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Norwich are one of many clubs to have registered an interest in taking Chelsea's Billy Gilmour on loan next season, Goal can confirm.

The recently-promoted Premier League side are looking to bolster their ranks with the 20-year-old midfielder, who excelled in his solitary appearance at Euro 2020.

There are thought to be more Premier League sides and some from overseas interested in the Scotland international but the Blues have yet to decide whether or not the club will allow him to move away.

What will it take for Gilmour to go on loan?

Thomas Tuchel has previously expressed his admiration for Gilmour's talents and blocked his potential loan deal to Southampton in the January transfer window.

However, Chelsea will now have more time to sign players and could look for a central midfielder in the summer. Their long-term target is West Ham's Declan Rice.

Either a move for another midfielder or the return of a loanee from last season to the squad, with Ethan Ampadu and Conor Gallagher among many pushing for a recall, could allow Gilmour to earn experience on loan.

Gilmour started just five games under Tuchel after he arrived towards the end of January, replacing Frank Lampard, who gave the former Rangers youngster his break at Stamford Bridge.

In the long term, the Blues believe Gilmour will break through and become a first-team regular.

What's happening at Norwich City?

Daniel Farke's side finished top of the Championship last season to secure promotion at their first attempt having been relegated from the top flight in the 2019-20 season.

They lost EFL Player of the Season Emi Buendia to Aston Villa in a £35 million ($50m) with add-ons move at the start of the transfer window, with Arsenal having also attempted to sign him.

They have added winger Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen, Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn and youngster Kenny Coker from Southend United.

Further reading

Royal AM CEO Sinky Mnisi says they turned up at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday but did not enter the pitch after a Gauteng High Court judge confirmed just before kick-off that they are the National First Division champions.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit was scheduled to play Chippa United in their opening Premier Soccer League promotion/relegation play-offs game but left the stadium 15 minutes before the match was set to start.

Royal AM are locked in a legal wrangle against Judge Roland Sutherland’s ruling that Sekhukhune United are the 2020/21 National First Division champions.    

They contest that the play-offs should be stopped as per the June 14 ruling by Judge Nyathi AJ of the Gauteng High Court, which ruled that matches should be called off. 

But on June 18, Judge Sutherland insisted that the KwaZulu-Natal side should proceed to participate in the play-offs as Judge Nyathi’s order no longer applies.  

Royal AM, however, insist that they are sticking to Judge Nyathi’s ruling after he confirmed to them again that they are the NFD champions, while they were at Chatsworth just before meeting Chippa on Tuesday.

“Our legal advisors told us to be there [at the stadium] as the team and wait for the legal judgement from Judge Nyathi AJ‚ and that judgement actually confirmed that we are top of the log as Royal AM‚” said Mnisi as per Sowetan Live. 

“We waited for the legal team to advise us and the legal team indicated to us that we don’t have to play the match because we are top of the log.  We just went there and waited for the judgement and Nyathi AJ confirmed that we are still top of the log.

"So there was no reason for us to play.” 

Royal AM are now scheduled to play Richards Bay in their second play-offs match on Thursday. 

It is another home fixture for them as the game is pencilled in for Chatsworth but Mnisi vowed not to entertain Richards Bay. 

“We are not going to play in any event tomorrow [on Thursday]. I don’t know how everyone understands this matter at this moment but the team that finished the log on top is Royal AM,” Mnisi continued.

“It is simple. We are not going to be participants in the playoffs simply because we are top of the GladAfrica Championship.

"I can confirm that we will not play the so-called playoff match against Richards Bay tomorrow [Thursday]. We won the Championship fair and square on the field of play.” 

The veteran football administrator said they also had not heard from the PSL by lunchtime on Wednesday on the matter.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma is refusing to get carried away by last weekend’s 1-0 win over Wydad Casablanca in a Caf Champions League semi-final, first-leg clash as Amakhosi now prepare to host the North Africans in the return leg on Saturday. 

The Soweto giants will be guarding their slender lead as they face a historical moment, with a good chance of reaching the final of the elite continental club tournament for the first time ever. 

