Looking for Soccer News?

Paris Saint-Germain are in advanced talks with Everton to sign Italy forward Moise Kean on loan, sources have confirmed to Goal.

The Toffees signed the highly-rated 20-year-old in a €30 million (£27m/$33m) deal from Juventus last summer but he has struggled to settle in the Premier League, scoring just four times in 37 Everton appearances to date.

Juve had looked at taking Kean back to Turin earlier in the summer, but eventually opted to re-sign Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid instead.

The Serie A giants had been hoping to take Kean back on an initial loan deal, whereas Everton preferred either a loan with an obligation to buy, or an outright sale.

Kean’s seven goals in 17 games for Juve in 2018-19 saw him rise to prominence as one of Europe’s most exciting young stars, but his move to England quickly deteriorated into a nightmare.

Within months of his arrival, Kean’s father went public to say he thought the move had been ‘a huge mistake’ and he should return to Italy.

December 2019 saw interim manager Duncan Ferguson haul him off just 19 minutes after introducing him as a substitute against Manchester United, and hopes that compatriot Carlo Ancelotti would get the best out of him have failed to materialise.

Kean has hardly played under the Italian coach, who has had a transformative effect on the form of fellow striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Ancelotti urged fans to have patience with Kean when he took over in December but the youngster’s stock at the club plummeted when he violated coronavirus lockdown guidelines to throw a house party in April. A statement from Everton said the club were ‘appalled’ at Kean’s behaviour.

Now, the youngster will be hoping he can put his difficult 2019-20 season behind him in Ligue 1.

Thomas Tuchel and PSG have been short of a striker since Edinson Cavani left the club, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting having also departed following his unexpected heroics in the Champions League.

Cavani is closing in on a move to Manchester United, who are keen to bring in an experienced forward as Odion Ighalo’s loan move from Shanghai Shenhua nears its end in the new year.

Kenyan midfielder Tobias Otieno grabbed an assist for Union Omaha against Tormenta on Saturday as he started in a third straight game.

The former Gor Mahia and Sony Sugar deep-lying midfielder made his debut when the USL League One side faced and defeated Richmond Kickers.

Otieno assisted Evan Conway to score the opener while the other goals came from Damia Viader with an assist from Ethan Vanacore-Decker while John Scearce scored the third after he was assisted by Viader.

The win has given Otieno’s side a vital push for a spot in the USL League One title game on October 30.

The highlight was on Viader who had broken a rib two weeks ago and spent three consecutive days on the bed and was thought to be unavailable all through the month. When he got injured on September 15, he described the moment as ‘horrible’.

Yet he played on Saturday, grabbed the second goal and assisted in the third one helping the Owls pick up a victory in what was a must-win game.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long,” Viader told Omaha World-Herald.

That was his first goal of the year and he got it six minutes after he had been introduced which ranks among the top 10 in League One for chances created.

Otieno’s coach Jay Mims accepted the fact that the team had really missed Viader.

“We’ve missed him, for sure,” Mims said. 
 
As Otieno got the assist, he would hope to be involved in the next three critical games for Union Omaha as they hunt for a championship in their inaugural year.
 
The two top teams at the end of the regular season will get an opportunity to play in the USL League One title match. Greenville SC have already secured their slot.

Four teams, including Otieno’s Union Omaha, have a chance to finish in second place. The Owls cannot afford to slip up as Otieno is seeking to make an impact with the new club as he did with Sony Sugar and Gor Mahia during his time in the Kenyan Premier League.

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has hit back at what appeared to be a jab directed at him by Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena. 

Mokwena was rumoured to be on his way to Al Ahly as an assistant to Mosimane who left the Brazilians this week to join the Red Devils on a two-year deal which runs until 2022. 

However, the 35-year-old mentor released a statement, indicating that he will be staying at Sundowns because he was 'loyal'. 

The word 'loyal' didn't sit well with Mosimane as he felt Mokwena was referring to him after leaving Sundowns for Al Ahly. 

In a reply to a congratulatory statement by the South African presidency, the Kagiso-born mentor took a swipe at his former colleague.

