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The Champions League and Europa League cannot go ahead as normal under the current circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic, says Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.

With the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rising in numerous European countries, the challenges of resuming continental competition are clear.

At the end of the 2019-20 season, the final stages of both tournaments were played as straight knockout competitions, with the Champions League finished in Portugal and the Europa League in Germany.

Last week, the winners of those two tournaments met in Budapest. Bayern Munich beat Sevilla 2-1 to lift the UEFA Super Cup in front of 15,180 fans in the 67,000-capacity Puskas Arena, despite a high number of infections in the Hungarian capital leading up to the game.

The draws for the Champions League and Europa League group stage are due to be made on Thursday and Friday respectively, but the Dortmund chief has doubts over their viability.

“Really, we are still missing the legal requirements to be able to play these games at all,” Zorc told the Frankfurter Allgemeine.

“If we play in a high-risk area on the Wednesday, which will probably be the case in more than half of the major cities involved, then there needs to be some foundations in place so that we can play in the Bundesliga again on Saturday.”

While Premier League and La Liga games are still being played without fans, this is not the case across Europe’s top leagues.

The Bundesliga has seen some stadiums filled to 20 per cent capacity, with small numbers allowed into Ligue 1 games as well as Italy's Serie A.

Some fans will return at Nations League fixtures in the October international break, and there have been reports that UEFA is considering a similar plan for the Champions League and Europa League. UEFA’s website currently says “games are taking place behind closed doors until further notice.”

The Champions League group stage is due to begin on October 20, running until December 9. The Europa League group stage will run from October 22 to December 10.

Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey has distanced himself from reports his predicament with the Black Stars was a result of being a victim of black magic popularly known as 'juju'.

On a self-imposed exile from international duty since 2016, the 32-year-old has endured a frustrating time to his Black Stars career after a promising start in 2011, having suffered from a series of injuries and loss of form.

Many media reports claimed he believed he was being bewitched by his goalkeeping competitors in the national team, supposedly resulting in a decision to stay away from the Black Stars.

"I have no idea [about a possible use of 'juju' in Ghana's camp], and I don’t believe or want to accuse anybody of such things. I don’t wish or think about bad things for other people, especially not if we are trying to reach the same goal," Kwarasey told Citi Sports.

"It’s selfish. If you play the same position as the best player in your team, do you harm him because you want to play? You harm your team and you give your team less chance of winning.

"I really hope that I wasn’t part of a team where these things were going on because then you can’t call it a team. I might be naive but for me, it is not an option to harm my teammate for me to shine.”

A dual national with a Ghanaian father and a Norwegian mother, the Oslo-born opted to represent Ghana at senior level.

After making his debut in 2011, he pulled off a memorable performance in a friendly fixture against Brazil, cementing his place as Ghana's No.1 with the outstanding outing.

His first tournament with the Black Stars, though, ended in disappointment as he received a lot of criticism for a poor performance at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

At the 2013 edition, he lost the starting berth to Fatau Dauda, who was interestingly accused in the media of being behind Kwarasey's woes. 

He briefly won back the No.1 spot in 2014 where he would lose it again at the World Cup, Dauda again the beneficiary.

He then stayed out of the Black Stars for two years and briefly made a comeback in 2016, his last stint with the team.

“[It’s about] bringing together a team that has a common goal and gets the best out of each other. Not a group that has individual objectives that they are chasing and thinking about the national team as a way to pave way for their own careers.

"That will come as a result of being part of a team with success anyway. If Ghana has success, players from Ghana will automatically be more attractive anyways."

After Afcon 2012, then Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic accused his players of using black magic against each other, ultimately contributing to the team’s disappointing performance.

Earlier this month, Black Stars Management Committee chairman George Amoakoh revealed the perception about the use of ‘juju’ by national team players is hampering ambitions to woo over more dual nationals to represent the African country.

Black Stars officials are currently trying to convince the England youth duo of Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) and Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion) to represent Ghana at senior level.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has stated Victor Moses is not part of his first-team plans for the 2020-21 season.

The former Super Eagles star returned to West London this month after his brief loan stint at Inter Milan and he is yet to make a matchday squad since the start of the campaign.

Moses has spent the last one-and-a-half years away from Stamford Bridge with his last competitive outing with the Blues dating back to a Europa League game against BATE in October 2018.

Ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, Lampard confirmed the 29-year-old is not training with the first-team.

"At the moment Victor isn’t in that position with us. We have a bubble at the training ground with the first-team squad, which Victor hasn’t been part of,” Lampard said in a press conference.

Monday’s update fuels uncertainty around Moses’ future at Stamford Bridge with his contract expected to run out in June 2021.

Before his exit to Manchester City in 2014, Lampard played with the ex-Nigeria international during his active career at Stamford Bridge and he hopes his future is sorted before the close of the transfer window on October 5.

“I know Victor well and we will see how that develops over the next week,” he added.

After Antonio Conte's departure at the helm, Moses struggled for regular first-team action at Chelsea and was released to join Fenerbahce on an 18-month loan deal in January 2019.

He was restricted to 20 Turkish Super Lig games before reuniting with Conte at Inter Milan a year later.

Last season, the former Wigan Athletic and West Ham United forward played a part in helping the Nerazzurri finish second in the Serie A table before reaching the Europa League final where they lost to Sevilla in Cologne.

The Kaduna-born star played 20 matches across all competitions in the 2019-20 with a contribution of three assists.

The new soundtrack to accompany FIFA 21 has been released and, true to previous editions, this year's playlist incorporates a wide-ranging mix of musicians hailing from all over the globe - transcending genres that range from alternative to hip-hop and pop.

Goal takes a look at which musicians and bands appear in FIFA 21, which is released on October 9.

Contents

When was the FIFA 21 soundtrack announced?

What songs are on the FIFA 21 soundtrack?

The selection of songs reflect the tendency for FIFA soundtracks to champion fresh, eclectic talents from international waters.

You can see the complete soundtrack below.

FIFA 21 Volta soundtrack

EA have curated two separate soundtracks for FIFA 21 - one for the game overall and one specifically for the new VOLTA mode.

The soundtrack for Volta is generally even more diverse and global than the one for FIFA 21, featuring sounds from musicians hailing across the United States, Brazil and more.

Listen to the FIFA 21 Soundtrack

Listen to the FIFA 21 Volta Soundtrack

FIFA 20 soundtrack

The FIFA 20 soundtrack included tracks by a host of diverse international artists that dabbled between grime, indie rock and alternative, such as Another Sky, Skepta, Suzi Wu and Pixx.

The full FIFA 20 soundtrack is below.

Kenya’s 2020/21 Caf Champions League representatives Gor Mahia have finalised their transfer business by signing Dickson Raila.

Raila – a former Masawa FC player - has agreed to a four-year deal with the record Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants and he is the last man the club has signed before engaging in the upcoming season’s duties.

“We are done with the exercise of signing new players and that means, [Dickson] Raila is the last player to be roped into the squad,” Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier told the club’s website.

The experienced administrator is confident K’Ogalo have strengthened the squad enough by bringing in quality players.

“We believe we have done our best to get the necessary players,” Rachier, who has been at Gor Mahia’s administrative helm since 2008, said.

Raila will fight for first-team positions against Benson Omalla, Nicholas Kipkirui, Clinton Okoth and Burundian Jules Ulimwengu.

Other players who have been signed are Andrew Malisero Numero from Malawi, Benson Omalla, midfielder Sydney Ochieng, goalkeeper Samuel Njau, and defender Wesonga from Western Stima, Cameroonian midfielder Bertrand Konfor, John Macharia, and John Ochieng from Chemelil Sugar.

The local giants also lost a number of first-team regulars including Joash Onyango to Simba SC of Tanzania, David Mapigano to Azam FC, Dickson Ambundo to Dodoma Jiji FC, Boniface Omondi and goalkeeper Peter Odhiambo to Wazito FC.

Apart from Gor Mahia, Wazito and Tusker, other clubs have remained silent on their transfer dealings and for now, all eyes are on AFC Leopards who have just unveiled a home kit for a new season.

Gor Mahia have already begun training sessions after they sought the green light from the government as they prepare for the Champions League games. The sessions have been conducted by assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo as Steven Polack is still on a 10-day holiday in Finland.

Joint training sessions have not been allowed by the government for now but Kariobangi Sharks are the other KPL side to have started their own training. Sharks are doing so by abiding by the Ministry of Health’s protocols and guidelines.

There is no tentative date when the 2020/21 season will begin as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) awaits the final word from the state on whether the public gathering and sports ban will be lifted.

Former Premier Soccer League (PSL) coach Zeca Marques has reacted on the Mamelodi Sundowns and Tebogo Langerman saga and has applauded president Patrice Motsepe for issuing an apology after the blunder involving the defender.

The experienced left-back was an unused substitute in the Nedbank Cup final against Bloemfontein Celtic two weeks ago as the Tshwane giants claimed a treble.

Resulting from the debacle, Siwelele launched a protest with the league’s governing body but they lost the case and the former Moroka Swallows boss believes coach Pitso Mosimane cannot do everything on his own.

“Well, I can’t say a lot about what happened at Sundowns but it’s something they have to deal with internally. It’s difficult to say if it’s the fault of the coach or the technical team,” Marques told Goal.

“I think a coach has his duties and the backroom staff has duties but it’s different at Sundowns because I really don’t know what could be the problem or who to blame.

“Obviously whoever was responsible must be held accountable for the blunder. The club’s name has been in the media for the wrong reasons and it’s not good.

“I don't know who is responsible for looking at the players when it comes to suspensions at Sundowns. The coach can’t do everything, unfortunately.”

On the president’s apology issued on Monday, the 59-year-old says Motsepe’s efforts should be applauded and hopes the fans will be able to accept it.

“The apology is a big step, it’s not easy for the club to deal with this and for the president, it’s a huge step,” he added.

“I think Sundowns as a club, they are on top of South African football and in Africa. I think it’s good to admit that there was a mistake, a game of football is all about mistakes.

“I think it’s good to admit because that restores the faith from the supporters and that it was an error but to fire or dismiss someone could be harsh in my opinion.

“At least the apology will send a message that the club remains committed to top standards. I think the fans will also understand and appreciate the apology. - Sundowns is a big club in the end.

"Anyone can make mistakes. The apology says a lot about the club and the president. However, it doesn’t change anything but mistakes will always happen in the world of football.”

Express FC coach Wasswa Bbosa has revealed the reasons he decided to sign defender Enock Walusimbi.

The versatile defender was unveiled by the Red Eagles three days ago, after arriving from Bright Stars FC, to pen a two-year contract.

Bbosa, who has so far signed 15 players this transfer window, has revealed what drove him to sign the 22-year-old defender ahead of the new Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season.

“I have always kept an eye on Enock [Walusimbi] and those that know him can agree with me that he brings a lot to us,” Bbosa told the club’s official website.

“His game intelligence and leadership qualities are next to none.”

On signing for the team on Friday, Walusimbi said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to become an Express player, this club has a lot of history so much so that I’ve always wanted to be part of it.”

The 22-year-old has also featured for regional sides Nansana and Luweero United but it’s his time at Solito Bright Stars where he stood out, marshalling the backline for three seasons as well as captaining the side.

Most notably “Lucio” guided the Buganda Province Region to the 2019 Fufa Drum, scoring one goal in the process.

His arrival is a huge boost to coach Bbosa's backline, as they try to avoid a repeat of last season where the club leaked in over 35 goals, He also becomes the 14th signing for the upcoming campaign.

The other new signings at Express include goalkeepers Denis Otim and Cryspus Kusiima, right-back Richard Bbosa, midfielders Isaac Nsengiyunva, Abel Eturude, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Mahad Kakooza, Baker Sakah, Faisal Ssekyanzi, and forwards Charles Musiige and Kiragga Mustafa.

Express will be keen to win their seventh Ugandan Premier League (UPL) title when the new season kicks off.

On Saturday, the Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) confirmed they had postponed the start of the league by at least a month.

Initially, Fufa had set October 17 as a tentative date for the start of the new campaign, but it is not going to be the case as the Federation and clubs struggle to align themselves with the guidelines given to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chippa United have decided against keeping Orlando Pirates trio Diamond Thopola, Tercious Malope and Meshack Maphangule. 

The three players spent last season on loan at the Port Elizabeth-based outfit but Malepe had been there for more than just a season, after being allowed to go and get game time elsewhere following his promotion to the Bucs first team. 

Thopola, Malepe and Maphangule will now return to the parent club, Pirates, who will then decide whether to keep them, loan them out for another season or release them from their contracts. 

