Sports

Kante rejects Fenerbahce and decides to stay with Al-Ittihad Saudi

Learn about the details of N'Golo Kante's final decision to stay with Al-Ittihad Saudi Club and reject the offer from Fenerbahce Turkey, and the importance of his continued presence to support the ranks of the Dean in the new season.

Published

4 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

In a series of rapid developments within Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club, French star N'Golo Kanté his final decision regarding his future with the team, putting an end to all speculation linking him with a move during the current summer transfer window. Sources close to the club reported that the player informed Al-Ittihad officials of his strong desire to stay and honor his contract, following reports in the international press about interest from Turkish club Fenerbahçe and other European clubs in acquiring him.

Details of Kante's decision and the stance of the federation's management

Kante's decision put an end to a series of recent rumors, especially after negotiations with Fenerbahçe stalled. Reports confirmed that Al-Ittihad's management, headed by Luay Nazer (or the current interim administration), considers Kante a cornerstone of the team's project and untouchable. The player expressed his great satisfaction with life in Jeddah and the atmosphere within the club, emphasizing his ambition to help the team return to winning ways after a previous season that fell short of fans' expectations.

A remarkable performance at Euro 2024 rediscovers the "French machine"

The renewed European interest in Kanté is inextricably linked to his exceptional performances with the French national team at Euro 2024. The 33-year-old proved that he still possesses the physical and mental prowess that have made him one of the world's best defensive midfielders. This brilliance attracted the attention of clubs such as West Ham United and Fenerbahçe, but Al-Ittihad's determination to retain the player and Kanté's own desire to continue his journey in the Saudi Professional League were the decisive factors in his staying.

Kante's technical importance in the Tigers' lineup

The continued presence of N'Golo Kanté is considered a "new deal" for Al-Ittihad, given his pivotal role in midfield. Amidst the club's ongoing technical and administrative changes, Kanté provides the experience and stability the team needs to connect the lines. His exceptional ability to win back possession and initiate attacks makes him indispensable to the coaching staff's plans for the upcoming season, as Al-Ittihad aims to compete strongly for both the league title and the King's Cup.

General context and impact of global stars' survival

Al-Ittihad's decision to retain Kanté is part of a broader strategy by the Saudi Professional League (SPL) to keep world-class players and ensure the continued development and increased market value of the competition. Having a player of Kanté's stature and history, a World Cup, Champions League, and Premier League winner, enhances the Saudi league's global standing and confirms that the Kingdom's sports project is steadily progressing towards sustainability and international competitiveness.

Sports

Youssef En-Nesyri joins Al-Ittihad, and N'Golo Kanté joins Fenerbahçe... Details of the deal

Youssef En-Nesyri terminates his contract with Fenerbahçe and joins Saudi club Al-Ittihad in a blockbuster deal that sees N'Golo Kanté move to Turkey. Learn the details of the transfer and when he'll be making his debut against Al-Nassr.

Published

30 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Youssef En-Nesyri in a Fenerbahçe jersey

Moroccan star Youssef En-Nesyri, striker for the first football team of Turkish club Fenerbahce, has made a major surprise in the transfer market, after he officially terminated his contract with his current team, in preparation for moving to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad “Al-Ameed” during the current transfer period.

According to information from reliable journalist Yağız Sabunçoğlu, Youssef En-Nesyri made the decisive decision to unilaterally terminate his contract in the past few hours, thus ending his time in Turkish football and paving the way for his official move to Al-Ittihad. This bold move comes as part of a shared desire between the player and the Jeddah club's management to bolster their attack with world-class players capable of making a difference.

Kante moves to Türkiye in an indirect swap deal

In a related development, the transfer of French star N'Golo Kanté to Turkish club Fenerbahçe has been confirmed. He will replace Youssef En-Nesyri at the Turkish club, albeit in a different position. This move came after Kanté refused to extend his contract with Al-Ittihad, following the breakdown of previous transfer negotiations. The deal was finally finalized with his departure to the Turkish league, thus freeing up a spot for En-Nesyri to be registered in Al-Ittihad's squad.

A race against time before Al-Nassr's classic match

Al-Ittihad's management is racing against time to finalize all administrative and legal procedures related to registering Youssef En-Nesyri with the Saudi Professional League. This urgency stems from the coaching staff's desire to utilize the services of the "Moroccan Lion" in the highly anticipated and crucial match against Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League's top fixture. Al-Ittihad fans are heavily relying on En-Nesyri's scoring prowess to secure victory in this classic encounter.

A distinguished career and added artistic value to the Roshan League

Youssef En-Nesyri's move to the Saudi league is a significant addition, given his illustrious career. En-Nesyri has made a name for himself in European football, particularly with Sevilla FC in Spain, where he played a key role in the team's two Europa League titles, thanks to his decisive goals and trademark leaping ability.

