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Ajax Parts Company with Coach Steijn After Woeful Start to the Season 

Ajax's head coach Maurice Steijn instructs his players during the Europa League Group B soccer match between AEK Athens and Ajax at the OPAP Arena in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (AP)
Ajax's head coach Maurice Steijn instructs his players during the Europa League Group B soccer match between AEK Athens and Ajax at the OPAP Arena in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (AP)
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Ajax Parts Company with Coach Steijn After Woeful Start to the Season 

Ajax's head coach Maurice Steijn instructs his players during the Europa League Group B soccer match between AEK Athens and Ajax at the OPAP Arena in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (AP)
Ajax's head coach Maurice Steijn instructs his players during the Europa League Group B soccer match between AEK Athens and Ajax at the OPAP Arena in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (AP)

Ajax parted company with coach Maurice Steijn on Monday with the biggest team in the Netherlands languishing in next-to-last place in the Dutch league after just one win from its opening seven games.

Steijn only joined from Sparta Rotterdam in the offseason, signing a three-year deal.

The mutual decision for Steijn to leave was taken after a 4-3 loss at Utrecht that left Ajax, a four-time European champion, one point off last place.

“We have worked intensely and professionally together over the last few months,” Ajax chief executive Jan van Halst said. “But the sporting successes and the development of the team were lacking. That is why we decided to sit down together again today.

“This time, Maurice also expressed his concerns on whether he was the right man in the right place. Together we decided that it would be best to part ways.”

Ajax’s last win in any competition came on Aug. 24.

Hedwiges Maduro, a former Ajax player, will take temporary charge of the team starting with the trip to Brighton in the Europa League on Thursday.

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Coco Gauff Worried About Civilian Loss of Life in Middle East

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Coco Gauff Worried About Civilian Loss of Life in Middle East

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

World number four Coco Gauff expressed concern about the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday and said innocent lives were being taken in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

US President Donald Trump's administration has given conflicting reasons for the attack, while Iran has said the US assault was unprovoked.

Iranian state media has said that among the civilian casualties were more than 160 killed in a strike on a girls' school on Saturday. Administration officials have said they are looking into the incident and that the US would not deliberately target schools.

"First off, ⁠what's happening is ⁠unfortunate, and my thoughts and prayers are out there for everyone affected and for the innocent lives being taken," American Gauff told reporters at the Indian Wells tournament.

"I think it's a lot of unnecessary violence going on."

The war in Iran has spilled over into the tennis world.

An ATP Challenger event in the United Arab ⁠Emirates was abruptly halted and then cancelled on Tuesday due to a security alert, which led to players and personnel fleeing the courts to designated safe areas.

Meanwhile some players, ATP staff, and coaches, including Gauff's coach Gavin MacMillan, have been stranded in Dubai following a tournament there as the conflict has led to widespread travel disruptions in the region.

The WTA has strong ties to the Middle East, with the season-ending WTA Finals being held in Riyadh last year and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) being ⁠the naming-rights sponsor ⁠the WTA women's rankings.

Gauff, 21, added that she has always felt safe competing in the region, and expressed gratitude for having left the area before the escalation of violence.

"I think it's just a lot of unfortunate circumstances that are happening right now," Reuters quoted her as saying.

"I am thankful that I was able to get out of that before things turned to where it is now."

Reflecting on the broader implications of global strife, Italian player Jannik Sinner said: "There are certain scenarios we cannot control, so I tried to be focused.

"But you also realize that there are much more important things in life than playing tennis."

Sports

More Asian Champions League Matches in Middle East Postponed Indefinitely

A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
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More Asian Champions League Matches in Middle East Postponed Indefinitely

A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
A full moon also known as the "Blood Moon" is seen above the Abu Dhabi skyline on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Next week's matches in Asian tournaments scheduled in the Middle East have been postponed until further notice due to the conflict in the region, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Wednesday.

The US and Israel's attack on Iran has affected countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel in some of the world's ⁠busiest transit hubs ⁠and forcing several sporting events to be cancelled.

Western region clashes in the Asian Champions League Elite, Champions League Two and the third-tier Challenge League, ⁠scheduled for next week between Monday and Wednesday, have been postponed, Reuters quoted the AFC as saying in a statement.

The AFC earlier postponed this week's Asian Champions League Elite round of 16 clashes in the Middle East, as Iran cancelled all sporting events and the Qatar Football ⁠Association ⁠suspended all matches in the country.

"The AFC’s priority remains the safety and security of all stakeholders including players, teams, officials, partners and fans and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all," the continental body said in a statement.

Sports

Arteta Shrugs off Criticism Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Tactics

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
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Arteta Shrugs off Criticism Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Tactics

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained defiant on Tuesday over criticism of his team's set-piece tactics, dismissing accusations of time-wasting while expressing frustration that his side doesn't score even more from corners.

The Premier League leaders have netted 16 goals from corners this season to tie the league record with nine games remaining, but the feat has also sparked debate about the tactical evolution of set-pieces.

It has also drawn criticism from Wednesday's opponents Brighton & Hove Albion, whose ‌coach Fabian Huerzeler ‌took aim at Arsenal's corner routine, claiming ‌the ⁠London side sometimes "spend ⁠over one minute" to take a corner.

But Arteta had little sympathy for such complaints, telling reporters: "I'm upset that we don't score more (from corners) - and we concede as well. We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game."

The Spanish coach shrugged off criticism as "part of the job" given ⁠football's tactical transformation, arguing that teams increasingly neutralize ‌open-play opportunities.

"Before, when you used to ‌do a game plan and you would invert a full back or ‌bring an extra player into midfield or a false nine, ‌four vs three inside, two vs one inside, everyone behind the ball," Arteta said.

"Teams are adapting, teams know after every sequence of play - whether it is a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-pitch situation - they ‌know exactly what they have to do and everything is almost man-to-man.

"So it is not going ⁠to be ⁠a different game unless we change the rules, because the evolution of the game is that."

However, Huerzeler called for clearer regulations around time management, arguing supporters deserve value for money.

"Every supporter who pays a lot of money to go to the stadiums and watch our games should see the same net game time because they pay a lot of money," the German coach said.

"We have a net game time of 50 minutes (with the ball in play) instead of sometimes 65 minutes, so the game is changing so much."

Arsenal hold a five-point lead at the Premier League summit, having played a game more than second-placed Manchester City.