MENA Sports Wrap: More heartbreak for Ons Jabeur as shoulder injury ends season

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has announced her withdrawal from the remainder of the 2024 WTA season due to a shoulder injury, marking another heartbreaking moment following a difficult year that saw her drop to 22nd in the world rankings.

Meanwhile, Al-Nassr Football Club parted ways with Portuguese coach Luis Castro after a disappointing run, despite the club’s high-profile signings, including Cristiano Ronaldo, aimed at revitalising the Saudi Pro League.

In Kuwait, the entire Football Association board resigned following chaotic incidents at a World Cup qualifier against Iraq, which left fans fainting in extreme heat and a ticketing fiasco.

Meanwhile, British boxing stars Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois prepare to clash for the IBF heavyweight title in a highly anticipated showdown at Wembley Stadium, a highlight of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season.

Ons Jabeur ruled out for remainder of 2024 season

Tunisia's Ons Jabeur said on Monday she will be missing the rest of the 2024 WTA season over a shoulder injury, slipping to 22nd in the world rankings.

The 30-year-old made the announcement on social media, revealing that the year had been "extremely hard" for her, as she dropped down the world rankings, but said prioritising her recovery was the right decision.

"This year has been extremely hard for me and as athletes, we know that recovery is part of the journey," she said.

"Due to my ongoing shoulder injury, my medical team and I have made the difficult decision to step off the tennis circuit for the rest of the season.

"While I’m taking time to heal, I’ll be dedicating myself to charity work and ensuring that we make a real difference in the world. Thank you for all your support, and I can’t wait to come back stronger. I will see you back on the court in Australia in 2025."

Jabeur missed the recent US Open due to the injury and has not played since a heavy defeat by Naomi Osaka in Toronto in early August.

Al-Nassr parts ways with Portuguese coach

Al-Nassr has parted ways with Portuguese coach Luis Castro, the who managed the Saudi Pro League club for just over one year.

Castro's time at the helm of Al-Nassr has been bitter-sweet, picking up the Arab Club Champions Cup last year but finishing 14 points behind Riyadh rivals Al-Hilal.

They currently sit a disappointing seventh in the league, and only managed a draw against Al-Shorta in Iraq earlier this week in the Asian Cup, which appeared to be the final straw for the board.

"Everyone at AlNassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months," the club said in a X post on Tuesday.

Al-Nassr, one of the kingdom's biggest football clubs, has spent heavily to boost their profile and pick up silverware, beginning with the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in a shock move that kickstarted a Saudi Pro League's revamp in 2023.

Former AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli, who is free, is the favourite to take the reins at Al-Nassr, according to local media.

Kuwait FA board quits after chaos at World Cup qualifier against Iraq

The Kuwait Football Association's (FA) board has resigned "en masse" after "regrettable" chaotic incidents during a World Cup qualifier match against Iraq.

The resignations came after an inquiry was launched by the FA after tens of thousands of fans were left pleading for water and fainting in 40C temperatures as they lined up to watch the match at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.

Some fans without tickets were reportedly allowed in while others who had purchased tickets were refused entry, according to AFP.

The Kuwait FA issued an apology to fans on Wednesday, expressing regret over the events that occurred, though it did not specify details.

The FA also accepted the resignations of its secretary-general Salah al-Qanai and public relations head Mohamed Bou Abbas, who had initially been suspended over Kuwait's Asian group game.

The match against Iraq ended in a goalless draw, placing Kuwait in fourth position in Group B during the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Riyadh Season: AJ takes on Dubois, Hamed secures third professional win

British boxers Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will clash in London's Wembley Stadium on Saturday as part of Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season - a festival of sports, culture, and entertainment.

Joshua, 34, is seeking to snatch the IBF heavyweight title from Dubois, 27, to join the ranks of Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis as a three-time heavyweight champion.

During a face-off in June, the pair nearly descended into an early brawl during a tense exchange, in which Joshua threatened to throw a chair.

"I was just basically saying 'stay in your lane'. I don't expect respect from him but I'm ready to earn my respect from him," Joshua recently said of the incident.

While much attention has focussed on Joshua, Dubois has remained confident that he will cement his place as champion.

"I’m getting used to the idea that I’m the world champion but I think I need to legitimize it by beating AJ," Dubois told The Associated Press in an interview this week.

"That’s the way I do it and cement my name, cement my legacy in the sport of boxing."

The fight will take place in Wembley in front of a crowd of 90,000 fans, with five undercard fights and performances from Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher.

In the runup to the main bout, Aadam Hamed, son of British Yemeni boxing legend Naseem Hamed, secured his third professional win against journeyman Santiago Garces.

Fighting at the OVO Wembley Arena as part of the Joshua vs Dubois open workout bill, Hamed came out on top in every round with a 40-36 decision win.