The pair worked together for years and it was Mokwena who first jumped the ship, joining Orlando Pirates as an assistant to Milutin Sredojevic. 

Mokwena spent two-and-a-half years at Mayfair before he went to Chippa United to be their head coach.

It was Mosimane who urged the Sundowns management to bring Mokwena back to the club following Chippa's decision not to renew his contract beyond June 2020. 

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa commended the appointment of Mosimane as Al Ahly coach. 

Ramaphosa said the Kagiso-born mentor will be missed as a force in South African football, and he feels his appointment will strengthen relations between South Africa and Egypt. 

"Pitso Mosimane will be missed as a force in South African football but his appointment by our continent’s flagship club strengthens the bonds of friendship between our two countries," said Ramaphosa on the presidency website.  

"It is also a recognition of the talent and capability that resides within our own continent. I wish Pitso and his team well as they fly our flag and the flag of continental football with a club in whose success all Africans take pride," added Ramaphosa. 

Eric Dier says defenders are “terrified” in their own penalty areas after the recent controversy surrounding handballs in the Premier League.

The Tottenham defender was a high-profile victim of new regulations when he conceded a stoppage-time penalty against Newcastle, with the ball striking the back of his hand as he jumped for a header with Andy Carroll. Callum Wilson scored the 97th-minute spot kick to earn a 1-1 draw.

Spurs were on the receiving end of another controversial decision in the Europa League in midweek, though the handball call against Matt Doherty did not put a dampener on their 7-2 win over Maccabi Haifa.

“You’re terrified in and around the box with the new rule,” Dier said. “You don’t feel free to act, to try to play in a normal way. Sometimes it’s difficult because it’s something that can come back to bite you and is still an opinion.             

“The fact that everyone seems to be of the same opinion, which is a rarity in football, makes it clear that things aren’t right. If the opposition manager is saying ... that he doesn’t think it’s a penalty, which is also a rarity, it’s very clear.”

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce described the new rules as “nonsense” despite his side profiting from them in north London, saying football has “lost the plot.”

Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have all given their view in recent days with the topic dominating discussion around the top flight.

“I don’t like subjectivity in football because subjectivity normally goes to a certain side,” Mourinho commented.

Dier further explained his exasperation with the situation: “If you’re too close, if you’re in close proximity and the ball hits your arm, it’s not a handball. If it hits a certain part of your arm, it’s not a handball. And if your arm is in a certain position, it is a handball.

“For me, it’s very clear. Is it intentional? Is an arm in a position it shouldn’t be? Those are the two questions you need to ask.”

Tottenham will hope to avoid falling foul of the regulations again on Sunday when they travel to face Mourinho’s former side, Manchester United.

Manchester United and Tottenham lock horns in the Premier League on Sunday in a game that could well have implications in the race to secure Champions League qualification later in the campaign.

Both have high hopes of finishing in the top four this season, but they will have to work hard for it - and games such as these can prove pivotal in that pursuit.

United suffered a surprise defeat in their opening league match of the season, but bounced back with a victory against Brighton, albeit one that required a penalty goal after the full-time whistle was blown.

Spurs have endured a similarly inconsistent start to the season, having lost, won and drawn in their opening three league games, though the north London side can at least point to Europa League qualification exploits as a mitigating factor.

Man Utd vs Tottenham live streaming in UK

In the United Kingdom (UK), Manchester United versus Tottenham will be available to stream live online using NOW TV.

Fans will be able to watch the game by signing up for a NOW TV Day Pass - which gives access to all Sky Sports channels for 24 hours at a price of £9.99. NOW TV is also offering for a special offer of £25 per month for 12 months - a saving of over 25 per cent - for a limited time.

You can sign up for a NOW TV Day Pass here.

Man Utd vs Tottenham on UK TV

Manchester United's showdown with Tottenham will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

The match will also be available to watch on Sky Sports Ultra HD.

Man Utd team news & injuries

Phil Jones, who last featured for the club in January, remains sidelined with an injury, while Axel Tuanzebe is also unlikely to feature, though he is expected to resume full training after the international break.

