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Pep Lijnders has hit back at online critics of young defender Neco Williams, insisting those who abuse players cannot be considered Liverpool supporters. 

The Welsh international full-back was subjected to a raft of bizarre criticism on social media – largely from anonymous accounts, it should be pointed out - following the Reds’ win at Lincoln in the Carabao Cup last week, a reaction which prompted the 19-year-old to black out his Twitter account.

Williams was spoken to by manager Jurgen Klopp as well as a number of Liverpool’s senior players, with Lijnders praising the teenager’s response to the unwanted attention. 

And speaking at a press conference to preview Thursday’s fourth-round clash with Arsenal, the assistant manager had a message for those who seek to abuse players in such a manner. 

He said: “It's not for me to comment on social media. The only thing I can say is that abuse is wrong, whether it is on social media or on the street. It’s wrong. 

“Second, you are not a Liverpool supporter if you don’t support.”

The reaction to Williams’ performance - which came after a 7-2 victory, remember – is just the latest example of social media’s unique, and often ugly, way, where instant judgements are made on players young and old.

Williams’ rise at Liverpool continues, however. In 2020 alone he has made a dozen appearances, picking up a Premier League winners’ medal in the process. 

In August, he was rewarded with a new five-year contract, and three weeks later scored his first international goal for Wales, in only his second senior appearance.

“First of all - and this is the most important thing to understand - Neco is a doer,” said Lijnders. “And a doer makes mistakes.

“We don’t want safe play, we don’t want a player who doesn’t take risks. Our game is based on everyone taking initiative from each position. That’s what we want.

“One of the most important lessons for a young boy coming through, or any player, is that is a weakness if you get caught up with praise or criticism. 

“I think he dealt with it really well. We had players speaking with him, we had our manager speaking with him. It’s a phase he must go through, but getting caught up in praise or criticism, you cannot do. Neither will help you as a young player.”

Discussing the conversations between Williams, Klopp and his team-mates, Lijnders added: “It was important. If you say you are a family and that you are together, then the most important time to show that is in difficult times. People need to feel full faith. 

“What was much more important was that Trent [Alexander-Arnold] spoke with him, Virgil [Van Dijk] spoke with him, Robbo [Andy Robertson] spoke with him. 

“It’s not only Jurgen or me, it’s how we take care of each other, and that’s what makes us different.”

Williams is likely to start once more against Arsenal on Thursday. He made his senior Reds debut against the Gunners in the Carabao Cup last October, assisting a stoppage-time equaliser for Divock Origi on a night when Liverpool won on penalties following a madcap 5-5 draw.

Curtis Jones, another 19-year-old making huge strides, will start the game, while there will be opportunities for the likes of Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino and reserve goalkeeper Adrian. 

Another teenager, Rhys Williams, could make his second appearance of the season at centre-back but new signing Kostas Tsimikas is ruled out with a thigh injury.

The Premier League has opted to revise its interpretation of the handball rule after a major increase in penalties early in the season.

Following a Premier League shareholders meeting on Tuesday, the league has bowed to pressure after six penalties were awarded for handball in the first three rounds of matches. 

The league heard feedback from managers, players and referees, all of whom were unhappy with the way the handball rule has been interpreted in the season's early going.

Though the Premier League cannot change the rule itself (that must be done by the International Football Association Board or IFAB), Goal understands that it has instructed its referees to be more lenient with their interpretation of the handball law.

Under the new guidelines, referees have been instructed to consider the proximity of the player to the ball, his arm position, and the amount of time he has to react.

That means that controversial penalties like the ones given against Manchester United's Victor Lindelof versus Crystal Palace, in which the defender was very close to the shot when it was taken and had little time to react, would not be awarded.

In addition, if a player is using their arm for balance or protection then a penalty is less likely to be given, whereas if a player's arm blocks a direct shot on goal it is more likely to be given.

Among the most contentious incidents was Eric Dier's handball against Newcastle on Sunday, which helped the Magpies to a late 1-1 draw against Tottenham. 

