Looking for Soccer News?

Uganda head coach Johnathan McKinstry has been dealt another blow following Alexis Bbakka’s withdrawal from his squad.

The Umea FC striker, according to Sports Nation, has withdrawn late after suffering an injury. The forward is among 20 foreign-based players McKinstry had summoned for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan.

The striker was part of the team that faced Burkina Faso last year in a game which ended in a 0-0 draw in Ouagadougou.

Alex Kakuba and Uche Ikpeazu are the others who have withdrawn from the squad preparing to face the Bright Stars on Thursday.

Wycombe Wanderers’ Ikpeazu was set to make his Uganda debut but an injury suffered while turning out for the club has denied him the chance.

As the three have been ruled out, FC Ashdod striker Fahad Bayo is confident they are going to make the fans happy with a good result.

“Fans should expect the best, we want to win because we need these points badly. We are ready and we want it more,” the former Vipers SC striker said before the match.

Edirisa Lubega, Kizito Luwagga, Ronald Mukiibi and Joseph Ochaya are the foreign-based players who have already linked up with seven local players that were picked from an initial list of 20.

Coach McKinstry is expected to conduct the last training session on Wednesday before the showdown at the St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

South Sudan will host the Cranes on Monday at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium on November 17. Uganda boast of four points going into the game while South Sudan are without points as they strive to qualify for Afcon for the first time.

McKinstry’s squad for South Sudan visit:

Goalkeepers – Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al-Hilal, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA)

Defenders: Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Timothy Denis Awany (Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, England), Dissan Galiwango (Vipers), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Patrick Mbowa (URA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden).

Midfielders: Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria), Karim Watambala (Vipers), Shafic Kagimu (URA).

Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), William Luwagga Kizito (Hapoel, Israel), Edirisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Fahad Bayo (Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA FC)

Roberto Martinez labelled Eden Hazard's positive coronavirus test "disappointing" as the Belgium head coach lamented the Real Madrid star's absence.

Hazard will miss Belgium's international friendly against Switzerland on Wednesday and the Nations League showdown with England four days later after contracting Covid-19.

The 29-year-old attacker tested positive prior to Madrid's 4-1 La Liga humbling at the hands of Valencia on Sunday.

Hazard has featured just 25 times in all competitions for Madrid since arriving from Chelsea for €100 million in June last year, scoring two goals and supplying four assists. In his final campaign at Stamford Bridge, he registered 16 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League alone.

Hampered by injuries and fitness issues in the Spanish capital, Belgium boss Martinez bemoaned Hazard's latest setback.

"Obviously we were all delighted to see Eden [Hazard] play in the last three games with his club and starting to look happy and free, being able to score," Martinez told reporters.

"I think we were all looking forward to seeing Eden play for the national team. I think that was good news for the club as well because to be able to play minutes and get games will help his match fitness.

"The positive [Covid-19 test] is a disappointing news but it's not abnormal in the current world we live in. I think being positive for coronavirus is not news anymore. 

"At the moment, we are just following the protocols of UEFA and making sure that Eden carries on working at home so he doesn't lose any fitness and see how quickly he can join the national team, if it can happen.

"But no, nothing mysterious about his positive [result], nothing at all. He's asymptomatic and he feels in good spirits and that's the only thing that matters."

The Los Blancos winger has gone more than a year without playing for Belgium by the time of his next cap because of injury and now virus concerns.

"One year is indeed a long time," Dortmund star Thorgan Hazard said of his older brother's absence. "I hope this will be over soon. Both Belgium and Madrid miss Eden.

"He is one of the best players in the world and it is always better to have him in your squad. Madrid lost last weekend without him and the Red Devils were also defeated in England. We all need an Eden at 100 per cent.

"Nevertheless, he feels good. He is in good health and shows no symptoms [of Covid-19]. He is quarantined at home in Madrid and unfortunately he is not here.

"It was really a surprise for him, an unpleasant one. The injury was gone and then coronavirus was showing up. I really hope that next time there is not something again.

"He's really unlucky. These are another two weeks gone. What can he do about it? Nothing."

Tanzania captain Mbwana Samatta is doubtful to face Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.

According to reports from Istanbul where Taifa Stars are camping for the first meeting between the two sides this week, Samatta, who turns out for Fenerbahce, suffered an injury during the team’s last league match and will not be fit to represent his country.

The reports have further indicated Samatta could also miss the reverse fixture between the two sides set for Dar es Salaam on November 17.

“Mbwana [Samatta] has not reported to camp yet [here in Istanbul] because the doctors have advised him to stay away after the injury he suffered during the last league match,” a source from the team confirmed to Goal.”

Samatta – who made a move to Fenerbahce after a half-a-season stay with Aston Villa, was among the foreign-based players summoned for the match, others being Simon Msuva, who turns out for Difaa El Jadida of Morocco, and Thomas Ulimwengu of TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On Tuesday, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) confirmed the team had already left for Tunisia after the three-day training in Turkey.

The TFF posted photos of the team at Istanbul airport, as the team was ready to board the plane for Tunisia for the first of their back-to-back meetings.

Goalkeepers: Juma Kaseja (Kinondoni Municipal Council FC), Metacha Mnata (Young Africans SC), Aishi Manula (Simba SC), David Mapigano (Azam FC).

Defenders: Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC), Deus Kaseke (Young Africans SC), Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Brayson David (Kinondoni Municipal Council FC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans SC), Abdallah Kheri (Azam FC), Himid Mao (ENPPI SC), Erasto Nyoni (Simba SC).

Midfielders: Ditram Nchimbi (Young Africans SC), Ally Msengi (Stellenbosch FC), Feisal Salum (Young Africans SC), Farid Mussa (Young Africans SC), Mzamiru Yassin (Simba SC), Iddy Suleiman (Azam FC), Thomas Ulimwengu ( TP Mazembe), Saidi Hamisi (Simba SC).

Strikers: Mbwana Samatta (Fenerbahçe), Simon Msuva (Difaa El Jadida), John Bocco (Simba SC), Adam Adam (JKT Tanzania), Salum Abubakar (Azam FC).

Simba SC have maintained their stance that midfielder Clatous Chama is their player and will not leave the club anytime soon.

Reports in Tanzania have indicated that the Zambian midfielder has already agreed on terms to sign for Simba rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) and will join them when his contract ends next June.

Simba media officer Haji Manara has once again come out to state that Chama is still contracted to the team and that those saying they have signed him or want to sign are day-dreaming.

“All those are rumours, we call them rumours which don’t have any basis or facts,” Manara is quoted by Sokaletu. “Chama is our property and will not move anywhere, not now and not in the future.

“Those saying he has left to I don’t where, are just day-dreaming, they don’t have anything to say, they don’t have something to write about, the truth is Chama is still our player and he will remain here for as long as he wants.

“For now our focus is to do well in the Caf Champions League and also make sure that we win the league title again, those other stories are not, for now, we don’t have any transfer window open, so I don’t have time to discuss such.”

Simba have been drawn to face Nigerian opponents Plateau United and will host them before travelling west for the second tie. This will be the third time in a row the Tanzania Mainland League giants will be representing the country in Africa's club elite competition.

“I believe the players we have and the technical bench we have has what it takes to help us perform well in the Champions League. Their dedication and zeal will help us achieve our objectives,” Manara continued.

“All we want is support from the fans because as a team, we cannot achieve this by ourselves. We have to act together, work together in harmony and our supporters can help us achieve our goals in the international assignments.”

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi struggled to perform in the competition in the 2019/20 season and stumbled in the preliminary round, which contributed to the exit of coach Patrick Aussems, with Sven Vandenbroeck taking his position.

Orlando Pirates attacker Vincent Pule has promised to make an impact after being added to the Bafana Bafana squad.

The speedy winger was among the five players who were recently called-up by Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki for the upcoming 2020 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.

Pule, along with Mamelodi Sundowns duo Mosa Lebusa and Thapelo Morena, Cape Town City’s Thabo Nodada and Bloemfontein Celtic centre-back Tshepo Rikhotso, received late call-ups after five players withdrew from the squad due to medical reasons.

Bafana are preparing for back-to-back qualifiers against the Falcons and True Parrots Team on Friday and Monday.

“I’m excited to be called up for the national team, it’s always been great to be here with the other guys," Pule told the media in Durban. 

"And like I said, I’m excited and it’s overwhelming. I struggled a bit with injuries, but I kept going, I told myself that I’m not going to stop because of minor injuries."

The left-footed player has been one of Pirates' most outstanding players since the start of the 2020/21 season, having played a key role in helping the team eliminate Kaizer Chiefs from the 2020 MTN8.

Pule has received his first Bafana call-up since November 2018 when he started in a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in an international friendly match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

"To be here again, like I said I’m excited and I’m happy to be with the other guys. I’m happy to play with the overseas-based guys," he added.

"And for me, I’m just here to add an impact to the team, hopefully maybe I get a chance to play."

The former Bidvest Wits winger made his Bafana debut in the 0-0 draw against Libya in the 2019 Afcon qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in August 2018 under then-South Africa coach Stuart Baxter.

Pule will be hoping to feature for the national team at the same venue when Bafana host Sao Tome on Friday.

Bafana will then be the away side when the two teams meet at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has assured fans they will give them a win they face Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Wednesday.

The Montreal Impact player only arrived in camp on Monday night and managed one training session with the team ahead of the first of the two meetings between the two sides over the coming days.

Wanyama has now urged the fans to stay at home and follow them on TV owing to the Covid-19 restrictions and further assured them they will do their best to give them a win.

“Health is important, stay safe, stay at home, tune in to the TV and watch the game from home,” Wanyama said as quoted by Standard Sports. “We know they wanted to be with us as much as we wanted to be with them. We will give our best to make sure we get the three points.”

On his part, returning goalkeeper Arnold Origi has promised to write a new chapter with the team, starting with the match against Comoros.

“It feels good to be back in the Harambee Stars team, it’s always an honour,” said Origi, who is returning to the team after five years out.

“People talked about me playing for the national team knew that this chapter was never closed. I still have some unfinished business, this is something that kept me working hard and I wanted to be in the best shape possible when this opportunity came.

“I’m feeling well and playing some of my best football. It’s a difficult time, stay patient, stay strong and we shall overcome. This is the beginning of something special. We want to write a book that will be talked about for generations. Tomorrow [Wednesday] we write the first page. Stay positive, we will do our best and preserve the pride of the nation.”

On Tuesday night, the two players – Wanyama and Origi – entertained fans as they battled it out in a Playstation FIFA 21 match. 

Wanyama, who opted to use Real Madrid in the new game, emerged victorious (3-2) against Divock Origi’s cousin, who used Liverpool.

Mason Greenwood has been unfairly hounded after breaching coronavirus rules while away on England duty, according to Andy Cole, who says the Manchester United star should be judged on his ability.

Greenwood enjoyed a superb breakout campaign at Old Trafford in 2019-20, scoring 17 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions to help United finish third in the Premier League and reach three semi-finals.

The 19-year-old earned a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad in the process, but he has struggled to replicate the same form in the early stages of the new campaign.

He has only managed to score twice in his last eight outings for United, who have slipped to 14th in the top-flight standings, and was left out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's last squad for a 3-1 win at Everton on Saturday.

Greenwood has appeared out of sorts since being sent home from England duty with Manchester City's Phil Foden in September, having been punished for breaking Covid-19 protocols at the team hotel.

The teenager faced a great deal of criticism in the aftermath of the incident, and his attitude at club level has also been called into question, with Solskjaer forced to deny reports that the striker has been regularly late to training.

Cole doesn't think Greenwood deserves to be under such intense scrutiny at his age, and has called for the media to get off his back so that he can focus on returning to his best level on the pitch.

“He’s a star in the making. If he gets his head right then he’s definitely a star in the making. One hundred per cent," the United legend told The Daily Mirror.

“I’m hoping he will come through this. What’s really upset me through this situation is I’m not sure why everyone keeps hounding him the way they do.

“He’s a baby. If you don’t make mistakes when you’re a baby, when do you make your mistakes? In your 50s? He’s a boy and he’s made mistakes, he’s held his hands up, let him go out there and play his football.

“Now judge him on his football because if we’re judging him as an 18-year-old boy against what the average 18-year-old gets up to then we’ll see what they all get up to.

“Judge him on his ability, he’s made a mistake and apologised and now, please, just let him play his football now. They’ve left Foden alone, but let’s continue to hammer Greenwood. It’s just not right.

“He’s got so much to his game, he can go both sides, he can score goals and do everything. I’m sure that he can come through this.”

Manchester United are still two years away from returning to the top, according to Andrew Cole, who says his old club must rediscover their consistent streak.

United have slipped down English football's pecking order since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the latest man charged with trying to rediscover past glories.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all failed to guide the Red Devils back to the promised land, and Solskjaer is now in danger of suffering a similar fate after a poor start to the 2020-21 season.

The Manchester outfit are bidding to avoid a fourth successive trophyless campaign, but have already slipped to 14th in the Premier League table after seven fixtures.

Solskjaer's side are eight points behind leaders Leicester having played a game less, with a must-win clash against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford up next after the international break.

Positive signs have been shown in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, but United have yet to show the same kind of form which saw them storm to a third-place finish in the top flight after returning from lockdown last season.

Cole doesn't think the Red Devils will compete for the title again before 2023, and has stressed the need for Solskjaer to continue adding to his squad in order to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Asked how long it will be before they get back to challenging for the top honours, the treble winner told The Mirror: “Two years. You watched the game on Sunday, Manchester City and Liverpool, that’s the level Manchester United have to get to and that’s not going to happen by next season.

“Everything is a process. It’s about consistency. In football it’s consistency and confidence and if you marry those things together then football won’t change.

“You have to be consistent in that as well. The gaffer always used to say that if you had eight or nine playing well of course you can carry the team. If you’re all playing well then who is going to beat you? You need that belief.

“We used to beat teams in the tunnel. They’d want to keep us quiet for 20 minutes but we’d want to score two in the first 20 minutes - and, from there, everything is possible.

“It’ll take two years because you have to add players, improve, add two or three players and really improve the team. That’s where you find the consistency.

“Ole is a Man United legend and of course he knows what it takes. I hope he gets as much time as is needed. When United get it right, they get it right and they dominate because they got it right.”

Spain head coach Luis Enrique backed Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati to pick up where he left off once he has recovered from a knee injury.

Fati will spend four months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a tear to the internal meniscus of his left knee – an injury sustained in Saturday's 5-2 La Liga win over Real Betis

The 18-year-old has been in great form for Barca this term, scoring five goals and assisting two more in 10 appearances in all competitions.

Among a number of other records, he became the youngest ever scorer for Spain with his goal against Ukraine in September.

That was one of four caps earned under Luis Enrique and the former Barcelona coach is confident the teenage attacker will find his best form once he returns to action.

"Regardless of how old you are, injuries are part of football," Luis Enrique said at a news conference ahead of Wednesday's friendly with the Netherlands. 

"It is a sad moment but he will overcome it. He will be the old Ansu again."

Fati's absence could give the likes of Alvaro Morata and Marcos Llorente a chance to shine in attack against the Netherlands.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke is back with Spain for the first time in over two years, while team-mate Llorente is in line for his maiden cap this international window.

"Morata is here because he has the confidence of his coach. He has a strong profile," Luis Enrique said.

"Llorente is almost already playing as a forward at Atletico now as the second striker. 

"The normal thing is to change your position, becoming deeper in your role, but with Llorente it is the other way around."

Spain enter the midweek friendly in Amsterdam on the back of a surprise 1-0 Nations League loss to Ukraine last month.

La Roja have won only two of their five matches this calendar year but Luis Enrique insisted all that matters is that his side peak in time for next year's rescheduled Euro 2020 finals.

"These games will help us to see all the players," he said. "But after playing these three games we still won't know what we have for the European Championships. 

"That will be seen in the tournament itself, where we can do very well. We'll see. I like what I see. You have to be optimistic and positive. Spain's real level will be seen at the Euros."

Mesut Ozil has expressed his happiness after the reinstatement of Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus at the Emirates Stadium.

The mascot, who has been played by Jerry Quy for the past 27 years, posted a tweet on Tuesday from the sidelines of the Premier League club's home ground with the caption: "Back at Emirates Stadium today."

Gunnersaurus was originally made redundant last month as part of Arsenal's job-cutting scheme to help with the financial impact of Covid-19.

