Soccer Fans Storm Field in Libya, Portuguese Referee Injured during Suspended Match

The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo
The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo
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Soccer Fans Storm Field in Libya, Portuguese Referee Injured during Suspended Match

The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo
The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo

A highly-anticipated derby in Libya’s top soccer league was suspended after fans stormed the pitch and officials said Thursday the Portuguese referee and some fans were injured.

The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute when Al-Ahli substitutes and fans stormed the pitch in protest of Al-Ittihad players’ celebration of their opening goal. Al-Ittihad's bus was set on fire, the club said in a statement.

Players and soccer officials fled the stadium amid a fan disturbance outside the facility. Footage circuited online showed clashes between fans and security forces in and around the stadium.

Al-Ahly blamed what it called a “provocative act” by one of Al-Ittihad players for the disturbance.

According to The Associated Press, it said in a statement that security forces used “excessive force and live fire” against fans at the club’s headquarters.

Local media reported that Portuguese referee Fábio José Costa was injured.



McFarlane Rues Chelsea’s Poor Start in Nottingham Loss

Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League match Chelsea FC against Nottingham Forest, in London, Britain, 04 May 2026. (EPA)
Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League match Chelsea FC against Nottingham Forest, in London, Britain, 04 May 2026. (EPA)
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McFarlane Rues Chelsea’s Poor Start in Nottingham Loss

Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League match Chelsea FC against Nottingham Forest, in London, Britain, 04 May 2026. (EPA)
Chelsea's interim manager Calum McFarlane reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League match Chelsea FC against Nottingham Forest, in London, Britain, 04 May 2026. (EPA)

Chelsea interim ‌manager Calum McFarlane lamented his side's poor start during Monday's 3–1 Premier League home defeat to Nottingham Forest, marking the London club's sixth successive league defeat.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored for Forest inside two minutes and then ‌Chelsea fell ‌further behind to an ‌Igor ⁠Jesus penalty in ⁠the 15th.

Awoniyi struck again at the start of the second half, with Joao Pedro’s stoppage-time goal proving only a consolation for the ⁠hosts.

"Ultimately, the first 15 ‌minutes was ‌not acceptable," McFarlane told reporters.

"The ‌early goal was a bit ‌of a sucker punch. We know that they like to cross to the back post. We ‌know that the number nine likes to peel ⁠to ⁠the back post. We should defend that moment better."

Ninth-placed Chelsea sit 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa, extinguishing any lingering hope of a top-five finish that would guarantee Champions League football next season.

They will face fourth-placed Liverpool on Saturday.


Madrid’s Mendy Suffers Another Injury Setback

Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy receives medical attention during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 03 May 2026. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy receives medical attention during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 03 May 2026. (EPA)
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Madrid’s Mendy Suffers Another Injury Setback

Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy receives medical attention during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 03 May 2026. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy receives medical attention during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 03 May 2026. (EPA)

Injury-plagued Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy has suffered a thigh injury, with Spanish media reporting on Monday that he will be sidelined for several months.

Left-back Mendy was replaced after just 14 minutes of Sunday's 2-0 win over Espanyol, which delayed Barcelona winning the La Liga title.

The France international will undergo surgery in the coming hours after suffering his 16th injury since joining Madrid from Lyon in 2019.

"Following tests carried out today on our player Ferland Mendy... he has been diagnosed with a rectus femoris tendon injury in his right leg," Madrid said in a statement.

Mendy made his last France appearance in June 2024 and was unlikely to be in contention for a place in Didier Deschamps's World Cup squad.


Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Saudi FA Financials With SAR 88 Million Surplus

Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Saudi FA Financials With SAR 88 Million Surplus
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Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Saudi FA Financials With SAR 88 Million Surplus

Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Saudi FA Financials With SAR 88 Million Surplus

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation is set to approve its consolidated financial statements for the period from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, at its general assembly meeting scheduled for May 18 in Riyadh. The move reflects the close of the financial cycle and entry into the formal approval phase.

Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained detailed figures from those statements through its sources. Total revenue reached SAR 2.599 billion (about $693.1 million), compared with expenditures of SAR 2.511 billion (around $669.6 million), generating a surplus of SAR 88.4 million (approximately $23.6 million). The outcome points to balanced finances despite elevated spending levels.

Competition-related spending topped the expenditure categories at SAR 717 million (about $191.2 million). This figure covers the organization of domestic competitions as well as hosting regional, continental, and international tournaments. It also includes club support and prize money totaling SAR 246 million (around $65.6 million), underscoring the scale of investment in domestic competitions.

For national teams, the federation reported spending of roughly SAR 467 million (about $124.5 million), while allocations for referees reached SAR 210 million (around $56 million), reflecting a clear push to strengthen technical and organizational standards and develop officiating and training camps.

On the human resources front, total salaries and incentives for federation staff and all Saudi national teams, men’s and women’s (19 teams), amounted to SAR 543 million (about $144.8 million).

In terms of operating revenue, sponsorship agreements, broadcasting rights, and matchday income generated SAR 256 million (around $68.3 million). Meanwhile, travel and transportation costs for federation personnel and national teams totaled SAR 229 million (about $61.1 million), a category tied to the domestic and international scope of activities.

As for the general assembly agenda, it includes announcing the session and confirming its formation in line with the statutes, approving the agenda, and delivering the president’s address. This will be followed by the appointment of three delegates to review the meeting minutes, the designation of independent auditors, and ratification of the previous meeting’s minutes.

The assembly will also review the president’s report on activities since the last meeting, before presenting the external auditor’s report and approving the consolidated financial statements, including the statement of financial position and activities report.

Members will then vote on proposed amendments to regulations and standing orders, culminating in the appointment of an independent external auditor based on a board recommendation, in a session with a distinctly regulatory and financial focus that will shape the next phase.