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FIFA President, Football Legends Visit Regional Training Center in Jeddah

Saudi Arabian Football Federation. (Saff.com)
Saudi Arabian Football Federation. (Saff.com)
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FIFA President, Football Legends Visit Regional Training Center in Jeddah

Saudi Arabian Football Federation. (Saff.com)
Saudi Arabian Football Federation. (Saff.com)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has visited the Regional Training Center in Jeddah, SPA said on Sunday.
Infantino was accompanied by the President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al Misehal, Vice President Lamia bint Ibrahim Bahian, Secretary-General Ibrahim Al-Qasim, and a number of international football legends.
Infantino commended the distinguished potential of the Center, reflecting the great development in football in the Kingdom.
He also listened to a briefing by the technical director at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Nasser Larguet about the Center’s work mechanisms and future plans based on strategies to enhance regional training centers and improve football in the Kingdom.
Al Misehal said that Infantino’s visit to Jeddah-based Center, which came on the sidelines of his attendance of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023, was of prime significance for FIFA to cooperate with SAFF to improve football in the Kingdom and expand the game base among all age categories.

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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.

"It's true - I expressed frustration in a way I'm not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground," Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.

"I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.

"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgements."

Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical," Swiatek said.

"That's not a healthy standard - especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court."