FIA Chief Says Qatar, Abu Dhabi GPs to Go Ahead

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
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FIA Chief Says Qatar, Abu Dhabi GPs to Go Ahead

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East, the president of motorsports' governing body Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Tuesday.

The last two grands prix of the year are scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this year was scrapped following the outbreak of the United States and Israel's war with Iran, while the Bahrain race was delayed and moved to Malaysia.

"We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," FIA chief Ben Sulayem said on social media.

"We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding grands prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the Formula One world championship.

"We look forward to welcoming drivers, teams and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable finish to the season. See you on the grid."

Ben Sulayem's comments echo those made by F1 boss Stefano Domenicali last month.

One of the options discussed was moving the Emirati race to Imola in Italy if the Middle Eastern races could not go ahead, but F1 told media on Tuesday the Italian track had been told to stand down.

"We cannot let Imola wait indefinitely. Therefore, we have informed them today that we will not require them at the end of the season," an F1 official source said.

"Travel advice still allows travel, travel insurance is valid, events are taking place (for example MotoGP last weekend in Qatar) and business has returned to a normal level in both countries," the F1 source added.

Italian youngster Kimi Antonelli has already wrapped up the drivers' world championship title, while his Mercedes team secured the constructors' crown last weekend in Sao Paulo.



FIA Chief Says Qatar, Abu Dhabi GPs to Go Ahead

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
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FIA Chief Says Qatar, Abu Dhabi GPs to Go Ahead

Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)
Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2025. (Reuters)

The final races of the Formula One season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned despite tensions in the Middle East, the president of motorsports' governing body Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Tuesday.

The last two grands prix of the year are scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this year was scrapped following the outbreak of the United States and Israel's war with Iran, while the Bahrain race was delayed and moved to Malaysia.

"We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," FIA chief Ben Sulayem said on social media.

"We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding grands prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the Formula One world championship.

"We look forward to welcoming drivers, teams and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable finish to the season. See you on the grid."

Ben Sulayem's comments echo those made by F1 boss Stefano Domenicali last month.

One of the options discussed was moving the Emirati race to Imola in Italy if the Middle Eastern races could not go ahead, but F1 told media on Tuesday the Italian track had been told to stand down.

"We cannot let Imola wait indefinitely. Therefore, we have informed them today that we will not require them at the end of the season," an F1 official source said.

"Travel advice still allows travel, travel insurance is valid, events are taking place (for example MotoGP last weekend in Qatar) and business has returned to a normal level in both countries," the F1 source added.

Italian youngster Kimi Antonelli has already wrapped up the drivers' world championship title, while his Mercedes team secured the constructors' crown last weekend in Sao Paulo.


England Hand First Call-up to Bournemouth Defender Hill

Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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England Hand First Call-up to Bournemouth Defender Hill

Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Premier League - AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - October 31, 2026 AFC Bournemouth's James Hill celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

England have called up uncapped Bournemouth defender James Hill for their Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.

Hill has been added to Thomas Tuchel's squad after center-backs Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa were ruled out of Thursday's clash with Croatia at Wembley.

Guehi withdrew with an injury suffered in Manchester City's Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Newcastle defender Dan Burn was called up on Monday, while Arsenal star Konsa will not be fit to face Slaven Bilic's side at Wembley as he is following his own fitness program.

Konsa is expected to be fit for Sunday's game against world champions Spain in Madrid.

The unheralded Hill has enjoyed a rapid rise this season, playing 15 times for Bournemouth to catch Tuchel's eye.

Hill will be fighting for a spot in England's central defense along with Burn, Jarell Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite.

"Bournemouth defender James Hill has received his first call-up to the England squad," a Football Association statement said on Tuesday.

"The 24-year-old, who represented his nation at under-20 and under-21 level, has joined England ahead of the forthcoming Nations League fixtures.

"Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa will not be in contention for Croatia at Wembley on Thursday as he continues to follow his own program but will return to full training later this week before Sunday's trip to Spain."


Julian Alvarez Exit Comments Annoyed Atletico Players Says Alex Baena

LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - November 8, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - November 8, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
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Julian Alvarez Exit Comments Annoyed Atletico Players Says Alex Baena

LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - November 8, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
LaLiga - Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - November 8, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)

Julian Alvarez's public expression ‌of his desire to leave Atletico Madrid did not go down well with his teammates, Spain midfielder Alex Baena said in a radio interview on Monday night.

The Argentine striker said publicly in June that he had discussed his future with the club and that "the best thing for everyone would be a transfer", adding that he was keen to fulfill his dream.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta confirmed in August that the club were interested ‌in signing ‌Alvarez, but Atletico refused to sell ‌him ⁠in a transfer ⁠saga that dominated sports headlines in Spain over the summer.

"It feels a bit strange when a teammate says publicly that he wants to leave. It didn’t sit very well with us," Baena told the radio station Cadena SER on Monday night.

"I can understand a player ⁠having doubts if a club like Barca ‌or Real Madrid comes ‌in for you, but, ultimately, it was the way he went ‌about it that really annoyed us at Atletico."

Alvarez ‌apologized to Atletico fans in October for his comments and, while the intense whistling reserved for him at the Metropolitano at the start of the season has subsided, there is ‌still audible hostility from the Atletico crowd.

"We would have supported him regardless of ⁠what he ⁠decided to do. The important thing is that he is with us now, and we need to show him all the affection in the world," said Baena.

Similarly, manager Diego Simeone told a press conference on Sunday that Atletico would wait for Alvarez to return to his best because "he's a great player and we love him".

Barcelona sporting director Deco confirmed in September that Barcelona had made an offer for Alvarez in the summer, but said that "Julian is in the past" as he looked to move on from the story.