That decision prompted an angry response from sections of Arsenal’s fanbase and a global outpouring of support with the hashtag #JusticeForGunnersaurus.

Despite being frozen out of the Gunners squad, Ozil was saddened by Quy's dismissal and offered to pay the mascot's salary for the entire time he was an Arsenal player.

While it's unclear who is portraying Gunnersauras and paying his wages, Ozil showed his delight with the mascot's return on Twitter: "Happy to see you back where you belong #YaGunnersYa."

Ozil was cut by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta from their Premier League and Europa League squads with the Spanish coach insisting he 'tried his best' to squeeze the German international into the lists.

"What I can tell you that I tried my best, I tried to give him as many opportunities as I could," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"And that from my own side, I’ve been patient, given him opportunities and been fair.

"He’s a player that belongs to a football club, he’s been a really important player in the last few seasons. I have to respect that, I’m here to make decisions, the best decisions for the team and for the club.

"This is what I try to do and then I have to explain them because people need the reasons and the right answers. I just give mine, whether they believe me or agree with me or not, there’s nothing I can do.

"But I have to put my decisions, with my heart and with my brain to make the right decisions that I believe are good."

Ozil's contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season, with the playmaker believed to want to continue his career at another club in London.

He joined the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2013 and has made 254 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals and creating 77 assists, while also helping the team win three FA Cups.

It was perhaps inevitable.

After the proposal to further tighten Covid-19 restrictions on sporting activities was first mooted by the Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin early last week, on Monday, November 11 the National Security Council (MKN) unilaterally announced that the 2020 Malaysia Cup has been postponed indefinitely.

The decision was predictably met with disappointment by many, practitioners and fans alike, who pointed out that other industries have been allowed to continue operating in the country, including those with seemingly less stringent pandemic preventative measures.

Fans have also pointed out that professional and recreational football activities in the country have yet to lead to any new coronavirus infection clusters, due to its participants' strict adherance to social distancing and government-mandated cautionary steps.

On the following day, several parties have issued statements asking the government reconsider its decision.

The Malaysian FA media executive committee head Christopher Raj was one of the first to react against the decision, and among the points he made on his Twitter account was the financial losses that will be incurred by clubs due to the lack of matches.

"Every team needs to pay their player and staff salaries until the month of December. This (Malaysia Cup) cancellation will cause losses to the teams."

On Tuesday, 33-time cup winners Selangor issued a statement on its website, also asking the government to revise the postponement, but on feasibility grounds.

Selangor lifting their last Malaysia Cup in 2015. Photo by Asiana.my

"...another reason to [re]consider the postponement of the Malaysia Cup is the contract signed between the players and the football club in Malaysia - which is on average tied until the end of November this year. If the Malaysia Cup is held after this date, many of the players’ contracts are invalid and this will make it difficult for the club to prepare for the rest of the competition, as well as the preparations for the next season."

Competitions organiser Malaysian Football League (MFL) also released its own statement on Tuesday, saying that it has appealed the government's decision, by including a proposal that would see the competition played out in a carnival format in a state that is not currently under lockdown.

"...teams that have gone through to the quarter-finals will play the remainder of the cup in one state. Clubs that lose will leave the state after their match is over."

This year's Malaysia Cup had been truncated into a single-legged straight knockout competition which started from the round of 16 stage due to the pandemic. The first round was just completed last Sunday, with JDT, Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, UiTM FC, Terengganu FC, Kedah, Selangor and Perak going through to the final eight stage.

Kedah v Pahang on November 6. Photo by Sports Regmie

However, fans on social media have also been theorising that the seemingly unfair decision to postpone the cup by the goverment, while letting other entertainment and recreational activities continue operating during the pandemic, was driven by the notion that professional football in the country as a whole is not an industry that is economically and financially significant, echoing the opinion that was expressed by Goal back in June. 

Diego Maradona is set to be discharged from hospital imminently, according to his personal doctor Leopoldo Luque.

Maradona has been recovering in hospital since undergoing a "routine" operation for a subdural haematoma last week, a day after being admitted due to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

Luque provided a further update on the 60-year-old Argentina and Napoli great, who is head coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.

