004, when the AFC decided to change the timing to avoid clashing with the Summer Olympics and the European Championships. -The next tournament was jointly hosted by Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia in 2007 - the only time hosting rights were granted to more than one country. It was later called a 'mistake' by then AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam. -Australia became part of the Asian Confederation after the 2006 World Cup and won the title on home soil in 2015. -The tournament was expanded from 16 to 24 teams for the 2019 edition. Kyrgyzstan, Philippines and Yemen will make their Asian Cup debuts in the UAE. -The United Arab Emirates will be hosting the tournament for the second time after edging out Iran in the bidding. They were runners-up on home soil in 1996. -Eight stadiums will host matches: Zayed Sports City Stadium, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium and Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium and Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain as well as Sharjah Stadium. -The Zayed Sports City Stadium, which was built in 1980 and has a capacity of 45,000, will host eight matches, including the opener on Jan. 5 between the hosts and Bahrain and the final on Feb. 1. -The winners of the tournament will represent Asia in the 2021 Confederations Cup.

All you need to know about Asian Cup 2019

Virat Kohli continued to dominate the cricket chatter with his batting and brashness, the indomitable MC Mary Kom rolled back the years like very few can and, month after month, Indian sports also found new and younger heroes to raise a toast to.&nbsp;

PV Sindhu's perseverance on the badminton court, Neeraj Chopra's obsessive pursuit of perfection every time he hurled the javelin, and the teenage shooting stars who refused to take their eyes off the target, made 2018 a year in which highs easily outnumbered the lows for Indian sports.&nbsp;

There was a plethora of big-ticket sporting events this year and the country had lots to celebrate throughout. Whether it was the Commonwealth and the Asian Games or Youth Olympics, athletes pushed the boundaries and produced path-breaking performances.&nbsp;

There were the usual administrative mess-ups occasionally and odd cases of dope shame as well, but they couldn't make a dent to the overall sense of accomplishment.&nbsp;

On the cricket field, the results weren't encouraging in South Africa and England but Kohli the batsman again ruled the roost, making his craft look ridiculously easy even on the most challenging tracks. It was only fitting that he was bestowed the nation's highest sporting honour - the Khel Ratna.&nbsp;

For 'Captain Kohli', however, it was far more challenging as he grappled to get the combinations right. But the team did find a degree of redemption against Australia by retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to close the year on a high.&nbsp;

Of course, it came against an Australian team weakened by the absence of banned batting mainstays Steve Smith and David Warner. The duo, along with Cameron Bancroft, combined for this year's biggest cricket scandal -&nbsp;the ball-tampering saga that forced a review of Australia's "win at all cost" culture.&nbsp;

The same Australia which had the world mesmerised by its near-perfect hosting of the Commonwealth Games within weeks of the drama.&nbsp;

The Games were memorable for India too as the country logged its third-best ever medal haul, highlighted by a record-shattering weightlifting show. Spearheading it was the diminutive world champion&nbsp;

Mirabai Chanu, who later shared the Khel Ratna with Kohli.

Weightlifting also found another prospective star in Jeremy Lalrinnunga after the 16-year-old claimed an unprecedented gold at Youth Olympics.&nbsp;

It was a comeback of sorts for shooting, after their flop-show at the 2016 Olympics.&nbsp;

India's gold medal-winners at the CWG shooting range included a 16-year-old Manu Bhaker and a 15-year-old Anish Bhanwala. The shooters hit the bull's eye in the Asiad too and though Bhaker felt the pain of failure for the first time, new gold-winning stars emerged in 16-year-old Saurabh Choudhary and a 15-something Shardul Vihan.&nbsp;

Bhaker and Chaudhary also won gold medals at Youth Olympics.&nbsp;

If shooting was about youngsters, boxing became all about an ageing but incomparable superstar in Mary Kom. The 36-year-old mother-of-three, who is also a Parliamentarian, picked up four gold medals - including a record sixth world title and the CWG top honours.&nbsp;

"There won't be another Mary Kom," she declared and one look at her predominantly golden cabinet of medals would be enough to silence anyone who thinks otherwise.&nbsp;

