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Gerard Pique said the behaviour of Barcelona's hierarchy has been “barbaric” amid allegations they have spent money on criticising and discrediting their players through social networks, and says he would have handled Lionel Messi's burofax drama very differently if he was president of the club.

The Catalan club has found itself mired in controversy under the stewardship of president Josep Maria Bartomeu, with a multitude of on and off-field issues seeing many calling for the supremo to step down.

Among several other dramas, Pique addressed the topic of the club hiring of I3 Ventures, allegedly to clean up Bartomeu's image at the same time as attacking prominent figures associated with the club.

Club official Jaume Masferre was tasked to lead the project, which Bartomeu claimed was merely to monitor the club's social media activity, and Pique says that it “hurts” to see such a figure remain on the company's books after a short suspension.

“I don't want to get on badly with anyone but there have been times, like the issue of social networks. As a Barca player, I see that my club has spent money, money that went to criticising not only people with a historical relationship with the club, but active players – and that is barbaric,” the centre-back told La Vanguardia.

“I asked [Bartomeu] for an explanation and what he told me was: 'Gerard, I didn't know', and I believed it. Then, later, we see that the person in charge of hiring those services is still working at the club.

“That hurts me a lot. I can say that in public because I told the president personally before. What do you want me to say? It is painful? Yes. Can I do anything about it? Well, no. My relationship with the president may be cordial but there are things that have stayed the same.”

Abysmal transfer business, a lack of squad depth and the hiring and firing of a multitude of coaches have all been laid at the feet of Bartomeu, but the biggest drama was undoubtedly Messi making it known to the club that he wanted to leave at the end of last season.

“If I was president I would have acted differently,” Pique said of the Argentine's bombshell. “I asked Leo to hold on. I didn't have much dealings with him in those days because I thought it was a very personal decision. I do remember saying: 'Leo, it's just a year and then new people will come in'.

“I ask myself: How can it be that the best player in history, who we have the holy luck to enjoy, gets up one day and sends a burofax because he feels that they are not listening too him? It's shocking. What's going on? 

"Leo deserves everything. The stadium should have his name on it before any sponsor. We must protect our own, not discredit them.”

Pique added: “It surprises me that people like Pep [Guardiola], Puyi [CarlesPuyol], Xavi or [Victor] Valdes are not in the club. Something isn't being done well. You have to keep these people around, they are part of the club's history and have made it great. They should be here.”

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has conceded defeat after the Mainland Premier League champions lost their first match in the 2020-21 campaign to Tanzania Prisons on Thursday.

Samson Mbagula scored the only goal that separated the two sides in their first engagement after returning from the international break, a result which also saw Simba drop to the third spot with rivals Yanga SC jumping to second on the league table.

The Belgian tactician has now admitted they got the result they deserved because they did not push to get a win and that football is all about getting a win, defeat, or a draw.

“We have to accept and move on and I have already asked my players to shift focus to the next league match,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by the club’s official website.

“In football, we have three results, you either win, lose or draw and it has happened that we lost our match, and it means we start preparations there and then for the next match and that is what I have told the boys, they should not cry over spilt milk, they should dust themselves up and focus.”

Vandenbroeck also dismissed reports that Simba lost the match because they were missing some of their key players, among them midfielder Clatous Chama and defender Pascal Wawa, but instead, said they are focusing on the next assignment.

“I will be lying if I say missing our key players led to the defeat, I don’t want to say that, Simba is a big team and we have players who can do the job if others are out, and as I said before, we lost in a fair way, and I don’t want to concentrate on the defeat, I have moved on and I also want my players to accept and move on," he continued.

“It is part of football, and that is why it is called football, you don’t use your chances, then you get punished if your opponents use his chances, there is nothing to complain about, we lost and our focus now is the next match,”

Captain John Bocco also missed the league match played at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya, owing to injury.

The defeat also came after Simba had picked up a 4-0 win against JKT Tanzania before the international break. Their next two matches will be against Ruvu Shooting and Mwadui FC before facing Yanga in the Kariakoo Derby on November 7.

Romelu Lukaku has more than justified his decision to leave Manchester United for Inter, says the Belgian’s agent Federico Pastorello, with the 27-year-old now considered to be “the best striker in the world”.

A powerful frontman is posting the numbers to back up such a claim.

Since leaving Old Trafford behind in the summer of 2019, Lukaku has hit 40 goals through 56 appearances for Inter.

His end product has never been in doubt, but his qualities never fit the mould while in Manchester.

That led to a move being made, with Lukaku rediscovering his spark with a Serie A title hopeful.

While United sought to fit the burly forward into their system, Inter have built theirs around a talismanic presence.

Pastorello is delighted to see his client getting the recognition he deserves, with his opinion being that he is now the most fearsome No.9 on the planet.

“His transfer to Italy was the right decision and the best choice for him,” Pastorello told Sky Sports. “Inter are a great family and the fans are completely crazy about him.

“Romelu is a modern player and a sensitive person. He needs love, when he feels everyone’s affection he really becomes the best the market can offer, even if Inter obviously do not intend to sell him.

“In terms of quality, attitude and mentality, he is currently the best striker in the world.”

Lukaku was back among the goals in his most recent outing, as he bagged two in a 2-2 Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.

He already has nine for the season across eight appearances for club and country, with his value to the cause at San Siro becoming impossible to ignore.

Former Inter and United star Paul Ince has told BT Sport of a devastating performer who has taken his game to new heights since leaving England: “Talking about when he was at Manchester United, he didn’t look like he could get around the park.

“He’s just running past people [now]. Pace! I was fitter at Inter – whether it’s the climate or the food. He looks like a different animal. We know he can finish. Wow.”

Boniface Musema's agent Lewis Matua has blamed Premier League side Onduparaka FC for the latest drama that surrounded the players’ transfer.

Musema was unveiled as the Caterpillars’ first signing in July where they confirmed he had signed a three-year deal and was handed jersey number 4.

In a new twist, Odramacaku FC announced the player had already renewed his contract with them until 2021 thereby leading to questions on the authenticity of the previous move.

“We had a pre-contract with Onduparaka but the terms were not fulfilled within the stipulated duration agreed,” Matua told Sports Nation.

“We gave them three more chances to fulfil the terms and they failed. Musema was a player there before and was lied the same way. So, we felt one person can’t be lied twice by the same club.

 “We clearly told them Odramacaku have been really good to us so they deserve a compensation package.

“After all these failed, we decided to continue with Odramacaku FC since they have been supportive.”

On their part, the Onduparaka CEO Edison Shaban explained their side of the story concerning the latest transfer drama.

“I think Musema should take regional league as a starting point to open channels for his career,” said Shaban.

“We met with Bonny and gave him a chance to become a better player. He had played at Onduparaka before, so we remembered him.

“My chairman met him initially, on a personal ground. We are not demeaning the regional league but we felt that he also wanted a bigger platform; Onduparaka.

“We accepted terms and he truly signed. I personally signed him at High Five in Arua. He gave me some of the necessary documents and expressed his joy to have joined the Green Army.”

“So, what next was to finalise the deal and do other licensing procedures. For starters, he was a non-contracted player for two seasons at his club, meaning that he was automatically a free agent.”

Shaban also said the player started exhibiting unusual behaviour before his return to Odramacaku.

“He had all of a sudden started behaving negatively, and I had to talk to the team manager to talk to him. I explained everything to Edema, including how the boy had started to play hide and seek,” the official stated.

“I was later told that the boy’s former team had entered him into the system. Somehow, I knew that he had done it intentionally not to join us.

“We are not at the level of fighting other clubs, we shall honour his decision, the most important thing is to see him play.”

Onduparaka have strengthened the playing unit ahead of the new season by signing a number of players.

Former Italy, Juventus and World Cup-winning boss Marcello Lippi said he is "definitely done" with coaching.

Lippi has been without a job since resigning as China head coach in November last year following a 2022 World Cup qualifying defeat to Syria – his second stint in charge of the Asian nation lasting just six months.

The 72-year-old tasted silverware with Italy, Serie A giants Juventus and Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande but the Italian great will not be returning to the dugout.

"I'm definitely done with the coaching job," Lippi told Radio Sportiva . "That's right, it's enough. Maybe I could be useful in other roles, let's see. But nothing until spring."

After spells with Atalanta and Napoli, Lippi took charge of Juventus in 1994 – guiding the Bianconeri to three Serie A titles and the club's last Champions League trophy in 1995-96.

Across two stints as Juve coach, sandwiched in between a one-year tenure with rivals Inter, Lippi won five Serie A trophies, four Supercoppa Italiana crowns, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and Coppa Italia.

After leaving Juventus in 2004, Lippi helped Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 and he was re-appointed by the Azzurri in 2008 following two years away from the national team.

In China, Lippi joined Guangzhou Evergrande in 2012 and claimed three Chinese Super League titles and the AFC Champions League trophy to go with Chinese FA Cup and Chinese FA Super Cup success.

Lippi however struggled to carve out success with China's national team and announced his shock resignation in November last year after a disappointing loss against Syria. 

“A team should give everything on the pitch. The tactics of the head coach should be carried out. If the player is afraid of losing the game, then there is no fighting spirit, desire, guts," Lippi said post-match.

“It is my responsibility, the head coach's responsibility, although we defeated Guam and the Maldives, but the team that we played against today was better, more coordinated and organised than us.

“My annual salary is very high. I am fully responsible for this loss. Now I declare that I officially resigned.”

Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus believes Darwin Nunez will surpass Joao Felix as the club's most expensive sale after praising the hat-trick hero following his Europa League exploits.

Nunez opened his account for Benfica with a three-goal haul as the Portuguese powerhouse defeated Lech Poznan 4-2 in their Europa League opener on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Uruguay forward became Benfica's most expensive signing when he arrived from Almeria in a €24 million ($28m) deal in September.

Jesus is already bracing for Nunez's exit, tipping his transfer fee to surpass the club-record €126m ($148m) Benfica received from Atletico Madrid for Joao Felix last year.

"We got it right. We must not forget that he is a kid, he is 21 years old, there is a lot about the game that he does not know yet. He will learn with me and Benfica," Jesus told SportTV.

"All this decision-making ability, finishing and speed...He was Benfica's most expensive purchase, and when there is no pandemic, he will be the most expensive sale. He will be a world-class player.

"Unfortunately for me, maybe I will lose him in a short time."

Benfica's Nunez scored with all three shots on target away to Polish side Lech Poznan.

Nunez made it 2-1 for Benfica three minutes prior to half-time before netting his second of the match on the hour-mark as he completed his hat-trick in the third minute of stoppage time.

"Three goals? It means a lot to me," Nunez told SIC. "When I don't score, I try to help the team. I haven't scored for five games, but I worked for the team.

"From the first moment the team gave me confidence. They think I deserved these goals. I am very happy.

"I thought I was going to score my first goal. I didn't expect the three goals, but thankfully. Now it's time to continue working with humility. It's a difficult series now and we have to prepare ourselves in the best way."

While yet to score in Portugal's top-flight, Nunez has contributed four assists from as many games and will be backing himself to fire in the league when Benfica are next in action against Belenenses on Monday. 

Back in March 2020, Hyderabad FC were all set to go into the 2020-21 season of Indian Super League (ISL), riding high on confidence. They had hired former Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca as head coach and plans were in place to build a balanced squad which had the coach's signature on it. 

But the journey then took an unfortunate turn. Not only did the country go into a lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Roca ended up leaving the club after an offer from Barcelona to join them as a fitness coach. Hyderabad had no choice but to replace him with another Spaniard in Manuel Marquez Roca. 

It was kind of a restart that was forced on the management but they bounced back in no time. With all the COVID-19 guidelines in place, they became the first club to start on-field training under the guidance of newly-appointed technical director Thangboi Singto in a bio-secure bubble in Goa where ISL is set to start on November 20. 

"This season has been a challenge for everyone," Varun Tripuraneni, co-owner of the club, told Goal. "We started planning for this season in January itself with the appointment of Albert (Roca). Sujay (Sharma, director of football at Hyderabad) and Albert were working together to get the right team composition.

