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African Players in Europe: Klopp Salutes Calm Match-winner Salah

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
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African Players in Europe: Klopp Salutes Calm Match-winner Salah

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Salah - File Photo DPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed the composure of Mohamed Salah after his goal delivered a 2-1 Premier League win over Brighton at the weekend, and first place with nine matches remaining.

"Being that calm in the decisive moment with the biggest chance we had from the best football we played, then that makes a real goalscorer so we are happy with everything," said Klopp.

Liverpool lead Arsenal by two points and defending champions Manchester City by three, but face three away matches in eight days during a challenging run-in.

- MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Egypt's captain sent the Reds to the top with his second-half winner against Brighton. Klopp's side trailed to Danny Welbeck's second-minute goal at Anfield, but Salah's deflected header set up Luis Diaz for a volleyed equaliser before the interval, AFPreported. After missing several chances, Salah sealed three priceless points for Liverpool when he calmly slotted home from Alexis Mac Allister's pass in the 65th minute. Salah's third goal in his last three games was his 22nd in all competitions this term.

- MOHAMMED KUDUS (West Ham)

The Ghana midfielder scored for the east London club in a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle. Kudus fired home from Jarrod Bowen's pass in the first half to put West Ham 2-1 ahead. But the Hammers eventually blew a two-goal lead as Newcastle's Harvey Barnes struck twice in the closing stages. Kudus was also less than impressed when one of the ball-boys at St James' Park refused to give up his stool to allow him to do his 'take-a-seat' celebration after scoring.

- SERHOU GUIRASSY (Stuttgart)

Guirassy scored the opener in Stuttgart's pulsating 3-3 Bundesliga draw with visiting Heidenheim, tapping in a cross from Angelo Stiller after 41 minutes. The goal was Guirassy's 23rd in 21 league games this season. The Guinea international has now scored in his past four matches. His tally is eight less than Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, but Guirassy has played six games fewer.

- SEBASTIEN HALLER (Borussia Dortmund)

Haller returned from an ankle injury in Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 win at Bayern Munich. He came off the bench late, his first match for Dortmund since December and his first game since he scored the winner in Ivory Coast's 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February. Nine minutes after coming on, the 29-year-old forward found Julian Ryerson in the box, and the Norwegian scored Dortmund's second goal to seal their first league win in Munich since 2014.

- MOSTAFA MOHAMED (Nantes)

The Egypt striker's late penalty gave struggling Nantes a 2-1 Ligue 1 win at Nice in their first game under new coach Antoine Kombouare. The goal was an eighth of the season for his club for Mohamed, who had an impressive Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year as Egypt went out in the last 16. The result lifted Nantes out of the bottom three in Ligue 1. Nigeria's Terem Moffi netted a penalty for Nice in the same game.

- JOSEPH OKUMU (Reims)

The 26-year-old Kenyan international central defender scored his first goal since moving to France from Belgian side Gent last year to put Reims ahead at Lyon. However, it was not enough to earn his side all three points as Ghana's Ernest Nuamah equalised at the other end to secure a 1-1 draw for Lyon.

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FIFA Fines Israeli FA for Anti-discrimination Rules Breaches

Pedestrians pass the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown clock in Boston, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Pedestrians pass the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown clock in Boston, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
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FIFA Fines Israeli FA for Anti-discrimination Rules Breaches

Pedestrians pass the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown clock in Boston, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Pedestrians pass the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown clock in Boston, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

FIFA fined the Israeli Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) on Thursday for "multiple breaches" of its anti-discrimination obligations.

A report by the disciplinary committee of world football's governing body found the IFA "failed to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem" for "persistent and well-documented racist behavior".

In October 2024, the Palestine Football Association reported allegations of discrimination by the IFA to FIFA, which began an investigation.

FIFA did not opt for the sanction requested by the Palestinian FA, which argued that the IFA should be suspended.

But the IFA was found to have failed to "abide by FIFA's statutory objectives", in a lengthy decision published by its disciplinary committee, which listed several racist incidents in Israeli football, AFP reported.

The disciplinary committee highlighted "deficient and substantively inadequate" sanctions against Beitar for racist and discriminatory behavior.

Supporters of the club "have engaged in persistent and well-documented racist behavior," the report said.

"The club's use of slogans such as 'forever pure', and the repeated chanting of ethnic slurs such as 'terrorist' directed at Arab players are not isolated incidents but rather form part of a systemic pattern of conduct that offends the basic rules of decent behavior and brings the sport into disrepute.

FIFA said the committee had stressed that Beitar Jerusalem were "only a small example of a general failure by the IFA."

The IFA was issued with a warning and was ordered to display a "significant and highly visible banner" at its next three FIFA competition home matches, stating "Football Unites the World -- No to Discrimination".

The IFA will also have to invest one-third of the fine towards implementing a plan to "ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents".

The report also said that the IFA's failure to respond to "political and militaristic messaging" by the CEO of the Israeli professional league and by Maccabi Netanya "further compounds its breach".

"The IFA has made no public statements condemning racism, has not launched any Anti Discrimination campaigns, and has not taken steps to foster inclusion of Arab or Palestinian players," the report continued.

"It has not used its platform to promote peace or to counteract the politicization of football by affiliated clubs and officials."

- 'No action' over Israeli teams in West Bank -

After a separate investigation, FIFA announced no action would be taken against the IFA over allegations that Israeli clubs based in the occupied West Bank were taking part in Israel's leagues.

