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Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the decision for there to be no 2020 Ballon d'Or winner is "not very fair", as he feels Robert Lewandowski could have claimed the award.

France Football announced last week it would not select the world's best player this year due to a "lack of sufficient fair conditions" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The global crisis caused the sport to come to a standstill in March, although the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga were among the competitions to restart.

France's Ligue 1 was one of the leagues that were not completed, however, playing into the decision not to go ahead with the award.

Lewandowski has scored 51 goals in all competitions in the best season of his career, helping Bayern to win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, while a treble bid remains very much alive in the Champions League.

Rummenigge thinks he would have been a worthy Ballon d'Or winner.

"I believe Robert Lewandowski is playing a fantastic season and he performed maybe the best season in his career," Rummenigge told a news conference on Monday.

"Unfortunately, France Football cancelled the Ballon d'Or, which we are not very happy [about]. In the end, it's not very fair - not just for Bayern but also for Robert Lewandowski, who might have won.

"I believe it's very important that in a season that, except the French league, [were] performed through to the end of the season, it has to be possible to give the Ballon d'Or to the best footballer in the world.

"Of course, I believe, in those circumstances, Robert would have a good chance to win it for the first time in his career."

Bayern coach Hansi Flick agrees that Lewandowski would be in contention this year.

"If I measure for goals now and I see that he has scored 34 goals in the Bundesliga this year, then you can think about how a player from the Bundesliga can become the Ballon d'Or winner. So why not?” Flick said earlier this month.

“He has laid all the groundwork with this achievement this year and I would wish him well."

Lewandowski has never been in the top three at the annual awards, but was fourth in 2015 after an excellent first season at Bayern.

Barcelona great Lionel Messi won the 2019 Ballon d'Or for a record sixth time.

Roma defensive midfielder Amadou Diawara says the extended game time he’s had on the pitch of late is giving him a lot of confidence having spent the bulk of 2020 injured.

The 23-year-old Guinean suffered a meniscal injury in January which kept him out of action until the Serie A was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, since resumption in June, Diawara has only failed to feature once as an unused substitute in a 2-1 defeat by Napoli while he has played up to 60 minutes on six occasions, completing 90 minutes in a 3-0 win at Brescia and providing an assist for Aleksandar Kolarov’s goal in the 6-1 bashing of relegated-SPAL. It was his first-ever goal involvement for Roma

“The injury and the break didn't help me, but now I'm playing more and I have more confidence,” Diawara told Roma TV.

“I can play more games and I have to continue like this."

Diawara played 77 minutes in the 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Sunday and he and described the victory as “really important” particularly as it made them hold their grip on fifth spot for Europa League qualification with two games left to end the season.

The Giallorossi’s fortunes have improved after going on a three-game losing streak having resumed with a 2-1 win against Sampdoria.

They have won five of their last six matches, the 2-2 draw at home against Inter Milan the only blemish.

“It’s a really important win, we are doing well and we want to make sure this continues,” Diawara continued.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, Fiorentina are a good side. But we prepared for the game well and we did on the pitch what the coach asked us to do produce.

“Physically we are better, we’ve found a bit more consistency in recent games. After the lockdown it wasn’t easy to rediscover our best but now we are in good form and want to continue on this path.”

Diawara has also credited a switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation as a reason for the Italian capital outfit’s improved form.

“This formation helps us a lot,” he said.

“We leave fewer opportunities for counter-attacks and in front of us we have so many men and so many passing options. The change in system has really helped.”

Diawara joined Roma from Napoli last summer and has played 29 times in all competitions, 21 of them in the Serie A and five in the Europa League.

He was also affected by the meniscal injury in the first half of the campaign which saw him miss seven competitive matches and an unused substitute four times.  

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he felt like he was like coming face to face with the Pope when he met Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Reds boss was presented with the Sir Alex Ferguson trophy on Monday after he was voted Premier League Manager of the Year by the League Managers Association.

Klopp was honoured with the award after guiding Liverpool to a first top-flight title in 30 years, finishing 18 points ahead of nearest challengers Manchester City.

Legendary former Manchester United manager Ferguson sang the German manager’s praises as the award was announced, and revealed that he got a surprise phone call from him after they won the league this season.

"I'll forgive you for waking me up at 3.30am to tell me you have won the league!" Ferguson added at the end of his tribute. "Thank you, but anyway, you thoroughly deserved it. Well done."

Klopp was happy to put club rivalries aside and reveal how much he admires the Scottish manager, who he first met in the early stages of his coaching career.

"I know it's not 100 per cent appropriate as a Liverpool manager but I admire him," Klopp said after winning the LMA award.

"I remember he was the first British manager I met. We had breakfast. I'm not sure how much he remembers but I remember because for me this moment was like meeting the Pope.

“It was absolutely great and from that first season we clicked.

"I didn't think at this moment I would have a trophy in my hands named after him."

Ferguson spent 27 years in charge of United before his retirement in 2013. He guided the Old Trafford club to 13 Premier League and two Champions League titles among a host of other trophies.

Klopp, meanwhile, has spent almost five years at Liverpool, having joined after a successful spell at Borussia Dortmund in which he won two Bundesliga titles and reached a Champions League final.

The 53-year-old guided the Anfield side to the European crown last season, followed by the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup before they sealed the domestic title.

Goals from Josh Onomah and Neeskens Kebano put Fulham in the driving seat to make it into the Championship promotion play-off final after they edged past Cardiff City 2-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals on Monday night.

The Cottagers finished fourth during the regular season, missing out on automatic promotion after they drew at already-relegated Wigan Athletic 1-1 on the final day.

For the Bluebirds, they defeated another relegated side in Hull City 3-0 to finish in fifth spot, ahead of their Welsh rivals Swansea City who beat Brentford in Sunday’s first semi-final courtesy of Andre Ayew’s fine 80th-minute strike.

Things were quiet in the first half at the Cardiff City Stadium, but it did not take too long for life to come in the second half with Onomah getting the opener in the 49th minute.

The 23-year-old Anglo-Nigerian midfielder held off his marker on the edge of the box and went past two challenges inside the penalty area before cooling slotting the ball past Alex Smithies in goal.

Scott Parker’s men were in control from there on but still had one more say from Kebano who drilled in a powerful free-kick in stoppage time to ensure the west Londoners take a healthy lead into the second leg on Thursday.

Onomah played the entire 90 minutes, having 60 touches, 32 accurate passes at 86%, three key passes, two shots on target and four successful dribbles from six.

He joined from Tottenham Hotspur last summer and has now played a total of 32 times, scoring four goals and providing three assists, none of those games ending in defeat.

Kebano meanwhile had a total of four shots, his goal the only one on target, 49 touches, 25 accurate passes at 83%, two successful dribbles from two attempts and winning five of seven ground duels.

The DR Congo international was taken off for Denis Odoi shortly after his goal.

Kebano has now scored in three consecutive games having scored in none during the course of the season before then.

He first scored a brace in a 5-3 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the penultimate game of the regular season before netting the equaliser against Wigan.

The 27-year-old has been blighted by injury problems this term which has limited him to just 17 appearances in the English second tier.

FIFA 21 will be available to fans in October 2020 and avid gamers can already pre-order their copy online so that they will get their hands on it as soon as it drops.

EA Sports released a teaser trailer to give a glimpse of what's in store on the latest instalment of the franchise and we know that there will be three editions available to buy: Standard, Champions and Ultimate.

Contents

What is the FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition?

The Ultimate Edition of FIFA 21 is a special version of the game that is jam-packed with new features and perks, such as more FUT packs.

It is one of three editions of FIFA 21, along with the standard edition and the Champions Edition.

The edition takes its name from the popular FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT).

While the basic game is the same across the three editions, each will have its own bespoke imagery with Kylian Mbappe as the cover star.

How much does the FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition?

FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition can be pre-ordered for £89.99 in the UK or $99.99 in the US.

Early Access subscribers can get it at a discounted price of £81.99 in the UK or $89.99 in the US - 10 per cent off.

The Ultimate Edition is £30 more expensive than the standard edition in the UK, which costs £59.99 and $40 more than the standard edition in the US, which costs $59.99.

When and how can I pre-order FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition?

You can pre-order the FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition right now .

Click on the relevant console for more details on pre-ordering.

What features does the FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition have?

If you purchase the Ultimate Edition of FIFA 21, you will receive the following perks:

Ultimate Edition features

FIFA 21 Ultimate Edition is a bit pricer than the Standard Edition and the Champions Edition, but will appeal to those who enjoy playing Ultimate Team.

Mbappe will grace the cover of the Ultimate Edition, in addition to the Standard and Champions Editions - a change from earlier FIFA traditions in which each version had a different star.

How do the FIFA 21 editions compare?

You can see a breakdown of what each edition offers in the table above.

Pierre-Francois Aubameyang took to social media to celebrate his son, Pierre-Emerick who ended the 2019-20 Premier League season with a brace for Arsenal in their 3-2 win over Watford on Sunday.

Aubameyang ended the English top-flight campaign with 22 goals after 36 outings, the same number of the goals he scored for the Emirates Stadium outfit in his first full campaign in England.

He narrowly missed the chance to retain the Golden Boot he shared with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the 2018-19, as Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy clinched it with 23 goals this season.

The 31-year-old was involved in all of Arsenal's goals against Watford on Sunday, scoring a first-half brace and also assisting Kieran Tierney in opening his goal account for the Gunners.

Aubameyang’s father, who featured majorly for French clubs including Toulouse, Nice and Le Havre during his playing career, commented on his son's future and disclosed that there is a decision to be made.

“My son, who wouldn’t be proud to have a son like you. Bravo, bravo, bravo,” his father, Pierre-Francois wrote on Instagram.

“You really are a scorer. Every season you respond with your efficiency, last season 22 goals, this season 22 goals.

“I can only congratulate you and tell you once again my pride.

“We must make the right decision for the rest of your career.

“They speak a lot in the press, they do not know that we are Bantu and that there is a hierarchy, the decision is taken after the advice of the wise man who is your father.

“We will be set very soon, sleep peacefully my son, your father watches the grains. I love you.”

Aubameyang who joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, has entered the final year of his deal at the club.

There are reports that the Gunners are working to renew the forward’s contract, or they risk losing him as a free agent in June 2021.

Southampton chief executive officer Martin Semmens has confirmed the club "are in the process" of wrapping up a deal for Real Valladolid centre-back Mohammed Salisu.

In just his first season of senior football, the Ghanaian made headlines in La Liga with a streak of fine 2019-20 performances which attracted the interest of a host of top European clubs.

At the end, Saints and French side Stade Rennais went head-to-head for his signature but speculation suggested there was also initial interest from the likes of Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Reports in the last few days said Southampton have secured the signature of the 21-year-old following a successful medical, with an official announcement imminent.

"Most of the stuff you see on social media isn’t always true," Semmens told BBC Radio Solent.

"This one probably has a bit more truth to it. It has been very clearly documented, to my surprise, exactly what has been happening.

"He is a player we have looked at for a long time, a really high-quality young player in Europe who would really add something to our squad.

"We are in a process and we hope that we are lucky enough to get him. We are very aware that some of the biggest and best clubs in Europe have looked for him.

"We offer him something different, which is a pathway to get better, physically, and technically playing in the first team in the Premier League.

"We hope that opportunity and the pathway we have shown for other players will attract him here, but we’ll know more soon.

"It would be truthful to say that we have had that discussion. These things are complicated, but it is fair to say to everyone that he is one we are looking very closely at."

Last season, Salisu made 31 La Liga appearances for Valladolid, starting 30 of the games.

He scored his only goal in a 2-0 triumph over Eibar last October.

The left-footed man's fine club performance earned him a maiden Ghana invitation for a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November, but he later withdrew from the squad due to injury. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it is an “honour” to be given the League Managers Association Manager of the Year award.

Klopp guided Liverpool to the Premier League title this season, finishing 18 points ahead of nearest challengers Manchester City.

It is the club’s first domestic crown in 30 years and the German’s work this term has been celebrated by his peers.

Klopp said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be named the winner of the League Managers Association Manager of the Year Award for this wonderful Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy, named after a man that I admire so much. It feels extra special to win this award because it is voted for by my fellow managers.

“It’s an honour to be in the company of so many managers who have been named as LMA Manager of the Year before, including of course Liverpool managers like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Sir Kenny Dalglish and, in recent years, Brendan Rodgers.

“Everything we have accomplished at Liverpool this year couldn’t have been done without the superb input of my coaching staff; they make us a really special bunch of football brains.

“I love to work with my coaches, my players and everyone at LFC and, of course, I am thankful for the support from all our wonderful Liverpool fans.”

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise on the 53-year-old, saying he has stamped his personality on the Anfield side, having guided them to Champions League success last year before achieving further glory.

“Congratulations Jurgen! You have done an absolutely fantastic job. You thoroughly deserve to be named LMA Manager of the Year 2019/2020,” he said.

“Your personality runs right through the whole of your club and the performance level of you and your team has been outstanding.”

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson added: “We are delighted to be recognising Jurgen’s achievements at the end of this extraordinary season.

“The trophy has been presented to a man with an excellent track record who quite rightfully takes his place amongst the iconic previous award winners.

“Jurgen has lived up to his reputation as an exceptional coach in the game and has created an outstanding team to secure Liverpool’s first top-flight triumph for 30 years."

While Klopp won the Premier League award, Marcelo Bielsa was named the Championship manager of the year after guiding Leeds to first place and sealing their return to the top-flight.

After winning the division with Chelsea, Emma Hayes won the Women’s Super League award.

Salimata Simpore netted twice for Dinamo-BSUPC as they defeated Zorka-BSU 3-1 in the Belarusian Women's League game on Monday.

Simpore is fast becoming a fans' favourites in Belarus, having scored her 13th goal in 12 matches in a 5-1 Belarusian Women's Cup semi-final first-leg win over Bobruichanka on July 17.

The meeting between the teams was the fourth this season, with the league leaders claiming victories in all three previous occasions, including the Belarusian Women's Cup quarter-final duels.

In those earlier three matches with Zorka, the Burkina Faso international found the net to ensure her side's triumphs over the last season's runners-up in all competitions this term. 

In Best, neither team could find a breakthrough in the game until Dinamo won a penalty, which Moldovan goalkeeper Natalia Munteanu converted to put the visitors ahead just before half-time.

On resuming the match, Hanna Pilipenko played Simpore through to double the lead four minutes after the restart before Anastasia Shuppo set up the Burkinabe striker for the third two minutes later.

However, Diana Bakum, who replaced Paulina Girchits in the 66th minute, struck six minutes from time for the hosts but could not see them escape their fourth defeat of the season to Dinamo. 

Simpore, who was in action for the 85 minutes, has now scored 10 goals in 10 games of the competition, and 15 overall in 13 appearances in all competitions for Dinamo this season.

Cameroon's Claudia Dabda was not dressed for the encounter, while South Africa's Bambanani Mbane missed out due to injury.

The victory at Brjestkoj Oblasti Stadiummeans Dinamo have won all 15 matches in all competitions this season and also hold a six-point lead at the top of the log with 36 points from 12 matches. 

They will visit Women's Cup semi-final foes Bobruichanka in their next league outing at Alexander Prokopenko Stadium on August 2.
 

Adam Lallana has officially joined Brighton with the England midfielder completing his move on Monday.

Lallana's contract with Liverpool officially ended this past weekend as the Reds defeated Newcastle 3-1 in the final game of the Premier League season.

With the expiration of his Liverpool deal, Lallana became a free agent as he ended a six-year stay at Anfield that included a Champions League triumph and a Premier League title.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who has earned 34 senior caps for England, has now joined Brighton on a three-year deal.

Lallana, who will take the No. 14 shirt with Brighton, has made 196 Premier League appearances for Liverpool and Southampton, scoring 30 goals while providing 28 assists.

The midfielder had previously been linked to the likes of Leicester and his former club Southampton.

“I cant wait to get started,” Lallana said. “It’s a breath of fresh air coming here – having my medical, everything is new. It’s a challenge I am looking forward to.

“The whole infrastructure and ambition around the club excites me. There is so much young talent and so much ability.

“The manager is highly regarded and it was a pretty easy choice for me in the end, especially knowing how much Brighton have reached out. It’s nice to know that you’re wanted – I think it’s a perfect match.”

He added: “Brighton are on an upward curve. I have played against them a lot, and remember seven or eight years ago when Southampton and Brighton were both in League One, so they have been progressing for years now.

“I think we’re at the stage here where we can really push on in the Premier League. I have got a lot of experience playing in the Premier League and at a high level – I know what’s required and how we can improve. If I can help just a little bit in that journey to improve Brighton as a whole, and as a squad, then I will be very happy.”

Brighton has been in the Premier League since achieving promotion in 2016-17, finishing 15th and 17th in the club's first two seasons back in the top flight.

This season, Brighton finished in 15th place once again, concluding the season seven points clear of the relegation zone.

"There is no doubting Adam’s quality, and if you look at his footballing CV his ability is clear for everyone to see," said manager Graham Potter.

“He has played at the very highest level, for both club and country, and achieved great things. He has a wealth of experience alongside his technical quality.

“The honours he won during his time at Liverpool, and the high regard in which he is held at Anfield, only further underline his ability and character.

“Adam is a really exciting signing for us, someone I am sure the supporters will be really looking forward to seeing play as and when things are able to begin to return to normal.

“To have both his experience and quality out on the pitch will be a great addition for us, and I know he will be an excellent role model for our younger players in the squad.

“I am really looking forward to working with him when we return for pre-season training in a few weeks.”

The South African Football Association (Safa) has welcomed the PSL's decision to resume and conclude the 2019-20 season. 

On Monday, the league announced the season will return on August 8 with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals taking the centre stage before the league matches can resume on August 12.  

Mamelodi Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic, Bidvest Wits and Baroka FC are the four teams still in with a chance to win this year's Nedbank Cup. 

The four teams will be expected to go into the bio-bubble on August 7 provided they comply with all the stringent measures put in place by the Joint Liaison Committee and government.  

Gauteng is the province that will stage all the games, with 14 stadiums earmarked as training venues while 11 stadiums will be used as venues for competitive matches.  

Safa president Danny Jordaan thanked PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza and his board of governors for finally putting the matter to bed. 

"I would like to thank the NSL chairman and the entire BoGs for helping put this matter to rest," Jordaan told the association's website.  

Jordaan said the country will now get the chance to witness a fair conclusion to the season.  

"We will now witness the ultimate and fair conclusion to the current and unique season and I am sure the football-loving fans can’t wait for football to resume again," continued the country's FA boss. 

After rejecting the league's proposed return date of July 18 due to the unavailability of match officials, Jordaan said everyone will be ready when football returns. 

"The match officials are getting into peak fitness and come August 8, it will be all systems go," concluded Jordaan.

The league is expected to finalise every little detail that has to do with the return of football in the next 72 hours. 

However, Khoza said in his press conference that there will be no need to reshuffle the fixtures - meaning the season will resume where it ended when all sporting activities got suspended in mid-March. 

There are 54 PSL matches, 44 NFD and three Nedbank Cup games that have to be completed before the season can officially be completed.  

Nigeria's Francisca Ordega has been forced to postpone her return to China due to the flights ban while Zambia's Barbra Banda reunited with Shanghai this week.

Ordega and Banda were missing when the Chinese Women's Super League club resumed training for the first time in June following more than two months of inactivity due to the coronavirus.

The African duo were last part of the Shanghai set up during a preseason tour in Portugal, where they trained before the world went into lockdown in March following the global health crisis.

On March 26, Chinese authorities announced the suspension of entry of foreigners into the country from March 28, 2020, which forced the Nigerian and Zambian to return to their countries.

Since the lockdown eased in June, Goal understands the foreigners, who were issued visas after March 28, are now free to enter China, which means they are expected to obtain new visas. 

Banda, who completed her move to the Chinese outfit from Spanish side Logrono in February, breathed a sigh of relief after the Zambia government lifted the ban on international flights on June 26.

Having accessed a fresh entry visa, the 20-year-old, who has been in Lusaka since inspiring Zambia to a maiden Olympic Games qualification in March, left the country for China at the weekend.

For Ordega, who helped the Chinese side to a runners-up spot last season, will have to wait for a little longer with the ban on international entries still in force, despite resuming local flights this month. 

Besides Ordega, other restricted Africans plying their trade in China include Ghana's Elizabeth Addo of Jiangsu Suning, Nigeria's duo Onome Ebi and Chiwendu Ihezuo of Henan Huishang.

With the unavailability of Ordega, Shanghai will have to rely on Banda when they begin their domestic campaign in the 2020 Chinese Women's Football Championship in August. 

Ordega was also on international duty with Nigeria when Shanghai bowed 6-2 on aggregate to Addo and Chawinga's Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Women's FA Cup semi-final defeat last year.

Without the Nigerian's services, Shanghai will hope to clinch the trophy this time, having finished fifth after a 2-1 play-off win over Wuhan last season.

Lille president Gerard Lopez has revealed that they are still receiving offers for Nigerian sensation Victor Osimhen even as a move to Napoli is nearing ever closer.

The 21-year-old has been one of the most talked-about players in the transfer market, with the Partenopei looking to acquire his services in a deal in the region of €60 - 80 million, as they look to improve under coach Gennaro Gattuso.

It was recently reported that Osimhen had changed his agent because of the cordial relationship between Lopez and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, and didn’t want anything standing in the way of a move to the San Paolo.

The former Wolfsburg and Charleroi man scored 18 goals in 38 competitive outings for Lille last season.

“The player decided to change agents in the middle of the negotiations. We had to start all over again,” Lopez told L’Equipe as reported by Le10Sport.

“The player has made his choice, Napoli. Its advanced, details are missing. It will be announced when the time comes. As it's not yet official, we continue to have other offers. I want to keep good relations with these clubs too.

“So, I manage their expectations. It is a transfer which is not linear. The market in France opened before closing [until August 15]. In Italy, the transfer window opens in September. So, you need a multitude of contracts to cover all eventualities.”

Lopez went on to admit that Osimhen’s departure will force a shakeup in the team’s attack while the club is not known to buy established players, but rather prospects like the Super Eagles forward.

As such, the Spanish businessman believes the club’s strong scouting network will come in handy.

He also insists they have no excuse not to knock oil-rich Paris Saint-Germain off their perch and challenge for the Ligue 1 title, having narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification by just a single point and position.

“His [Osimhen’s imminent] departure in itself, no [is no disaster]. But for the reconstruction of the attack line, yes,” Lopez continued.

“There is an approach led by [Lille sporting director] Luis [Campos] who offers [Lille head coach] Christophe Galtier players.

“Where some people get it wrong is when we see specific names coming out they think they will necessarily sign. Even if we are interested in a player, it is only in combination with others. It's more complex than selling a player and then finding a replacement.

“Strength is the system and the quality of our scouting process. We will have no excuse not to fight for the top of the table.

"We don't have a big budget to look elsewhere. We will remain humble and we will find talent.”

Barcelona midfielder Arthur has told the club he does not want to play for them anymore as the midfielder refuses to return from Brazil, Goal understands.

The Brazil international will join Juventus this summer after a deal worth €72 million (£66m/$81m) plus up to €10m in bonuses was agreed in June, but his contract with Barcelona will run until the Champions League campaign is over.

Coach Quique Setien gave his players a break after their second-place finish in La Liga and the 23-year-old took the opportunity to return to his homeland.

He was expected back to undergo tests for Covid-19 this week and begin preparations for the second leg of the last-16 against Napoli on August 8, but he has notified the club that he will not return.

Barca have warned Arthur that he will be violating his contract and will face fines for his conduct, but he is standing firm and refuses to represent Quique Setien’s side again.

Arthur moved to Camp Nou from Gremio in a €40 million (£35m/$47m) deal in 2018. He has made 72 appearances in all competitions, 28 in 2019-20.

His playing time this season was limited by injury until he was dropped altogether, with his last appearance being a four-minute cameo against Celta Vigo in late June.

