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Saudi Games 2024 Torch Arrives in NEOM

NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA
NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA
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Saudi Games 2024 Torch Arrives in NEOM

NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA
NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj - SPA

The torch for the third edition of the Saudi Games 2024 arrived in NEOM on Tuesday as part of its promotional tour for the largest national sports event in the Kingdom. The event will be held in Riyadh from October 3 to October 17.
Amid great enthusiasm and a celebratory atmosphere, the torch traveled through the historical site of Bajdah in NEOM.
NEOM Deputy CEO Rayan Fayez received the Saudi Games torch from footballer Salman Al-Faraj, former Saudi national team and Al Hilal player, and current NEOM team member.

Al-Faraj has won the Saudi League eight times, the King's Cup five times, the Saudi Super Cup three times, and the AFC Champions League twice. He also represented Saudi Arabia in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The torch was then carried by the Saudi national padel player Omar Al-Thaqib, champion of the Saudi Games in both 2022 and 2023.
The Saudi Games torch began its journey in Riyadh, traveling through various regions of the Kingdom to embody the spirit of the Saudi Games, based on the values of friendship and peace. The torch carries a deep humanitarian message of peace, love and optimism, encouraging citizens and residents of the Kingdom to participate in this major sporting event.

Meanwhile, governor of the Qassim Region Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz praised the unlimited support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for sports and athletes.
This support has contributed to making the Kinrgdom a global sports destination in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030, according to SPA.

Prince Faisal stressed that the Saudi Games represent an important step in creating a new generation of athletes capable of raising the Kingdom's name high in international arenas. He also appreciated the significant role of Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal in developing the sports sector and achieving remarkable progress in recent years.
Prince Faisal made the remarks as he received the torch of the third Saudi Games at the Prince Sultan Educational Complex School from Abdulaziz Al-Sanani, the former director of the Ministry of Sport branch in the Qassim Region.
At the event, the torch was carried by judo medalist Abdulelah Albali, who won gold in the Gulf Championship in Bahrain, bronze in the Arab Championship in Tunisia, the Jeju International Championship in Korea, and Africa Open Championship in Tunisia as well as silver in the 2023 Saudi Games. He was the Kingdom's champion from 2022 to 2024.
 

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European Leagues, Players’ Union Lash out at FIFA's Calendar ‘Abuse’

Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe challenges Villarreal's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Diego Conde during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe challenges Villarreal's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Diego Conde during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
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European Leagues, Players’ Union Lash out at FIFA's Calendar ‘Abuse’

Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe challenges Villarreal's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Diego Conde during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe challenges Villarreal's Spanish goalkeeper #13 Diego Conde during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 5, 2024. (AFP)

A players' union, the European leagues' group and Spain's LaLiga accused FIFA of "abuse" on Monday as they filed a joint complaint about the governing body's international match schedule to European Union antitrust regulators.

Elite leagues are concerned at the impact of an expanding football calendar on wellbeing, with some players struggling from fatigue, injuries and the mental toll even though they are often compensated with enormous salaries.

"The complaint explains how FIFA's imposition of decisions on the international calendar is an abuse of dominance and violates European Union law," complainants FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues and LaLiga said in a statement.

European Leagues is an association that includes the Premier League, the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 but not LaLiga.

A particular bone of contention is the Club World Cup, which has been revamped for next year, with an increase from seven to 32 clubs, and is to take place in the US for almost a month. As well as adding matches, that could delay clubs' pre-season tours designed to expand global fan bases.

"It is getting to a tipping point. The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion," Premier League CEO Richard Masters said in the complainants' statement.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas accused FIFA of "acting solely in its own interest, without considering the damage to the entire football ecosystem."

'TOO MUCH'

French captain Kylian Mbappe, in a video aired at the three bodies' news conference, said: "When it's too much, it's too much."

FIFA, however, argues that the international calendar was approved by representatives of all continents including Europe after consultation with FIFPRO and leagues.

As well as a much larger Club World Cup, the next World Cup itself will also be expanded to 48 nations from 32.

European governing body UEFA has also increased its schedule, notably with the new Champions League format, but not been targeted in the complaint to regulators.

Mathieu Moreuil, Premier League director of international football relations and EU affairs, said that was because FIFA was responsible for the international calendar and relations were different with UEFA thanks to dialogue.

Earlier on Monday, FIFA said it would start negotiations with the sport's stakeholders on the transfer system after the EU ruled parts of it were unlawful.

FIFA regulations say a player who terminates a contract before its term "without just cause" is liable to pay compensation to the club, and where the player joins a new club they will be jointly liable for payment of compensation.

But the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), ruling on a high-profile case linked to former France player Lassana Diarra, stated on Oct. 4 these dispositions were unlawful, which is likely to prompt a revamp.