Then there was Sindhu. She lost five big finals, quietly took the criticism that labelled her a 'choker', but had the last laugh with a season-ending World Tour Finals title, beating world No.1 and familiar foe Tai Tzu Ying on her way to the summit clash.&nbsp;

Not to be left behind was Saina Nehwal. The trailblazer started with a gold at CWG, picked up a bronze in Asian Games and began a new chapter in her personal life by marrying fellow shuttler P Kashyap.&nbsp;

On the wrestling mat, Vinesh Phogat became more than just a famous Phogat sister with gold medals at both the CWG and Asian Games and Bajrang Punia stepped out of the shadow of his mentor and London Olympics bronze-medallist Yogeshwar Dutt.&nbsp;

Punia won gold at CWG and Asiad before a silver at World Championships positioned him as the biggest star. However, double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar's stock fell due to a string of sub-par performances.&nbsp;

The big takeaway in table tennis was the rise of Manika Batra. The Delhiite claimed four medals, including two gold, in the CWG before combining with veteran Sharath Kamal for a historic mixed doubles bronze at the Asiad, where India delivered its best-ever medal haul.&nbsp;

Another star to make the year his own was Neeraj. The 21-year-old won both the CWG and Asian Games with records to boot and is giving Indian athletics audacious Olympic medal hopes for Tokyo 2020.&nbsp;

A sprint sensation also emerged in 18-year-old Hima Das, India's first ever woman track-and-field world champion at any level after her under-20 400m gold.&nbsp;

Away from the spotlight, it was business as usual for ace cueist Pankaj Advani as he added a 21st world title to his trophy cabinet.&nbsp;

A star rose on the golf course as well in Shubhankar Sharma, who won the Maybank Malaysia Open. He also bagged Asian Tour Order of Merit title and European Tour Rookie of the Year award.&nbsp;

There were disappointments too -&nbsp;the men's hockey team being the most prominent with no medal at CWG and an underwhelming third-place finish at Asiad.

CWG champion weightlifter Sanjita Chanu flunked a dope test.&nbsp;And there was no end to the administrative mess that the BCCI has become.&nbsp;

However, none of the negatives was big enough to come in the way of a stronger India emerging on the competitive field.&nbsp;

Virat Kohli continued to dominate the cricket chatter with his batting and brashness, the indomitable MC Mary Kom rolled back the years like very few can and, month after month, Indian sports also found new and younger heroes to raise a toast to.

