Real Madrid Welcome Scrapping of FIFA’s World Cup Investor Plan

A carpet with a print of Real Madrid's badge is seen ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 8, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images)

16:20-2 August 2026 AD ـ 19 Safar 1448 AH

Spanish giants Real Madrid on Sunday welcomed FIFA's decision to scrap their controversial plan to allow private investment in the World Cup.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino was forced into a humiliating climbdown on Friday after strong backlash against the idea from European football governing body UEFA and several other confederations.

"Our club believes this is good news for football, for its institutions and, above all, for the millions of fans of our beloved sport," said Los Blancos in a statement.

"Real Madrid wishes to express its gratitude to UEFA, to the confederations and federations, and to all the institutions that firmly and responsibly opposed this project.

"Their unity and sense of duty have protected football at a decisive moment."

Madrid, who were a founding member of the failed breakaway European Super League project, said in February 2026 they had come to an agreement with UEFA for the good of European club football, ending years of strained relations between the two parties.

On Tuesday, FIFA announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, with this body open to private investment, which Infantino said could raise $4.2 billion.

UEFA led opposition to FIFA's plan, saying they would boycott all FIFA competitions and had lost confidence in Infantino, who has come under heavy pressure in recent days.

Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal as Miami Beats Cruz Azul 2-0

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with his teammates after winning the Campeones Cup soccer match against Cruz Azul, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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05:06-17 September 2026 AD ـ 06 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

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05:06-17 September 2026 AD ـ 06 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Messi Scores 100th Inter Miami Goal as Miami Beats Cruz Azul 2-0

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with his teammates after winning the Campeones Cup soccer match against Cruz Azul, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Lionel Messi scored the 100th goal of his Inter Miami career and Casemiro added another as Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-0 on Wednesday night to win the Campeones Cup.

Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading in a cross from Luis Suárez for his 100th goal in 115 appearances across all competitions with Miami.

The milestone came against the same club Messi scored his first Inter Miami goal against. He scored on a stoppage-time free kick to beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in his Miami debut in July 2023.
Casemiro made it 2-0 in the 81st minute, heading in a corner from Messi.

The Brazilian midfielder has scored four goals, all headers, in his last five matches after scoring in three consecutive games against CF Montreal, Atlanta United and Chicago before being held scoreless Saturday against Nashville.

The victory gave Inter Miami another trophy three years after Messi’s arrival, The Associated Press reported. Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and MLS Cup in 2025.

Up next Inter Miami returns to MLS play Sunday when it hosts San Diego FC at Nu Stadium. Miami enters the match second in the Eastern Conference standings.

Sports

Retired Great Nadal to Play in Exhibition Matches

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal takes part in a training session in Manacor on the Spanish Balearic Island of Mallorca on January 30, 2013. (AFP)

16:54-16 September 2026 AD ـ 05 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Retired Great Nadal to Play in Exhibition Matches

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal takes part in a training session in Manacor on the Spanish Balearic Island of Mallorca on January 30, 2013. (AFP)

Retired Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal will return to the court in front of a crowd for the first time since retirement in October to celebrate his academy's 10th anniversary.

The Rafa Nadal Academy confirmed Wednesday the 40-year-old, who won 22 Grand Slams in a glittering career before retiring in November 2024, will participate in some exhibition matches.

Nadal will compete at his academy in his hometown Manacor in Mallorca "in a series of exhibition matches together with big names from the sport", said the academy in a statement.

The other players will be announced in the coming days, and will be "some of his rivals and friends who have accompanied him throughout his career".

A clay court expert, Nadal won the French Open 14 times in a remarkable career which spanned more than 20 years.

Sports

Maresca Defends VAR Officials After Man City Benefit from Error

Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Manchester City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - September 13, 2026 Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca celebrates with Enzo Fernandez after the match. (Reuters)

11:34-16 September 2026 AD ـ 04 Rabi’ Al-Thani 1448 AH

Maresca Defends VAR Officials After Man City Benefit from Error

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca on Wednesday expressed sympathy for VAR officials after his team benefited from a clear error in their 1-0 win against Manchester United.

Erling Haaland scored a controversial winner in the 60th minute at Old Trafford on Sunday to make it four wins out of four for City in the Premier League.

Haaland was initially flagged offside, but VAR ruled he was being played onside by United defender Patrick Dorgu, neglecting to take account of the position of Enzo Fernandez, who was clearly offside and was interfering with play.

Refereeing body Pro Ref acknowledged an "error of judgment", saying that the video assistant referee should have recommended an on-field review.

But Maresca spoke up for the officials ahead of Thursday's League Cup third round match against Championship side Norwich.

"Sometimes they go for you, the decisions, sometimes they go against you," he said. "But also it's not easy, I think, for the VAR, for the people that are in front of the screen, and in 10 seconds, 20 seconds they have to make a decision.

"It's not easy for them. Sometimes they make some mistakes. I make mistakes, players make mistakes, I think it's part of our job."

Maresca said he was unhappy with the intense focus on the offside goal following an impressive win for his team, who were reduced to 10 men when Phil Foden was sent off in the first half.

The Italian, who replaced Pep Guardiola as manager in June, reminded reporters of a controversial incident when he was Guardiola's assistant in the 2022/23 season.

Bruno Fernandes's goal was given despite the presence of Marcus Rashford in an offside position in a 2-1 win for United at Old Trafford.

Maresca said he was still waiting for officials to say sorry.

"Three years ago, when I was here, it happened exactly the same against Man United," said the former Chelsea boss.

"We lost the derby there. The goal was not a regular goal, if you remember. To be honest, no one apologized. We are still waiting for the apology for that goal.

"Sometimes it happens for you, sometimes it happens against you. It's football."

Maresca brushed aside a question on whether he was pleased there would be no VAR in place in the early rounds of the League Cup, bringing the focus back to Sunday's win.

"I'm pleased with the unbelievable performance from the players on Sunday," he said. "I'm very pleased with that. Talking about one moment after that game, when we played for 70-75 minutes with 10 players, I think it's quite poor. I think the performance was unbelievable."

Real Madrid Welcome Scrapping of FIFA’s World Cup Investor Plan

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