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Villarreal High on Confidence Ahead of Liverpool Tie, Says Parejo

12 April 2022, Bavaria, Munich: (L-R) Villareal's Gerard Moreno, Etienne Capoue and Juan Marcos Foyth celebrate their victory after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-final second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Villarreal CF at Allianz Arena. (dpa)
12 April 2022, Bavaria, Munich: (L-R) Villareal's Gerard Moreno, Etienne Capoue and Juan Marcos Foyth celebrate their victory after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-final second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Villarreal CF at Allianz Arena. (dpa)
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Villarreal High on Confidence Ahead of Liverpool Tie, Says Parejo

12 April 2022, Bavaria, Munich: (L-R) Villareal's Gerard Moreno, Etienne Capoue and Juan Marcos Foyth celebrate their victory after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-final second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Villarreal CF at Allianz Arena. (dpa)
12 April 2022, Bavaria, Munich: (L-R) Villareal's Gerard Moreno, Etienne Capoue and Juan Marcos Foyth celebrate their victory after the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-final second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Villarreal CF at Allianz Arena. (dpa)

After eliminating Juventus and Bayern Munich from the Champions League, Villarreal have "all the confidence in the world" that they can get past Liverpool and reach the final of Europe's elite club competition, midfielder Dani Parejo said.

The Spanish side won the Europa League last season and followed up that impressive European campaign by reaching their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years.

"On the basis of the teams we have beaten, not only this year, but also last year in the Europa League, and now the journey we have had in this Champions League," Parejo told reporters ahead of the first leg at Anfield later on Wednesday.

"Knocking out Juventus and Bayern was very important for us because it showed we can reach a level where we can compete with these teams."

Parejo credited owner Fernando Roig and vice president Jose Manuel Llaneza for the club's success. Billionaire Roig became Villarreal's president in 1997 and was the architect of their rise to becoming one of the top sides in Spanish football.

"When you look at the club, which was taken over by the Roig family 23 or 24 years ago along with Jose Manuel Llaneza, they have played European competitions for many years ...," Parejo said. "This isn't a coincidence.

"That is work, consistency, and trust in a project while taking loving care of it, giving it importance and letting people work. I believe that when you trust in a project and you put love into it, the chances to succeed are much higher."

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Sports

FIFA Postpones FIFAe Finals in Saudi Arabia

The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA
The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA
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FIFA Postpones FIFAe Finals in Saudi Arabia

The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA
The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 scheduled to take place in Jeddah from October 16 to 25, organizers said on Thursday.

"The decision follows an assessment ⁠of recent developments ⁠in the region and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament," organizers of the global video game tournament said.

"Further announcements on the FIFAe Finals will be communicated in due course."

FIFA expressed its appreciation to the Kingdom and the Saudi Esports Federation for their support and cooperation in preparations for the FIFAe Finals 2026, building on Saudi Arabia’s successful hosting of previous editions of the tournament.

Sports

Malaysia Says Considering Bringing F1 Race Back

A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
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Malaysia Says Considering Bringing F1 Race Back

A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Malaysia is considering returning as a regular host of a Formula One race, either annually or once every few years, with the government assessing the costs and economic benefits, its sports minister said on Thursday.

Malaysia's Sepang circuit had hosted a leg of the Formula One championship annually between 1999 and 2017 before being dropped from the calendar amid declining ticket sales and ⁠concerns over rising ⁠hosting costs

It returned earlier this month as a one-off host for a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, after the race was cancelled at its original venue due to ongoing tensions in the Middle ⁠East.

Discussions on bringing the race regularly back to Malaysia were still at an early stage, including a proposal to host it once every few years in partnership with another country, Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari told parliament.

An assessment report was expected to be submitted to cabinet by November, Reuters quoted him as saying.

"Staging F1 is ⁠not ⁠cheap. It involves quite substantial costs, and there are several important aspects that we need to assess," he said.

While this month's event was estimated to have generated around 950 million ringgit ($233 million) in economic returns, the government would need to consider if "we would obtain the same returns (every year), and whether we are ready in terms of the various infrastructure requirements," he said.

Sports

Franco Colapinto Calls Out his Fans for Social Media Attacks on F1 Rivals

Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
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Franco Colapinto Calls Out his Fans for Social Media Attacks on F1 Rivals

Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has called on his fans to stop social media campaigns attacking other drivers and his Alpine team staff, saying they're holding back his career.

Since the Argentine driver's F1 debut in 2024, fans have sent negative and sometimes abusive comments on social media targeting drivers who clashed with him on the track. Among them were champion Lando Norris and FIA race stewards who penalized Colapinto.

Alpine also stepped in this year to condemn online abuse and deny claims it was trying to “sabotage” Colapinto to favor teammate Pierre Gasly.

“I know it makes you feel very proud when things go well for me, when I score points, for me and for the whole team, and I’ll always be very grateful for that," Colapinto said in a video on Instagram late Wednesday.

"But there are times when we go over the line, when instead of supporting me we end up criticizing, we end up attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my teammates, my mechanics, my engineers, people I work with day in and day out.

“I know you’re thinking that you’re defending me, but you’re actually doing the opposite. You don’t help me or my future, and I really want you to understand that this is what we have to change, all of us together.”

The Associated Press said that Colapinto became racing-mad Argentina’s first F1 driver in 23 years when he made his debut in 2024 with Williams.

He moved to Alpine the following year, initially as a reserve, then was promoted when the team fired Jack Doohan, who later complained he'd received death threats around that time.

Colapinto is having his most successful season this year and is 12th in the standings, as well as picking up a best career race finish of sixth. Alpine confirmed in August his contract was being extended for next season.