The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is set to host this season's Champions League final. AFP
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is set to host this season's Champions League final. AFP
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is set to host this season's Champions League final. AFP
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is set to host this season's Champions League final. AFP

Turkish FA confident Champions League final in Istanbul will be held in August


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The head of the Turkish FA is confident the country will be able to host the Champions League final, postponed due to the coronavirus, in August.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also plans to resume its domestic leagues without fans on June 12 after a three-month suspension caused by the pandemic.

Two months ago, European football's governing body Uefa indefinitely postponed the Champions League showpiece, which had been scheduled for the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on May 30.

TFF chairman Nihat Ozdemir said Europe's elite club final was being planned for the end of August, but that details on the format and timing would be finalised after talks with health officials and Uefa.

"God willing, we will complete our own leagues at the end of July. We will hand over our cups on the pitch and then we will cap the season off by hosting the Uefa Champions League final in August," Ozdemir told a televised news conference.

He said Turkish football leagues, including the top tier Super Lig, would resume from June 12 without spectators and finish on July 26. The Super Lig schedule will involve seven weekend games and one weekday match, he said.

Ozdemir added that teams will play matches in their own cities and stadiums, despite concerns this may risk a renewed surge of coronavirus cases in some areas.

Earlier this week, Turkey's top clubs resumed limited training sessions in accordance with measures set out by the TFF. Fenerbahce, Besiktas, and reigning champions Galatasaray all held sessions in small groups.

Trabzonspor, who were league leaders when matches were suspended, also returned to the pitch this week. Shares of all four clubs rose after the decision to resume the league.

Almost two months after reporting its first case, Turkey has said the outbreak has reached a plateau.

On Monday, it began to ease some measures to restart the economy, as the daily number of deaths and new cases continued a downward trajectory.

Turkey has reported more than 3,500 deaths from the coronavirus since the outbreak begun on March 11.

It has nearly 130,000 confirmed cases, the highest total outside Western Europe, the United States, and Russia.

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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Featherweight

Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)

TKO round 2

Catchweight 90kg

Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)

Split points decision

Welterweight

Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)

TKO round 1

Flyweight (women)

Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)

Unanimous points decision

Lightweight

Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)

TKO round 1

Catchweight 100kg

Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)

Rear neck choke round 1

Featherweight

James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)

TKO round 2

Welterweight

Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)

TKO round 1

Middleweight

Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)

Unanimous points decision

Bantamweight

Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)

Unanimous points decision

Welterweight

Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)

TKO round 1

Bantamweight

Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)

TKO round 3

Lightweight

Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)

TKO round 1

Middleweight

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)

Submission round 2

Lightweight

Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)

TKO round 2

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5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.

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Shergo Kurdi (am) 
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Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
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UAE Premiership

Results

Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai

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