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Paris to Deploy 4,000 Police Officers for France-Israel Soccer Match Following Violence in Amsterdam

Police officers stand guard on Dam Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 09 November 2024. (EPA)
Police officers stand guard on Dam Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 09 November 2024. (EPA)
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Paris to Deploy 4,000 Police Officers for France-Israel Soccer Match Following Violence in Amsterdam

Police officers stand guard on Dam Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 09 November 2024. (EPA)
Police officers stand guard on Dam Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 09 November 2024. (EPA)

Paris police said Sunday that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a France-Israel soccer match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation a week after violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam.

France and Israel are playing in a UEFA Nations League match on Thursday.

“There's a context, tensions that make that match a high-risk event for us,” Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez said on French news broadcaster BFM TV, adding authorities “won't tolerate” any violence.

Nuñez said that 2,500 police officers would be deployed around the Stade de France stadium, north of the French capital, in addition to 1,500 others in Paris and on public transportation.

“There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium,” Nuñez said. Security checks will be “reinforced,” he added, including with systematic pat-downs and bag searches.

Nuñez said that French organizers have been in contact with Israeli authorities and security forces in order to prepare for the match.

Israeli fans were assaulted last week after a soccer game in Amsterdam by hordes of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people, according to Dutch authorities. Five people were treated at hospitals and dozens were arrested after the attacks, which were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel and across Europe.

Before the match, the Israeli fans tore a Palestinian flag off a building in Amsterdam and chanted anti-Arab slogans on their way to the stadium. There were also reports of Israeli fans starting fights.

On Sunday, Dutch police detained several people for taking part in a demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed following the violence targeting Israeli fans, a local broadcaster reported.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed Friday that the France-Israel match would go ahead as planned.

“I think that for a symbolic reason we must not yield, we must not give up,” he said, noting that sports fans from around the world came together for the Paris Olympics this year to celebrate the “universal values” of sports.

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Al-Arabi Wins Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa

Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
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Al-Arabi Wins Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa

Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA

Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Arabi won the Professional category in the second round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa, setting up a title decider with Oman's Ahmed Al-Amri in the final round.

Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi.

In the Semi-Professional category, Fahad bin Rubayyi won, ahead of Sultan Al-Aqili and Saud Al-Abbasi. In the Amateur category, Qaswara Hammam took first place, followed by Amir Al-Aqili and Osama Al-Asiri, SPA reported.

The round drew a large crowd and 47 drivers: 19 Professional, 19 Semi-Professional, and nine Amateur. It was supervised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, managed by Bakhashab Motorsport, and held in partnership with Jameel Motorsport.

The third and final round, which will decide the 2026 champions in all three categories, takes place in Jeddah on November 26 and 27.
The championship is part of the federation's efforts to develop motorsport in the Kingdom, support national talent, and strengthen safety standards.

Sports

'Weeks, Not Days' in Kompany Recovery, Say Bayern

FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
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'Weeks, Not Days' in Kompany Recovery, Say Bayern

FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Bayern Munich expect coach Vincent Kompany to miss an extended period as he continues his hospital treatment for a virus after collapsing on the training pitch on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Kompany was still hospitalized in a "stable" condition.

Kompany's English assistant coach Aaron Danks will replace the 40-year-old for Sunday's Bundesliga match at Freiburg.

Eberl told reporters "examinations were continuing" to determine the nature of the former Manchester City and Belgium captain's condition, with a recovery timeframe yet to be determined.

"Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We're not starting to put together any timeframes.

"We need to firstly figure out what it is and then we'll discuss calmly what recovery time is to be. We won't be talking about days, but weeks. We need to all be clear on that."

Taking Saturday's press conference in Kompany's absence, Danks said he had spoken with the former center-back briefly on Friday but only to wish him well.

"I explained to him that we wouldn't be having no football conversations. It was just checking in on his health and making sure he's OK.

"All the football operations are in our hands and we'll work together as a team to keep the club moving forward."

