Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is suing the International Boxing Association [TNA/Getty]
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is taking legal action against the International Boxing Association (IBA), vowing to fight back against what she calls “baseless and offensive accusations” that have overshadowed her triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Welsh football club The New Saints (TNS) are engaged in a battle against the Saudi Pro League, alleging that Al-Orobah had failed to pay for former striker Brad Young.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Open delivered sporting drama, with top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff crashing out in shock upsets.
Welsh minnows offer warning about Saudi Pro League sales
Welsh club The New Saints (TNS) have urged other clubs to think twice before engaging in transfers with Saudi Pro League sides, after claiming they were yet to receive any payment for their former striker Brad Young, who had moved to Al-Orobah last summer.
Young transferred for a £190,000 fee, but according to TNS, Al-Orobah failed to meet the agreed payment schedule.
The club turned to FIFA for assistance in January, and while a tribunal has since ruled that Al-Orobah must pay $150,000 (£121,000) plus five percent interest within 45 days, the club says no payments have been received. A second instalment is reportedly also overdue.
“We would strongly advise any clubs considering deals with Saudi Pro League sides to think twice,” said TNS chairman Mike Harris. “Agreements should be honoured, yet twice we have been promised money that hasn’t arrived.”
FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström has also ruled that the second instalment must be paid within 45 days of 21 February. Under FIFA rules, clubs that fail to comply with financial rulings can face transfer bans until debts are settled.
TNA has contacted FIFA and the Saudi Pro League for comment.
Despite the financial dispute, Young has continued playing for Al-Orobah, scoring once and providing an assist in nine appearances.
Boxer Imane Khelif to take legal action against International Boxing Association
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif issued a statement on Tuesday saying she will take legal action against the International Boxing Association (IBA) and highlighted the abuse and challenges she faced in her career as a boxer.
She said the IBA, which she is no longer associated with, had “again made baseless accusations that are false and offensive, using them to further their agenda”, adding that her team was reviewing the situation and would “take all necessary legal steps to ensure that my rights and the principles of a fair competition are upheld”.
“Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that justice prevails,” she said.
Hundreds of people praised her decision in the comments under her Instagram post, vowing to support her.
Khelif’s stunning victory in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris 2024 Olympics was dampened by baseless scrutiny over her eligibility to compete in the women’s category.
Despite meeting all Olympic requirements and receiving repeated confirmation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), she faced countless accusations and questions over her gender and appearance.
Khelif has repeatedly decried the accusations as an invasion of her privacy and called them unfounded.
The storm surrounding Khelif erupted when the Algerian’s opponent Angela Carini pulled out of their round-of-16 bout last week after just 46 seconds, saying she felt intense pain and feared for her safety after being hit with a barrage of punches.
The comments triggered notable figures to question Khelif’s gender, sparking further backlash.
Shock upsets at Qatar Open as Sabalenka and Gauff crash out
The Qatar Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the season held in the Gulf, delivered early upsets as world number one Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock second-round defeat.
The 2020 Qatar Open champion was edged out by Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a tense three-set battle, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), lasting over two and a half hours.
Sabalenka, returning to Doha for the first time since 2022, struggled to regain momentum after her loss in the Australian Open final last month.
Alexandrova, fresh off a title win in Linz, capitalised on her form to fight back from a set down, sealing victory in a decisive tiebreak. She now faces Elise Mertens in the last 16.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff was also sent packing, falling 6-2, 7-5 to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. The world number three blew a lead in the second set, struggling with unforced errors and double faults.
Elsewhere, Elena Rybakina cruised into the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Peyton Stearns, while Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur stunned seventh seed Zheng Qinwen.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek is set to face Linda Noskova after her 6-2, 6-3 victory over Yulia Putintseva.
