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NEOM Introduces NEOM Sports Club; Alohali Named Club’s CEO

NEOM Sports Club is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving NEOM’s broader sports objectives.
NEOM Sports Club is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving NEOM’s broader sports objectives.
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NEOM Introduces NEOM Sports Club; Alohali Named Club’s CEO

NEOM Sports Club is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving NEOM’s broader sports objectives.
NEOM Sports Club is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving NEOM’s broader sports objectives.

Following the June announcement of the ownership transfer of Al Suqor Club to NEOM, the company revealed on Sunday that the new name will be NEOM Sports Club with a new logo to reflect the name change.

NEOM also announced that Moaath Alohali has been named CEO of the club after leaving his tenure as CEO of the Saudi Pro League team, Al Ettifaq.

The club’s ownership transfer is part of the Kingdom’s privatization plans for sports clubs recently announced by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The plans aim to develop and promote the sports industry and encourage the private sector to become more invested in it, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

NEOM Sports Club is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving NEOM’s broader sports objectives and underscores the project’s commitment to supporting local Saudi talent as it becomes a global hub for sports.

Chairman of NEOM Sports Club Meshari Al-Motairi said: “NEOM Sports Club provides us with an opportunity to positively contribute to developing sport in the Kingdom and help achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

“In NEOM, sport is a key contributor to a new form of livability, focusing on using sport as a tool for social growth, shaping lifestyle, uniting communities and contributing to NEOM’s dynamic economy,” he added.

“Announcing the new name and logo of the club marks a major milestone for NEOM in realizing its sports objectives, which include investing in active lifestyles and promoting sporting entities,” he said.

“We look forward to honoring the history of the club and its close ties to the local community whilst engaging the best talent and coaches to deliver high-performance athletes and players by providing a comprehensive and future-thinking high-performance ecosystem as guided by our vision.”

CEO of NEOM Sports Club Moaath Alohali said: “Today is a momentous occasion for the club, and we are proud to be a part of it. Our commitment to sport has been evident throughout our history, and alongside NEOM, we now have the opportunity to expand our expertise, grow as a football club and serve our community with several sports that cater to all ages.”

NEOM Sports Club has already made several achievements in multiple sports. In football, the club is currently top of their group in the Second League Division. The club’s youth football team has been competing to qualify for the Saudi Pro League, along with its female team, which was inaugurated and entered the first division. The team are currently focused on achieving promotion to the Women’s Premier League.

The teams at the club competing in badminton for youth and billiards have successfully been promoted to their respective premier leagues. Additionally, the club’s volleyball team is also competing this year for promotion. The club has recently established several basketball teams across different divisions, one of which is for women, in addition to inaugurating a handball academy. In terms of awards, the club won four medals, following participation in six different competitions during the Saudi Games.

Founded in 1965 as Al Suqor Club, the NEOM Sports Club’s Football Team currently competes in the Second Division of the Saudi Pro League. Playing its home matches at the King Khalid Sport City Stadium in Tabuk, its players are predominantly Saudi nationals. Its well-known previous players include Fahad Abo Jaber, Saod Al-Kaebari, and Mohammad Al-Shamrani.

NEOM Sports Club is currently home to 13 different sports, including football, basketball, martial arts and table tennis, with teams and sessions available for men, women and children of all ages.

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Sports

Iraola Says Too Soon for Title Talk as In-Form Liverpool Welcome Arsenal

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)
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Iraola Says Too Soon for Title Talk as In-Form Liverpool Welcome Arsenal

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)

Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola refused to let a five-match winning run go to his team's head on Friday, saying it was too early to discuss a Premier League title challenge before champions Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday.

After a humbling 3-0 defeat by Manchester City this month, Iraola's side have won five straight games across three competitions, including Wednesday's penalty shootout victory over Chelsea to reach the League ‌Cup quarter-finals.

Fourth-placed Liverpool ‌are six points behind Arsenal.

"It's still October, take ‌one ⁠game at a ⁠time and I always say the first reference is normally when we have played against each other once, halfway through the season, and then you can start looking at the standings," Iraola told reporters.

"Now we are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better. Can fans dream? It's good if they have expectations and think we ⁠can win. But if you ask me, it is ‌still early."

GOOD RECORD AGAINST ARSENAL

Iraola has a ‌good record against Arsenal having won three of his last four meetings ‌with Mikel Arteta's side as Bournemouth head coach.

With Arsenal chasing a ‌first win at Anfield since 2012, the Spaniard said past records would count for little.

