Lionel Messi's father Jorge dies aged 68

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's childhood club Newell's Old Boys announced on Saturday. biznow.biz

Argentinian media reported Jorge Messi had passed away on Friday in a hospital in Rosario.

"His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel," Newell's Old Boys said in a social media post.

Jorge Messi was his son's first coach in Argentina and his sole companion when he first moved to Barcelona as a child, before later becoming his agent.

"My father helped me enormously. He is very critical of me. That made me always want to push myself further," Lionel Messi told DirecTV Sports in 2022.

Messi's family asked the media for "humanity" during the recent World Cup amid persistent rumours over Jorge's health.

Toronto, Canada: Reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina advanced to the fourth round of the WTA Toronto Masters on Friday while French Open winner Mirra Andreeva was eliminated by Canada's Leylah Fernandez.

World number two Rybakina from Kazakhstan defeated American 28th seed Ann Li 6-2, 7-5 in 90 minutes, winning five of six break chances while saving two of four against her.

Rybakina, who also won the 2022 Wimbledon title, advanced to a last-16 meeting with Russia's Liudmila Samsonova, who outlasted Australian Maya Joint 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.

Samsonova leads the career rivalry with Rybakina 4-2, but Rybakina has won their past two WTA meetings, most recently in last year's Strasbourg final.

Fernandez, the 30th seed, dispatched 19-year-old fifth-ranked Russian Andreeva 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes, snapping a seven-match losing streak against top-10 opponents.

Fernandez last beat a player ranked so high when she downed fourth-rated Jessica Pegula on her way to last year's WTA Washington title.

"The key for me was to stay positive, stay strong, and to keep being patient," Fernandez said. "She wasn't going to give away some easy balls."

The Canadian left-hander won 24 of 27 points on her first serve and captured 17 of 23 points on Andreeva's second serves to advance. Andreeva made 34 unforced errors to 17 winners.

"I've put in the work. I know physically I'm strong. I know I can endure long rallies, long matches," Fernandez said. "So if it's going to take 100 balls to hit to put it in to break her down, then so be it."

Fernandez will next face four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, the 11th seed from Japan who defeated Belgium's 20th-seeded Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-2 in 71 minutes.

Osaka fired seven aces and took four of eight break points while denying Mertens on her three break chances.

Fernandez and Osaka have split two career meetings, the Canadian winning at the 2021 US Open on the way to a runner-up finish. Osaka won last year at Wuhan.

"It's tough because she's lefty," Osaka said. "Obviously there aren't many lefties on tour, so it takes me awhile to get used to that. She has a really good attitude. I've never seen her down. She always keeps fighting. I really appreciate that about her."

Gauff, Eala advance

US fourth seed Coco Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam winner, advanced by defeating Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in 76 minutes.

Gauff cruised to a 5-1 lead in the second set before Sakkari rallied within two points of pulling level before winning five of the last six points, taking the match on a backhand volley winner and service winner.

"I'm happy with how I played. Maria is a tough opponent," Gauff said. "Her level definitely raised toward the end of that second set but I'm glad I was able to close it out. That last game was a big test for me."

Gauff will next face 19-year-old Russian Alina Korneeva, who ousted US 13th seed Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-4. Korneeva won seven of eight break points to reach the last 16 after 82 minutes.

Alexandra Eala, the 21-year-old Philippines left-hander who won her first WTA title Monday at Washington, reached the fourth round by defeating American Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Eala had her right ankle taped by a trainer leading 3-2 in the second set, was broken at love in the sixth game and pushed to a third set before taking the victory after two hours and 39 minutes.

World number 20 Eala next faces Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic, who outlasted American Taylor Townsend 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 after three hours and 24 minutes.

Real Oviedo has confirmed that Celtic is nearing a deal for Haissem Hassan, who has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract.

According to Scottish outlet CeltsAreHere, the Spanish club directly verified claims surrounding the negotiations, including an overall package valued at around €11 million.

The precise structure was initially unclear, but Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph subsequently placed Celtic’s guaranteed offer at approximately €7 million, rising to about €10.5 million if all bonuses are achieved.

However, he stressed that the clubs had not yet reached a complete agreement. Both reports indicate confidence that the remaining points can be resolved.

Celtic’s latest proposal represents a substantial increase on their opening approach.

KingFut reported in July that the Scottish champions had offered approximately €4 million for the 24-year-old following his performances with Egypt at the World Cup.

Real Oviedo rejected that bid and directed interested clubs towards the winger’s release clause. Celtic were then expected to return with an improved offer worth around €8 million.

The reported €10.5 million maximum package would bring Celtic considerably closer to Oviedo’s valuation. Hassan’s release clause fell from €18 million to €12 million following Oviedo’s relegation from La Liga

Villarreal are also entitled to 40% of the transfer proceeds under the agreement that took Hassan to Oviedo in 2024, increasing the Spanish club’s incentive to maximise the fee.

