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Kushal Das, General Secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is certain that East Bengal will definitely join the Indian Super League (ISL), be it this season or from the 2021-22 campaign. But he believes that the Red and Golds must join the top tier when they are absolutely ready to do so and not hasten the process. 

"I am absolutely certain that East Bengal will play ISL - be it this year or next year. If they come in ISL they must come in with a long-term vision and with a proper structure. It took six months for Mohun Bagan and ATK to finalise the deal. It is better to wait for a year. Because the heavens are not going to fall if they play in ISL from next year. They still have an issue with their old partner (Quess Corp). If they manage to resolve it then they are welcome from this season," stated Das during a webinar organised by West Bengal Chamber of Commerce on Indian football. 

When queried if there is a certain deadline for East Bengal to adhere to he replied, "Club licensing starts on July 15. If a new entity comes in then they have to get a lot of NOCs (No Objection Certificates). And this they should get from AFC (Asian Football Confederation). AIFF has nothing to do with it." 

Das congratulated ATK and Mohun Bagan FC for forging a new entity in ATK Mohun Bagan FC and also mentioned that retaining the green and maroon colours is a sensible decision. 

"The induction of Mohun Bagan in ISL is a win-win situation for everyone. The financial firepower of ATK and the legacy and fanbase of Mohun Bagan is a great thing. They have retained the jersey colour. It is a very sensible decision. It is a sad part that they will have to play behind closed doors in this season."

With the uncertainty over the Covid-19 crisis not showing any signs of abating, the ISL and I-League will be held at a centralised venue in the upcoming season. Goa and Kerala have been mooted as potential hosts for ISL, with the former in prime position to hold the competition.

Meanwhile, the I-League matches should be held in Kolkata, as revealed by Goal earlier. 

"As things look, it (ISL & I-League) has to be behind closed doors and in a single venue. We cannot afford to take risks with the players' health. We are still figuring out the details. But that is the only possibility. 

"The final decision is yet to be taken. Goa and Kolkata are the likely destinations. The I-League has to go to Kolkata since YBK will be locked for three months for preparations of WWC and hence ISL cannot take place there."

Das also informed that AIFF hopes to organise the I-League second division in mid-September in a single venue with no spectators in the stadium. 

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das has said that the second strategic plan of the apex football body will focus on organizing longer competitions and a decentralization process to enhance the capabilities of state associations,

Speaking at a webinar organised by the West Bengal Chamber of Commerce on the topic 'Future of Indian football post-COVID-19 scenario' on Monday, Das spoke at length about the second strategic plan of the AIFF and stated that the Indian FA has achieved good results from their first plan.

He said, "We have been able to achieve 75-80 per cent of the first strategic plan. In the second one, we believe that development must happen through competitive football. The competitions must be spread across a longer duration and a minimum of 40-45 games are (to be) played across levels. The main focus is competition-oriented and we are hoping to go local.

"Go local means arming the state associations with better facilities. We are also planning a ranking system according to the performance of the state associations. We have a development officer to help them. It is a part of the decentralization process. We need to have at least 40-45 games to develop. We would do everything to increase the capacities of the state MAs (member associations). But they must also help themselves."

Das also said that direct financial help for the state associations will not be possible due to budget constraints. However, technical help will certainly be provided. 

"The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) revenue is around INR 16000 crore for five years only through IPL. So they have a freer hand while distributing funds. Our total revenue is 100 crore. In that, we have to run age group leagues, coach education, national teams and every other expense. So you can imagine how stressed we are. Therefore, in terms of giving direct financial help, it is not possible. But every kind of technical help will be provided.

The AIFF general secretary lauded the work of the state associations of West Bengal, Karnataka and Maharashtra for their effort in the development of the sport. 

"The IFA has done a wonderful job. We are keen to work closely with them. Their aim is to take Bengal football back to the glory days. Then there are Karnataka and Maharashtra associations who have also done exceedingly well."

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Steve Lekoelea says he was lured to the Soweto giants after Irvin Khoza gave him R5000 to buy himself a drink and went on to snub a move to the Netherlands.

It was in 1995 when, as a teenager, Lekoelea left Moroka Swallows to join Pirates where he spent most of his playing career. 

It felt like I was dreaming when I was first told of Swallows’ interest in me. I couldn’t believe I was about to play for a team I supported as a small boy,” Lekoelea told Far Post.

“I earned R1 243.65 at Swallows and I remember Irvin gave me R5 000 to buy myself a drink the first time we met. I realised the pastures were greener on the other side.”