"Diamond Thopola, Tercious Malepe and Meshack Maphangule who were all loaned from Orlando Pirates Football Club. Their loan contracts expired and will not be returning for the 2020/21 season," said Chippa in a statement.

The trio follows Thabo Rakhale, Boikanyo Komane and Gerald Modisane through the exit door after they were also released upon the expiry of their contracts with Chippa United.  

"Thabo Rakhale, Boikanyo Komane and Gerald Modisane their contracts expired. The club will not be renewing their contracts," the statement added.

Furthermore, the Chilli Boys confirmed parting ways with no less than seven other players in Ruzaigh Gamildien, Lehlogonolo Masalesa, Kelvin Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Phetso Maphanga, Ryan Baartman and William Twala. 

According to the club, the contracts of the abovementioned players were terminated by mutual agreements. 

Lastly, Athini Jobodwana will be loaned out alongside Ronaldo Maarman for the upcoming campaign.

Jobodwana, 26, only joined Chippa United from Steenberg United during the January transfer window and made nine appearances across all competitions.     

"Following meetings with the players, mutual agreements were reached to terminate the contracts of Ruzaigh Gamildien, Lehlohonolo Masalesa, Kelvin Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Phetso Maphanga, Ryan Baartman and William Twala," it added.

"Athini Jodwana, who joined the club in January, will be loaned out for the 2020/21 season alongside with Ronaldo Maarman." 

The latest developments are seen as Lehlohonolo Seema's attempts to work with players of his choice as he starts working on a new project following his arrival from Bloemfontein Celtic a few weeks ago. 

The Chilli Boys will be expected to replace the outgoing players with new faces in preparation for the 2020-21 season which gets underway in October.

Dele Alli needs to find a “new challenge” after slipping down the pecking order at Tottenham, says Darren Bent, with the former Spurs striker of the opinion that Arsenal should not hesitate if the opportunity to raid a north London rival presents itself.

Few have crossed that divide throughout the course of history, with only a few brave souls daring to tread such a path.

It has, however, been suggested that Arsenal should be in the running if their neighbours make the England international midfielder available for transfer.

Alli would appear to be edging in that direction, with Jose Mourinho taking to freezing the 24-year-old out of his plans.

With game time in short supply and a dip in form having been endured prior to falling out of favour, Bent believes a man desperately searching for a spark should be considering a move elsewhere.

The former Spurs frontman told talkSPORT of Alli: “He’s been at Tottenham for a while now and I think he’s maybe a product of a process where he’s in at Spurs, they have got to the Champions League final, but other than that – there has been a couple of top-four finishes.

“I think every player comes to a point where they need a fresh challenge.

“For Dele Alli, Mourinho has come in, they have clashed and personally I think he’s thinking that he needs a new challenge. He deserves that.

“If I’m Dele Alli, he’s not going to be happy playing in Carabao Cup games because they play Chelsea in the week and if they get beat, that’s no more Carabao Cup.

“Are we saying we won’t see him in the Premier League again for weeks and weeks and weeks? He can’t wait until the FA Cup.

“If I’m Tottenham and Dele Alli, I’m looking for an option to get out of there.”

Bent is not the first to suggest that Arsenal should be considering an approach for Alli, with Gunners great Ray Parlour having already sounded similar advice.

It remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta will be willing to explore that option, with a £50 million ($64m) price tag being mooted.

Arsenal fan Bent believes a deal would be a no-brainer for those at Emirates Stadium, adding when asked if he would push an agreement through: “100 per cent, I wouldn’t even hesitate.”

Real Madrid have revealed that Toni Kroos has suffered a muscle injury, which could make him a doubt to feature in a La Liga clash against Real Valladolid on Wednesday.

The Germany international had to be substituted in first-half stoppage time during a 3-2 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, with Luka Modric coming on to replace his midfield colleague. 

Following tests on Monday, Madrid have announced Kroos has an issue in the gluteal region, though did not reveal how long the 30-year-old will be sidelined. 

“Following tests carried out today on our player, Toni Kroos, by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury to the left gluteus medius," a statement from the club read.

"His recovery will continue to be assessed." 

Zinedine Zidane only has three days to prepare his squad for Valladolid's arrival at Santiago Bernabeu, with a tough away trip to Levante set to follow that clash on October 4.

Kroos may also be unavailable for a trio of upcoming international fixtures. Germany play Turkey in a friendly on October 7, followed by Nations League games against Ukraine and Switzerland during the break. 

Madrid will return to action later in the month with a home fixture against Cadiz, before preparations begin for the first Clasico of the season against arch-rivals Barcelona on October 25.

The Blancos can ill-afford to lose a talismanic performer like Kroos for an extended period of time, especially given the fact that they have yet to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.

The likes of Brahim Diaz, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon have all left the Bernabeu, but Madrid have decided against investing in new talent amid the financial uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Zidane was quizzed on Madrid's lack of activity in the market after watching his side pick up their first three points of the new La Liga season at the weekend, to which he responded: "No. We spoke about this before. I'm happy with the squad that I've got.

"We are what we are and we're going to try to have a successful season."

Club captain Ramos added on the need for Madrid's current first-team stars to continue giving their all to the collective cause regardless of any incomings and outgoings: "We have to show our faces with those of us who are already here, but our lives don't depend on one signing or another." 

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard says he is “hugely blown away” by the organised structures of the club which he feels is good ground for success under the new technical team led by Gavin Hunt.

Sheppard was recently appointed assistant coach to Hunt, with Arthur Zwane also in the same role as Sheppard.

After being unveiled as part of Hunt’s backroom staff, Sheppard has been impressed by the facilities at the Kaizer Chiefs Village.

“[The Kaizer Chiefs Village is] unbelievable. I have been blessed to have played in Europe,” Sheppard told Kaizer Chiefs media in a conversation with Zwane.

“I have been at some big clubs and I must say that I was totally shocked when I came in here. Going into the offices, going into the analysts rooms, going down to the pitch, getting the feeling of the whole village.

“It is an environment where you see that it breathes football. I don’t even live so far away, I always drove past. This is like a dream for myself being a coach coming inside here and being part of this huge set-up. I was hugely blown away.”

The former Bafana Bafana midfielder played under Hunt at Seven Stars in the late 1990s as well as at Bidvest Wits.

He, later on, became an understudy to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title-winning coach at Wits after his retirement.

Sheppard witnessed Hunt unleashing talent like former South Africa forward Benni McCarthy at Seven Stars, as well as the coach guiding Wits to the 2016/17 PSL crown.

“Having worked with Gavin as a player and then going into his backroom staff, one very strong thing about Gavin is that he is a winner. The way he works with players, the way he psychologically works with them. Also his tactical acumen, he gets it right more often than not,” said Sheppard.

Hunt also won three consecutive league doubt at SuperSport United.

He arrives at Chiefs, a club that has gone without lifting any major piece of silverware since 2015 and Zwane agrees with his fellow assistant coach that Hunt was a good pick by the Soweto giants.

“There is no doubt that the coach is a winner,” said Zwane.

“That is one of the reasons the team decided to bring him here. Our culture as well as one of winning. So a lot is expected from each and every coach who comes here, a lot is expected from the players with the culture of winning as well.

“That’s why the club brought in coach Gavin who has a winning mentality, who is very strong in terms of demanding results. And you [Sheppard] as well, as a player you were a winner, I know you.”

Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi has named a provisional squad to face Zambia in an international friendly in October.

Arnold Origi of HIFK Fotboll in Finland has been recalled to the team’s fold after a five-year absence. Origi, Ian Otieno of Zesco United and Ulinzi Stars’ Timothy Otieno are the goalkeepers called up for the October 10 encounter against Chipolopolo.

Clarke Oduor of Championship side Barnsley and Masoud Juma of JS Kabylie have also been included in the 34-man squad that is likely to be maintained for the Comoros African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header.

However, Kenya might end up engaging Zambia and Comoros without key internationals whose travel may be hindered by the coronavirus restrictions.

“Influential forward Michael Olunga, captain Victor Wanyama, and midfielder Johanna Omollo, in the meantime, may miss out on the final squad owing to the strict Covid-19 protocols imposed by the countries from which they ply their trade,” FKF said.

“FKF is, however, actively engaging their clubs with a view of having the players available for the friendly.”

The players have, however, been listed in the provisional squad.

Full Squad;

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Defenders: Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Harun Shakava (Nkana, Zambia), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)

Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge K.S.V, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Brian Musa (Wazito, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Reserve Team: Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Stephen Otieno (Sofapaka, Kenya), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya) Chrispinus Onyango (Tusker, Kenya), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya).

