Sports

The golf community in Dubai and around the world is mourning the tragic passing of 17-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, who died following a fire at the Swiss ski resort of Crans Montana during New Year celebrations.

Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders have been told to release fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia said on Saturday, amid growing tensions between the countries.

MI Emirates booked their spot in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 final with a convincing seven-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Dubai is gearing up to host the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival 2026 at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam, starting Tuesday, January 6.

Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open after receiving a wildcard entry, the tournament's organisers said on Friday, marking her first appearance at Melbourne Park in five years.

Usman Khawaja will be retiring from international cricket after this week's fifth Ashes Test against England at Sydney Cricket Ground, the Australia batsman said on Friday.

The Premier League's festive feast turned stale on Thursday as the New Year's Day programme served up three 0-0 draws, most significantly Manchester City's stalemate at Sunderland which left them four points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders stayed in the hunt for the DP World ILT20 Season 4 title after sealing a 50-run win over the Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

British former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital after being injured in a car accident in Nigeria's Ogun State that killed two of his friends, state governments said on Wednesday.

Australia named injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and big-hitter Tim David in their provisional squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in February-March, while expanding their spin options to suit conditions in Sri Lanka and India.

Algeria kept up their winning run at the Africa Cup of Nations, making it three out of three in Group E as they beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 on Wednesday to reaffirm their status among the tournament favourites.

The DP World ILT20 "Power 9 Golf Day" saw cricketers, commentators, match officials, partners and other key stakeholders take to the course for a relaxed afternoon on Wednesday, alongside professional golfer Richard Mansell at the award-winning Els Club in Dubai.

Two Equatorial Guinea players have been banned for insulting a referee at the Africa Cup of Nations and Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore was fined for post-match remarks, the respective football federations said on Wednesday.

Egypt international Ramadan Sobhi, who helped Pyramids win their first CAF Champions League title last season and previously played in the English Premier League, has been sentenced to one year in prison in connection with an academic fraud case, local media reported on Tuesday.

Arsenal have closed out 2025 in emphatic fashion, smashing third-placed Aston Villa 4-1 on Tuesday to surge five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Desert Vipers have powered their way to the final of the DP World ILT20 Season 4 with a resounding 45-run victory over MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The World Sports Summit has concluded in Dubai on Tuesday, underlining the emirate’s growing stature as a global meeting point for iconic athletes and sports leaders.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has picked up a knee injury in Australia's Big Bash League and will return home for rehabilitation ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup starting in February, his team Brisbane Heat said on Tuesday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s international career looks to have ended with a whimper as he headed back to France on Tuesday and will miss Gabon’s last game at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

England named fast bowler Jofra Archer in their provisional squad for the Twenty20 World Cup on Tuesday despite a side strain that prematurely ended his Ashes campaign in Australia earlier this month.

Nottingham Forest have filed a complaint with England's professional referees body (PGMOL) over the officiating in their 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester City on Saturday, British media reported.

Morocco forward Ayoub El Kaabi netted a double and midfield maestro Brahim Diaz added another as the Africa Cup of Nations hosts turned in a convincing performance in outclassing Zambia 3-0 on Monday to top Group A.

The winners of the 13th Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Sports Award, the largest of its kind in terms of prize value and number of categories, were announced on Monday during the World Sports Summit in Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the World Sports Summit on Monday.

British former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria's Ogun State that killed two people, local police said on Monday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Monday that Dubai would host the global governing body's Best Awards ceremony next year.

The World Sports Summit has opened in Dubai, bringing together more than 1,500 sports leaders, policymakers and athletes from around the world.

Australia head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has confirmed Usman Khawaja will play in the fifth Ashes test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground amid media speculation it could be his last international.

Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 on Sunday during the "Battle of the Sexes: The Dubai Showdown" exhibition match held at the sold-out Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

Cristiano Ronaldo has honoured tennis legend Novak Djokovic with the newly launched Globe Sports Award during the 16th Globe Soccer Awards held on Sunday at Dubai’s Atlantis, The Royal.

Riyad Mahrez has scored a first half penalty as Algeria sealed their place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group E clash in Rabat on Sunday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated the 10th edition of the Al Salam Cycling Championship on Sunday.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have pushed aside the Gulf Giants by 32 runs to qualify for the top four of the DP World ILT20 Season 4 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the inaugural World Sports Summit will commence in Dubai on Monday.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) curator who prepared the widely criticised pitch for the fourth Ashes test said he was in a "state of shock" as wickets tumbled in the two-day match.

MI Emirates confirmed their place in the top two after a comprehensive eight-wicket win over the Dubai Capitals at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Nigeria put on an impressive display of attacking prowess but had to hang on in the end for a narrow 3-2 win over Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, becoming the second team to make sure of a place in the last 16.

England celebrated their first test win in Australia in 15 years at a sunbathed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday as their batters chased down 175 runs to secure a four-wicket victory within two frenzied days of the fourth Ashes test.

Hosts Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, ending their world record run of wins and leaving them still to make sure of progress to the next stage.

Desert Vipers faced a late resistance but pulled through to secure a five-wicket win over the Sharjah Warriorz in the DP World ILT20 on Friday.

Mohamed Salah scored a first-half penalty as 10-man Egypt defeated South Africa 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Agadir on Friday to become the first team into the knockout stages of the competition.

Angola and Zimbabwe each earned their first point at the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw on Friday but the result leaves both facing early elimination.

As 20 wickets fell on the first day of the fourth Ashes test on Friday, the carnage prompted sharp criticism from former England cricketers who questioned whether the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground offered a fair contest.

Cameroon has put aside recent woes to open their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 victory over neighbours Gabon on Wednesday as Karl Etta Eyong’s early goal secured a much-needed win.

Shayan Jahangir and Jordan Cox have registered fifties to help defending champions Dubai Capitals sail into the play-offs with a strong six-wicket win over Sharjah Warriorz at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday.

Two goals deep in second-half stoppage time saw Burkina Faso snatch a 2-1 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea in the opening Group E match at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Wednesday.

A side strain ended England fast bowler Jofra Archer's Ashes campaign on Wednesday while the beleaguered tourists dropped batter Ollie Pope for the fourth test against Australia.

American businesswoman and television personality Martha Stewart has joined Swansea City as a co-owner, the Welsh football club announced on Tuesday.

Arsenal have edged past Crystal Palace on penalties on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup when goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a spot kick from Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

MI Emirates have sealed their playoff berth after a comfortable eight-wicket win over the Gulf Giants during the at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, has reviewed preparations for the inaugural World Sports Summit, which will be held at Madinat Jumeirah from December 29 to 30.

Indonesia's Gede Priandana became the first bowler to claim five wickets in an over in a Twenty20 International, in a game against Cambodia in Bali on Tuesday.

Neymar has undergone successful arthroscopic surgery on his knee, his club Santos said on Monday, as the winger bids to get back to full fitness and earn a place in the Brazil squad for next year's World Cup.

Mohamed Salah has snatched a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Egypt came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in their first game at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Monday.

Sharjah Warriorz have held their nerve to clinch a dramatic four-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Lyle Foster has scored a superb winner from outside the box as South Africa defeated Angola 2-1 in Africa Cup of Nations Group B in Marrakech on Monday, the first time they have won their opening match at the continental finals in 21 years.

With one month to go until the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, five more stars have been added to the line-up for the highly anticipated tournament at Emirates Golf Club from January 22-25.

Barcelona has secured a composed 2-0 LaLiga victory at Villarreal on Sunday thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match that tilted firmly in the visitors' favour when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the break.

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco overcame a nervy start to beat the Comoros 2-0 in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday after Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored second-half goals.

American Learner Tien has overpowered Belgian opponent Alexander Blockx 4-3(4) 4-2 4-1 to win the Next Gen ATP Finals on Sunday, the year-ending exhibition tournament between the eight highest-ranked players on the tour aged 20 and under.

The Dubai Capitals sealed an important six-wicket win over the Gulf Giants courtesy of an impressive all-round display at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday

MI Emirates has registered a composed four-wicket victory over the table toppers Desert Vipers to seal their third straight win in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

South African Jayden Schaper chipped in for an eagle on the second playoff hole to win the DP World Tour’s Mauritius Open on Sunday and continue his remarkable recent run of success.

The Asian Football Confederation said on Sunday it will launch a Nations League contest in a bid to improve competition standards and commercial opportunities for national teams across the continent.

Australia swept to an 82-run win in the third Ashes test at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to retain the urn with two matches to spare and leave England facing recriminations over another failed campaign.

Desert Vipers continued their strong run in the DP World ILT20 season 4 with a comprehensive victory over Sharjah Warriorz, beating them by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.

Test and one-day captain Shubman Gill could not find a place in India's 15-member squad for next year's home Twenty20 World Cup, but stumper-batter Ishan Kishan returned to the side on Saturday.

Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua delivered a dose of reality to Jake Paul on Friday with a savage sixth-round knockout in Miami that left the social-media-star-turned prizefighter nursing a suspected broken jaw.