Virat Kohli continued to dominate the cricket chatter with his batting and brashness, the indomitable MC Mary Kom rolled back the years like very few can and, month after month, Indian sports also found new and younger heroes to raise a toast to. PV Sindhu's perseverance on the badminton court, Neeraj Chopra's obsessive pursuit of perfection every time he hurled the javelin, and the teenage shooting stars who refused to take their eyes off the target, made 2018 a year in which highs easily outnumbered the lows for Indian sports. There was a plethora of big-ticket sporting events this year and the country had lots to celebrate throughout. Whether it was the Commonwealth and the Asian Games or Youth Olympics, athletes pushed the boundaries and produced path-breaking performances. There were the usual administrative mess-ups occasionally and odd cases of dope shame as well, but they couldn't make a dent to the overall sense of accomplishment. On the cricket field, the results weren't encouraging in South Africa and England but Kohli the batsman again ruled the roost, making his craft look ridiculously easy even on the most challenging tracks. It was only fitting that he was bestowed the nation's highest sporting honour - the Khel Ratna. For 'Captain Kohli', however, it was far more challenging as he grappled to get the combinations right. But the team did find a degree of redemption against Australia by retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to close the year on a high. Of course, it came against an Australian team weakened by the absence of banned batting mainstays Steve Smith and David Warner. The duo, along with Cameron Bancroft, combined for this year's biggest cricket scandal - the ball-tampering saga that forced a review of Australia's "win at all cost" culture. The same Australia which had the world mesmerised by its near-perfect hosting of the Commonwealth Games within weeks of the drama. The Games were memorable for India too as the country logged its third-best ever medal haul, highlighted by a record-shattering weightlifting show. Spearheading it was the diminutive world champion Mirabai Chanu, who later shared the Khel Ratna with Kohli. Weightlifting also found another prospective star in Jeremy Lalrinnunga after the 16-year-old claimed an unprecedented gold at Youth Olympics. It was a comeback of sorts for shooting, after their flop-show at the 2016 Olympics. India's gold medal-winners at the CWG shooting range included a 16-year-old Manu Bhaker and a 15-year-old Anish Bhanwala. The shooters hit the bull's eye in the Asiad too and though Bhaker felt the pain of failure for the first time, new gold-winning stars emerged in 16-year-old Saurabh Choudhary and a 15-something Shardul Vihan. Bhaker and Chaudhary also won gold medals at Youth Olympics. If shooting was about youngsters, boxing became all about an ageing but incomparable superstar in Mary Kom. The 36-year-old mother-of-three, who is also a Parliamentarian, picked up four gold medals - including a record sixth world title and the CWG top honours. "There won't be another Mary Kom," she declared and one look at her predominantly golden cabinet of medals would be enough to silence anyone who thinks otherwise. Then there was Sindhu. She lost five big finals, quietly took the criticism that labelled her a 'choker', but had the last laugh with a season-ending World Tour Finals title, beating world No.1 and familiar foe Tai Tzu Ying on her way to the summit clash. Not to be left behind was Saina Nehwal. The trailblazer started with a gold at CWG, picked up a bronze in Asian Games and began a new chapter in her personal life by marrying fellow shuttler P Kashyap. On the wrestling mat, Vinesh Phogat became more than just a famous Phogat sister with gold medals at both the CWG and Asian Games and Bajrang Punia stepped out of the shadow of his mentor and London Olympics bronze-medallist Yogeshwar Dutt. Punia won gold at CWG and Asiad before a silver at World Championships positioned him as the biggest star. However, double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar's stock fell due to a string of sub-par performances. The big takeaway in table tennis was the rise of Manika Batra. The Delhiite claimed four medals, including two gold, in the CWG before combining with veteran Sharath Kamal for a historic mixed doubles bronze at the Asiad, where India delivered its best-ever medal haul. Another star to make the year his own was Neeraj. The 21-year-old won both the CWG and Asian Games with records to boot and is giving Indian athletics audacious Olympic medal hopes for Tokyo 2020. A sprint sensation also emerged in 18-year-old Hima Das, India's first ever woman track-and-field world champion at any level after her under-20 400m gold. Away from the spotlight, it was business as usual for ace cueist Pankaj Advani as he added a 21st world title to his trophy cabinet. A star rose on the golf course as well in Shubhankar Sharma, who won the Maybank Malaysia Open. He also bagged Asian Tour Order of Merit title and European Tour Rookie of the Year award. There were disappointments too - the men's hockey team being the most prominent with no medal at CWG and an underwhelming third-place finish at Asiad. CWG champion weightlifter Sanjita Chanu flunked a dope test. And there was no end to the administrative mess that the BCCI has become. However, none of the negatives was big enough to come in the way of a stronger India emerging on the competitive field.

Virat Kohli, Mary Kom make 2018 their own; India discovers new stars too

Sports scientist Danny Deigan, who has played a crucial role behind raising the fitness levels of the Indian football team, says the methods followed are "very similar" to the ones in leading clubs such as Arsenal.&nbsp;

"After visiting a number of EPL clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, I can say that the methods that we use in the Indian team are very similar to them," Deigan stated.&nbsp;

"It's important to take note of the output against the top teams in Asia so that we can replicate them, and even do better in the upcoming Asian Cup," he added said during India's ongoing preparatory camp for the forthcoming continental showpiece.&nbsp;

It was Stephen Constantine who had suggested that "we need our players in the best of their shapes to run for 90 minutes".&nbsp;

"If you can't run, you can't fight on the pitch. The effect of the tests and the results have been great for us. The credit goes to Danny's effort in the past three years, and Joel Carter since earlier this year to raise the bar," the coach remarked.&nbsp;

"Moreover, Gigy (George), Pratik (Kamble) and Liaqat (Ali) have also put in their efforts to keep the players up and running," Constantine added. 
On being asked about the regime which the team follows regularly, Deigan, who comes from Australia, informed the regular screenings are conducted every morning to assess the physical conditions.&nbsp;

"We run a screening every morning to assess the physical conditions of the players before the day's training. At the training, we start with a physical warm-up session that leads to the main training.&nbsp;

"After the training, we go on to analyse the physical condition of every player individually."&nbsp;

"During the screening, we look into their ankles, hamstrings, groins and also their ability to jump. It gives us an idea of their fatigue and readiness which helps us to plan the day's training," Deigan explained.&nbsp;

Sports scientist Danny Deigan, who has played a crucial role behind raising the fitness levels of the Indian football team, says the methods followed are "very similar" to the ones in leading clubs such as Arsenal.

