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LIVERPOOL — Bruno Fernandes inspired a Manchester United rally from two goals down to avoid another damaging defeat for Ruben Amorim in a 2-2 draw at Everton on Saturday.

United were headed for a ninth defeat in their last 13 league games as goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure put the Toffees 2-0 up inside 33 minutes.

The visitors had not mustered a shot on target until Fernandes' free-kick pulled a goal back 18 minutes from time before Manuel Ugarte's equaliser salvaged a point for United.

More late drama was to come as Everton were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, only for referee Andy Madley to overturn his decision after a VAR review.

A point edges Everton up to 12th, while United remain in 15th.

Everton were in a battle for survival when David Moyes returned for his second spell in charge last month, but they have taken 14 points from a possible 18 in their last six games to ensure their 71-year stay in the top flight will not come to an end.

Amorim conceded before the game that Moyes, who himself was sacked after less than a season in charge of United in 2014, was doing a better job than he has managed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in November.

When the sides last met in Amorim's first home league game, United cruised to a 4-0 win at Old Trafford, but he has managed just three victories in 13 Premier League games since.

Everton have just five more matches to come at Goodison Park before they move to a new 53,000-capacity stadium next season.

The home fans and team are determined to make the most of what is left at the club's home since 1892 and put a United side lacking in confidence under pressure from the off.

Shambolic defending 

But when Everton did take the lead on 19 minutes it was thanks to comedic United defending.

The Red Devils had multiple chances to deal with a corner into the box before the ball eventually broke for Beto to fire into the ground and over Andre Onana.

The striker has been transformed since Moyes' return, scoring five times in his last four Premier League appearances after netting just four times in his first 44 for the club.

Beto also had a big part to play in the second as his run in behind opened up the United defence before he fed Jack Harrison with a low cross.

Onana could only parry Harrison's shot into the air and Doucoure outmuscled Harry Maguire to head in the loose ball.

Doucoure was denied a second by a fine save from Onana as Everton looked to build on their lead early in the second half.

But, not for the first time, Fernandes was United's one source of inspiration.

The Portugal international's free-kick wrong-footed Jordan Pickford to kickstart the fightback.

Another Fernandes free-kick was the source of the equaliser as this time Ugarte pounced on Beto's headed clearance to fire in his first goal for the club.

Both sides had chances to win it in a thrilling finale.

Beto planted a header from close range too close to Onana, while Pickford tipped over Fernandes' dipping effort from the edge of the box.

United, though, were fortunate to escape in added time when Ashley Young looked to have been pulled down by a combination of Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

The referee pointed to the spot but was instructed to take a second look and overturned his decision to save Amorim from further embarrassment.

AMMAN — Jordan starts Window 3  of Group D qualifiers for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025, when it plays Saudi Arabia at 7:00 pm on Friday before an away game against Iraq on February 24.

Jordan has already booked its spot to the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025 with wins over Palestine 87-81 and Iraq 73-64 in Window 2 which came after two earlier wins over Palestine 73-46 and Saudi Arabia 79-64 in Window 1.

Saudi Arabia is second after it beat Palestine 73-66 and Iraq 66-58, while Iraq beat Palestine 75-72 and Saudi Arabia overcame Iraq 64-58 in Window 1.

A total of 24 teams are playing Round 1 qualification matches for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in three windows, while also battling for qualifying spots for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup  alongside hosts Qatar who automatically advanced. The top two teams of each qualifying group move to the FIBA Asia Cup and the six third-placed teams will play another qualifying round for the final four places. The 31st FIBA Asia Cup is set to be held in Saudi  Arabia from Aug 5-17.

The Kingdom, 2023 Asian Games silver medalist and three-time qualifier to the World Cup, 2010, 2019 and 2023, will be playing the FIBA Asia Cup for the 17th time, with its best position runner-up in 2011.

Meanwhile, the  head coach Wisam Sous has departed for a coaching stint in Taiwan and the Jordan Basketball Federation has new executive board after 8 years of a temporary committee running the game.

Spaniard Juan Manuel ‘Piti’ Hurtado, who previously coached in Spain, Japan and Venezuela before switching focus to broadcasting, will lead the team as of Window 3.

The First Division League is now under way with a break for Window 3 matches.

AMMAN — The CFI Jordan Professional Football League’s stage 14 is set to kick off on Friday after a tough week which saw Jordan out of the U-20 Asian Cup, and Wihdat and Hussein out of Asian competitions.

