Sports
Infantino calls for lifting the ban on Russia and defends Trump
Gianni Infantino calls for lifting the ban on Russia in FIFA and UEFA tournaments, amid sharp Ukrainian criticism, and defends awarding the Peace Prize to Donald Trump.

In remarks that sparked widespread controversy in international sports and political circles, FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for a review of the sanctions imposed on Russian football, expressing his explicit desire to lift the ban that has kept Russian national teams and clubs away from the international arena for more than two years.
A call to separate politics from sports
Infantino told Sky Sports that the ban imposed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 "has achieved nothing" on the ground, and has instead contributed to increased tension and hatred. The FIFA president bases his view on a fundamental principle: that entire populations and athletes should not be punished for the political decisions of their leaders.
Infantino, 55, explained that continuing to close the doors to Russian girls and boys and depriving them of playing football and competing with their peers in Europe and the rest of the world does not serve the interests of the game or peace, stressing the need for someone to "keep the door open" for dialogue and communication through sport.
Background to the crisis and UEFA's firm stance
The ban stems from joint decisions made by FIFA and UEFA following the outbreak of the war, which resulted in Russia's exclusion from the World Cup 2022 Qatar playoffs and the barring of its clubs from participating in the Champions League and other continental competitions. Despite Infantino's recent appeals, the European stance remains firm; UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has repeatedly emphasized, most recently at the General Assembly press conference last April, that Russia's return is contingent upon "ending the war in Ukraine" first.
Ukrainian anger and scathing criticism
Infantino's statements did not go unnoticed; they were met with outright rejection from the Ukrainian side. Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvey Bidny described these calls as "irresponsible" and "childish," arguing that they represent a complete disconnect from the tragic reality in his country, where children are being killed and infrastructure destroyed, making talk of a return to Russian sporting activity morally unacceptable to Kyiv.
Peace Prize controversy and Donald Trump
In a related context regarding FIFA's controversial decisions, Infantino defended the planned move to award the "Peace Prize" to US President Donald Trump during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony. Infantino justified this approach by stating that FIFA seeks to reward figures who contribute to promoting world peace, indicating that Trump "objectively deserves it," as part of the preparations for the tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
These statements put FIFA once again at the center of the storm between adhering to the principle of sporting neutrality and international pressures demanding firm moral stances towards armed conflicts, raising questions about the future of the relationship between sport and politics in the coming years.
Sports
Al-Nasr officially registers David Eviato ahead of the Al-Ittihad match in the Roshan League
Learn about the details of Al-Nasr club registering player David Eviato in the local list hours before the Al-Ittihad classic in the 21st round of the Roshan League, and the details of Al-Nasr’s recent victory.

