Sport

More Important than Life or Death? Middle East Sport News, Views, Analysis

 James M. Dorsey

Equality on the Pitch: Women’s Football ‘on the Rise’

Equality on the Pitch: Women’s Football ‘on the Rise’

JAMES M. DORSEY: A newly launched campaign reflects the societal changes that are being felt throughout the Middle East today

 James M. Dorsey

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

JAMES DORSEY: It seems that ‘ultra’ football fans in Egypt are gearing up for greater and fiercer conflict in the months ahead.

 James M. Dorsey

Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not

Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not

JAMES M. DORSEY: This weekend’s Syrian victory over Iraq in a soccer match is being seized by the regime as ‘a great national achievement’.

 The View From Fez

Phew! Morocco Avoids Formula One ‘Catastrophe’

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: I’ve watched as Bernie Ecclestone’s F1 ‘circus’ has brought Valencia to its knees. Morocco can count its lucky stars that it will avoid the same fate

 Steve Royston

‘Bahrain in English Football Coup’: GDN Silence

‘Bahrain in English Football Coup’: GDN Silence

STEVE ROYSTON: You would have thought that the role of a respected Bahrain financial house in the purchase of an English football team would have been cause for celebration

 James M. Dorsey

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

JAMES M. DORSEY: The financial management of the Asian Football Confederation during Mohammed bin Hammam’s reign is under investigation

 James M. Dorsey

Defensive Blunder: Hamas’ Football Boycott Call

Defensive Blunder: Hamas’ Football Boycott Call

JAMES M. DORSEY: Palestinians of all ages are huge fans of the Spanish football giants Barcelona FC. When Hamas called for a boycott of their match this week it fell on deaf ears.

 James M. Dorsey

Gulf Finance House Deal Good for Leeds United?

Gulf Finance House Deal Good for Leeds United?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Leeds United’s negotiations for a takeover by Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House (GFH) may not give it access to the funding that has boosted the fortunes of others…

 James M. Dorsey

Duo Out: Major Victory for Egypt’s Football Militants

Duo Out: Major Victory for Egypt’s Football Militants

JAMES M. DORSEY: Two leading football executives have withdrawn from election to the Egyptian Football Association. The Ultras have prevailed

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Football Investment: No Guarantees

Middle East Football Investment: No Guarantees

JAMES M. DORSEY: The key question for Leeds supporters should be who is the investor and what is the purpose of the acquisition; those are questions that have yet to be answered.

 James M. Dorsey

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Egyptian authorities are moving tentatively to check how radicalised football fans will react to the lifting of a ban on their attendance at matches.

 James M. Dorsey

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

JAMES M. DORSEY: Three major investigations into corruption in global soccer are putting the credibility of major soccer associations and World Cup 2022 host Qatar to the test.

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

JAMES M. DORSEY: The debate about soccer is as much about politics as it is about sports. It is a debate that is likely to be fought out politically rather than on the pitch.

 Steve Royston

The London Olympics – What Have We Learned?

The London Olympics – What Have We Learned?

STEVE ROYSTON: So will a New Britain emerge in the wake of the medals, stadia and closing ceremony? I don’t think so. We are what we are. An English man writes.

 James M. Dorsey

Morsi’s Power Play In Sinai, and on the Pitch

Morsi’s Power Play In Sinai, and on the Pitch

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mr. Morsi’s response to this week’s killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers by militants has allowed him to position himself as the country’s co-commander-in-chief

 Crossroads Arabia

Defamation Case Awaits Shahrkani Hate Tweeters

Defamation Case Awaits Shahrkani Hate Tweeters

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Her father ought not have a hard time winning cases against those posting false and defamatory information on Facebook and Twitter.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Tastes Sweet Success at the Olympics

Saudi Tastes Sweet Success at the Olympics

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Congratulations to the Saudi Equestrian team for winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics….

 Crossroads Arabia

Wojdan’s ’90 Second Olympics’: A Game Changer

Wojdan’s ’90 Second Olympics’: A Game Changer

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Media reaction to Saudi women’s participation in the Olympics has been mixed but it’s marked a clear watershed.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Saudi Women In Olympics: Kingdom ‘Gets the Bug’

Saudi Women In Olympics: Kingdom ‘Gets the Bug’

EMAN AL NAFJAN: The Olympics usually barely registers on Saudi consciousness. This time round, though, things are different

 David Roberts

Female Athletes Lead Teams: What Does It Mean?

Female Athletes Lead Teams: What Does It Mean?

DAVID ROBERTS: The Olympics Opening Ceremony was striking for many reasons not the least of which was the presence of so many women leading Arab teams.