This week, it’s Ramtha vs Jazira, Salt vs Ahli, Faisali vs Shabab Urdun, Wihdat vs  Ma’an, Mughayer Sarhan vs Aqaba and Hussein vs Sarih.

Last week, Faisali were held 1-1 with Salt, Jazira beat Shabab Urdun 2-1 and Aqaba beat Sarih  by the same score while Ma’an upset Ahli 1-0 as holders Hussein and Wihdathadtheir matches postponed for the Round of 16of the AFCAsian Champions League Two. both clubs were eliminated from the Asian competition having the hard task of overturning their Leg 1 home defeats. Hussein lost 1-0 to Sharjah while Wihdat lost 2-0 to Ahli Dubai in Leg 1 and had to win by 2-3 goals each. In Leg 2, Hussein tied 1-1 before losing the penalty shootout 4-2 while Wihdat lost their 3-1 lead 4-3 to exit on aggregate.

Now it’s down to two remaining local titles. The league as well as the Jordan Cup which is down to the semifinals (Faisali vs Hussein and Wihdat vs Ahli). In other events, Hussein beat Wihdat to win the Jordan Super Cup and Salt upset Wihdat to win their first ever major title - the Jordan Football Association Shield Cup.

Last season, Hussein became the 9^th club to win the Leaguesince it kicked off in 1944, Neighbors Ramthawon the title in 2022/23  for the third time in their history after 39 years. In other competitions, Wihdat won the Jordan Cup for the 12^th time as well as the Super Cup for their 15^th time, while Faisali won their 9^th Jordan Football Association Shield. 

AMMAN — Jordan Motorsport has announced details of the Jordan Baja, the second round of this year’s FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups and round three of the FIM Bajas World Cup. The event has switched from a November date and will be based out of the Red Sea city of Aqaba on April 10th-12th.  

A round of the premier FIA off-road series since 2019 and the FIM championship since 2021, the event runs for three days and utilises terrain with the backdrop of some of the most spectacular desert vistas on the planet.

After a short Prologue stage on April 10th to determine the starting order for the opening selective section, competitors will attend the traditional ceremonial start procedure at the Arab Revolt Plaza on the outskirts of southern Aqaba from 17.15hrs.

Competitive action then switches to the awe-inspiring Wadi Rum region in southern Jordan for a first stage of 334.13km on April 11th. This will be split into two timed sections of 200.60km and 133.53km. 

The Hashemite Kingdom’s premier off-road event will then use a shorter stage of 185.30km on April 12th before the return to Aqaba for the ceremonial finish, prize giving and post-event press conference at the Arab Revolt Plaza from 17.30hrs. 

In a total route of 749.30km, 522.43km will be timed against the clock in a challenging route laid on by Jordan Motorsport under Zaid Balqez, the chairman of the Organising Committee, Clerk of the Course Khaled Zakaria and their experienced organising team. George Khoury will act as clerk of the course for the FIM event.

“We are pleased to be holding the Baja earlier in the season, where the weather will be slightly more consistent and competitors are just starting out on their programme of events for 2025,” said Zaid Balqez. “Southern Jordan offers stunning terrain and a sensational back drop for our regional and international competitors. Many of the visual images from the event have already become iconic in cross-country motorsport and we are sure that this year’s Baja will build upon the successes of the last few years.” 

The 2025 Jordan Baja will be based at the Westin Saraya Aqaba Resort and Spa for the first time. Entries are now open with the closing date set for Wednesday, March 26th. 

Emirati driver Khalid Al Jafla teamed up with Andrei Rudnitski to claim a maiden victory in Jordan last November and he also secured maximum points in the competitive Challenger category with his Taurus T3 Max. That win in the FIA category followed previous successes for Poland’s Jakub Przygonski (Mini) and the Saudi Arabian duo of Yasir Seaidan (Mini) and Saleh Al Saif (Can-Am) in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

The UAE’s Mohammed Al Balooshi has been the man to beat on two wheels since 2019 and earned a fourth win last November on his KTM 450 Rally on his way to the FIM Bajas World Cup title. 

Saudi riders have dominated the quad category since its inception in 2021 with Faisal Al Suwayh, Abdulmajeed Al Khulaifi and Abdulaziz Al Shayban claiming a win apiece on their Yamahas.

