Mark Lomas

Racheal Kundananji: Zambia forward's path to breaking the women's transfer record

How Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji became the most expensive women's footballer in history after moving to NWSL club Bay FC.

CNN - Palestine's historic Asian Cup run ends

World Sport's Don Riddell speaks with Middle East football expert Mark Lomas after Palestine's defeat at the hands of hosts Qatar.

Tunisian Tennis Player Ons Jabeur: "It's Important That Arabs Show Each Other That We Can Make It"

Now the No. 2 player in the world, Tunisian Ons Jabeur stands on the brink of making history again in 2023.

BECOMING UNSTOPPABLE

Taekwondo prodigy Aaliyah Powell has dreamt of winning Olympic gold since childhood. Now aged 20, and one of the world's most accomplished fighters, she's ready to achieve it.

Analysis - Qatar crowned Asian Cup champions again

Middle East football expert Mark Lomas speaks with CNN's Patrick Snell following Qatar's Asian Cup victory.

Neymar: Life's Beautiful Game

Beautiful game, ugly problem - Big Issue North

Everton and Rochdale are just two of the football clubs to get behind a campaign to stamp out sexism aimed at their female fans – but can its success extend to social media abuse?

Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia: 'No question he's raised the bar' but 'a lot more' is needed

Fans and journalists tell FourFourTwo the impact Ronaldo has had in Saudi Arabia since his move, but suggest he can't do everything on his own if the league is to progress.

Wanyama demands 'more professionalism' in Kenya

Victor Wanyama on a potential Kenya comeback, Lionel Messi in MLS and why Spurs should re-hire Mauricio Pochettino.

How the Middle East became the global hub of motorsport

Ahead of the 2022 Formula One season’s curtain-raiser in Bahrain, Mark Lomas explores how F1, Dakar Rally and more found a home in the region, with women at the forefront

Pitch imperfect

Problem gambling on football and other sports has wrecked lives, but will a forthcoming review of legislation give a yellow card to the betting companies that make it so easy to win and lose money?

Welcome To Fight Night In Saudi Arabia

Breathing heavily and drenched in a layer of sweat that glistens under the harsh arena spotlights, Abdulfatah Julaidan's hand is raised aloft in victory. The partisan crowd cheer a name they have just discovered, celebrating an unfamiliar Saudi Arabian sporting victory.

Williams Racing and the Middle East: Past, present and future

One of Formula One’s most-loved teams – Williams Racing – can not only trace its roots back to the Middle East but, as Mark Lomas investigates, it remains a driving force in the sport’s future within the region

Bali's Food Revolution

Extraordinary chefs and heroic homegrown producers have transformed the island into one of Asia’s most celebrated culinary destinations

Mutaz Barshim on his path to Olympic Gold and being inspired by Muhammad Ali

It is five o’clock in the morning and Mutaz Barshim is on cloud nine as he wanders through the athletes’ village in Tokyo. A heady mix of adrenaline and unbridled joy have prevented him from sleeping in the hours after winning his first Olympic gold medal, but he does not care. By his side is long-time friend, rival, and now fellow gold medallist Gianmarco Tamberi. Together they have made history.

Ali Daei: ‘Football is the Love of My Life’

For 15 and a half years, Iranian legend Ali Daei had scored more international goals than anybody... ever. Last month, Cristiano Ronaldo took that title from him, but that’s ok. He’s focussing on the bigger picture

Ali Saleh: Meet the half-Scottish 'Golden Boy' starring for UAE

Wearing bright red tartan shorts and a wide grin, Ali Saleh nods approvingly at the iPad screen in front of him. He has just watched Archie Gemmill slalom through the Netherlands defence and is now getting acquainted with James McFadden's howitzer against France in 2007.

Wilfried Zahibo says CAR compatriot Geoffrey Kondogbia is one of Africa's best players

Central African Republic midfielder Wilfried Zahibo believes compatriot Geoffrey Kondogbia deserves to be considered among the continent's best players. Zahibo, who currently plays for Dundalk in the Irish Premier Division, made his comments despite Kondogbia starting just four league games as his Spanish side Atletico Madrid won La Liga.

Yashir Pinto: The Palestine international found on LinkedIn

Yashir Pinto looks tired, and it's difficult to blame him. He has just played an international friendly in Kyrgyzstan, but it is the jetlag rather than the football that is afflicting him. It took him 32 hours to reach Bishkek from his home in Coquimbo in Chile, a route that took in Santiago, Madrid and Istanbul.

Ghana's Kpozo eyes Man Utd scalp with Sheriff

Sheriff Tiraspol's Ghanaian defender Patrick Kpozo is in upbeat mood ahead of his club's Europa League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Qatar World Cup 2022: What can the controversial hosts expect to achieve on the pitch?

Qatar's forthcoming World Cup has been dogged by allegations of financial impropriety and workers' rights abuses – bust hosting the tournament is not the limit of the country's footballing ambitions

Comoros' Fouad Bachirou on advice and inspiration from Claude Makelele

Comoros and Malmo midfielder Fouad Bachirou has told BBC Sport that much of his determination to succeed is due to the advice and inspiration of France great Claude Makelele. The 29-year-old now seems to have settled in Sweden, where he has played since 2014 after leaving Scottish side Greenock Morton.

Cape Verde's Ryan Mendes aiming for unlikely UAE title

Cape Verde's Ryan Mendes is putting a poor Africa Cup of Nations campaign behind him as he nears a surprise Arabian Gulf League (AGL) title. The 29-year-old's four goals and nine assists have helped Sharjah to the verge of a first UAE championship for 23 years.

Flying the FLAG for female sport in Saudi Arabia - Sport Industry Series

Halah Alhamrani, Saudi MMA Federation board member and founder of Fight Like A Girl (FLAG) Boxing in Jeddah, discusses how sport is empowering women in Saudi Arabia. When the ban on women in Saudi Arabian sports stadiums was lifted in 2018, the story made international headlines as the Kingdom appeared to take a major step towards sporting and social equality.

Playing With Pride

A frenetic game of football every Sunday is helping young Syrian refugees in Turkey to build friendships, lead a healthier life and escape the drudgery of poorly-paid sweatshop work

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi: Proud Libyan born in Switzerland, raised in Austria

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi may have been born in Switzerland, raised in Austria and play in the USA's Major League Soccer (MLS) but he always planned to represent Libya. That dream came true last September, on a balmy afternoon in Durban, as the New York City FC forward made his international debut and fulfilled a promise made to his Libyan parents.

The world's best underdog story: Jorvan Vieira on Iraqi football

At a small cafe in Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina, Jorvan Vieira gently stirs a cup of green tea as a tear rolls out from under his glasses and down his cheek. Describing the moment he was offered honorary Iraqi citizenship, the emotion of the memory overwhelms him.

Quetta Gladiators: The DNA of a PSL cricket champion - Sport Industry Series

After winning their inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) title, Quetta Gladiators' Head of Player Management, Nabeel Hashmi, discusses recruitment, community engagement, and what makes the champions tick. In front of more than 40,000 spectators at the National Stadium in Karachi, Quetta Gladiators celebrated their maiden PSL triumph last month.

Simon McMenemy - the best British coach you've never heard of?

The Indonesian top-flight season starts this weekend - and a Scottish coach you may not have heard of is about to begin the defence of his title. Simon McMenemy's journey from English non-league football to championship-winning manager in Indonesia is certainly a road less travelled.

What Gulf races can learn from the London Marathon - Sport Industry Series

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel discusses how the event has become the pinnacle of distance running and outlines how the Middle East's marathons could potentially improve their offering. As one of the 'Big Five' global marathons, London sits alongside Berlin, Boston, Chicago and New York City as an iconic race that takes pride of place on many a runner's wish list.

Madagascar football captain: 'we're more than a movie'

In October, Madagascar celebrated an unlikely sporting success story, as successive 1-0 victories over Equatorial Guinea sealed their place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The squad are now hoping their achievement will bring footballing fame to a nation perhaps more usually associated with the movie which carries their country's name.

BBC World Service - World Football, In Conversation with Rafael van der Vaart

The former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart looks back on his career and life.

Jeddah's big fight night to help growth of boxing in Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH: The dust has settled on the World Boxing Super Series final and the circus has rolled out of town. However, in 20 years' time, will people just be fondly reminiscing about that anomalous professional boxing event in Saudi Arabia, or will the Kingdom have emerged as a boxing hub in the Middle East?

Liban Abdi: "I'd rather help Somalia than play for them"

As a youngster Somali-born Liban Abdi dreamed of playing for Norway but now hopes things improve in the country of his birth so he can play for them. The 29-year-old's youth career began at English club Sheffield United with World Cup stars Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire.

Tyson: 'It's all about Joshua now - that one fight changed boxing'

Dubai, UAE -- Mike Tyson has tipped Anthony Joshua to carry the torch for boxing's heavyweight division for many years to come after his victory over Wladimir Klitschko. Joshua added the WBA and IBO heavyweight title to his IBF crown with a stunning stoppage of Klitschko last Saturday, a fight watched by 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium.

Tunisia: A season marred by violence

Despite a domestic season marred by violence Tunisian officials are confident the problems will not follow the team to Russia. As well as clashes before during and after league matches, hundreds of fans invaded the pitch in March to celebrate a 1-0 win for Tunisia over Costa Rica in a friendly in the French city of Nice.

Shining the spotlight on the inaugural Tehran marathon

Sipping a glass of watermelon juice and nudging a piece of blueberry cheesecake around his plate, Sebastiaan Straten is in surprisingly good spirits.His outfit - a bright orange T-shirt expressing his Dutch roots, and a gold necklace shaped as the Persian symbol for truth - mirrors his divided loyalties.

Paolo Maldini Interview - Why Silvio Berlusconi is right to sell AC Milan and how Antonio Conte...

Paolo Maldini: AC Milan icon. Longevity is an increasingly rare commodity in football. Successful coaches like Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho get itchy feet after only a few seasons, while players swap clubs as frequently as their sports cars. There are some exceptions of course, but it is widely accepted that the 'one-club man' concept now belongs to a bygone era.

Chisora: Joshua is throwing himself into deep end against Klitschko

Anthony Joshua may be one of boxing's nice guys but he will need to be at his ruthless best to beat Wladimir Klitschko, according to former British heavyweight champion Dereck Chisora. Joshua and Klitschko do battle at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night as the Watford-born fighter makes the third defence of his IBF heavyweight title.

10 of the best co-working spaces and cafes in Dubai

Think all workspaces are boring? Not these creative hangouts... It's estimated that we will spend 35 per cent of our lives in the office, so for those not lucky enough to have the bells and whistles - and slides, real slides - of companies like Google or Facebook, it might be worth freshening up your surroundings.

Iraq throws down gauntlet to FIFA as jubilant fans rally for return of international football

BASRA: Iraqi football fans lined the streets on the approach to Basra International Stadium, eagerly surrounding the white coach as it pulled up to the entrance. They sang and danced, determined to provide a fitting welcome. The doors drew open and those stepping from the coach were enthusiastically applauded as they walked down a red carpet, Iraqi soldiers saluting them from each side.

REVIEW: Kohantei

Dubai's aptitude for magnitude is known the world over, with its record-breaking feats ranging from the world's tallest building to the world's largest flower arrangement. Search hard enough, however, and a 'less is more' approach can be found in this city of the colossal.

PODCAST - Kosovo's big dreams, Chile's challenge, UAE's Saudi jinx and just who is the oldest...

The third matchday in the final round of Asian qualification for the 2018 World Cup takes place on Thursday. Here, Sport360 addresses five talking points over the games to come. CAN UAE BOUNCE BACK? It has already been a campaign to remember for the Whites. The win in Japan will live long in the memory.

Cole follows Bothroyd off the beaten track

What do the leading scorer of the Swedish women's team, the son of a North African dictator and a South Korean World Cup star have in common? It sounds like the start of a terrible gag; indeed, Perugia's pursuit of Hanna Ljungberg, signing of Saadi Gaddafi and sacking of Ahn Jung-hwan, saw the club become the laughing stock of the football world in the early 2000s.

REVIEW: STK

STK at Rixos Premium, JBR, is the newest addition to a family of restaurants that began life in New York, fittingly in the city's Meatpacking district. From Miami to Milan and Las Vegas to London, STK has successfully branched out thanks to a winning combination of chic décor and, of course, superior steaks.

Tyson: Floyd, McGregor boxing would be 'garbage'

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson believes that a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor would be "garbage" and has urged the pair to do battle in the UFC Octagon instead.

If football be the food of love, play on

Socrates. Shakespeare. Satre. Saha. Tottenham Hotspur's No. 15 appears the obvious odd one out alongside a trio of history's greatest academic and cultural contributors, but a recent foray into literature has seen Louis Saha commended for his honesty and insight, as he attempts to educate the masses about a subject that is at times more perplexing than any philosophical theory: the professional footballer.

'Focused' Zuhayr Al-Qahtani prepared for biggest fight of his career

LONDON: Zuhayr Al-Qahtani is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares to become the first professional Saudi boxer to fight in the Kingdom, so much so he had to turn down tickets to watch Anthony Joshua's heavyweight title fight with Alexander Povetkin at Wembley.

#360view: Cristiano Ronaldo as much of a problem for Portugal as he is the solution - Article -...

Use #360view to have your say on today's topic. For a period of time, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney enjoyed similar career arcs. Both won their first international caps in 2003 six months apart - Rooney in February, Ronaldo in August - before the pair made significant impacts at Euro 2004.