Simba SC spokesperson Haji Manara has urged Wekundu wa Msimbazi fans not to retaliate after hooligans associated with Yanga SC attacked a few of their members.

The few fans of Simba wore their jerseys and found their way to Morogoro to watch Wananchi play Mtibwa Sugar in the Tanzanian Mainland League match on Sunday, a match the visitors eventually won by a solitary goal.

However, it ended ugly as Simba fans were beaten and their jerseys ripped by their rivals.

"Our hope is to see the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) take action on these consistent vices by Yanga fans," Manara wrote on his official Facebook page.

"We also want to see our police in Morogoro Province comment on the issue which has tainted our game and threatened the peace and safety in our stadiums in the country."

The official urged the Wekundu wa Msimbazi fans not to avenge the incident but allow respective authorities to act.

"I am requesting Simba fans not to revenge but continue preaching peace while doing what is right on the pitch," Manara said.

"Continue enjoying the game in the stadium and allow the TFF and the police to do their job as the law requires of them.

"Simba is a team of civilized people and let us not engage in hooliganism activities."

The TFF has also come out strongly to condemn acts of hooliganism.

"TFF condemns the unsporting acts by a section of Young Africans fans of beating Simba SC fans during the [Tanzania Mainland League] match against Mtibwa Sugar played on September 27 at Jamhuri Stadium, Morogoro," the Federation said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"TFF curses the uncivilized incident which might affect the peace enjoyed in football in all stadiums."

The Federation has further revealed their optimism that action will be taken against the perpetrators.

"The hooliganism acts have no place in football and should be condemned by every fan," the statement added.

"We believe the respective authorities will take necessary action against those involved in the vice."

Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas admits to having butted heads with Jose Mourinho during the latter’s time in charge at Santiago Bernabeu, but the legendary goalkeeper claims to have “no hard feelings” towards the Portuguese.

A product of the Blancos’ academy system was edged towards the exits by an outspoken coach, with a 25-year association with the Liga giants eventually brought to a close in 2015.

Mourinho started that process by dropping Casillas – a man who made 725 appearances for Real – down the pecking order.

The World Cup winner did not take too kindly to that selection call and a spiky working relationship quickly broke down.

Casillas has made no secret of the fact that he disagreed with many of Mourinho’s methods, with those grievances aired on a regular basis, but there has been no long-standing feud between the pair and any differences were buried long ago.

Speaking at a TELMEX Telcel Foundation event in Mexico, Casillas, who has now slipped into retirement at 39 years of age, told reporters when quizzed about his troubles under Vicente del Bosque and Mourinho: “The two situations were different. One was justified in footballing terms and the other was something personal.

“We [Casillas and Del Bosque] got on well for a year-and-a-half and the next year we had disagreements, but that was normal between the captain and the coach.

“It doesn't mean that you're more important than the coach, but you're going to end up having issues because you have to speak to him practically every day and the relationship starts to break down.

“Jose Mourinho thought that I wasn't at the same level as my team-mate and, on top of that, our relationship wasn't very good, so it was easier for him to choose between one or the other.

“There are a lot of things that people don't see, but I have a good relationship with him. We've seen each other a few times since and we've had a nice chat.

“There are no hard feelings between us because both of us wanted the best for the team.

“I decided to not have much of a relationship with him because I didn't like a lot of the things I was seeing and he chose to pick another keeper.

“This experience made me much more mature, at the age of 33.

“You try to not cause any more controversy than there already was at the club. I wouldn't change anything, and I don't think I made a mistake.”

Casillas won five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns during his time with Real and brought the curtain down on the most distinguished of careers while on the books of Portuguese giants Porto.

Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven have announced the signing of Ibrahim Sangare from French club Toulouse.

The Ivory Coast international signed a five-year contract with the Philips Stadion outfit after successful medicals with the side.

The 22-year-old spent four years with the Violets and featured in more than 70 league games for the club but his contribution last season was not enough to help them keep their Ligue 1 status.

In an effort to continue his development with a top-flight club, the defensive midfielder moved to the Dutch club on Monday.

PSV technical manager John de Jong, who praised the qualities of the midfielder, is delighted to beat other suitors to his signature.

“Ibrahim is dynamic and physically strong; he will add power and length to our midfield. His physicality makes him a strong defensive midfielder who is quick to cover space,” De Jong told the club website.