Sports scientist Danny Deigan, who has played a crucial role behind raising the fitness levels of the Indian football team, says the methods followed are "very similar" to the ones in leading clubs such as Arsenal. "After visiting a number of EPL clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, I can say that the methods that we use in the Indian team are very similar to them," Deigan stated. "It's important to take note of the output against the top teams in Asia so that we can replicate them, and even do better in the upcoming Asian Cup," he added said during India's ongoing preparatory camp for the forthcoming continental showpiece. It was Stephen Constantine who had suggested that "we need our players in the best of their shapes to run for 90 minutes". "If you can't run, you can't fight on the pitch. The effect of the tests and the results have been great for us. The credit goes to Danny's effort in the past three years, and Joel Carter since earlier this year to raise the bar," the coach remarked. "Moreover, Gigy (George), Pratik (Kamble) and Liaqat (Ali) have also put in their efforts to keep the players up and running," Constantine added. On being asked about the regime which the team follows regularly, Deigan, who comes from Australia, informed the regular screenings are conducted every morning to assess the physical conditions. "We run a screening every morning to assess the physical conditions of the players before the day's training. At the training, we start with a physical warm-up session that leads to the main training. "After the training, we go on to analyse the physical condition of every player individually." "During the screening, we look into their ankles, hamstrings, groins and also their ability to jump. It gives us an idea of their fatigue and readiness which helps us to plan the day's training," Deigan explained.

Methods we use with Indian team are similar to Arsenal, Leicester: Danny Deigan

Croatia captain <a href="http://www.wionews.com/search?q=luka+modric">Luka Modric</a> was named Balkan Athlete of the Year on Thursday, becoming only the second football player to scoop the prize after Bulgaria's former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov in 1994.

Ballon d'Or winner Modric won the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup with his Spanish club Real Madrid as well as being instrumental in helping Croatia reach the World Cup final in Russia. He was awarded the tournament's Golden Ball Award.

The 33-year-old, who received 75 points in the 46th poll, organised by Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), beat Serbia's world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, who topped the annual poll five times in a row between 2011 and 2015.

Another tennis player, Romania's Simona Halep, who finished the year as women's world number one for the second consecutive season, came third in the poll, which is conducted by the state-run news agencies in nine Balkan countries.

Croatia captain Luka Modric was named Balkan Athlete of the Year on Thursday, becoming only the second football player to scoop the prize after Bulgaria's former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov in 1994.

Croatia captain Luka Modric was named Balkan Athlete of the Year on Thursday, becoming only the second football player to scoop the prize after Bulgaria's former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov in 1994. Ballon d'Or winner Modric won the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup with his Spanish club Real Madrid as well as being instrumental in helping Croatia reach the World Cup final in Russia. He was awarded the tournament's Golden Ball Award. The 33-year-old, who received 75 points in the 46th poll, organised by Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), beat Serbia's world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, who topped the annual poll five times in a row between 2011 and 2015. Another tennis player, Romania's Simona Halep, who finished the year as women's world number one for the second consecutive season, came third in the poll, which is conducted by the state-run news agencies in nine Balkan countries.

Luka Modric beats Novak Djokovic to win Balkan athlete of year

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari says the fans need to get behind the team after they were whistled off following Wednesday's humiliating 3-0 home defeat by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Madrid suffered their heaviest ever home European defeat against CSKA and were given short shrift by angry supporters despite having already qualified for the last 16 as Group G winners.

"I heard applause too the other day. Fans express themselves and that is valid and respectable," Solari told a news conference on Friday when asked about the fans' reaction.

"The team always looks for support and we need it. Through the 115 years (the club has existed) we've made it with unity and the fans backing us. We hope that they help us and push us on."

Madrid, who are fourth in La Liga, host second-bottom local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and can close the gap on leaders Barcelona to two points with a victory.