The Dubai Capitals defeated the Sharjah Warriorz for the first time in DP World ILT20 history, with a resounding 63-run victory at the Dubai International Stadium.

Travis Head and Alex Carey forged a defiant late stand at their home Adelaide Oval on Friday to all but erase England's Ashes hopes, the pair leaning on each other through another draining afternoon in the heat.

The DP World International League T20 match between Sharjah Warriorz and Dubai Capitals, scheduled for Friday, December 19, has been moved from Sharjah Cricket Stadium to Dubai International Stadium due to prevailing weather conditions and a forecast of rain in Sharjah.

Morocco has defeated Jordan 3-2 after extra time to claim the Arab Cup on Thursday thanks to two goals from Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah following a stunning long-range strike from Oussama Tannane.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have held their nerve to secure a well-earned four-wicket win over the Gulf Giants at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the FIFA Arab Cup third place playoff between the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Doha on Thursday, with both teams sharing the title.

Manchester City has eased into the semi-finals of the League Cup with a 2-0 home win over Brentford on Wednesday, and will meet holders Newcastle United who needed an added-time Lewis Miley goal to beat Fulham 2-1 at St James' Park.

Kylian Mbappe has moved tantalisingly close to Cristiano Ronaldo's calendar-year scoring record for Real Madrid with a brace as they earned a 3-2 victory at third-tier Talavera de la Reina on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey's last 16 after a pulsating encounter.

MI Emirates has stunned the Dubai Capitals with a seven-run victory at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, defending a modest total of 137/8.

The UAE has officially opened the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025.

Prize money for next year's World Cup will be 50 per cent higher than the previous edition with world governing body FIFA agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.

The fourth T20 international between India and South Africa in Lucknow on Wednesday was called off without a ball being bowled due to excessive fog at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Dubai Basketball suffered their first home defeat at Coca-Cola Arena since February, falling 95:97 to Maccabi Tel Aviv in a tightly contested EuroLeague Round 16 matchup.

Usman Khawaja proved reports of his demise as an international cricketer were greatly exaggerated as he scored a defiant half-century on Wednesday to steady Australia on day one of the third Ashes Test against England.

FIFA has introduced a small number of $60 (around AED 200) "Supporter Entry Tier" tickets, aiming to make next year's World Cup more affordable for fans of qualified teams

The Desert Vipers have met their match on Tuesday night as the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders handed the table-toppers their first loss of the season, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Paris St Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele was named FIFA men's player of the year in Doha on Tuesday with Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati winning the women's award for the third year in a row.

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), after Kolkata Knight Riders signed him for 252 million Indian rupees ($2.77 million) at the player auction for the 2026 season in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The Jordanian national team has qualified for the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 final, set to go against Morocco for the title on Thursday at the Lusail Stadium at 8:00 pm.

The Sharjah Warriorz have produced a composed all-round performance to outclass the Gulf Giants by 11 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi has struck late to salvage a point for his side in a 4-4 draw with Manchester United on Monday, capping a Premier League thriller that swung wildly from start to finish.

Morocco booked their place in the FIFA Arab Cup final with a 3–0 win over the UAE in the first semi-final at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

Shotaro Kasahara allowed only two hits in six scoreless innings with six strikeouts to lead the Mid East Falcons to the first United Series championship in League history.

The UAE is set to face Morocco for the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 semi-finals at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday in Doha, Qatar.

Manchester City have maintained their squeeze on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that keeps Pep Guardiola's side lurking two points behind the leaders and ready to pounce.

Rodrygo have secured Real Madrid a crucial 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday in LaLiga, ending a dismal run of form and keeping them within four points of leaders Barcelona.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta let rip at his players following their 2-1 Premier League home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, saying their "horrible defensive habits" made the margin of victory narrower than it should have been.

The Dubai Capitals fended off the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to secure a nine-run victory at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Kazuki Yabuta struck out eight and allowed only four hits and one run in 6.1 innings, and Haru Yoshioka had a perfect 2.2 relief with seven strikeouts, including a Fire Ball strikeout to end the game, to give Mid East Falcons the win 5-1 over Mumbai Cobras and tie the United Series (1-1). 

Lionel Messi's tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday as fans threw objects, ripped up seats and invaded the pitch at Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium after the Argentine soccer great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event.

Abu Dhabi has created sporting history by attracting the sailing regatta Cowes Week to its shores in January 2023, consolidating its position as the Middle East's sports capital.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has outlined exactly why football is failing to properly address racism within the game in an exclusive interview with Off Script on Dubai Eye 103.8.