After the match even Newcastle manager Steve Bruce, whose side had benefited from the decision, called the rule “ludicrous" and added, “If you’re going to tell me that that is handball then we all may as well pack it in."

Interestingly though, under the Premier League's new interpretation, Dier's penalty would still be given because the England international's arm was above his shoulder – a rule that originates with IFAB.

Bruce wasn't the only Premier League manager to hit out at the handball rule's interpretation this weekend, with Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson saying: "It is ruining the game of football, no question of that."

Vinicius Junior came to Real Madrid's rescue as a sluggish start to their LaLiga season continued with a 1-0 home win over Real Valladolid on Wednesday.

Madrid were held to a goalless draw at Real Sociedad in their opener and then required a late Sergio Ramos penalty to beat Real Betis on Saturday, and a lack of cutting edge threatened to prove costly on their return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Luka Jovic – a reported Manchester United target – was particularly guilty, missing two golden chances before the break.

But Vinicius was sent on in place of the struggling striker with just over half an hour remaining and snatched a precious winner to send Madrid level with leaders Getafe.

The frustrating tone was set early as Roberto made an instinctive stop to keep Madrid at bay in the 10th minute, springing to his right to turn Federico Valverde's cushioned volley around the post.

Jovic helped craft that chance, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt man soon squandered a huge opportunity of his own as he inexplicably missed the target when found in front of goal by Valverde.

He was wasteful again 10 minutes before half-time, lashing past the left-hand post following a smart Luka Modric touch.

The Serbia forward saw a header saved by Roberto after the restart, with Casemiro slamming the rebound against the crossbar, before a subsequent chance for Shon Weissman – who was denied by Thibaut Courtois – provoked Zinedine Zidane into a triple-change.

Jovic was among those to make way and that move prompted the opener, with Vinicius profiting on a deflection in the area to finish coolly.

Courtois had to be alert to parry away a wayward Raul Garcia cross, yet Madrid might have added to their lead in the closing stages as Modric exposed Roberto's poor positioning but struck the base of the upright.

What does it mean? Madrid doing just enough

Madrid played some good football in the closing stages of last season as they clinched the title, but they are just getting by in the opening weeks of the new campaign. They were comfortable in terms of possession, enjoying 63 per cent, while they had five shots on target, yet Zidane will hope more straightforward victories are to follow.

Courtois kept busy

The chances that fell Jovic's way could have seen Madrid home and dry by half-time, but Courtois had to step up with his outfield team-mates wasteful. The Belgium goalkeeper pulled off five saves in all, with three of them coming at crucial ventures, most notably a fine stop from Weissman at 0-0. 

Luka's luck not turning

Jovic may eventually get a second chance at Madrid if he returns from an expected loan move away, but this performance summed up his spell at Los Blanco so far. The 22-year-old has scored just twice in all competitions for Madrid but had three chances to improve that tally here. Only one of his trio of efforts hit the target and he was replaced after 58 minutes. 

What's next?

Madrid are in LaLiga action again on Sunday at Levante, while Valladolid host Eibar a day earlier.

Ghana have scheduled a friendly date with 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar on October 12, the West Africans' Football Association have announced.

Scheduled for the Turkish city of Antalya, the match will come off three days after the Black Stars face Mali in a first friendly fixture.

Qatar replace Equatorial Guinea who were initially billed to play Ghana on October 12 but later pulled out of the game.

"Ghana has lined up a friendly against Qatar on Monday, October 12, in Antalya, Turkey," the GFA have announced on their official website. "The 2022 World Cup host, comes in to replace Equatorial Guinea who pulled out of a similar friendly, over travelling restrictions.

"The Black Stars were scheduled to play Mali on Friday, October 9, and Equatorial Guinea three days later in next month’s FIFA International window (except for European countries) but the latter pulled out of the game, citing new travel restrictions imposed in their country.

"Qatar, who have a game against India on October 8, will take on Ghana on Monday, October 12, 2020.

