Latest news with #QFA
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Al Sadd's Afif and Sanchez scoop best player and coach awards; Al Shamal's Mannai best U-23 player
Tribune News Network Doha The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) hosted Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards Ceremony for the 2024-2025 season on Monday in the presence of a number of dignitaries, guests, invitees, club presidents and representatives, technical and administrative staff, players and media representatives. The annual ceremony honoured the most outstanding players of the season and featured the following awards: Order Of Achievement The Order of Achievement (highest honours) is awarded by the Board of Trustees of QFA Awards to personalities who make distinguished contributions during their lifetime to the development of football. This time, the award went to: • Ahmed Omar (may God have mercy on him), a former Qatari football star and technical expert at QFA. • Ali Mohammed Al Ali (may God have mercy on him), a former Qatari football star and Chairman of QFA's Veteran Players' Committee. Football For All Award This award is given by the QFA Awards Board of Trustees to organisations or individuals making a significant contribution to promote the culture of football in society. This season, the Negdar (We Can) initiative, launched by Qatar Stars League in partnership with Generation Amazing and Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) with support from Ministry of Public Health, won the award. Best Fans Award Al Sadd club won the award based on the average fan attendance during the league, according to previously announced criteria: average fan attendance according to official statistics approved by relevant authorities; creativity and innovation, including methods of encouragement and motivation; and social responsibility programmes and various community initiatives. Best Referees Award Won by the quartet of: Mohammed Ahmed Al Shammari (Best Referee); Juma Mohammed Al Burshaid (Best Assistant Referee); Khaled Aied Khalaf (Best Assistant Referee); Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al Jassim (Best Video Assistant Referee – VAR) Mansour Muftah Award (Top Scorer) Al Rayyan star Roger Guedes clinched the award by scoring 21 goals in 2024-2025 Ooredoo Stars League. Best U-23 Player Award Al Shamal player Mohammed Mannai won the award, receiving the highest percentage of votes (41.24 %), after competing with Moaz Al Wadie of Al Shahania and Abdullah Yousef of Al Gharafa. Best Goalkeeper Award Al Sadd's Meshaal Barsham won the award, receiving the highest percentage of votes (48.18 %), after competing with Salah Zakaria of Al Duhail and Marwan Sherif of Al Ahli. Best Coach Award Al Sadd's Felix Sanchez won the award, receiving the highest percentage of votes (54.17 %), after competing with Al Ahli's Igor Biscan and Al Gharafa's Pedro Martins. Best Player Award Al Sadd star Akram Afif continued his impressive and strong performance, receiving the highest percentage of votes (89.27 %), after competing with Al Shamal's Baghdad Bounedjah and Al Ahli's Julian Draxler. The Board of Trustees of QFA Awards congratulated all winners, and extended its thanks and appreciation to all those who attended the season's closing ceremony.
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QFA, fa Thailand sign cooperation agreement
Qatar, Thailand football associations sign cooperation agreement Doha: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen bilateral relations between the two federations. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at the QFA headquarters in Al Bidda Tower. Representing the QFA, HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, president of the association, signed the agreement, while the Thai side was represented by Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand. The agreement marks a significant step in the QFA's ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration with Asian football federations and strengthen ties with its counterparts across the continent.
Qatar Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QSL workshop explains new foreign player registration, salary rule
QSL Doha As part of the Qatar Stars League's (QSL) commitment to enhance communication with clubs and activate partnerships with relevant entities, QSL held an explanatory workshop to present and discuss the new amendments to the regulations that will be implemented starting with the new 2025-2026 sports season. It was attended by Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO of QSL, Hassan Al Mohannadi, member of the QSL's Executive Office representing the Qatar Football Association (QFA), Khalid Al Sulaiti, member of the Executive Committee of QFA, Faisal Al Shaibi, member of QSL's Executive Office representing the club companies, Dr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development at QSL, Talal Al Kaabi, Executive Director of National Teams Representatives of First Division and Second Division clubs, Qatar Players Association and relevant and competent authorities were also present. New decisions were discussed and reviewed, marking the beginning of a new phase and set to be implemented starting next season. It is also a strategic step aimed at enhancing the quality of the Qatari league, supporting national teams, and assisting Qatari clubs participating in international tournaments, as followscTracking:> Mechanism for registering foreign players on the 28-player roster The purpose of this decision is to achieve the ideal balance between supporting the national team, supporting Qatari clubs in international competitions and maintaining a strong and competitive league. It is emphasized that clubs are permitted to register up to 10 foreign players on the roster, without being obligated to register the maximum number. Registrations are to be made according to the technical needs and financial capabilities of each club. Abolishing the '40 times salary' rule The purpose of abolishing this rule is to open a free market for local professional players, enable them to move freely and distribute local talent in a natural and fair manner. Furthermore, upon