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Simba SC made a huge step towards their 22nd Tanzania Mainland League title after defeating Mbeya City 4-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday night.

Rally Bwalya, Luis Miquissone, John Bocco, and Clatous Chama scored for Wekundu wa Msimbazi while Pastory Athanas struck for the visitors.

Mnyama came into the match as favourites having won their last seven meetings against their opponents. The reigning champions had also won the initial meeting this season by a solitary goal.

Despite a decent start by the hosts, the visitors defended well but they gave in in the 31st minute. Pascal Wawa played a good pass to Shomari Kapombe who played it to Bernard Morrison who headed it to Bocco.

The defenders cleared the ball but only as far as Bwalya, whose screamer was too much for Haroun Mandanda in the Mbeya goal.

Miquissone doubled the advantage four minutes later. His initial strike hit the post, but the rebound fell kindly to him and he capitalised on it to take his tally of the season to nine.

After the half-time break, the visitors were caught in a counter attack in the 47th minute and Hussein Mohamed passed to Bocco, whose one-time strike extended Wekundu wa Msimbazi's lead.

Poor defending allowed Athanas to pull one back for Mbeya and give them hopes of making an unlikely comeback.

But the 21-time champions sealed the win with the fourth from Chama, who was making a return to the team after losing his wife early in the month.

After the win, the reigning league champions are now on 73 points from 29 matches they have played, which means they are six points ahead of closest challengers Yanga SC, with two games in hand.

They have managed 23 wins, four draws and two losses.

Simba SC XI: Beno Kakolanya, Bernard Morrison, Pascal Wawa, Rally Bwalya, Luis Miquissone, Shomari Kapombe, Hussein Mohamed, Joash Onyango, Erasto Nyoni, John Bocco, Kennedy Juma

Subs: Ally Salum Juma, Gardiel Kamagi, Meddie Kagere, Clatous Chama, Yassin Mzamiru, Hassan Dilunga, Miraji Athumani

Mbeya City: Haroun Mandanda, Keneth Kunambi, Mpoki Mwakinyuke, David Mwasa, Juma Shemvuni, Abdulrazack Mohamed, Seleman Ibrahimu, George Sangija, Pastory Athanas, Denis Kibu, Richardson Ng'ondya

Subs: Castor Mhagama, Siraji Juma, Kato Yayo, Samson Madeleke, Mathew Robert, Hamis Thabiti, Kelvin John.

Baroka FC head coach Matsimela Thoka has advised Evidence Makgopa against joining big clubs such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

The 21-year-old striker is one of the hottest properties in South African football at the moment, having enjoyed his breakout season in the 2020/21 PSL campaign.

Makgopa netted seven goals and provided three assists in the league for Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele, before grabbing a brace on his debut for Bafana Bafana as they defeated Uganda 3-2 in a friendly game on June 10.

The lanky marksman's exploits have reportedly caught the attention of Pirates, Sundowns, and Chiefs ahead of the July-August transfer window. 

“I think it is still early for Makgopa to leave us now and join the so-called big teams or go to Europe," Thoka told Daily Sun. 

“I think he still needs two more seasons to grow up. Makgopa has been coming along right since he was promoted to the first team two seasons ago.

"If he joins those big teams now, I think he will struggle to make it straight to the first eleven as the big teams rely on big names. But that’s just my opinion," he continued. 

"Makgopa is a good striker and I am not surprised teams are after him.”

Furthermore, Matsimela made reference to former Baroka strikers Gift Motupa and Thabiso Kutumela, who excelled at the Limpopo side before moving to Pirates.

“But look at Kutumela now at Maritzburg United, he is doing fine and I think now he can go and shine at any team," he added.

"The same happened to Motupa, but when he came back to us on loan from Pirates, he did well.”

Motupa, who can also play as a midfielder, was one of the best players in the National First Division during his days with Baroka - scoring 18 league goals between 2013 and 2015.

The bulky player was then signed by Pirates in July 2015, but he struggled to establish himself at the Soweto giants and he left the club for Chippa United in May 2018 after a successful loan spell at Baroka in the PSL.

However, Chippa sold Motupa to Bidvest Wits after a month and he went on to become one of the most feared attackers in the country during his days with the Students and he was signed by Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of the 2019/20 season. 

