Premier League referees, including Michael Oliver, have been prohibited from participating in matches in Gulf states and other domestic leagues following a controversial incident involving referee involvement in the region. The decision was made by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after issues arose regarding financial incentives for these one-off matches. These measures were implemented after Michael Oliver, Darren England, and Dan Cook oversaw a match in the United Arab Emirates close to a significant VAR mistake in a Premier League game between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur last year. Oliver previously faced scrutiny for officiating a match in Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest within the Premier League.

Furthermore, former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who recently joined Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League, sparked controversy by praising the futuristic Saudi city of Neom on social media. Smalling's post about Neom's architectural wonders drew attention given its association with political issues surrounding the development.

In other news, amid discussions surrounding free tickets provided to political figures attending football matches, there has been a notable focus on transparency regarding such benefits. Additionally, Rwanda's President Paul Kagame expressed interest in hosting a Formula 1 race in the country, potentially marking a significant return of the sport to the African continent. Meanwhile, football stars Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero announced their ownership of a padel team, joining a list of prominent figures associated with the sport.

With developments such as these shaping the sports landscape, it remains crucial for organizations and individuals to navigate potential conflicts of interest and uphold transparency in their engagements within various sporting arenas.

For more updates and insights, stay tuned to the latest in the sports world.

### END OF ARTICLE