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Brazilian side Pelotas are facing a fine after broadcasting monkey chants over their loudspeaker during a match against rivals Brasil de Pelotas on Saturday.

The match, which took place behind closed doors as Brazil continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, was the final game in the Gaucho state championship, with neither team having reached the play-off round.

During the game, a song was broadcast over the stadium speaker that uses the term "monkey" in reference to fans of Pelotas' rivals.

The matter has now been referred to the Rio Grande do Sul Sports Court of Justice, with Pelotas facing a points deduction and a fine of up to R$100,000 (£14,500/$19,000).

In a statement, Pelotas has blamed the matter on a third-party company the club hired as they continue to cut costs during the pandemic, saying they lacked the staff to review content prior to the match.

"As it was a game without the presence of fans, in accordance with the determinations of the right authorities, the club opted to hire a third-party sound company to present songs from our fans that should have the sole purpose of encouraging our athletes during the match," the statement read.

"Unfortunately, the contracted company also inserted, in spite of the club, provocative songs directed toward the opposing club.

"We would like to emphasize that the reproduction of songs with content provocative to the opponent was never in the contract.

"We note that, in view of the tight schedule to which the club was subjected and the reduction of its staff as a result of the financial crisis aggravated by the pandemic, we were unable to revise the content of the songs previously presented.

"We reiterate that the objective of the contract was that the songs were of exclusive incentive to our athletes. We regret the presentation of provocative songs to our traditional opponent, as we do not condone hostile and/or offensive acts to anyone.

"As a result, Esporte Clube Pelotas presents a respectful apology to the sportsmen, fans and professionals of the two clubs who felt offended and to the general public."

Jorge Molina paid for an awful penalty miss as Romelu Lukaku and Christian Eriksen sent Inter into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Getafe.

With Lukaku having opened the scoring for Inter midway through the first half, Getafe veteran Molina had the chance to restore parity with 14 minutes remaining following Diego Godin's handball.

Yet Molina fluffed his lines, hacking his effort embarrassingly wide just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute in Germany, where a one-off tie was played after the coronavirus pandemic delayed the original first leg.

A glaring miss from Lukaku moments later gave Getafe some hope, but Eriksen was on hand to extinguish any chance of a comeback and seal Inter's last-eight spot.

Samir Handanovic was called into action inside two minutes, diving to his left to keep out Nemanja Maksimovic's header, and Alessandro Bastoni's block denied Jaime Mata.

Lautaro Martinez forced David Soria into two fine saves in response, before Lukaku went one better in the 33rd minute, slamming home with a brilliant finish after latching onto Bastoni's pass.

Danilo D'Ambrosio and Godin each almost doubled Inter's lead following the restart, while Handanovic pulled off an excellent stop from Mata's header at the other end.

Getafe were handed a lifeline when the VAR spotted a handball from Godin, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to visit the pitchside monitor and then award a penalty.

But having just replaced Mata, Molina got his spot-kick horribly wrong, sending a terrible attempt a yard wide of the left-hand upright.

Lukaku should have finished things off moments later, only to send a close-range shot wide, but his miss mattered little when substitute Erisken struck from eight yards out to compound Getafe's misery.

Manchester United eased into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 7-1 aggregate defeat of LASK following Wednesday's 2-1 win in the last-16 second leg. 

Jesse Lingard cancelled out a spectacular opening goal from Philipp Wiesinger at Old Trafford before substitute Anthony Martial sealed the win with two minutes of normal time left. 

The first-leg thrashing in Austria, United's last game before the coronavirus pandemic halted the season, set the Red Devils up for a relatively comfortable return game against a side whose domestic season finished a month ago. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made nine changes from the team that ended the Premier League season with a 2-0 win at Leicester City, leading to a disjointed first-half display in which they failed to muster a shot on target. 

Andres Andrade nodded the ball off the crossbar and Marko Raguz was denied by a good Sergio Romero save, as LASK showed greater early initiative.

United's first meaningful effort on goal was a low strike from Odion Ighalo, who turned well from Juan Mata's pass but shot too close to Alexander Schlager. 

At the other end, Romero could do nothing to stop Wiesinger putting LASK ahead, the defender sending a stunning first-time strike into the top-right corner from 25 yards out. 

The lead lasted just two minutes, though, Mata sending a pass into the path of Lingard, who had plenty of time to side-foot past Schlager from inside the penalty area. 

Romero just about kept out a Dominik Reiter effort at his near post before Solskjaer handed 18-year-old Teden Mengi his senior debut at right-back. 

It was another second-half substitute, Martial, who got the winner, combining superbly with Mata before side-footing through the legs of Schlager, who was just unable to keep the shot out. 

What does it mean? United must now wake up and smell Cologne 

It would have been a truly sensational result if LASK had come back to win this tie, and Solskjaer's changed line-up was no surprise given the fatigue some of his players had shown at the end of the league season. 

This was a chance for some back-up players to stake a claim for a starting spot in the quarter-final in Cologne next Monday, when United will take on Copenhagen, who were 3-1 aggregate winners over Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir. 

For the established stars given a chance to rest, the preparation starts now. 

Lingard finding form at last 

"I lost who I was as a player and person, but I never wanted to give up," Lingard wrote on social media after scoring his first league goal of the season with practically the last kick of the final game at Leicester. 

The England international admitted to some tough self-reflection after a very difficult season, but a second goal in as many games is a sign he is beginning to find his way again. 

Left-back limitations 

Brandon Williams earned a new contract thanks to a breakthrough season for United, but his recent outings in place of the injured Luke Shaw have not been of the highest standard. 

He was defensively capable on Wednesday but, as a right-footed left-back, he simply does not offer enough of an attacking threat on the overlap down the wing. Shaw's absence for the rest of the tournament could be keenly felt. 

What's next? 

United will now prepare for the meeting with Copenhagen in Germany on August 10. As for LASK, they have three friendlies scheduled before their 2020-21 season starts in the domestic cup against Siegendorf on August 27. 

Odion Ighalo’s incredible goal scoring run finally came to an end on Wednesday against LASK, which meant the Nigerian striker could not topple a Manchester United record that has stood for 95 years.

The former Watford man had scored in each of his first four competitive starts for the Old Trafford giants, a record set by Jimmy Hanson.

Hanson achieved the feat in 1925 when he scored in consecutive starts against Hull City, Blackpool, Derby County and Aston Villa, albeit, he was forced to retire following a serious injury five years later.

Ighalo was presented with a chance to eclipse the Englishman’s record having been handed a starter’s place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad in Wednesday’s Europa League Round of 16 clash, however, he could not find the net against Valerien Ismael's men who bowed 2-1 despite taking the lead through Philipp Wiesinger.

Despite seeing every minute of action - where he accounted for just one shot on target, four dribbles and 16 passes – the 31-year-old was unable to put the ball behind goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

The former Watford man began his scoring run with a goal in United’s 5-0 victory over Club Brugge in February, before scoring twice against Derby County in the FA Cup in early March.

On his third start for Solskjaer’s team, against LASK Linz in the Europa League, he scored and contributed an assist in a 5-0 victory, before opening the scoring against Norwich in a FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Notwithstanding his immense scoring record in matches in which he’s started for Manchester United - all of which have been in cup competitions - Ighalo is yet to score in the Premier League for the Red Devils.

Following his loan move to the English side on transfer deadline day from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner became an instant hit scoring four goals in his opening seven games to become the toast of the club’s fans – which earned him a contract loan extension with the Old Trafford outfit until January 2021.

United will now prepare for the meeting with Istanbul Basaksehir-slaying Copenhagen in Germany on August 10. As for LASK, they have three friendlies scheduled before their 2020-21 season starts in the domestic cup against Siegendorf on August 27.

Neeskens Kebano has extended his contract with Fulham until the end of the 2020-21 season with the option of extending it for a further year.

The DR Congo international enjoyed a rich vein of form lately which saw him play a crucial role towards the Cottagers returning back to the Premier League.

He started off by scoring a brace and providing an assist in the penultimate game of the regular season against Sheffield Wednesday which ended 5-3. He then netted in the 1-1 draw in the final game away to Wigan Athletic.

During the first leg of play-off semis against Cardiff City, Kebano scored a wonderful freekick after Anglo-Nigerian Josh Onomah had opened proceedings, the game ending 2-0. In the return leg, the Cottagers lost 2-1 with Kebano netting again which was more than enough to progress to the final where they met Brentford and overcame them 2-1 extra-time thanks to a Joe Bryan brace.

Kebano was part of the Fulham team that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2018, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the playoff final.

“First of all, I’d like to thank the Club for giving me this opportunity to extend my contract,” Kebano said on the club website.

“It has been a long journey since we started the season, we have been playing for over a year. We’ve been working very hard which has paid off with promotion to the Premier League.

“I’m delighted for the team, the staff and the supporters, we’ve remained together which has brought us to where we are now. I have a lot of affection for this club, for the fans, so it’s natural this decision to sign a contract when this opportunity was offered to me, and I’m very happy to be here for a couple of more seasons.”

Fulham co-owner Tony Khan also expressed his delight at Kebano’s contract extension. The 28-year-old Congolese joined the west London club in 2016 from Genk and has played 89 times in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing eight assists.

“I’m so glad to announce that Fulham FC has agreed a contract extension with Neeskens Kebano,” Khan said.

“Neeskens has been at Fulham for four seasons, joining the Club in my first season as Director of Football, and he’s made great contributions for Fulham in two Premier League promotions, particularly during our great run since the restart these past several weeks, scoring five in four matches including a wonderful pair of goals in the play-off semi-final, one in each leg, to help the Club reach the Final again, where he started yesterday in our incredible win at Wembley!

“Congratulations to Neeskens, I’m so happy for him, and all of us at the Club are so grateful for his contributions to our return to the Premier League!”

Rhoda Mulaudzi and Lebohang Ramalepe made their debuts for Dinamo-BSUPC as Salimata Simpore's brace ensured a 7-2 semi-final victory over Bobruichanka despite Macklins Chinonaire's effort.

Mulaudzi and Ramalepe joined Dinamo from South African sides Polokwane FC and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on Friday and were handed their first appearances against Bobruichanka on Wednesday.

Following up on her strike in Dinamo's 5-1 first-leg win, Simpore continued from where she left off as she hit a double to seal Yuri Ivanovich's team a place in the final with a 12-3 aggregate win.

On the other hand, Nigeria striker Chinonaire, who grabbed the consolation in Bobruichanka's first-leg defeat at Dinamo, found the net once again but could not help them to upset their foes.

Despite holding a four-goal first-leg lead, the hosts maintained their verve as Anastasia Shlapakova set up Anastasia Shuppo to hand them an early lead after just six minutes in the encounter.

Yuliya Slesarchik played a fine pass through to Simpore for the latter to find the net, doubling the lead for Dinamo four minutes later but Buzinova Elena pulled one back for Bobruichanka in the 14th minute.

Two minutes from the half-time break, opening goalscorer Shuppo teed up the Burkinabe star to grab her brace and third for Dinamo.

A minute after the restart, Anastasia Popova netted the fourth for the hosts before Anastasiya Linnik scored the fifth in the 61st minute.

Linnk went on to assist Darya Stezhko for the sixth seven minutes later before Karina Olkhovik's goal off Popova's pass wrapped up the huge back-to-back wins despite Chinonaire's late strike for the visitors.

Simpore, who was in action for 56 minutes of the match, has now scored seven goals in four games of the competition, and 17 goals in 11 appearances for Dinamo this season.

Debutant Banyana defender Ramalepe lasted the duration as compatriot Mulaudzi replaced Simpore in the 56th minute, while Claudia Dabda featured for the first 45 minutes of the match.

On the other hand, Nigeria's Chinonaire featured from the start to the finish for Bobruichanka but could not save them from defeat.

The victory at Dynama-Juni Stadium means Dinamo have won all 16 matches in all competitions this season and will face holders Minsk, who edged Neman 2-0 on aggregate, in the final. 

They will seek to continue the run against Neman in their next league outing on Saturday, while Bobruichanka will aim to bounce back from their semi-final elimination at Zorka-BDU two days later. 

Ajax Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag believes new Ghanaian signing Mohammed Kudus will need time to adjust to life at the Eredivisie outfit.

Last month, the 20-year-old Ghana international joined the Dutch giants on a five-year deal from Danish outfit Nordsjaelland.

He followed Ajax's earlier Brazilian acquisition Antony, who was signed from Sao Paulo.

“Kudus is a multifunctional player, with many European top clubs behind him," ten Hag said, as reported by NL.

"He is versatile, has also played in many different positions in Denmark - as a striker, behind the striker, as a midfielder [or] on the flanks.

“He has a similar potential to what we saw in [new signing] Antony, with the important difference that he has been in Europe for some time. He also speaks fluent English.

"In terms of adjustment, he has a head start, but in both cases, it remains to be seen how much adjustment time they need."

Last season, Kudus was on the score sheet 11 times for Nordsjaelland in the Danish Super Liga before making his move to Ajax.

It was just his second season in European football after a transfer to the Wild Tigers from Ghanaian side Right to Dream Academy. He scored three goals in 26 matches in his first campaign.

"[Kudus was] one of the best talents in Denmark. He is a boy with so much quality," former Ajax scout John Steen Olsen told De Telegraaf.

“Technically very good, and very fast. I have often seen him at work with Henk Veldmate [chief scout of Ajax]. He is also very enthusiastic.

“Kudus can play in all positions in midfield anyway, but in the front, he can also play in the striker or on the right. That makes him so interesting. He looks a bit like a young Clarence Seedorf, although I don’t like comparing players with other players. Kudus is ultimately just Kudus.

“These kinds of amounts are normal nowadays. There was also a lot of interest in Kudus.”

Kudus, who scored on his international debut for Ghana last October, was linked to Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan ahead of his move to Ajax. 

SuperSport United head coach Kaitano Tembo has explained why the club extended Bongani Khumalo's stay at the three-time PSL champions.

The 33-year-old defender was recently handed a new one-year deal by Matsatsantsa after his previous contract expired at the end of June 2020.

This came as a surprise as Khumalo has seen limited game time this season having featured in only eight matches in the PSL.

Tembo explained that the former Bafana Bafana captain's contribution goes beyond making appearances on match days, with the current season set to resume this weekend. 

“We have got a really young team and I know for a fact that Bongani is a true professional," Tembo told The Citizen.

"He is someone who played in Europe, someone who looks after himself and he is exemplary to the youngsters. He has leadership qualities, he was Bafana Bafana captain."

Clayton Daniels, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Luke Fleurs are all preferred ahead of Khumalo, who has started two league matches for the Tshwane giants, while the other six appearances came as a substitute. 

Khumalo is a former Tottenham Hotspur and Preston North End defender and he is an accomplished player having won four PSL titles and also played for Bafana at the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals.

Tembo stressed the importance of having an experienced player like Khumalo in the team as he motivates and guides the youngsters.

“He will play a huge role in that regard and whenever he is called upon to take to the field he does really well and his experience shows," he added.

"When he plays, he always motivates the players around him and when he is not playing, he does the same thing from the bench and at training.

"So, he really does have an important role in our setup and that is why we decided to extend his contract." 

The current season, which was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, will be completed in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

SuperSport will resume their league campaign against Bloemfontein Celtic at Bidvest Stadium in Braamfontein, Johannesburg next week Sunday.

Matsatsantsa were drawn to play their remaining home league matches at Bidvest Stadium.

Lionel Messi will retire as a Barcelona player in "three or four years", according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has a contract at Camp Nou until the end of the 2020-21 season, but Bartomeu last month said he expects the superstar forward to sign an extension.

The 33-year-old has been linked with a return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys before hanging up his boots.

However, Bartomeu has no doubt Barca's all-time leading goalscorer will end his career with the Catalan giants, which could happen by 2023.

"It's not just me who says it. Messi says it himself, that he wants to finish his professional playing career at Barcelona and it's the only club for him," Bartomeu told beIN SPORTS.

"I don't have any doubt that when he finishes his football career in three or four years that it will be here in Barcelona.

"Messi has it very clear. He's been here since he was a kid. He knows the colours and he's a part of the club's history.

"He's the best player in the world. Not just right now, but in the history of the game. He's at Barcelona and has made clear he wants to stay here."

Another priority for Bartomeu is tying goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen down to a new contract, as his existing deal has just two years left.

"Marc is an excellent player and person, he has always shown that as a goalkeeper," said Bartomeu.

"With the current situation with Covid-19, [Ter Stegen] said, 'Let's hope everything is calmer to talk about it in the future.' But his future is to renew with Barca.

"We have a goalkeeper for many years because he is young. When everything passes, we will talk with Marc to finalise his renewal."

Despite having yet to play a game for Barca, Francisco Trincao and Pedri have been linked with exits from Camp Nou.

Trincao is reportedly a target for Leicester City, while Bayern Munich are said to have an interest in Pedri.

But Bartomeu has no plans to sell either player as Barca prepare for the future with a new generation of talent.

"Trincao and Pedri are not for sale," he said. "Young players are coming who will be the stars in a few years."

Former Fulham defender John Paintsil has exclaimed the Championship was not the level for the Cottagers after their extra-time promotion play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley on Tuesday.

Scott Parker’s charges finished the regular season in fourth place with 81 points, the same as the Bees in third but with an inferior goal difference. They were just two points shy of automatic promotion.

They saw off Cardiff City in the playoff semis 3-2 on aggregate with DR Congo international Neeskens Kebano scoring in both legs, as well as Anglo-Nigerian Joshua Onomah in the first.

It marks an immediate return to the Premier League for Fulham after they were relegated during the 2018-19 season, finishing 19th, 10 points away from safety.

“The players played well and I was delighted with how they were able to hold the lead until the final whistle. This qualification means a lot to the whole community and London”, Paintsil told Happy FM.

“Fulham is not a team that is supposed to be in the Championship, their level is the Premier League considering the laurels and achievements the club has.”

Paintsil went on to commend Parker, who played for the Cottagers between 2013 and 2017, citing his experience in the top-flight as crucial to leading the club.

“The club must get an experienced coach like Roy Hodgson but Scott Parker has played in the Premier League and so he will have the experience to guide the team in the Premier League”, he added.

Paintsil was on the books of Fulham between 2008 and 2011, playing more than 80 times, one of which included a run to the 2010 Europa League final where they lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid after extra-time.

The 39-year-old Ghanaian also had stints with Leicester City and West Ham United. He spent time in Israel as well with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, winning the Israeli Premier League with the former in 2003 and the Israel State Cup in 2006 with the latter.

Paintsil’s career winded down in South Africa with Santos and finally Maritzburg United in 2016. He was briefly assistant coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2016/2017 season.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has conceded that he is “not brave enough” to declare his side ready for the resumption of football in South Africa, as he announced goalkeeper Denis Onyango as the latest addition to his team’s injury list.

The Brazilians will mark their return to action against Bidvest Wits in a Nedbank Cup semi-final match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

But Onyango has been confirmed as having picked up an injury, together with Venezuelan forward Jose Ali Meza and Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento, to add to a list of players with fitness concerns.

“We have Ali Meza injured, the next two days will give us a chance to see if he is available. Dennis has a niggling injury also,” Mosimane told SuperSport.com.

The Downs tactician also confirmed that defender Anele Ngcongca is not training and will miss Saturday’s match, together with Keletso Makgalwa and forward Mauricio Affonso, who is still recovering while in his home country Uruguay.

Thapelo Morena is now involved in full training but Mosimane says he does not want to risk the utility player by rushing him back to action.

Apart from the Nedbank Cup, Sundowns also have nine Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches awaiting them and could be involved in a total of 11 games within a month before completing their season.

Mosimane and his charges have previously faced a similar scenario while participating in the more taxing Caf Champions League.

“There should never be a challenge with the number of games, I hear people saying, ‘no. but you are used to playing so many games in a short space of time’. And that is right, but we usually play with a base of three and a half months of playing regularly,” continued Mosimane.

“Now we don’t have that, so let’s see what happens with injuries and whether the body is ready. We have to manage the players.”

The return of football comes after five months since action was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have never had anything like this before in our lifetime, so it is a strange position for football. Because nobody has been in this space before, we don’t really know how we will deal with the issues. So for me to tell you, ‘we are ready, we know what to do, we know how we will handle this’. I am not brave enough to say that,” he added.

"There is no team spirit in the camp because we are eating over a period of two hours, most separately. This one pops in, then the other one goes out. Sometimes you are in the dining room alone. Where are your colleagues that you always eat with?”

On the league front, second-placed Sundowns are four points behind, having played a game fewer than leaders Kaizer Chiefs, whom they meet later after resuming their title bid against Orlando Pirates.

Harambee Starlets playmaker Cynthia Shilwatso has signed a three-year deal with Spanish top-flight side EDF Logrono.

The Starlet joins the European team from the Kenyan Women Premier League (KWPL) heavyweights Vihiga Queens.

Shilwatso’s move to Europe is one of the latest of a Starlets player since they won a regional trophy last year.

The forward had agreed to sign with the Spanish side earlier but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was not possible for her to link up with her new teammates.

“It has been a long wait since January and with the pandemic stalling everything, the anxiety was really getting to me,” Shilwatso is quoted by Nations Sports as saying of the move.

“But I'm happy now and my only objective now is to focus on doing my best and understanding myself as a professional on an international stage.”

Shilwatso, in an earlier interview, had welcomed her expected move then, which she said was opening a rare door for Kenyan stars.

“The chance to play in Europe doesn't happen often especially to a Kenyan player like me,” she said.

Former Vihiga United coach Alex Alumirah revealed excitement following Shilwatso’s move.

“As a coach, I always strive to do my part effectively, but the success of any player is highly dependent on themselves,” Alumirah said.

“We engage in lots of one on one discussions with them to know how best they can be helped to succeed. And honestly, that's what makes players from Vihiga Queens outstanding.

“There is no better satisfaction than seeing players that I have taught, mentored and grown with, showcase their skills to the outside world.”

Shilwatso’s teammate Elizabeth Katungwa joined IF Dalhem of Sweden a few days ago and it meant she linked up with compatriots Christine Nafula and Mary Kinuthia in the team.

Other Harambee Starlets who have already secured themselves new teams include Corazon Aquino, who joined Atletico Ourense of Portugal, Esse Akida who is currently turning out for Besiktas in Turkey and Annette Kundu, who recently signed for Lakatamia FC in Cyprus

Shilwatso made her Kenya debut at senior level during the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualification.

The Cecafa Senior Women's Challenge Cup success in Tanzania in 2019 propelled Shilwatso and her teammates to the international limelight as they lifted their maiden title.

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta says that the club will announce on Thursday that a deal has been struck to sign Alexis Sanchez from Manchester United permanently.

The Chilean has spent this season on loan with the Serie A side, scoring four goals across 29 appearances for Inter.

Sanchez was recently named to the club's Europa League squad for the final knockout round games, including Wednesday's clash with Getafe, as negotiations continued between Inter and Man Utd.

And now, Marotta says that Sanchez's stay will be extended with the club set to make the announcement shortly.

“Unofficially, we’ll make it official tomorrow morning, the player is entirely owned by Inter," Marotta said on Sky Sports. "We have a contract with him for three seasons. We believe in him, that he can be a strong part of this squad and are happy to have concluded this deal.”

The signing of Sanchez comes in the wake of some club controversy, with Antonio Conte recently stating that the club gave him and his players “zero protection” during the season.

Marrotta has since stated that the Italian manager's "work has made itself felt", with the Inter CEO reiterating on Wednesday that the club is backing Conte.

“We are all very concentrated on this evening, which is an important match. Conte gave a very clear statement yesterday and we refer you to that,” said Marotta.

“Anyone in the football world knows that these dynamics exist and we have to live with this way of doing things. This is an important evening for the future of Inter.

“The owners spoke to Conte yesterday and we all want the same thing, which is to achieve great objectives and make the fans happy.”

He added: “As I’ve said, I honestly just want to focus on this evening. In a larger analysis of a growth process and plan for a new era, with Steven Zhang taking over as president only last year too, these dynamics happen. There are also some objective results that show how we’ve developed.

“We are happy, but want to keep going, improving and reaching even higher objectives. I heard when we stepped into the stadium tonight that we are the vice-champions of Italy, and that really did take me by surprise, but that is what we are and we want to do even better next year.”

Borussia Dortmund have denied holding any transfer talks with Manchester United over Jadon Sancho, casting further doubt on a move back to England for the star winger.

The Bundesliga side also claimed that they are preparing for the 2020-21 season under the assumption that Sancho will be a part of their squad.

Sancho left Manchester City in 2017 to join up with Dortmund and has since established himself as one of Europe's top attackers.

United would likely have to part with a massive transfer fee to secure the 20-year-old England international, with Goal reporting that the German side want €120 million (£108m/$142m) for Sancho.

Such a figure would likely be far too high for United, who are prepared to move on to other targets, including Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.

Dortmund, though, have insisted that no talks have even taken place between themselves and United, which would make it even less likely that Sancho would be able to move before the season starts.

"So far, there has been no contact between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in terms of Sancho, either indirectly or through alleged intermediaries," Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke told SZ.

Dortmund are set to begin pre-season training on Monday, which is the deadline they have set to complete any move. With that date now just five days away, time is running out for any transfer to be done.

"I assume that Jadon will go to training camp on Monday and play with us for the coming season," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc added.

Though he reiterated that no offer for Sancho has arrived from United, Watzke insisted that any club potentially interested in his star man knows they would have to meet his side's asking price.

"There has never been an offer for Jadon, but we have pre-emptively given the minimum of what should be paid," Watzke added. "I don't expect any difficulties. Jadon has accepted that, he's a very pleasant, fair guy."

Sancho, who tallied 17 goals and 17 assists in the 2019-20 Bundesliga campaign as Dortmund finished in second place, has two years remaining on his contract.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has given an account of an occasion he wore the captain’s armband for the club in a 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Stoke City on January 7, 2017, which he described as a “great feeling”.

Prior to the fixture, Wolves had not won in the competition for almost six years, but goals from Helder Costa and Matt Doherty was enough to see them progress.

The West Midlands club went on to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in the fourth round before bowing out in a 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea in the fifth round.

“I was made captain that day. I gave my family the captain’s armband and my shirt. I think it might have been the only game I was captain as well for Wolves,” Ikeme said on the club website.

“So that was another special occasion, to take the captain’s armband. It’s another great feeling and another responsibility.

“I was always one of the more vocal players in the dressing room anyway, but when you’re leading the side out it gives extra importance to that.”

Wolves were playing in the Championship at that time and sealed Premier League promotion ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. Ikeme was, however, not part of the squad as he had retired due to remission from Acute Leukaemia, which he was diagnosed with in 2017.

Still speaking on the Stoke game, Ikeme stated Wolves approached the game without any fear, which was a catalyst in their strong performance, including some top saves he made.

“It was a difficult time, but we’d just started to turn a corner in the league. After what we experienced a few seasons before – being relegated from the Championship – there were little fears that could happen again,” the 34-year-old Nigerian continued.

“But we were just starting to pick it up. I think QPR away was around the same time as this game as well, and we’d just picked up a result there, which gave us a bit of momentum and said, ‘We really shouldn’t be in trouble this year.’

“We weren’t going there just to make the numbers up, or with any fear.

“It wasn’t my only good game in a Wolves shirt! But it was one of those games where I just kind of caught fire, and it didn’t stop.

“We were in the Championship at the time and Stoke were struggling in the Premier League, to be fair, but still had a lot of quality. There was a lot of quality on display that day, so it was still a tough game and a really good result for us at the time.

“It was an FA Cup game and I remember we had a decent cup run that season which I hadn’t really experienced at Wolves. It was one of those games where I just seemed to make save after save and we got the result as well, which is always important when you have a good game.”

Wolves were the only club Ikeme represented permanently during his senior career, appearing 205 times in all competitions. He did, however, spend time on loan at eight different clubs within an eight-year period.

He took the place of Nigeria’s most-capped player Vincent Enyeama in the Super Eagles side, after he announced his retirement in 2015 following a spat with then-coach boss Sunday Oliseh.

Ikeme earned nine caps, keeping six clean sheets. The three-time African champions lost just once while he was between the sticks while three matches ended in draws.

Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta has gifted Uganda custodian Denis Onyango a signed Aston Villa jersey.

Samatta, who is the captain of the Tanzania national team, gifted his counterpart, who skippers Uganda, with the jersey just a few days after his club avoided being relegated from the Premier League.

Onyango, who currently features for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, has taken to his social media pages to reveal the rare gesture from the Tanzanian striker, who signed for the Villa Park club from KRC Genk in Belgium.

“Huge thanks for the wonderful jersey all the way from Aston Villa, Birmingham, thanks a lot Bruv!!! I really appreciate it,” Onyango wrote on his Twitter page.

“Good to see you help your team survive relegation. All the best next season.”

Aston Villa kept their status in the top-flight on the final day of action after Jack Grealish’s late goal, coupled with Watford’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, handed them the result they needed.

The battle to avoid the two remaining relegation places went down to the wire as Aston Villa scored in the 84th minute, conceded a minute later, then held on for 1-1 draw at West Ham to survive.

West Ham had already secured their own Premier League place for 2020-21 with a draw at Manchester United and thus finished the season in 16th spot.