"At a crucial time, we had to part ways with Albert. It is tough to hold on when there is such an opportunity for him and at the end of the day, it is the right decision for both parties. We have Manuel on board now. Albert also mentioned about him and the transition was a smooth process."

Imagine being told that you are not supposed to move out of a 'bubble' for the next few months - that's what the players and the coaching staff are going through right now in Goa. It is not easy to process but it is important to follow the league's guidelines so that football can come back. And making the players and staff come to terms with the reality of the restrictions will be the biggest challenge for ISL clubs this season. 

"The challenge with the COVID scenario was to really adapt to the new guidelines and norms. The important thing is that everyone is on board and understands the scenario and be open to adapt to these. The major challenge was to get all of them on the same page and make them understand why we are making certain decisions and to get them to agree to it," Varun said. 

The former Kerala Blasters CEO added, "I think we got our planning in order quite well. The challenges were parallel - we had a change in coach and we had to prepare for the season (during the pandemic). We all had to agree that there were few things which were under our control - things like training grounds, logistics for Indian players and coaches, the isolation before travelling to Goa. It was a priority to get that absolutely right and as smooth as possible. Things like visas and foreign travel were not under our control, so we knew we had to be patient."

"More than logistics, aligning all players towards the common plan was the major challenge. Players and coaches do get restless when it comes to visas and travel plans that are not organized. But we could get the foreigners in at the earliest possible time."

The former Chennaiyin COO believes playing football without spectators inside the stadium will have an impact on sponsorships and that will be the clubs' biggest challenge financially. 

"The way the league has been coordinating has been excellent. ISL are doing their best in the interest of the clubs and the league itself. They have done quite a bit to help. 

"Operation is a major cost but the impact will be on the sponsorship front. It is early to say if it will be a good or bad season for sponsorship, we are not in a position to do any activation for sponsors on the ground. That would be a major impact. Having seen the way how IPL teams have organized it this year, it is definitely something we can (learn from) to bring partners on board for this year."

Despite the recent obstacles for Hyderabad, the club owner feels last season, wherein they made their debut in the ISL, remains the toughest when it comes to putting together a pre-season. 

"It is a tough season for all but I feel we put in a lot of effort going into this season. I would put last season as toughest in terms of preparing for a new season as we hardly had any kind of plan." 

Hyderabad finished at the bottom of the table in their debut season and will be looking to make a strong comeback in their second season in ISL. They have recruited a good group of overseas players that consist of Australian attacker Joel Chianese, Brazilian midfielder Joao Victor and former Odisha marksman Aridane Santana. 

Liverpool’s stand-in centre-back Fabinho says he can only partially fill the void left by Virgil van Dijk after his long-term injury.

Van Dijk is set to spend months on the sidelines after suffering serious knee ligament damage following a bad challenge from Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton.

Adrian, himself currently standing in for the injured Alisson in goal, admitted it felt ‘strange’ playing behind a Liverpool defence not marshalled by the towering Dutchman.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side held firm in Amsterdam on Wednesday, Fabinho impressing alongside Joe Gomez at the back as Liverpool got their Champions League campaign underway with a 1-0 win over Ajax.

“Of course, I am not Virgil - he is the best defender in the world right now,” Fabinho told the Mirror.

“The manager said to me I have to talk more to try and organise the team. Sometimes I have to get the second balls and be ready to press. In this role, I must try to do my best.

“When I knew Virgil was out for a long time, I was shocked because first of all, he is the best defender in the world right now. But most of all, he is a leader in the team and in the dressing room.

“He also makes sure the mood is good - a good atmosphere - and we will miss this. But I have got to do a little of what Virgil always does. I must try to organise the team. To talk to the team and try to be a leader.

“Tactically, at centre back, I have to always be ready for the long balls. But I will do my best and it was very important for me and the team to keep a clean sheet here.”

With Van Dijk potentially out for the rest of the season, plenty have tipped Liverpool to take the opportunity to sign a new defender in the January transfer window – both as cover and as a long-term partner for the Dutchman when he returns.

Jamie Carragher told his old side to move for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano ‘on January 1’, while Kalidou Koulibaly and Ben White have also been linked with moves to Anfield.

