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Napoli’s target of featuring in next season’s Champions League received a massive boost following Monday’s 2-0 away defeat of 10-man Torino.

First-half goals from Tiemoue Bakayoko and Victor Osimhen were enough for the Parthenopeans to secure all points at stake.

Both teams arrived at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino chasing contrasting ambitions. While the visitors are pursuing their European dreams, Davide Nicola’s Maroons needed a win to help their battle against relegation.

The keenly contested encounter started on a fiery note after referee Paolo Valeri sounded his whistle, but it was Napoli who drew first blood through Bakayoko.

Left unmarked by the hosts’ defenders, the France international, who is on loan from Chelsea, unleashed a right-footed beauty past goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu in the 11th minute.

Before the celebration died down, Osimhen doubled the advantage two minutes later in a spectacular fashion.

After winning the ball from Cameroonian defender Nicolas Nkoulou in Napoli’s half, the Nigeria international sped through Torino’s backline, beat Gleison Bremer before sending a low shot past Sirigu.

This is the first time since February 2017 - against Bologna - that the club has scored two goals in the opening 15 minutes of play in a Serie A away match.

Although that goal was a reality check for Nicola’s men, nevertheless, they were unable to match their well-organised opponents as they went into the half-time break with a two-goal deficit.

In the second half, both sides failed to find the back of the net after wasting several scoring opportunities.

Torino’s drive to pick at least a point against Gennaro Gattuso’s team suffered a huge setback as Rolando Mandragora was given his marching orders for a second caution in the 86th minute.

While Kalidou Koulibaly was on parade from start for the visiting side, Osimhen – who now boasts of seven Serie A goals in the 2020-21 campaign - was substituted for Andrea Petagna with 10 minutes left to play.

On the other side, Nkoulou who had a disappointing game, was taken off for Alessandro Buongiorno in the 57th minute.

Cote d'Ivoire's Wilfried Singo was named in the starting XI but was subbed off for Federico Bonazzoli in the 72nd minute.

Thanks to this result, Napoli have climbed to third on the Serie A log having amassed 66 points from 33 matches.

Italian teams who agree to join unauthorised competitions such as the Super League will be banned from competing in Serie A, Italian football federation (FIGC) chief Gabriele Gravina has warned.

Juventus, Inter and AC Milan were among the founding members of the competition which was announced over a week ago.

The plot to create the Super League to compete with the Champions League fell apart rapidly, as several teams reversed their decision to join following threats from football associations and protests from fans.

What has been said?

The FIGC has adopted a new clause into its rules threatening clubs registering for tournaments not authorised by football's official governing bodies that they face expulsion from Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

"As for the anti-Super League rule, whoever is considering joining a competition which is not authorised by UEFA, FIFA and FIGC will lose their membership," Gravina said at a news conference.

"Anyone who has interpreted the Super League as an act of simple weakness on the part of some companies experiencing economic difficulties, is wrong.

"At the moment we have no news of who stayed and who left the Super League. This rule will be included in the national licenses and then it will be embedded in the sports justice code. 

"If, by the deadline for applications for national championships, a team joins other championships of a private nature, they are out [of FIGC competitions]."

Gravina in agreement with Ceferin and Boris Johnson

Gravina said he has spoken with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin about how to deal with the threat of the Super League and says the two chiefs are on the same page.

He was also impressed by UK prime minister Boris Johnson's reaction after he said the Super League would be unfair to fans.

"I was in Montreux, I arrived with Ceferin and we had a very open, fair and concrete discussion on the Super League," Gravina said.

"We immediately found ourselves in tune, I was struck by his great determination and willingness to involve all the political forces on the field. In the space of a few hours we have been good at involving all the political forces concerned.

"The English prime minister was impeccable. He appealed to the fans and not to the clubs. This is an important message."

Have Italian teams quit the Super League?

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli was a driving force in the plot to create the new competition.

Juve said they are "committed" to the tournament but are aware that it cannot go ahead as planned, while Milan sporting director Paolo Maldini apologised to fans for his side's role in the debacle.

But neither side has confirmed that they are pulling out, whereas Inter released a statement announcing they would be withdrawing from the league.

Further reading

Eric Bailly has expressed his delight after committing himself to two more seasons with Premier League outfit Manchester United.

The 27-year-old centre-back joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2016 from La Liga side Villarreal.

