Man United Drawn with Real Betis in Last 16 of Europa League

Europa League ambassador Hungarian former footballer Zoltan Gera shows the paper slip of Real Betis Balompie during the draw for the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 UEFA Europa League football tournament in Nyon, on February 24, 2023. (AFP)
Europa League ambassador Hungarian former footballer Zoltan Gera shows the paper slip of Real Betis Balompie during the draw for the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 UEFA Europa League football tournament in Nyon, on February 24, 2023. (AFP)
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Man United Drawn with Real Betis in Last 16 of Europa League

Europa League ambassador Hungarian former footballer Zoltan Gera shows the paper slip of Real Betis Balompie during the draw for the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 UEFA Europa League football tournament in Nyon, on February 24, 2023. (AFP)
Europa League ambassador Hungarian former footballer Zoltan Gera shows the paper slip of Real Betis Balompie during the draw for the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 UEFA Europa League football tournament in Nyon, on February 24, 2023. (AFP)

Manchester United was paired with Real Betis in the round of 16 of the Europa League on Friday, giving the 2017 champions another Spanish opponent after eliminating Barcelona.

Man United will host the first leg at Old Trafford on March 9.

The last Ukrainian team left in this season’s European competitions, Shakhtar Donetsk, was drawn to face Feyenoord. Shakhtar will host the first leg in neighboring Poland because of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

Premier League leader Arsenal will face Sporting Lisbon, with the first leg played in Portugal.

Arsenal was seeded in the draw because it was among the eight winners of Europa League groups, and those teams play the second leg at home. Unseeded teams hosting the first leg came through the playoff round, which involved Europa League group runners-up and teams which placed third in a Champions League group.

Juventus was paired with Freiburg and six-time champion Sevilla will be at home first against Fenerbahce. Union Berlin will have a reunion with Union Saint-Gilloise after they also met twice in the group stage.

Roma, coached by Jose Mourinho, will play Real Sociedad, while Bayer Leverkusen was paired with Ferencvaros.

The Europa League final will be played in Budapest on May 31 at Puskas Arena.



Saudi Pro League Prepares for Winter Transfer Window

 The SPL emphasized that it had conducted several intensive workshops with ROSHN Saudi League clubs in recent months to identify their specific needs and objectives - SPA
The SPL emphasized that it had conducted several intensive workshops with ROSHN Saudi League clubs in recent months to identify their specific needs and objectives - SPA
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Saudi Pro League Prepares for Winter Transfer Window

 The SPL emphasized that it had conducted several intensive workshops with ROSHN Saudi League clubs in recent months to identify their specific needs and objectives - SPA
The SPL emphasized that it had conducted several intensive workshops with ROSHN Saudi League clubs in recent months to identify their specific needs and objectives - SPA

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has announced its preparations for the upcoming 2024-25 winter transfer window to run from January 1 to January 30, 2025, underscoring the league’s commitment to supporting clubs by facilitating player transfers, improving governance and planning, ensuring player welfare, and enhancing financial sustainability.
In a statement, the SPL emphasized that it had conducted several intensive workshops with ROSHN Saudi League clubs in recent months to identify their specific needs and objectives. The league plans to support clubs in ensuring continued success for their players, including facilitating transfers among local clubs, SPA reported.
The statement also noted that following the decision to allow ROSHN League clubs to sign non-Saudi players under the age of 21, clubs utilized 16 players during the last summer transfer window out of the 36 available slots for the league’s 18 clubs. Thirteen clubs signed at least one player in this age category, while five clubs made no signings. The opportunity remains for some clubs to enhance their squads with players in this age group.
Additionally, the SPL revealed that all ROSHN League clubs reached the maximum allowance of eight foreign players above 21 years old by the end of the summer transfer window. New signings during the upcoming winter window will only be permitted if clubs terminate or sell contracts of currently registered players. The SPL stressed its cooperation with clubs and the Financial Sustainability Committee to facilitate these adjustments while ensuring compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
Regarding notable outcomes of the 2024-2025 ROSHN League season following the summer transfer window, the SPL reported a decrease in the average player age from 27.6 years to 26.2 years. A total of 115 local players were registered, while 132 local players departed due to contract expirations, sales, or cancellations. Meanwhile, 101 foreign players joined through new contracts, compared to 32 foreign players who exited due to contract expirations, sales, or cancellations.