Category: Entertainment

FIFA says it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina for “offensive behaviour” during the team’s World Cup final triumph in Qatar last month.

Argentina beat 2018 winners France on penalties to lift the trophy for a third time.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy after the match, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking French star Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe won the FIFA Golden Boot trophy after scoring the most goals in the tournament.

Football’s world governing body said Argentina had potentially breached rules regarding “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct of players and officials”.

FIFA is also investigating the Argentinian FA over breaching media and marketing regulations.

Martinez has also come under criticism from pundits and social media for mocking Mbappe during Argentina’s victory parade in Buenos Aires – where he held a baby doll with the French player’s face plastered on it.

The Croatian team is also being investigated for potential violations of “discrimination” and “order and security at matches” rules.

Players appeared to sing a song with fascist connotations following their third-place playoff victory over Morocco.

Defender Dejan Lovren defended himself and his teammates, recently telling AFP news agency it was “a patriotic song which relates to my country, which means that I love my country”.

Meanwhile, FIFA said it had fined Mexico 100,000 Swiss francs ($107,840) for chants by its supporters during the team’s game against Poland and Saudi Arabia during the group stages.

The team will also be forced to play one FIFA competition match behind closed doors.

Source: National News Agency

Paris, France's World Cup-winning goalkeeper and captain, Hugo Lloris, announced his retirement from international football aged 36 on Monday, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Lloris made a record 145 appearances for France from 2008-22, captaining the team 121 times, also a record.

He made his international debut in 2008, playing at the European Championship in 2012, 2016 and 2020 as well as the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

Tottenham Hotspur keeper Lloris led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup before again leading them to the final this year in Qatar where they were beaten by Argentina.

"There comes a time when you have to know how to hand over the reins. I have always said over and over again that the French team doesn't belong to anyone, and we all have to make sure that's the case, me first," he told L'Equipe in an interview, according to Reuters.

"I think that the team is ready to go on. There is also a goalkeeper who is ready (Mike Maignan).

"I prefer to go out at my peak than wait for a downturn. There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and children."

Along with the 2018 World Cup, Lloris also won the 2021 Nations League and guided France to the final of the 2016 European Championship.

France head coach Didier Deschamps said Lloris was retiring at his peak and despite still having a place in the national set-up but called on fans to respect his decision.

"A great servant of the French team is taking his leave and I would like to pay tribute to his exceptional career," Deschamps said.

"Beyond all the records that his talent and professionalism enabled him to break, beyond the essential role that he played in our greatest victories ... Hugo is a remarkable person on a human level.

"It was a pleasure and an honor for me to be his coach. I wish all coaches had players like him to coach. Hugo has my respect and gratitude. I wish him happiness."

Since 2012, Lloris has played for Premier League side Tottenham, where he is also captain. He previously featured for Ligue 1 teams Nice and Olympique Lyonnais.

His former Spurs team mate Gareth Bale also announced his retirement from football on Monday.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Basra: Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) president H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani attended Team Qatar’s match against Kuwait. Which took place today at Basra’s Al Mina Olympic Stadium, part of the Group B matches of the 25th Gulf Cup.

His Excellency the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee was keen to be present in the stadium in support of our national team, at the beginning of their journey in the Gulf Cup, hosted by the Iraqi city of Basra. Through which Team Qatar is aiming for more positive results, relying on a group of promising young players.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

Doha- The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners of HH the Amir Shooting Championship concluded at the Lusail International Shooting Complex on Saturday.

The QOC Second Vice President H.E. Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, the QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al-Buenain and the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association President Meshaal Ibrahim Al Nasr attended the medal ceremony.

Qatar's Saeed Abu Shareb claimed the gold medal of men's skeet event on the final day. Kuwait's Mansour Al Rashidi and Lebanon's Samer Sarkis took the second and third places respectively.

The 2022 edition of HH the Amir Shooting Championship was held from October 15 to 29 with participation of team Qatar shooters in addition to other international shooters from different Arab and Asian countries.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

Kuala Lumpur, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa met here today the All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s newly elected President, Kalyan Chaubey, alongside the newly appointed AIFF Secretary-General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran.

Shaikh Salman congratulated President Chaubey on the recent mandate received by the Indian football family and praised the AIFF for its exceptional organisational capabilities in staging the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, which is currently taking place across the cities of Bhubaneswar, Goa, and Navi Mumbai.

Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim praised AIFF’s exemplary hosting capabilities at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ earlier this year.

He also noted the achievements of the men’s national team who, for the second successive time, sealed their place amongst the Continent’s top 24 sides at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

“I want to put on record the AFC’s gratitude to the AIFF for its commitment to organise several of the AFC’s competitions and we are confident that these events and competitions will continue to strengthen the larger Indian football ecosystem,” said the AFC President.

“In 2017, the AFC had outlined a blueprint and roadmap for Indian football to usher in greater success and we are already witnessing the exponential growth of the game in the country,” he added.

“Looking ahead, the AFC remains committed towards working closely with the new AIFF leadership in charting a sustainable and thriving future for the beautiful game in India,” Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim also said.

President Chaubey, who was a former national goalkeeper, thanked the AFC President for the Confederation’s unwavering support over the years and vowed to deepen the spirit of partnership between the AIFF and the AFC in the years to come.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

His Excellency Ibrahim Salem Al Alawi, UAE Consul General in Sao Paulo, participated in the opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, wherein the winners of the 18th edition were honored at an event held at the headquarters of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo.

His Excellency delivered the opening speech at the ceremony, in which he expressed his appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for advancing the cultural field at the local, regional, and international levels. These efforts, His Excellency noted, resulted in cooperation between UNESCO and the Emirate of Sharjah to sponsor the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, which is awarded annually to individuals, groups, or institutions that have contributed to the dissemination of Arab art and culture.

His Excellency stated that the objective of this award is to highlight and support Arab contributions, as well as encourage others to promote art, culture, and the Arabic language around the world.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

Qatar University (QU) welcomed the idea of the Olympic Committee by announcing the establishment of the Qatar University Sports Federation, with the aim of advancement and developing sports activities in university and encouraging students to participate in various sports activities.

In a statement on this occasion, Ms. Asmaa Al-Naemi, Director of Sports Affairs at Qatar University and a member of the Qatar University Sports Association Board of Directors, said: “The Qatar University Sports Association seeks to provide an opportunity for student athletes to showcase their talents and athletic abilities as well as to promote the concept of physical activity and the importance of physical and mental health, and to promote Cooperation between institutions of higher education and the state at the sports level.”

Al-Naemi added: "At Qatar University, we are committed to offering both male and female students a supporting atmosphere for their participation in sports through the provision of facilities, coaches, training programs, and sporting events. With the help of this union, we will be able to represent the institution and the university sports competitions in the best possible manner.”

It is worth noting that Qatar University, represented by the Department of Sports Affairs, is committed to providing a variety of sports, health, and recreational programs, sports leadership programs and other educational programs, all of which aim to promote engaging in activities and opportunities that empower individuals and groups of campus affiliates.

Source: QATAR UNIVERSITY

Seoul-Team Qatar lost their match against Turkey 1-3 in the quarterfinals of the Volleyball Challenger Cup, which is currently held in South Korea's Seoul.

With this victory, the Turkish team qualified to face their South Korean counterparts, who defeated the Australian team.

Qatar, Korea (the host), Tunisia, Turkey, Cuba, Chile, the Czech Republic, and Australia are participating in the tournament.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee