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FIFA Chief Infantino Receives Support from 6 Arab Federations

FILE PHOTO: FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of Abelardo De La Espriella as Colombia's president, in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of Abelardo De La Espriella as Colombia's president, in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo
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FIFA Chief Infantino Receives Support from 6 Arab Federations

FILE PHOTO: FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of Abelardo De La Espriella as Colombia's president, in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of Abelardo De La Espriella as Colombia's president, in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo

The heads of six Arab soccer federations expressed their “full support” and “confidence” in Gianni Infantino on Thursday as the embattled FIFA president fights to keep his job after his failed World Cup private investment plan.

The backing came from 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco, Qatar, Egypt, Mauritania, Lebanon and Sudan, with four of the signatories being FIFA council members.

“We, the undersigned leaders of our respective football associations, express our full support for Mr. Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and continued commitment to the development of football worldwide,” The Associated Press quoted the statement as reading.

“We deeply appreciate Mr. Infantino’s sustained efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game’s role in bringing people and communities together.”

The statement said the signatories “look forward to continuing our close cooperation with him towards a stronger and more prosperous future for world football, expanding opportunities and further enhancing Arab football’s contribution to the global game.”

The four FIFA council members among the signatories were Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida, Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and Mauritanian Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya.

The other two were Lebanese Football Association president Hashem Haidar and Moatasem Gafar, president of the Sudan Football Association.

Infantino is facing a revolt after his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors. He withdrew the $20 billion proposal after a furious backlash by global soccer officials, including European body UEFA, which has warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events.

UEFA teamed up with CONCACAF — the confederation for North, Central America and the Caribbean — and the Asian Football Confederation — and issued an open letter Monday saying Infantino’s plan was a “fundamental breach of trust” and described it as “deception.”

And on Thursday, the Football Association of Ireland said in a statement it has withdrawn its support for Infantino to be re-elected as FIFA president in March, saying “recent events have raised significant concerns regarding governance, transparency and the lack of meaningful consultation.”

The soccer federations in England and Wales did the same last week, while Northern Ireland said it was backing UEFA's stance.

New Zealand Football, which is part of the Oceania confederation, issued a statement Friday local time saying it had withdrawn its support for the candidature of Infantino and was seeking an independent review of steps taken to develop the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme.

New Zealand soccer's governing body said it “formed the view that decisions and actions within FIFA have contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased division within international football, and that an independent review is required to restore confidence and trust.”

Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and seemed sure to be re-elected unopposed next year in Morocco.

FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.

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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Former world number one Naomi Osaka cast doubt on her future Sunday saying she would consider quitting tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to.

The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan took 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai, before returning in 2023, AFP said.

She is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week and said becoming a mother had reshaped her priorities.

"I wouldn't say I'm part-timing it but my entire day doesn't consist of that," said the 29-year-old, now ranked 19 in the world.

"It's tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I'm going to play.

"Because if my daughter did say she didn't want me to travel as much, I'm not the type of person to ignore that."

Osaka also stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritize her mental health.

She said her "mindset is changing a lot" with age.

"My daughter is my biggest priority," she said.

"I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis.

"If I think about it in certain ways, I'm really proud of where I am now because it's not like I can dedicate my entire time to the sport."

- Online abuse -

Osaka said juggling her duties as a player and a mother was something she was "figuring out little by little".

She also offered support to the American Coco Gauff, who said she had received an "insane" amount of racist abuse on the internet at this month's China Open.

World number five Gauff, who is Black, said the experience had been "kind of draining".

Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father from Haiti, said "nobody should have to go through that".

"It's sad but I'm used to it on my end," she said.

"I feel like for me, I've dealt with that my entire career through decisions that I make that seem to make some people upset. It's tough."

Osaka said efforts made by women's tennis governing body the WTA to combat social media abuse did not "ever seem to fully work all the way".

"I know that some people are like, OK, if it bothers you that much, stay off social media," said Osaka.

"But sometimes that's the best way to connect with your fans.

"From my end, what I do about it is I don't really go on social media at all."

Osaka is seeded seven in Tokyo and plays Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the first round.

World number one Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala are also competing.

Osaka said she was "not far off" refinding her best form and was "optimistic for next year".

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De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
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De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)

Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham's historic 2-0 victory against London rivals Chelsea proved his side have a winning mentality as they banished their dismal start to the season.