Since his arrival, he has featured in more than 100 games for the Old Trafford giants in all competition.

His new contract will see him remain with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team until 2024, with the option of a further year.

And he has taken to social media to revel in the extension by stating that "the dream continues".

“Very happy to renew with the club. Thank you to all of Manchester United for placing your trust in me. The dream continues,” Bailly tweeted.

The Ivorian had earlier disclosed why he decided to remain with the 20-time English elite division kings.

"I’m very happy," he told Manchester United’s official website.

"This decision is something I didn’t have to think about, I love this club and I love playing for Manchester United. I’m happy and so are my family, everything is good.

"Now the moment with my injury has passed and I’m fit and feel good, and that’s it. A new contract is like a new challenge and I’m ready for this. For me, it’s the dream to be here. Now it’s my fifth season and I hope to be here a long time.

"We are in a good position. We have the Europa League and we are second in the league and that is very good.

“We hope we can win this trophy [Europa League] – it is very important for us and for the fans and for the season.

“We want to finish well in the Premier League as well, I’m sure we will."

This season, Bailly has played in 15 games for Solskjaer’s men in all tournaments, including eight appearances in the English elite division.

After recovering from coronavirus while on international assignment, he could be considered for selection when United take on Serie A outfit AS Roma in Thursday’s Europa League encounter.

Three days later, his team welcome Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to Old Trafford in a blockbuster Premier League encounter.

Kenya international goalkeeper Ian Otieno has stated Zesco United need not be demoralised following the Absa Cup loss to Lusaka Dynamos on Saturday.

Otieno, who saved two penalties as Lusaka Dynamos went to win 3-1 on post-match spot-kicks, said they should focus on the league matches after the loss at the Woodlands Stadium. 

“We are disappointed that we lost the final. Our objective was to win both the league and the cup," the former Red Arrows goalkeeper told the club's website.

“Unfortunately, the latter hasn’t materialized. There is no need for us to feel demoralised because we still have the Super League to fight for.

"The target now is to go for the league. Yes, the cup is sweet but the Zambian Super League is sweeter." 

Zesco United have found their footing in the league and are at the top despite struggling in the initial stages of the competition.

They have not lost a game in the last five and are five points clear of second-placed Forest Rangers, despite the fact that they have played fewer games.

"We need to quickly adjust from Saturday’s defeat and focus on Wednesday’s game against Red Arrows. Our aim is to win the league title and get back into the Caf Champions League," continued the former AFC Leopards star.

"For us what has happened has happened. We need to focus on the next games in the league. We will work on the mental aspect of the game so that we restart our league games on a positive note.”

Zesco United's head coach Numba Mumamba had also stressed the need to dust themselves off after the Lusaka disappointment and focus on the games ahead.

"For us what has happened has happened. We need to focus on the next games in the league. We will work on the mental aspect of the game so that we restart the league on a positive note,” the Zambian coach said.

Zesco United are keen to win the league title which they lost to Nkana FC last season. They finished fifth and missed the Champions League and the Confederation Cup slots for this season.

Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu has said he thinks the time is still not right to play for Ghana.

Two years after making his professional breakthrough while then playing for La Liga side Real Valladolid, the centre-back is yet to start an international career, having turned down previous opportunities.

He received his first Ghana call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in 2019 but rejected the call-up for fitness reasons.

“I’ll be so proud to play to my country, to play with Ghana, the national team,” Salisu told MozzartSport Kenya.

“But I think this is not the right moment to play in the national team. I think I need to focus on the club side because I am young, I think I need to focus on the club first and then after, when everything is fine, I can go and play for Ghana.”

Salisu’s unavailability for national duty generated controversy in the past.

In March 2020, having turned down his first call-up, the defender was highly expected to be call-up for an Afcon qualifier against Sudan but was surprisingly missing from the squad.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor, who had just assumed duty as head coach of the Black Stars, told pressmen the centre-back has not shown interest in wearing the national jersey, having failed to honour calls prior to the squad announcement.

This explanation did not go down well with the player, who felt the coach’s remarks threw him under the proverbial bus.

“Mohammed Salisu has confirmed to play for us and he is part of our plans. The moment isn’t right to invite him,” GFA communications director Henry Asante Twum told Nhyira FM last month.

“We are only happy he has overcome his challenges at Southampton and started getting playing time. He is top quality material for the Premier League undoubtedly and will help us.

“When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted he will be back on our radar."

The defender could be handed his second call-up as Ghana face Ethiopia and South Africa in the 2022 World Cup qualifying matches in June.

UEFA has launched an investigation into allegations Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a financial interest in a betting company.

The Sweden international is still impressing on the field at the age of 39 and signed a a new deal with AC Milan last week.

However, off-field issues are threatening to overshadow the autumn of his career - with UEFA appointing an inspector to look into the allegations.

What has been said?

In a statement on its website, UEFA said: “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has today been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by Mr. Zlatan Ibrahimovic for having an alleged financial interest in a betting company.

“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

The allegations

UEFA has been limited in the statement it has released, but the probe follows on from a report in Ibrahimovic’s native Sweden that said he could be hit with a ban on account of alleged links to betting firm Bethard.

Aftonbladet reported earlier in April that Ibrahimovic’s company Unknown AB owns shares in Bethard.

FIFA and UEFA rules prohibit players from having financial interests in gambling companies, with fines and bans of up to three years in their regulations.

On the pitch

Zlatan is now contracted to Milan until the summer of 2022, with the club hopeful he will spearhead a Serie A title challenge next term.

The forward has plenty to play for next season, as he recently returned to the international fold and said his aim was to play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Further reading

Ismaila Sarr praised the collective effort of his Watford teammates after they defeated Millwall to confirm their return to the Premier League.

In the keenly contested EFL Championship encounter against the Lions, the Senegal international broke the deadlock at Vicarage Road with his 11th-minute penalty.

That effort stood as the only goal in that encounter as Xisco Munoz’s men sealed all points at stake to join Norwich City in the English elite division.

Sarr’s played a key role in the Hornets’ success having contributed 13 goals and four assists in 39 matches. Nonetheless, he claimed his teammates deserved all the accolades.

“I didn’t win anything. The whole team won,” the 23-year-old told the club website.

“I just tried to do my job, creating dangerous situations and scoring goals. The reality is there’s been an effort from the whole group.

“Yes [it’s one of my career highlights] but we can still do better. The league is not finished, and we still have two games to go, so we have to carry on.

“I just decided I wanted to take the penalty. It’s not the first time I’ve played football and it’s not the first time I’ve gone for a penalty.

“I’m very happy, and everyone is happy as well, because everyone did such a great job, from the players to the manager and the staff behind the scenes.”

The former Rennes and Metz man has thrived under manager Munoz – scoring ten goals, including the winner against the Canaries on Boxing Day.

“The style changed and ever since he came in, he’s wanted us to attack, attack, attack,” he continued.

“I really like doing that and this new style has suited us.”

In his maiden Premier League campaign, Sarr found the net n victories over Manchester United and Liverpool. Even at that, the Vicarage Road side were demoted.

This time around, he is hopeful their fate will be different.

“I’m very happy now,” he added. “The past is the past, it’s behind us. Now we have to look forward and come back and make sure we do well in the Premier League next season.

“I hope we can do well, and I also hope I can do better in the Premier League than I did this season.

“The only way to do so is to take our rest once the season is over and then come back and start working again and pushing as much as we can.”

Biashara Mara United made a huge step towards a top-four finish in the Tanzania Mainland League with a 2-1 win over Kagera Sugar at Karume Memorial Stadium in Musoma.

Deogratius Mafie and Lenny Kissu were on target for the hosts with Vitalisy Mayanga striking for the visitors.

Kenyan tactician Francis Baraza was making a return to his former team with the aim of getting a positive outcome to help the Sugar Millers get out of the relegation zone.

Biashara had not won any games since the departure of the tactician on March 4, same as their opponents, who had also not won any game since appointing the experienced Kenyan to lead them.

Both teams had drawn two games and lost as many.

Prior to Monday's meeting, Biashara had not defeated Kagera in their previous five meetings. They had drawn two and lost three - including the 3-0 loss in the first round.

However, the hosts needed 24 minutes to show they were ready to break the jinx. They won a corner which was played in by Ramadhan Chombo and the unmarked Mafie rose highest to head home.

Four minutes later, a concentration lapse at the back allowed Kissu to get into the danger zone and he did not hesitate to double the advantage.

The Sugar Millers managed to get a goal back in the 84th minute to set up a tense finale. But the hosts stood firm to claim maximum points.

It was their 28th game of the season and their 12th win. They have drawn eight and lost as many and as a result, they are placed fourth with 44 points.

For Kagera, they are currently in 16th position with 28 matches. They have managed to get six wins, nine draws, and 13 losses.

In another top-tier assignment, Mtibwa Sugar fell 2-1 against Polisi Tanzania at Uwanja wa Jamhuri in Morogoro.

The opener came about after Tariq Seif was gifted possession in the danger zone, teed up the advancing Abdulaziz Makame who shot from just outside the area and into the net.

Darwesh Saliboko then dispossessed the defender in the 40th minute before cutting back to Seif, who cooly slotted home the second to ensure his team went for into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage.

Substitute Kelvin Sabato converted Salum Kihimbwa's pass in the 50th minute to pull one back but it turned out to be a mere consolation.

Keylor Navas has signed a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Costa Rica international is now tied to the French giants until 2024.

Navas, 34, has been a crucial player for Mauricio Pochettino's team this season, having made 37 appearances in all competitions.

What happened?

Navas' previous contract at PSG was set to expire at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

But the goalkeeper has signed a 12-month extension to keep him tied to the club until summer 2024.

“Very happy to extend Keylor Navas' contract," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said.

"He is the greatest goalkeeper in the world. He inspires great confidence in the team and our fans love him. He will be a decisive player in the major end-of-season deadlines, and in the years to come."

How many games has Navas played for PSG?

Navas joined the Ligue 1 side from Real Madrid in September 2019.

He has featured 72 times in total for PSG and helped them to success in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue last season, while they also reached the Champions League final.

What next for Navas and PSG?

PSG are currently second in Ligue 1, trailing leaders Lille by a point.

They will face Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

Further reading

The PFA has urged its members to join the social media boycott that will take place between April 30 and May 3.

The Premier League, Women's Super League and EFL are among those to have signed up to an online blackout at the end of the month intended to help eradicate prejudice and discrimination in sport.

Leading sides and organisations across the country will be shutting their social channels down across four days, with a full programme of competitive fixtures set to take place that weekend.

What has been said?

The PFA has said in a statement calling for more support to that cause: "As players, your collective voice and influence has the power to hold multinational companies to account and sends a powerful message to a global audience - abusive behaviour is unacceptable.

"The PFA is also calling on major brands and sponsors, who work with players, to switch off and pull their funding on the platforms during the boycott.

"We know from our members' first-hand accounts that online hate causes trauma. The impact of the abuse can also extend to family members and impressionable fans. We want more significant levels of action from the social media companies and platforms to take greater responsibility for tackling racism and discrimination on their channels.

"Football is calling for the use of filtering, blocking and swift takedowns of offensive posts, improved verification processes and re-registration prevention."

Who is already involved in the boycott?

The FA, Premier League, EFL, FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out and the FSA will all take part in the boycott.

Social media channels across English football will shut down between 3pm GMT on Friday April 30 and 11.59pm on Monday May 3.

A statement released when that action was revealed read: "As a collective, the game recognises the considerable reach and value of social media to our sport. The connectivity and access to supporters who are at the heart of football remains vital.

"However, the boycott shows English football coming together to emphasise that social media companies must do more to eradicate online hate, while highlighting the importance of educating people in the ongoing fight against discrimination.

"In our letter of February 2021, English football outlined its requests of social media companies, urging filtering, blocking and swift takedowns of offensive posts, an improved verification process and re-registration prevention, plus active assistance for law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute originators of illegal content. 

"While some progress has been made, we reiterate those requests today in an effort to stem the relentless flow of discriminatory messages and ensure that there are real-life consequences for purveyors of online abuse across all platforms.

"Boycott action from football in isolation will, of course, not eradicate the scourge of online discriminatory abuse, but it will demonstrate that the game is willing to take voluntary and proactive steps in this continued fight."

The bigger picture

The PFA has also called upon major brands and sponsors to join the protest across football in England.

According to their statement, a report into online abuse during Project Restart in 2020 uncovered 825,515 tweets directed at players, of which over 3,000 were considered to be abusive and more than half of those contained racist abuse.

There have been many more examples emerge during the 2020-21 campaign, with Kyle Walker the latest to ask "when is this going to stop?" after being targeted by trolls in the wake of Manchester City's 1-0 win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has removed himself from social media until the companies involved take decisive action against those responsible for spreading hate, with the expectation being that many more players will take similar action.

Further reading

Eric Bailly has signed a new Manchester United contract to stay at Old Trafford until 2024, with the option of a further year.

The centre-back has struggled for starts this season and, with just one year left on his current deal, his representatives had been alerted to interest from other clubs.

However, after discussions with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United, the 27-year-old feels more confident he will be given a role to play and has now committed his future to the Red Devils.

What has Bailly said?

"I’m very happy," Bailly told the club's official website. "This decision is something I didn’t have to think about, I love this club and I love playing for Manchester United. I’m happy and so are my family, everything is good.

"Now the moment with my injury has passed and I’m fit and feel good, and that’s it. A new contract is like a new challenge and I’m ready for this. For me, it’s the dream to be here. Now it’s my fifth season and I hope to be here a long time.

"We are in a good position. We have the Europa League and we are second in the league and that is very good. We hope we can win this trophy [Europa League] – it is very important for us and for the fans and for the season. We want to finish well in the Premier League as well, I’m sure we will."

What has Solskjaer said?

Solskjaer said: "I am pleased that Eric has signed this new contract. He is still learning and improving all of the time under the coaches here. Eric has improved his robustness since my time as manager and he will continue to play a significant part in the squad.

"He possesses fantastic speed, timing of tackle and has that aggression which, of course, you need as a centre-back. He is a popular member of the squad and we look forward to continuing to work with him going forward."

When did Bailly join Man Utd?

The Ivorian joined from Villareal in the summer of 2016 and signed an extension in January 2020 to keep him at the club until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Bailly has only made 15 appearances for United this season with various injuries and, most recently, Covid-19 keeping him sidelined behind first-choice pairing Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

He has made 100 appearances in all competitions, a number which would have been higher had he not suffered serious injuries.  

What does Bailly's new contract mean?

A centre-back has been on Solskjaer's summer transfer target list for a while, with the club keeping tabs on a number of different players ahead of the window opening. It is also understood they are keen on signing a centre-forward. 

Should Edinson Cavani decide to leave, the need for a forward will be further exacerbated and, with Bailly staying and United keeping more clean sheets, the need for another centre-half may not be as pressing. 

When asked about progress after the draw against Leeds, Solskjaer said "an additional two" will help to keep his team pushing up the table. United are expected to be active in the summer window, but budgets are still constrained due to Covid-19. 

Further reading

The League Cup has almost become Manchester City’s personal property in recent years. With their victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Wembley on Sunday, they have now won this tournament four times in a row under Pep Guardiola. 

City dominated the first half, with creator-in-chief Kevin De Bruyne running the show but unable to break the deadlock. With both teams fancying their chances late in the second half, it was Aymeric Laporte who headed what would be the winning goal into the back of the net with just 8 minutes to go to full time. Captain Fernandinho picked up the trophy in front of jubilant City fans.

The Brazilian is no stranger to lifting the trophy. Since 2013, City have clinched an incredible six titles in just eight years and the two players who have taken home the winner’s medal on every single one of these occasions are Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero.

Under normal circumstances, the Carabao Cup final takes place in late February or early March, therefore being the first trophy, an English club can win in the season.

City have, in previous years, used this victory as a launchpad to propel their end of season league title charge. In March 2014, they claimed victory over Sunderland in the final of the League cup and then went on to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Yaya Toure, in the best season of his career, scored a crucial equalizing goal, adding to his tally of monumental goals for City. Two further second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas guided them to their first League Cup title since 1976.

Their next League Cup victory was achieved in 2015-16, the second success under the stewardship of Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini. The final against Liverpool ended 0-0 and was decided by a penalty shootout where keeper Willy Caballero made three spectacular saves.

City have now equalled Liverpool’s record of four consecutive victories as well as their record for the most number of League Cup titles. At this rate, a separate cabinet exclusively for League Cup trophies needs to be installed in the Etihad Stadium.

The League Cup has almost become Manchester City’s personal property in recent years. With their victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Wembley on Sunday, they have now won this tournament four times in a row under Pep Guardiola. 

City dominated the first half, with creator-in-chief Kevin De Bruyne running the show but unable to break the deadlock. With both teams fancying their chances late in the second half, it was Aymeric Laporte who headed what would be the winning goal into the back of the net with just 8 minutes to go to full time. Captain Fernandinho picked up the trophy in front of jubilant City fans.

