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It isn’t too often that Real Madrid find themselves navigating the kinds of choppy waters that they have done in recent times, where a run of one win in five matches across all competitions prompted talk of a crisis for Zinedine Zidane’s side.

The stormy seas were quelled somewhat at the weekend as Los Merengues revealed their true class to defeat Sevilla 1-0 away.

It wasn’t always pretty—the decisive goal came from the hosts’ goalkeeper Yassine Bono—but it will at least give Real a boost as they look to tackle the next obstacle on the horizon.

And what an obstacle it is!

Typically, by matchday six of the Champions League, the most successful team in the competition’s history are able to step out onto the pitch knowing their passage to the knockout stages is secure.

Not so this time, where a troubled campaign to date has left Los Blancos with it all to do in their final fixture.

Their European form has been patchy so far, with a pair of defeats against Shakhtar Donetsk—3-2 at home, 2-0 away—have left Zidane’s team on the precipice.

Their away draw at Wednesday’s opponents Gladbach in October didn’t help either, although on that occasion, the Spanish champions demonstrated the character—coming back from two goals down with late strikes from Karim Benzema and Casemiro—that they’ll need to show again in midweek.

The permutations are not straightforward, although Real—who currently sit third in Group B—definitely cannot afford to let some of the deficiencies they’ve shown in recent matches undermine them once again.

They head into the contest tied on seven points with Shakhtar—who trump them in the head-to-head stakes—and one behind group leaders Gladbach.

A win would send Real through regardless of the result in the game between the Ukrainians and Internazionale, and will surely be the target of Zidane.

A draw would be enough if Inter defeat Shakhtar in Italy; it would take Real above the Ukrainians on eight points, and while Antonio Conte’s side would then also have eight points, Los Merengues would advance ahead of them due to a superior head-to-head record.

Either way, it would be unacceptable for Real to drop into the Europa League—or exit Europe altogether—as Manchester United have done already.

The good news for Zizou heading into the bout is that Real can welcome back Dani Carvajal and skipper Sergio Ramos, with the latter in particular a major boost.

Ramos is the heartbeat of this side, and his experience and big-game mentality will be major assets for Los Blancos as they look to navigate this tricky showdown.

Defensively, there have been lapses for Real in recent weeks—not least in Europe—and so the return of such a commanding presence as Ramos will doubtless ensure a greater measure of stability as he is set to feature for the first time since the international break.

Without him, Real have lost seven of their last nine UCL matches, and he should be central to their progression.

The return of Carvajal could also be vital as Real look to silence Gladbach dangerman Marcus Thuram, who will line up opposite the Spain full-back on the Germans’ left flank.

Thuram caused major problems for Real during the first match between the pair, and if Los Blancos cannot find a way to neutralise his threat, they may be destined to miss out on the knockouts.

Further up the field, however, several potential key contributors are missing.

Primarily among them is Eden Hazard, whose troubled time at the club continues to veer from injury worry to injury worry. His latest setback—a thigh problem—is likely to rule him out until 2021, while Fede Valverde, Mariano, Luka Jovic and Martin Odegaard are all absent for Real as well.

Instead, Zidane will have to rely on Benzema, as well as youngsters such as Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior as he looks to get past the German side.

Wednesday’s game may well represent a turning point for Real’s season; lose, and they will be plunged into yet more crisis talk. Win, and Zidane’s side will remain firmly in the hunt for the silverware they believe is rightfully theirs.

UEFA has rescinded the red card that Pierre Webo received during Paris Saint-Germain's postponed clash with Istanbul Basaksehir, and he will be present when the fixture is restarted.

Basaksehir assistant coach Webo was sent off for his reaction to alleged racial abuse from fourth official Sebastian Coltescu when PSG played host to the Turkish outfit on Tuesday night.

UEFA has officially reversed that decision ahead of the rescheduled fixture, which will kick off from the 14-minute mark at 5:55pm GMT (12:55pm ET) on Wednesday.

Basaksehir have confirmed the news via their social media channels, while European football's main governing body has released a statement outlining its plans to conduct a full-scale investigation into the incident.

The statement on UEFA's website reads: "In accordance with the Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed today to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding the incident and the events that led to the UEFA Champions League group match between Paris Saint-Germain-İstanbul Basaksehir FK being abandoned.

"Information in regards to this investigation will be made available in due course."

A new set of officials will take charge of the match when it resumes, with Dutch referee Danny Makkelie set to replace Ovidiu Hategan, who showed Webo the red card which prompted both sets of players to walk off in a united stance against racism.

Basaksehir forward Demba Ba, who was on the substitutes' bench when the melee began, was seen arguing with Coltescu, Hategan and the rest of the officials on the touchline, as he stated: "You never say, 'This white guy, that white guy.' 

"But when it's a Black guy, you have to say, 'This Black guy'."

The scoreline was locked at 0-0 when play was stopped, but PSG are now assured of qualification for the round of 16 regardless of the final outcome after RB Leipzig's 3-2 home win over Manchester United.

The Red Devils will now drop into the Europa League, while Basaksehir were already destined to finish bottom of Group H having only picked up three points from a possible 15 in their opening five fixtures.

It isn’t too often that Real Madrid find themselves navigating the kinds of choppy waters that they have done in recent times, where a run of one win in five matches across all competitions prompted talk of a crisis for Zinedine Zidane’s side.

The stormy seas were quelled somewhat at the weekend as Los Merengues revealed their true class to defeat Sevilla 1-0 away.

It wasn’t always pretty—the decisive goal came from the hosts’ goalkeeper Yassine Bono—but it will at least give Real a boost as they look to tackle the next obstacle on the horizon.

And what an obstacle it is!

Typically, by matchday six of the Champions League, the most successful team in the competition’s history are able to step out onto the pitch knowing their passage to the knockout stages is secure.

Not so this time, where a troubled campaign to date has left Los Blancos with it all to do in their final fixture.

Their European form has been patchy so far, with a pair of defeats against Shakhtar Donetsk—3-2 at home, 2-0 away—have left Zidane’s team on the precipice.

Their away draw at Wednesday’s opponents Gladbach in October didn’t help either, although on that occasion, the Spanish champions demonstrated the character—coming back from two goals down with late strikes from Karim Benzema and Casemiro—that they’ll need to show again in midweek.

The permutations are not straightforward, although Real—who currently sit third in Group B—definitely cannot afford to let some of the deficiencies they’ve shown in recent matches undermine them once again.

They head into the contest tied on seven points with Shakhtar—who trump them in the head-to-head stakes—and one behind group leaders Gladbach.

A win would send Real through regardless of the result in the game between the Ukrainians and Internazionale, and will surely be the target of Zidane.

A draw would be enough if Inter defeat Shakhtar in Italy; it would take Real above the Ukrainians on eight points, and while Antonio Conte’s side would then also have eight points, Los Merengues would advance ahead of them due to a superior head-to-head record.

Either way, it would be unacceptable for Real to drop into the Europa League—or exit Europe altogether—as Manchester United have done already.

The good news for Zizou heading into the bout is that Real can welcome back Dani Carvajal and skipper Sergio Ramos, with the latter in particular a major boost.

Ramos is the heartbeat of this side, and his experience and big-game mentality will be major assets for Los Blancos as they look to navigate this tricky showdown.

Defensively, there have been lapses for Real in recent weeks—not least in Europe—and so the return of such a commanding presence as Ramos will doubtless ensure a greater measure of stability as he is set to feature for the first time since the international break.

Without him, Real have lost seven of their last nine UCL matches, and he should be central to their progression.

The return of Carvajal could also be vital as Real look to silence Gladbach dangerman Marcus Thuram, who will line up opposite the Spain full-back on the Germans’ left flank.

Thuram caused major problems for Real during the first match between the pair, and if Los Blancos cannot find a way to neutralise his threat, they may be destined to miss out on the knockouts.

Further up the field, however, several potential key contributors are missing.

Primarily among them is Eden Hazard, whose troubled time at the club continues to veer from injury worry to injury worry. His latest setback—a thigh problem—is likely to rule him out until 2021, while Fede Valverde, Mariano, Luka Jovic and Martin Odegaard are all absent for Real as well.

Instead, Zidane will have to rely on Benzema, as well as youngsters such as Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior as he looks to get past the German side.

Wednesday’s game may well represent a turning point for Real’s season; lose, and they will be plunged into yet more crisis talk. Win, and Zidane’s side will remain firmly in the hunt for the silverware they believe is rightfully theirs.

It isn’t too often that Real Madrid find themselves navigating the kinds of choppy waters that they have done in recent times, where a run of one win in five matches across all competitions prompted talk of a crisis for Zinedine Zidane’s side.

The stormy seas were quelled somewhat at the weekend as Los Merengues revealed their true class to defeat Sevilla 1-0 away.

It wasn’t always pretty—the decisive goal came from the hosts’ goalkeeper Yassine Bono—but it will at least give Real a boost as they look to tackle the next obstacle on the horizon.

And what an obstacle it is!

Typically, by matchday six of the Champions League, the most successful team in the competition’s history are able to step out onto the pitch knowing their passage to the knockout stages is secure.

Not so this time, where a troubled campaign to date has left Los Blancos with it all to do in their final fixture.

Their European form has been patchy so far, with a pair of defeats against Shakhtar Donetsk—3-2 at home, 2-0 away—have left Zidane’s team on the precipice.

Their away draw at Wednesday’s opponents Gladbach in October didn’t help either, although on that occasion, the Spanish champions demonstrated the character—coming back from two goals down with late strikes from Karim Benzema and Casemiro—that they’ll need to show again in midweek.

The permutations are not straightforward, although Real—who currently sit third in Group B—definitely cannot afford to let some of the deficiencies they’ve shown in recent matches undermine them once again.

They head into the contest tied on seven points with Shakhtar—who trump them in the head-to-head stakes—and one behind group leaders Gladbach.

A win would send Real through regardless of the result in the game between the Ukrainians and Internazionale, and will surely be the target of Zidane.

A draw would be enough if Inter defeat Shakhtar in Italy; it would take Real above the Ukrainians on eight points, and while Antonio Conte’s side would then also have eight points, Los Merengues would advance ahead of them due to a superior head-to-head record.

Either way, it would be unacceptable for Real to drop into the Europa League—or exit Europe altogether—as Manchester United have done already.

The good news for Zizou heading into the bout is that Real can welcome back Dani Carvajal and skipper Sergio Ramos, with the latter in particular a major boost.

Ramos is the heartbeat of this side, and his experience and big-game mentality will be major assets for Los Blancos as they look to navigate this tricky showdown.

Defensively, there have been lapses for Real in recent weeks—not least in Europe—and so the return of such a commanding presence as Ramos will doubtless ensure a greater measure of stability as he is set to feature for the first time since the international break.

Without him, Real have lost seven of their last nine UCL matches, and he should be central to their progression.

The return of Carvajal could also be vital as Real look to silence Gladbach dangerman Marcus Thuram, who will line up opposite the Spain full-back on the Germans’ left flank.

Thuram caused major problems for Real during the first match between the pair, and if Los Blancos cannot find a way to neutralise his threat, they may be destined to miss out on the knockouts.

Further up the field, however, several potential key contributors are missing.

Primarily among them is Eden Hazard, whose troubled time at the club continues to veer from injury worry to injury worry. His latest setback—a thigh problem—is likely to rule him out until 2021, while Fede Valverde, Mariano, Luka Jovic and Martin Odegaard are all absent for Real as well.

Instead, Zidane will have to rely on Benzema, as well as youngsters such as Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior as he looks to get past the German side.

Wednesday’s game may well represent a turning point for Real’s season; lose, and they will be plunged into yet more crisis talk. Win, and Zidane’s side will remain firmly in the hunt for the silverware they believe is rightfully theirs.

Dean Henderson may have to leave Manchester United to become a regular for England, according to David Seaman.

Henderson returned to Old Trafford in August following an impressive two-year loan stint at Sheffield United.

The 23-year-old proved himself as one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the Premier League in 2019-20, helping the Blades secure a respectable ninth-place finish in their first season back in the top-flight under Chris Wilder.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided to bring Henderson back to United amid David de Gea's struggles for form between the sticks, and there was much debate over which man would start the new campaign as the club's No.1.

The Norwegian head coach ultimately decided to keep faith with De Gea, leaving his younger colleague with no choice but to bide his time on the bench and make the most of any opportunities in cup games.

Henderson has featured in five matches across all competitions for United so far this term, and managed to impress enough to earn a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad.

The former Sheffield United loanee came on as a half-time substitute for Tom Heaton in a 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland on November 12, but Seaman doesn't think he will nail down a spot in the Three Lions set-up unless he starts playing week in, week out at club level again.

“If Dean Henderson wants any chance of becoming England keeper, then he needs to play more football," the ex-England shot-stopper, who won a total of 75 caps for his country, told The Target Men Podcast.

“If he becomes Manchester United’s number one, then he’s a real threat to Jordan Pickford and I think he’ll probably leapfrog Nick Pope. He’s got the experience from his time at Sheffield [United].

"So, he’s got all the experience he needs, he just needs playing time, so if it’s not at Man United, then I think he really needs to go somewhere else."

De Gea was rested for United's 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday, and Henderson made some crucial saves to keep Solskjaer's men in the game after they went 1-0 down, having been handed his first-ever start for the club in the top-flight.

He was, however, dropped for the 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and De Gea will likely get the nod again when the Red Devils play host to Manchester City in a crucial derby clash on Saturday.

Jamshedpur FC's Owen Coyle feels that East Bengal have been unlucky in their debut season in the Indian Super League (ISL). 

Going into the match on Thursday evening Coyle would be a much-relived man as his team picked their first win in four games against ATK Mohun Bagan in their previous game while the Red and Golds continue to languish at the bottom of the table with zero points. 

"It (2-1 win over ATK Mohun Bagan) was a game where we deserved to win. We have been threatening to win both against Odisha (2-2) and Hyderabad (1-1). So we knew that it was just a matter of time to turn those draws into wins.

"Everyone of our lads was terrific from start to finish and that's what we need. We need to give those accomplished performances for the duration of the whole match."

East Bengal have conceded seven in three matches whereas are yet to score a goal but Coyle remains on his toes ahead of their tie.

"Having watched East Bengal's games, they have been very unlucky not to take something from all three games. They've given great performances. They have some bad luck with some injuries here and there. 

"[They have] very good players [and a] very good coach in Robbie Fowler. So it's going to be a very tough game, as tough it was against ATK Mohun Bagan. We have to make sure we are ready for that," said Coyle.

The former Bolton Wanderers coach also backed Fowler to come good as the season progresses and believes that the former Liverpool striker can turn it around for East Bengal. 

"Robbie Fowler has already shown, with the jobs that he has had, that he is a very good coach. There's no doubt that, the longer they spend together, East Bengal will be a real force to reckon with when they play according to Robbie's game.

"East Bengal is a huge club. Everything always takes time. People want everything to happen straight away. It takes time. With what East Bengal and Robbie have, they are going to be a good side - a side who are capable of beating anybody," he opined. 

After three back-to-back defeats, East Bengal will hope to turn things around in their fourth game of the season as they face Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Thursday.

Coach Robbie Fowler acknowledged that they have a tough job at hand but he is hopeful of getting a positive result against the Men of Steel.

“Like every other game, they are all tough. What I have seen here is most teams can beat anyone in this league. We know it is a tough game, (but) it is a game that we can go and try and prove where we are going. We haven’t been too bad in terms of performances but the results have gone against us.

“They just had a great result and so anytime when you are a football player and you come on the back of a great result you can’t wait for the next game to start. We know it is a difficult game but all games are difficult. We will go there with the belief to get a result and they will do the same so it has all the makings of a good game.”

The East Bengal manager spoke highly about his counterpart Owen Coyle and termed him as an 'absolute winner'.

“I have known Owen (Coyle) for many years. I know he has managed for years and I have played against him. I know he is an absolute winner in terms of what he wants and what he wants to do. He has got that correct attitude.

“His team is on the back of a tremendous result. We go into the game and we look at it as a tough game. His team will be high on confidence and we are the underdogs as we have been in all the games. But sometimes underdogs do well and hopefully, this will be the start of our journey.”

The Kolkata club is yet to score a goal in their first three matches of the season but Fowler is not too worried about his strikers’ performance and pointed out that the good thing about his team is that they are creating chances.

“Whenever a striker is not scoring goal everyone thinks that he is not having enough confidence but it is not like that always. We need other people as well to score goals. I would have been more worried if we were not creating chances. We are a team who like to play football and that is evident. We have an identity, a philosophy and we won’t change that because that is what we are all about.

“Strikers go through such phases in their careers where they don’t score goals and that is okay. It is not ideal but again we are creating chances. If you are a striker and not getting chances then that is a time to worry. We are getting chances and so that is not something we should get worried too much about. We want to score goals and that will come. There have been some decisions that have gone against us like penalties. There were various instances in games where we could have got more out of it," signed off the tactician. 

Amadou Haidara is delighted to have scored his first Champions League goal as RB Leipzig silenced Manchester United 3-2 on Tuesday evening.

In the five-goal thriller, the German elite division team took a second-minute lead as Marcel Sabitzer's cross went right the way through for Manchester City loanee Angelino to drill past goalkeeper David de Gea.

Some 11 minutes later, Haidara doubled his team’s advantage – thumping in a first-time effort past De Gea after he was picked out by Angelino.

The youngster turned provider for Justin Kluivert who gave the hosts a three-goal lead in the 69th minute.

However, the Red Devils refused to go down without a fight as Bruno Fernandes’ strike eight minutes from full-time plus Ibrahima Konate’s own goal two minutes later gave the English team a glimmer of hope, albeit, they crashed out of the competition after failing to grind out a win at the Red Bull Arena.

Buoyed with his goalscoring performance versus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, the 22-year-old took to social media to celebrate his first strike in Europe’s elite club competition.

“Proud to have scored my first Champions League goal. See you soon UCL,” Haidara tweeted.

Thanks to their result, Julian Nagelsmann's men are through to the next round of the Champions League while the Old Trafford giants have been demoted to the Europa League.

Haidara began his career with Malian side JMG Academy Bamako before moving to the Austrian Bundesliga giants in July 2016.

Initially, he was sent out on loan to the second league side FC Liefering, which is the feeder team of RB Salzburg. There, he played for the Salzburg U-19 team in the Uefa Youth League – scoring two goals against FK Vardar.

After two seasons in Austria, he moved to the Bundesliga side for an undisclosed fee in December 2018. He struggled to playing time in his maiden season, however, he featured in 19 games during the 2019-20 campaign.

This season, the Malian international has been a key member of Nagelsmann’s squad, playing in eight league games with a goal to his credit. He is expected to be in action when his team face Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Diego Maradona's personal life was as vivid as his professional one on the pitch, with many lurid tales emerging over the years regarding the World Cup winner's friendships and dalliances.

When Maradona passed away at the age of 60 on November 25, 2020, the issue of his progeny, something which had popped up every now and then during his lifetime, came into sharp focus once more.

The unfortunate reality of untimely deaths is that bitter disputes can sometimes arise over the question of inheritance.

Such scenarios can be extremely messy and it is fair to say that Maradona's financial situation at the time of his death was not exactly straightforward.

In Maradona's case, as with anyone else, his children are quite entitled to seek answers about what they may be due. So, how many children did Maradona have and who are they?

How many children did Diego Maradona have?

Maradona acknowledged that he was the father of eight children, at the time of his death in 2020. However, when it came to matters of paternity, it was not always so clear cut.

Indeed, for many years Maradona insisted that he was the father of just two children - Giannina and Dalma, the 'legitimate' daughters he had with his ex-wife Claudia Villafane.

The Argentine's first child was actually Diego Sinagra, who was born in September 1986 - a number of months before Dalma.

Sinagra, who is now known as Diego Armando Maradona Junior, was raised by his mother, Cristiana Sinagra, in Italy and grew up to be a footballer.

While Italian courts ruled that Sinagra was Maradona's son back in 1993 (after Maradona refused to undergo DNA tests), it was not until the mid-2010s that the Argentine fully acknowledged it.

Around the same time, Maradona recognised that he was also the father of Jana, a daughter who was born following an affair he had with Valeria Sabalain.

Maradona only recognised Diego Junior and Jana as his children following lengthy court battles with their mothers.

There were no paternity issues when Maradona's son Diego Fernando was born to his ex-girlfriend Veronica Ojeda in 2013.

The Argentine legend did not have any children with his most recent girlfriend Rocio Oliva, but he did acknowledge paternity of three Cuban children in 2019.

Those three children - Joana, Lu and Javielito - were reportedly born to two different mothers during time he spent in Cuba for addiction treatment between 2000 and 2005.

Maradona's daughter Gianinna once joked that her father had nearly produced enough offspring to populate an entire football team. "Only needs three more to make 11," she said, adding: "You can do it!"

Two more people have claimed to be the children of Diego Maradona in recent years - Santiago Lara and Magali Gil.

Mr Lara and Miss Gil both believe Maradona to be their father and have said that they are taking legal action in order to establish the facts.

Remarkably, not long after Maradona's death in 2020, Mr Lara's lawyer even asked a court to exhume the former player's body in order to collect a DNA sample for a paternity test.

What was Diego Maradona's estimated wealth?

It is unclear exactly how much Diego Maradona's estate is worth, with reports varying as to its true extent.

According to some reports in Argentina, once the former player's assets are taken into account - including cars, image rights contracts, properties and jewellery - it could be in the millions. 

However, his net worth is reportedly quite low (by elite footballers' standards) due, chiefly, to a dispute over tax with Italian authorities.

While Maradona alluded to the idea of giving his wealth away entirely to charity in a YouTube video in 2019, it is not actually possible in Argentine law.

Only a third of his assets can be given away, with the rest going to his children and, if applicable, spouse.

Jose Mourinho believes the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir, postponed following allegations of racism, will be "iconic" in the fight against discrimination.

Tuesday's match at the Parc des Princes was stopped before the quarter-of-an-hour mark, with both sets of players gathering on the sidelines for more than 10 minutes.

Basaksehir substitute Demba Ba was seen remonstrating with fourth official Sebastian Coltescu, before he and his team-mates were followed down the tunnel by their PSG counterparts.

Soon after, Basaksehir's official Twitter account alleged assistant coach Pierre Webo had been exposed to racist language by Coltescu, and following a delay of more than two hours the game was finally postponed.

A UEFA statement confirmed the game was to resume on Wednesday at 6.55pm local time with a new team of officials in place, while an investigation into the incident has been launched.

A host of players from across the world – including PSG stars Kylian Mbappe and Presnel Kimpembe – posted anti-racism messages to social media channels in response, and Mourinho feels the incident will be considered iconic as a result of the players making a united stand.

"It's a very sad situation," Tottenham boss Mourinho said ahead of their Europa League visit of Royal Antwerp. "Every form of racism has to be fought. It should never be accepted. I'm very sad because we don't want that in football.

"I know the referee [Ovidiu Hategan] personally, not the fourth official. [Hategan is] a very good guy and very good referee.

"To be involved, not directly, in a game that will become iconic is not a nice thing. The fourth official, only he can make his feelings clear. Of course, he made an unacceptable mistake.

"Only he can open his heart and apologise. Everyone in football, we have our responsibilities and if we make mistakes, you accept your responsibility. That game will become iconic, a Champions League game stopped, but hopefully it will never happen again."

UEFA revealed on Wednesday that an inspector had been appointed to lead a probe into Tuesday's events.

PSG have already qualified for the Champions League last 16 despite the game not yet being completed, following Manchester United's 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig.

Former Steaua Bucharest striker Harlem Gnohere has explained how he was forced to relive his own experience of racism on Tuesday night following the incident involving the fourth official in the Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir.

The final Group H match at Parc des Princes was abandoned after an alleged racist comment made by assistant referee Sebastian Coltescu towards Istanbul Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo.

Former Cameroon international Webo was seen reacting angrily towards the fourth official, with both sets of players leaving the pitch soon after and the decision eventually being made to postpone the game until Wednesday evening.

UEFA has confirmed it will launch a full investigation into the allegations, with a new set of match officials having been put in place to allow the fixture to go ahead.

Istanbul Basaksehir have also confirmed that Webo will be present at the match after his red card, shown by referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan inside the opening 15 minutes, was rescinded.

And Gnohere, who spent five years of his career playing in Romania - the home nation of the referee and fourth official from Tuesday night's Champions League clash - has explained how he suffered racist abuse during his time playing in the eastern European nation. 

He told Goal: "It's shocking. I speak Romanian, I understand Romanian, and when the images were broadcast I understood what the fourth official said. In Romania, it's something that's commonplace, but coming from the referees it is unacceptable.

"I have never been confronted like this by a referee but when I was playing at Steaua Bucharest, a whole stand performed monkey chants. It was during a derby against Dinamo. The referee was Hategan that day and he pretended he hadn't heard anything.

"He was the only one because everyone had heard the cries very well. I mentioned it on Turkish television but nothing happened.

"When I watch the game, and see his (Hategan's) attitude, I have the feeling that he doesn't want to accept what's going on. I felt like I was reliving my experience. It hurts my heart. When someone gives you monkey chants or calls you 'Black', it hurts you deep inside."

Gnohere also praised the players for their decision to exit the field and has called on the football authorities to act appropriately, adding: "That's (the players leaving the pitch) good, it's a first step.

"But I also remember the recent images of Moussa Marega, the FC Porto striker... his team-mates wanted him to stay on the pitch despite a racist incident. It's sad.

"Yesterday I saw some guys who deserve the greatest respect. Kylian Mbappe, Demba Ba... I had the chance to speak with Demba Ba once, he's a golden guy. I support them 100 per cent and I'm very satisfied that the players decided to stop the match.

"What makes me sad is that I have the feeling that the top authorities do not want to recognise racism in football. This is terrible. Racism exists and we have to admit it. When I see the president of the French Football Federation (FFF) deny there's racism in French football... Stop it! People of colour are not stupid. It is distressing."

Barcelona may be forced to sell Frenkie de Jong for financial reasons and, if that comes to fruition, Bayern Munich will be waiting to pounce and pursue the Dutch midfielder.

De Jong moved to Barcelona in 2019, with the then-Ajax star heading to Camp Nou on a deal worth an initial fee of €75 million (£65m/$85m).

He's been a regular for the Catalan side ever since, having made 42 appearances during his debut season as well as 15 so far this campaign.

However, due to the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, Barcelona are staring down financial issues, like many other clubs throughout the world.

The club has stated its intention to lower its salary commitments, but, even if Lionel Messi were to leave the club next summer, there would still be much work to be done to balance the books.