Jose Mourinho hailed Tottenham's strength in depth after a much-changed Spurs side earned a 3-0 win over LASK in the Europa League.

Just three players – Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon – retained their places from Sunday's 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham as Spurs got their European campaign underway on Thursday.

But there was no lack of fluency on show as hosts Tottenham raced into an early two-goal lead before putting a seal on the victory in the final 10 minutes.

Spurs head coach Mourinho was understandably delighted to have seen his team earn such a comfortable victory in London.

"I'm happy for the squad," he told BT Sport. "We believe in the others because the others work so hard to play and be ready.

"Normally I wouldn't do it for the first match of the group phase playing at home, you want to make sure you get these three points, but I trust the boys and the answer was good.

"Not a magnificent performance but solid and safe."

Mourinho's changes meant he was able to bring the likes of Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso off the bench in the second half against LASK.

Portuguese boss Mourinho admitted he is finding it difficult to leave so much talent out of the starting XI but compared the situation favourably to last season's battles with a lengthy injury list.

"It is hard because I feel for them. Of course everybody wants to play and for the boys it's a bit frustrating," he added.

"They fight to have more minutes and in the end not everybody can play, but it's great. Last season I had lots of problems with no striking force and not even wingers or attacking players in some periods of the season.

"Now we have this amazing squad and with UEFA allowing to have everybody on the bench, I look to my side and I have so many options."

Mourinho went on to share his belief that Spurs would have earned a more comfortable win over LASK had supporters been present.

He continued: "Yeah, we could [have scored more], but it's not a knockout game two legs, it's just about the three points.

"Of course, it could be more, I believe with supporters in the stadium it would be more because then they push and bring that extra bit of energy. But in the end, opportunities for people to play, to get confidence, three points and that's a good start."

Stefano Pioli has opened up on the secret to AC Milan's perfect start to the season after they claimed yet another victory against Celtic.

A 3-1 win over the Scottish champions in the Europa League on Thursday was a fine way for AC Milan to launch their Group H campaign.

Coming just five days after a 2-1 triumph over Inter, it was all the more pleasing to the head coach, who has seen his side win all of their games so far this season. 

Goals from Rade Krunic, Brahim Diaz and substitute Jens Hauge saw off Neil Lennon's side at Parkhead.

"We handled the game well, even if in the second half we were less technically precise and we risked a little bit," Pioli said post-match

"It was important to show that we are not a normal team that shows less of a stimulus after such a desired victory as the derby.

"The secret? We all work in one direction, club, technical staff, players, we all feel involved."

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport, Pioli added: "The secret lies in work, sacrifice and the desire to improve."

AC Milan return to Serie A action on Monday when they face Roma, who also triumphed in the Europa League on Thursday with a 2-1 away win over Young Boys. 

Pioli's team have won four from four to top the league table and they are unbeaten in 21 games now across all competitions.

"Our strength is to think that the next match is always the most important, and we have to go forward with this mentality," Pioli told Milan TV.

"In harmony we work much better. I always tell the players to take advantage of every moment and improve more and more, because in football tests never end: you always have to prove.

"On Monday we will have a very important and difficult test, against a strong opponent with quality, especially at an attacking level. We will do our best to continue this positive streak."

After their clash with Roma, AC Milan will then host Sparta Prague in Europa League action with the visitors losing their group opener 4-1 against Lille. 

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao has slammed Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for his "extremely unpleasant" attitude during their Champions League clash on Wednesday. 

Guardiola saw Porto take the lead via Luis Diaz inside 14 minutes at the Etihad Stadium before City pulled level six minutes later via a penalty tucked away by Sergio Aguero. 

The Premier League giants would then score twice in the second-half as they claimed a scrappy 3-1 win against their Portuguese opponents. 

Both Guardiola and Conceicao were particularly active on the sidelines during the match with the latter since slamming the conduct of his Spanish counterpart. 

"I've got a lot to learn from Pep Guardiola, in the way he pressures referees, talks to opposition players and opposition dugout," Conceicao told Portuguese media. 

"He's a fantastic example. I have to learn this. We were angels compared to the other dugout.