The Brazilian is no stranger to lifting the trophy. Since 2013, City have clinched an incredible six titles in just eight years and the two players who have taken home the winner’s medal on every single one of these occasions are Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero.

Under normal circumstances, the Carabao Cup final takes place in late February or early March, therefore being the first trophy, an English club can win in the season.

City have, in previous years, used this victory as a launchpad to propel their end of season league title charge. In March 2014, they claimed victory over Sunderland in the final of the League cup and then went on to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Yaya Toure, in the best season of his career, scored a crucial equalizing goal, adding to his tally of monumental goals for City. Two further second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas guided them to their first League Cup title since 1976.

Their next League Cup victory was achieved in 2015-16, the second success under the stewardship of Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini. The final against Liverpool ended 0-0 and was decided by a penalty shootout where keeper Willy Caballero made three spectacular saves.

City have now equalled Liverpool’s record of four consecutive victories as well as their record for the most number of League Cup titles. At this rate, a separate cabinet exclusively for League Cup trophies needs to be installed in the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is against changes to the Champions League, which will see clubs playing more fixtures in the group stage.

The Blues are already set to complete a 58 or 59-game season this year and that total would be increased in future, with four extra matches added to the group phase of the Champions League from 2024.

Along with UEFA's revamped Nations League and FIFA's new Club World Cup tournament proposals, Tuchel believes that players at the top clubs are being pushed beyond their physical limits.

What has Tuchel said?

"I am not sure if I like it because I can only see many more games in the schedule that we have. It is very hard for me to get excited about it," Tuchel said ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

"With these discussions about the Super League, we forget that we now have a new format in the Champions League. Did they ask any coach about it? I don’t think so. Did they ask any players about it? I don’t think so.

"We have a Nations League, a new championship for the clubs, so much more stuff and so many more games, European Championships in the summer, it is just more and more games. Who should play these games?

"At the same time, we have only three substitutes per game here in the Premier League. No, I am not happy about this format."

The Super League fallout?

After Real Madrid president Florentino Perez led the Super League project and publicly defended it, English clubs, including Chelsea, were praised by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin for leaving early and collapsing the plans.

Ceferin has also said that English clubs will face reduced UEFA sanctions compared to the Spanish and Italian clubs involved in the ESL. Ahead of Tuesday's game against Madrid, Tuchel is happy that neither Chelsea nor the Blancos were kicked out of this season's competition as a punishment.

"We deserve to be in the semi-final like Real Madrid," he added. "We don't deserve it because of political decisions, or influence, or size or nice shirts; we deserve it because we came a long way.

"I was part of it since the knockout phase. All teams have come a long way. They have fought their way through on sporting results in the toughest competition in Europe. So, of course, we deserve to play in the semi-final.

"If a problem exists on a political sports level, then it has to be solved on this level, not during a competition which is not affected. Right now, we deserve, through the competition, to be there.

"That's why we are full of confidence and looking forward to playing these matches on the highest level because that's what we all dream about when we are kids."

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has been asked repeatedly about whether UEFA's referees will punish his team for his club's role in the Super League plans, and Tuchel was also asked to comment on the issue by Spanish journalists.

"I trust 100 per cent in the referee and in UEFA and in the competition," said Tuchel. "I trust 100 per cent that any referee UEFA sends on this level. We need the best referees because it's very, very difficult."

Further reading

Express FC duo of forward George Senkaaba and left-back Arthur Kiggundu have come out to discuss their road to recovery after picking injuries at the start of the Ugandan Premier League season.

The duo has been out of action for close to five weeks now, Senkaaba suffered multiple partial tears in his Achilles during the 1-0 away win over his former club Kitara FC on March 2, 2021.

Meanwhile, three days later after Senkaaba got injured, left-back Kiggundu also got injured in the 1-0 home win over Busoga United, and both injuries were given a period of about six weeks to recover.

Senkaaba, who had scored six goals to his name before he picked the injury, has now said it was a setback for him to suffer the injury at a time he had started to score goals.

“It’s been tough watching from the sidelines, to get injured is part of football but the time when it happens is really vital,” Senkaaba told the club’s official website.

“As a forward, I felt I had started doing well therefore, it was a setback but the club has done a tremendous job to help us get back to our feet.

“The strength and conditioning coach [Hellen Buteme] along with the medical team [Makubya Alyosius and Wante Godfrey] have been supportive too so in no time I will be back in the squad.”