After quickly adjusting at Pirates and becoming a midfield sensation at the club, more was to follow for the skilful midfielder who then caught the attention of Dirk Advocaat who was then coach of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

What could have been a life-changing trip to Eindhoven, however, turned into a nightmare for Lekoelea who was 18-years-old at the time.

“It was difficult. I left South Africa for Holland on my own. It was my first time to travel outside the country alone,” said Lekoelea.

“I was going to get into the wrong flight, I totally got lost but luckily I was redirected just in time to board the right flight. “

"The language barrier messed me up, I couldn’t even communicate with anyone because they spoke Dutch.

“It was a great club, looked like they had a rich history that I’d have loved to be a part of. PSV were so good to me, they tried making my stay comfortable.

“But I got homesick and struggled to settle in. After a week, they let me come back home after I requested to leave.”

It was an era when the likes of Benni McCarthy and Lucas Radebe were making their names in Europe but Lekoelea spurned such an opportunity to play alongside Brazil’s Ronaldo, Philip Cocu, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy at the Eredivisie side.

He, however, justifies his return to Pirates.

“I had to grow at Pirates because I was surrounded by top players and that pushed me,” Lekoelea said.

Paul Mucureezi has revealed why he did not join Vipers SC in 2018 even after much persuasion from the club.

Vipers had shown open interest to sign Mucureezi when the midfielder’s contract with KCCA FC ended after four years of association.

Mucureezi preferred a move to Mbarara City instead who had been promoted to the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) in the previous season.

On January 2020, Mucureezi arrived at Kitende after 14 months with Mbarara City.

“I didn’t join Vipers immediately because there were a lot of signings that season,” Mucureezi said as was quoted by Sports Nation.

“I was supposed to be part of them but I saw the number being too much and it is not that I feared competition but I had to consider my target of playing time which I thought I couldn’t get that time if I had joined.”

The midfielder described his eventual Vipers signing as ‘return to home’ after assessing the possibility of enjoying enough playtime.

“But I happen to come back to Vipers, to my home, actually at the right time where I am at least sure that I will be on the pitch for at least 80 minutes,” added the Ugandan.

Mucureezi hopes to play a key role when the Venoms will start their Caf Champions League journey next season.

“This season, I am looking forward to taking Vipers to Champion League group stages and even further, making sure that I make it to the national team consistently and make sure that I go professional too,” he concluded.

It would be the second time Mucureezi is playing in the continental stage after the 2018 appearance with KCCA.

Finally, Aggrey Madoi has joined BUL FC from Wakiso Giants on a two-year deal.

At the Purple Sharks, Madoi featured in only three matches as he battled injuries.

“I have joined BUL to revive my career as I need more game time. Having grown up in Jinja, I am glad to be back home,” Madoi told Football256.

Madoi is a product of the Vipers’ system and made his debut four years ago under coach Abdalla Mubiru who is now at Police FC.

He rejoined Mubiru on loan at Police six months after the coach left Vipers and had a memorable moment which propelled him to the national team that featured in the African Nations Championship (Chan) in 2018.

At the beginning of the abandoned season, Madoi went back to Vipers but had to deal with the effects of injuries again. He was let go to join Giants.

Manchester United have become a “formidable force”, claims Mark Bosnich, with the Red Devils considered to be only “one or two more signings” away from being Premier League title challengers.

The last of 13 crowns secured by those at Old Trafford in the modern era was added to the trophy cabinet back in 2013.

Sir Alex Ferguson headed into retirement with another winners’ medal tucked into his pocket and passed the heaviest of managerial batons on to somebody else.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all seen a golden opportunity slip through their grasp, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the latest to be tasked with restoring former glories.

He has been offering cause for optimism in 2020, with United unbeaten through their last 17 games in all competitions, but they remain a long way off the pace being set by Liverpool and Manchester City.

Closing that gap is the next challenge facing Solskjaer and Co, with Bosnich of the opinion that another positive transfer window could fire United back into contention for English football’s grandest prize.

The former Red Devils goalkeeper told Sky Sports of a resurgent outfit: "I think they have been very good for some time, even before the restart.

"The restart has just confirmed what everybody thought and basically proved a lot in terms of the fact that [Paul] Pogba alongside [Bruno] Fernandes has turned them into a formidable force.

"Even before that, they were on a tremendous run but seeing them after this - even though obviously they were a little bit rusty in their opening game against Spurs - they have been absolutely fantastic.

"And look, everything being equal, maybe I would say one, possibly two more signings maximum, I think that sooner rather than later they will be challenging for the top spot."

For now, United’s focus is locked on landing a top-four finish in 2019-20.

They can move into the Champions League spots with victory over Southampton on Monday, with Bosnich backing the Red Devils to edge Leicester out of elite European competition.

He added: "I am going to stick by my original tip at the start of the season and say that Chelsea and Manchester United are definitely favourites.

"Leicester have had a very difficult time since they have returned from the break and Manchester United and Chelsea - and definitely Manchester United - have real momentum, so I am going to go for them two to finish inside the top four and unfortunately for Leicester to be outside of it."

Western Cape ABC Motsepe League side Police FC have confirmed the passing of attacking midfielder Sanele Mthembu who was shot on Saturday night.

According to a statement released by the club, ‘Zulu’ was gunned down in his neighbourhood as the club’s official statement on Facebook revealed.

Mthembu was born in KwaZulu-Natal and media reports suggest he came through the development ranks at Ajax Cape Town.

“It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our attacking midfielder Sanele “Zulu” Mthembu,"  reads a statement from Police FC.

“He was shot last night in his neighbourhood. May your soul rest in peace Zulu.”

In addition, reports indicate the motive of the killing is unknown at this stage while some reports suggest he was gunned down in Cape Town.

On the other hand, Zulu has been touted as one of the most talented players and was a former teammate of former South African U20 skipper, Ayabulela Konqobe who also played for AmaZulu, Chippa United and was reportedly targeted by Kaizer Chiefs.

Mthembu is another footballer that has lost a life in the space of a week following the former Baroka, Black Leopards midfielder Nkoana who was confirmed dead last week.

The 28-year-old sadly passed away on Tuesday and was on the books of National First Division (NFD) side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila during the 2018/19 season.

Nicknamed ‘Kaka’, the former player rose to prominence when he featured for Bakgaga ba Mphahlele when he inspired the club to a shock win over Amakhosi in the 2011 Nedbank Cup.

Baroka, who was campaigning in the Vodacom League (now known as the ABC Motsepe League) at the time, secured a 2-1 win over the Amakhosi side in a quarter-final clash in Polokwane.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould says that he still has a lot more to offer as a football player.

After featuring in 11 Premier Soccer League (PSL) games for Stellenbosch this season, Gould was released from his contract and will not participate in the remainder of the season if football continues in South Africa.

At 37, the former South Africa international feels he is not yet done playing football and intends to continue.

"My legs will carry me until I die. There's still more I want to do on the pitch,” said Gould as per Sowetan Live.

“I want to inspire youngsters, that's my wish when I join a team. I want our youngsters to do more than our generation did. I have gained vast experience in football, so now I aspire to teach and advise the upcoming players.

"As much as I can say that I am happy with my contributions at Stellenbosch, but as a footballer you always want more game time, that's what I can say.”

At Stellenbosch, he mainly faced competition from fellow veteran defenders Marc van Heerden and Robyn Johannes.

Gould joined Stellenbosch as a free agent at the beginning of the current season from SuperSport United, having previously spent four seasons at Kaizer Chiefs where he was a 2015 league title winner.

The defender’s future is yet to be known and he was one of the senior players at the Cape side.

"I am just happy to be home with my family. At this point, being with my family is the most important thing," Gould said.

He was part of the 2009 Fifa Confederation Cup and last played for Bafana Bafana in 2017.

When he was recently released by Stellenbosch, coach Steve Barker described him as a “true professional” and a “legend of South African football.”

“Morgan was really good for us, on and off the field,” Barker said.

“A true professional, a legend of South African football, it was a pleasure to have him at our club. We also thank him for his services and we wish him well in his career going forward.”

Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Irvin Khoza has confirmed Gauteng will host all top-flight league and National First Division (NFD) teams.

The two leagues have been suspended since mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic which has impacted the staging of sporting events worldwide.

Khoza also revealed the South African Football Association (Safa) must still approve their schedule for matches.

"All 32 clubs will be placed in the bubble in Gauteng," Khoza said at a press conference on Monday.

"KwaZulu-Natal and North West [provinces] were close contenders to host the bubble but the PSL found that Gauteng has the biggest advantage.

“What we have done is submitted the dates, but not announced them in public. We cannot announce them, we have prepared them and supplied them to Safa."

Safa's chief executive officer Tebogo Motlanthe confirmed that they have received a letter from the PSL indicating that they would like to resume the suspended season on Saturday, July 18.

"They have taken them to the meeting with compliance officers [this morning] and will then give an update," he added.

The Nedbank Cup semi-final matches featuring Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic and Baroka FC will also take place when the season resumes.

Sundowns will lock horns with their Gauteng rivals Wits, while Celtic square off with Baroka in the other last-four encounter.

The following stadiums will reportedly be used as training venues for the 16 PSL teams and 16 NFD clubs:

Marks Park, Wanderers, St Stithians, Fourways High, Johannesburg Stadium, Ruimsig Stadium, Auckland Park Bunting (UJ), Chris Hani Stadium (UJ), Loftus Versveld, the University of Pretoria, Pilditch Stadium, TUT Stadium, Germiston Stadium and Vosloorus Stadium.

While the following stadiums will reportedly be used for competitive matches when the season resumes:

FNB Stadium, Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, Rand Stadium, Makhulong Stadium, Ellis Park, Bidvest Stadium, Loftus Versveld, Lucas Moripe Stadium, University of Pretoria and Tsakane Stadium.

Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to retain their ruthless streak through to the end of the season, with the German looking for the newly-crowned Premier League champions to keep slamming doors on rivals.

The Reds have done that on a regular basis throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

A record-setting title triumph has been taken in by those at Anfield, with a first top-flight crown in 30 years wrapped up with seven games to spare.

Liverpool got over that line when competitive action resumed in mid-June, but they have taken their foot off the pedal somewhat.

A humbling defeat was endured at Manchester City in their first outing since seeing a coronation confirmed, while points have also been dropped against Everton and Burnley.

The latter left Anfield with a 1-1 draw on Saturday, with the Clarets becoming the first side to take anything from a trip to the red half of Merseyside this season.

Nick Pope’s heroics between the sticks allowed Sean Dyche’s side to collect a share of the spoils, but Klopp believes Liverpool should have been more clinical and is eager to see lofty standards maintained through their three remaining fixtures.

He told the club’s official website: "It's not the first time in my life that my team inspires a goalkeeper to a sensational performance, but it was like it.

"But there were moments when Nick still made a save but we should have made it better. But then there were two or three absolutely outstanding saves. 

"It was a super game in moments, super, super game, exactly like we wanted to do. But in the end, we left the door open for them and that should not happen. 

"If you find a way in the game which causes the opponents massive problems, come on, stick to it, do it – and we did it to a specific extent. But then we were not clear enough anymore, so that's how it is. 

"How I said, we left the door open for them and they used the situation, which is a special skill of that team."

Next up for Liverpool is a meeting with inconsistent Arsenal, with the Gunners set to welcome the Reds to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday coming off the back of a 2-1 derby defeat to Tottenham.

Klopp added on that test for his side: "It will be different but we will have a bit more space [preparation time], which is good.

"We have one more day. The last seven days now were really incredible, three games in pretty much a week is unbelievable in that moment. 

"But it is how it is and now we have one day more and then hopefully we can completely recover. 

"We will and then we go again against Arsenal, which will be an interesting one."

Kariobangi Sharks striker Derrick Onyango has insisted he will be among the top three in the goalscoring charts at the end of the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) campaign.

The 2019/20 season was halted by the Covid-19 outbreak and the league ended with 10 rounds of fixtures remaining. The striker states he is sure the next campaign will be better and he will prove his doubters wrong.

"It has been a tough season for every team in the country after the league was suspended," Onyango told Goal.

"However, I want to be back with a loud bang! I know my potential and ability in front of goal. Next season, I want to win something and finish on the podium; I want to be among the top three best strikers for the 2020/21 season."

The 24-year-old joined the 2018 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Shield Cup champions at the beginning of the year after being released by Wazito FC. He went on to sign a three-year deal at the club and set his targets for the team.

"I did not get enough playing time and consistency and it is the reason why I struggled at times," Onyango continued.

"When I joined Sharks, my main target was to get at least five to six goals in the remaining league matches or more and help the team finish in the highest position possible.

"Covid-19 complicated matters for us and it is unfortunate we could not hit our targets as planned. But it is also a chance for us to strategize for the next campaign and ensure we perform better."

The lanky striker states training alone has been tough but discipline has kept him going.

"It is not easy every day to wake up and set your target and ensure it is achieved," Onyango continued.

"But as a player, I have no option but to ensure I stick to it which will help me maintain my fitness. Football is my life and I have to ensure I work harder for consistency."

After 22 matches, the Kariobangi-based side managed to get just four wins, eight draws and 10 losses. They were placed in 12th position with 20 points.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier is in mourning after his brother Christopher was shot dead in Toulouse, France on Monday.

