Lebanon’s citizenship offer for FIFA head sparks debate over equal rights Lebanon’s president has announced he will grant citizenship to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking a wave of outrage. Lebanon
Culture Match-fixing probe shakes Turkey's football as referees, executives detained The football scandal expanded after the Turkish Football Federation's suspension of referees and assistants amid a nationwide betting probe. Turkey
NFL star Antonio Brown extradited from Dubai: What to know The US and the UAE do not have an extradition treaty, a factor that affected the proceedings against Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. United Arab Emirates
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans barred from UK soccer game over safety concerns Antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents are on the rise in the UK, with a recent report accusing British authorities of failing to address discrimination. Israel
Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia's Pro League Reports emerged this week that the 35-year-old French striker was offered a two-year contract worth €400 million to move to the Saudi Pro League's Al Ittihad. Saudi Arabia
World Cup migrant workers still detained in Qatar: report The Guardian has confirmed that three migrant workers from Pakistan and India arrested in January after their World Cup-related contracts were terminated remain in detention to this day. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Syrian girls play soccer among ghosts of Islamic State Raqqa's first-ever girls' soccer team is blooming where Islamic State once terrorized the society. Syria
Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim awaits Manchester United decision as West Ham rumors swirl A report by El Pais linked the Qatari royal to the east London-based team. Qatar
Qatari royal submits last-ditch $6.2 billion offer for Manchester United The updated offer, submitted Tuesday, is believed to be close to £5 billion ($6.2 billion) but shy of the current owners’ £6 billion ($7.4 billion) valuation for the soccer club. Legacy: Gulf
FC Barcelona 'hugely confident' on Messi return despite Saudi bid The Catalonian soccer team are in a tug-of-war with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to snap up the 2022 World Cup winner. Legacy: Gulf
Lionel Messi move to Saudi Arabia from PSG 'a done deal': Report Jorge Messi said the decision on a transfer of the 2022 World Cup winner will not be taken until the end of the season. Legacy: Gulf
Cristiano Ronaldo world’s highest paid athlete at $136 million Cristiano Ronaldo tops Forbes’ 2023 list of the highest grossing athletes playing soccer in Saudi Arabia, which also gave tens of millions of dollars in upfront guarantees to top earners Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Legacy: Gulf
Qatari royal to invest $1bn more in Manchester United bid: report Despite the sweetened offer from the Qatari banker, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be the favorite to buy the English soccer club, according to reports. Legacy: Gulf
Culture Cristiano Ronaldo disappoints as Saudi Al Nassr loses King Cup Ronaldo is the biggest player to ever play in Saudi Arabia, but his tenure in the kingdom has been disappointing to some fans. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar's Sheikh Jassim still confident in Manchester United takeover bid The son of a former Qatari emir is reportedly still assured that his debt-free bid to take over the soccer club will succeed, despite an ESPN report suggesting that the current owners, the Glazer brothers, will now stay put. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar’s takeover of Manchester United unlikely as Glazers plan to stay put: report An ESPN report suggests that current owners may want to hold onto the club and try and double its value. Legacy: Gulf
