Football

Doha: The Gulf Football Federation today unveiled its new visual identity and announced the adoption of its new official name, Gulf Football Federation, replacing its previous title, the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation. In a statement, the federation said the new identity reflects the core values of trust, dynamism and modernity, in line with its strategic vision of strengthening its position as a leading regional sporting organisation while establishing a contemporary brand that embodies the spirit of the game and the ambitions of Gulf football under a unified umbrella. The federation added that its new logo draws inspiration from the region's identity, culture and heritage, while also reflecting the rapid development of Gulf football and inspiring future generations. President of the Gulf Football Federation, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani described the rebranding as a milestone in the organisation's development. "We are at a pivotal moment in our growth journey, and it is essential that we adopt a new identity that reflects the transformative path we are preparing to embark on over the coming decades," he said. He added that the federation's long-term vision remains unchanged, with a continued commitment to strengthening the global profile of Gulf football and supporting the success of the region's national teams and clubs on the international stage. "This new identity embodies our ambition to achieve unprecedented levels of excellence and success," he said. The federation's president also highlighted the strategic partnerships established in recent years, noting that they have played a key role in supporting the development of Gulf football, driving the growth of the federation's competitions, strengthening their regional standing and reflecting the increasing popularity of the sport across the Gulf. Concluding his remarks, HE Sheikh Hamad extended his best wishes to the federation's member associations for continued success and prosperity. "As we embark on this new chapter with confidence and ambition, we express our appreciation for the efforts of all member associations in supporting the federation's journey since its establishment," he said.

Football

London: Players found guilty of discrimination will face a minimum 10-match suspension under new English Football Association rules. The FA have increased the punishment for discrimination after bans ranged from six to 12 games in previous seasons. The revamped rules also apply to managers and other officials. "The FA is committed to delivering a game free from discrimination. While significant progress has been made in recent years, discriminatory conduct continues to be a challenge across the game," the FA said on Thursday. "Enhanced measures are necessary to tackle this abhorrent conduct, and the FA's updated sanction guidelines will now require regulatory commissions to impose a standard suspension of at least 10 matches in these circumstances." Bans of more than 10 matches for offences involving discrimination can now be imposed if significant aggravating factors are involved. Any player or official committing a second aggravated breach will face a longer sanction than for their first offence. Shorter bans, at a minimum of six matches, can be considered when there are mitigating circumstances or an individual admits the breach at the first opportunity.

Football

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee has officially awarded Japan the hosting rights for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028, which also serves as the qualification tournament for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. The selection followed a comprehensive evaluation praising Japan's world-class facilities, low operational risks, and adherence to geographical rotation principles. As part of a broader strategy to optimize age-group competitions, the AFC transferred the hosting rights for the 2027 AFC U-17 Asian Cup to Uzbekistan, while awarding the 2029 edition to Saudi Arabia. In club football, the AFC approved structural reforms for the AFC Champions League Elite starting in the 2026-2027 season for its expanded 32-club format. The tournament draw will now feature four pots instead of two, with each club playing two matches against opponents from every pot. Additionally, the final round of the league stage across the East and West regions will kick off simultaneously to ensure competitive fairness. Regarding national team events, the AFC updated regulations for the U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers. Previous host nations retain their right to enter subsequent qualifiers as non-hosts, while associations that withdraw or fail to participate will be relegated to the development stage for the next cycle. Vacant spots will be filled by the highest-ranked teams from the previous development stage to maintain a full 32-team quota, and tournaments will proceed without replacements if a team drops out after the final list is confirmed.