Solari defended midfielder Isco, who was whistled by Madrid supporters against CSKA.

"Isco is a mature man, a professional who has brought a lot of joy here and we are sure that he will keep bringing that," said Solari, who has not started the playmaker in a single league match since taking over at the end of October.

"Everyone's working as hard as possible to be available for the team, the hardest thing is choosing the starting side, those who sit on the bench, those who don't make it.

"That's the hardest thing because they are all good. It's a tough job. There are no maths that work, someone always has to be left out."

Forward Gareth Bale hurt his ankle against CSKA Moscow although he was not taken off after receiving treatment.

"We will see (about Bale,) it's a question of rest because it's an ankle problem. We will see how he recovers," said Solari.

"We will speak about it with the medics and with him and we will ponder it."

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari says the fans need to get behind the team after they were whistled off following Wednesday's humiliating 3-0 home defeat by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari says the fans need to get behind the team after they were whistled off following Wednesday's humiliating 3-0 home defeat by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. Madrid suffered their heaviest ever home European defeat against CSKA and were given short shrift by angry supporters despite having already qualified for the last 16 as Group G winners. "I heard applause too the other day. Fans express themselves and that is valid and respectable," Solari told a news conference on Friday when asked about the fans' reaction. "The team always looks for support and we need it. Through the 115 years (the club has existed) we've made it with unity and the fans backing us. We hope that they help us and push us on." Madrid, who are fourth in La Liga, host second-bottom local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and can close the gap on leaders Barcelona to two points with a victory. Solari defended midfielder Isco, who was whistled by Madrid supporters against CSKA. "Isco is a mature man, a professional who has brought a lot of joy here and we are sure that he will keep bringing that," said Solari, who has not started the playmaker in a single league match since taking over at the end of October. "Everyone's working as hard as possible to be available for the team, the hardest thing is choosing the starting side, those who sit on the bench, those who don't make it. "That's the hardest thing because they are all good. It's a tough job. There are no maths that work, someone always has to be left out." Forward Gareth Bale hurt his ankle against CSKA Moscow although he was not taken off after receiving treatment. "We will see (about Bale,) it's a question of rest because it's an ankle problem. We will see how he recovers," said Solari. "We will speak about it with the medics and with him and we will ponder it."

Santiago Solari says Real Madrid need fan support

Sevilla cruised past Russian-league club Krasnodar 3-0 here Thursday to advance as group winners to the round of 32 of the Europa League, Europe's secondary club soccer competition.&nbsp;

Needing a win to guarantee themselves a place in the knockout phase, the La Liga club played with great intensity at the outset at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in front of more than 34,000 fans.

The opening score came after an ill-advised clearance by Krasnodar goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk was sent back into the box to Wissam Ben Yedder, who slotted home a left-footed shot in the fifth minute.

Just five minutes later, the French striker scored his 11th goal of the season - and fourth in the Europa League - when he beat a defender to a long pass and scored once again with his left foot past Kritsyuk.

The 2-0 lead at halftime took much of the pressure off the five-time UEFA Cup and Europa League champions, who could have been eliminated from this season's competition with a draw and a victory Thursday by Belgian club Standard Liege over Turkish side Akhisarspor.

All concerns then completely evaporated with the third goal, which came in the 49th minute after another play involving Ben Yedder.

Although the Frenchman missed a chance for a hat-trick when Kritsyuk saved his close-range shot, Andre Silva followed up with a header that would have gone over the line had Cristian Ramirez not stopped it with his hand.

After Ramirez was sent off for a direct red card, Ever Banega put the finishing touch on the rout by converting from the penalty spot.

Despite the loss, Krasnodar (12 points) also booked a berth in the round of 32 on Thursday out of Group J.

Standard Liege (11 points) and Akhisarspor (one point), who played to a 0-0 draw on Thursday, failed to make it out of the group phase.

Sevilla also finished their six group-stage matches with 12 points but beat out Krasnodar based on head-to-head goal difference.

Sevilla cruised past Russian-league club Krasnodar 3-0 here Thursday to advance as group winners to the round of 32 of the Europa League, Europe's secondary club soccer competition.

