Saudi Ministry of Sport, stc Group Sign Cooperation Agreement

The MoU aims to explore prospects for mutual cooperation and to provide innovative solutions and services in digital infrastructure and modern technologies. (SPA)
The MoU aims to explore prospects for mutual cooperation and to provide innovative solutions and services in digital infrastructure and modern technologies. (SPA)
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Saudi Ministry of Sport, stc Group Sign Cooperation Agreement

The MoU aims to explore prospects for mutual cooperation and to provide innovative solutions and services in digital infrastructure and modern technologies. (SPA)
The MoU aims to explore prospects for mutual cooperation and to provide innovative solutions and services in digital infrastructure and modern technologies. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Sport signed on Saturday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the stc Group at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, coinciding with the stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Formula 1 race.

The signing was attended by Chairman of the Board of Directors of stc Group Prince Mohammed bin Khalid bin Abdullah bin Faisal and Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal.

The MoU aims to explore prospects for mutual cooperation and to provide innovative solutions and services in digital infrastructure and modern technologies in a way that supports the sports sector and boosts development opportunities for strategic projects, in line with relevant regulations.

A tripartite agreement was also signed by Secretary-General of the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) Ibrahim Al-Qassim, CEO of the Saudi Pro League Omar Mugharbel, and Chief Business Officer at stc Group Eng. Riyadh Muawad.

The agreement outlines areas of cooperation in digital transformation and the development of technical infrastructure for Saudi football competitions.

These initiatives contribute to achieving added economic value by diversifying income sources and expanding the range of services linked to the sector, thereby strengthening the position of sports as a promising investment pathway in line with national ambitions to make the Kingdom a global sports destination.



Tottenham Winger Odobert Sidelined with ACL Tear

10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
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Tottenham Winger Odobert Sidelined with ACL Tear

10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
10 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Odobert receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa

Tottenham Hotspur's French winger Wilson Odobert has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear, the Premier League club said on Thursday, after the 21-year-old was forced off during Tuesday's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle United.

Spurs, who sacked manager Thomas Frank on Wednesday amid an ⁠eight-game run without ⁠a league win, said Odobert will have surgery. British media reported that he could miss the rest of the season.

"We can confirm that ⁠Wilson Odobert has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee," Reuters quoted Tottenham as saying in a statement.

Spurs, who are only five points above the relegation zone, have faced several injury setbacks this season.

Their long list of absentees include forward ⁠Richarlison, ⁠three defenders and several midfielders including James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall.

Captain Cristian Romero criticized the club's thin squad in an Instagram post earlier this month.

Spurs, who are languishing in 16th place, next host league leaders Arsenal on February 22.


Thomas Tuchel Extends Contract as England Coach Until Euro 2028

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Thomas Tuchel Extends Contract as England Coach Until Euro 2028

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Manchester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 8, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands REUTERS/Phil Noble

Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.

Tuchel was confirmed as the successor to Gareth Southgate in October 2024 and has overseen an unbeaten qualification run to this year's World Cup in North America, with England winning all eight group games under their German boss.

"I am very happy and proud to extend my time with England," said the 52-year-old former Chelsea boss, whose previous deal with the national side ran only until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

"It is no secret to anyone that I have loved every minute so far of working with my players and coaches, and I cannot wait to lead them to the World Cup.

"It is an incredible opportunity and we are going to do our very best to make the country proud."

According to AFP, the FA said the new agreement with Tuchel would provide "clarity and full focus" on the World Cup.

Tuchel had been previously touted as a possible permanent successor to sacked former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, even though the English giants have experienced an upturn in form under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.

But in signing a new England contract, Tuchel appears to have ruled himself out of a post-World Cup move to Old Trafford.


Ukraine Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Olympics over Memorial Helmet

(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Ukraine Skeleton Racer Disqualified from Olympics over Memorial Helmet

(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
(FILES) Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet which depicts Ukrainian sportsmen and women, victims of his country's war with Russia, as he takes part in the skeleton men's training session at Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo on February 9, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Thursday after refusing to back down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia.

The International Olympic Committee said he had been kicked out of the Milan-Cortina Games "after refusing to adhere to the IOC athlete expression guidelines".

Heraskevych, 27, had insisted he would continue to wear the helmet, which carries pictures of Ukrainian sportsmen and women killed since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, during the men's skeleton heats on Thursday.

After the decision, a defiant Heraskevych posted on X "this is price of our dignity", alongside a picture of his headwear, AFP reported.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had defended the athlete's right to wear the helmet but he knew he was taking a risk as gestures of a political nature during competition are forbidden under the Olympic charter.

The IOC said in statement on Thursday that the skeleton racer's accreditation for the Games had been withdrawn.

"Having been given one final opportunity, skeleton pilot Vladylsav Heraskevych from Ukraine will not be able to start his race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games this morning," the IOC statement said.

"The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC's Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules."

Athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media, and on Tuesday the IOC said it would "make an exception" for Heraskevych, allowing him to wear a plain black armband during competition.

"Mr. Heraskevych was able to display his helmet in all training runs," the IOC said.

"The IOC also offered him the option of displaying it immediately after the competition when going through the mixed zone."

Olympic chiefs said that IOC president Kirsty Coventry had spoken with Heraskevych on Thursday morning in a vain bid to make him change his mind.