Two days after that match and the day Barca confirmed they had reached an agreement with Juventus, Arthur insisted he would give his all for the club for the remainder of the season.

“I know I'm going to belong to a big club; many challenges await us before we can be together with the Bianconeri,” he posted on social media.

"Now I'm focused on the present, we have important goals in Barcelona and I will continue to the end giving everything, for my teammates and all the fans.”

His absence could pose problems for coach Setien, who will already be without Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal for the match against Napoli due to suspension.

While Arthur will head to Juventus ahead of next season, Bosnia-Herzegovina international midfielder Miralem Pjanic will move in the opposite direction in a €60m (£55m/$67m) deal.

Mwinyi Zahera has hit out on Luc Eymael for the demeaning remarks made against Yanga SC fans, at the same time stating the tactician will struggle to get a $2000 salary in Europe.

The Belgian was fired by the 27-time champions on Monday after calling the fans monkeys and dogs and the Congolese coach is hurt and angered by the comments.

"[Eymael] is lucky to get $6000 [at Yanga] when he cannot get even $2000 in Europe," Zahera told Mwanaspoti.

"He cannot get such amount then come to Africa and start abusing people; he has made me mad, it has hurt me.

"Team officials should be careful when they hire coaches [from abroad] because they get a lot of money in Africa. In Congo, we were let to run our teams because we have the qualifications needed for the same."

The former Wananchi coach has also commented on the issue of coaching which the Belgian also commented on.

"I keenly follow the [Tanzania Mainland League] from Europe [in France] where Eymael usually complains about officiating," Zahera added.

"However, I am aware that [Tanzania Football Federation] (TFF) looked out those referees who are performing poorly; they are not officiating."

The Belgian commented on the demeaning remarks he made after his team dropped points against Mtibwa Sugar.

"On Wednesday, I was very frustrated after the game...I was disappointed with the direction of the fans," Eymael told Goal.

"I didn't go for the interview, just went straight to my hotel. All people were calling me [names] but I did not want to respond.

"Then there is this one guy from Simba who kept harassing me, and I reacted."

On firing the former AFC Leopards coach, Yanga maintained their core values demand respect for humanity, which they claim Eymael failed to adhere to.

"Owing to those unsporting remarks, Yanga management has decided to fire [Luc] Eymael effective today, Monday, July 27 and will ensure he leaves the country as soon as possible," the record Mainland Premier League side said as they parted ways with the Belgian.

"The management apologises to the country's leaders, Tanzania Football Federation, members, Yanga fans and the citizens in general for the disgusting and demeaning remarks by coach Luc Eymael.

"Yanga SC value and believe in pillars of discipline and humanity, and are against any form of racism."

Hartford Athletic manager Radhi Jaidi has revelled in his side’s 3-2 victory over Philadelphia Union II in Saturday’s USL Championship encounter.

Trailing by two goals in the first 16 minutes of the encounter, Jaidi’s men bounced back to secure maximum points at the Dillon Stadium.

The visitors took the lead after four minutes when Yomi Scintu - a German footballer of Italian and Congolese descent - buried the ball past goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda after a pass across the backline was missed by Kevin Politz.

Axel Picazo then doubled the lead for the hosts 12 minutes later.

That goal woke the hosts from their slumber and Gabriel Torres pulled one back for Hartford in the 39th minute after hitting a powerful shot over Ben Martino.

A brilliant effort from Mads Jorgensen off Danny Flores’ assist went just under a diving Martino, following a poor clearance by Union II from their own box, to level scores two minutes before the half-time break.

Victory was sealed in the 53rd-minute when Ever Guzman converted a Danny Barrera pass that left goalkeeper Martino stranded.

Thanks to this victory, Hartford have now won their first three games of the new season to lead the Eastern Conference log with nine points.

Delighted by this latest triumph, the Tunisia legend went on social media to express his excitement with his team’s impressive form.

“I thank our fans who encouraged us throughout the match. We will try to continue in the same way to make them happy and improve the team.”

