United News of Bangladesh

Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of Manchester City, has long played a prominent role in the United Arab Emirates, working with world leaders including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Earlier this year, Al Mubarak sat with Trump in Davos and signed the UAE government's agreement to join the US president's Board of Peace. In June, he attended a signing ceremony with Macron at the Palace of Versailles for a business summit. The 50-year-old is also a UAE special envoy to China. He welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Manchester City when Xi visited England in 2015. Al Mubarak's involvement in international affairs reflects his position within Abu Dhabi's ruling elite. He is the head of the $385 billion Mubadala sovereign wealth fund and serves in several other government and business roles. He advises UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and sits on the boards of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. He also helped develop ties between Abu Dhabi and Formula One before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix joined the F1 calendar. When Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now a UAE deputy prime minister, bought Manchester City in 2008, Al Mubarak was appointed chairman. Under his leadership, the club transformed from a long-time underachiever into one of Europe's most successful teams. However, an independent Premier League panel has now found that the club broke financial rules during that period. The Premier League said Tuesday that City, which has dominated English soccer over the past 15 seasons, systematically violated financial regulations. The panel said the club used “sham” commercial agreements to conceal more than 830 million pounds ($1.1 billion) in funding from its Abu Dhabi owners between 2009 and 2018. The panel also said some club witnesses gave evidence they knew was untrue. The funds helped finance expensive player transfers and wages, contributing to City's rise as a major European club. Its success brought more prize money, strengthened its global brand and helped attract leading players, including current star striker Erling Haaland. City can appeal the verdict. Reports about the ruling emerged Friday in The Athletic, prompting a response from Al Mubarak the following day. He said the legal process was not over and that the club remained confident it could prove its innocence. “The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club's innocence is just as strong as when this began,” he said. In a rare 2009 interview with The Guardian, Al Mubarak described Manchester City as a representation of Abu Dhabi's values, including loyalty, commitment, discipline, long-term thinking and respect for history. He is also chairman of City Football Group, which owns a global network of 12 clubs, including New York City FC. An economics graduate of Tufts University near Boston, Al Mubarak has held several senior government positions in addition to leading Mubadala. His family has also experienced tragedy in public service. His father, Khalifa Al Mubarak, was a UAE diplomat and ambassador to France. He was assassinated in Paris in February 1984 when Khaldoon was 8. The killing was linked to the Abu Nidal Organization, a militant group that opposed Israel. Gulf media have reported that the UAE's royal family supported and mentored the young Al Mubarak after his father's death. A street in Abu Dhabi was renamed after his father in 2018. Al Mubarak's role at Manchester City also came under scrutiny as UEFA and the Premier League investigated the club's finances. Both major cases were linked to internal club emails and documents obtained by a hacker and whistleblower and later published by German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018. UEFA had investigated City in 2014 and 2020. In the 2020 case, the club successfully appealed a two-year Champions League ban. The leaked documents also highlighted Al Mubarak's determination to fight regulatory action. In 2014, as UEFA discussed a possible settlement over a rules violation, City lawyer Simon Cliff wrote in an email that Al Mubarak was prepared to spend 30 million pounds on top lawyers and pursue legal action for years.

Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his support for Manchester City after the club was found guilty of dozens of financial violations committed during his time as manager. Guardiola, who has managed City since 2016, said he would continue to stand by the club following the publication of a report by an independent panel on Tuesday. “I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever,” Guardiola wrote on social media Wednesday. “I am, always have been, always will be, behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.” “Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all,” he added in a post on X. Guardiola's message was accompanied by photos showing him wearing a Manchester City shirt and celebrating with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, lifting the Champions League trophy, applauding supporters and celebrating the club's 2023 Premier League title. During Guardiola's 10-year tenure, City won six Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and three FA Cups, among other trophies. The club's alleged financial violations, which included what the league described as “sham” commercial deals, were valued at more than 900 million pounds ($1.19 billion).

Bangladesh’s hopes of winning the men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games ended on Thursday after Pakistan beat them by six wickets in a rain-shortened semifinal. Bangladesh made 111 for seven in 13 overs after being sent in, but Pakistan chased down the target with nine balls to spare, reaching 112 for four in 11.3 overs. The match was still evenly poised when Pakistan needed 36 runs from the last four overs with four wickets in hand. But Mustafizur Rahman’s second over changed the game. The left-arm pacer conceded 23 runs, including five boundaries, leaving Pakistan needing only 13 from the final three overs. Abdul Samad struck an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls and Hasan Nawaz made 27 not out off 22 as Pakistan completed the chase comfortably. Bangladesh had made a strong start with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 17 for two in two overs. Mehidi Hasan removed Sahibzada Farhan before Nasum Ahmed dismissed Maz Sadaqat. Saim Ayub then added 21 off 12 balls before Mustafizur had him caught off the final delivery of his first over. Mustafizur finished with one wicket but conceded 41 runs in his two overs. Rishad Hossain and Mehidi took one wicket each for Bangladesh. Earlier, Towhid Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with 42 off 25 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours. He came to the crease after Bangladesh had slipped to 21 for three. Saif Hasan made 19 off 17 balls and Mosaddek Hossain scored 11, while Mehidi remained unbeaten on eight from four balls. Sufiyan Muqeem took three wickets for 26 runs for Pakistan. Bangladesh will play for the bronze medal on Sunday against the loser of Thursday’s second semifinal between India and Sri Lanka.

India won the toss and elected to bowl first against the West Indies in the second one-day international of the three-match series on Wednesday. India took an 1-0 lead in the series after winning the opening ODI by eight wickets on Sunday. The hosts made one change to their lineup, handing a debut to pace bowler Auqib Nabi. Allrounder Nitish Reddy was left out as India opted for a stronger pace attack. The West Indies made four changes. Justin Greaves, who scored his maiden ODI century in the first match, missed the game with a calf injury. Keacy Carty replaced him as the opening batter. Allrounders Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul were also brought into the team, along with left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes. Batter Jewel Andrew, pace bowler Matthew Forde and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie were left out. The pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium has more grass than it did during the first ODI. The surface is generally considered helpful to spinners, although batters are expected to find conditions favorable throughout the match.

Manchester City is facing one of the biggest controversies in English soccer after the Premier League ruled that the club breached almost all of the 115 financial charges brought against it. The league announced the verdict Tuesday after a yearslong investigation into whether City’s Abu Dhabi ownership broke financial rules to help turn the club into one of the world’s most successful teams. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters called the case and verdict “the most significant in Premier League history.” The club could face serious penalties, including a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League. The sanctions have yet to be decided. Here is a look at the case: How the case beganThe Premier League brought 80 charges against City in February 2023, covering the period from 2009 to 2018, the first nine seasons after the club came under Abu Dhabi ownership. The league accused City of providing inaccurate financial information, overstating sponsorship income from Abu Dhabi and failing to disclose payments made to managers and players. It also accused the club of breaching Premier League and UEFA financial regulations designed to prevent clubs from spending beyond their means. Another 35 charges related to City’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation from December 2018. The case was linked to internal emails published by German outlet Der Spiegel. The material, obtained through the Football Leaks website, allegedly showed attempts to hide the true sources of some of City’s income. What the commission foundThe independent commission ruled that City committed all of the financial breaches relating to 2009-18 and most of the charges involving its failure to cooperate. The findings said City used what the commission called “sham” contracts with commercial partners to hide more than £830 million ($1.1 billion) in funding from its Abu Dhabi owners. The commission also said some witnesses who gave evidence on City’s behalf provided information they knew was untrue. It concluded that the club intended to avoid Premier League rules. City rejects the findingsCity has consistently denied wrongdoing. The club did not challenge the authenticity of the emails published by Der Spiegel but said they were material taken out of context after being hacked or stolen from City Football Group. It described the publication of the material as an attempt to damage its reputation. After the charges were announced in 2023, City said it welcomed an independent investigation and believed there was comprehensive evidence supporting its position. City chief executive Ferran Soriano again rejected the allegations in an internal message to staff, saying the Premier League’s case was based on a false claim that the owners secretly transferred their own money into the club through Abu Dhabi sponsors. In a statement, City called the commission’s findings an “opinion” containing serious errors of law, principle and fact. The club said it would appeal and continue efforts to clear its name. What penalties could City face?The Premier League said punishment will be considered separately by the same independent commission at a confidential hearing. The timing has not been announced. City must first submit its appeal by Friday. Under Premier League rules, possible penalties include a fine, points deduction or expulsion from the league. Everton received a 10-point deduction in 2023 for breaching financial rules during a three-year period. The punishment was later reduced to six points. City faces a much broader set of allegations, including the charge of failing to cooperate with the investigation. City’s appeal would be heard by a three-member Appeal Panel. Sky Sports has reported that the club could also take the case to the High Court in London if it believes the process was unfair or lacked impartiality. City has faced UEFA punishment beforeUEFA previously accused City of overstating sponsorship income to comply with its Financial Fair Play rules, based on the same documents published by Der Spiegel. In 2020, UEFA found the club guilty of serious breaches between 2012 and 2016 and imposed a two-year ban from European competitions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban, ruling that some allegations had not been proven and others were time-barred. It instead fined City 10 million euros ($11.3 million) for failing to cooperate with investigators. Possible impact on City and Abu DhabiThe case could have financial consequences beyond any punishment imposed on City. Several rival clubs have reportedly been considering compensation claims, arguing that they suffered because of City’s alleged rule breaches. A recent precedent involved Everton, which was ordered to pay Burnley more than £35 million ($47 million) after Burnley argued that it would have avoided relegation in the 2021-22 season if Everton had received its financial penalty at the time. It remains unclear whether City could be stripped of its Premier League titles. The league’s rules allow the commission to make “such other order as it thinks fit,” potentially leaving that option open. Relegation could also lead to major changes to City’s squad, which includes stars such as Erling Haaland. The findings could also affect the reputation of Abu Dhabi, whose investment in Manchester City has been described by some commentators as part of a broader effort to increase its influence through sports. Former City manager Pep Guardiola, who guided the club to many of its titles, said in 2023 that he would leave if the club’s owners lied to him. “I will be out and you will not be my friend anymore,” Guardiola said.

