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ISTANBUL, JUNE 16 -- FIFA said on Monday that it found no evidence of a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official Shaun Evans made a hand signal before a recent World Cup match, Anadolu Ajansi reported. "FIFA's Independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that after examining the matter involving Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officer Shaun Evans, it found no evidence of a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," the organisation said. Evans, an Australian official, was seen on the broadcast of Germany's match against Curacao on Sunday making the "OK" hand sign, a gesture associated with white supremacy and classified as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2019. Evans strongly denied any malicious intent, describing the move as an "unconscious and unintentional reflex". He expressed regret over the perception that arose following the gesture, but stressed that he did not make the symbol "knowingly or intentionally", which first gained attention after it was used by attackers in the Christchurch mosque incident in 2019 that killed 51 Muslims. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

World Cup: Referee hand signal controversy, no evidence of disciplinary code violation – FIFA

ISTANBUL, JUNE 16 — FIFA said on Monday that it found no evidence of a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) official Shaun Evans made .... read more

GUANGZHOU, China, June 15 -- The world's most anticipated football spectacle is now in full swing. On the pitch, players sprint, turn and score with everything they have, constantly pushing the limits of athletic performance. This relentless competitive spirit perfectly mirrors the core of a great automobile. Riding the wave of this global celebration, Chinese automaker GAC has made a distinctive deep dive. We partner with top clubs including Australia's Sydney FC, Mexico's Toluca FC, Brazil's CR Flamengo and Colombia's Millonarios FC, bringing the pace of the game and a champion's mentality to every model, and creating a powerful resonance between football passion and product strength.    In terms of speed and power, the GAC EMPOW is powered by the Mega Wave 2.0TGDI engine, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.95 seconds — like a striker's lightning burst, bringing the excitement of the pitch to everyday driving. For precise control, the AION i60 comes standard with an electric power steering system, L2 driver assistance and full-speed adaptive cruise control, delivering effortless handling and midfield maestro-like command.    On range and reliability, the AION V features Magazine Battery 2.0 technology and a CLTC combined range of over 600 km, eliminating range anxiety. Its rigorously tested dependability ensures steady performance, just like a player running nonstop throughout the match. For safety, the GAC S7 is equipped with 10 airbags and whole-vehicle torsional rigidity of 35,000 N•m/deg, mirroring a team's coordinated defense to provide 360° protection for all occupants. Meanwhile, the HYPTEC HT is equipped with Bosch's latest-generation Intelligent Integrated Brake System (IPB), inheriting the calm resilience of a core player under pressure to master complex road conditions and emergencies. As the football festival reaches its climax, GAC invites you to share this passionate journey through automobiles. This summer of football, let the game reveal GAC's commitment to quality and unshakable confidence. For further information about GAC, please visit: https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social. -- PRNewswire -- Source: GAC  

Take to the Pitch, Feel GAC’s Power: Where Cars and Football Create the Perfect Synergy

GUANGZHOU, China, June 15 — The world’s most anticipated football spectacle is now in full swing. On the pitch, players sprint, turn and score with everything they have, constantly pushing .... read more

BUKIT MERTAJAM, JUNE 15 -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has agreed to increase the Community Sports Fund (DSK) allocation for Penang after the state became one of the earliest and fastest to fully utilize the RM800,000 funds channeled this year. Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) will submit an application to obtain the additional allocation. "Penang is among the earliest and fastest to complete the DSK. JBSN will submit an application and I agree for Penang to receive additional funds." "I request youth organisations to use the funds as best as possible, move to the grassroots level and ensure that programmes continue to be implemented," he said when officiating the National Youth Day 2026 celebration at the Penang level on Sunday night. Also present was the state Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen. Mohammed Taufiq said that DSK does not just support sports activities and efforts to produce more athletes, but also serves as a platform to connect young people with the local community. He said that KBS also channeled a Sports Matching Grant for Window 1 and Window 2 totaling RM500,000 as well as assistance to the 2026 Youth Organisation of RM106,000 to Penang. According to him, the allocation is among the government's investments to expand access to community sports activities, empower youth organisations, promote healthy lifestyles and increase young people's participation in youth development and sports programmes. "I want youth organisations in Penang to actively apply for SejaTi MADANI funds after the Prime Minister approved an allocation of RM250 million for the benefit of youth organisations nationwide. "Youth development programs need to be implemented continuously and not just once so that they can have a high impact and direct benefits for the group concerned," he said. -- BERNAMA

KBS agrees to increase allocation for Penang Community Sports Fund

BUKIT MERTAJAM, JUNE 15 — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has agreed to increase the Community Sports Fund (DSK) allocation for Penang after the state became one of .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 -- Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In the latest update today, the national team has collected 1,086.22 points, moving up two places from their previous position of 138th in the world. The rise was driven by results involving other teams, including India and Latvia, as Malaysia did not play during the international window. Thailand remains Southeast Asia’s top-ranked team at 94th, ahead of Vietnam (99), Indonesia (118), the Philippines (135) and Singapore (148). Japan holds its position as Asia’s top-ranked side at 18th in the world, followed by Iran in 20th and South Korea in 25th. -- BERNAMA