While they go into Saturday’s match enjoying an advantage from the away leg, Bvuma insists there is still a lot of work to do. 

“We know very well that the game is not over and now going forward we will prepare,” said Bvuma as per Sun Sport.

“We want to make sure that we get the result that will favour us and go all the way to the final because that’s what we want right now.” 

From being the third-choice goalkeeper at Naturena, Bvuma seized the opportunity when Itumeleng Khune and Daniel Akpeyi were injured towards the end of the Premier Soccer League season. 

That saw him being entrusted with guarding goal in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Simba SC. 

Impressive showings also earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up, before the valiant performance in Casablanca last week which sealed his position as the current Chiefs first choice ahead of the fit-again Khune and Akpeyi. 

He, however, refuses to take credit for the heroics in Morocco but concedes that his time could have arrived as he always itched to take part in such big games. 

“These are the games when you grow up you want to play and perform. I was lucky that I got a chance to play in the semi-finals and perform the way I did,” Bvuma continued. 

“To be honest, this was a team performance. Looking at the way the guys were working, it really motivated me to keep working hard and make sure we don’t concede away.” 

Bvuma is almost a sure bet to start against Wydad on Saturday.

KV Oostende have loaned Thomas Basila to French second division side Nancy after signing him from Nantes.

The former France international of Congolese origin penned a four-year contract with the Belgian First Division A club, nonetheless, he will continue his development with the Ligue Two outfit.

“KVO has been strengthened with 22-year-old central defender Thomas Basila,” a statement from Oostende website read.

“The Frenchman signed a four-season contract plus option and is on loan to AS Nancy for the first two seasons.

“Thomas Basila is a youth product of FC Nantes' renowned training centre. There, he grew into the first team and in 2019 he made his Ligue 1 debut against Lyon.”

Nancy failed in their bid to secure promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2020-21 campaign having finished in the eighth position after accruing 47 points from 38 outings.

They are happy to have the "promising defender" in their ranks as they crave to return to the French elite division when the new season commences.

“At the end of his contract at FC Nantes, Thomas Basila signed with KV Ostende, who then loaned him for two seasons to AS Nancy-Lorraine,” the Thistles wrote on their website.

“There is a clause providing for the possibility of this loan becoming permanent. He is the first central defender recruited by the AS Nancy and therefore becomes the second specialist in this position with the experienced Abdelhamid El Kaoutari.

“Trained with the Canaries, Basila was announced as the future leader of the Nantes defence during his debut in 2019 under Vahid Halilhodzic.

“However, the 22-year-old did not wish to extend his contract due to lack of playing time. He is a very promising defender, followed by many French and foreign clubs.”

On the international scene, he has featured for France at U16, U17, U18, 19, and U20 level.

He was part of Bernard Diomede’s squad that participated in the 2019 U20 Fifa World Cup staged in Poland.

There, the Little Blues crashed out in the Round of 16 after losing 3-2 to the United States of America at the Bydgoszcz Stadium.

Despite that, he remains eligible to represent DR Congo at senior level.

AFC Leopards' title ambition received a major blow after they went down 1-0 to Mathare United in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League fixture at Ruaraka Ground on Wednesday.

Eugene Wethuli scored the only goal of the meeting that could end up being a hammer blow to Ingwe's dream of lifting the league. As Leopards rue the missed opportunity, Mathare United will welcome the three points given they are undergoing difficulties this season.

Earlier at Ruaraka Ground, Tusker picked up a 2-1 win over Western Stima to go top of the Premier League table.

Boniface Muchiri and Henry Meja scored the goals that handed Robert Matano's side the critical victory, while Baron Oketch scored the only goal for the visitors.

For AFC Leopards, Hansel Ochieng and Austine Odhiambo were unable to put them in front as they wasted chances in the 13th and 14th minutes, respectively.

 In the 16th minute, Mathare's goalkeeper, Job Ochieng, did well to deny Odhiambo, who launched a ferocious free-kick as the hosts committed a foul in a dangerous position.

Mathare's first good opportunity came in the 26th minute, but Benjamin Ochan saved the day for Ingwe by parrying away John Mwangi's header aimed at the far post.

However, the Slum Boys could not be stopped in the 45th minute as Wethuli scored the opener and his debut goal for the home side.

Mwangi, who was Mathare's most threatening player, created the chance for Wethuli to beat Ochan.

Mwangi could have doubled the lead in the 57th minute, but he shot wide even after going round Ochan in Leopards' goal.

Wethuli had to come off in the 60th minute as he got injured and Cercidy Okeyo replaced him. 

Harrison Mwendwa and Elvis Rupia combined well, but their move failed to restore parity, when Rupia's effort hit the crossbar after he had been set up for the goal by Mwendwa in the 79th minute.

In the earlier match, Western Stima almost got an opener in the 34th minute, but Michael Karamor failed to tap the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Soon after, Karamor was set through on goal by Oketch, but he was unable to beat Mike Wanjala - who started in place on Robert Mboya in Tusker's goal - as the visitors dominated proceedings in the early part of the first half.

Tusker saw two chances go to waste in the 40th minute; in the first instance, Meja and Erick Zakayo combined well, but the latter took a shot that went wide from close range, while in the second case, Meja and Erick Ambunya moved the ball swiftly between themselves before the latter laid the ball in Chris Onyango's path, but the forward sent his effort over the bar.

The Brewers got the opener in the 57th minute through a free-kick won when Muchiri was brought down at the edge of the box.  The attacking midfielder beautifully curled the ball over the wall to ensure the home side went ahead.

Tusker added the second when Muchiri was brought down inside the box and were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute. Meja made a successful conversion to take his tally of goals to nine in the season and take Tusker top of the table.

Oketch scored the only goal for Western Stima when he beat Wanjala from the spot-kick in the 80th minute after James Ogada was brought down, and Oketch finally beat the Tusker goalkeeper, who had denied them a number of chances with brilliant saves.

Gor Mahia battled to a 0-0 draw against Wazito FC in an FKF Premier League match at Thika Stadium on Wednesday.

The Kenyan champions went into the fixture looking to cut KCB’s lead at the top of the 18-team table to two points but they could not break down a resilient Wazito side, who opted for a defensive display throughout the match.

K’Ogalo started the game with intensity and they forced the first corner in the fourth minute but the delivery from Kenneth Muguna was saved by keeper Fredrick Onyango.

Three minutes later, Gor were forced into an earlier substitution after midfielder Alpha Onysngo picked up an injury following a hard tackle from Maurice Ojwang and he was replaced by John Mscharia.

In the 11th minute, Wazito started a move from the centre of the pitch with Kevin Kimani driving forward unmarked and his pass fell to Fidel Origa, who controlled the ball before unleashing a right-footed effort which keeper Gad Mathews gathered with ease.

Wazito then continued to attack and it was Musa Masika who was planning to pull the trigger in the 21st minute but Muguna reacted quickly to block the ball out for a fruitless corner.

Gor then responded with a double attack in the 28th minute, Macharia taking a good shot on target, which hit the woodwork and a follow up from Jules Ulimwengu went over the bar.

Wazito were then awarded a foul from outside the 18-yeard area in the 34th minute and the delivery from Kimani was punched out by Mathews.

Wazito’s Rooney Onyango was booked for a bad tackle on Ernest Wendo as the game stopped for the half-time break at 0-0.

After the half-time break, Gor once again started with purpose, Muguna exchanging passes with Wendo and Frank Odhiambo, but the intended pass to Clifton Miheso was intercepted by Wazito’s Joseph Odhiambo.

In the 67th minute, Gor’s Odhiambo also went into the referee’s book after fouling Kimani and five minutes later, another K’Ogalo player Geoffrey Ochieng was also booked for a similar offence.

With Wazito staying tight at the back, Gor coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto moved to add some attacking force by making a double substitution - Sydney Ochieng and Samuel Onyango coming in for Miheso and Karim.

Despite the changes, Wazito, who had lost to Gor 1-0 in the first round meeting, remained tight at the back and managed to secure a point from the fixture.

Gor Mahia: Gad Mathews (GK), Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Harun Shakava, Frank Odhiambo, Ernest Wendo, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango, Abdul Karim, Jules Ulimwengu, and Clifton Miheso.

Subs: Caleb Otieno, Fred Nkata, Charles Saramu, Joachim Ochieng, John Ochieng, John Macharia, and Samuel Onyango.

Wazito FC: Fredrick Onyango, Rooney Onyango, Johnstone Omurwa, Joseph Odhiambo, Maurice Ojwang, Fidel Origa, Amos Asembeka, Elli Asieche, Musa Masika, Kevin Kimani and Michael Owino.

Subs: Levis Opiyo, Dennie Njire, Brian Musa, Whyvonne Isuza, Eric Otieno, Vincent Oburu, Boniface Omondi, Dennis Sikhayi, and Ashimoto Roland.

Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is set to join Belgian club Anderlecht on a season-long loan, Goal can confirm.

The 19-year-old, who has made eight appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, spent the last three months of last season on loan at Championship club Blackburn Rovers.

Stockport-born Harwood-Bellis signed a new four-year deal in December and impressed in his loan spell at Blackburn as he established himself as a first-team regular.

Why is he going on loan?

Guardiola has praised Harwood-Bellis and said the centre-back would gain valuable experience from a loan ahead of his move to Blackburn in February.

“He'll play in a good competition at a good historical team, he'll play real opponents," Guardiola said. “The academy is good for a short time but he needs to grow as a player and he doesn't have many minutes here in the first team.

“He has had two seasons training with us, there are other young lads training in their first season. This is the best way to see him, in a good competition.”

The England youth international went onto make 19 appearances for Blackburn, and a switch to Belgium ought to further help his development.

Why Anderlecht?

Harwood-Bellis, will now get the chance to work under City legend Vincent Kompany, who took over as coach in August 2020. The 35-year-old captained City to four Premier League titles and maintains strong links with his former club.

Germany under-21 international Lukas Nmecha spent last season on loan at Anderlecht and was the club’s top scorer as they finished third in the Jupiler League.

Nmecha's future

The 22-year-old has just one year remaining on his City contract and is expected to leave on a permanent basis in the summer.

He has been watched by a number of Bundeliga clubs with RB Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Eintracht Frankfurt among the clubs linked with a move for him.

Nmecha further enhanced his reputation by starring at the European Under-21 Championship, where he scored the only goal in the final against Portugal.

After unsuccessful loan spells at Wolfsburg and Middlesbrough where he failed to score, last season Nmecha hit 21 goals in 41 appearances for Anderlecht.

The striker is thought be valued at around £15million ($20m) and is one of a number of fringe players likely to leave the club.

Further reading:

Ryan Bertrand is closing in on a free transfer to Leicester City despite interest from Arsenal, Monaco and AC Milan, Goal can confirm.

The 31-year-old is expected to join the King Power Stadium club on July 1 after Southampton were unable to get their captain to renew his contract at the end of the season.

The Foxes are in need of reinforcements at full-back due to long-term injuries to James Justin and Timothy Castagne, the latter being ruled out while playing for Belgium at Euro 2020.

Why didn't Bertrand join Arsenal?

Arsenal have been in active negotiations with the England international since January when they made a formal approach to recruit the defender.

However, they are reluctant to block the development of Kieran Tierney, who is set to sign a new five-year contract in the coming days.

They will continue to seek a back-up option after Mikel Arteta's side failed to convince Bertrand with free transfers or younger options being looked at, allowing them to use their budget elsewhere.

Last season, the Gunners used Granit Xhaka and Cedric Soares in the left-back spot when they were short on options.

How are Leicester shaping up for next season?

Leicester continue to chase a contract renewal for Youri Tielemans, which will be a key bit of business that could define their summer.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract and was one of the star players for Rodgers' team which won the FA Cup and qualified for the Europa League, once again narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification in the process.