"It is true we had good results against them with Bournemouth but it does not mean a lot as it is a totally different team, ‌different group of players, different moments," he said.

"At the end of the day it is about winning ⁠the duels, running ⁠more than them, winning the aerial duels, set plays, mini games, these things that you have to control against Arsenal. They are the champions, they are top of the league right now, they have only lost one game this season."

Sunday's match offers Iraola the chance to meet up with his former teammate Arteta after they came through the youth ranks together in San Sebastian in Spain's Basque Country.

"Last week was (Chelsea boss) Xabi (Alonso), now Mikel, a lot of former friends on the opposition bench lately. I think it is a good thing in terms of spending 5-10 minutes after the game normally with them," Iraola said.

Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) and Victor Munoz (knee) could feature after recovering from injuries.

Sports

Arteta Tells Dowman Premier League Is ‘Not Disneyland’ After Ban Upheld

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)
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Arteta Tells Dowman Premier League Is ‘Not Disneyland’ After Ban Upheld

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said teenager ‌Max Dowman must learn to cope with the demands of elite football after the winger's red card in the League Cup defeat at fourth-tier Fleetwood Town, with the 16-year-old having to serve a three-match suspension.

Dowman, who will miss Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool, was sent off in the 85th minute of Tuesday's fourth-round loss after an altercation with defender Harrison Neal as Arsenal lost 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

"This is the environment, this is the reality. We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League," Arteta told a press conference on Friday following criticism from football ‌fans over his ‌reaction to Dowman after the red card.

Arteta gave ‌the ⁠teenager a stern ⁠look as he left the pitch at Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium and exchanged words with Dowman on his way down the tunnel, later saying that the issue was something the pair had spoken about before kickoff.

"We look after him so much but at the same time we're going to demand from him like everybody else because he needs to earn the right to play. Because ⁠the other boys, what are they going to say ‌to me? You need to be fair," ‌Arteta said.

Arteta said his response was driven by frustration over the consequences for Dowman, ‌adding that the teenager's profile meant he was likely to attract ‌attention from opponents. He dismissed any suggestion of a rift with the winger.

"There are no issues. We had a talk yesterday. I have done it. That's why I am so protective of these things, especially with young players because we have made ‌these mistakes and you know how much you can get punished and how much it can change what ⁠happens next," ⁠Arteta said.

The Spaniard also voiced his disappointment after an independent regulatory commission upheld Dowman's ban, rejecting Arsenal's appeal against the dismissal and punishment.

"Very disappointed, to be fair, especially with the reckless tackle that he received. His reaction is minimal compared to the action," he said of Neal's challenge on Dowman.

On the injury front, Arteta said Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori had resumed training after missing the Fleetwood match with issues suffered in last weekend's home win over Everton in the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka, however, remains sidelined with the quadriceps problem he sustained in the Champions League draw at Bayern Munich on October 21.

"He needed another scan to see how much of the fluid has resolved. Afterwards we'll know more about it," Arteta added.

Sports

No Big Bayern Changes Ahead of Klassiker Despite Coach Kompany Absence, Danks Says

Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)
Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)
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No Big Bayern Changes Ahead of Klassiker Despite Coach Kompany Absence, Danks Says

Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)
Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)

Bayern Munich will ‌not be making changes or preparing any differently for Saturday's Bundesliga Klassiker against Dortmund despite the absence of coach Vincent Kompany, assistant coach Aaron Danks said on Friday.

Kompany was discharged from hospital on Wednesday following his collapse in training last week due to a meningeal irritation but he is expected to be out for some time to recover. Danks is in charge for the second game after ‌their German Cup ‌win over Magdeburg this week.

The ‌Belgian ⁠coach had been rushed ⁠to hospital last week after collapsing during a second-team training session. He had been nursing a virus in the days before.

"We want the players to go out and show who they are," Danks told a press conference in Munich. "No big changes, ⁠no big differences for us. We will ‌be ready and super ‌competitive."

"There is a difference (in coaching). Vinnie did not want ‌his assistant coaches to be mini-Vinnies. We are ‌all different, but we complement each other," Danks said.

Bayern are top in the Bundesliga, ahead of Dortmund only on goal difference. They travel to Madrid to face Atletico ‌in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Danks, who has been in his ⁠position ⁠since 2024, expected to be in charge for at least the coming few games.

"What happened with Vinnie is difficult to prepare for," said Max Eberl, Bayern board member for sport. "What we said at the start of his illness is that we have a coaching staff. Vinnie is up front with a big personality but there is a whole team."

"It is nothing new for the lads. It is not a situation we could have planned for, but we have seamlessly made the transition."