"The two countries will use the friendly to prepare for their respective international competitions in November."

The friendly games are set to test Ghana's strength ahead of resumption of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

After what will be a 12-month interval, the Black Stars will return to competitive action with a double-header against Sudan in the race to Cameroon.

The games were originally scheduled for March but had to be postponed due to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has already named a 23-man squad for the October friendlies, handing debut call-ups to France-born Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku, Nordsjaelland winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, Amiens midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey, Yakubu Mohammed of Tanzanian side Azam, and Slovakia-based Benson Anang.

Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp has been recalled for the first time since March 2019, similar situations to goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, left-back Lumor Agbenyenu and Pyramids forward John Antwi.

Fiorentina midfielder Alfred Duncan has, however, been overlooked, as have China-based Mubarak Wakaso, Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu, Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Majeed Ashimeru and veteran striker Asamoah Gyan who is currently unattached. 

Osun State House of Assembly has opened a probe into the alleged diversion of Osun United’s €10,000 gained from Odion Ighalo’s loan move to Manchester United.

Ighalo completed a temporary switch to Old Trafford from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in January, a contract which was later extended until January 2021.

His return to England earned his first professional club Osun United, formerly known as Prime FC, who play in the Second Division of the Nigerian league, a reported sum of €10,000 (4.5 million naira).

The Osogbo-based outfit received the money at a time when they were struggling financially to register for the 2020-21 Nigeria National League season and pay their players’ salaries. This €10,000 amount from the loan of Ighalo to Manchester United would have reportedly helped the club meet their financial commitments. 

The Chairman of Osun House Committee on Sports, Hon. Adrullahi Adegbile confirmed their investigation is still ongoing and he assured all individuals involved in the alleged diversion of the funds will be summoned.

“When we got the information, we invited all the parties. After a thorough investigation into the issue, I assure you, we will make our findings public. We will still invite them this week,” Adegbile told the Punch.

Goal attempted to reach Osun United for further information, but the calls were not answered at the time of going to press.

Achraf Hakimi opened his Serie A goal account with a first-half strike in Inter Milan’s 5-2 victory over Benevento.

The 21-year-old who joined Antoino Conte's side on a five-year contract from Real Madrid in July, continued his fine start to life in Italy with the Nerazzurri's fourth goal at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito.

On Saturday, he made his Serie A debut against Fiorentina at the San Siro Stadium and he provided the assist that helped Romelu Lukaku score the third goal in their 4-3 win.

Four days later, Hakimi helped Lukaku open the scoring as early as in the first minute at Benevento. Towards the end of the first-half, he stretched their lead to 4-1 with a 42nd-minute strike after two quick-fire goals from Roberto Gagliardini and Lukaku.

Few minutes after replacing Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez sealed the emphatic victory for Conte's men who moved to second in the Serie A table with six points after two games.

With two assists in his first two matches, Hakimi matched his compatriot Houssine Kharja's feat as the first Inter Milan player to provide an assist in his first two Serie A outings.

The Morocco international played from start to finish while Ghana's Kwadwo Asamoah did not make Conte's squad for the trip.

Hakimi will hope to maintain his impressive performance when Inter Milan visit Lazio for their next league match on Sunday.

Neymar and Alvaro Gonzalez will not face any additional punishment following the Brazilian's accusation of racism against the defender after he was sent off in Paris Saint-Germain's loss to Marseille earlier this month.

The Brazilian star earned a red card in the final moments of a heated clash between the two French sides as five players were sent off following a late-game melee in Marseille's 1-0 win.

Neymar was dismissed for slapping Gonzalez across the back of the head and, after the match, he said that his actions were prompted by a racist taunt from the Marseille man.

Leandro Paredes and Dario Benedetto, who sparked the brawl after a scuffle, were both sent off as well while PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa and Marseille's Jordan Amavi saw straight reds for violent acts during the melee.

The PSG forward claimed he was called a "monkey son of a bitch" and added that his "only regret is not hitting that asshole in the face" in a string of social media posts following the game.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, denied Neymar's claims, saying that Neymar needed "to learn how to lose and accept it on the field".

