MENA Sports Wrap: Lebanon FA postpones all matches amid Israeli attacks

Lebanon's Football Association (LFA) has suspended all football matches amid Israel's escalating military offensive, which has killed over 700 people and wounded at least 1,835 in southern Lebanon, Beirut suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley. With fears of full-scale war growing, the LFA has been left with no option but to postpone domestic games indefinitely, citing safety concerns.

It comes as the Palestinian Football Association intensified its calls for FIFA to sanction Israeli football teams over human rights violations in Gaza, where over 41,500 people - mostly women and children - have been killed.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is preparing to host a rare women's boxing match as part of Riyadh Season due to take place later next month.

Lebanon's Football Association postpones matches as Israel attacks

The LFA has postponed all domestic football matches after Israel launched intense attacks across the country on Monday killing hundreds.

Over 700 people were killed and at least 1,835 wounded after airstrikes hit several areas in southern Lebanon, as well as the southern Beirut suburbs and across the Bekaa valley, with tens of thousands fleeing to safety amid increased fears of a full-blown war.

The dangers to players and spectators forced Lebanon's national football federation to suspend all games, despite the season just starting.

"Due to the current situation in the country, the executive committee of the Lebanese Football Association has decided to postpone matches of all tournaments to a date to be determined later," the LFA said on Tuesday.

The Lebanese Premier League's 2024-25 season kicked off last week, while the country's national team has not played in the country since last year, hosting the home legs of World Cup qualifiers in Qatar and the UAE.

Palestine has staged their recent home matches abroad in Kuwait and Qatar, while Israel is hosting their Nations League home games in Hungary.

Palestinian FA expecting FIFA review on Israeli football sanctions

FIFA has reportedly received an independent legal assessment from the Palestinian Football Association to impose sanctions on Israeli football teams following a series of human rights violations carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the PFA said: "We appreciate the professionalism and impartiality FIFA has shown in handling this matter, particularly in referring the issue to legal experts for a thorough evaluation... [the PFA] remains confident in the fairness of the ongoing process."

"As the sole recognised football authority in Palestinian territory, we affirm our right enshrined in FIFA statutes and laws, to develop and promote football across areas recognised under international law, including the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem.

The association said it "patiently awaits the final decision", which is expected to be reviewed by FIFA on 3 October, just a few days before Gaza marks one year of the brutal and unforgiving war on the enclave.

The PFA first called on FIFA to sanction the Israeli Football Association back in March, citing Israel’s relentless military onslaught in the enclave, which has now killed at least 41,534 Palestinians, including at least 92 footballers.

The PFA submitted a proposal on the matter back in May, with FIFA ordering a legal evaluation and promising to address the issue urgently. The sport’s governing body, however, has delayed the review at least twice since.

The Palestinian proposal accuses the IFA of complicity in violations of international law by the Israeli government, discrimination against Palestinian players, and inclusion in its league of clubs located in Palestinian territory.

Fighters prep for next round of Riyadh Season bouts featuring rare female bout

Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season is set to sponsor a rare female boxing match in the Saudi capital's Kingdom Arena on 12 October.

Australian WBC female featherweight champion Skye Nicolson will face Raven Chapman on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev v Dmitry Bivol bout.

With both women going into the fight with 0 losses to their names, the stakes are high as they make history as part of Saudi Arabia's ever-expanding sports offerings.

"I'm excited for the opportunity. I feel privileged, honoured. These are the fights I’ve been wanting, these are the fights I've been calling for," Nicolson told DAZN.

The fight comes two years after Saudi Arabia hosted its first-ever female boxing match when Ramla Ali saw off Crystal Garcia Nova in an undercard of the 2022 Joshua v Usyk match.

The upcoming 'IV Crown Showdown' event will also see Saudi boxer Mohammed Alakel take on Mexico's Jesus Gonzalez in a welterweight fight.

The event's promotion this week saw Chris Eubank Jr., who will fight Kamil Szeremeta, share some harsh words for big figures in the boxing industry.

Eubank Jr accused British boxing promoter Frank Warren, who was also present at the presser, of "lying and cheating", while heaping praise on the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh.