The Finance and Budget Parliamentary Committee convened at noon on Monday under the chairmanship of MP Ibrahim Kanaan to study a proposal of a framework law to restore balance to the financial system in Lebanon.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

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Caretaker Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Georges Kallas, on Tuesday welcomed the new representative of the Francophone Organization in Middle East, Levon Amirjanian, with whom he discussed the best means to consolidate relations between Lebanon and the organization, especially in the fields of youth and sports.

“The International Organization of La Francophonie has become a very good tool for moral and human development, and it reflects cultural diversity, openness, and participation,” Kallas said.

“Lebanon will participate in the Francophone Games in Congo-Kinshasa next July through a youth and sports delegation,” the Sports Minister added.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post SPORTS MINISTER, NEW REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCOPHONE ORGANIZATION DISCUSS MEANS TO BOLSTER TIES appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

FIFA says it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina for “offensive behaviour” during the team’s World Cup final triumph in Qatar last month.

Argentina beat 2018 winners France on penalties to lift the trophy for a third time.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a lewd gesture with his goalkeeper of the tournament trophy after the match, before being filmed in the dressing room mocking French star Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe won the FIFA Golden Boot trophy after scoring the most goals in the tournament.

Football’s world governing body said Argentina had potentially breached rules regarding “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” and “misconduct of players and officials”.

FIFA is also investigating the Argentinian FA over breaching media and marketing regulations.

Martinez has also come under criticism from pundits and social media for mocking Mbappe during Argentina’s victory parade in Buenos Aires – where he held a baby doll with the French player’s face plastered on it.

The Croatian team is also being investigated for potential violations of “discrimination” and “order and security at matches” rules.

Players appeared to sing a song with fascist connotations following their third-place playoff victory over Morocco.

Defender Dejan Lovren defended himself and his teammates, recently telling AFP news agency it was “a patriotic song which relates to my country, which means that I love my country”.

Meanwhile, FIFA said it had fined Mexico 100,000 Swiss francs ($107,840) for chants by its supporters during the team’s game against Poland and Saudi Arabia during the group stages.

The team will also be forced to play one FIFA competition match behind closed doors.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post FIFA TO INVESTIGATE ARGENTINA OVER WORLD CUP FINAL BEHAVIOUR appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

In a move that will effectively signal the end of his top level playing career but will ensure he is extremely well remunerated as his retirement approached, Ronaldo put pen to paper on a contract for the Riyadh club on Friday afternoon. The deal, understood to run to 2025, ends a brief free agency period for the 37-year-old, whose Manchester United contract was terminated last month.

Sources with knowledge of the negotiations say that Ronaldo has already completed the parts of his medical necessary to sign his contract while a second set of tests are expected to take place next week. In announcing the deal, the club simply tweeted that “the world’s greatest athlete officially signed for [Al Nassr].”

A subsequent statement added: “History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome Cristiano to your new home.”

CBS Sports first revealed the $75 million a year offer in November, when Ronaldo was still assessing his options in Europe and beyond. No other serious suitors emerged and this week has seen the Portugal international iron out the final terms of a contract that will see him wield significant sway at the Saudi club.

The logistics behind Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia have long since been firmed up by the club, including a home for the striker and his family in an affluent area close to the training ground. In addition to a salary worth well in excess of $1million a week, Ronaldo’s earnings could more than double through the sale of his image rights. He is also expected to have a role in the Saudi bid for the 2030 World Cup.

At club level, Ronaldo’s authority will be vast, with one source joking that Al Nassr would become “Cristiano FC”. If the veteran striker wants a new coach then that is what he will have. Recent events have proven that he is not exactly shy when it comes to voicing his opinion of management.

“I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring,” said Ronaldo. “I’m very excited to join my teammates, and to help the team to achieve more success.”

Ronaldo is coming off a disappointing World Cup where despite Portugal’s run to the quarterfinals, the superstar lost his starting job as the tournament entered the knockout stages. The tournament coincided with the end of his second stint at Manchester United following his termination after an incendiary interview in which he blasted club manager Erik ten Hag and others. Contact between Ronaldo and Al Nassr began over the summer but the striker was still looking for a destination to ply his trade in Europe and keep him at the pinnacle of the game ahead of November’s World Cup in Qatar. With no offers available he returned to United where the awkward marriage quickly soured, and now that the World Cup has ended, he has taken Al Nassr up on their offer to begin the next stage of his career.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post CRISTIANO RONALDO COMPLETES $75 MILLION-PER-YEAR MOVE TO SAUDI CLUB: ‘VISION THAT AL NASSR HAS IS INSPIRING’ appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Qatar for its successful organization of the FIFA World Cup 2022, which concluded on Sunday.