Afterwards, Neymar was accused of making racist insults towards Marseille's Hiroko Sakai as well, with Marquinhos leaping to the defence of his team-mate.

In the weeks since, Neymar received a two-match ban for his dismissal, with the French federation announcing that it would investigate the claims of racism.

However, that investigation has produced no suspensions for either player for the alleged racism or the war of words on social media after the match.

“After examining the case, hearing the players and representatives of the clubs, the Commission notes that it does not have sufficient convincing evidence to allow it to establish the materiality of the facts of statements of a discriminatory nature by Alvaro Gonzalez at the against Neymar during the meeting, nor against Neymar towards Alvaro Gonzalez." the federation said in a statement. 

Marseille added: "Olympique de Marseille are satisfied with the decision of the disciplinary committee. Alvaro Gonzalez is not racist, any accusation against him on this subject is unfair and unfounded. Olympique de Marseille is and will remain the club of anti-racism."

As part of that initial suspension, Neymar was also hit with a one-match suspended ban, which would come into effect if the Brazilian engages in further violent conduct upon his return.

Paredes received an identical sentence, while Kurzawa, who kicked out at Amavi, was hit with a six-match ban for his role in the melee.

Benedetto, meanwhile, was suspended for one match, while Amvai was suspended three games for throwing a punch.

PSG currently sit seventh in Ligue 1 ahead of Friday's match with Angers, having earned nine points from the three matches after a pair of season-opening defeats.

Marseille, meanwhile, are on eight points ahead of a meeting with Lille this weekend. 

Ghana sports minister Isaac Kwame Asiamah believes history backs Black Stars coach CK Akonnor to lead the team to Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) success.

The former Wolfsburg skipper was appointed Ghana coach in January with a task to guide the Black Stars to break a 38-year continental drought and inspire the team to make a return to the World Cup.

The next Afcon tournament is set for Cameroon in 2022, with Ghana currently in pole position to qualify for the gathering.

"We have won the Afcon four times and all the coaches who won the trophies for us were our own local coaches," Asiamah told Adom TV.

"President Akufo-Addo believes in the capacity of local coaches to deliver, so he says we should appoint a local coach.

"By God’s grace, CK Akonnor is a Ghanaian and we should all support him. I am convinced that CK Akonnor has the requisite qualities to lead the Black Stars.

"He [Akonnor] has demonstrated that he can deliver as a coach. I watched him at Kotoko and I am convinced he can do the job for the country.

"Let’s support him and I know he will not let the country down. I have no doubt Akonnor can lead us to win the Africa Cup of Nations. He has played at the highest level.

"He has captained the Black Stars and I believe with the necessary support, he can win the Afcon. I have no doubt about that."

Ghana have won Afcon on four occasions, the last time being in 1983.

The Black Stars won their first title on home soil in 1963, beating Sudan in the final.

Two years later in Tunisia, Ghana ruled the continent for the second time, this time accounting for the hosts after extra time in the climax.

CK Gyamfi coached the Black Stars to win the two titles. Back on home soil once again in 1978, Ghana handed Uganda a 2-0 defeat to win the cup under Fred Osam Duodu, four years before clinching their fourth, their last title being at Libya 1982 (guided by Gyamfi).

James Kwasi Appiah remains the last Ghanaian to lead the team to the Afcon, their quest in 2019 disappointingly ended at the Round of 16 stage.

Manchester City bounced back from their Premier League humbling by Leicester City with a 3-0 EFL Cup victory over Burnley, with Raheem Sterling scoring twice and Ferran Torres netting his first goal for the club.

A 5-2 home reverse on Sunday left Pep Guardiola's men in need of a result and a performance to steady their burgeoning season.

Sterling thrived on the industry of Kevin De Bruyne, Torres and teenage debutant Cole Palmer throughout a one-sided match and scored with neat finishes in either half at Turf Moor.

