Sports from Friday, May 9th, 2025

Dubai's Shabab Al Ahli won the UAE President’s Cup, beating Sharjah 2-1 in the final at Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.

The women's World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams from the 2031 edition onwards after the FIFA Council approved the proposal at a virtual meeting on Friday.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended for one week on Friday while the Pakistan Super League (PSL) postponed its remaining matches in the wake of the ongoing conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso will leave his role at the end of the season, with the Spaniard saying on Friday the time was right after a fruitful three-year spell, as media reports link him to the Real Madrid job for next term.

Dubai Basketball celebrated a triumphant end to their regular season with a home victory, making history as the first Middle Eastern team to compete in Europe’s Adriatic League.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) will move its remaining matches to the UAE, while India's cricket board announced suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid the rising cross-border tensions.

Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship on July 19 in Las Vegas, ESPN reported, citing sources.

Chelsea, fielding a second-string team, cantered into the Europa Conference League final with a regulation 1-0 second-leg win over Swedish side Djurgarden on Thursday for a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Manchester United booked their berth in the Europa League final after a 4-1 semi-final win Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.