Barca understand that the club has few players that could command a big fee on the transfer market, with Ansu Fati, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Antoine Griezmann and De Jong the only ones that the club believes are true high-value players aside from Messi.

And the club could be forced to sell one of those players for financial reasons, and that decision will be made by the club's new president when they are elected early next year.

Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu came to terms on a new deal with De Jong several weeks ago, one which will keep him at Camp Nou through 2026, and the player's focus remains fixed on the current season.

Should Barcelona be forced to sell, though, there is at least one team waiting to make a move as Goal and Spox can confirm Bayern Munich remain a big admirer of the Dutch midfielder.

Bayern tried to sign De Jong after his breakthrough with Ajax, only to see the midfielder opt for Barcelona instead.

The German champions had scouted De Jong and Matthijs de Ligt all through 2018 and had good conversations with the two before they opted to take their talents elsewhere.

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic remains a fan of De Jong, and has remained in contact with the midfielder's agent in the time since the Dutchman's decision.

A potential move for De Jong would fill a need for Bayern, who have earmarked a midfield addition as a priority going forward. 

The club has several other top midfielders on its radar, including Rennes' Eduardo Camavinga and Florian Neuhaus of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Kai Havertz's "talent is unquestionable", according to ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole, who thinks the £70 million ($97m) midfielder has been subjected to a lot of unfair criticism at the start of his Stamford Bridge career.

Havertz became the second most expensive signing in Chelsea's history behind Kepa Arrizabalaga when he joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract at the start of September.

The Blues saw off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to bring in a man who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence over the last couple of seasons, and he was handed his debut by Frank Lampard in a Premier League opener against Brighton.

Unfortunately, the 21-year-old struggled to make an impact during the 3-1 victory, which marked the beginning of difficult settling in period which has extended through to the start of the festive season.

Havertz has contributed four goals and four assists to Chelsea's cause in his first 15 games in all competitions, but questions have been asked over his physicality and fitness levels as he has largely failed to live up to his hefty price tag.

The Germany international did, however, put in arguably his best performance for the Blues to date during a 1-1 draw at home to Krasnodar in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and Cole is confident he will soon begin to deliver the goods on a more consistent basis.

“No, it’s not been fair (the criticism) because when you do go into a different culture, with different team-mates, different style of play and different training, it can be tough," the former Chelsea winger told BT Sport of Havertz's potential.

"But the talent is unquestionable. He’s widely regarded as one of the best young players in Europe.

"He’s had his injury difficulties, he had the [corona]virus that set him back, but my feeling is that the cream will always rise to the top and he’s a top, top player.

"We’ve seen it in flashes and as the season moves on, that will get more and more consistent.

"I think he’s struggled a little bit with how well Werner has settled in. Two German lads coming in, obviously it helps, but he’s (Werner) settled in.

"They’ve come from different clubs, different environments and different demands in training, so Werner has settled in quicker, but Havertz will be a big player, I’m convinced of that. As the season goes on, he will impact games.”

Havertz admits that his early performances in a Chelsea shirt have fallen short of his usual high standards, but the ex-Leverkusen playmaker is happy with how he is developing under Lampard's stewardship.

"I am feeling very good," he told reporters after the Krasnodar clash. "The start (of the season) was not my best but I am very thankful to be here and I give every day my best to try to help the team.

"And of course, I know that Frank Lampard is a big manager for me. I can learn from him. He is helping me day-by-day and I am very thankful for that."

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have suspended Mathare United and Zoo FC from taking part in the FKF Premier League.

However, the two ‘rebel’ clubs have been given 48 hours to salvage their stay in the top-flight if they move to sign the broadcast deal between FKF and StarTimes.

A meeting of National Executive Committee (NEC) members held at the federation’s offices situated at Goal Project, has also given Ulinzi Stars until Monday, December 14, 2020, at 5 pm, to also return papers showing they have endorsed the deal, or else they will be expelled alongside the two clubs.

“We have suspended Mathare United and Zoo FC because they have refused to sign the StarTimes deal and for now they will not be part of the fixtures,” FKF President Nick Mwendwa told Goal after the meeting.

“However, the teams have the next 48 hours to decide whether they will sign the deal or not, if they don’t sign in the next two days, then we will have no option but to expel them from the league.”

Mwendwa continued: “The same applies to Ulinzi Stars, they have until Monday at 5 pm to confirm their commitment. Ulinzi only committed by word and said they will sign the letter but they have not returned it back, so we don’t know their stand.”

On what will happen to the players of the teams that will be expelled, Mwendwa said: “We will open for them a small transfer window of two weeks so that they can join teams of their own choice, I know they will get preferred teams to play for.