Guardiola, who is aiming to win the competition for a fourth successive time, saw his £20.9m (€22.1m) signing from Valencia make it 3-0 with a cool finish in the 65th minute as City reached the quarter-finals.

Burnley found themselves under pressure from the outset and Sterling volleyed a Torres cross narrowly wide from six yards out.

The Clarets had goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell to thank for keeping them in the game, the Northern Ireland international twice getting down quickly to save low shots from Sterling.

There was no stopping the England winger when Benjamin Mendy's low pass from the left found him 12 yards from goal and he slammed the ball into the corner of the net with no hesitation.

Sterling doubled City's lead three minutes into the second half, neatly turning Torres' cross into the bottom corner of the net from close range after De Bruyne's surging run carved Burnley open.

Less than 10 minutes later Riyad Mahrez's pass was touched on by Sterling into the path of Torres, who carried the ball into the box before rattling it low into the far corner of the net from 18 yards.

What it means? Reasons for Pep to be cheerful

On a night when his side recovered well from a shock defeat, Guardiola will have been pleased to see Aymeric Laporte make his return from injury and Zack Steffen keep his first clean sheet for the club.

De Bruyne keeps Sterling well fed

City mustered just five shots on target as they slipped to defeat at home to Leicester, but the quality of supply from De Bruyne, ably assisted by Palmer, ensured Sterling kept Peacock-Farrell busy.

Lowton endures torrid night with Torres

Much of City's best opportunities came via attacks down their left side, where Torres was given ample room in which to operate by sluggish Burnley full-back Matthew Lowton.

What's next?

Guardiola takes his side to Elland Road to face newly promoted Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday, while Burnley make the trip to Newcastle United.

Everton are in pursuit of Norwich City's Ben Godfrey with the Championship club having received an official bid from the Toffees recently.

The Premier League side submitted a £20 million ($26m) offer for the 22-year-old centre-back with the bid also including a potential £6m ($8m) in add-ons.

Everton had previously been interested in Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori, who had been considering a loan spell that would bring the defender to Goodison Park for the season.

Godfrey has been with Norwich since 2015, having joined from York City after breaking in with 12 appearances in League Two.

He then featured for the club's U-23s and on loan with Shrewsbury Town, making 51 total appearances during his one-season spell in League One.

He broke through for Norwich in 2018-19 in the Championship, scoring four goals in 36 games as the Canaries earned promotion to the Premier League.

That stay lasted just one season, with Norwich suffering relegation last season, but Godfrey was one of several standouts that earned the attention of Premier League clubs.

The 22-year-old defender made 33 appearances last season and has already featured three times in the Championship this season.

Internationally, Godfrey has featured for England up to the U-21 level, having captained the side in the run-up to this summer's U-21 Euros.

Tomori, meanwhile, has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea due to the arrival of summer signing Thiago Silva.

He made 22 appearances for the Blues last campaign, but did not make an official appearance for the club from February through the end of the season as he fell out of Frank Lampard's plans.

Tomori has made three appearances for the Blues so far this season, with two coming in Chelsea's pair of Carabao Cup matches: a win over Barnsley and a loss to Tottenham in a penalty shootout.

Godfrey and Norwich are set to face Derby County on Saturday, while Tomori's Chelsea will host Crystal Palace that same day.

Everton, meanwhile, will host Brighton as they look to make it four wins from four to start the season.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) registered a 2-0 win over KMKM of Zanzibar in a friendly match at the Chamazi Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Mukoko Tonombe scored both goals in the first half as the Premier League club prepares for what is expected to be a tough four fixtures ahead.

Tonombe scored the first goal in the 10th minute from a corner that was delivered by a fellow new Yanga star Carlos Carlinhos. The Angolan’s corners have proved vital for the team as he is the one who assisted Lamine Moro score the previous two away goals in the same manner.

The former AS Vita star got the second for Yanga and his evening brace in the 29th minute was enough as they asserted dominance against KMKM all through the encounter.