Few fireworks as a confident George Groves predicts victory over undefeated Callum Smith

JEDDAH: In this week of firsts for Saudi Arabia, the country's inaugural professional boxing weigh-in was a surprisingly low-key affair. Traditionally antagonistic occasions, the face-off in Jeddah between headliners George Groves and Callum Smith was firework-free. Bravado is engrained in the build-up to boxing events and that confidence can often crescendo at the weigh-in.

Rio: United defence key to title hopes - FourFourTwo Arabia

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand believes the club's defence could hold the key to their chances of pipping Manchester City to the Premier League title this season. United have been criticised in some quarters for failing to match the attacking adventure of freescoring cross-town rivals City, who currently top the table by five points.

Callum Smith sets sights on Anfield fight after beating George Groves in Jeddah

JEDDAH: New WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith has his sights set on a dream fight at Anfield after beating George Groves in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series final in Jeddah. Smith stopped Groves after a seventh-round barrage to become world champion in a bruising contest at King Abdullah Sports City.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic proves he is Eric Cantona incarnate for Manchester United after League Cup...

Ibrahimovic & Cantona: Influential Man Utd strikers. The year is 1994 and Eric Cantona is striding up the Wembley steps, reflecting on the two-goal salvo that has secured his first taste of Cup final glory for Manchester United.

Callum Smith sets sights on Anfield fight after beating George Groves in Jeddah

JEDDAH: New WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith has his sights set on a dream fight at Anfield after beating George Groves in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series final in Jeddah. Smith stopped Groves after a seventh-round barrage to become world champion in a bruising contest at King Abdullah Sports City.

Fairytales and curses

TURIN, Italy -- They had packed Turin's pretty piazzas, and lined the streets from the Po River to the soaring spire of the city's famous Mole Antonelliana, red shirts "jumping like poppies" -- as the club hymn "Ser Benfiquista" so poetically puts it. On Thursday, though, Turin was bereft of its Benfica contingent.

Prince Naseem Hamed sets sights on creating Saudi Arabian boxing stars

JEDDAH: Former world champion "Prince" Naseem Hamed has vowed to capitalize on the "buzz" around Saudi Arabia's first professional boxing event by setting up an academy in the Kingdom. The World Boxing Super Series final took place in Jeddah as George Groves and Callum Smith fought for an array of titles - including the tournament's Muhammad Ali trophy.

REVIEW: Little Miss India

Lovingly marinated seafood, meat and vegetables are just a few of the dishes that can expected when you head down to Little Miss India. The uniquely decorated restaurant's pride and joy are its twin tandoor ovens, a pair of huge gold barrels standing proudly on display.

The secret of Costa Rica's success

Tiny Costa Rica, the fourth-smallest nation at this year's World Cup, had just beaten footballing superpowers and four-time champions Italy -- Bryan Ruiz's header sendinghis sideinto the round of 16 for only the second time in the their history.

REVIEW: Bleu Blanc

Bleu Blanc is one of three new restaurants - all conceived by US chef David Myers - at the Renaissance Downtown, a stylish boutique hotel that backs on to the Dubai Canal. The chef has aimed to create a French farmhouse feel and the vintage wooden furniture and open fires certainly seem to do the trick.

Lomas: Ruthless Atletico rule Romania

It has often been said that success breeds success and, on a memorable night in Bucharest, it was Atletico Madrid and their leading light Falcao whose eminence exemplified that very sentiment.

REVIEW: Katsuya by Starck

It is not often that we start a review by mentioning the ''hello" we receive at a restaurant's door. But the greeting at Katsuya by Starck demands inclusion. As is customary in Japan, diners are met with a resounding "Irasshaimase" ("come on in") from all of the restaurant staff on arrival.

10 of the best co-working spaces and cafes in Dubai

Think all workspaces are boring? Not these creative hangouts... It's estimated that we will spend 35 per cent of our lives in the office, so for those not lucky enough to have the bells and whistles - and slides, real slides - of companies like Google or Facebook, it might be worth freshening up your surroundings.

Japan set for global gathering

The Club World Cup is a competition that divides opinion: those who play in it defend its value, while those who don't ridicule it as a commerce-driven waste of time. But it remains the only truly global club tournament at the professional level of the game and its previous winners will testify that the title of 'world champion' is one that is worth competing for.

How Technogym are helping Olympic and grassroots athletes alike achieve their goals - Article -...

Technogym: At the heart of things in Rio. Italy's role at the forefront of the fashion world is well known but in fitness, too, the country has long been firmly on trend. Since 1983, Technogym has been revolutionising the environment in which people work out - stamping Italian style across gyms around the globe.