Tottenham won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for just the second time in 36 years and the first since 2018.

Trips across the capital to west London have largely been fruitless experiences for Tottenham over the last four decades.

But De Zerbi's men enjoyed a memorable visit to the Bridge on Saturday thanks to a comical own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late wonder-goal from Mathys Tel after Blues star Cole Palmer was sent off.

"It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well," De Zerbi said.

"We are improving a lot, we are improving in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players and then we are improving on the pitch."

Tottenham started the season on a dismal run of six league games without a win, raising the specter of another relegation battle after they narrowly avoided dropping into the Championship on the final day of last season.

With the pressure mounting on De Zerbi, the Italian has drawn his players closer together thanks to meals together and a trip to Marbella.

- 'The spirit, the belief' -

A win against promoted Coventry on Monday lifted the tension around the north London club and vanquishing Chelsea was another reward for De Zerbi's team-building ethos.

"Now it is a complete team. When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room, I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players," he said.

"The character was today great, but we have many, many new players. The players who stayed here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered the last results, two times 17th position, we are working to change the last part of the history of the club."

Tottenham were beginning to lose the faith of their long-suffering fans after another miserable start to the season.

But De Zerbi was adamant he never doubted they would get back on track.

"I have to believe for sure in this group. I never lost the confidence in my players," he said.

"The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves and remove the mask it is important.

"It is important for the spirit, the belief. The atmosphere inside the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics."

For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, it was a painful setback as the optimism engendered by successive victories over Bournemouth and Everton was washed away on a rain-lashed evening.

Alonso's expensively assembled team sit in fourth place but remain very much a work in progress after the third league loss of his first season in charge.

"We are all disappointed with the result, with the performance collectively and individually we were not at our best level," he said.

"It was about the first goal and it went their way and with 10 men it was difficult but we can do better."

Alonso refused to blame Penders and Palmer for their roles in the defeat.

"We feel for everyone, it is a team thing, a collective. We have to move on," he said before adding he "hadn't seen" Palmer's two bookings.

Sports

Verstappen’s Advice to Antonelli: Enjoy the Ride and Celebrate

Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
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Verstappen’s Advice to Antonelli: Enjoy the Ride and Celebrate

Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)

Max Verstappen advised Kimi Antonelli to enjoy the ride and get ready to celebrate as the Italian stands on the brink of becoming Formula One's youngest ever champion.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver qualified on pole position for Sunday's US Grand Prix and could clinch the title with five rounds to spare at Austin's Circuit of the Americas if he wins and other results go his way.

Red Bull's Verstappen, a four-time champion, will be alongside on the ‌front row ‌and fighting for his third successive victory after Malaysia and ‌Singapore.

The ⁠Dutch driver will ⁠not be making it easy for Antonelli, but he also recognized that the main battle was over.

"He knows what he's doing, so he just needs to try and win the race. If it (the title) doesn't happen here, it will happen next weekend. If it doesn't happen next weekend, it will happen the weekend after," he said, sitting alongside Antonelli in a post-qualifying press conference.

"I think it's just been an ⁠incredible season, so you have to also just try and ‌enjoy this kind of ride of the last ‌few months that you've been in.

"At one point, of course, it's official, and then ‌you can celebrate probably a little bit."

Verstappen said Antonelli, who is 102 points ‌clear of teammate and closest rival George Russell, deserved all the success he was having.

"He's very consistent, he's putting the performances in when it matters, and once it's finally official that he is world champion, he's definitely a deserving winner," he said.

Antonelli said the weekend ‌did feel different, with his first "match point" in the championship, but the goal remained the same.

"We still have to ⁠do the race ⁠tomorrow, still have to try and win, and then, of course, we'll see what happens. But yeah, I feel like I can enjoy it a bit more because obviously I'm in a very good position," he said.

The Italian added that his biggest immediate achievement, on a gusty day with a tailwind blowing, had been to keep his car within the track limits.

The Italian has regularly fallen foul of stewards and irritated team boss Toto Wolff with his breaches of the limits this season.

"One of the keys was not doing any track limits. That was very good for me because I've had a couple of races where I've done track limits in crucial moments, and that kind of put myself in a bad position and under more pressure. So that hasn't been ideal," he told Sky Sports television.