The Red Devils have no suspensions to worry about. There have been some suggestions that Daniel James could be on his way out of Old Trafford, but he remains part of the squad.

Possible Man Utd starting XI: De Gea; Shaw, Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood, Rashford, Martial.

Tottenham team news & injuries

There is plenty of intrigue around Tottenham following their capture of Gareth Bale on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, but the winger will play no part in the game against United as he nurses an aggravated injury. It is understood that he is likely to be eased into first-team action after the upcoming international break.

Japhet Tanganga is another player who is sidelined, but new signing Sergio Reguilon is fit and will be pushing for his first Premier League appearance since joining from Real Madrid.

Possible Tottenham starting XI: Lloris; Davies, Dier, Sanchez, Doherty; Winks, Hojbjerg, Lo Celso; Son, Lucas Moura, Kane.

Premier League games on NOW TV this weekend

NOW TV Day Pass subscribers have six top Premier League games to watch this weekend.

If you get your Day Pass early enough on Sunday, you'll have a veritable football feast to consume, with Arsenal's game against Sheffield United on in the afternoon.

Another highlight of the day, later in the evening, is Liverpool's visit to Villa Park to face Aston Villa.

There are a number of exciting matches over the weekends across the season, so subscribers can choose which days appeal most to them. 

If UK football fans want a full weekend and beyond on Sky then NOW TV's offer of £25 a month for 12 months will ensure you don't miss any of the Premier League action.

Burundian coach Cedric Kaze is reportedly in a pole position to be appointed the new head coach for Young Africans (Yanga SC).

Yanga, according to the latest reports in the country, have settled on the Burundian as they wish to get a new man at the helm of the team after the end of Zlatko Krmpotic's short reign.

Kaze was expected to be appointed coach by the Jangwani club to succeed Luc Eymael - who was controversially sacked at the end of July after an acrimonious fall out with the club and supporters – but he cited family issues as the reason he would not take up the job.

Reports now indicate the coach is available and ready for the Yanga challenge. Krmpotic – who has equally had short stints at Zesco United, Polokwane City, APR FC, and Jwaneng Galaxy – left after leading the Tanzanian club to the top of the table with 13 points.

In a Sunday tweet, Yanga’s Senzo Mbatha revealed the coaching position could be filled during the Fifa break.

“The leadership has given the direction [on Krmpotic matter] and we will use the Fifa break and move forward as a club,” he tweeted.

Kaze is an experienced African coach who holds a Caf A License. He started his coaching job as an assistant to Armas Niyamugambo at Prince Louis Rwagasore FC.

He was confirmed as the head coach for the 2005/06 season and his team finished second to Vital’O.

He left and joined Atletico FC for the 2006/07 season and he helped the club remain among the top four sides in four seasons in charge.

Kaze was named Burundi’s coach of the season twice; in 2008/09 and in 2011/12 seasons, although his side finished second.

He lifted the Ligue A title in the 2010/11 campaign.

Yanga are now set to have their fifth coach in under one year as they first had Mwinyi Zahera who was let go in November before Boniface Mkwasa was appointed on an interim basis.

Mkwasa - who is at Ruvu Shooting - thereafter acted as Eymael’s assistant until when his contract ended in August and was not renewed.

Krmpotic lasted slightly over one month and the new coach is expected to come and guide Yanga who have been showing gradual improvement in each and every game especially with the verve brought about by the new players.

Former Zesco United head coach George Lwandamina has also been linked with the vacant position. The 57-year old Zambian was in charge when Yanga last lifted the league title in 2018.

Managers are confused about the state of refereeing in the Premier League, according to Burnley manager Sean Dyche.

Dyche was left perplexed after the Clarets’ 3-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, as he felt Callum Wilson had fouled defender Kevin Long in the build-up to Allan Saint-Maximin’s opening goal.

The French winger scored a superb individual effort after receiving the ball from Wilson in midfield, bamboozling the visiting defence with two quick changes of direction before firing in off the post from the edge of the area.

"I don't know why the referee doesn't give that. It's just weird now,” Dyche said to Sky Sports.