Sevilla cruised past Russian-league club Krasnodar 3-0 here Thursday to advance as group winners to the round of 32 of the Europa League, Europe's secondary club soccer competition. Needing a win to guarantee themselves a place in the knockout phase, the La Liga club played with great intensity at the outset at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in front of more than 34,000 fans. The opening score came after an ill-advised clearance by Krasnodar goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk was sent back into the box to Wissam Ben Yedder, who slotted home a left-footed shot in the fifth minute. Just five minutes later, the French striker scored his 11th goal of the season - and fourth in the Europa League - when he beat a defender to a long pass and scored once again with his left foot past Kritsyuk. The 2-0 lead at halftime took much of the pressure off the five-time UEFA Cup and Europa League champions, who could have been eliminated from this season's competition with a draw and a victory Thursday by Belgian club Standard Liege over Turkish side Akhisarspor. All concerns then completely evaporated with the third goal, which came in the 49th minute after another play involving Ben Yedder. Although the Frenchman missed a chance for a hat-trick when Kritsyuk saved his close-range shot, Andre Silva followed up with a header that would have gone over the line had Cristian Ramirez not stopped it with his hand. After Ramirez was sent off for a direct red card, Ever Banega put the finishing touch on the rout by converting from the penalty spot. Despite the loss, Krasnodar (12 points) also booked a berth in the round of 32 on Thursday out of Group J. Standard Liege (11 points) and Akhisarspor (one point), who played to a 0-0 draw on Thursday, failed to make it out of the group phase. Sevilla also finished their six group-stage matches with 12 points but beat out Krasnodar based on head-to-head goal difference.

Sevilla rout Krasnodar, reach Europa League knockout phase as group winners

AC Milan were eliminated from the Europa League with a 3-1 loss here Thursday to Olympiacos, who will advance to the next stage as the second-place team in Group F.

Real Betis, the only team in Group F to have qualified for the round-of-32 at the start of the final match-day of the group stage, ended in first place despite having to settle for a 0-0 draw with Dudelange.

For the Italian side, the day represented both an opportunity to snatch the top spot from Betis and the risk of becoming the only member of the quartet of "big clubs" competing in the Europa League - Arsenal, Chelsea, Milan and Sevilla - to be eliminated in the opening phase.

More than a decade after their last taste of European glory in 2007, when they hoisted the Champions League trophy, resurgent AC Milan were counting on a successful run in the Europa League.

Things went according to plan for Milan in the first half against Olympiacos, as the teams headed to the dressing rooms knotted at 0-0.

But the horizon darkened in the 60th minute when Pape Cisse put Olympiacos up 1-0 with a header off a corner kick that seemed to catch Milan unprepared.

And the match turned downright ugly for the visitors nine minutes later with a farcical own goal by Cristian Zapata, whose attempt to block a shot sent the ball over keeper Pepe Reina and into the Milan net.

Zapata redeemed himself in the 71st by scoring a goal to reduce the deficit to 2-1, a result that would have allowed Milan to advance.

Instead, a dubious penalty call inside the final 10 minutes led to Konstantinos Fortounis' goal from the spot and the match ended 3-1.

The two clubs ended the stage tied on points at 10, but the two-goal margin was enough to secure second place for Olympiacos.

AC Milan were eliminated from the Europa League with a 3-1 loss here Thursday to Olympiacos, who will advance to the next stage as the second-place team in Group F.

AC Milan were eliminated from the Europa League with a 3-1 loss here Thursday to Olympiacos, who will advance to the next stage as the second-place team in Group F. Real Betis, the only team in Group F to have qualified for the round-of-32 at the start of the final match-day of the group stage, ended in first place despite having to settle for a 0-0 draw with Dudelange. For the Italian side, the day represented both an opportunity to snatch the top spot from Betis and the risk of becoming the only member of the quartet of "big clubs" competing in the Europa League - Arsenal, Chelsea, Milan and Sevilla - to be eliminated in the opening phase. More than a decade after their last taste of European glory in 2007, when they hoisted the Champions League trophy, resurgent AC Milan were counting on a successful run in the Europa League. Things went according to plan for Milan in the first half against Olympiacos, as the teams headed to the dressing rooms knotted at 0-0. But the horizon darkened in the 60th minute when Pape Cisse put Olympiacos up 1-0 with a header off a corner kick that seemed to catch Milan unprepared. And the match turned downright ugly for the visitors nine minutes later with a farcical own goal by Cristian Zapata, whose attempt to block a shot sent the ball over keeper Pepe Reina and into the Milan net. Zapata redeemed himself in the 71st by scoring a goal to reduce the deficit to 2-1, a result that would have allowed Milan to advance. Instead, a dubious penalty call inside the final 10 minutes led to Konstantinos Fortounis' goal from the spot and the match ended 3-1. The two clubs ended the stage tied on points at 10, but the two-goal margin was enough to secure second place for Olympiacos.

