France’s World Cup Winner Matuidi Leaves Juventus

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Bologna v Juventus - Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy - February 24, 2019 Juventus' Blaise Matuidi during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Bologna v Juventus - Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy - February 24, 2019 Juventus' Blaise Matuidi during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
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France’s World Cup Winner Matuidi Leaves Juventus

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Bologna v Juventus - Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy - February 24, 2019 Juventus' Blaise Matuidi during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Bologna v Juventus - Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy - February 24, 2019 Juventus' Blaise Matuidi during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

France's World Cup-winning midfielder Blaise Matuidi is leaving Juventus by mutual consent after three years, the Italian champions announced on Wednesday.

Matuidi, 33, joined the Turin giants from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 and had one year left on his contract.

It is reported he is set to move to the United States to join David Beckham's Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.

"Blaise Matuidi and Juventus say goodbye with the consensual termination of the player’s contract," Juventus said in a statement.

"With our colors on his back, he fought and played his heart out in every single game; placing constant pressure on the opponents, tearing apart the run of play and ever so eloquently relaunching the ball into action."

Matudi, who played in the 2018 World Cup final when France beat Croatia 4-2, won three Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup at Juventus.

He also won four Ligue 1 titles during six years at PSG, having previously played for French clubs Troyes and Saint Etienne.

Matuidi played 98 games for Juventus in Serie A and 133 times in all competitions, second only to Argentine forward Paulo Dybala (134).

He helped Juventus win a ninth Serie A title in a row this season.

But the club's failure to advance past the Champions League last 16 led to the sacking of coach Maurizio Sarri after a single season. He has been replaced by former Juventus and Italy star Andrea Pirlo.

"To have been a member of the Juventus family is a dream come true, an honor," Matuidi wrote on Instagram.

"I discovered an incredible institution, teammates who have become more than that.

"I will always remain your number 1 fan, or rather number 14. Thank you Juventus, a very real thank you."



SDRPY Handball Championship Wraps up in Marib, Yemen

The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA
The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA
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SDRPY Handball Championship Wraps up in Marib, Yemen

The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA
The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives - SPA

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) Handball Championship in Marib Governorate concluded with Al-Watan Club claiming the title after a 27-23 victory over Al-Sadd Club in the finals. Overall, 16 local clubs competed for the championship, SPA reported.

The championship is part of SDRPY’s efforts to support the youth and sports sector and promote sporting activities across governorates.

The program has supported the youth and sports sector through a wide range of projects and initiatives, including rehabilitating sports facilities, constructing stadiums, sponsoring tournaments, and providing technical expertise and knowledge transfer.

The SDRPY has implemented development projects and initiatives across vital sectors, including education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, and capacity building to support the Yemeni government and its development programs.


ATP Roundup: Tommy Paul Wins all-American Semi to Reach Houston Final

Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters
Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters
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ATP Roundup: Tommy Paul Wins all-American Semi to Reach Houston Final

Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters
Mar 25, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tommy Paul of the United States hits a backhand during his match against Arthur Fils of France in the quarter finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images - Reuters

No. 4 Tommy Paul rallied for his fourth consecutive win over fellow American and second-seeded Frances Tiafoe, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7), on Saturday in the US Men's Clay Court Championship semifinals at Houston.

Paul clinched his first ever ATP clay-court final ​appearance in a grueling 2-hour, 45-minute match that was marred by rain throughout, including a 90-minute ‌delay during the second set. Paul thrived behind 14 aces and no double faults while converting two of five break-point opportunities in the pivotal deciding set.

It was back-and-forth in the final set with Tiafoe notching the first break and Paul breaking him right back in the next ​service. Then the reverse happened with Paul grabbing a break and Tiafoe nabbing it right back a service ​game later. In the deciding tiebreaker, Paul squandered two match points up 6-4 before advancing ⁠by winning two straight points to break a 7-7 tie.

In another semifinal between competitors from the same country, Argentina's Roman ​Andres Burruchaga easily dispatched Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-1, 6-1 to set up a date with Paul. Burruchaga converted 5 of ​8 break opportunities while never facing one. Tirante had 25 unforced errors to Burruchaga's 10, Reuters reported.

Grand Prix Hassan II

Qualifier Marco Trungelliti (ATP No. 117) of Argentina continued his Cinderella run by taking down top-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4, 7-6 (2) in Marrakech, Morocco.

Trungelliti clinched a spot in the final and ​is the oldest first-time finalist in ATP Tour history at 36. En route to the final, Trungelliti took down the ​fifth, third and first seeds. Trungelliti converted four of six break-point opportunities and capitalized on Darderi's eight double faults to deny the ‌Italian a ⁠repeat championship in the event.

Spain's Rafael Jodar will try to halt Trungelliti's magical run after he took down Argentinian Camilo Ugo Carabelli in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 in just 63 minutes. Jodar was never broken and held a 23-8 advantage in winners. This would also be the first title for Jodar, who at 19 years old, made his tour debut earlier ​this year at the Australian ​Open and is competing in ⁠his first tour-level clay tournament.

Tiriac Open

Qualifier Daniel Merida Aguilar of Spain came back from a set down to upset Hungarian third seed Fabian Marozsan 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1 in a semifinal ​match in Bucharest, Romania.

After dropping the first set, Merida Agular knocked home four of his ​six break-point attempts ⁠over the final two sets, finishing with 35 winners. He defended his serve well throughout as he saved 17 of the 18 break points he faced to overcome his 39 unforced errors and reach his first tour-level final.

Seventh-seeded Argentinian Mariano Navone saved ⁠two match ​points to come back and beat eighth-seeded Botic van de Zandschulp of ​the Netherlands 5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-5. Navone capitalized on 65 unforced errors from van de Zandschulp and broke him six times. He hit 82% of his ​first serves and will also be looking for his first tour-level title after losing the 2024 Bucharest championship match.


Schouten to Miss World Cup after Surgery on Cruciate Ligament Injury

Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
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Schouten to Miss World Cup after Surgery on Cruciate Ligament Injury

Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
Soccer Football - Champions League - PSV Eindhoven v Sporting CP - Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands - October 1, 2024 PSV Eindhoven's Jerdy Schouten scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo

PSV Eindhoven captain Jerdy Schouten sustained a cruciate ligament injury in the match against Utrecht that required surgery, his club said on Sunday, ruling the Netherlands midfielder out of the World Cup.

Schouten suffered the injury in the second half of Saturday's 4-3 victory when he twisted his knee and the 29-year-old was taken off on a stretcher.

PSV said further examinations on Sunday confirmed the injury which generally takes six to nine months for a full recovery.

"When it happened, I actually felt immediately that something was wrong," Schouten said, Reuters reported.

"You still have a glimmer of hope that it isn't too bad, but unfortunately that turned out not to be the case. The blow is big right now, but I will move on quickly.

"Great things are about to happen for PSV again and I will do everything I can to be involved in everything."

Schouten made 40 appearances for PSV across all competitions this season, including 28 league games as they inch closer to a third straight title.

Having made his international debut in 2022, Schouten has played 17 times for the Netherlands, last playing the full 90 minutes in a friendly draw with Ecuador last week.