“You touch someone's ear and they fall on the floor and it's a foul - and then our centre-half is quite clearly knocked off the ball without any intention of the centre-forward to try and actually bring the ball down and he doesn't give it.

"It's bizarre. I don't know what's happening in the game, I really don't. Most managers are confused and I speak to a few. Brucie [Steve Bruce] and I were laughing about it in the end.

"I think football is in a very strange state as regards the physicality and the officiating of the games."

Dyche’s Newcastle counterpart Bruce, meanwhile, was disappointed that Burnley defender Phil Bardsley wasn’t booked for a heavy challenge on Saint-Maximin.

"I couldn't believe that wasn't a yellow card,” Bruce said.

“He needs protecting, that's for sure. The mentality will be to get after him physically.

"He's had a really, really good week and he's proved again he's a match-winner."

Saint-Maximin, meanwhile, was simply happy to cap a fine individual performance with a goal and an assist – the 23-year-old’s first such contributions of the new season.

"I saw a lot of players in front of me. I tried to dribble, because that’s the way I play. I’m really happy to score this goal for my team today.

"For me it’s also really good when I score or give assists and my team wins. I was really happy to give this assist for Callum. It’s the perfect night tonight."

Charles Okwemba has stated it was right for coach Francis Kimanzi to leave Zesco United duo Jesse Were and David Owino, who is popularly known as Calabar, out of the provisional Harambee Stars squad.

The tactician named the 34-man squad for the Fifa international friendly match on October 10 against Zambia at Nyayo Stadium. The AFC Leopards legend has stated the two players have done little in the recent past to convince the technical bench that they deserve an opportunity to play.

"First of all, I do not know the reason why they were not included in the team," Okwemba told Goal on Sunday.

"However, one thing I know, Were and Owino have not been doing well when on international duty, especially on recent assignments. Their performances in the team have been wanting, they have not been convincing and I feel their omission from the team is justified."

Harambee Stars are due to face Chipolopolo in a build-up match on Saturday, October 10, but according to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa, the government through the Sports Ministry is yet to give clearance for the match despite writing two requests over the last two weeks.

"The government promised that national teams will be given special exemptions to play international matches but until now we have not received any response from them despite writing twice, asking for the clearance for the friendly against Zambia," Mwendwa told Goal.

"We simply don’t know what is happening, the government said we write to them for clearance, and we have already done it twice but so far we don’t have any reply from them, so we don’t know if the friendly will go ahead as planned or not.

"We don’t have a venue to use for the match because the same government is yet to clear us to use either Kasarani or Nyayo Stadium, we are in the dark and it is very frustrating for us.

"The team will move to camp on Sunday, we have organised for all the players to be tested for the Covid-19 virus before they enter the camp, but moving to camp is not an issue, the issue is where will they train?

"We don’t know if we can use Kasarani or Nyayo, we want the Sports Ministry to move quickly and give us the way forward, or else the friendly will be called off."

Mbwana Samatta is not getting carried away by his fantastic performance which saw him net a brace in Fenerbahce’s 2-1 win over Fatih Karagumruk in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday, but is rather focused on the result.

The 27-year-old is currently on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa and having made his debut for the Yellow Canaries in the Istanbul derby against Galatasaray last week, was thrust into the starting XI and gave Fener the lead in the 24th minute with the assist coming from Caner Erkin.

The former Genk man increased the lead in the 68th minute and was substituted in the 84th minute for ex-Newcastle United and Senegal striker Papiss Cisse. Six minutes before that, Karagumruk pulled back via Erik Sabo from the penalty spot with the Slovakian missing the chance to equalise again from the spot three minutes from time.

Fenerbahce had a player sent off in Uruguay defender Mauricio Lemos for two bookable offences.

“Today, I will only talk about the match because the most important for me was today's game,” Samatta said on the club website.

“I think it's a very good game. Things got a little difficult for us at the end. But we are happy that we got three points. This is most important for us. To continue by winning the matches. This is most important for me. Now we need to focus on the next game.

“Today, I am very happy to help my team by scoring goals. As a striker, my goal is of course to score. For me, the team is always the most important. I would prefer my team to be the champion rather than score a hundred goals. When I score, I'm happy to help my team, but as I said, the most important thing for me is the team.”

Fener boss Erol Bulut was pleased with how Samatta has been able to adapt in the shortest possible time and is confident he will get better in subsequent games.

“Although Samatta was playing just his second game after working with us for a short time, he had a good match. The next weeks will be better, whether it be the running tracks or the adaptation period with friends,” he said.

The Yellow Canaries will be up against Goztepe after the international break.

Ghana have scheduled a friendly date with 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar on October 12, the West Africans' Football Association have announced.

Scheduled for the Turkish city of Antalya, the match will come off three days after the Black Stars face Mali in a first friendly fixture.

Qatar replace Equatorial Guinea who were initially billed to play Ghana on October 12 but later pulled out of the game.

"Ghana has lined up a friendly against Qatar on Monday, October 12, in Antalya, Turkey," the GFA have announced on their official website. "The 2022 World Cup host, comes in to replace Equatorial Guinea who pulled out of a similar friendly, over travelling restrictions.

"The Black Stars were scheduled to play Mali on Friday, October 9, and Equatorial Guinea three days later in next month’s FIFA International window (except for European countries) but the latter pulled out of the game, citing new travel restrictions imposed in their country.

"Qatar, who have a game against India on October 8, will take on Ghana on Monday, October 12, 2020.

"The two countries will use the friendly to prepare for their respective international competitions in November."

The friendly games are set to test Ghana's strength ahead of resumption of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

After what will be a 12-month interval, the Black Stars will return to competitive action with a double-header against Sudan in the race to Cameroon.

The games were originally scheduled for March but had to be postponed due to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has already named a 23-man squad for the October friendlies, handing debut call-ups to France-born Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku, Nordsjaelland winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, Amiens midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey, Yakubu Mohammed of Tanzanian side Azam, and Slovakia-based Benson Anang.

Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp has been recalled for the first time since March 2019, similar situations to goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, left-back Lumor Agbenyenu and Pyramids forward John Antwi.

Fiorentina midfielder Alfred Duncan has, however, been overlooked, as have China-based Mubarak Wakaso, Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu, Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Majeed Ashimeru and veteran striker Asamoah Gyan who is currently unattached. 

Vinicius Junior came to Real Madrid's rescue as a sluggish start to their LaLiga season continued with a 1-0 home win over Real Valladolid on Wednesday.

Madrid were held to a goalless draw at Real Sociedad in their opener and then required a late Sergio Ramos penalty to beat Real Betis on Saturday, and a lack of cutting edge threatened to prove costly on their return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Luka Jovic – a reported Manchester United target – was particularly guilty, missing two golden chances before the break.

But Vinicius was sent on in place of the struggling striker with just over half an hour remaining and snatched a precious winner to send Madrid level with leaders Getafe.

The frustrating tone was set early as Roberto made an instinctive stop to keep Madrid at bay in the 10th minute, springing to his right to turn Federico Valverde's cushioned volley around the post.

Jovic helped craft that chance, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt man soon squandered a huge opportunity of his own as he inexplicably missed the target when found in front of goal by Valverde.

He was wasteful again 10 minutes before half-time, lashing past the left-hand post following a smart Luka Modric touch.

The Serbia forward saw a header saved by Roberto after the restart, with Casemiro slamming the rebound against the crossbar, before a subsequent chance for Shon Weissman – who was denied by Thibaut Courtois – provoked Zinedine Zidane into a triple-change.

Jovic was among those to make way and that move prompted the opener, with Vinicius profiting on a deflection in the area to finish coolly.

Courtois had to be alert to parry away a wayward Raul Garcia cross, yet Madrid might have added to their lead in the closing stages as Modric exposed Roberto's poor positioning but struck the base of the upright.

What does it mean? Madrid doing just enough

Madrid played some good football in the closing stages of last season as they clinched the title, but they are just getting by in the opening weeks of the new campaign. They were comfortable in terms of possession, enjoying 63 per cent, while they had five shots on target, yet Zidane will hope more straightforward victories are to follow.

