(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
UEFA Warns Marseille with Possible European Ban and €10 Million Fine

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — French club Marseille has been warned by UEFA that it could face a one-year ban from European competitions and has been fined €10 million ($11.5 million) following financial compliance issues, European football’s governing body announced.

The sanctions were issued by UEFA’s financial monitoring panel, which oversees the financial performance of clubs participating in competitions such as the Champions League. The system was previously known as Financial Fair Play.

According to UEFA, Marseille failed to meet agreed financial targets from an earlier monitoring cycle. The club, which is majority owned by Frank McCourt, also experienced financial challenges linked to a sharp and unexpected decline in domestic broadcasting revenue.

Under the decision, Marseille could be excluded from its next European competition unless it meets required financial benchmarks during the 2026–27 season.

The club endured a difficult campaign, finishing fifth in Ligue 1 and missing qualification for the Champions League. The season also saw major changes, including the dismissal of head coach Roberto De Zerbi and the departure of club president Pablo Longoria. Supporters also staged protests over the club’s direction.

Marseille, one of France’s most historic clubs and the 1993 European champion, now faces pressure to stabilize both on and off the pitch as it works to meet UEFA’s financial requirements.

(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Celtic’s Title Defence Opener Rescheduled Amid Event Clashes

Celtic’s start to their Scottish Premiership title defence has been delayed and moved to a Monday night due to scheduling conflicts involving major events in Glasgow, the club has confirmed.

The reigning champions were originally expected to begin their season at home against Dundee on a weekend fixture. However, the match has now been rescheduled to Monday, August 3.

The change comes as the city hosts multiple major events during the same period, including Calvin Harris concerts and Commonwealth Games competitions. Authorities cited limited policing availability over the weekend due to the simultaneous events as the reason for the adjustment.

Celtic expressed disappointment over the decision, saying they had been informed that Police Scotland would be unable to support a weekend fixture under the circumstances.

The club’s opening home match of the season is traditionally marked as “Champions Flag Day,” when the league trophy is celebrated with a pre-match ceremony and the championship flag is raised in front of supporters.

In a statement, Celtic said their priority remains the fans, adding that holding such an important occasion on a Monday evening is not ideal. The club also noted that it had made repeated efforts to seek an alternative scheduling arrangement with both Police Scotland and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

Despite the changes, Celtic will begin their title defence later than planned as they prepare for the new season.

(Sports Corresponden: Imran Sohail)
Ivory Coast Striker Elye Wahi Barred from Traveling to World Cup Match Amid Match-Fixing Investigation

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has been prevented from traveling to Canada for his team’s upcoming World Cup match against Germany while he remains under investigation in a suspected match-fixing case, according to the Ivorian football federation.

Ivory Coast is scheduled to face Germany on Saturday in Toronto.

The federation stated that Wahi could not join the squad because the required administrative approvals for entry into Canada were not granted in time. As a result, the striker will remain in the United States while the team travels for the match.

Wahi had featured in Ivory Coast’s opening World Cup game, where they secured a 1–0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia earlier this week.

The situation comes after the French football authorities reported unusual betting activity linked to a Ligue 1 match involving Wahi. According to the French league, an unusually high volume of international bets was placed on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a May match between Nice and Metz, which ended 0–0. Wahi was booked during that game.

Officials said the matter was flagged through betting monitoring systems and subsequently reported to relevant police and gambling authorities, as well as the French Football Federation, for further investigation.

The case remains under review as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the betting patterns.

Government Plans Weekly Fuel Pricing Mechanism to Pass on Relief to Consumers

The government has formed a high-level committee to review and develop a weekly pricing mechanism for petroleum products, aimed at reflecting changes in international oil prices more quickly in the domestic market.

According to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure that any reduction in global oil prices is promptly passed on to consumers.

He stated that crude oil prices in the international market have recently fallen to their lowest level in around three months, creating space for potential relief in domestic fuel rates.