Hartford Athletic will face Indy Eleven in their next outing on Thursday at the Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

Jaidi was previously a player with Southampton, featuring 66 times between 2009 and 2012, when he hung up his boots.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has warned non-members from conducting county association elections which are not approved.

The FKF’s statement comes barely a day after the Sports Registrar Rose Wasike gave Mombasa County the green light to hold FKF county polls after they moved to comply with the 2013 Sports Act.

“Football Kenya Federation national office has learnt of plans by a small section of non-FKF members to carry out Football Association elections, with the main aim of occasioning confusion and anarchy in the management and running of football, especially at the grassroots level,” read a letter signed by FKF general-secretary Barry Otieno and obtained by Goal.

“Further, the national office has also learnt with a lot of concern of the continued use of FKF logo by the said non-members in their correspondences and has written to both Fifa and the Registrar of Sports with regard to the same as both the FKF emblem and logo are registered trademarks that should not be exploited without prior consent from the federation.

“In light of the aforementioned, and in view of the existing FKF regulations and statutes pertaining to how FKF elections should be called and conducted, the national office wishes to advise all members to refrain from taking part in the purported elections being organised by non-members.”

Otieno further stated the willingness of the federation to conduct the national elections when the situation allows.

“The federation, in consultation with Fifa, will at an opportune time and dependent on the Covid-19 situation in the country, inform the members of the FKF elections roadmap,” the letter added.

“Even so, the federation wishes to remind all members of their obligations to both the FKF and Fifa statutes and the need to adhere to the same while engaging in the aforementioned matter.

“The federation will continue to monitor the situation, with the option of taking the next steps should these exercises infringe on the rights of any member.”

Mombasa, according to Wasike, becomes the first county to be cleared after meeting the election demands made by her office.

“I hereby certify that on this day I have registered Mombasa County Football Association as a County sports association under section 45 of the Sports Act 2013 (revised edition 2013) with the following conditions,” she said.

FKF presidential aspirant Twaha Mbarak confirmed the Mombasa elections will be held on August 15.

“There shall be eight positions to be contested – chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, vice-secretary, treasurer, vice-treasurer, women representative and youth representative,” said Mbarak.

The FKF has been unable to hold its elections given the legal hurdles that have been placed on its path by the dissatisfied members and contestants.

The Premier League season came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday, and the fates of Africa’s biggest stars in the world’s greatest league is one of the hot topics discussed on African Football HQ this week.

There were heroics at Aston Villa, as they survived relegation with a 1-1 draw with West Ham United in a cagey encounter at the London Stadium.

Egypt’s Trezeguet didn’t do too much on the day, but he’s rightly been praised by Malek Shafei, who believes the wideman’s end-of-season form makes his maiden campaign in England a success.

The same can’t be said for Ismaila Sarr as he drops into the Championship with Watford, but surely the Senegal wideman won’t be sticking around in the second tier for long.

Ed Dove believes that he could be a good fit at one of the Premier League’s bigger sides, but is he really ready for the likes of Manchester United or Liverpool?

Dominic Solanke also fell short with Bournemouth, while higher up the table, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho missed out on Champions League qualification, as Leicester City were defeated by Odion Ighalo’s Manchester United.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal ended the season with a victory, and the Gabon international netted twice, but he still missed out on retaining his Golden Boot as the division’s top scorer.

Can he look back on a successful year?

Other strikers in the headlines this week are Victor Osimhen and Asamoah Gyan, both of whom appear to be on the move.

The former looks to be on the brink of a big-money move to Napoli, and Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has tipped the youngster to emulate or even surpass Diego Maradona’s impact in Naples.

Is this a wise forecast by the NFF President, or could his words heap unenviable pressure on young Osimhen?

Elsewhere, Gyan could be following in Florent Malouda’s footsteps by signing for Wadi Degla, but what exactly awaits him in Egypt?

One transfer that looks unlikely to go ahead is Yaya Toure’s rumoured switch to Leyton Orient, after the Ivorian legend was pictured training with the O’s.

It certainly would be a fantasy deal, but according to the West African great’s agent, he’s only training with the East London club before seeking a move abroad.

Could the Brisbane Road minnows convince the Manchester City great to extend his stay in East London?