On the international stage, football fans will never forget En-Nesyri's heroic performance with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where he led the Atlas Lions to an unprecedented historic achievement by reaching the semi-finals, scoring the historic winning goal against Portugal with a stunning, gravity-defying leap. This accumulated experience makes him a winning acquisition by all accounts for Al-Ittihad, a club striving to reclaim its former glory and compete strongly for all domestic and continental titles.

The impact of the deal on the balance of power

The arrival of En-Nesyri is expected to transform Al-Ittihad's attack, as the team has long lacked a true "number 9" striker with En-Nesyri's high-pressing and aerial prowess. Conversely, Kante's departure represents a significant loss in midfield, but replacing him with a lethal striker could restore balance to the squad, especially given the fierce competition with Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli for the top spot in the Saudi League, which has garnered global attention.

Sports

Morocco appeals against sanctions imposed after Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal

The Moroccan Football Federation has officially appealed against the CAF sanctions following the events of the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, demanding harsher penalties commensurate with the riots and withdrawal.

Published

36 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Events of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal

The Moroccan Football Federation, in an escalation aimed at protecting the national team's rights, has officially announced its decision to appeal the sanctions issued by the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Disciplinary Committee. This decision comes in the wake of the controversial events that marred the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat two weeks ago.

Details of the crisis and disciplinary decisions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee issued a series of financial penalties and suspensions against both sides last Thursday. However, the Moroccan Football Federation deemed these decisions unfair and not reflective of the extent of the violations committed by the Senegalese team. In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Moroccan Federation asserted that the final match witnessed serious transgressions, most notably "the temporary withdrawal of the Senegalese players and staff, the pitch invasion by their fans, and the resulting widespread chaos and rioting that threatened the integrity of the competition.".

The Moroccan side believes that the imposed sanctions “do not correspond to the seriousness and gravity of these events,” especially since the Senegalese Federation decided not to appeal, which implicitly indicates its acceptance of the sanctions, which Morocco considered lenient compared to what happened.

The dramatic match scenario in Rabat

The match, played on January 18, was marked by unprecedented tension, with play halted for nearly fifteen minutes in the dying moments of regulation time. The crisis erupted when Senegal's players threatened to walk off the pitch in protest after a goal they had scored was disallowed and a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. Despite the players returning and the match resuming, Ibrahim Diaz missed the penalty, allowing Senegal to ultimately secure the title with a goal in extra time.

The excitement was not limited to goals, but extended to include psychological warfare and unsportsmanlike behavior, as players from Morocco and ball boys hid the towels belonging to Senegal's goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, in a scene that sparked widespread controversy.

The complete list of sanctions and their impact

CAF imposed strict sanctions, including:

Senegalese side: Coach Pape Thiaw suspended for 5 matches and fined $100,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Players Elman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr suspended for 2 matches each. The Senegalese Football Federation fined a total of $600,000 ($300,000 for fan misconduct and $300,000 for team conduct).
On the Moroccan side: Captain Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches (one suspended), and Ismail Saïbari was suspended for three matches and fined $100,000. The Moroccan Football Federation was also fined $200,000 for the conduct of its ball boys and $100,000 for players invading the VAR room.

This appeal comes at a time when African football is witnessing fierce competition, as Morocco seeks to confirm its continental and international standing not only technically, but also administratively, by ensuring the strict application of the principles of justice and fair play.

Sports

Today's fixtures (Wednesday): City vs. Newcastle and Yellow Submarine

Check out today's match schedule for the Carabao Cup, Copa del Rey, and Yellow Subs. Also, find out about the Manchester City vs. Newcastle clash and other crucial European cup matches.

Published

45 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Football fans will be glued to their television screens this Wednesday for a packed day of exciting matches across various international and local venues. The day features a host of important fixtures in prestigious European cup competitions, as well as matches in the Saudi First Division League, promising a rich football feast for fans of all affiliations.

English summit and European cup battle

In England, the spotlight is on the Carabao Cup, where giants Manchester City face Newcastle United in a heavyweight clash. This match carries particular significance given the fierce competition among England's top clubs to win the first trophy of the season. City will be looking to reaffirm their dominance, while Newcastle will be aiming to continue their ambitious project and challenge the established giants.

On the other European front, the competition is heating up in Spain's Copa del Rey, a tournament renowned for its dramatic upsets. Matches between established clubs like Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, and Real Sociedad stand out, as this competition represents a golden opportunity for these teams to reach the podium and secure a European spot for next season. In Italy, Inter Milan faces a crucial test against Torino in the Coppa Italia, while French and German stadiums host equally exciting matches in their respective domestic cup competitions, where there is no room for error.

Excitement of the Saudi Yellow League

Locally, the Saudi Professional League continues its momentum, with several crucial matches that could shape the promotion race and the fight to avoid relegation. Among the highlights are encounters between clubs with a long history in Saudi football, such as Al-Faisaly, Al-Batin, and Al-Wehda (as per the attached schedule), each striving to secure three points to improve their position in the standings, amidst the significant development of the competition and its growing fan base.