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PSG's Ligue 1 Visit to Lens Postponed to Aid Champions League Preparations

FILED - 26 November 2024, Bavaria, Munich: Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi in action during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between PSG and Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
FILED - 26 November 2024, Bavaria, Munich: Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi in action during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between PSG and Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
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PSG's Ligue 1 Visit to Lens Postponed to Aid Champions League Preparations

FILED - 26 November 2024, Bavaria, Munich: Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi in action during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between PSG and Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
FILED - 26 November 2024, Bavaria, Munich: Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi in action during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between PSG and Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain's visit to second-placed Lens, set for April 11, has been postponed to May 13 to allow them more time to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said on Thursday.

Strasbourg's visit to Brest, scheduled for April 12, has also been moved to May 13 to help them prepare for ⁠their Europa Conference League ⁠last-eight clashes with Mainz, Reuters quoted the LFP as saying in a statement.

"These decisions are in line with the board of directors’ clear strategic aim of enabling France to retain its fifth place in ⁠the UEFA coefficient rankings, which secures four places in the UEFA Champions League," the LFP said.

PSG, the reigning European champions, host Liverpool three days before the Lens fixture and travel to Anfield for the second leg on April 14.

PSG and Lens are separated by one point in Ligue 1, with ⁠PSG ⁠having a game in hand. Lens had earlier pushed back against PSG's request.

"It seems to us, in fact, that a worrying sentiment is taking hold: that of a French league gradually being relegated to the status of an adjustment variable at the whim of certain parties' European imperatives," Lens said in a statement on Monday.

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Saudi Arabia Appoints Donis as Coach Ahead of World Cup

Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)
Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)
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Saudi Arabia Appoints Donis as Coach Ahead of World Cup

Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)
Coach Georgios Donis (Photo by Essa Doubisi)

Saudi Arabia made its coaching change official Thursday by replacing Hervé Renard with Georgios Donis until July 27, less than two months before the start of the World Cup in North America.

The 56-year-old Donis, a former Greece international, joins from Al-Khaleej, one of several Saudi Pro League clubs he's coached.

“He has extensive experience in the league, including his most recent post (which) enhances his ability to adapt quickly," the Saudi Arabian Football Federation said in its announcement.

Saudi Arabia opens its Group H play at the World Cup against Uruguay on June 15. It also plays Spain and Cape Verde.

Donis was a longtime Panathinaikos midfielder who also played in England for Blackburn, Sheffield United and Huddersfield. He has also coached Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv, among others.

The Federation said it will hold a press conference in Riyadh with the national team's coaching staff before ⁠the ⁠squad depart for their training camp in the United States.

Sports

Saudi PIF and ATP Launch Program to Support Rising Talent

The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
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Saudi PIF and ATP Launch Program to Support Rising Talent

The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF
The program is aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South. Photo: PIF

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the ATP launched the ATP Next Gen Accelerator on Thursday, a program aimed at supporting rising talent and widening opportunities for players from the Global South as they seek to break onto the ATP Tour.

Eligible players will gain access to ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF, ⁠an integrated performance technology ⁠platform, along with medical support, structured education and enhanced promotion across ATP platforms.

The initiative seeks to level the playing field for emerging players and provide greater stability ⁠for young professionals.

The launch aligns with PIF’s 2026–2030 strategy, under which the fund plans to focus investment across six key themes as it looks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy beyond oil.

Sports

Inspired by Nadal, Ruud Returns for Madrid Defense

Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
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Inspired by Nadal, Ruud Returns for Madrid Defense

Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Casper Ruud of Norway in action during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the ATP Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, 09 April 2026. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Casper Ruud hoped his short training stint at Rafa Nadal’s academy in Mallorca would reignite his season as the 27-year-old returns from an injury to defend his Madrid Open title this week.

Ruud, who lifted his maiden Masters 1000 title in the Spanish capital last year, sustained a leg injury and was forced to retire from his third-round match at the Monte Carlo Masters against Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier this month.

The Norwegian then ramped up his comeback under the close watch of ⁠22-times Grand Slam ⁠champion Nadal.

"I'm happy to say I'm fully recovered,” Reuters quoted Ruud as saying in Madrid.

"I was a bit worried at first, I thought Madrid would be tough. But I've had good days of recovery. I spent a week in Mallorca, training at Rafa's academy and ⁠working on fitness off the court. I'm really pleased to be here, ready to compete again."

Ruud said he was inspired by the now-retired Nadal’s determination during a glittering playing career that came to an end in 2024.

“If there's one thing you can learn from him, it's determination,” Ruud added.

“He never gave up, and he was able to win many matches without being at his best because he was ⁠so well ⁠prepared physically and mentally.

"There are so many things you can learn from Rafa. This time, we didn't spend much time together on court. He encouraged me to keep going and told me I have plenty to fight for in the coming weeks."

Ruud begins his Madrid campaign against Jaume Munar or Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.

The twice French Open runner-up is eyeing a strong run in the weeks leading up to Roland Garros, which begins on May 24.