Sports
Middle East Conflict Forces Cancellation of Spain vs Argentina Finalissima
The planned Finalissima clash between Spain national football team and Argentina national football team in Qatar has been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The match, which pits the champions of Europe against the winners of South America’s Copa América, had been scheduled for 26 March. European champions Spain were set to face Copa América holders Argentina in the intercontinental showpiece.
UEFA confirmed the cancellation, saying the fixture could not proceed in Qatar because of the current security situation in the region.
“Due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar,” UEFA said in a statement.
Football’s European governing body said it had explored alternative options, including staging the match at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid or playing a two-legged tie in Madrid and Buenos Aires. However, those proposals were rejected by the Argentine Football Association.
In a joint statement, the CONMEBOL and the Argentine FA said they had suggested an alternative date of 31 March after receiving a proposal to hold the match at a neutral venue in Italy on 27 March.
According to the statement, Argentina agreed to the Italian venue but requested the match be moved to 31 March instead.
“Unfortunately, UEFA announced that holding the match on the 31st – just four days later than the original proposal – was not possible, and the Finalissima was cancelled,” the statement said.
UEFA also revealed that Argentina later suggested staging the match after the next World Cup, but this option was ruled out because Spain had no available dates in their international calendar.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation said it had worked intensively to ensure the match could be played in any format, either in Spain or at a neutral venue.
“Spain was prepared to play as it has always been stated. They set no conditions,” the federation said, adding that it had explored all possible alternatives together with UEFA.
The cancellation comes amid wider disruptions to major sporting events in the region. Over the weekend, the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix scheduled for April were also cancelled, with Formula One citing safety concerns linked to the ongoing conflict.
The Finalissima, organised jointly by UEFA and CONMEBOL, is staged every four years and features the champions of Europe and South America. The most recent edition took place at Wembley Stadium in London in 2022, where Argentina defeated Italy to lift the trophy.
A consortium backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has acquired about 38% of Liverpool, according to reports, giving the group a significantly larger stake than initially disclosed.
1892 Holdings, named after the year Liverpool were founded, was initially reported to have purchased about a third of the club. The Athletic reported that the actual stake is closer to 38%.
The consortium also has an option to acquire a controlling stake in Liverpool over the next 12 months, although there is currently no formal commitment to complete such a takeover.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed on Friday that it had reached a “definitive agreement” to sell a “strategic minority investment” to 1892 Holdings.
The group is led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia and includes Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.
Subject to regulatory approval, Bhatia will become Liverpool’s vice-chairman and join the club’s expanded board.
Bhatia, the son-in-law of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, previously served as a director and co-owner of Queens Park Rangers for 18 years before selling his stake in the Championship club last month.
The investment is understood to value Liverpool at between £5bn and £6bn, underlining the club’s growing value since FSG acquired the Premier League side in 2010.
Manchester United midfielder Youri Tielemans has apologised to Aston Villa fans after saying his new club was above his former side.
The Belgium international, 29, joined United from Villa this summer on a five-year contract after the club triggered his £35m release clause.
Tielemans spent three years at Villa Park after joining from Leicester City in 2023, making 134 appearances and scoring 10 goals.
Speaking during United’s pre-season tour, Tielemans praised Villa for helping him return to his best form but then said: “There are clubs above Villa, and Manchester United is one of them.”
His comments drew criticism from some Villa supporters, prompting the midfielder to issue an apology on Instagram.
“Never meant for my words in the press yesterday to offend anyone or the institution of Aston Villa Football Club, which I massively respect and I’m grateful for the past three years,” Tielemans wrote.
“I must however admit my mistake and apologise for my choice of words, will be more careful in the future.
“Wishing the club the best in the future.”
Tielemans, who helped Belgium reach the quarter-finals of this summer’s World Cup, signed for United in July in a deal that keeps him at Old Trafford until 2031.
He described the transfer as “the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football”, adding that joining “such a special club” was an incredible feeling.
The midfielder endured injury problems last season, suffering separate calf and ankle issues that limited him to 35 appearances in all competitions for Villa — his lowest total in a season since moving to England.
United will face AC Milan in their final pre-season fixture on Saturday, while Villa play Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Premier League season begins next weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain have been given an additional dressing room at the Red Bull Arena after expressing dissatisfaction with their facilities ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa.
Champions League winners PSG were initially allocated the away dressing room at the stadium in Austria, while Europa League champions Aston Villa were using Red Bull Salzburg’s home dressing room.
PSG officials raised concerns with UEFA during a pre-match meeting on Monday, saying their allocated dressing room was too small.
UEFA subsequently made a spare dressing room available to PSG, allowing the French side more space and facilities comparable to those provided to Aston Villa.
The additional room is normally used by match officials, but UEFA said no officials were moved to accommodate PSG.
Luis Enrique’s side will face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in the Super Cup, which brings together the winners of Europe’s two major club competitions from the previous season.
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