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World Tunes in to Saudi Pro League Kickoff

The spotlight is focused on Firmino and Mahrez in their debut appearance on Saudi football pitches (Al-Ahli Club)
The spotlight is focused on Firmino and Mahrez in their debut appearance on Saudi football pitches (Al-Ahli Club)
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World Tunes in to Saudi Pro League Kickoff

The spotlight is focused on Firmino and Mahrez in their debut appearance on Saudi football pitches (Al-Ahli Club)
The spotlight is focused on Firmino and Mahrez in their debut appearance on Saudi football pitches (Al-Ahli Club)

Football enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly preparing for the kickoff of the historic and exceptional Saudi Pro League, featuring a formidable array of elite stars who have graced the major European stadiums and leagues, notably the English Premier League.

The championship’s proceedings commence with a match between the rising stars Al-Ahli and Al-Hazm at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, marking the honor of inaugurating the 49th edition of the tournament.

This time, the scene will be markedly distinct as global icons grace the Saudi football pitches, following an era initiated by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al-Nassr, back in January of the previous year.

The journey ahead will not be facile for Al-Ittihad Club, the reigning champion of the Saudi Pro League, who aspires to retain their title amidst robust ambitions from their fierce runner-up, Al-Nassr.

The challenge also extends to Al-Hilal, the club with the most league titles to its name, along with Al-Ahli, making a triumphant return to the league after a year in the lower division, before swiftly reclaiming their position among the elite.

The realm of competition will not be limited to the quartet whose ownership has transitioned by 75% to the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Instead, an opportune moment arises for Al-Shabab team to contend with the quartet for the championship title.

The market value of the Saudi Pro League has surged to an unprecedented historical milestone, reaching a staggering 780 million euros according to “Transfermarkt.”

This summer, it has witnessed a remarkable 26% increase from its previous value, distancing itself from its closest Asian competitors by nearly 500 million euros. Following closely behind is the UAE Pro League, with an aggregate value of 287 million euros.

It is worth noting that Al-Ahli is striving to embark on an exceptional season following its swift return to the ranks of the Saudi Pro League after an unprecedented relegation in its history.

Bolstered by heavyweight acquisitions, and with an attacking line bolstered by talent from the English Premier League, the team is poised to make significant strides against all adversaries, starting with Al-Hazm.

As for Al-Ittihad, it has bolstered its ranks with the addition of French star Karim Benzema, arriving from Spanish club Real Madrid, to lead the club's offensive line. The team also boasts Moroccan international Abdelrazzak Hamdallah, and joining them is fellow countryman N'Golo Kante, making the switch from English club Chelsea.

They are joined by Portuguese talent Joao Felix from Benfica and Brazilian Fabino, who arrives from English club Liverpool.

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Sports

World Cup Hero Götze Omitted as Frankfurt Loses Bundesliga Derby 2-1 in Mainz

Mainz' scorer Paul Nebel, right, and his teammates Nelson Weiper, center, and Nikolas Veratschnig, left, celebrate their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Frankfurt in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Mainz' scorer Paul Nebel, right, and his teammates Nelson Weiper, center, and Nikolas Veratschnig, left, celebrate their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Frankfurt in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
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World Cup Hero Götze Omitted as Frankfurt Loses Bundesliga Derby 2-1 in Mainz

Mainz' scorer Paul Nebel, right, and his teammates Nelson Weiper, center, and Nikolas Veratschnig, left, celebrate their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Frankfurt in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Mainz' scorer Paul Nebel, right, and his teammates Nelson Weiper, center, and Nikolas Veratschnig, left, celebrate their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Frankfurt in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)

Eintracht Frankfurt dropped World Cup hero Mario Götze and lost 2-1 at local rival Mainz in their Bundesliga derby on Sunday.

Paul Nebel scored both goals for Mainz, grabbing the winner in the 89th minute to set off wild celebrations and deal Frankfurt its second defeat under new coach Albert Riera.

Nebel opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Nathaniel Brown responded for Frankfurt in the 20th, then Nebel fired home the rebound after Frankfurt ’keeper Michael Zetterer saved Nelson Weiper’s header.

Götze’s omission prompted questions for Riera before kickoff, when the Spanish coach asked which of his players should make way for the former Germany star to be in his squad after Arthur Theate, Can Uzun, Younes Ebnoutalib and Ansgar Knauff all recovered from injuries.

“Name me one player,” Riera challenged his pre-game interviewer on broadcaster DAZN. “If I could take 21 players, he’d be included,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying.

“Mario also had some physical problems during the week and wasn’t always at 100%. And I had to make a decision about who the best players for the bench are.”