Bayern's second team's game was postponed after Kompany's collapse but Eberl said the club did not consider trying to postpone Sunday's Bundesliga game.

"I think the greatest joy for Vinnie would be for us to play well tomorrow and, ideally, get a positive result," AFP quoted Eberl as saying.

"That would probably be one of the best things we could do to help him recover."

Danks confirmed Germany captain Joshua Kimmich, who has been on bereavement leave since Tuesday, would also miss Sunday's game.

Kompany returned to the dugout for Wednesday's home clash with Arsenal despite missing the pre-match press conference due to the virus.

Speaking after the Arsenal game, Kompany said his body reacted after he tried to push through the illness.

"I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn't listen to my body -- and then at some point my body just said, 'enough is enough!'"

The defending champions sit on top of the Bundesliga table ahead of Sunday's game, one point above Freiburg.

Their next Champions League match is on November 3 in Madrid against Atletico.

Sports

Marquez Wins Thrilling Australian MotoGP Sprint to Retake Championship Lead

Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
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Marquez Wins Thrilling Australian MotoGP Sprint to Retake Championship Lead

Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)

Ducati's Marc Marquez emerged victorious in an electrifying battle with championship rival Jorge Martin before going on to win the Australian Grand Prix sprint from pole position on Saturday and reclaim the MotoGP championship lead.

Victory moved seven-times MotoGP champion Marquez up to 365 points in the championship standings, 10 points ahead of Martin, who did not finish the sprint after suffering a gruesome crash in the eighth lap.

The reigning champion can further extend that lead in Sunday's race, with Martin declared unfit after breaking his wrist in the crash.

After a couple of wet qualifying sessions earlier in the day, the sprint began on a dry track at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with dark clouds looming overhead.

Pole-sitter Marquez shot off the line and held on to his lead, though his start was matched by title rival Martin, who barreled past Alex Marquez and Johann ⁠Zarco into second ⁠place from fourth.

Without the rain to hinder him, Martin squeezed every ounce of pace he could out of his Aprilia on the circuit's swooping corners and stole the lead from Marquez three times, only to overplay his hand and quickly give it away on every occasion.

The 2024 champion continued to push, and his overzealousness proved to be his undoing in the eighth lap, as his bike slid out from under him and he went hurtling into the gravel at high speed.

"It was a title battle. Of course I gave everything. I was ⁠aggressive and he was faster than me, but I tried to defend in the best way possible," Reuters quoted Marquez as saying after his win.

"There were nice overtakes, limit overtakes. And in the end, both of us were riding on the limit. Both of us deserved the victory because we are pushing a lot. But, you know, racing is like it is.

"Today, it was on my side, but, this (season) is super long, so, keep calm, keep going, and yeah, happy for today."

Martin was carried away from the site of the crash on a stretcher as Aprilia confirmed that he had been taken to the medical center for evaluation.

The Spaniard was later pictured walking out of the medical center with his arm in a sling and his wrist wrapped up tightly.

"Jorge Martin has been declared unfit to race after suffering a fracture to ⁠his right wrist! Wishing ⁠Jorge a speedy recovery," MotoGP said in a statement on social media, according to Reuters.

Martin will also be a doubt for next week's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez, who won the Australian Grand Prix in 2025, was also ruled out of Sunday's race due to inflammation of tissue around a finger fracture that he sustained at the Indonesian Grand Prix this month.

"It’s not how I wanted to say goodbye to Phillip Island, but my finger has said it’s enough. I need to take a break and recover so I can come back at 100%," Fernandez said on social media.

Marquez's brother Alex of Gresini Racing finished second, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Racing) completing the podium.

"It was quite dramatic. For me, I had the best seat, sitting in the third place (behind Marc Marquez and Martin)," Alex said.

Martin's teammate Marco Bezzecchi finished in fourth place, keeping his outside shot at winning the title alive.

Home hero Jack Miller of Pramac Racing was eighth in the final sprint at Phillip Island, with the Australian Grand Prix moving to the streets of Adelaide next year.