"Diego has a very good clinical picture, very favourable in terms of surgery and the withdrawal picture that we had talked about," Luque told reporters on Tuesday.

"A discharge is being considered, he really wants to leave and, although he had already expressed this desire, this is another context and another clinical picture. A patient with great consistency asks us to be discharged and we are ordering the place that will receive him, a comfortable house for his recovery.

"This is generated thanks to the support of the doctors and the hospital, but above all by the support of their environment, family and representatives. The discharge of Diego is imminent, he is not leaving today but it will be soon."

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and guided Napoli to two Serie A titles, has been in charge of Superliga Argentina club Gimnasia since 2019.

He appeared in a fragile state when he briefly made an appearance as his Gimnasia side played a match on the evening of his birthday last month.

"Regarding his family reunion, I want to highlight everyone's interest, seeking the same goal, Diego's improvement," Luque added.

Gimnasia were in action on Sunday for the first time since their head coach was hospitalised, drawing 2-2 with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina’s top tier.

Their players held a banner reading "we are with you" ahead of the game, and assistant boss Sebastian Mendez hopes his side did Maradona proud with their display.

"It has been a complicated week," he said. "Diego is still hospitalised and we are all aware of that.

"We have built a very strong group and we are a family. When one falls, another picks him up. There is always a word of encouragement and that makes the group healthy. It also results in a team that is hard to beat on the pitch. It was a difficult week and we managed to play well.

"The latest news I have from Diego is that he is very well, luckily, and thank God because it is what we all hope. He is in a good mood and passes these days in the best possible way."

The Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Dato' Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican has expressed his support for the continuation of the 2020 Malaysia Cup, in his response to a question posed in the parliament on Wednesday, November 11.

This year's competition had been unilaterally postponed by the National Security Council (MKN) on Monday despite having just kicked off the weekend prior with the round of 16, a decision that disappointed many who are involved in the country's professional football.

READ: Government implored to let Malaysia Cup continue

In answering Bachok member of parliament Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz's question, Reezal stated that he wants the matches to be played out.

"The Malaysia Cup had been suspended despite there being only seven matches remaining. As the Youth and Sports Minister, it is my hope that these matches can be played in green states (states that are not currently under Covid-19 lockdown).

"We take into account MKN's consideration for public safety and the green states' willingness to host the matches. But God willing, the ministry will continue appealing [for the competition's continuation] when the number of cases drop, to ensure that football remains the country's number one sport," explained the Kepala Batas member of parliament.

This year's Malaysia Cup had been truncated into a single-legged straight knockout competition which started from the round of 16 stage due to the pandemic. The first round saw JDT, Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, UiTM FC, Terengganu FC, Kedah, Selangor and Perak going through to the final eight.

Paul Pogba can't compare to past midfield greats like Steven Gerrard, Yaya Toure or Frank Lampard, according to Jamie Carragher, who thinks that Manchester United should sell the French international.

The 27-year-old has struggled for consistent first-team minutes in recent months, as he has battled injury problems as well as a Covid-19 diagnosis.

Pogba has started from the bench in United's past two matches, a loss at Istanbul Basaksehir and a win at Everton.

France manager Didier Deschamps acknowledged Pogba's tough situation on Monday, admitting the midfielder is not happy with how things are currently going at Old Trafford.

Carragher, who played alongside Gerrard at Liverpool for several years and Lampard with England, as well as against Toure, has said United should consider cashing in on a player he feels can't compare to that trio.

"Would I pick him in the Manchester United team? No, I wouldn’t. He’s a huge name, he’s come for a huge transfer fee, but I don’t think he’s a great player," Carragher told talkSPORT.

“People say he’s won the World Cup and I get that. But when he came in I thought he might have the impact like Lampard at Chelsea, Gerrard at Liverpool, Yaya Toure at Man City – those players drove their team to titles, European Cups.

“When you’re that man who’s seen as the one to take United to the next level, which people might say it’s too much pressure to put on one man, but that’s what we were told was coming.

“It just hasn’t happened for him at Manchester United. For me, I’d be looking to move him on.”

Bruno Fernandes has emerged as one of United's most important players, with the Portugal international serving as a creative hub in the middle of the park. 