Leicester are rumoured to also be interested in signing RB Leipzig striker Patson Daka, Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard and Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare. However, Arsenal are understood to be interested in poaching James Maddison from the Foxes.

Further reading

Paris Saint-Germain have made contact with Sergio Ramos, Goal can confirm, as the race to sign the former Real Madrid captain hots up.

Ramos will be a free agent when his trophy-laden 16 years at Madrid comes to an end at the end of the month, with the defender departing the Bernabeu after both parties failed to agree on a contract extension.

Several clubs are keen on signing the veteran defender, but it is PSG who are currently at the head of the queue and who have made first contact with the player.

What is the situation?

PSG have made initial contact over signing former Real Madrid centre-back Ramos and although no bid has been made, there have been several conversations over the 35-year-old moving to France.

Goal can confirm that two Premier League clubs, as well as one from Serie A, are also keen on bringing in Ramos, who is leaving Madrid after 16 years with the Liga giants.

Ramos revealed on June 18 that he was willing to stay put at the Bernabeu, although he claimed that Madrid withdrew their offer of a one-year extension as there was an "expiration date".

The Spain international, who was controversially left out of Luis Enrique's squad for Euro 2020, wants a two-year contract with his next club, while Champions League football is also a requirement.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have been linked with Ramos, while Juventus and Inter have also been mooted.

PSG are, however, the overwhelming favourites to land the ex-Madrid captain, who sees a switch to the French capital as an appealing option.

What has Ramos said?

On his next possible next club, Ramos told reporters at his Madrid farewell press conference: "The important thing is not where you are, it's with who.

"We haven't thought at any time about any other club. Since January, when I've been on the market, we've had a few calls, but we never thought about leaving Madrid. From here we'll look for a good option for me.

"Sevilla is the other club in my heart where I had a great time, but at the moment there is nothing on the table about going back. As for Barcelona... impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt."

Further reading

England would be "massive underdogs' if they face France in the last 16 of the European Championship, but would have a 50-50 chance against Germany or Portugal, according to Gary Neville.

The Three Lions progressed to the Euro 2020 knockout stage as Group D winners after beating the Czech Republic 1-0 at Wembley on Tuesday night, with Raheem Sterling heading home the decisive goal after just 12 minutes.

Gareth Southgate's men finished the pool with seven points and three clean sheets to their name, but will face a far tougher test in the next round, and Neville has warned that they will need to raise their game in order to get any further in the competition.

What's been said?

"It's likely to be Germany or France, maybe Portugal," the former England defender told Sky Sports when assessing his country's potential last-16 opponents. "We're in a good place. In the back of our minds we've got a giant of a team to face next Tuesday, but in terms of the job we were asked to do in the group phase, the players and manager have done that in comfortable fashion, keeping clean sheets.

"But the reality will kick in for these players later on in the week, they have a giant of a game on Tuesday. It's an event in itself and one which would elevate confidence beyond belief if they were to win. But to win those games against a team like France or Germany takes something really special and spectacular.

"We would be massive underdogs against France, against Germany we have an opportunity, Portugal even more so. You cannot go more than a 50-50 chance against Germany and Portugal, for France I'd go 70-30 against, that is not being negative or pessimistic, it's realistic.

"Look at the France teamsheet and tell me how many England players would get in ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane. They have a damn good team. All of England's potential opponents have good players and while we should be confident we have to realise our opponents will be confident as well and that it will be tough to win."

Who are England most likely to face?

England are scheduled to play against the Group F runners-up at Wembley on June 29, which as it stands would be age-old rivals Germany - who are sitting a point behind pool leaders France on three.

However, Portugal are only a place lower than Germany on goal difference ahead of their last fixture against France, and Hungary still have an outside chance of snatching second spot themselves if they can spring an upset against Joachim Low's side on Wednesday night.

Neville's praise for Grealish, Saka & Maguire

England were criticised for a lack of adventure in the final third during their 1-0 win against Croatia and 0-0 draw with Scotland, but Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka gave them fresh impetus after being handed their first starts against the Czech Republic.

"Grealish, Saka and Sterling's performances gave everybody a lift in the first half and there was a lot more energy in the game and we looked a lot more balanced," Neville said of the duo's impact.

"That brought an energy to the performance generally and, all of a sudden, the rest of the players looked energetic with them. Those three players moved around so quickly like bees that were buzzing and everything felt more enthusiastic."

Elsewhere, Harry Maguire added extra steel to the defence on his first outing since recovering from a serious ankle injury, and Neville thinks his continued presence will be crucial as the tournament heats up.

"It was critical for Maguire to come back in last night. Tyrone Mings has done really well, but there was a level of order with Maguire on the ball," the Manchester United legend added. "We've seen over the last 12 months with empty stadiums that he is vocal and will dig out his team-mates.

"Along with Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson, who isn't playing all the time at the moment, Maguire is the figurehead on the pitch that this England team needs. "

Further reading

Tobin Heath and Julie Ertz have made the United States Women's final Olympic squad, but Catarina Macario and Margaret Purce have missed out.

Vlatko Andonovski announced his 18-player squad for Tokyo on Wednesday, with Manchester United midfielder Heath and Chicago Red Stars defender Ertz making the cut despite currently being out of action due to respective injuries.

Lyon star Macario, who made her international debut earlier this year, won't be part of the roster but will travel to Japan as one of four alternates, while NJ/NY Gotham FC forward has been omitted entirely.

What's been said?

“It’s been a long process to get to this point, longer than anyone thought it would be, but we collected a lot of information on the players over the past year and half in trainings, in their club matches and in international games and we’re confident that we’ve selected the team with the best chance for success in Japan,” Andonovski said while explaining his final selection.

“We know there are some very talented players that won’t be in Japan, but these were the difficult decisions that we had to make.

"We have a very experienced roster that has been through adversity at the highest levels, so it’s no surprise those players have distinguished themselves.

"They’ve embraced the challenges and have shown tremendous flexibility and determination over the past 15 months to get us to where we are today.”

Demba Ba’s nephew Abdoulaye Cissoko revelled in his first Major League Soccer appearance in Seattle Sounders 2-1 defeat of LA Galaxy on Sunday.

After two seasons at Tacoma Defiance, the Franco-Senegalese was promoted to Sounders FC – the parent club of Tacoma on May 21, 2021.

Nonetheless, he played his first game against Greg Vanney’s Galaxy – marshalling the backline alongside Jorge Villafana, Daniel Steres, and Julian Araujo.

Despite conceding first at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Brian Schmetzer’s side recorded a comeback win courtesy of goals from Yeimar Gomez and Raul Ruidiaz.

After featuring for 87 minutes, the centre back was substituted for Danny Leyva with three minutes left on the clock.

In a chat with the club’s website, the 21-year-old tagged his debut as ‘a crucial moment’ in his life, while disclosing how he prepared knowing he would square up against Mexico forward Javier Hernandez.

“Good. I feel good, it was unbelievable. A crucial moment in my life and I am very happy to make my debut and I just have to keep going like that,” he said.

“It was a good game and we won also, that’s a wonderful debut for me.

“Before the game, I was a little bit nervous, I watched some videos of Chicharito, his movement and things like that. But during the game, I felt no pressure or anything.

“My teammates also helped me, it was good, and I think I did a good job.”

Thanks to Sunday’s result, Seattle Sounders lead the Western Conference log having garnered 21 points from nine outings.

Unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions, Schmetzer’s men host Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps in their next two games. And the Senegal prospect is looking forward to those outings.

“The team is in a good mood and I think we have a very special group and even the players on the bench want to play,” he continued.

“We are ready for the two games this week and we hope to play and win.”

Former Chelsea star and Cissoko’s uncle Ba had gone on social media to celebrate his nephew’s feat.

“Proud of you nephew…MLS debut with one of the biggest clubs in North America with a great manager,” the Lugano star tweeted.