FIFA's governance, audit and compliance committee based its judgement on the fact that "the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law".

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) welcomed FIFA's ruling, saying "it was a step in the right direction".

However it added: "The PFA observes that the findings do not fully address the scope and gravity of the violations raised in its original proposal."

In 2024, United Nations experts -- mandated by the Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the UN -- said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and called on FIFA to "fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights".

"The autonomy and self-regulation in sport must not be detrimental to fundamental human rights," the experts said.

In addition to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

Sports

AFC Halts Bidding Process for 2031, 2035 Asian Cup Finals

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general‑secretary Windsor John speaks during a press conference at the Football Association of Malaysia headquarters in Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 March 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL 112526
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general‑secretary Windsor John speaks during a press conference at the Football Association of Malaysia headquarters in Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 March 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL 112526
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AFC Halts Bidding Process for 2031, 2035 Asian Cup Finals

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general‑secretary Windsor John speaks during a press conference at the Football Association of Malaysia headquarters in Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 March 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL 112526
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general‑secretary Windsor John speaks during a press conference at the Football Association of Malaysia headquarters in Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 March 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL 112526

The bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cup tournaments has been halted due to pending changes in the global football calendar, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Friday.

The Malaysia-based regional body said the move had come after discussions with FIFA regarding a possible switch in the international match calendar that would see the Asian Cup played in even-numbered years.

"Given the far-reaching implications such a change would have on the scheduling and strategic planning of its premier national ⁠team competition, the ⁠AFC has initiated a broader review of its competitions calendar," Reuters quoted it as saying in a statement.

"As part of this process, it has been deemed appropriate to halt the current bidding cycles to provide greater clarity and ensure a more structured approach to future ⁠host selections."

Six bids had been submitted for the men's 2031 finals with Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, South Korea and a joint offering from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan seeking to organize the 24-team event.

Australia, Kuwait and South Korea were also bidding to host the 2035 tournament alongside Japan.

The quadrennial Asian Cup was previously played in even-numbered years from its inception in 1956 but was moved for the 2007 edition, ⁠which was ⁠hosted by Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

The tournament has been played in odd-numbered years since, with the exception of the most recent edition, which was hosted in Qatar in January 2024.

The Gulf state stepped in as a replacement for China, who had been slated to organize the tournament in June 2023 but gave up hosting rights due to the country's COVID-19 restrictions.

The next edition of the Asian Cup will be played in Saudi Arabia in January 2027, with Qatar the defending champions.

Sports

Morocco Fans Celebrate ‘Justice’ After AFCON Title Decision, but Appeal Worries Linger

A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
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Morocco Fans Celebrate ‘Justice’ After AFCON Title Decision, but Appeal Worries Linger

A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)

Moroccan fans have welcomed their team's ‌controversial coronation as Africa Cup of Nations champions, though some urged caution as Senegal prepare to challenge the ruling that has sent shockwaves through African football.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared Morocco champions on Tuesday after ruling Senegal forfeited the January 18 final in Rabat by walking off the pitch for 14 minutes in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded against them.

Although Senegal later returned and secured a 1-0 extra-time victory, CAF's Appeal Board reversed the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

The Senegalese Football Federation said it would appeal the "unprecedented and unacceptable" ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Royal Moroccan Football Federation said the "strict application" of the rules ‌would help African ‌football.

Reactions within Morocco were largely positive, with supporters hailing the ‌ruling ⁠as overdue justice.

"The ⁠surprise was that a fair decision was actually made, but if we look at the reasoning behind it, it is logical and does justice to the team that truly deserved the title. It also sets a precedent - walking off the pitch because a match is slipping away is not acceptable," said Abdelmalek Hamza, a fan in Casablanca.

"The decision was taken firmly, and the national team and the Moroccan people deserve this victory and ⁠this title."

Rabat-based Oussama Ouaddich, who attended the tournament, welcomed the ‌verdict, saying: "I am overjoyed. We deserved this trophy. After ‌a brutal injustice, justice is finally rendered to Morocco."

CAUTION AMID LEGAL CHALLENGE

However, some fans remained ‌cautious with a potential appeal to CAS still pending.

"Honestly, I am not happy yet. ‌We need to wait and see what happens with the appeal. The decision is not final," said Imane Fakhir, a university student.

Omar Fallouji, a football fan in Casablanca, added: "Thankfully, CAF was fair to us, and I hope the trophy will be given to us after the ‌Senegalese team appeal to CAS."

Others expressed little concern over the appeal.

"The Cup was stolen from us. CAF's decision corrected the situation ⁠and made justice ⁠to the Moroccan people," said Mohammed Akherraz, a lawyer in Rabat.

"Appealing the decision... is only to gain time but it is a right that would not alter the result."

Some Moroccans highlighted the need to avoid escalating tensions with Senegal.

"As a Moroccan, yes I am proud. But what I want even more is for this not to become a wound between our peoples," said Bilal Jouahri, an entrepreneur in Rabat.

"Let the lawyers, the committees, the institutions do their work. The anger and insults serve nobody. Football lives on emotion, but emotions pass. It is just a game and should not fuel hate," he added.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the ruling on Wednesday, saying it was important that decisions by the organization's disciplinary and appeals bodies were respected while Senegal's players ridiculed the decision on social media.