Yanga have 10 points after securing nine from their three consecutive matches. The first away win came against Kagera Sugar at Kaitaba Stadium while the second one was registered against Mtibwa Sugar at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.

In both matches, Moro scored to give the Dar es Salaam side 1-0 victories.

Yanga Information Officer Hassan Bumbuli explained why the midweek friendly was seen as an important exercise.

“The friendly match was organised as advised by the technical bench so as to give a chance to the fringe players who do not get regular playtime,” Bumbuli told Daily News.

“After the game, we will have two days to correct the mistakes which will emerge before facing Coastal Union on Saturday.”

Bumbuli also revealed expectations Michael Sarpong could be available after a recent injury case.

“The team doctor has assured us that Sarpong is doing well and will be given some painkillers so that he could be ready by Saturday. He should be in good spirit to feature in the game,” he concluded.

Yanga will have four consecutive matches to be played in Dar es Salaam starting with the Saturday clash against Coastal Union before hosting Polisi Tanzania.

On October 18, the record champions will face their Kariakoo rivals Simba SC in what will be the first meeting of the biggest and most successful Tanzanian clubs in the season.

After facing Simba, Timu ya Wannachi will then entertain Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC FC) who have had a bright start in the campaign. Last season, KMC struggled and only evaded relegation after stabilising when some changes - including the sacking of coach Jackson Mayanja were done.

Adedamola Adefolahan’s ‘Scatter’ has been selected as part of the soundtracks to accompany FIFA 21 which will be released on October 9, 2020, having been pushed back from September owing to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Popularly known as Fireboy DML, the youngster became one of Africa’s biggest breakout music stars, with his debut album garnering over 100 million digital streams across various platforms globally.

True to previous editions, this year's playlist incorporates a wide-ranging mix of musicians hailing from all over the globe - exceeding genres that range from alternative to hip-hop and pop.

While Fireboy DML is on the main FIFA 2021 soundtrack and playlist, his compatriots Kah-Lo (Exit Sign), Nnena (Work it Out) and Rema and Rvssian (Beamer) settle for a place on FIFA Volta (Ultimate) soundtrack.

Other prominent stars who feature on the FIFA 21 soundtrack include the likes of Tame Impala, Dua Lipa, LA Priest and Glass Animals.

The selection of songs now available on Spotify, Apple and Deezer replicates the tendency for FIFA soundtracks to champion fresh, eclectic talents from international waters.

In a chat with Goal, Fireboy DML is delighted with this feat which he feels would etch his name on the sands of time.

“My second studio album, ‘Apollo’ is about evolution, growth, love and the pain that comes with it. My legacy will not be forgotten,” he told Goal.

While Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has been confirmed as the global cover star of FIFA 21, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is the best player with a rating of 93 putting him ahead of Juventus and Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo, who is rated 92.

Mathare United have described the deal as “a huge facelift” for Kenyan football after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced a sponsorship package with StarTimes.

On Tuesday, FKF President Nick Mwendwa confirmed they had signed a seven-year deal worth $1.1million dollars with the Chinese-owned Pay-TV channel to transmit live top-flight matches, national teams for both men and women, and also 30 matches in the National Super League (NSL), which is the lower-tier.

The deal according to Mwendwa, will start effectively immediately and will see StarTimes televise the upcoming friendly match between Kenya’s Harambee Stars against Zambia in Nairobi on October 11.

And on Wednesday, StarTimes officially confirmed the new partnership through their social media pages, though they could not divulge more details.

“StarTimes have acquired media and broadcast rights from FKF for the FKF Premier League for the next seven years starting with the 2020-2021 season,” the firm confirmed on their social media pages.

“The deal also includes national teams [men and women] and 30 National Super League (NSL) matches.

“StarTimes, your new home of football!”

Mathare United through CEO Jakctone Obure have welcomed the latest move by stating it will revive Kenya’s football.

“It is a very positive deal,” Obure told the club’s Twitter handle. “A step in the right direction, a facelift for our league which has endured a difficult three or four years since the last major TV deal.

