Roberto Mancini Out as Coach of Saudi Arabia's National Team

FILE - Saudi Arabia's head coach Roberto Mancini stands for the national anthem ahead of the Asian Cup Group F soccer match between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
FILE - Saudi Arabia's head coach Roberto Mancini stands for the national anthem ahead of the Asian Cup Group F soccer match between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
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Roberto Mancini Out as Coach of Saudi Arabia's National Team

FILE - Saudi Arabia's head coach Roberto Mancini stands for the national anthem ahead of the Asian Cup Group F soccer match between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
FILE - Saudi Arabia's head coach Roberto Mancini stands for the national anthem ahead of the Asian Cup Group F soccer match between Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Roberto Mancini has left his role as head coach of Saudi Arabia's national team, the country's soccer federation said Thursday.
Mancini, who won the European Championship as Italy coach in 2021, left by mutual consent, it said.
The former Inter Milan and Manchester City manager won multiple titles in a storied career as both player and coach.
But he failed to lead Saudi Arabia to victory at the Asian Cup this year — exiting the tournament in the round of 16.
Mancini had been hired by Saudi Arabia in August 2023 — two weeks after he left his job in charge of Italy.
As manager of Inter Milan, he won three Italian league titles and went on to win the Premier League with Manchester City in 2013 thanks to Sergio Aguero's dramatic late goal on the final day of the season.



Ronaldinho Makes his Pro Football Return with Italy's Ravenna

Ravenna's Ronaldinho after the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
Ravenna's Ronaldinho after the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
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Ronaldinho Makes his Pro Football Return with Italy's Ravenna

Ravenna's Ronaldinho after the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
Ravenna's Ronaldinho after the Serie C soccer match between Ravenna and Forli in Ravenna, Italy, Sunday Nov. 15, 2026. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)

Ronaldinho made his return to professional football on Sunday for Ravenna, an ambitious club in Italy's third tier aiming to reach Serie A.

The 46-year-old Brazilian great put in a low-key performance in his first competitive match since playing for Fluminense in 2015, as Ravenna took on local rivals Forli bidding for promotion.

The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner only played in the first half but was involved in the move which ended with Giulio Donati smashing hosts Ravenna ahead in the 36th minute.

Ronaldinho entered the field to great fanfare, with the 5,000-capacity Stadio Bruno Benelli adding a temporary stand with 1,800 places -- dubbed "R10" -- for the occasion.

Flares and smoke bombs were let off in the stands while Andrea Bocelli's "Con Te Partiro" blasting out of the stadium's speakers.

Ravenna, who have not even played in Serie B since 2008, are second in their regional group in Serie C and came into the weekend's fixtures six points behind leaders Spezia.

One team for each of the three groups will be directly promoted to Serie B, with the final spot in the second tier decided by a play-off.


Saudi U15 Girls' National Team Begins Training Camp in Jeddah

The camp runs through November 19 as part of the team's preparations for upcoming competitions - SPA
The camp runs through November 19 as part of the team's preparations for upcoming competitions - SPA
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Saudi U15 Girls' National Team Begins Training Camp in Jeddah

The camp runs through November 19 as part of the team's preparations for upcoming competitions - SPA
The camp runs through November 19 as part of the team's preparations for upcoming competitions - SPA

The Saudi U15 girls' national football team begins its training camp today in Jeddah. The camp runs through November 19 as part of the team's preparations for upcoming competitions.

The camp aims to enhance the players' technical and physical readiness and strengthen team cohesion through a training program developed by the coaching staff, SPA reported.

The program is designed to improve performance and prepare the team for the next phase.

The camp is part of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's development plan for the U15 girls' national team.


Saudi Sport Ministry Launches Ticketing Platform Accreditation Service Through Riyadhi Platform

Saudi Sport Ministry Launches Ticketing Platform Accreditation Service Through Riyadhi Platform
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Saudi Sport Ministry Launches Ticketing Platform Accreditation Service Through Riyadhi Platform

Saudi Sport Ministry Launches Ticketing Platform Accreditation Service Through Riyadhi Platform

The Saudi Ministry of Sport announced on Sunday the launch of a service to accredit platforms that sell and resell tickets for sports competitions and events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The service is available through the ministry’s Riyadhi Platform (riyadhi.sa) and aims to regulate ticket sales and resale in accordance with ministry-approved regulations while streamlining accreditation procedures for investors and platform operators, according to SPA.

The ministry previously granted ticketing platform operators a 90-day grace period, starting from October 26, when the regulations governing ticket sales for sports competitions and events were issued, to update their systems and align their operations with the approved technical and regulatory requirements.