Götze, who scored Germany’s World Cup-winning goal in 2014, has featured sparingly for Frankfurt this season, making 18 league appearances over 27 rounds and completing only one full Bundesliga game. He didn’t appear at all in Frankfurt’s last two games and seems to have lost some standing under Riera compared to the previous coach, Dino Toppmöller, who was fired in January.

Mainz’ win lifted it six points above St. Pauli in the relegation zone before the Hamburg-based team played Freiburg later.

Also later, Stuttgart had the chance to move third at Augsburg.

Sports

Premier League Probing Alleged Discriminatory Abuse in Newcastle-Sunderland Game

Sunderland's Dutch defender #06 Lutsharel Geertruida (L) challenges Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on March 22, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
Sunderland's Dutch defender #06 Lutsharel Geertruida (L) challenges Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on March 22, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
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Premier League Probing Alleged Discriminatory Abuse in Newcastle-Sunderland Game

Sunderland's Dutch defender #06 Lutsharel Geertruida (L) challenges Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on March 22, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
Sunderland's Dutch defender #06 Lutsharel Geertruida (L) challenges Newcastle United's English midfielder #10 Anthony Gordon (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on March 22, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)

England's Premier League said that it is investigating an incident of "discriminatory abuse" during Sunderland's 2-1 Premier League derby win away to Newcastle United after one of visiting team's players was allegedly racially abused.

The incident occurred early in the second half of the frenetic north-east clash when Newcastle's Sven Botman was being treated for ⁠a head injury, ⁠causing referee Anthony Taylor to briefly stop the game.

"Today's match between Newcastle United and Sunderland was temporarily paused during the second half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida," the ⁠league statement said.

"This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol.

The incident at St James’ Park will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs."

Newcastle United also offered their support to the 25-year-old Dutch defender.

"Our stance is clear - we do not tolerate discrimination of any form. We will work with the authorities to fully ⁠investigate ⁠and will ensure any individuals are identified and held accountable," Reuters quoted a Newcastle spokesperson as saying.

The incident took the shine of a superb second-half performance by Sunderland, who came back from a goal down and snatched the three points with a 90th-minute goal from striker Brian Brobbey.

"He (Geertruida) looks OK. It is unacceptable, and important to report and manage the situation properly. He looks OK, but we need to support him," Sunderland coach Regis le Bris said.

Sports

PSG Retakes Ligue 1 Lead after Teenager Nets 1st Goal in Rout at Nice

PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
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PSG Retakes Ligue 1 Lead after Teenager Nets 1st Goal in Rout at Nice

PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
PSG's Pedro Fernandez, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Nice and Paris Saint-Germain in Nice, France, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Dro Fernández scored his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain as it won at struggling Nice 4-0 and reclaimed top spot in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The 18-year-old midfielder joined from Barcelona in January and grabbed his side's third goal after being neatly set up by Ousmane Dembélé in the 81st minute.

PSG moved one point above Lens, which crushed Angers 5-1 on Friday.

Defending champion PSG has played one game less and the sides meet on April 11 in Lens in what could be a title decider.

Nice competed evenly until a contentious handball decision gave PSG a penalty late in the first half. Désiré Doué's shot was off target and lightly brushed the arm of Nice midfielder Morgan Sanson, who was turning his back and unsighted.

The referee awarded a penalty following a video review and left back Nuno Mendes scored, The Associated Press reported.

Mendes then set up Doué in the 49th with a cross and, after Nice midfielder Youssouf Ndayishimiye was sent off on the hour, PSG added late goals from Fernández and right back Warren Zaïre-Emery.

Disability awareness Substitute Emersonn scored a late solo goal to give Toulouse a 1-0 home win against Lorient.

The Brazilian forward cut inside the penalty area, beat two defenders and fired in off the underside of the crossbar. The win moved Toulouse up to ninth place.

Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes needed brief treatment in stoppage time after receiving a powerful shot from Arsène Kouassi full in the face. He was able to continue.

Emersonn almost scored a second goal with another solo effort deep into added time.

Players from both sides had pictograms of different disabilities on their jerseys instead of their names as part of a disability awareness campaign aimed at providing better facilities in soccer stadiums for those with disabilities.

The game featured an accessible shuttle service; an audio description service; visual help devices, and spaces specifically designed for sensory and autistic disability. There were also introductory sessions about blind soccer and wheelchair rugby, which both featured at the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Easier with 10 players Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon was sent off after six minutes but it still secured a 3-0 home win over Brest. He was shown a red card for impeding Rémy Labeau-Lascary.

American-born defender Bryan Okoh scored twice with powerful headers and Cameroon forward Danny Namaso added the third midway through the second half with a fine run and shot.

Auxerre remained in 16th place — which is the promotion-relegation playoff with the side finishing third in Ligue 2 — but closed the gap on 15th-placed Nice to five points.