UEFA have released a statement insisting they "respect the rainbow" in response to the controversy surrounding a proposal to illuminate Allianz Arena with rainbow lighting.

Germany had originally planned for the display to take place during the national team's final Group F fixture at Euro 2020 against Hungary on Wednesday as a show of unity towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Many of the club level teams in the country were also set to display the rainbow theme at their own stadiums, but UEFA took the decision to block the initiative much to the fury of activist groups protesting Hungary's anti-LGBT legislation.

What was said?

UEFA explained their decision in a statement on Tuesday: "Racism, homophobia, sexism, and all forms of discrimination are a stain on our societies and represent one of the biggest problems faced by the game today.

"Discriminatory behaviour has marred both matches themselves and, outside the stadiums, the online discourse around the sport we love.

"However UEFA, through its statutes, is a politically and religiously neutral organisation. Given the political context of this specific request - a message aiming at a decision taken by the Hungarian national parliament - UEFA must decline this request."

UEFA's latest statement 

European football's main governing body have come out to try and justify their stance after a widespread backlash, which included the City of Munich's mayor Dieter Reiter labelling them "shameful".

"Today, UEFA is proud to wear the colours of the rainbow," their latest statement says. "It is a symbol that embodies our core values, promoting everything that we believe in – a more just and egalitarian society, tolerant of everyone, regardless of their background, belief or gender.

"Some people have interpreted UEFA’s decision to turn down the city of Munich’s request to illuminate the Munich stadium in rainbow colours for a EURO 2020 match as ‘political’. On the contrary, the request itself was political, linked to the Hungarian football team’s presence in the stadium for this evening’s match with Germany.

"For UEFA, the rainbow is not a political symbol, but a sign of our firm commitment to a more diverse and inclusive society."

Manuel Neuer's rainbow armband

Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has also been at the centre of the storm at the European Championships for wearing a rainbow-striped captain's armband.

Neuer has been wearing the colours during the group stage to show his support for LGBTQ+ groups during Pride Month, but UEFA launched an investigation after determining that the 35-year-old was willingly displaying a political symbol.

The DFB have since confirmed that the governing body has dropped their review of the armband, and Neuer is free to put it back on when Germany face Hungary and in the latter rounds of the competition should they make it through.

Further reading

Kenya U23 head coach Stanley Okumbi has reinforced the Cecafa squad by calling up 10 more players ahead of the regional tournament set to be held in Ethiopia.
 
This year's tournament has been reserved for U23 players, but teams are allowed to field up to three senior stars. It is for that reason that Okumbi has boosted his squad with new players ahead of the July 3 and 18 competition that will be hosted in Ethiopia's northern city of Bahir Dar.
 
Austin Ochieng and Lewis Bandi of AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia's Frank Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango are among the players who will join the rest who were summoned earlier.
Musa Masika and Bernard Ochieng of Wazito FC, Bandari's Keegan Ndemi and Abdalla Hassan, and defender Harun Mwale of Ulinzi Stars are the new entrants into the provisional squad.
 
In an interview, Okumbi stated he feels Kenya have a chance to do well in the competition despite being eliminated by Eritrea in the 2019 finals in Uganda: "We stand a chance especially if I get the players that I summoned. I am missing about 18 players that I have on my list and if I get even half of them, then I can say we stand a chance of doing a good job," the coach said.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), Caleb Otieno (Gor Mahia), Dolph Junior Owino (Nairobi Stima)

Defenders: Jimmy Ndungi (Tusker), Portipher Odhiambo (Vihiga Bullets), Silvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz), Moses Mudavadi (Nzoia), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards), Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Yussuf Mainge (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Wepo (KCB), Harun Mwale (Ulinzi Stars), Benard Ochieng (Wazito), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders: Joshua Nyatini (Posta Rangers), Marvin Nabwire (AFC Leopards), Sven Yidah (Nairobi City Stars), Vincent Wasambo (KCB), Faraj Ominde (Tusker), Reagan Otieno (KCB), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), Peter Thiong’o (AFC Leopards), Francis Mwangi (Mwatate United), Ambrose Sifuna (Sofapaka), Josephat Lopaga (Posta Rangers), Steiner Musasia (Posta Rangers), John Njuguna (Ulinzi Stars), Dennis Musamali (Nzoia Sugar), Elisha Wekesa (Nzoia Sugar), Austin Ochieng (AFC Leopards), Musa Masika (Wazito FC), Alpha Onyango (Midfielder) Keegan Ndemi (Bandari)