While Kutumela played an instrumental role in helping Baroka secure promotion to the PSL from the NFD during the 2015/16 campaign. 

The diminutive player scored 18 goals in the NFD which earned him the league's Golden Boot award and he moved to Pirates in June 2016, but he also struggled for game time at the Soweto giants.

Kutumela left Pirates for Maritzburg United in July 2018 and he is among the top strikers in the country having been nominated for the 2020/21 PSL Footballer of the Year award. 

FK Akhmat assistant manager Yaya Toure is of the opinion Eden Hazard’s big bum is the reason why it is hard to get the Real Madrid star off the ball.

The Belgium international saw his fitness thrust under the microscope, with some suggesting that the size of his backside really slowed down his pace.

Writing about why bums are so important in the beautiful game, the four-time African Player of the Year claimed that the 30-year-old’s derriere is his biggest asset as they block defenders who attempt to tackle him.

"It has almost become a joke how big his bum is, but it is very important to how he plays football,” the former Manchester City star wrote in The Athletic.

"Hazard is so dangerous that when the ball comes to him, he has maybe less than five seconds before the opposition is on him - I know from my time at City, you want to limit his time on the ball.

"When the ball arrives at Hazard, he can already sense the opponent coming towards him, so he waits until the last moment and uses his bum to block them.”

"It pushes the opponent away - almost like a punch - and then, when he has opened up that space between him and the defender, he will power away and start the attack,” he continued.

"Other wide players use their bums this way, such as Antoine Griezmann for France, and you might see Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero use this at the Copa America, but there is no one better at it than Eden Hazard.

"The way he can control the ball after using his bum, the way he uses his bum and his body and his hips to protect the ball when defenders run at him, the way he can turn in any direction turn after the impact… it is unbelievable."

Hazard was on parade from start to finish as Belgium defeated Finland 2-0 on Monday evening at the ongoing Euro 2020.

For former Cote d’Ivoire international Toure, he spent eight memorable years with the Citizens between 2010 and 2018, winning three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup.

He is now expected to assist Andrei Talalayev in the dugout at the Akhmat Arena for the 2021-22 campaign.

Trabzonspor star Anthony Nwakaeme revealed that he never let racists distract him, stating that eradicating racism from football remains a near-impossible task.

Protests against racism made their way into the beautiful game, with several footballers showing their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by taking a knee before matches.

For the Turkey-based 32-year-old striker, football authorities cannot find a lasting panacea to discrimination because it is a broader issue.

During his time at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Nwakaeme narrated how he was racially abused, his reaction and how he felt footballers should respond if they find themselves in his situation.

"Racism is in sports and growing bigger in football," he told BBC Sport Africa.

"It will continue to spread everywhere, and I can't confidently say when it can be kicked out of football.

"I experienced racism a few years ago when I played in Israel with my team [Hapoel Be'er Sheva] away to Maccabi Haifa.

"Right there on the pitch, I decided I was not going to let those abusing me win.

"The Maccabi Haifa fans were making monkey noises and booing me, then I turned, looked straight at them and then I smiled.

"As soon as they saw my reaction, they realised that what they had done hadn't affected me in any way, so they started applauding me, cheering and singing my name.

"Sometimes instead of fighting you, I'll avoid (confronting) you. That was exactly what happened there.

“I know I could have challenged them or stopped the game in my own way, but I was enjoying myself on the pitch, I felt powerful and I was making life difficult for their team.

"I wasn't going to let them distract me or put me down. I wouldn't allow anyone to make me feel less of a man by reacting negatively.

"Once they noticed I wasn't falling or dropping to that level of anger or hatred, they began to cheer me up. Why should I let them win?

"I understand that not many footballers can handle it that way, but personally I don't pay attention to those things because racism is a societal problem."

During the 2020-21 campaign, Nwakaeme featured in 34 league games – scoring on seven occasions as Yerdas Selzavon's men finished fourth on the Super Lig log.

It's been a big debate on social media after former Ghana playmaker Charles Taylor advised Chelsea attacker Callum Hudson-Odoi to continue his international career with England despite interest from the Black Stars.

Born to Ghanaian parents in the United Kingdom, Hudson-Odoi is eligible to represent either nation at senior level, and currently plays for the Three Lions, for whom he has three caps to his name so far.

The Champions League winner recently expressed openness to a possible future with the Black Stars, soon following up with a meeting with Ghana officials, including national President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku and Ghana Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif.

Taylor, famous for his time with local giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, however, thinks a possible nationality switch is a bad idea.

Reactions have indeed come in many forms and fans are divided on the matter.

Below are the best posts:

Chippa United have taken pole position in the Premier Soccer League promotion/relegation play-offs after earning three points from their abandoned match against Royal AM on Tuesday.

The Eastern Cape side walked onto the Chatsworth Stadium pitch without their opponents, completed pre-match formalities like observing a minute of silence for Covid-19 victims, before the kick-off whistle was blown by the referee.

The whistle was blown again immediately to end the match and Chippa walked off. 

After all due protocols were followed, the game is considered to have taken place despite Royal AM not stepping onto the pitch. 

Chippa beat Richards Bay last weekend in the play-offs' opening game and now have six points from the Royal AM walkover which comes with an awarded 3-0 scoreline in their favour.  

Having insisted on not honouring this fixture, Royal AM surprisingly arrived at the match venue but left 15 minutes before kick-off without giving reasons for their actions. 

On Monday, they had written to the PSL, as per Sowetan Live: “It, therefore, stands to reason that Royal AM will not be participating in the illegal, unconstitutional and criminally inspired play-offs as an accomplice. 

“We further demand the NSL must call off the play-offs and mitigate its culpability or show a measure of remorse.” 

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. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the PSL issued a statement ordering Royal AM to take to the pitch. 

“There is no room for debate on the matter. The play-offs commenced and the second match of the competition will be played this afternoon [Tuesday] at 3pm at the Chatsworth Stadium between Royal AM and Chippa United,” said the PSL.

Nigeria midfielder Ochewechi Oche has confirmed Mainland Premier League champions Simba SC are keen to acquire his services.

The towering player, who turns out for Nigerian side Plateau United, has revealed the Msimbazi giants approached him and is currently discussing a possible transfer with his manager.

“Simba have been looking for me since we finished the second game of the Caf Champions League in Tanzania, they told me at the end of the season we will have a conversation and already everything about the transfer is being handled by my manager, who told me they are in talks,” Oche said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“For me it is not a problem to join Simba as it is a good and big team for Africa, so if everything goes well I am ready to join Simba.”

And the player's manager, Kunle Soname, also confirmed he was in talks with Simba but remained tight-lipped on the progress made.

“I'm in talks with Simba where the officials have told me they are ready to sign my player but they have told me they are waiting until the end of their league season,” Soname told the same portal.

“For me and the player it is a good thing to be in talks with one of the biggest teams in Africa and we will be happy to complete this deal.”

Plateau United spokesperson Albert Dakup also said they have been following the Tanzanian League closely as they have received an offer for their midfielder from a host of clubs, including Simba.

“I know the league is not over there, we have been closely following the Tanzanian league because it has been very competitive especially for teams fighting for the title including Simba, Yanga SC and Azam FC,” Dakup said.

“Regarding [Ochowechi], what I know is that we have received offers from many teams despite the fact Simba's been referred to much but there are many clubs that need to find him.

"I can not tell you about the offer of Simba but just know we have received an offer.”

Simba are currently on course to win the league title four a fourth successive season and will wrap it up if they win their next two matches against Mbeya City and Yanga.

Kaizer Chiefs have issued an injury update on their attackers Lebogang Manyama, Khama Billiat and Dumisani Zuma ahead of their crucial clash with Wydad Casablanca.

The Glamour Boys are set to play host to the Moroccan giants in the Caf Champions League semi-final second-leg match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. 

Chiefs were able to secure an impressive 1-0 win over the two-time Champions League winners in the first-leg match over the weekend without key players Manyama and Billiat.

Arthur Zwane, the Chiefs interim coach, has revealed that Manyama will be available for selection after recovering from his injury, while Billiat and Zuma are still out injured. 

"We won’t have Khama because he is coming back to fitness after having been out for a while now, so even in the second leg I don’t think he will be ready to compete at this level," Zwane told reporters.

"With Lebo, he should definitely be ready. [Dumisani] Zuma is also still out but we will come out with a plan, just like we did [in Casablanca].

"We will also plan for the second leg to see how we can punish them in terms of creating goal-scoring chances."

Zwane and Dillon Sheppard are currently in charge of the team on an interim basis with newly appointed head coach Stuart Baxter awaiting his work permit. 

Chiefs will reach the Champions League final for the first time in the club's history if they avoid a defeat against Wydad. 

Manyama's availability will come as a massive boost for the Soweto giants as the midfielder-come-striker has been one of the team's most influential players this term.

The Bafana Bafana international finished the 2020/21 PSL season as Chiefs' top scorer with eight goals and he also provided two assists in the competition. 

While Billiat has struggled with injuries this season having missed Amakhosi's last 10 competitive matches and his last appearance for the team was against Mamelodi Sundowns on April 25.

The Zimbabwe international has played 19 matches across all competitions in the current campaign - scoring once and providing four assists.

Lastly, Zuma has been used mainly as a bit-part player this term having made 17 competitive appearances and scored once, and registered two assists.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane is torn between carrying on playing or retiring after recently parting ways with TS Galaxy. 

Letsholonyane saw limited game time at TS Galaxy last season, just making 11 Premier Soccer League appearances and scoring no goals or contributing any assists. 

With most PSL teams starting pre-season in July, the ex-Bafana Bafana star says he is yet to make up his mind on what to do next and will have to consult with his manager.  

“I don't know what will happen ... whether I will retire or not. Now it is the off-season and I don't want to get involved in football matters as I'm resting,” Letsholonyane told Sowetan Live. 

“I will only think about football towards the start of the new season. Now allow me to rest and not think about football-related issues.  I take this time to reflect on the previous season and try to plan what to do differently in the next coming year.  

“The club-hunting and all that, I leave it to my manager. In the next few weeks, I will sit down with my manager and plan the way forward and make a decision.” 

Towards the end of last season, TS Galaxy coach Owen Da Gama attributed their decision to release Letsholonyane to allowing him to focus on obtaining his coaching qualifications. 

The player himself has given an update on his progress in acquiring his coaching licences. 

“I'm left with two or three months to complete my Scottish Uefa B licence. As things stand, all is going well and I'm looking forward to another ... maybe B Safa/Caf licence that will be happening later this year,” said Letsholonyane. 

“I don't understand why it is a big deal when footballers take up courses while they are still playing. For me it should be the norm, whether you will be a coach after [playing] or not, the point is you are equipping yourself while you are still playing.” 

A number of former PSL footballers have complained about the coronavirus pandemic delaying their studies towards various levels of coaching badges.

Why does Jack Grealish wear his socks so low? Goal is here to offer a full explanation for the England star's unusual style.

Grealish has emerged as one of the top players in English football since helping Aston Villa return to the Premier League in 2019, and is currently away on international duty with his country at the European Championship.

The 25-year-old could win a whole new set of admirers across the continent if he can help the Three Lions reach the latter stages of the tournament, but many neutral supporters may wonder why he opts to play with socks that barely cover the bottom of his legs.

Why does Jack Grealish wear low socks?

Grealish shows off his ballooning calve muscles by wearing junior-sized shin pads - a choice that some have speculated comes from a desire to move across the pitch more freely and keep better control of the ball.

He has previously claimed that he feels restricted in large socks and shin pads; however, although he is not technically breaking any rules, several referees have pulled him up over a lack of protection over the course of his career.

What’s been said?

Grealish finally explained the reason behind his unique on-field attire prior to being named in Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad for Euro 2020 at the start of the month.

"Obviously your socks are supposed to go above your calves," said the mercurial midfielder. "But one year when I was here [at Aston Villa], the socks once shrunk in the wash. So they wouldn’t go higher.

"That season, I ended up playing really well. So it became a superstitious thing for me. I thought ‘I’m going to keep doing this because I’ve done well’."

Grealish also moved to quash a rumour that he has been trying to emulate Manchester United legend George Best, who was well known for gliding past defenders while sporting socks that came just above his ankles.

"A lot of people say that it’s because of George Best," he said. "While I love him and admire so much what he did, that isn’t the reason."

Grealish stats

Grealish began his professional career at Villa back in 2012, and has since racked up 213 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 32 goals and laying on 43 assists.

The talented playmaker has taken his game to new heights under Dean Smith, who became head coach at Villa Park in 2018, and finally earned his first England cap in a UEFA Nations League draw against Denmark last September.

Grealish now has eight caps to his name, but is still looking for his first goal at international level, and will hope to make an impact in the final third if selected for the Three Lions' final Euros group-stage fixture against the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.

Further reading

Conor Coady admits Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are giving him nightmares in England training, with the Wolves defender saying: "I’m a sucker for getting megged when I come here – like you wouldn’t believe!"

Two fearsome forwards are yet to make their mark on Euro 2020, with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United wingers unable to force their way into Gareth Southgate's starting XI.

They are, however, catching the eye during pre-match preparations, with Coady revealing that he has become an unfortunate victim of the talent possessed by two exciting options in the Three Lions' attacking arsenal.

What has been said?

Coady, who is also waiting on minutes at a major international tournament, told England's official podcast when asked to pick out his toughest opponents in training: "I’ll be honest, I’m a sucker for getting megged when I come here – like you wouldn’t believe.

"Like you wouldn’t believe… Sancho has done me a few times in the boxes. I’d probably say him. Rashy has done me a few times, if I’m being honest. Those two are really, really sharp.

"The amount of talent that’s here is incredible and it’s really, really tough training against them every day. 

"World-class players, top, top players with an incredible future in the game ahead of them."

The bigger picture

England will be back in action on Tuesday when completing their Group D schedule with a home date against the Czech Republic at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate's side are already through to the last 16, having collected four points so far, and changes are expected from a team that have been struggling for a spark.

At least one of those will be enforced, with Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount having to self-isolate along with Ben Chilwell after coming into contact with club colleague Billy Gilmour - who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 - during a 0-0 draw with Scotland.

Other tweaks may be tactical, with the Three Lions looking to rediscover their bite in the final third.

Southgate has vowed to keep faith with misfiring Harry Kane, but the likes of Sancho, Rashford and Jack Grealish are pushing for forward berths while Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson could slot into the heart of midfield as Harry Maguire returns at the back.

Further reading

Billy Gilmour will be unavailable for selection when Scotland take on Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, but why is he ineligible to feature? Goal is here to bring you everything you need to know.

Scotland are currently preparing for their third and final Group D fixture, which they must win to have any hope of qualifying for the round of 16 after picking up just one point from their games against the Czech Republic and England.

Steve Clarke's side can still qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams if they beat Croatia, but will have to do so without Gilmour, who produced a man-of-the-match performance in the 0-0 stalemate with England at Wembley.

Why is Billy Gilmour not playing for Scotland? 

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced that Gilmour had tested positive for Covid-19 following the latest round of UEFA PCR testing over the weekend.

The Chelsea star is now self-isolating in accordance with coronavirus protocols, and won't be allowed to return to action until he posts a negative test.

How long will Gilmour be self-isolating?

Gilmour will have to observe a 10-day period in quarantine, and cannot have any contact with the rest of the squad during that time, meaning he will also be on the sidelines during the round of 16 if Clarke's men make it through.

However, should his recovery run smoothly, the 20-year-old could be available again in time for the quarter-finals, which are due to kick off on July 2.

What’s been said?

Clarke has admitted that losing Gilmour for such an important game is a major setback for his team, but has also highlighted the fact that his absence creates a huge opportunity for another member of his squad to make an impact on the international stage.

"He's upset, as you would expect. He has no symptoms, hopefully, his health will hold up," the Scotland boss said after Gilmour's diagnosis. "Hopefully he'll get back to playing as quickly as possible.

"Obviously a blow for us but a chance for someone else. Billy would have started the game and now he won't, so it's a chance for someone else to come into the team and make themselves a national hero."

Who else has been told to self-isolate?

England have also been adversely affected by Gilmour's positive test, with Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell now having to follow self-isolation regulations after coming into contact with their Chelsea team-mate after Friday's encounter.

Both players were seen hugging Gilmour after the final whistle, and as a precautionary measure will remain in quarantine until at least June 28, meaning they will sit out the Three Lions' final group-stage outing against the Czech Republic.

Further reading

Cristiano Ronaldo's disdain for Coca-Cola has been one of the major talking points of the European Championship, but why did his actions cause so much controversy? Goal is here to tell you everything you need to know about the incident.

Ronaldo has once again been one of the star attractions at the Euros, scoring three goals in Portugal's first two group matches to put them within sight of a place in the round of 16.

However, the Juventus superstar's exploits on the pitch have been overshadowed by a now-infamous show of contempt towards one of the world's most popular brands in front of the media. 

What did Cristiano Ronaldo do?

Ronaldo sat down for his first pre-match press conference of the tournament last Monday before Portugal's clash with Hungary, and noticed that two bottles of Coca-Cola were sitting directly in front of him.

The 36-year-old promptly removed the soft drinks from the view of the cameras and replaced them with a water bottle, rolling his eyes while muttering with an undertone of disgust "Coca-Cola".

Ronaldo held up his water bottle before setting it down and said 'Agua' - the Portuguese term for water - in an apparent attempt to urge people to drink water instead of Coca-Cola.

What other players have moved bottles at Euro 2020?

Manuel Locatelli took the same stance as Ronaldo prior to Italy's 3-0 victory against Switzerland in their second Group A fixture last Wednesday, smiling broadly while placing a water bottle at centre stage instead of the customary two Coca-Cola bottles.

France midfielder Paul Pogba, meanwhile, appeared to take aim at another of Euro 2020's main sponsors when he removed a Heineken bottle from his view at a media event.

The Manchester United ace is known to be a devout Muslim and, therefore, does not drink any alcohol, but was apparently unaware that it was the brewing company's 0.0 per cent version.

Other players have tried to make light of the situation, including Ukraine's Andriy Yarmolenko, who made sure that both the Coca-Cola and Heineken bottles were in front of him after a win against North Macedonia and jokingly asked the brands to contact him.

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku followed Yarmolenko's lead after winning the man of the match award in his country's 2-1 triumph against Denmark, asking Coca-Cola to contact Roc Nation - the agency that handles his image rights.

How did Coca-Cola react to Ronaldo?

Coca-Cola's market value plummeted by £2.8 billion after Ronaldo's antics, but the company has since released a statement insisting that "everyone is entitled to their drink preferences".

How have other brands reacted?

Elsewhere, one of Europe's leading furniture retail companies, IKEA, has attempted to profit from the situation by releasing a new reusable water bottle under the name 'Cristiano'.

Major water brands have also jumped on the bandwagon, including Evian, who shared the video of Ronaldo removing the Coca-Cola bottles via Twitter with the caption: "Couldn't have said it better ourselves! #stayhydrated #drinktrue #CR7".

Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) seized an opportunity for self-promotion, posting a link on social media to one of their articles highlighting the potential health benefits of cutting out sugar from your diet.

Wembley has been given a green light from the UK government to operate at 75 per cent capacity for the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final, meaning that more than 60,000 supporters will be in attendance for those fixtures.

Those games are due to take place on July 6, 7 and 11, when coronavirus-enforced restrictions will still be in place across Britain.

It has, however, been decided that numbers at showpiece international football matches, in which England will be hoping to figure, can be raised to levels not seen now for over 15 months.

Do fans need to be vaccinated to be able to attend?

Announcing the decision, the culture department has said: "All ticket holders will need to follow a number of strict entry requirements including having a negative Covid-19 test or proof of full vaccination - two doses received, 14 days before the fixture. 

"Ticket holders registered with a GP in England will be able to display their proof of vaccination via the NHS App, or equivalent proof printed out, for example for people from Scotland and Wales. 

"Ticket holders will also be able to display a NHS negative Lateral Flow Test result via email, test message or the NHS App."

Who else has been having their say?

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has welcomed the announcement, saying: "It is great news that so many fans will be able to watch the final three matches of the Euro 2020 at Wembley.

"The last 18 months have taught us – both on and off the pitch – how integral fans are to the fabric of the game.

"This tournament has been a beacon of hope to reassure people that we are returning to a more normal way of life and this is a further step along that road."

The bigger picture

The group stage of this summer's European Championship is in the process of being completed, with England back in action against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Groups E and F will then be played to a finish on Wednesday, allowing a full line-up for the last 16 to be compiled.

There promises to be plenty of big hitters left in the competition when knockout football begins, with there only eight nations bidding an early farewell.

Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands are among those already safely through, with the likes of England, Spain, France, Germany and Portugal hoping to join them.

Further reading

Petr Cech has added his voice to those questioning the logic behind Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell being forced to take in a period of self-isolation while away with England, with the former Chelsea goalkeeper branding that decision "incomprehensible".