REVIEW: Beefbar

A Monte Carlo staple brings a new meat feast to Dubai Pescatarians, vegetarians, vegans - look away now. Beefbar, it may not surprise you to learn, is one for the carnivores. This new DIFC restaurant is all about the meat. Mostly from the humble the cow.

Asia 50 No.1, Omar Abdulhrahman: Europe, Suarez and shaving his famous hair

Omar Abdulrahman: I feel very proud to be picked as No.1 in Asia, ahead of so many fantastic players. This gives me motivation to work even harder in the years to come. FFT: Who were your football heroes growing up? OA: I loved to watch Zinedine Zidane, he made football look so simple.

Paul Scholes rates current Manchester United midfield alongside Sir Alex Ferguson's greats

Paul Scholes believes Manchester United's midfield is now "as good as any" of their rivals and is hoping Paul Pogba's injury won't derail the club's excellent start to the season.

Here are 7 wellbeing treats & spa treatments for men in Dubai to try...

From vacuum-packed treatments to workouts with limited air supply, here are seven unique wellbeing trends for men to try in Dubai... The face of male wellness was once a greased-up Adonis, hulking out of his singlet with biceps to rival Arnold Schwarzenegger circa 1980.

​Are Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo equals? Andy Brassell and Mark Lomas preview the...

PARIS, France - Didier Deschamps does not like losing. During a distinguished career on the pitch and now in the dugout, he has been well accustomed to the taste of la victoire. On Sunday, the France coach has the opportunity to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy above his head for the second time.

Saudi Arabia's Abdulfatah Julaidan ready to make history in Jeddah fight

JEDDAH: Abdulfatah Julaidan insists he is not fazed by the prospect of becoming the first Saudi Arabian boxer to compete in a professional bout in the Kingdom. Jeddah-based Julaidan (1-0, 1 KO) will take on Czech fighter Martin Kharbel (2-9, 2KOs) in a hastily arranged bout on the undercard of the World Boxing Super Series Final on Friday.

Jeddah World Boxing Super Series final could be new 'Thrilla in Manila' for Middle East

LONDON: Boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland believes the World Boxing Super Series Final in Jeddah will "open the door" to more boxing events in the region, comparing it to the fabled "Thrilla in Manila" and "Rumble in the Jungle" fights of the 1970s. George Groves and Callum Smith do battle for the WBA Super-Middleweight title on Sept.

Episode 38 - United Rebuild (featuring Mark Lomas) by A Football Report Voice

On last week's show the rumours of David Moyes' departure from Manchester United were building dramatically. Seven days on and the Premier League Champions (at least for a few more weeks) have undergone some seismic changes.

Three Points: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla

CARDIFF, Wales -- Three observations from Real Madrid's 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla. Never write off Ronaldo With his slick-backed hair and hulking muscles, Gareth Bale had not only stolen the signature look of Cristiano Ronaldo in the lead-up to the UEFA Super Cup, he had robbed the Portuguese of the limelight.

Ryan Giggs reveals why Manchester United sensation Marcus Rashford will go right to the top

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs believes Marcus Rashford has what it takes to "go right to the top" of the game after being impressed with the young forward's start to the new season. Rashford, 19, has scored five goals in his past six games for United and has been a regular fixture in Jose Mourinho's starting line-up this term.

Is Leganes deal with Saudi company MBUZZ set to revolutionise football shirt sponsorship? -...

Technogym: At the heart of things in Rio. Italy's role at the forefront of the fashion world is well known but in fitness, too, the country has long been firmly on trend. Since 1983, Technogym has been revolutionising the environment in which people work out - stamping Italian style across gyms around the globe.

Exclusive: The former S.League coach making waves in an island paradise

The Maldives has long been established as one of the world's most idyllic destinations. Its crystal clear waters, technicolour reefs and five-star resorts are synonymous with luxury travel, while opportunities to visit are usually reserved for those with deep pockets. Most people are only left to daydream about the alluring atolls from afar.

Cool Zidane makes winning look easy - FourFourTwo Arabia

Zinedine Zidane makes football look easy. As a player he effortlessly glided across the turf, inspiring his teams to myriad trophies during a glittering career. As a coach, he stepped into the sport's most scorching hotseat, with no top-flight experience, and has proceeded to deliver six pieces of silverware in 19 months at Real Madrid.

Now or never for awesome Omar

DUBAI: With one deft swish of his left boot, Omar Abdulrahman instantly won a host of global admirers. It was the 2015 Asian Cup quarterfinals and arguably the biggest match of his career, but he was not remotely overawed.