AC Milan crash out of Europa League after losing to Olympiacos

Former Chile and Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli will return to club management at Santos next year, the Brazilian team said on Thursday.

"Santos FC and Jorge Sampaoli have a signed an agreement for the Argentine to train the team in 2019," the club said in a short statement, adding that some details were yet to be finalised.

The deal marks a return to the dugout for Sampaoli, whose last job was as Argentina coach.

The 58-year-old left the position after a disappointing 2018 World Cup in which Argentina won just one game and were knocked out in the second round.

Sampaoli's biggest coaching achievement was leading Chile to their first ever Copa America title in 2015. He has also worked at clubs in Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Spain, where he coached Sevilla.

Former Chile and Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli will return to club management at Santos next year, the Brazilian team said on Thursday. "Santos FC and Jorge Sampaoli have a signed an agreement for the Argentine to train the team in 2019," the club said in a short statement, adding that some details were yet to be finalised.

Former Chile and Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli will return to club management at Santos next year, the Brazilian team said on Thursday. "Santos FC and Jorge Sampaoli have a signed an agreement for the Argentine to train the team in 2019," the club said in a short statement, adding that some details were yet to be finalised. The deal marks a return to the dugout for Sampaoli, whose last job was as Argentina coach. The 58-year-old left the position after a disappointing 2018 World Cup in which Argentina won just one game and were knocked out in the second round. Sampaoli's biggest coaching achievement was leading Chile to their first ever Copa America title in 2015. He has also worked at clubs in Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Spain, where he coached Sevilla.

Argentine Jorge Sampaoli to coach Santos in 2019

FIFA on Wednesday suspended the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation Keramuddin Karim for 90 days pending an investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse against the national women's team.&nbsp;

FIFA's independent ethics committee said in a statement that the provisional ban "may be extended pending proceedings on the merits of the case."&nbsp;

Karim is barred from all football-related activities at both the national and international level, the statement said.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has ordered an investigation into claims of abuse by male officials against members of the women's team, which were first reported in Britain's Guardian newspaper.

The Guardian cited what it described as senior figures associated with the women's team who said the abuse had taken place in Afghanistan, including at the AFF headquarters, and at a training camp in Jordan last February.

The story quoted former captain Khalida Popal -- who fled the country after receiving death threats and has spoken out previously about the discrimination women face in Afghanistan -- as saying male officials were "coercing" female players.

Afghanistan has made strides to promote female football. Four years ago, it launched its first all-women's football league that ran in parallel with the men's. 
In 2017 the female teams were sidelined by a lack of funding.

FIFA on Wednesday suspended the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation Keramuddin Karim for 90 days pending an investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse against the national women's team.

FIFA on Wednesday suspended the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation Keramuddin Karim for 90 days pending an investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse against the national women's team. FIFA's independent ethics committee said in a statement that the provisional ban "may be extended pending proceedings on the merits of the case." Karim is barred from all football-related activities at both the national and international level, the statement said. Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has ordered an investigation into claims of abuse by male officials against members of the women's team, which were first reported in Britain's Guardian newspaper. The Guardian cited what it described as senior figures associated with the women's team who said the abuse had taken place in Afghanistan, including at the AFF headquarters, and at a training camp in Jordan last February. The story quoted former captain Khalida Popal -- who fled the country after receiving death threats and has spoken out previously about the discrimination women face in Afghanistan -- as saying male officials were "coercing" female players. Afghanistan has made strides to promote female football. Four years ago, it launched its first all-women's football league that ran in parallel with the men's. In 2017 the female teams were sidelined by a lack of funding.

FIFA bans Afghan football chief pending sex abuse probe

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