Two current Blues stars have been ruled out of a Euro 2020 clash with the Czech Republic on Tuesday as they must stay away from the rest of Gareth Southgate's squad after coming into contact with Billy Gilmour - who has tested positive for Covid-19 - at the end of a meeting with Scotland at Wembley.

Questions have been asked as to why two men who have posted negative tests are having to sit out major international outings while those in the Scottish camp, who have been working alongside Gilmour on a daily basis, are free to continue going about their business.

What has been said?

Cech, who is now technical and performances advisor at Stamford Bridge, has posted on social media after learning that two of those he works with in west London are having to isolate for 10 days: "Please could someone help me understand how it is possible Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell - both with negative tests - have to isolate after they got in contact with Billy Gilmour while the entire Scottish team who shared the dressing room, hotel, coach and plane while travelling, doing room and meeting room is allowed to play the game without any problem because they returned with the required negative tests? 

"What is the difference between them returning the same test results? It is incomprehensible."

The bigger picture 

A statement from the England camp has read: "We can confirm that Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount must isolate up to and including next Monday [28 June]. This decision has been taken in consultation with Public Health England.

"The pair were confirmed overnight as close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour after his positive Covid-19 test following last Friday’s match.

"Chilwell and Mount will isolate and train individually in private areas at England’s training base St George’s Park, with the rest of the squad returning there after tonight’s fixture against Czech Republic at Wembley.

"We will continue to follow all Covid-19 protocols and the UEFA testing regime, while remaining in close contact with PHE.

"The entire England squad and staff had lateral flow tests on Monday and all were again negative, as was the case with Sunday’s UEFA pre-match PCR tests.

"Further tests will be carried out as and when appropriate."

England are already guaranteed a place in the last 16 of Euro 2020 but are yet to determine when they will play next.

Topping their group would see them return to action on June 29, with Mount and Chilwell back in contention, but a runners-up finish would see them take to the field a day earlier without the Chelsea pair coming back into the fold.

Further reading

Jose Mourinho has faced plenty of criticism down the years for allowing Kevin De Bruyne to leave Chelsea, but the Portuguese claims he never wanted to sanction a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge for the Belgian.

Back in January 2014, the classy playmaker left west London in an £18 million ($25m) deal with Wolfsburg, having previously caught the eye in Germany during a loan spell at Werder Bremen.

Some 18 months later, De Bruyne was back in England at Manchester City and has gone on to become a Premier League champion, two-time PFA Player of the Year and one of the finest talents in world football during his time in a different shade of blue.

What has been said?

Quizzed on how De Bruyne was allowed to slip Chelsea's net, Mourinho - who faced accusations of having little faith in players of promise - told talkSPORT: "He impressed me so much I made the decision I don't want this kid to go on loan, I want him to stay, and in our first match of the Premier League season he started against Hull City.

"In the second match we got to Old Trafford and after this he come to me and said, 'I want to play every match, I want to play every minute'. He put a lot of pressure on that.

"He wanted to leave, he wanted to go to Germany where he was previously on loan and so happy, and his decision was to go. He put big pressure on that and it worked very well for him.

"The story is there and the quality of the player is absolute, he is top five in the world."

Mourinho added, with De Bruyne taking in just nine appearances for Chelsea: "When he was supposed to leave on loan and I made the decision for him to stay, I saw those qualities. He did not have the experience and maturity he has now, but his feet and his vision was already there.

"He knew very well what he wanted and he was not ready to have that season at Chelsea where a lot of good players were in the same team, he didn't have the patience.

"He was not ready for that, he was coming from a season in Germany where he was playing every minute of every match.

"Sometimes us coaches make mistakes, but that was not the case. I saw he had the potential to do it, but he just knew perfectly well what he wanted."

The bigger picture

De Bruyne has become a global superstar during his time with City, much to the annoyance of those in west London that missed an opportunity to benefit from his considerable talent.

He is not the only source of frustration for Chelsea, though, with a number of other proven performers having passed through Stamford Bridge en route to reaching the top.

Mohamed Salah is a fan favourite at Liverpool, but got few opportunities to earn a similar standing at Chelsea.

Romelu Lukaku was also forced to look elsewhere for the opportunities he needed to become one of the best number nines on the planet, with the Belgian now a much sought-after asset at Serie A champions Inter.

Further reading