AMMAN — Hussein Irbid's remarkable journey in the AFC Champions League came to an end after penalty shootout against UAE’s Sharjah FC. The Jordanian club, participating in its second-ever appearance in the AFC competition, bowed out in the Round of 16 after a valiant effort that saw the tie decided from the spot.

The second-leg clash, held at Sharjah Stadium, saw Hussein Irbid take a crucial lead in the 41st minute through a well-placed header by Ndiaye, which was finished off  by Mahmoud Mardi. This gave the Jordanian side a 1-0 lead on the night, matching the result of the first leg in Amman, where Sharjah had secured victory courtesy of a goal from Caio. With both teams level on aggregate (1-1), the match extended into extra time. After a tense 30 minutes of additional play with neither side able to find a breakthrough, the game proceeded to penalties, where Sharjah triumphed 4-2 after Hussein Irbid missed three spot-kicks.

Despite the heartbreak, Hussein Irbid’s campaign in this year’s AFC Champions League was an admirable one. The team navigated through the group stage, playing six matches in total—winning three, drawing one, and losing twice—to secure a historic knockout-stage qualification.

Under the guidance of head coach Joao Mota, Hussein Irbid performed impressively given the significant financial disparity between the two teams. Sharjah FC boasts a squad value of approximately 42.58 million euros, compared with Hussein Irbid’s modest 3.58 million euros budget. The Jordanian side showcased resilience and tactical discipline, proving that determination can narrow the gap between financial giants and emerging clubs.

With Hussein Irbid's exit, Jordan’s hopes in the tournament now rest on Al-Wehdat, the country’s remaining representative. Al-Wehdat will face UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli at Rashid Stadium on Wednesday, aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first-leg encounter in Amman.

While Hussein Irbid’s campaign has ended, their performance in this year’s competition highlights the growing competitiveness of Jordanian football on the continental stage. The experience gained will undoubtedly serve as a stepping stone for future regional and international success.

LONDON — George Russell insisted he had "no concerns" about world champion Max Verstappen heading into the new Formula One campaign despite their furious row during last season's final race in Abu Dhabi.

Russell accused Verstappen of blocking him dangerously during qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix, a claim that resulted in a stewards' investigation and Verstappen losing pole position to Russell.

British driver Russell said Verstappen vowed to put him "on his [expletive] head in the wall" -- calling the Dutchman a "bully" and adding his comments were "unacceptable".

Verstappen, who won his fourth consecutive world championship last season, labelled Russell a "backstabber" and a "loser".

Russell, asked during the 2025 Formula One season launch in London on Tuesday if he had talked to Verstappen since the concluding race on December 8, replied: "No, I haven't spoken [to him].

"I have no concerns about him or his driving -- that happened last year and I want to focus on myself. But obviously things got out of line at the end of last year, and I made it pretty clear that I'm not going to take it.

"But now it's 2025 and I'm focused on the job and the job is to win. So I'm not going to change my approach, fighting him, or fighting any other drivers. The goal is the same"

Ahead of the new season, Formula One drivers have been told they face race bans or heavy fines for repeated swearing or criticism of the sport's governing body, the FIA.

It follows a wider crackdown on swearing by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with Russell still to be convinced by the new regime.

"Like I said last year, it's obviously going quite far with everything," Russell said on Tuesday.

Russell finished sixth last season, helping Mercedes to fourth in the constructors' standings.

"Last year was probably my strongest season ever in Formula One and I feel I'm just getting stronger year on year," added Russell, who finished ahead of Hamilton in the 2024 standings.

"Obviously you've got to work in tandem with the team because it is a man and machine and it's got to work together.

"My qualifying performance last year was my strength, I still felt I had more to bring in the race and I think these last three years have shown that...I've recognised the tracks that I've struggled at and that I want to work on so yeah, small details."

But following seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, Russell will be Mercedes's senior driver when the new season begins in Melbourne on March 16.

The 27-year-old will now be partnered by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, with the Italian rising star making his debut in Formula One.

"Kimi is a super-fast driver and super-motivated. Of course, for any driver in their first year there is a lot to learn, but I'm sure it's going to be a good season together," said Russell.

AMMAN — Hussein play UAE’s Sharjah on Tuesday while Wihdat play Ahli Dubai Wednesday in return leg matches in the Round of 16 of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Champions League (ACL) Two.

Both teams have the hard task of overturning their Leg 1 defeats after losing their home matches in Amman. Hussein lost 1-0 to6-time UAE champions Sharjah while Wihdat lost 2-0 to Ahli , who were 2015  Asian Champions League finalist.

