عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Atlético de Madrid's Stadium Renamed Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
TT
TT

Atlético de Madrid's Stadium Renamed Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new national airline, issued a press release announcing that it has signed a nine-year strategic agreement (valid until 2033) with Atlético de Madrid club that entails renaming the stadium of the Spanish club "Riyadh Air Metropolitano".
The official unveiling of the stadium's new name is set to take place on October 20 during the upcoming match. Thousands of fans will witness the new name of the stadium being revealed on the main facades, alongside the Riyadh Air logo, SPA reported.
The partnership with Atlético de Madrid started on August 10, 2023, when Riyadh Air became the club's official sponsor. During the first year of sponsorship, the Riyadh Air logo was featured on the front of the men's first team kits in all domestic and international matches.
According to the release, the partnership between the two entities will be further strengthened by this new strategic agreement, which makes the Saudi Arabian company the most important sponsor in the club's history. It is based, the release says, on a shared vision that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional sport, focusing on innovation, excellence and sustainability as key pillars of future growth.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said: "It is an honor to become the naming partner for the Riyadh Air Metropolitano and extend our partnership with Atlético de Madrid until 2033. Both organizations are driven to succeed at the highest level and having our name on such an iconic stadium will elevate the awareness of Riyadh Air across the sporting world and beyond."
Atlético de Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil said: "We are all proud and very happy ... with the agreement whereby our stadium will be named Riyadh Air Metropolitano."

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Italian Banned for 10 Matches for Racist Abuse of Wolves Striker Hwang

Wolverhampton Wanderers' South Korean striker #11 Hwang Hee-chan reacts during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on September 28, 2024. (AFP)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' South Korean striker #11 Hwang Hee-chan reacts during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on September 28, 2024. (AFP)
TT
TT

Italian Banned for 10 Matches for Racist Abuse of Wolves Striker Hwang

Wolverhampton Wanderers' South Korean striker #11 Hwang Hee-chan reacts during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on September 28, 2024. (AFP)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' South Korean striker #11 Hwang Hee-chan reacts during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on September 28, 2024. (AFP)

Italian defender Marco Curto has been banned for 10 matches for racially abusing South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan while playing for Como against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly in July.

Curto, who is currently on loan from Como to Serie B club Cesena, will serve half of the punishment immediately with the other half suspended for two years.

"The player Marco Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behavior and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension," a FIFA spokesperson said.

"The player is ordered to render community services and undergo training and education with an organization approved by FIFA."

Wolves said the club would file a complaint with UEFA after the incident in the Spanish resort of Marbella that sparked an angry response from Hwang's teammates and led to the dismissal of winger Daniel Podence for punching a Como player.

"We welcome FIFA's decision to sanction Marco Curto following the discriminatory incident during our pre-season friendly against Como 1907," the Premier League club's Director of Football Matt Wild said in a statement.

"The suspension issued to the player sends a clear message that racism and discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated in football or society.

"Wolves will always stand firmly against racism and discrimination in any form, and we remain fully committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected and included."

Como representatives were not immediately available for comment outside business hours.

In July, while condemning racism, Como said that Curto had referred to Hwang as "Jackie Chan" - the Hong Kong movie star - after hearing the Wolves players calling the forward by his nickname, "Channy".

"As far as our club is concerned our player did not say anything in a derogatory manner," the club said. "We are disappointed that the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion."

At the last FIFA Congress in Bangkok in May, President Gianni Infantino launched what he described as a "global stand against racism".

The governing body promised five areas of action, including mandatory sanctions for incidents of racism in or around matches.

"Racism is a scourge that exists in our society and is one also that is infiltrated in football," Infantino told the gathering of football officials from around the world.

"For too long we were not capable of dealing with it in an appropriate way. We need to stand up and fight racism and defeat racism all together."