“It is unfortunate we have been forced to take such a stand but we don’t have any other option because we must play football and cannot be held at ransom by three clubs who feel they know more than other clubs.”

The 2020-21 season got underway two weeks ago and already teams that signed the broadcast deal have received Ksh2million from sponsors StarTimes and BetKing.

In the revised fixtures for this weekend, Nairobi City Stars will take on Bandari at Kasarani on ‘Friday, while on Saturday, Western Stima will welcome Tusker in Kisumu, Gor Mahia host Ulinzi Stars, and Kariobangi Sharks battle Bidco United at Utalii Grounds.

On Sunday, KCB will take on Kakamega Homeboyz, Vihiga United battle Nzoia Sugar, AFC Leopards entertain Sofapaka while Posta Rangers will come up against Wazito FC.

Thomas Vermaelen has jumped to the defence of Real Madrid star Eden Hazard and insisted he will come back to the top of his game despite his recent injury setbacks.

The Belgium international has failed to live up to expectations following his dream move to Madrid from Chelsea back in 2019, with fitness issues having hampered his ability to impress for Zinedine Zidane's side.

Hazard has played just 19 league matches since joining the Liga champions, scoring two goals, and is currently unavailable for selection after suffering a muscle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Alaves on November 28.

The 29-year-old's international team-mate Vermaelen is sure he will soon hit top form, however, and defended Hazard against accusations that he is injury prone.

"Firstly, everybody is very quick to say that he's got an injury - that he's injury-prone and that kind of stuff. I think he had a knock on his ankle and that's not his fault. It must be a muscle injury. I don't think it's too bad," Vermaelen told Goal.

"For me personally he's a world-class player. I played against him in England. He will come back. He's very positive. When he comes back and starts playing the game you'll see the best of him. I'm not worried about him. He'll come back."

Madrid's Liga rivals Barcelona, meanwhile, have been struggling for consistency in the 2020-21 campaign and find themselves in ninth place in the table, while they were also hammered 3-0 by Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The future of Lionel Messi remains a big question mark, with the Argentine, whose contract expires in 2021, exclusively revealing to Goal that he had asked to leave only to be blocked from doing so.

Vermaelen, who now plays for Vissel Kobe in Japan, spent five years in Spain with Barca and is convinced that they will recover, insisting that it's not easy to be the best season after season.

He said: "For me it's just about the team. They have had some problems financially as well. Barcelona are always a good team. Everyone is expecting Barcelona to be at the top of the club game every season which is so difficult. Sometimes it goes like that (Barca struggling).

"Eventually, Barcelona will come back to the top. At the moment, maybe it will be difficult because of the situation the club is in."

David de Gea "bottled it" against RB Leipzig, according to Paul Scholes, who says the Manchester United goalkeeper was "scared of getting hurt".

United crashed out of the Champions League after being beaten 3-2 by RB Leipzig in Germany on Tuesday night.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sat top of Group H on goal difference heading into the contest, and only needed a draw to secure safe passage through to the round of 16.

However, the Red Devils made the worst possible start when Manchester City loanee Angelino capitalised on some lackadaisical defending from the visitors to fire home the opening goal of the game with just two minutes on the clock.

Angelino turned provider 11 minutes later, floating in an inch-perfect cross from the left which Amadou Haidara volleyed past De Gea in emphatic fashion, sparking wild scenes of celebration on the Leipzig bench.

United toiled in vain to get back into the game thereafter, and ended up being caught again midway through the second half, with Harry Maguire and De Gea both arguably at fault as Justin Kluivert stole in to chip the ball into the net.

The Spanish shot-stopper turned his back as he went in to challenge Kluivert and Scholes has accused of him of failing to put his body on the line when his team needed him most.

"He bottles it, doesn’t he?" the Red Devils legend told BT Sport post-match. "Basically, he’s scared of getting himself hurt. It should never go across the box.

"Maguire looks wooden, stiff but De Gea as a goalkeeper has to come out and make himself as big as he can.

"Yes, you might get injured but he turns his back away. It’s criminal."

Solskjaer's men staged a late comeback to set up a tense final 10 minutes, with Bruno Fernandes netting a penalty and Paul Pogba forcing home a goal, but Leipzig ultimately held on for a famous victory.

Maguire admitted after the final whistle that United "started the game too slow", which left Scholes perplexed.

"Harry Maguire's interview was worrying, saying we weren't ready and at it for the first 20 minutes," said the former England international.

"How can you not be up for such a big game and such a tough game coming to Germany? 

"They should never have been in this position in the first place, but they are, and they are not ready for the first 20 minutes."