Hassan has reportedly accepted Celtic’s four-year proposal and wants to complete the move. The winger previously rejected a lucrative five-year offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League club because he preferred to continue his career in Europe.

الأخبارالإثارة تتواصل بدوري الكابتن سعيد المسندتواصلت الإثارة والمتعة في دوري الكابتن سعيد المسند رحمه الله لكرة الصالات في نسخته الثانية الذي يستمر حتى 18 من الشهر الجاري في صالة الاتحاد القطري لكرة الصالات بنادي الوكرة، بم...فتح →

Marseille were also linked with Hassan after Celtic’s opening bid was rejected.

The winger joined Oviedo permanently from Villarreal in August 2024 and signed a contract running until June 2027. He made 37 La Liga appearances last season, providing three assists as Oviedo suffered relegation.

His profile rose further during Egypt’s World Cup campaign, particularly against Argentina in the round of 16. Hassan created Egypt’s second goal and had an individual effort disallowed during the 3-2 defeat.

Celtic and Oviedo must now settle the remaining contractual details before Hassan can travel to Glasgow, undergo his medical and formally complete the transfer.

The post Real Oviedo Confirm Advanced Celtic Talks for Haissem Hassan appeared first on KingFut.

أعلن الاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم عن انطلاق معسكر حكام النخبة، استعدادا للموسم الكروي الجديد 2026 - 2027.
وأكد الاتحاد في بيان، أن المعسكر يقام في فندق إنتركونتيننتال الدوحة، ويستمر حتى 18 أغسطس الجاري، وذلك في إطار التحضيرات المكثفة لانطلاقة الموسم الجديد، ورفع جاهزية الحكام الفنية والبدنية، بما يتماشى مع متطلبات المنافسات المحلية والخارجية.
ويشمل المعسكر برنامجا متكاملا يجمع بين الجانبين النظري والعملي، حيث تشهد الفترة الصباحية تنظيم عدد من المحاضرات الفنية، التي تتناول مختلف الجوانب التحكيمية، إلى جانب مراجعة الحالات والمواقف التي قد تواجه الحكام خلال المباريات، وفي الفترة المسائية، يتم تقسيم الحكام المشاركين إلى مجموعات، وفق برنامج تدريبي متنوع يجمع بين التطبيقات العملية والتدريبات البدنية.
وتخوض إحدى المجموعات تدريبات عملية على استاد لوسيل المونديالي، في أجواء تحاكي ظروف المباريات، بينما تخضع مجموعة أخرى لتدريبات بدنية بملاعب الإرسال تهدف إلى تطوير اللياقة والسرعة والتحمل.
ويأتي اختيار استاد لوسيل، أحد أبرز الملاعب المونديالية في قطر، ليمنح الحكام فرصة مهمة لتطبيق الجوانب الفنية التي يتلقونها خلال المحاضرات الصباحية على أرض الملعب، وتعزيز قدرتهم على التعامل مع الحالات التحكيمية المختلفة خلال المباريات.
وأكد السيد هاني طالب بلان، رئيس لجنة الحكام بالاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم، أهمية المرحلة الإعدادية لحكام النخبة القطريين، باعتبارها من أهم مراحل الموسم الكروي، مشددا على ضرورة تحقيق أكبر استفادة ممكنة منها.
وقال : نسعى لتوفير كافة عوامل النجاح للحكام، وتهيئة الظروف التي تمكنهم من تحقيق أفضل استفادة وتقديم أفضل مستوى تحكيمي.
وأضاف: الموسم الجديد يشهد استحداث بطولات مثل QSL 2 وQSL 3، وبالتالي زيادة عدد المباريات وزيادة حدة المنافسة بين الأندية، وهذا يحتاج إلى عمل كبير وجهد متواصل لمواجهة تحديات الموسم الطويل على مستوى كافة البطولات.
واختتم رئيس لجنة الحكام حديثه بالتأكيد على ثقته الكبيرة في جميع الحكام وقدرتهم على تقديم موسم جيد.

Darwin, Australia: Bangladesh folded for just 54 Saturday to lose their only warm-up game ahead of a two-Test series against top-ranked Australia by an innings and 38 runs.

The tourists were skittled by young quick Campbell Thompson, who claimed a stunning 8-25 off 11 overs as a Cricket Australia XI romped to victory before lunch on the third and final day in Darwin.

It does not bode well for Bangladesh, who face a full-strength Australia spearheaded by pace trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the same city next week.

Opener Tanzid Hasan was the only batter to reach double figures with 22.

Bangladesh made 263 in their first innings with the CA XI responding with 355.

"To clean it up this morning, I had a clear process -- just try to use the new ball, swing it and hit the stumps," said 22-year-old Thompson, who had played just one previous first-class match.

"I was lucky enough to get a few wickets."