Riyadh Season Explains Reasons for Calling off Turkish Super Cup Final

A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Riyadh Season Explains Reasons for Calling off Turkish Super Cup Final

A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A view of the Al-Awwal Park stadium before the match was called off. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Riyadh Season explained on Saturday the reasons for calling off the Turkish Super Cup final that was set to be held between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in the Saudi capital on Friday.

In a statement, Riyadh Season expressed pride in the “close relationship” with Türkiye in various fields, including sports.

It said it was looking forward to holding the match as scheduled and according to football regulations and guidelines which stipulate that non-sports slogans are barred from matches.

The issue and regulations were underscored during discussions with the Turkish football federation in preparation for the final, continued the statement.

“An agreement was reached to play the Turkish national anthem and display the Turkish flag inside the stadium, given Türkiye's standing,” it added.

In spite of this agreement, “the two teams, unfortunately, did not respect it and the match was consequently called off,” it explained.



Nadal Advances in Bastad after 4-hour Quarterfinal

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his men's singles first round match against Leo Borg of Sweden during the Nordea Open Tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, 16 July 2024. EPA/Adam Ihse
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his men's singles first round match against Leo Borg of Sweden during the Nordea Open Tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, 16 July 2024. EPA/Adam Ihse
TT

Nadal Advances in Bastad after 4-hour Quarterfinal

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his men's singles first round match against Leo Borg of Sweden during the Nordea Open Tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, 16 July 2024. EPA/Adam Ihse
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his men's singles first round match against Leo Borg of Sweden during the Nordea Open Tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, 16 July 2024. EPA/Adam Ihse

Rafael Nadal advanced to his first semifinal in two years after a four-hour quarterfinal at the Nordea Open on Friday.
Nadal fought past 36th-ranked Mariano Navone of Argentina 6-7 (2), 7-5, 7-5. Nadal led 5-2 in the deciding set.
“I lost for some moments my concentration, but I was able to hold physically until the end,” Nadal said in an on-court interview. “That is so important for me. Let's see how I am tomorrow, but today I am alive and in the semifinals.”
The 38-year-old Nadal is playing his first tournament since losing in the French Open first round, to prepare for the Paris Olympics on clay at Roland Garros.
In his first semifinal since 2022 Wimbledon, Nadal will face Croatian qualifier Duje Ajdukovic on Saturday.