Harimau Malaya Up To 136th In FIFA World Rankings After Two-place Rise

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In .... read more

ISTANBUL, June 13 -- Mexico claimed an easy 2-0 victory on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament, placing Mexico in an early lead in the 10th minute. Mexico dominated the rest of the half with 10 shots, with two on target, while South Africa struggled to create chances. South African Teboho Mokoena got the first yellow card of the tournament, followed shortly thereafter by Mexican Brian Gutierrez. Shortly after the second half started, South African Yaya Sithole denied Gutierrez a clear goalscoring opportunity and was sent off with the first red card of the tournament, leaving Bafana Bafana with only 10 players on the pitch. Sithole's red card was the first in a World Cup opening match since Bolivian Marco Etcheverry’s against Germany in 1994. Subbing in at minute 66, Gilberto Mora, at age 17 years and 239 days, became the youngest player to represent Mexico in the World Cup. Mexico doubled the lead with veteran striker Raul Jimenez’s header in the 67th minute. South Africa went down to 9 players when Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct in the 85th minute, the first time this had happened since Portugal and the Netherlands both had two players dismissed against each other in the 2006 round of 16. Mexican Cesar Montes got a straight red card for denying South African Khuliso Mudau a goalscoring opportunity dropping Mexico to 10 players. In the end, Mexico rose to the top of the leaderboard of Group A, while South Africa are at the bottom. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Mexico Wins Easily Against South Africa In Opening Match Of 2026 World Cup

ISTANBUL, June 12 — Mexico claimed an easy 2-0 victory on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Julian Quinones .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 13 -- Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and representative to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, for several venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Hamidin said he was entrusted by Infantino to ensure the smooth organisation and conduct of all matches in two cities, namely Los Angeles and San Francisco, in line with his role as a FIFA Council Member.    "I am one of the FIFA Council Members. So, this edition involves 16 distant locations and that is why I was appointed as the head of the delegation and the FIFA President's representative responsible for Los Angeles and San Francisco." "My duties include monitoring the smooth running of the matches at both venues starting from the group stage. After that, until the quarter-finals, I will be based in Los Angeles. I will also be involved until the semi-finals and finals," he said when met recently. The 2026 FIFA World Cup competition opened early this morning with the opening match of Group A between hosts Mexico and South Africa which took place at 3 am Malaysian time. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest edition in its history with the participation of 48 teams. -- BERNAMA

Hamidin given responsibility at the 2026 World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 12 — Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and .... read more

Muhammad Shah Firdaus wins elite keirin gold, denies Azizulhasni’s formidable challenge

NILAI, Jun 10 — Johor cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom denied a great challenge from track cycling champion Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang to win the men’s elite keirin event at .... read more

LONDON: Serena Williams hit a serve at 193 kilometers per hour and celebrated her comeback to tennis with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 first-round doubles victory with Victoria Mboko after defeating Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe at the HSBC Championships in London, reported PA Media/dpa. Williams, 44, is 25 years older than Mboko, who is 19. The American star has not played competitively for 1,376 days since her last appearance at the 2022 US Open.     She chose Mboko, the recipient of the 2025 WTA Newcomer of the Year award, in part because the Canadian teenager reminded her of herself, Williams explained on Sunday. Her comeback, which she said was sparked by the thought of "why not?", also gave Williams the opportunity to perform in front of Olympia and Adira, her two daughters from her marriage to Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian. Both of his children were present at the Andy Murray Arena, where the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion looked set to bring good luck after rain affected much of Monday's action. The weather did cause a slight delay earlier as British number one Emma Raducanu opened her grass court season with a win over Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova. However, the weather improved when Williams, Mboko and their opponents entered the ring at around 5.45pm and were greeted with thunderous applause from the standing ovation. The cheers echoed again as Williams helped the pair earn two early points to win the first game before breaking their opponent's serve in the next. In windy conditions in west London, she recorded the fastest serve of the opening set at 181 kilometres per hour on her first service game, which the North American pair also won. Williams and Mboko lost serve for the first time in the seventh game of the first set, but a  double backhand  featuring a big smile from the American helped them lead 5-4 before Williams produced the fastest serve of the set -- 193 kilometers per hour -- two games later. The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion and Mboko, who won her first WTA title as a wildcard in Montreal last year, were getting closer as they won the first set in  a tie-break . They led by a set and a  break  after the third game of the second set, which also saw the first video review challenge of the match requested by Melichar-Martinez, but without a final decision. Mboko secured  the pair's second break point  as they edged closer to victory before Williams hit two convincing service aces to secure two winning points. Although Williams said before the match that she was not too focused on the result because she had won many titles throughout her career, she clearly looked happy after securing her first victory since returning to action. -- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa

Back in action, Serena Williams won at Queen’s

LONDON: Serena Williams hit a serve at 193 kilometers per hour and celebrated her comeback to tennis with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 first-round doubles victory with Victoria Mboko after defeating .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 -- The highly anticipated friendly between English Premier League giants Chelsea FC and Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in Johor has been brought forward by two days to Aug 9. Event organiser TEG Sport said in a statement today that the fixture, originally scheduled for Aug 11, had been rescheduled following a mutual agreement between the two clubs. It said the match will still kick off at 8 pm Malaysian time at the 34,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri. "The decision to bring the fixture forward was made by mutual agreement between both clubs. "Both clubs have embraced the revised schedule, recognising that the earlier date provides each side with additional time to prepare for the season ahead," it added. TEG Sport also confirmed that all tickets purchased for the original date will remain valid for the rescheduled match, with ticket holders not required to exchange or update their tickets. The fixture will serve as a crucial pre-season preparation for Chelsea ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign, while offering JDT a monumental test against top-tier European opposition on home soil. Chelsea are the current FIFA Club World Cup holders and the only club to have won every major trophy in the modern era while JDT have established an era of dominance in Malaysian football, winning 12 consecutive Malaysian Super League titles alongside multiple Malaysia Cup and Malaysia FA Cup victories, as well as the AFC Cup on the continental stage. -- BERNAMA

Chelsea-JDT Friendly Brought Forward To Aug 9

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The highly anticipated friendly between English Premier League giants Chelsea FC and Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in Johor has been brought .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 -- With the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals set to kick off on June 11 (3 am June 12 Malaysian time), a heated debate is raging over which team will lift the world’s most prestigious football trophy on July 19. Although reigning champions Argentina are still considered among the title favourites, most football observers and analysts view Spain and France as possessing the most balanced squads and are best equipped to go far at the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, a senior lecturer in Sports and Recreation at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has Spain as the frontrunner for the coveted title based on current performance, tactical stability and the right balance between youth and experience. He said their triumphs in the 2023 Nations Cup and Euro 2024 proved that the La Roja outfit, under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, possess a well-established playing system and the ability to maintain consistently high performance levels. “Tactically, Spain have one of the best midfield lineups. World-class midfielder Rodri provides stability and composure in the engine room, while Pedri pulls the strings and dictates the tempo of the game. “Their ability to dominate possession, create space and control the tempo of the game make them a tough team to beat in high-intensity tournaments,” the former Head of Sports Science and Performance Analyst of Sabah FC from 2021 to 2023 to Bernama. He said Spain, who lifted the World Cup in 2010, are further strengthened by a group of young players who are reaching their peak development, such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Mohamad Nizam said that this, coupled with the team’s squad depth and tactical stability, makes Spain the most balanced outfit heading into the 23rd edition of the World Cup Finals. Experienced local coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim, meanwhile, has named France and Argentina as his favourites for the title, based on the teams’ ability to adapt to the demands of modern football. He said for teams to succeed in major tournaments these days, a lot depends of their ability to apply high pressing, quick transitions from defence to attack and field players capable of making the right decisions in high-intensity situations. “Looking at the modern style of football, I’m plumping for France and Argentina because they play with high intensity, transition very quickly from defence to attack and possess fast and intelligent players. “For major tournaments like the World Cup, these aspects are extremely crucial because every game requires the team to adapt quickly,” said the Kelantan Red Warrior head coach. Local sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli concurs. And he too has made France as his top pick to emerge triumphant for the third time after lifting the trophy in 1998 and 2018. According to Pekan, the greatest strength of the Les Blues, under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, lies in quality available throughout the squad - from the starting XI to those on the bench. “France are still my top pick because, for me, they are among the most valuable teams in the world right now. If we look at the full squad, they have world-class players in every position. “Their forward line, meanwhile, is led by the outstanding Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, who are capable of turning a game on its head at any time,” said Pekan, who admitted that squad depth is often the factor that separates teams that are just competing and teams that are capable of winning the World Cup. Pekan has also trumpeted Japan’s chances of creating an upset and becoming the tournament’s dark horses this time. He said the Blue Samurai squad are filled with players plying their trades in Europe’s top leagues and have delivered consistent performances in recent years. “If we look at their international friendly results and performances over the past few years, Japan have defeated several higher-ranked teams. They also rarely lose and have many players who are playing in Europe. “I believe Japan can go far this time based on their previous achievements. The other big teams had better be wary of this dark horse,” he added. The 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature 48 teams, making it the largest-ever tournament organised in the history of world football since the inaugural edition in Uruguay in 1930. -- BERNAMA

World Cup 2026: Spain, France Title Favourites, Japan The Dark Horses – Analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — With the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals set to kick off on June 11 (3 am June 12 Malaysian time), a heated debate is raging .... read more

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