In a cable sent to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, King Salman said: “We are pleased… to send to Your Highness our sincere congratulations and best wishes for further achievements,” according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The King also wished Qatar and its people prosperity.

In a separate cable, the Crown Prince also highlighted the successful organization of the tournament.

“I am pleased to express to Your Highness my sincere congratulations and best wishes for further progress and for the brotherly people of the State of Qatar steady progress and prosperity,” he said.

Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to have hosted the World Cup, which concluded Sunday in a final match between Argentina and France. After Argentina won, celebrations were held to mark the end of the month-long football tournament

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post SAUDI ARABIA’S KING, CROWN PRINCE CONGRATULATE QATAR FOR SUCCESSFUL WORLD CUP appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Lionel Messi did it, and led Argentina to its third World Cup star, and won his first title in the World Cup, after Argentina’s victory over France in a penalty shoot-out 4-2 after a tie in normal and extra time 3-3, normal time 2 – 2 (first half 2 – 0), in the final match of the 22nd FIFA World Cup, concluding Qatar’s hosting of the finals that began on November 20.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post QATAR WORLD CUP FINAL: ARGENTINA 2022 WORLD CUP CHAMPION, MESSI A LEGEND appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Lionel Messi scored the lead from a penaltly after a mistake by Osman Dembele inside the French penalty area.

Angel Di Maria added a score in the 36th minute, following a pass from Messi, after a quick counterattack.

Thus, Messi and Di Maria rendered Argentina on the verge of a third title at the end of this first half.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post QATAR WORLD CUP FINAL: ARGENTINA ON THE VERGE OF A THIRD TITLE AS IT ADVANCES OVER FRANCE (2-0) AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

After Argentina advanced 2-0 in the first half through Lionel Messi from a penalty and Angel Di Maria, France achieved a tie in the second half through Kylian Mbappe in two minutes from a penalty and then a low shot.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post QATAR WORLD CUP FINAL: EXTRA TIME BETWEEN ARGENTINA & FRANCE 2-2 appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup final will kick off this afternoon (1500 GMT), Sunday, Dec. 18, which is Qatar National Day.

The 80,000 capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium, which is 15km north of central Doha and the largest venue for the tournament, hosts the World Cup title clash.

Argentina is facing 2018 champion, France, in the final, with both teams looking to win a third World Cup title.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The post WORLD CUP 2022 FINAL MATCH KICKS OFF THIS AFTERNOON BETWEEN FRANCE & ARGENTINA appeared first on Lebanon News Gazette.

Infantino said at the World Cup in Doha on Friday that the new-look tournament would be even bigger than first planned. An expansion of the competition has long been a pet project of Infantino’s.

“We had agreed a few years ago to have a new 24-team men’s Club World Cup,” the FIFA president said.

“It should have taken place in 2021 but was postponed because of Covid. The new competition will take place in 2025 and will feature 32 teams, making it really like a World Cup.”

Reports in the British media this week said European clubs had rejected FIFA’s proposal to launch the new-look competition.

The plans are for an expanded tournament to be held every four years instead of annually, as is the case for the current seven-team event.

“The first edition will take place in 2025 in the summer and during that slot where in past years it was the Confederations Cup,” Infantino said.

“It will be slightly longer because there will be 32 teams, but they will be the best teams in the world who will be invited to participate.”

2023 tournament

Infantino said next year’s Club World Cup, in its current format, would take place in Morocco from February 1 to 11, 2023.

Morocco hosted the tournament in 2013 and again in 2014, while the most recent edition was held in the United Arab Emirates in February, with Chelsea lifting the trophy.

The 2023 tournament is set to continue in its existing format – up until now it has featured the six continental champions plus the top side from the host nation.

Real Madrid will represent Europe after winning last season’s UEFA Champions League.

Flamengo of Brazil, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Seattle Sounders from the United States and New Zealand’s Auckland City are the other current continental champions

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

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