In a decisive administrative move reflecting the team's desire to strengthen its ranks and compete strongly for domestic and continental titles, Al-Nassr FC officials have successfully completed the registration of new player David Eviato in the team's local and continental rosters. This step comes at an ideal time, preceding the highly anticipated clash against Al-Ittihad FC in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, to be held at Al-Nassr's home ground, "Al-Awwal Park.".
The Al-Nassr vs. Al-Ittihad match holds immense importance, transcending its status as a mere three-pointer. It represents the "classic" of Saudi football, attracting a massive following both locally and regionally. Matches between these two teams are always fiercely contested and thrilling, with each side striving to assert dominance and delight their fans. This makes having all the necessary players and tactical options at the disposal of the coaching staff crucial for securing victory in such high-stakes encounters.
Informed sources within the Riyadh-based club confirmed that Al-Nassr's management exerted intensive efforts in the past few hours to ensure the player's eligibility. They successfully registered David Eviato on the approved Nigerian roster, making him available to the coaching staff before the start of the crucial match in the Roshan League. Al-Nassr officials finalized the signing of the talented David Eviato during the last winter transfer window, following successful negotiations and an agreement on all financial and contractual terms of the deal, as part of the management's efforts to inject new blood into the team.
On the technical front, Al-Nassr enters the match with high morale after securing an important victory in their last game against Al-Kholoud with a clean sheet. That match witnessed a remarkable performance from the team's stars, with the winning goal coming from Senegalese star Sadio Mane, who converted a magical and brilliant pass from his teammate Joao Felix, expertly placing it into the net, signaling the readiness of the team's attacking force ahead of the anticipated clash against Al-Ittihad.
This administrative and technical movement at Al-Nasr Club reflects the great development that Saudi football and the Roshan League competition are witnessing, as clubs are working to attract the best elements and prepare them to the highest standards to ensure competition in the long league marathon, which promises a high-level tactical and technical confrontation in the upcoming Clasico.
Sports
Tickets for the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match: Prices and date in the Asian Champions League
Find out the details of ticket sales for the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match in the AFC Champions League. Prices start from 10 riyals, and find out the date of the crucial match and the teams' standings in the group.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club announced on Tuesday the release of tickets for their highly anticipated match against Qatar's Al-Gharafa, as part of the seventh round of the AFC Champions League. The club's management has set promotional ticket prices starting from just 10 riyals, a move aimed at encouraging Al-Ittihad fans to attend in large numbers and support the team in this important continental encounter.
Date of the Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Gharafa match
Al-Ittihad is scheduled to host Al-Gharafa on Tuesday evening, February 10th, with kickoff at 9:15 PM. This match comes at a crucial stage of the group stage, as both teams seek to improve their chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the continental championship under its new "Elite" format.
The two teams' positions in the standings
Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in their group standings with 9 points, accumulated from their previous victories, while Al-Gharafa of Qatar sits in ninth place with 6 points. This narrow points difference underscores the importance of the match for both sides; a win for Al-Ittihad would solidify their position in the safe zone for qualification to the next round and distance them from any complicated scenarios, while Al-Gharafa aims to close the gap and climb into the qualifying positions.
The importance of the match and the continental context
This encounter takes on special significance given the high level of competition in this season's AFC Champions League, which features the best clubs in Asia. Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs are always highly anticipated due to their high technical level and intense rivalry. For Al-Ittihad, nicknamed "The Dean," the Asian championship represents a significant historical legacy, having won the title twice consecutively in 2004 and 2005. This year, they aim to reclaim their continental glory and compete strongly for the title.
Public support and its impact
Al-Ittihad Club relies heavily on its strongest weapon: its vast fan base, known for its significant impact on home matches. The decision to offer tickets starting at 10 riyals is a clear message from the administration to ensure the stands are packed. Everyone understands that a large crowd puts positive pressure on the players and negative pressure on the opponents, thus boosting the team's chances of securing the three points and advancing to the final stages.
Sports
Karim Benzema's stance on the Al-Hilal vs. Al-Akhdoud match in the Roshan League
Karim Benzema is confirmed fit to play for Al-Hilal against Al-Akhdoud in matchday 21 of the Roshan League. Find out coach Inzaghi's decision and the match time after the draw with Al-Ahli.

Al-Hilal fans are eagerly awaiting the final decision regarding French star Karim Benzema's availability for the upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud, part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This crucial match is scheduled for Thursday evening at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, where Al-Hilal will be looking to return to winning ways.
In welcome news for Al-Hilal fans, Karim Benzema has been definitively confirmed fit to participate in the upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud. Recent tests and training sessions have demonstrated that the player is in peak physical and technical condition, making him a valuable asset for the team's coaching staff at this crucial stage of the season. Fans are counting heavily on his international experience to secure victories in such matches.
For his part, coach Simone Inzaghi is carefully considering his tactical options. He will decide within the next few hours whether to include Benzema in the starting lineup or keep him as a valuable substitute, based on his assessment of the match situation and the player's ability to contribute effectively throughout the ninety minutes, especially given the high tempo of the games.
This match takes on added importance for Al-Hilal, especially after their disappointing draw in the last match against their arch-rivals Al-Ahli in the twentieth round, which was held at Al-Hilal's home ground, the Kingdom Arena. The team seeks to overcome the setback of the derby and appease their fans by returning with three points from Najran, to ensure they remain strongly in contention for the league title.
This match comes amidst fierce competition in the Roshan Professional League this season, which has garnered global attention thanks to attracting some of the biggest names in football. The big clubs understand that away matches against teams like Al-Akhdoud, who have the advantage of playing at home, are often crucial in the title race, placing added pressure on the players and coaches to secure a victory and avoid any surprises that could derail the team's progress.
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