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Saudi, French Sports Ministries Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries. (SPA)
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Saudi, French Sports Ministries Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Sport on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Life to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries, expand areas of joint work, and exchange expertise and experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The MoU was signed in Paris on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 2026 Esports World Cup by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari.

The MoU establishes a general framework for sports cooperation between the two countries, including the exchange of programs and expertise among relevant institutions and organizations, sports personnel development, and increased participation in conferences, seminars, and sporting events hosted by both countries.

It also covers greater exchange of expertise and cooperation among coaches, experts, and researchers in elite sport, esports, grassroots sport, sports science, sports medicine, and sports law. Other areas include cooperation among sports organizations, exchanges of technical and administrative expertise, visits between national teams, and joint seminars, conferences, and scientific research.

The MoU reflects the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and France and their shared commitment to expanding sports cooperation and opportunities for joint work between sports institutions and organizations in both countries.

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Sports

Saudi Super Cup Heads to Kuwait in Gulf Expansion Drive

Al-Nassr FC's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd L) attends a training session on the eve of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL) match between Al-Ain FC and Saudi's Al-Nassr FC, at the Azza Bin Zayed stadium in al-Ain on September 14, 2026. (AFP)
Al-Nassr FC's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd L) attends a training session on the eve of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL) match between Al-Ain FC and Saudi's Al-Nassr FC, at the Azza Bin Zayed stadium in al-Ain on September 14, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Super Cup Heads to Kuwait in Gulf Expansion Drive

Al-Nassr FC's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd L) attends a training session on the eve of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL) match between Al-Ain FC and Saudi's Al-Nassr FC, at the Azza Bin Zayed stadium in al-Ain on September 14, 2026. (AFP)
Al-Nassr FC's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo (3rd L) attends a training session on the eve of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL) match between Al-Ain FC and Saudi's Al-Nassr FC, at the Azza Bin Zayed stadium in al-Ain on September 14, 2026. (AFP)

‌Kuwait will host the Saudi Super Cup for the first time when the four-team competition is staged from December 19 to 23, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said on Monday.

The tournament will be held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium and feature Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Kholood, ‌with the semi-final ‌draw scheduled for October ‌14.

A ⁠hosting agreement was ⁠signed in Riyadh by SAFF president Bader AlReziza and Kuwait Football Association President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, as Saudi football continues to expand the reach of its domestic competitions ⁠beyond the Kingdom's borders.

"Kuwait's hosting ‌of the ‌Saudi Super Cup represents an important addition ‌to the Gulf sporting landscape," Sheikh ‌Ahmad said, while AlReziza described the move as an opportunity to broaden the tournament's regional footprint, engage a wider ‌audience and enhance its commercial appeal.

Kuwait will become the eighth ⁠host ⁠in the competition's history, following editions staged in Makkah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, London, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, reflecting the growing stature of Saudi football and its efforts to strengthen its presence across the Gulf region.

Asian champions Al-Ahli beat Al-Nassr on penalties to win the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong in August last year.

Sports

Mourinho Praises ‘Incredible’ Guler Amid Battle for Minutes

Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler reacts during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler reacts during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)
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Mourinho Praises ‘Incredible’ Guler Amid Battle for Minutes

Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler reacts during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler reacts during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho hailed playmaker Arda Guler on Monday ahead of the team's visit to face Elche in La Liga.

The Turkish midfielder came on as a substitute in Madrid's 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and helped steady the team when they were wobbling under pressure.

Guler is not assured of a starting place at Madrid, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all part of Mourinho's regular side.

The 21-year-old is competing with record signing Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz among others for minutes, ahead of the central midfield duo.

"There are people more qualified than me to talk about his development, people who have been here since he arrived, about how he's transformed physically," Mourinho told reporters.

"But for me, his quality of play is incredible -- his vision, his decision-making, his playmaking, the stability he brings to the team, his creativity...

"For me, he's a player with fantastic potential who already has some very impressive stats."

