• Chelsea's Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League in May. Reuters
    Chelsea's Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League in May. Reuters
  • Emma Raducanu won the US Open women's singles title after beating Leylah Fernandez in September. PA
    Emma Raducanu won the US Open women's singles title after beating Leylah Fernandez in September. PA
  • Joint gold medallists Mutaz Essa Barshim of Team Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Team Italy celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's High Jump on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Getty
    Joint gold medallists Mutaz Essa Barshim of Team Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Team Italy celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's High Jump on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Getty
  • Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Formula One world championship on Yas Island on December 12. Reuters
    Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Formula One world championship on Yas Island on December 12. Reuters
  • Tiger Woods' car is towed away in Los Angeles in April after the crash that smashed his leg. Getty
    Tiger Woods' car is towed away in Los Angeles in April after the crash that smashed his leg. Getty
  • Denmark players react as Christian Eriksen receives medical attention after collapsing during their Euro 2020 match against Finland in June. Reuters
    Denmark players react as Christian Eriksen receives medical attention after collapsing during their Euro 2020 match against Finland in June. Reuters
  • Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi cries at the start of a press conference announcing he is leaving the club for Paris Saint-German in August. AFP
    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi cries at the start of a press conference announcing he is leaving the club for Paris Saint-German in August. AFP
  • Manchester City's Fernandinho with the Premier League trophy in May. PA
    Manchester City's Fernandinho with the Premier League trophy in May. PA
  • Quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV. EPA
    Quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV. EPA
  • New Zealand's Ajaz Patel celebrates with his teammates after taking ten wickets against India in the second Test cricket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. AFP
    New Zealand's Ajaz Patel celebrates with his teammates after taking ten wickets against India in the second Test cricket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. AFP
  • Tyson Fury got up from the canvas to destroy Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight for the WBC heavyweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on October 9, 2021. Reuters
    Tyson Fury got up from the canvas to destroy Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight for the WBC heavyweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada on October 9, 2021. Reuters
  • Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Grand National at Aintree, the first female winner, riding Minella Times. Reuters
    Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the Grand National at Aintree, the first female winner, riding Minella Times. Reuters
  • Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrates becoming the first Arab woman to capture a WTA title with victory against Daria Kasatkina of Russia in the Viking Classic Birmingham at Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, England, in June. Getty
    Tunisia's Ons Jabeur celebrates becoming the first Arab woman to capture a WTA title with victory against Daria Kasatkina of Russia in the Viking Classic Birmingham at Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, England, in June. Getty
  • Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui was a sensation at the Tokyo Olympics, winning a gold medal in the 400m freestyle after being the slowest qualifier. AFP
    Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui was a sensation at the Tokyo Olympics, winning a gold medal in the 400m freestyle after being the slowest qualifier. AFP
  • Italy celebrate with the trophy after they beat England 3-2 on penalties to win the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. PA
    Italy celebrate with the trophy after they beat England 3-2 on penalties to win the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. PA
  • UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia celebrates on the podium after winning the yellow jersey and the Tour de France. Reuters
    UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia celebrates on the podium after winning the yellow jersey and the Tour de France. Reuters
  • Phil Mickelson, aged 50, became the oldest man to win a major title as he claimed the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island amid extraordinary scenes in May. Getty
    Phil Mickelson, aged 50, became the oldest man to win a major title as he claimed the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island amid extraordinary scenes in May. Getty
  • Glover Teixeira celebrates his victory over Jan Błachowicz in their championship light heavyweight bout at UFC 267 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Glover Teixeira celebrates his victory over Jan Błachowicz in their championship light heavyweight bout at UFC 267 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Australia's Glenn Maxwell, left, celebrates hitting a four to win the Twenty20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Dubai. AP
    Australia's Glenn Maxwell, left, celebrates hitting a four to win the Twenty20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Dubai. AP
  • Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah enjoyed another sensational year of goalscoring for Liverpool, including this effort against arch rivals Everton at Goodison Park. Getty
    Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah enjoyed another sensational year of goalscoring for Liverpool, including this effort against arch rivals Everton at Goodison Park. Getty
  • USA captain Steve Stricker celebrates with his team and the Ryder Cup trophy after victory against Europe at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, in September. PA
    USA captain Steve Stricker celebrates with his team and the Ryder Cup trophy after victory against Europe at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, in September. PA

21 memorable sporting moments of 2021 - in pictures


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There are always highs and lows in any sporting year, and 2021 was never short of incident.

From Chelsea winning the Champions League, to Manchester City running away with the Premier League, football was once again the biggest draw as fans were finally allowed back inside stadiums the world over after Covid restrictions.

There was also a huge scare after Christian Eriksen's collapse on the pitch when Denmark played Finland at Euro 2020. Thankfully, the midfielder continues to recover and hopes to play again.

There were other stories worthy of Hollywood scripts - British teenager Emma Raducanu going through the qualifiers and on to win the US Open; Rachael Blackmore becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National; Max Verstappen's final lap manoeuvre in Abu Dhabi to become world Formula One champion.

Not to mention a postponed Olympic Games like no other in Tokyo.

A selection of the top sporting memories of 2021 can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

england euro squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)

Match on Bein Sports

The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE

Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6

Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Updated: December 27, 2021, 7:39 AM