MENA Sports Wrap: Palestinian boxer and footballer killed by Israeli strike

Two promising Palestinian athletes were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a beachside cafe in Gaza on Monday, the Palestinian Olympic Committee said, highlighting the growing toll the war is taking on the territory’s sporting community.

Footballer Mustafa Abu Amira and 20-year-old boxing hopeful Malak Musleh were among dozens of civilians killed in the bombing of Café Al-Buqa on Gaza's seafront.

According to the committee's statement on Tuesday, the pair had been seeking a brief escape from the war when the missiles struck.

Abu Amira had played for several well-known clubs in Gaza, including Al-Sadaqa, Al-Shati, and Al-Zeitoun, leaving a mark with his talent and dedication. Musleh was seen as a rising star in Palestinian women's boxing, with aspirations of competing on the international stage.

"They were there looking for a moment of calm far from the noise and fire of war," the committee said. "The missiles of betrayal struck them as they sat in a simple seaside café, stealing their lives, their dreams, and the joy of sport in a single moment."

The deaths of Abu Amira and Musleh come as new figures show at least 785 Palestinian athletes and sports officials have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza and the occupied West Bank since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Football Association. Most of the victims were in Gaza, while 23 deaths were recorded in the West Bank.

Of the total, 437 were footballers, including 15 from the West Bank, said Susan Shalabi, deputy head of the association. She added that the numbers are likely higher due to limited access to rubble-strewn areas and incomplete reporting from parts of Gaza.

Shalabi said Israeli strikes have also damaged or destroyed 288 sports facilities across Palestinian territories, including stadiums, gyms, and clubhouses, with 21 in the West Bank.

Both the Olympic Committee and the Football Association have called for international intervention to stop what they describe as the deliberate targeting of Palestinian sports and to ensure protection for athletes and infrastructure.

The Olympic Committee said the deaths of Abu Amira and Musleh were a "heartbreaking reflection of the brutality faced daily by Gaza’s besieged population" and a reminder of the many dreams buried under the rubble.

Al-Hilal stun Manchester City in Club World Cup classic

Al-Hilal made history on Monday after a victory over Manchester City in the Club World Cup, a moment that has put Saudi football on the map.

The Riyadh side overcame the Premier League giants in a thrilling 4-3 game in the round of 16, thanks mainly to two critical goals from Brazilian Marcos Leonardo.

The result was a massive embarrassment for Manchester City, who struggled last season in the Premier League and European football, adding further pressure on manager Pep Guardiola.

More importantly, it is a moment that FIFA President Gianni Infantino said marks "a new era of club football", providing a boost for Saudi football after billions were spent improving the profile and standards of the game.

The win saw them face the Brazilian team Fluminense in the quarter-finals.

The team had a 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal in a hard-fought game in Orlando, Florida. 

Matheus Martinelli scored in the opening half, before Al-Hilal struck back after the break. 

Fluminense secured their victory in the 70th minute through Hercules.

Saudi club Neom sign former France striker Lacazette

Former France forward Alexandre Lacazette has signed for Saudi club Neom after the end of his contract at Lyon, the Pro League side announced on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old joins fellow ex-Lyon player Said Benrahma at Neom, who was promoted from the Saudi second tier last season.

"From the cradle of heritage in Lyon to the frontier of the future at NEOM S.C," Neom said in a social media post. "Sharpshooter @LacazetteAlex has arrived."

Lacazette joined Lyon for a second spell with the team in 2022 from Arsenal and left the club as the second-highest goalscorer in their history with 201 goals.

Neom also announced the signing of Ivorian midfielder Amadou Kone from Reims on Monday.

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