Samatta, who struggled for form since the return of football - after impressing in his early stints with goals against Bournemouth and Manchester City, signed for Aston Villa in January - and came into the side for Brazilian Wesley Moraes, who fell to injury at the start of the year.

A week ago, Samatta confirmed he will remain at Aston Villa for the new Premier League season.

“I want to thank God for giving me another chance to play in the Premier League for another season,” Samatta wrote on his social media pages.

“I also want to thank all those fans who were behind me, and kept praying for Villa to stay up so that you can see me again in the Premier League.”

Samatta scored only one goal in 14 appearances leading to reports the attacker could be granted a quick exit route from the club at the end of the season.

Samatta and Onyango both captained their national teams in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals held in Egypt, where Uganda reached the last 16 while Tanzania did not make it from the group stage.

Odion Ighalo will attempt to break a 95-year-old Manchester United record when the Red Devils take on LASK in Wednesday's Europa League Round of 16 clash billed for Old Trafford.

The Nigerian has been handed a starter’s place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad to battle Valerien Ismael's men for a place in the quarter-final.

He scored a goal in the first leg against the Austrians as the Red Devils cruised to a 5-0 win at the inside Linzer Stadium.

Should the Shanghai Shenhua loanee find the net against the Black and Whites, he would become the first player in the Old Trafford giants’ history to have scored in each of his first five competitive starts for United.

Scoring in a FA Cup quarter-final tie against Norwich City ensured that the former Super Eagles striker equalled Jimmy Hanson’s record achieved in 1925.

According to Opta, Hanson - who was forced out of football owing to a serious injury - scored in consecutive starts against Hull City, Blackpool, Derby County and Aston Villa.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on the verge of equalling Hanson’s record when he scored in three consecutive outings for the Manchester-based outfit.

Ighalo was a surprise addition to Solskjaer’s side at the end of the mid-season transfer window as cover for injured Marcus Rashford, who was sidelined with a back issue.

The Nigerian, who previously played for Premier League side Watford, impressed in his eight appearances before lockdown and the consequent postponement of football - scoring four goals in three starts - and the club extended his stay until January 2021.

Manchester City have completed the signing of Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake in a deal worth an initial £40 million ($53m).

Ake has signed a five-year deal and becomes Pep Guardiola's second major signing of the summer following the £21m ($27m) capture of Valencia winger Ferran Torres.

The deal represents a club-record transfer fee for Bournemouth, who could receive a further £1m ($1.3m) in add-ons for the Netherlands international.

Goal reported last week that the two clubs had agreed terms, and the 25-year-old has since returned from an end-of-season break to complete his medical and sign his new contract in Manchester.

Ake started his career at Chelsea, and the west London club did have a buy-back option, but it is understood that they were put off by the fee despite Frank Lampard considering him as a viable option.

“City have been the best side in England over the course of the last decade,” Ake told City's official website.

“Coming here is a dream for me. This is a top side full of world-class players. Everywhere you look in this squad there are big names with international pedigree.

“Pep is a manager admired across the world – what he’s done in the game speaks for itself. The success he’s had is unbelievable and the style of football he plays really appeals to me.

“I know I’m going to have to work hard to get into the side, but that’s what I’m here to do. I’ll do whatever I can to make an impact and help the team win silverware.”

City have been in the hunt for a new central defender since the exit of captain Vincent Kompany in June 2019. They were interested in Harry Maguire but balked at the asking price for the England international, who eventually joined Manchester United in an £80m ($97m) deal last year.

Despite Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship, Ake’s reputation has soared since he left Stamford Bridge in 2017. As well as being a homegrown player, he has experience of playing regularly in a back-three and can also provide cover at left-back.

Without Kompany last season, City's defensive options were stretched when Aymeric Laporte missed five months of the campaign with a knee injury.

Academy product Eric Garcia has emerged as Laporte's most trusted partner in the centre of defence, but Barcelona are keen to take their former youth team player back to the Camp Nou.

John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi also face an uncertain future after their form dipped this season and could be potentially offloaded in the transfer window.

Ake may not be the only defensive signing City make this summer, with the club also looking at Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Sevilla’s Diego Carlos as they try to close the gap on Liverpool having failed to mount a Premier League title challenge in 2019-20.

Along with Torres, City have already completed deals for Juventus forward Pablo Moreno, Brazilian full-back Yan Couto from Coritiba and Burkina Faso defender Issa Kabore from Mechelen.