reaching the age of 18, a player may sign his first professional contract only with his primary club until the age of 23. After reaching the age of 23, he is free to choose to remain or sign with any other club for free upon the expiration of his contract, provided that the value of his new contract does not exceed the specified ceiling. Implementing a system to set a ceiling for the annual value of contracts The purpose of this system is to ensure market fairness and avoid contract inflation. Legal action will be taken against any party entering into an irregular contract. The minimum annual contract value is QR240,000, double the previous limit, while the maximum contract value for a local player is QR2.7 million. Regarding international players, the ceiling starts at QR2.7 million for those who have played at least 10 international matches, and reaches QR4.5 million for those who have played more than 50 international matches. During the workshop, several questions and concerns raised by club representatives and attendees were clarified, emphasizing that these new amendments aim to enhance the professional aspects of Qatari football and continue the development process at all levels. Hani Taleb Ballan said, 'This workshop complements the organizational decisions made regarding the regulations, which will come into effect starting with the new 2025-2026 football season. This workshop reflects our commitment at QSL in co-operation with all partners, relevant authorities and clubs, to achieving the highest standards of professionalism and continuing the development process across all elements of the system. 'This will positively impact the technical and organizational levels, as well as our efforts to provide high-quality, competitive, and enjoyable football. 'For my part, I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who attended the workshop, and we look forward to continuing our co-operation with everyone to achieve the goals of Qatar professional football.' Dr. Ahmed Khellil Abbasi also spoke, 'First, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all partners and stakeholders, as well as to QFA, clubs and QPA, for their continued co-operation with us as part of our shared endeavour to preserve the successes achieved by professional football in Qatar football, which enhances our aspirations for continued development at all levels. 'We also emphasize that the new decisions that have been taken establish an advanced stage of sustainable growth for professional football in Qatar. This is a strategic step aimed at enhancing the quality of Qatar league, supporting our clubs in their international participation and supporting our national teams in upcoming events and competitions. Therefore, these decisions were taken and approved, representing the beginning of a new phase.'
Qatar Living
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Living
Lopetegui appointed as Qatar football team coach
By QLNews • 3 May 2025 16:05 Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has been appointed as Qatar manager on a two-year deal, according to the Qatar Football Association (QFA). 'Ready for a new chapter. Welcome Lopetegui. We're excited to embark on this journey together,' the QFA wrote on social media. Ready for a new chapter Welcome Lopetegui #AlAnnabi 'I'm ready,' the Spaniard said in a video accompanying the post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The 58-year-old has signed a contract with Qatar until 2027 when the country will defend their Asian Cup title. He will replace compatriot Luis Garcia, who was appointed last December ahead of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait. The contract with Lopetegui was signed by QFA General Secretary Mansoor Al Ansari at the association's headquarters in Al Bidda Tower, in the presence of QFA President Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain. A move to Qatar represents the first return to international management for Lopetegui since he was dismissed from his role as Spain head coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 matches with Spain, but was sacked by the Spanish FA after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal to appoint him for the 2018-19 season. He was sacked as West Ham United coach in January after six months in charge. Qatar are fourth in Group A in the third round of qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They cannot finish in the top-two places, which bring automatic qualification for the finals, but are in contention to reach the Asian play-offs for teams finishing third and fourth. Qatar have 10 points from eight matches, four ahead of fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan. They host group leaders Iran on June 5 and visit Uzbekistan, who are second, on June 10 in their remaining third round games. Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Irish Examiner
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Julen Lopetegui appointed new Qatar boss
Qatar have appointed former Real Madrid and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui as their new national coach on Thursday. Lopetegui, 58, has signed a contract until the 2027 Asian Cup, where Qatar will go for a third consecutive title. His first game in charge is on June 5 at home to Iran, and then in Uzbekistan five days later. 'Ready for a new chapter. Welcome Lopetegui,' the Qatar Football Association wrote on social media. 'We're excited to embark on this journey together.' Lopetegui replaces fellow Spaniard Luis Garcia, who took the job only last December and whose departure was also announced on Thursday. 'The QFA extends its deepest appreciation to Mr Garcia for his professionalism and dedication throughout his time with the team,' the QFA wrote on social media. After poor results in World Cup qualifying, Qatar is fourth in Asia Group A and already out of the running to finish in the top two spots that guarantee a place at the 2026 tournament. But there is still a chance for the 2022 host to qualify for the first time through a playoff route. Lopetegui's last two jobs were in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham, where he was fired in January. AP