 “Sangare is a great player; he has all the attributes needed to be a great footballer and has made his debut in a big league.

“PSV are interested in such players and therefore we have followed him closely. With Toulouse being relegated, this was the right moment for us to strike. But we faced competition from several other clubs that wanted to acquire his services.”

Sangare has also expressed his delight to team up with the Red and Whites and hopes to hit the ground running for Roger Schmidt’s men.

“I am ready for the next challenge in my career. PSV’s philosophy appeals greatly to me and I feel I have made the right decision,” Sangare said.

“I will be given an opportunity to develop myself as a player and win prizes. PSV’s style of play fits my ambitions. I just can’t wait to get going and hope the formalities will be completed soon”

Sangare could make his debut for his new club when they take on Rosenborg in a Europa League game on October 1.

The midfielder has five caps for Ivory Coast since he made his international debut for the West African country in 2015 and will hope to impress with PSV to boost his chances for a regular call-up to the national team.

Jamhuri Stadium is the latest facility to be banned from hosting any top tier matches, effective immediately.

The stadium's standards have been going down owing to poor maintenance by the management. It is for this reason the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has decided to act. 

"TPLB has suspended the usage of Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro from hosting any match until renovations are done," read a statement from the Board and obtained by Goal.

"The following areas should be renovated; the playing surface, the changing rooms, and the technical bench area.

"The committee will assess the stadium after the aforementioned renovation before giving a green light on its usage."

The Board recently banned Ushirika Stadium in Moshi from hosting any competitive matches and gave them three weeks to renovate the facility.

"TPLB has banned the use of Ushirika Stadium... from hosting any top-tier matches, or even competitions owing to missing vital requirements as explained in the rules governing the game in the country," read part of another statement.

"The Board has given the management 21 days to make renovations in the stadium in the aforementioned areas before the Inspection Committee visits the facility for inspection.  

"Following the decision we ask Polisi Tanzania, who use the venue as the home ground, to start using Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha for their on-going matches for the 2020-21 league campaign."

Other facilities to have been banned by TPLB include Mabatini based in Mlandizi, Pwani, Karume, and Gwambina Stadiums. 

Karume Stadium based in Mara was banned from hosting any competitive matches owing to the poor playing surface compared to Gwambina, whose playing surface was classified as substandard by TPLB.

Gwambina FC, who were promoted to the top-tier for this campaign, have been advised to use either CCM Kirumba or Nyamagana Stadiums, both based in Mwanza, as their home ground for the time being.

The TPLB is working closely with Azam TV, who are the official broadcasters of the Mainland Premier League, to have selected venues outside Dar es Salaam to host night matches this season.

The current season saw teams reduced from 20 to 18 to enable ample time to prepare between league matches.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has showered encomium on Chuba Akpom after making a scoring debut for his side in their 1-1 draw against QPR, stating the goal will relieve him of pressure.

The Nigerian centre-forward teamed up with Boro in September from Greek Super League side PAOK and has hit the ground running for his new club.

The 24-year-old was afforded his first appearance for Boro against Queen Park Rangers on Saturday and delivered an eye-catching performance.

The forward found the back of the net only 19 minutes into the encounter after he was set up by Patrick McNair.

Warnock is delighted with the fine start from the Nigerian forward and feels it will psychologically prepare him for life in the English second tier.

 "What's the perfect start for a striker? It's getting a goal on your debut and he's done exactly that,” Warnock said, as per Teesside Live.

"It's important as a striker you're seen to do your job and that is scoring goals. That has taken a lot of weight off his shoulders, psychologically whether he thinks about it or not."

The draw means Middlesbrough are yet to taste victory in the Championship this season, after losing against Watford and drawing with Bournemouth.

Akpom will hope to continue his impressive performances when Boro take on Barnsley in their next league game on October 3.

The forward started his career with Premier League club Arsenal at the age of six and was promoted to the senior team in 2013.

Akpom only featured for the Gunners four times in the English top-flight as he spent most of his time on loan, featuring for Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Sint-Truiden.

He left the Emirates Stadium permanently in the summer of 2018 to team up with PAOK and impressed during his time with the club.

Akpom featured in more than 50 games for the Greek club, helping them to win the Super League and Cup titles.

The forward has played for England at youth level but has revealed his desire to switch his allegiance to the Nigeria national team.