"He spoke about our country using ugly words. Guardiola's attitude was extremely unpleasant. The whole Manchester City dugout was because if anybody should have been complaining, it was the Porto bench, because we were extremely hard done by.

"I have to apologise to the referees in Portugal, because I complain when I think we are wronged, but comparing the officials of this game and those upstairs in the VAR, international referees have a lot to learn from ours in Portugal.

"The refereeing had a big bearing on the outcome of this match. [Augustin] Marchesin has his leg in a bad state right now because he was fouled before the penalty award." 

Guardiola didn't call out Conceicao in his post-match comments but did admit he was surprised by how Porto approached the game. 

“We knew how tough it would be because Porto and Benfica are the best teams in Portugal. They have the winning mentality, they have to win every game,” Guardiola said.

“I was surprised they played so defensively with five at the back, we had to be patient but in the second half we didn’t concede counter-attacks, we didn’t concede set-pieces, we didn’t allow them to run.

“We did the perfect performance against a really good team. It is nice to win games while suffering.”

The two managers will face off again in early December when City travel to Porto on matchday five of the Champions League. 

Azam FC assistant coach Vivier Bahati insists his charges are keen on proving their critics wrong by winning the 2020/21 Tanzania Mainland League title. 

The Ice-cream Makers have started the campaign on a high and are the only team so far who have a 100% winning record. The Burundian has revealed the team is determined to change the mindset by some people that only Simba SC and Yanga SC are capable of challenging for the league.

"At the start of the season, we drew a plan to win the league title this season and that is why we are able to bag three vital points regardless where we are playing and that is the secret of any team fighting to win silverware," Bahati told reporters after their recent 2-0 win over Ihefu FC.

"We want to change the mentality by some people that the league's title is challenged by two teams only; that notion will soon become history."

Azam have so far collected 21 points from their opening seven games. They are followed by Yanga SC who have managed to collect 16 points from six games.

The 27-time champions reached the tally after defeating Polisi Tanzania by a solitary goal on Thursday.

Defending champions Simba SC are third with 13 points after falling by the same margin away to Tanzania Prisons.

In an initial interview, Bahati had stated the Chamazi-based charges will be going for nothing less than a win in their league matches. 

"We are ready to search for three more points that will keep us at the top of the table and our problem is not a slim win or how we do it, our main problem is three points and that is what we are going for, we don’t care how we do it, our problem is at the end of the match we want three points.  

"Even if we win 1-0, we will thank God, all we need this season is to win our matches and get maximum points, but if we get more than one goal and win the match that will also be good, but for now we need any win and three points and we will be okay."  

The Caf Champions League semi-final second leg encounter between Zamalek and Raja Casablanca has been postponed by eight days, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed on Thursday.

The showdown billed for the Cairo International Stadium was due to be held on October 24 but has now been pushed back as eight players of Raja tested positive for the coronavirus and are currently quarantined by the Moroccan health authorities.

“Following a consultation meeting held immediately between the Caf experts, the authorities of Raja Casablanca and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the president of Raja reaffirmed the willingness of the club to participate until about this competition,” a statement from Caf website read.

“Faced with this situation, in order to protect the integrity of the competition and promote a spirit of solidarity, the organizing committee for Inter-Club Competitions and Management of Club Licensing System has agreed to postpone the return match of the semi-final of the Champions League between Zamalek and Raja CA on November 1st, 2020.

“At the same time, the match Al Ahly SC vs WAC is maintained and the final of the 2019/20 Total Caf Champions League remains scheduled for November 6th, 2020.”

Several leagues across Africa were placed on a hiatus following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic which claimed several lives as well as stopped several activities worldwide.

Achraf Bencharki scored the only goal that gave Zamalek a 1-0 victory over Raja Casablanca in the first leg of their Caf Champions League semi-final fixture on Sunday.

Bencharki broke the deadlock at Stade Mohamed V in the 18th minute with his header off Ahmed Sayed Zizo's cross.

The effort was the Morocco international's seventh goal on his seventh appearance in the Champions League this season. The winners over two legs will face either Wydad Casablanca or Al Ahly in the final.