For Second Year in Row Diriyah Named Official Sponsor of Diriyah Saudi Super Cup

The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
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For Second Year in Row Diriyah Named Official Sponsor of Diriyah Saudi Super Cup

The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation, in partnership with SMC as the exclusive commercial partner, signed an agreement with Diriyah Company to sponsor the Saudi Super Cup tournament for the second consecutive year under the name of Diriyah Saudi Super Cup.

The event is scheduled to take place in Abha from August 13 to 17, with the participation of four clubs: Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahly, and Al Taawoun, SPA reported.
The decision to extend the partnership between the two parties results from the successful collaboration during the last tournament held in Abu Dhabi from April 8 to 11. Al Hilal emerged as the Diriyah Saudi Super Cup champion in that edition.
Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo emphasized that "the popularity of Saudi football and its top teams was the main motivation behind renewing the partnership with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to sponsor Diriyah Saudi Super Cup again. He added that Diriyah Company Group seeks to capitalize on the marketing opportunities in sports and the attention it garners, thanks to the presence of several international players and the high level of competition."
Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Ibrahim Al Kassim, said that renewing the agreement with Diriyah Company indicates the success of the previous Diriyah Saudi Super Cup. The competition featured strong matches between Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Al Wahda. Al Kassim pointed out that this agreement is part of the federation's efforts to create investment and marketing opportunities, increase revenues, and diversify income sources aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's goals.
Al Kassim stated: "We in the Football Association are proud of the ongoing sponsorship, which is instrumental in promoting the key cultural, heritage, and tourism destinations throughout the Kingdom. This initiative not only highlights the historical, cultural, and competitive tourism benefits of the Kingdom but also demonstrates the considerable support and notable advancements being achieved. The partnership reflects the objectives of governmental entities and both public and private sectors in fostering collaborations that improve competitiveness and bolster investment initiatives in alignment with the Kingdom's goals."
SMC CEO Khalid bin Waleed AlKhudair said: "We take pride in renewing our partnership with Diriyah Company, a move that reflects our commitment to enhancing the sports landscape in Saudi Arabia and elevating its status on the international stage in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030."
AlKhudair added that "the success of the previous edition has strengthened the status of the Saudi Super Cup as one of the most prominent sporting events in the region. Furthermore, our collaboration with Diriyah aligns with our commitment to providing an exceptional sports experience that reflects the significant advancements the Kingdom is achieving across various sectors."



Imane Khelif Files Legal Complaint for Online Harassment Against Her

Algeria's Imane Khelif reacts after beating China's Yang Liu (Blue) in the women's 66kg final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
Algeria's Imane Khelif reacts after beating China's Yang Liu (Blue) in the women's 66kg final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
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Imane Khelif Files Legal Complaint for Online Harassment Against Her

Algeria's Imane Khelif reacts after beating China's Yang Liu (Blue) in the women's 66kg final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
Algeria's Imane Khelif reacts after beating China's Yang Liu (Blue) in the women's 66kg final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)

Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint in France for online harassment after a rain of criticism and false claims about her sex during the Paris Olympics, her lawyer said Sunday.

Khelif, who will be Algeria's flag bearer in the closing ceremony, won gold Friday in the women’s welterweight division, becoming a new hero in her native Algeria and bringing global attention to women's boxing.

The complaint was filed Friday with a special unit in the Paris prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech, alleging “aggravated cyber-harassment” targeting Khelif, lawyer Nabil Boudi said. In a statement, he described it as a “misogynist, racist and sexist campaign” against the boxer.

The Associated Press said it is now up to prosecutors to decide whether to open an investigation. As is common in French law, the complaint doesn’t name an alleged perpetrator but leaves it to investigators to determine who could be at fault.

Khelif was unwittingly thrust into a worldwide clash over gender identity and regulation in sports after her first fight, when Italian opponent Angela Carini pulled out just seconds into the match, citing pain from opening punches. False claims that Khelif was transgender or a man erupted online, and the International Olympic Committee defended her and denounced those peddling misinformation. Khelif said that the spread of misconceptions about her “harms human dignity.”

Earlier, Kirsty Burrows, an official in charge of the IOC's unit for safeguarding and mental health, filed a complaint with French authorities saying she received death threats and harassment online following a news conference in Paris at which she had spoken in defense of Khelif.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said it received Burrows' complaint on Aug. 4 and agents from the National Unit for the Fight against Online Hate are investigating the alleged offenses, including death threats, public provocations aimed at attacking a person and cyberbullying. Under French law, the crimes, if proven, carry prison sentences that range from two to five years and fines ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 euros.

The Olympics-banned International Boxing Association disqualified Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan from the world championships last year, claiming the two fighters failed unspecified eligibility tests for women’s competition. The IOC has called the arbitrary sex tests that the sport’s governing body imposed on the two women irretrievably flawed and has defended both boxers since the start of the Paris Games.

Experts say the scrutiny of Khelif and Lin reflected disproportionate scrutiny and discrimination toward female athletes of color when it comes to sex testing and false claims that they are male or transgender.