With Fernandes in the team, Carragher has said putting Pogba alongside him would make United far too undisciplined defensively. 

"Fernandes and Pogba are not disciplined," Carragher added. “They are probably two of the most undisciplined players in the Premier League.

“You can maybe carry one but you can’t play the two of them. It’s one or the other.

“I do not believe Pogba and Fernandes can play in the same team so you have to play Fernandes and he has played really well since he joined."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would have been "shocked" by his side's poor defensive display in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, claims Kevin Campbell.

The former Arsenal striker has singled out right-back Hector Bellerin for particular criticism, saying the Spain international "can't defend" and was run ragged by Villa star Jack Grealish. 

Arteta's side were easily defeated at the Emirates, with Bukayo Saka's first-half own goal followed by a pair of second-half strikes from Ollie Watkins. 

Villa were especially successful down their left-hand side, attacking Bellerin and right-sided centre-back Rob Holding all evening. 

Grealish assisted Watkins' second goal while Ross Barkley also had a fine evening and grabbed an assist on the first goal from Watkins. 

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell said that Arteta would never have expected before the game that his side would perform so poorly.

"Arteta was shocked by the performance and the way the team capitulated," Campbell said. 

“Bellerin is not a good defender and he got exposed against Jack Grealish.

“Grealish had the run of the Emirates down that left-hand side. You have to be able to defend against your winger one-on-one.

“Just getting back into your shape is not enough against ball players like Grealish. Ball players will play it around you and expose you and that is what Grealish and Barkley did. You have to affect the ball.

“Bellerin did not get much help though. You were hoping Rob Holding could but he is still coming back from injury. Ollie Watkins showed that Holding was still rusty.”  

Following the game, Arteta took the blame for his side's poor showing.

"I take full responsibility. I am responsible to make the team perform on the pitch and today we were not a team and it is my job. It is why I am standing here," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"It is a frustration. It takes a lot to build momentum, to build a way of being, living and performing and when something like that comes up it's a hard one to take but in a hard moment you learn more than in a positive moment and I want to see how we react."

Following the international break, Arsenal will return to action on November 22 with a match against Leeds United.

The 2020-21 Champions League is up and running, with the group stage now in full flow.

After a disappointing exit to Atletico Madrid last season, Liverpool will be keen on getting their hands on a historic sixth Champions League trophy this campaign following their 2019 triumph.

But with a second wave of Covid-19 underway and new travel restrictions implemented to prevent further spread of the virus, will the Reds' game against Danish opponents Midtjylland be axed?

Liverpool's final Champions League group-stage clash against Midtjylland on December 9 is in danger due to new travel restrictions involving those returning to the UK from Denmark.

The UK government's latest Covid-19 travel rules state that non-UK citizens are not permitted to travel back from the Scandinavian country due to discovery of a new strain of the virus, while UK citizens who return must self-isolate for 14 days.

This would mean that crucial players would be forced to miss Premier League fixtures upon return from the European games.

Coronavirus-related travel protocols were waived for athletes in the elite sport tier following football returning in the summer, such as when English teams were allowed to travel to Germany and Portugal for Europa League and Champions League matches, but sports figures will not be exempt from this rule due to the new Covid-19 outbreak.

New UK government policy states: "Unlike other travel to the UK, there will be no exemptions to this quarantine policy."

These measures also come alongside new quarantine measures for the UK, in which the whole region has now been instructed to re-enter a hard lockdown starting November 5.

The Reds, then, might possibly have to forfeit their European clash in Denmark due to the new travel restrictions, unless they change.

Liverpool won their home fixture against the Danish side 2-0, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota.

Midtjylland could also host Liverpool in a neutral venue that is not in Denmark or the UK should the travel restrictions continue to be upheld.

These new restrictions will also have an effect on England's UEFA Nations League tie against Iceland on November 18 at Wembley, due to Iceland playing Denmark in Copenhagen three days prior.

According to the rules, Iceland players would not be allowed to enter England unless new government exceptions are made.

The FA would also explore options of staging the match abroad if it cannot go ahead in the UK.

Liverpool have won all three of their Champions League group stages so far, clinching victories in Group D against Ajax, Atalanta and Midtjylland.