Pattaya Claims Chonburi Cup Title at Provincial People’s and Senior Football Championship

OSLO: Norway’s Football Federation has announced that it will call for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign, intensifying pressure on the football governing body’s leader ahead of next year’s presidential election. Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness said Infantino no longer has the institutional trust needed to lead FIFA, arguing that the organisation requires stronger and more credible leadership in the current climate. “He does not have the institutional trust required to lead FIFA in a stable manner,” Klaveness told reporters on Friday. “We are going to ask the FIFA president to resign now.” Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking a fourth and final term. He is currently the only declared candidate and would need a majority of votes from FIFA’s 211 member associations to secure re-election. Candidates have until November 18 to enter the race. Norway has been among Infantino’s most vocal critics, particularly over the governance of FIFA and decisions made under his leadership. Klaveness said the federation believed there was “no turning back” for the FIFA chief. The latest dispute follows the collapse of Infantino’s reported plan to allow private investors to participate in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The proposal drew criticism and added to concerns over the organisation’s direction. Norway’s federation has also decided to refer three matters to FIFA’s ethics committee. These include the abandoned private-investment plan, the lifting of US footballer Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the 2026 World Cup following an intervention by US President Donald Trump, and FIFA’s decision to award a so-called “Peace Prize” to Trump. The Norwegian federation is also seeking a comprehensive review of reforms previously promised by Infantino. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested Klaveness could eventually challenge Infantino for the presidency, potentially making her the first woman to lead FIFA. However, Klaveness has rejected speculation about her own candidacy, saying the focus should remain on football governance rather than individuals. The challenge from Norway comes as Infantino prepares for a closely watched election campaign, with growing questions over his leadership and FIFA’s future direction.

HONG KONG: Pakistan’s women’s netball team made an impressive start to their campaign at the Asian Women’s Netball Plate Division Championship, defeating Japan 58-34 in a commanding opening match. Pakistan controlled the contest from the early stages and never allowed Japan to establish a meaningful lead. The Pakistani players maintained pressure throughout the game, combining disciplined defending with effective attacking moves to keep their opponents on the back foot. The victory gave Pakistan a strong opening to the championship and will provide the team with valuable confidence ahead of their next fixture. Japan struggled to match Pakistan’s intensity as the match progressed. Pakistan’s consistent scoring and organized play helped them build a comfortable advantage, which they maintained until the final whistle. The 24-point victory underlined Pakistan’s determination to make an impact in the competition and build momentum for the matches ahead. The Asian Women’s Netball Plate Division Championship is being held in Hong Kong, bringing together teams competing for honours in the regional event. Pakistan will now turn their attention to their second match of the tournament. Pakistan are scheduled to face Thailand on August 10, with the team hoping to carry the confidence from their convincing victory over Japan into the next encounter. The Pakistani side’s emphatic opening win has put them on a positive footing, while another strong performance against Thailand could further strengthen their position in the tournament. With the campaign now underway, Pakistan will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and continue their impressive run in Hong Kong.

Lionel Messi made his long-awaited return for Inter Miami on Saturday after an extended break following the FIFA World Cup, helping his side earn a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Argentine captain featured for the first time since the World Cup final, coming off the bench in the second half. Although he created several dangerous moments and came close to scoring, he was unable to find the net in his comeback appearance. The match was delayed by 40 minutes due to bad weather before Inter Miami made a bright start. Veteran striker Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 16th minute, continuing his impressive run of form with his seventh goal in four matches. Columbus Crew restored parity in the 34th minute after an own goal by Casemiro. However, Inter Miami regained the lead before halftime when Suarez provided a precise assist for Noah Allen, who headed the ball into the net. The visitors refused to give up and found the equaliser late in the match. Midfielder Brais Mendez, making his debut for Columbus Crew after joining from Spanish club Real Sociedad, curled home a free kick in the 84th minute to secure a share of the points. The draw brought an end to Inter Miami’s six-match winning streak, though the club remained second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. In another MLS fixture, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski delivered a memorable performance in his first home appearance for Chicago Fire. The veteran forward scored twice to inspire his team to a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC. Lewandowski netted his first goal for Chicago to cancel out Charlotte’s early lead before scoring again moments later. He completed his brace in the second half, helping Chicago register its first league win since the World Cup break. Messi’s return and Lewandowski’s impressive display added fresh excitement to the MLS season as several international stars resumed club action following the conclusion of the World Cup.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first against Pakistan in the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday. The hosts went into the match with an unchanged playing XI from the series opener. Pakistan, meanwhile, made four changes to their lineup for this fixture. Pacer Mohammad Abbas was among those dropped, with captain Babar Azam citing the pitch and match conditions as the reasoning behind the call. Two players were handed their maiden Test caps for this match. Ubaid Shah and Awais Zafar both made their debuts for the side. Alongside them, Abdullah Shafique and Sajid Khan returned to the playing eleven after being left out previously. On the flip side, a few key names were missing from Pakistan’s squad this time around. Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad were both left out of the XI. Captain-in-waiting Shan Masood also remained unavailable due to injury, adding to the selection headaches facing the team management. West Indies currently hold a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. They sealed that advantage with a 90-run win over Pakistan in the opening Test, played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The stakes in this second Test are significant for the hosts. A win, or even a draw, would be enough to hand West Indies their first Test series victory over Pakistan in 26 years. Their most recent series win against Pakistan dates back to 2000, making this a rare opportunity for the Caribbean side to end a long wait. For Pakistan, the changes reflect an attempt to find the right balance after their defeat in the first Test. The inclusion of two debutants suggests the team management is looking to inject fresh energy into the squad, while also adjusting the bowling attack to better suit local conditions. West Indies fielded Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope (wk), Amir Jangoo, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, and Jayden Seales for this Test. Pakistan’s playing eleven featured Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Ali Usman, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Ali, and Ubaid Shah. With both sides fielding largely settled top orders, the outcome of this Test could go a long way in shaping the final result of the series.