Courtois kept busy

The chances that fell Jovic's way could have seen Madrid home and dry by half-time, but Courtois had to step up with his outfield team-mates wasteful. The Belgium goalkeeper pulled off five saves in all, with three of them coming at crucial ventures, most notably a fine stop from Weissman at 0-0. 

Luka's luck not turning

Jovic may eventually get a second chance at Madrid if he returns from an expected loan move away, but this performance summed up his spell at Los Blanco so far. The 22-year-old has scored just twice in all competitions for Madrid but had three chances to improve that tally here. Only one of his trio of efforts hit the target and he was replaced after 58 minutes. 

What's next?

Madrid are in LaLiga action again on Sunday at Levante, while Valladolid host Eibar a day earlier.

The Premier League has opted to revise its interpretation of the handball rule after a major increase in penalties early in the season.

Following a Premier League shareholders meeting on Tuesday, the league has bowed to pressure after six penalties were awarded for handball in the first three rounds of matches. 

The league heard feedback from managers, players and referees, all of whom were unhappy with the way the handball rule has been interpreted in the season's early going.

Though the Premier League cannot change the rule itself (that must be done by the International Football Association Board or IFAB), Goal understands that it has instructed its referees to be more lenient with their interpretation of the handball law.

Under the new guidelines, referees have been instructed to consider the proximity of the player to the ball, his arm position, and the amount of time he has to react.

That means that controversial penalties like the ones given against Manchester United's Victor Lindelof versus Crystal Palace, in which the defender was very close to the shot when it was taken and had little time to react, would not be awarded.

In addition, if a player is using their arm for balance or protection then a penalty is less likely to be given, whereas if a player's arm blocks a direct shot on goal it is more likely to be given.

Among the most contentious incidents was Eric Dier's handball against Newcastle on Sunday, which helped the Magpies to a late 1-1 draw against Tottenham. 

After the match even Newcastle manager Steve Bruce, whose side had benefited from the decision, called the rule “ludicrous" and added, “If you’re going to tell me that that is handball then we all may as well pack it in."

Interestingly though, under the Premier League's new interpretation, Dier's penalty would still be given because the England international's arm was above his shoulder – a rule that originates with IFAB.

Bruce wasn't the only Premier League manager to hit out at the handball rule's interpretation this weekend, with Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson saying: "It is ruining the game of football, no question of that."

Rodrigo De Paul has admitted he'd go to war for Argentina captain Lionel Messi and revealed a lighter side to the Barcelona star. 

Messi was first named captain of his nation in 2011 and has also been handed the armband at Camp Nou. 

De Paul, who earned his first international cap in 2018 and plays at club level for Udinese, has emerged as a regular for Argentina over the past year and has clearly savoured playing alongside Messi.

While the six-time Ballon d'Or winner could overawe his team-mates, De Paul stressed Messi's openness has made him an ideal leader. 

"You look up to him obviously, but when you start sharing things with him, he is so transparent that instead of telling him what you think of him, you feel more like asking him about his little kids or of reminding him of the time he took you out with his studs up in a Valencia-Barcelona game," De Paul told FIFA.com.

"When he becomes your captain, you’d go to war for him if he asked you to.

"The key thing is that everyone knows what they’re expected to do, nobody is trying to hog the headlines. The only untouchable one is Leo. The rest of us contribute by doing whatever is asked of us."

While Messi has become an important leader for Argentina, he's still up for a few jokes with De Paul, who has been dubbed the team's biggest joker. 

"That's what they say, but sometimes I’ll just throw an idea out and some others will quickly run with it...Tucu Pereyra, Leo Paredes...Even Messi himself will join in – I'm not the only one," he said. 

De Paul was also quick to defend Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who has often been criticised by fans and pundits for his bold team selection.

"He may lack experience as a head coach, but he has 30 years’ experience of the dressing room," De Paul said.

"He understands how groups work, knows his trade, came up through the national youth teams, played at a World Cup.

"I don't know how many people would have had the determination to implement the changes he made or to call up players not among the top teams in world football."