Conflict Forces Palestinian Team Jabal Al Mukaber to Withdraw from AFC Cup

An aerial picture shows displaced Palestinians who fled Khan Yunis setting up camp in Rafah further south near the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, on December 7, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
An aerial picture shows displaced Palestinians who fled Khan Yunis setting up camp in Rafah further south near the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, on December 7, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
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Conflict Forces Palestinian Team Jabal Al Mukaber to Withdraw from AFC Cup

An aerial picture shows displaced Palestinians who fled Khan Yunis setting up camp in Rafah further south near the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, on December 7, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
An aerial picture shows displaced Palestinians who fled Khan Yunis setting up camp in Rafah further south near the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, on December 7, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

Palestinian club Jabal Al Mukaber have withdrawn from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup as a result of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the region's governing body has announced.
A statement on the AFC's official website said the Palestine Football Association had informed the Kuala Lumpur-based organization of Jabal Al Mukaber's decision to pull out of the continent's second-tier club competition.
"The AFC notes the club's withdrawal with regret and the matter has now been referred to the AFC Competitions Committee for relevant further action, including the recognition of force majeure," Reuters quoted the confederation as saying.

Jabal Al Mukaber had been drawn in Group A of the competition and had won their opening game 1-0 against Syria's Al-Futuwa before losing 4-0 to Al-Nahda from Oman prior to the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
The withdrawal means all of Jabal Al Mukaber's results will be cancelled and considered null and avoid, in accordance with AFC tournament regulations.
The move is the latest to affect Palestinian teams as a result of the conflict.



Four Players Advance to Semi-Finals of Next Generation ATP Finals

The event is organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals - SPA
The event is organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals - SPA
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Four Players Advance to Semi-Finals of Next Generation ATP Finals

The event is organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals - SPA
The event is organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals - SPA

The group stage of the Next Generation ATP Finals concluded at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, the tournament's second edition hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the event is supervised by the Ministry of Sports and sponsored by the Public Investment Fund.

According to SPA, the matches drew a significant audience, underscoring the growing popularity of tennis in the Kingdom.
The final day of the group stage confirmed the semi-finalists from the red and blue groups. French player Luca Van Assche secured his spot alongside red group leader Alex Michelsen of the US.

In the blue group, American Learner Tien triumphed over Frenchman Arthur Fils, to claim the runner-up position, joining Brazilian Joao Fonseca, the group leader.
The semi-finals, scheduled for today, feature Alex Michelsen facing Tien in an all-American clash, while Fonseca will take on Van Assche. The winners of these matches will advance to the final, set to take place tomorrow.
The tournament has showcased exceptional talent and reinforced Saudi Arabia's commitment to hosting world-class sporting events.