The proposed pricing mechanism is expected to improve transparency by helping consumers better understand how fuel price adjustments are determined. Officials said the formula will be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The minister further added that the government is also reviewing broader energy policies as part of efforts to strengthen energy security and protect national interests.

This development follows earlier indications from the petroleum ministry that fuel prices may be reduced in line with declining global oil trends and improving regional conditions.

The final structure of the weekly pricing system is expected to be announced after consultations and policy approval.

Gold Prices Remain Above Rs. 4.5 Lakh in Pakistan Amid Jewellers’ Protests

Gold prices in Pakistan remained above the Rs. 4.5 lakh per tola level on Thursday, even as international market rates saw a slight decline during the trading session.

According to data shared by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of gold per tola in Pakistan decreased by Rs. 2,300 to settle at Rs. 452,963.

Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold declined by Rs. 2,070, closing at Rs. 387,615.

In the international market, gold prices fell by $23 per ounce, reflecting minor adjustments in global trading trends.

Silver prices also recorded a decrease on the same day, dropping by Rs. 144 per tola to settle at Rs. 7,359.

Meanwhile, the local bullion market has been experiencing uncertainty over the past several days due to disruptions in price reporting and updates.

Jewellers across Pakistan are continuing their protest against what they describe as increased tax pressure and regulatory concerns from authorities, which has affected routine market activity.

Overall, precious metal prices remain relatively high in the local market despite slight fluctuations in global rates.

(Sports Correspondent; Imran Sohail)

European Qualifiers for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup: England’s Play-off Path Confirmed

The draw for the European qualifying play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s Women’s World Cup has been confirmed, with 32 teams still competing for a place at the tournament in Brazil.

Only seven European teams are guaranteed direct qualification through the group stage, while additional spots will be decided through play-offs.

Several top teams, including Denmark, Germany, France, and reigning world champions Spain, have already secured their places by finishing at the top of their respective qualifying groups.

England, the current European champions, will begin their play-off campaign against Greece in the first round. If they progress, they are expected to face either Slovakia or Ukraine for a place in the final qualification stage.

The first round of play-offs will be played over two legs between 7 and 13 October 2026. Winners will advance to a second round scheduled between 26 November and 5 December 2026.

From this stage, seven teams will qualify directly for the World Cup based on their performance, while one additional team may still reach the tournament through inter-confederation play-offs set for February 2027.

The qualification process continues to be highly competitive as European teams compete for limited spots in the global tournament to be held in Brazil.

(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)

Pakistan Women’s Captain Fatima Sana Joins The Hundred via Wildcard Draft

Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana has been signed by Birmingham Phoenix to feature in this year’s edition of The Hundred after being selected through the wildcard draft.

She will become the first Pakistani player to participate in the women’s competition this season. The all-rounder has filled the team’s fourth overseas slot, which became available after Cricket Australia withdrew seamer Lucy Hamilton to manage player workload.

Fatima Sana is set to earn the tournament’s minimum salary of £15,000 (approximately Rs. 5.6 million). However, her participation may be affected by Pakistan’s scheduled tour of Sri Lanka, which overlaps with part of the tournament.

Earlier this year, she had gone unsold in the women’s auction along with teammate Sadia Iqbal. The wildcard selection has now provided her an opportunity to join the league despite not being picked initially.

Her selection came shortly after a strong performance against South Africa at Edgbaston, where she contributed both with bat and ball. Batting lower down the order, she scored an unbeaten half-century and also took three wickets in the same match.

Fatima Sana is now among a small group of Pakistani players featuring in The Hundred this season. Her inclusion adds to Pakistan’s representation in the tournament following selections in both men’s and women’s squads.

The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16 this year. This season follows structural changes in the competition after franchise ownership stakes were transferred to private investors.

The tournament continues to feature international players from various countries, contributing to a highly competitive and globally diverse event.