“Aside from the monies that clubs will earn directly from this, the deal will also play a huge role in placing clubs at a vantage position to appeal to the cooperate market and get investors to come in with sponsorship deals.”

Obure added: “A televised league will also appeal to scouts and as such, it is a win-win on all fronts and as Mathare United, we welcome it with both hands.”

Kenyan Premier League was switched off air at the start of last season after South African-based pay-TV channel SuperSport withdrew from airing matches, citing a breach of contract.

This was after FKF under the new boss Mwendwa moved to extend the top-tier from 16 to 18 teams, a move the broadcasting corporation said was not in the contract and hence they decided to walk away.

The news also comes just a few days after FKF officially took over the running of the Kenyan league from KPL, after their term of office expired on September 24.

It is also good news for FKF, who two months ago also signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Nigerian betting firm BetKing worth Sh1.2 billion, for Kenya Premier League (KPL) and the Women Premier League.

Ross Barkley says that he has hopes of making England's Euros squad next summer after completing a move to Aston Villa.

The midfielder's loan move was confirmed on Wednesday, with Barkley joining Villa on a season-long deal.

Barkley has scored 11 goals in 86 appearances for Chelsea since joining the club from Everton, including 31 appearances last season.

However, following a busy summer of transfer dealings, Chelsea's squad is going to be tough to break into this season, with Barkley heading to Villa in search of a consistent role.

And Barkley, who has earned 33 caps for England, is hoping that more playing time could earn him a call-up for the Euros next summer.

“The last couple of years I’ve been stop-start, performing well and then being out of the team,” Barkley told Villa's official website upon completing his move.

“To come here and have the chance to play and perform regularly is a big thing for me. With the Euros at the end of the season, it’s a big target for me and hopefully I can be there.

“Dean Smith swayed me with the way he spoke to me, and it looks like it’s going to be an exciting season.”

Barkley added that his decision was also swayed by Villa captain Jack Grealish, who he says he counts as a close friend.

“We’re mates off the field and we know each other well,” Barkley said. “We’ve spoken previously and I’m looking forward to playing with him.

“I’ve spoken to him over the past couple of weeks and he’s been telling me about how good the club is and how welcomed I’d be when I came here.”

Villa have won each of their first two matches of the Premier League season and will face Liverpool this Sunday in their third match of the campaign.

Before that, though, will be a Carabao Cup clash with Stoke City on Thursday.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane has picked Kaizer Chiefs' Lebogang Manyama as his Premier Soccer League (PSL) Players’ Player of the Season for last term.

Although Manyama’s dipped in form after the restart of the season, he has still been mentioned as one of the favourites for the both the Player of the Season and the award selected by his fellow footballers.

Zwane is also a strong contender for both awards and has already been crowned the South African Football Journalist Association (Safja) Footballer of the Season.

“It is great to be the favourite [for the PSL Player of the Season]. By winning this one [Safja award] it shows that maybe it can happen. Going forward I will leave it to God,” Zwane told a Safja online press conference.

“To be honest I will vote for Lebo Manyama [for the PSL Players' Player of the Year]. He has been doing well for his team. He has been creating goals, he has been scoring crucial goals for his team, he was making his team play. He had a lot of energy, good passing and he is improving each and every game.”

Manyama scored six league goals last season and managed nine assists while Zwane struck 11 goals and eight assists.

Another Chiefs forward Nurkovic scored 13 PSL goals and six assists in his debut season in South Africa.

Manyama and Nurkovic were beaten to the Safja award by Zwane who also edged his Downs captain Hlompho Kekana and Peter Shalulile who was the star man for Highlands Park.

“To be honest they [award competitors] did well, they made the league interesting. They did well for themselves and their teams," said Zwane.

"I wish next season can be competitive like this because whenever everyone is on form, whenever every team is doing well, the league becomes interesting. It is good for the supporters, it is good for the whole country. They did well the guys."