Forwards: Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Ken Wanyonyi (Bungoma Superstars), Alfred Tanui (Kisumu All-Stars), David Odhiambo (Kakamega Homeboyz), Abdalla Hassan (Bandari).

Cristiano Ronaldo's strike against Germany at Euro 2020 has taken him one step closer to becoming the greatest international goalscorer in men's football, now just two goals behind Ali Daei.

As of that game against Germany, Ronaldo has scored 107 times in 177 games for his country, three of those in his nation's triumphant Euro 2016 campaign and seven coming at World Cup finals.

However, in order to become the top international goalscorer across both men's and women's football, Ronaldo needs to chase down the incredible tally of Christine Sinclair.

Who is Christine Sinclair?

Christine Sinclair is a forward, primarily playing as an attacking midfielder, who is the captain of both the Canada women's national team and the Portland Thorns. 

The 38-year-old has played in North America for her whole career, selected by FC Gold Pride as the eighth overall pick in the 2008 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) expansion draft after starring for the Portland Pilots while attending university.

She moved to Western New York Flash in 2011 and then joined the Thorns two years later, for the inaugural National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season, where she has remained ever since. 

Sinclair has played at five World Cup finals and two Olympic Games for her country, winning two bronze medals. She has won both the WPS Championship and the NWSL Championship twice, lifted the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2021 and is widely regarded as Canada's greatest player of all time.

What is Christine Sinclair's international goalscoring record?

Sinclair's record currently stands at 186 goals in 297 games for Canada and she heads to another Olympic Games this summer as she aims to continue increasing the total.

Sinclair set a new international goalscoring record in January 2020, scoring her 184th and 185th international goals against St Kitts and Nevis in the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship.

"Thank you to everyone for all the messages. I'm slightly overwhelmed," she posted on Twitter afterwards. "Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, staff, friends and family, 185 would not have been possible without you."

The previous record was held by Abby Wambach, the former U.S. women's national team striker who twice won Olympic gold and also won the FIFA Women's World Cup. Wambach scored 184 goals in 255 games for her country before retiring in 2015.

What other records does Christine Sinclair hold?

As well as being her country's all-time top goalscorer, Sinclair also has more caps (297) for Canada than anyone else, male or female. That total puts her fourth on the list of most capped players of all-time, behind the American trio of Kristine Lilly (354), Christie Pearce (311) and Carli Lloyd (304), with Lloyd still an active player.

Sinclair has been to the World Cup a record number of four times as a captain and has scored at least one goal at five different tournaments, a record she shares with Marta.

The forward is also the only person to have won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award more than once, a prestigious accolade given to Canada's female athlete of the year, and has been named Canadian Player of the Year an incredible 14 times.

Who else has more international goals than Ronaldo and Messi?

There are currently nine women's players who have more international goals than Ronaldo, four of whom remain active.

The United States' Alex Morgan and Brazil's Marta both have 109 goals, level with Daei, and are continuing to add to those numbers. Above them are Scotland's Julie Fleeting (116), Lloyd (125) and Germany's Birgit Prinz (128), with the American trio of Lilly (130), Mia Hamm (158) and Wambach (184) then topped by Sinclair.

Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is still chasing down the 100-mark in his international career, boasting a record of 73 goals in 147 games for Argentina. He is 13th on the all-time list for men's footballers, with India's Sunil Chhetri, the United Arab Emirates' Ali Mabkhout and Ronaldo the three active players above him.

*Note statistics correct as of June 23, 2021

Further reading