Tim Ream, the longtime captain and defender of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, has announced his retirement from international football. Ream had previously told head coach Mauricio Pochettino that he did not intend to retire from national team duty, but said the team’s evolution and the changing nature of the game had led him to reconsider. “The kids are getting younger and younger, and I don’t mean my own kids,” Ream said Tuesday before the United States played Chile in a friendly in his hometown. “It is retirement. We’ve used the word recognition. We weren’t really sure how we wanted to label it, but, yeah, that’s it for me. I’m proud of being a part of something for 16 years, but it is time to step away and stay away from play with the national team.” The 38-year-old Ream earned 86 international appearances after making his U.S. debut in a friendly against South Africa on Nov. 17, 2010. Only DaMarcus Beasley has made more appearances for the United States than Ream’s 60 caps after turning 30. Ream wore the captain’s armband in 26 matches, including four games at this year’s World Cup. “It’s an honor, there’s not really any other way to put it,” Ream said. He said one of his main goals after becoming captain more regularly was to help prepare the next generation of leaders. “The biggest thing that I wanted to do as I started to get the captain’s armband more and more is, ‘How can I help these guys become the next captain? How can I help this group continue to develop and be more special than they are.’” Ream said the future of the U.S. team looks promising, pointing to a young generation of players including 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan. He said the emerging group reminded him of the period when current U.S. players Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie were breaking into the national team. “The thing that stands out to me with them is the same thing that stood out when the Westons, the Tylers, the Gios, these guys stepped in to the national team,” Ream said. “They have a ridiculous amount of confidence, and it’s refreshing. It borderlines being cocky, but I think you have to have that little bit of swagger. You have to have that belief in yourself. They’re still learning.” Ream said he will continue playing for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, although he has yet to decide what he will do with his MLS career beyond that.

The six teams in Bangladesh’s new D3 Trophy selected their coaching staff through a management draft in Dhaka on Tuesday, two days after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally announced the tournament. Sohel Islam was picked as head coach of Ace Bluestar, Rajin Saleh by Acme, Mizanur Rahman by Citizens Bank, Mohammad Salahuddin by Fortune Group, Talha Zubair by Seven Rings Cement and Abdur Razzak by Walton Group. The draft was held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, where the BCB presented the teams with a list of 35 coaches from which they selected their staff. Each team picked a head coach, two assistant coaches, a physiotherapist, a strength and conditioning coach and an analyst. The D3 Trophy, formally called the Domestic Three Trophy, is part of a restructuring of Bangladesh’s domestic cricket calendar. The BCB will combine the three formats under one tournament, with the T20 competition beginning on December 15, followed by the four-day competition in January and the one-day competition in May. The BCB has awarded six institutions the rights to operate the six teams for three years at a cost of taka 250 million each per year. National team batting coach Mohammad Ashraful and bowling coach Talha Zubair are also among the coaches selected for the tournament. They will work with their D3 teams when the national team have no commitments. Teams can also appoint coaches who went unselected in the draft if a member of their coaching staff is unavailable. The assistant coaches selected were Humayun Kabir and Hannan Sarkar by Seven Rings Cement; Faisal Hossain and Tarek Aziz by Acme; Dollar Mahmud and Tushar Imran by Walton; Abdul Qayyum and Mohammad Ashraful by Fortune Group; Mohammad Selim and Najmul Hossain by Citizens Bank; and Ashikur Rahman and Salauddin Ahmed by Ace Bluestar.

