Steven Gerrard leaves Al-Ettifaq, Jhon Duran joins Al-Nassr while Palestinian footballer Oday Dabbagh is set to debut in the Scottish Premier League [TNA/Getty]
Al-Ettifaq’s manager, Steven Gerrard, announced a shock exit from the club following an 18-month stint with his departure thought to be prompted by the club’s current poor form. Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran signed with Al-Nassr, the latest Premier League signing for the Saudi Pro League.
Meanwhile, prominent Palestinian footballer Oday Dabbagh has joined the ranks of Scottish team Aberdeen on loan from Belgium side Charleroi.
In Australia, a renowned Australian cricket journalist was sacked over social media posts on the war in Gaza.
Gerrard leaves Al-Ettifaq, new signing fails to shine as AFC matches take place
Liverpool legend and manager Steven Gerrard has parted ways with Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq, after managing the side for 18 months.
Gerrard departed the Saudi club by mutual consent last week on 29 January with the Dammam side currently languishing in 11th place in the Saudi Pro League.
Following his exit, Gerrard said: “I want to express my gratitude to the club, the players, the fans, and everyone involved for the opportunity and the support during my time here, especially the president, Mr. Samer, CEO Mr. Hamad, and the head of the football committee, Mr. Hatim.
“I have no doubt that the work being done will bring success in the future and I wish the team the very best for the rest of the season.”
The ex-Liverpool and England captain took charge of the Saudi outfit in July 2023 and signed a two-year contract extension in January 2024, which would’ve seen him at the club until 2027.
He departs the club as they currently sit in the bottom half of the Saudi Pro League table having won five just five of Al-Ettifaq’s last 17 games, The team, based on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, finished in 6th position during the previous season, despite lacking the funds and prestige of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Big Four’.
Samer Al-Misehal, the club president at Al-Ettifaq said: “He changed the club for the better and that will never be forgotten. This decision, made with mutual respect and in agreement is in the best interest of both Steven and the club as we move forward.
“Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but the firm foundations he helped build will guarantee a bright future in the long term,”
Sports publication The Athletic speculated on Gerrard’s reason to leave, saying that the move had been “on his mind” for some time, following a series of injuries, poor form with players, and staff changes. He has apparently secured a place managing English League Two side Carisle United.
As the transfer season draws to a close, Al-Nassr made the most high-profile signing of the season, recruiting Colombian footballer Jhon Duran from Aston Villa.
Duran was signed from the Premier League for an undisclosed fee, reported for £64 million plus add-ons.
His move has attracted much media attention, given the player’s young age of 21, and after only spending two seasons at Villa.
His salary, a whopping £320,000 a week, is a significant increase on his previously-earned £245,000 a week at Villa Park.
Duran made his debut for the Saudi club in an AFC Champions League match against Al-Wasl on Monday, with the Riyadh club winning comfortably at 4-0.
However, the Colombian’s debut was described as less than impressive, with no shots on target and was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals.
Saudi media has also speculated that Duran, who is now wearing the number 9 shirt, will find it challenging to make it into the first team, with Ronaldo and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane favourites up front.
Al-Nassr are currently third in the western region’s table in the competition, with Al-Hilal currently first and another Saudi club, Al-Ahli, in second place. The next round of matches is set to take place on 17 February.
Top Australian cricketer ‘sacked’ over Gaza posts
SEN Radio has ‘parted ways’ with one of Australia’s most respected cricketer journalists, Peter Larlor, over a series of posts on his social media accounts about the war on Gaza.
Larlor has been active on X sharing videos and information about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where at least 61,709 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s 15-month long military onslaught.
The cricket journalist was told midway through Australia’s test series against Sri Lanka that his services were no longer needed, allegedly claiming that his Gaza retweets made “Jewish people in Melbourne feel unsafe”.
“I was told in one call there were serious organisations making complaints; in another I was told that this was not the case,” Lalor said in a statement.
“Perhaps I misunderstood. I was told there were accusations I was antisemitic which I strongly objected to. I was told my retweeting was not balanced, and insensitive to one side and that many people had complained.
“I said I didn’t want anyone to feel unsafe. Of course, I care. I have friends who are frightened and have heard the fear in their voices during conversations. It is an awful situation. But so is Gaza. It was a brief and cordial call.”
SEN Radio confirmed in a statement that they had ended their relationship with Larlor.
Iran arrests two female spectators for ‘immoral, indecent conduct’
Authorities in Iran have arrested two female football spectators for “inappropriate” and “unseemly” actions while attending a league game in late January, Mizan News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The behaviour of the two detainees “had negative repercussions in cyberspace and social networks”, the report said.
With the intervention of the Tehran Prosecutor’s office, the individuals were “identified and arrested” and legal cases were filed against them.
The exact actions of the football fans were not specified, a video circulated online showing a woman fan dancing – while not adhering to Iran’s Islamic dress code (hijab) – in the stands of a stadium before being confronted by hijab enforcement police.