On his part, Kiggundu told the same portal: “Like George [Senkaaba] said, injuries are always a setback but we have focused on getting better to return to full fitness as soon as possible.

“The bots have soldiered on well, they have fought hard to put the team to the level it is now and we are very grateful, the focus now is to return to the top of the table and win silverware.”

Both players have already resumed light training under the supervision of coach Buteme and are not far away from regaining full fitness. According to team doctor Alyosius, they have shown positive recovery.

“It’s been a bit tough on both of them,” Alyosius told the same portal. “No player wants to sit out and watch others play, but I should say they are mentally strong and they have done well.

“We hope that they recover in a few weeks time and resume playing.”

The Red Eagles sit third on the 16-team table with 40 points, four adrift of table leaders URA FC and three adrift of second-placed Vipers SC, and they will face Onduparaka FC at home in their next assignment.

Yanga SC captain Haruna Niyonzima has insisted they are not yet out of the title race despite falling by a solitary goal to Azam FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.

Prince Dube scored the only goal of the match in the 86th minute to deny Timu ya Wananchi an opportunity to return on top of the Tanzanian Mainland League table. The 27-time league champions have played three games more than leaders Simba SC, and are on 57 points, one less than the reigning champions.

With the league headed for the climax, many believe Wananchi are out of the race but not the Burundi international.

"We have played a good game but as you understand, football is a game of mistakes," Niyonzima told Goal.

"Despite having a good game, we made one mistake and Azam punished us. It is football; however, I am still optimistic we can win the league. We still have league matches to play, it is not like the league has ended. 

"And then, Simba and Azam can lose matches as well. So we still have a chance to win the league and we will give our best. The most important thing is to keep on fighting without losing faith and focus.

"As players, we should not give up the hope of winning the league. Let us fight to the end because things might change to our advantage."

After Sunday's outcome between the two sides, Wekundu wa Msimbazi Communications Officer Haji Manara has taken a jibe at rivals Yanga SC.

"Just continue thumping your chests daily when the fact remains you have a bad team," Manara posted on his social media platform.

"You are not ready to win the league title [this season] maybe in 2030. I always tell you to build a team and stop competing with Simba but you are not heeding my advice. Now, where are you?

"Thanks, Azam FC [my second team] you have bailed out the nation."

The Ice-cream Makers are third with 54 points from 28 matches having won 15 of them, drawn nine, and lost four.

Former Dutch stars Marco van Basten and Dirk Kuyt have slammed Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel for his handling of Hakim Ziyech.

A week after firing the Blues into the FA Cup final with his match-winning goal against Manchester City, Ziyech started on the bench as Tuchel’s men secured a 1-0 win at West Ham United on Saturday.

The Morocco international was later introduced for his 19th Premier League appearance as a 75th-minute substitute for Christian Pulisic.

Tuchel's decision to keep Ziyech out of his starting XI on Saturday did not go down well with Van Basten who suggested Chelsea’s new system does not fit the 28-year-old playmaker.

“Ziyech again on the couch. When he gets in, that's like a striker. He can do that too, because he is just a good player. I am sad to see rotation... He's just not in the right place,” Van Basten said on Ziggo Sport via Voetbalzone.

“That Werner plays really badly, but doesn't he come in much more often? The system this trainer plays is just not good for Ziyech. Then as Ziyech you have to say: 'You know what? I have to plead.

“It is now about Ziyech because I have nothing to do with that man. This is not getting along like that. I'm not saying it's bad for Ziyech or bad for that trainer, but it doesn't work like that.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt questioned Timo Werner’s regular presence in the Chelsea starting XI after he ended his 17-game goal drought on Saturday.

“He scored in that FA Cup match against Manchester City. Then you think: well, he's through it,” Kuyt said.

“The next game: boom, on the bench. Then you look at Werner, who can do whatever he wants. He plays over and over. He scored against West Ham, but he could have made one more.”

Ziyech has scored more goals under Tuchel (three goals) compared to the two efforts he registered under former manager Frank Lampard.

Former Blues defender Khalid Boulahrouz thinks the Morocco star is not appreciated by the former PSG boss.

“It doesn't feel good: you don't play the football you want to play in a system that doesn't suit you,” Boulahrouz added.

“You don't feel the appreciation of the trainer, his status under Lampard was very different from now under Tuchel.”