Guler has shown he has a strong link with Mbappe on the pitch, regularly combining well with the French forward, including for Madrid's fourth goal against Rayo.

Mourinho said he would not go completely overboard with praise for Guler, who arrived from Fenerbahce in 2023.

"Maybe I don't want to go so far as to say 'top, top, top' three times, but I can definitely say 'top, top'," joked the Portuguese coach.

One player still looking for his best form at Madrid is Vinicius.

The Brazilian winger has scored one goal this season and Mourinho reiterated his view that Vinicius is still not at his best.

"The best version of him is scoring goals. Obviously, assisting is important, working for the team is very important. Commitment, solidarity, and teamwork are very important," said Mourinho.

"But there's another Vinicius, the Vinicius who arrived in Lisbon last season (in the Champions League) and in close matches, in the knockout rounds, gets one chance, scores a goal and that's it.

"He's lacking that top-level performance lately, but I am happy with him."

Second-placed Madrid trail La Liga leaders Barcelona, who boast a 100 percent record, by three points.

Sports

Norris Says Madring and F1’s Virtual Safety Car Rule Both Need to Change

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates on the podium after finishing third in the Spanish Grand Prix. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates on the podium after finishing third in the Spanish Grand Prix. (Reuters)
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Norris Says Madring and F1’s Virtual Safety Car Rule Both Need to Change

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates on the podium after finishing third in the Spanish Grand Prix. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates on the podium after finishing third in the Spanish Grand Prix. (Reuters)

Formula One's newest circuit needs to ‌change, and so does the virtual safety car (VSC) rule, world champion Lando Norris said after losing a Spanish Grand Prix win that was his for the taking.

Fears of carnage -- crashes and red flags -- failed to materialize at the top level of racing, but the first F1 race at the capital's Madring circuit turned into a procession that even some drivers said had risked sending them to sleep.

"They should get rid of (turns) 18, 19. Useless," said Norris, who finished third.

"Just have more of a straight into a hairpin.

"I don’t know how someone looks at this design and goes, 'Mint.'

"I’m excited to come back here next year if they can make these changes because I think it’s a track that is good fun to drive and it can ‌be a great ‌racetrack. To me, it’s not a great racetrack."

VSC IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The ‌lack ⁠of overtaking opportunities ⁠also meant that an early VSC period changed the race outcome.

The timing of it, after Lance Stroll's stopped Aston Martin had to be moved, allowed all those behind Norris to pit and gain time but effectively penalized him for being too far ahead.

By the time he could pit, there was no VSC anymore and he was unable to regain the lead due to the nature of the track.

Norris said Sunday was probably the first time a win had ⁠been lost because of the VSC, which keeps all cars at ‌a particular speed for a short duration whereas a ‌physical safety car takes several laps.

A pitstop under VSC conditions saves a driver some 11 seconds ‌of race time compared to a regular stop.

"There’s literally nothing I could do as a ‌driver today to do a better job. Pole, led the race, and to lose it for nothing in my control is, I don’t think, how a race should be won," he told reporters.

"I think there are things (that can be done), because we have spoken about it in the past several ‌times, about how it can be at least covered for one lap or everyone has the opportunity to do the pit stops, ⁠or you just ⁠block the pit entry and no one can box apart from if you have a puncture or something," he added.

"I think there’s a few things you could do to make it more simple and more fair for everyone, but that’s a bigger discussion."

Red Bull's four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who finished second behind Mercedes' championship leader Kimi Antonelli, expected the matter to be discussed at the next briefing.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella said any change would be a lengthy process "unless there's a big push from the institutions, FIA or F1, to say 'we need to make this different'".

Norris recognized potential complications, such as if drivers needed to change from slicks to wet tires, but said it needed addressing.

"I think everyone wants the same thing and that’s just fairness for everyone," he said. "I have to take it on the chin, but I just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone again because it’s just not how you should lose a race."