South Korea’s An Se-young strengthened her status as the world’s top-ranked women’s badminton player Tuesday by winning her second consecutive Asian Games gold medal. An defeated Japan’s three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-9 in the final to claim the title. The victory adds another major achievement to An’s career. She is also an Olympic champion from the Paris Games and a two-time world champion. Badminton is hugely popular across Asia, where the sport is known for its fast pace, long rallies, diving saves and powerful overhead shots. An reached the final after beating China’s Chen Yufei in the semifinals, extending her winning streak against her Chinese rival to five matches. The South Korean star has also been outspoken about conditions within her national team. After winning Olympic gold in Paris two years ago, she said national training officials had made her compete despite a knee injury and criticized what she described as outdated training methods. An later threatened to compete independently but ultimately decided against leaving the national team system. Shuttlecock shortageWhile it has not affected competition at the highest level, the rising price and limited supply of traditional shuttlecocks have become a concern in badminton. China is the world’s leading producer of shuttlecocks, but a decline in poultry production in recent years, partly linked to bird flu, has reduced the supply of goose and duck feathers used to make them. The shortage has pushed prices higher and encouraged officials to consider synthetic alternatives. Earlier this year, the Badminton World Federation approved synthetic shuttlecocks for use in lower-level competitions. Players have noted that synthetic models have different speed and flight characteristics from traditional feather shuttlecocks. The BWF said the initiative is part of its long-term effort to assess synthetic shuttlecocks for possible use in elite-level competitions.

Roberto Mancini's Italy produced a commanding performance in his second game in charge, defeating Turkey 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, while Michael Olise scored late to give France a 1-0 victory over Belgium. Italy's emphatic win was a major improvement from Friday's 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, when the Azzurri struggled to impose themselves. The result also came six months after Italy failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup. Their next challenge will be significantly tougher as they travel to face France on Friday. France, meanwhile, secured its second victory under new coach Zinedine Zidane despite being without injured Kylian Mbappe. Kayode makes impressive Italy debutBrentford defender Michael Kayode marked his Italy debut by scoring once and assisting another goal as the visitors quickly took control. Italy went ahead in the ninth minute after Turkey's Zeki Celik failed to clear a corner properly, allowing Alessandro Bastoni to fire the loose ball into the roof of the net. Davide Frattesi doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute, finishing from close range after Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir had parried Kayode's effort following a well-constructed team move. Kayode then added Italy's third five minutes later, finishing into the bottom-right corner after being played through by Pio Esposito. It was Italy's first three-goal opening half-hour in a competitive match in five years. Turkey reduced the deficit shortly after halftime when Baris Alper Yilmaz capitalized on a lapse in Italy's defense. However, Esposito restored Italy's three-goal cushion three minutes later, heading in the rebound after Sandro Tonali's curling effort struck the post. Pio Esposito's older brother Sebastiano also started the match, making it the first time since 1915 that two brothers had been named in Italy's starting lineup. Olise delivers late for FranceFrance controlled much of its match against Belgium and struck the woodwork twice before Olise finally found the breakthrough two minutes from full time. Mbappe missed the game after suffering a left-knee injury in Friday's 1-0 victory over Turkey, in which he scored his record-extending 67th international goal. Zidane made nine changes to his starting XI and handed international debuts to Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf and Lucas Da Cunha. Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept his side in the contest with several important saves. Desire Doue hit the crossbar in the 12th minute, while Da Cunha's powerful effort from 25 yards struck the post. France eventually found the winner in the 88th minute when Olise collected the ball inside his own half, raced down the right flank, cut inside and fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner.

Bangladesh have already crashed out of their maiden appearance at the FIFA Asean Cup, having looked distinctly mediocre against East Asian opponents again, even though most observers agreed they had shown some improvement in their second Group A fixture on Monday, losing 1-0 against Singapore in Jakarta. Earlier a dreadfully colourless performance from Bangladesh saw them crashing to a 3-0 defeat against Malaysia at the same venue in their opening fixture on Wednesday. Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley made four changes to his starting lineup from the one that took the field against Malaysia. They saw Jamal Bhuyan (replaced Sohel Rana), Zidane Yousuf (replaces Shakil Topu), Shuki Itofusa (replaces Farhaan Ali Wahid), and Sheikh Morsalin (replaces Fahamedul Islam) introduced into the lineup. Both sides adopted a more cautiously tactical approach on Monday, with clear cut chances few and far between. The Bangladeshi keeper however, was certainly the busier of the two custodians, at least in the first half. But in the 35th minute, what looked like a quite innocuous cross from the left was met by a strong header from just inside the box by Harhys Stewart, and all Mehedy Hasan could do was pick it out of the back of his net. The Singaporeans would also hit the crossbar before the first half ran out, as the gap in quality between the two sides, particularly up front, threatened to expose itself. In the second half though, they seemed happy to just protect that lead, able to rely on Bangladesh’s lack of quality when it comes to creating and converting chances, and take home the 3 points. That keeps them in contention to qualify for the next round on Matchday 3, when they take on Malaysia. Bangladesh will have pride to play for on the same day, when they close their campaign against hosts Indonesia.