Observers attributed their defeats to their defensive strategywhile some players also sat out with injuries. On the other hand, their opponents have lineups with more experience on the Asian competitive scene bolstered by a host of pros.

Now, Hussein need to win by a difference of two goals while Wihdat need to win by a difference of three, a task seen a difficult by the most optimistic of fans.

Clubs played in eight groups in the 21st edition of the event, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout rounds.The quarterfinals are set to start on March 4.

The second tier Asian event has replaced the AFC Cup as the top tier Asian clubs competition was rebranded as the ACL Elite. It is Hussein’s 2nd and Wihdat’s 13th time in the competition which was by Faisali twice in back-to-back seasons in 2005-2006 and Shabab Urdun once in 2007, Wihdat reached the semis in 2006, 2007 and 2011. No Jordanian clubs played in 2022.

Last season, Wihdat failed to advance beyond Round 1 at the AFC Cup as Faisali were eliminated from the Champions League. In past editions, Wihdat were eliminated in the group stages in 2021 and 2022 in the top tier Asian Champions League. None of the other Jordanian clubs had ever made it past the ACL preliminary round where Faisali played in 2020 and 2018,  Wihdat in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019 and Shabab Urdun in 2014. 

Hussein and Wihdat are leading the local competitions this season.  Hussein top the CFI Jordan Professional FootballLeague and recently beat Wihdat to win the Jordan Super Cup. Earlier, Salt upset Wihdat the Jordan Football Association Shield Cup, while Wihdat and Hussein have reached the Jordan Cup semis.

DUBAI — World No.5 Jessica Pegula believes the handling of high-profile doping cases involving Jannick Sinner and Iga Swiatek has shown that the "process is completely broken".

And top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka admits she cannot trust the tennis anti-doping system and has become "too scared" of it.
Sinner's long doping saga came to an end on Saturday after he agreed to a three-month ban from tennis, the World No.1 admitting "partial responsibility" for team mistakes which led to him twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.

Sinner was facing a potential ban of two years after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), announced in August.

In a surprising move, WADA withdrew its appeal and came to an agreement with Sinner to accept a three-month ban.

In a statement, WADA said "Sinner did not intend to cheat" but would serve his suspension as he is responsible for the actions of his entourage.

Swiatek accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for the banned heart drug trimetazidine (TMZ) late last year.

The 23-year-old Pole had pulled out of the WTA's Asian swing in September-October citing "personal matters".

Pegula, last year's US Open finalist and a member of the WTA Players' Council, said the inconsistencies in the way cases are being processed and judged is creating an unfair environment for all tennis players.

"I think my reaction is that, whether you think he did or you don't, or whatever side you're on, the process just seems to be completely not a process," the American told reporters in Dubai on Sunday.

"It seems to just be whatever decisions and factors they take into consideration, and they just make up their own ruling.

"I don't really understand how that's fair for players when there's just so much inconsistency and you have no idea."

Pegula added that any emails the players have been receiving regarding anti-doping cases contain explanations that are too easy to come up with, and are just ways for anti-doping organisations to justify their inconsistent rulings and processes.

"If you're clean or not, the process is completely broken," she stated.

"I think it needs to be seriously looked at and considered.

"I feel like they have so much power to ruin someone's career, as well. I think there needs to be something done about that because it just seems really unfair.

"I don't think any of the players trust the process at all right now. Zero. It's just a horrible look for the sport."

'Too scared': Sabalenka

Sabalenka refused to comment on the outcome of the Sinner case but says she has become too wary of falling foul to the sport's strict anti-doping rules.

"You just start to be more careful. For example, before I wouldn't care about leaving my glass of water and go to the bathroom in a restaurant. Now, I'm not going to drink from the same glass of water," said the Belarusian World No.1.

"You just become a bit more aware of stuff and this thing gets to your head that, like, if someone used a cream on you and you test positive, they're going to go for you and they're not going to believe you or anything.

"You just become too scared of the system. I don't see how I can trust the system."

American World No. 3 Coco Gauff has not paid much attention to the details of the recent anti-doping cases and is instead sticking to her strategy of avoiding taking any supplements to minimise the risk of testing positive for any banned substance.

"I trust that everyone is doing what they can to protect the sport. As a player, that's all I can hope for," said the former US Open champion.

"I just hope it's more for the protection of the sport and not just out to, like, get players."