The same line-up and a few others are expected to feature in the PSL awards list and could be joined by the likes of the league’s joint-top goal-scorer Frank Mhango of Orlando Pirates as well as AmaZulu’s Bongi Ntuli.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Katlego Mashego says life will go on for the Tshwane giants who could still win trophies following the departure of coach Pitso Mosimane.

On Wednesday, Mosimane announced his exit from Sundowns where he arrived in December 2012 to establish one of the best eras at the club.

It was a spell in which he became the most successful Premier Soccer League (PSL) coach with five league titles and also guided Sundowns to a Caf Champions League crown together with the Caf Super Cup title.

Two Nedbank Cups and as many Telkom Knockout trophies also marked Mosimane’s stint at Sundowns decorated by 11 pieces of silverware.

Mashego who worked under Mosimane at SuperSport United and later on at Sundowns believes that it is not the end of life for Sundowns and feels they can still continue from where the former South Africa coach left off.

“Sundowns will always be there. Sundowns was there before Pitso, Sundowns will be there after Pitso whether they achieve the same things after this is another question,” Mashego told Goal.

“It’s always a challenge [coaching Sundowns] but I would like to think that coaches prepare themselves when going to clubs that have ambitions, clubs that have won Cups because already the culture there is less pressure for you to win because the club itself wants to win. The club thrives in winning and playing in Africa.

“This thing [of successful coaches leaving clubs] has always been there. Pep Guardiola left Barcelona and other coaches came and won.

“Obviously we will miss Pitso. He is a big coach in Africa. He is entering probably one of the best teams in the world but you know he is going to contribute to African football. He can always take football forward and we will miss him in South Africa but he has to go out there and grow more.”

Interestingly, Mosimane is heavily touted to join Al Ahly, a team which knocked Sundowns out of this season’s Caf Champions League at the quarter-final stage.

If Mosimane takes up the Al Ahly job, he would coach two clubs in a single Champions League season.

The eight-time African champions recently parted ways with Rene Weiler and are set to take on Wydad Casablanca in the semi-final of the Champions League and the Moroccan side are also admirers of Mosimane.

“I am sure before accepting [the Al Ahly job] he would think about it, what the club offers him and he weighs all the pros and cons and makes a decision that he needs to test himself at that level,” said Mashego.

“We know Al Ahly are a big club who dominate Africa, they dominate the Egyptian League. I think it is a club he would want to build or take forward.”

In a new set of guidelines, detailing the fifth phase of unlocking following the Coronavirus pandemic, the Government of India has relaxed crowd restrictions it had imposed on sporting events. 

The previous guidelines had stated that sporting activities, including football, can resume from 21st September 2020. But the Ministry of Home Affairs also specified that only 100 spectators will be allowed to attend sporting activities, outside of containment zones. 

However, as per the new guidelines released on Wednesday, states and union territories have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons from 15th October 2020. 

But they are subject to certain relaxed conditions:

1) In closed arenas, only 50 per cent of the total capacity will be allowed. However, the maximum number of spectators will be limited at 200. All social distancing protocols including sanitising processes are mandatory. 

2) In open stadiums, the number will be fixed after taking stock of the size of the ground. Even then, the implementation of social distancing protocols is mandatory. 

The necessary 'Standard Operating Procedures' (SOP) is expected to be issued for the same by the Ministry of Home Affairs soon. 

However, international air travel of passengers continues to be restricted, unless approved by the MHA, which might be of significance for Indian clubs and their foreign signings.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had acted on the instructions of the government to pause all football activities in March earlier this year as the country entered into a lockdown.

The Indian Super League (ISL) was wrapped up before the lockdown began but the I-League had to be halted with four rounds left to play. The remaining rounds were later cancelled and Mohun Bagan, who had an unassailable lead, were declared as the champions. 

However, the I-League second division and various AIFF youth leagues were paused.

The upcoming season is expected to begin in November 2020 with the ISL and I-League set to be held in centralised venues (Goa and West Bengal respectively). The paused I-League second division is set to start on October 8, 2020. 

It must be noted that several major leagues around the world have resumed without the involvement of spectators.