According to Europe 1, Christopher was fatally shot and was hit in the abdomen by a suspect. He was confirmed dead after he was taken to the hospital.

The suspect is on the run and police have started an investigation into the matter.

The deceased was a professional footballer like his brother, they both started their career at Lens.

After leaving Lens, Serge Aurier teamed up with Toulouse in 2012 and then joined Paris Saint-Germain, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent.

The defender joined Premier League club Tottenham in 2017 for a fee of €1.5 million on a four-half year deal and has been a key member of the side.

Aurier has featured in 54 league games for Tottenham since his arrival in England and this season he has been a consistent figure for Jose Mourinho’s men.

The Ivory Coast international has made 39 appearances across all competitions for the Lilywhites in this campaign.

It is uncertain if he would feature against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta has been advised to “choose a system” and “buy accordingly” at Arsenal, with Martin Keown still looking for the Gunners to dip into the transfer market for defensive reinforcements.

Leaks at the back continue to undermine the efforts of those at Emirates Stadium.

Those flaws were exposed again in a 2-1 north London derby defeat to arch-rivals Tottenham, with the good work overseen by Arteta over recent weeks undone in another error-strewn display.

The highly-rated Spanish coach has vowed to get to the bottom of Arsenal’s issues in an important area of the field, but is still having to experiment at present.

Arteta appears unsure as to whether he should be favouring a standard back four or a three centre-half approach, with Keown calling for clarity ahead of a foray into the next recruitment market.

The legendary former Gunners defender told the Daily Mail after seeing Heung-min Son and Toby Alderweireld seal local bragging rights on Sunday: “Both goals conceded by Arsenal could have been avoided. That's the bottom line. Not for the first time, sloppiness was their undoing.

“It had looked like progress was being made of late, with Mikel Arteta's men keeping three consecutive Premier League clean sheets. Were it not for Eddie Nketiah's sending off — and then conceding a late equaliser against Leicester — it might have been four.

“But then they go and do this.

“Let's start with the first goal — the equaliser which arrived three minutes after Alexandre Lacazette's excellent opener. Sead Kolasinac had the ball and Kieran Tierney was open on the wing. But he didn't pass to him.

“Instead, he looked backwards and opted for David Luiz. Yet rather than play it to Luiz's left foot like he should have done, he went for his right. It gifted Son Heung-min a run on goal and Spurs were back in it.

“Arsenal had 76 per cent possession in the second half. They looked in control. But they were undone by a set-piece.

“Tierney, 5ft 10in, marked 6ft 2in Toby Alderweireld. The Tottenham defender won and that was that.

“There were positives for Arsenal. Dani Ceballos was promising in midfield, while keeper Emiliano Martinez was probably their best player. But Arteta needs to decide which way he wants his team to play — three or four at the back — and buy players who suit his preferred system.

“Harry Kane and Son posed problems. We saw Shkodran Mustafi diving in — maybe that's because he doesn't feel he's going to get cover from Luiz behind him.  

“Choose your system, Arteta, and buy accordingly.”

Arteta has revealed in the recent past that transfer plans are being drawn up at Emirates Stadium, with the hope being that more funds will be made available to a team with obvious room for improvement.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has praised Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and Ahmed El Mohamady for their five-star performances against Crystal Palace.

The Egypt internationals were at their best to help the Claret and Blue Army secure a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in Sunday’s Premier League game.

Trezeguet showed he has fully adapted to the English top-flight with his heroic display at Villa Park after arriving in England last summer from Turkish Super Lig side Kasımpasa.

The forward put his side in front, moments before the half-time break and then completed his brace in the second half with another fine finish.

The double is his first in the Premier League since completing an £8.75 million transfer to the Claret and Blue Army and now he has five goals in the division.

His effort also ensured Villa ended a 10-game winless run in the English top-flight, having last tasted victory against Watford in January.

The victory boosted the Claret and Blue Army’s relegation survival battle and Smith has hailed the performance of the 25-year-old.

“He’s a good, bright player. His attitude is spot-on, he works his socks off and he deserved those goals,” Smith told the club website.

“It’s funny, we’re getting to a stage now, and I said this would happen, where players like Trezeguet and Douglas Luiz, players who were new at the start of this season, look accustomed to Premier League football now.

“I’m pleased for him to get the brace, they were two good finishes and it will do him the world of good.”

Smith also praised Trezeguet’s compatriot El Mohamady for his solid defensive display to ensure they kept a clean sheet in the encounter.

The full-back frustrated several efforts of Palace to get back into the game and was a thorn in the flesh of influential forward and Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha.

“We put some really good balls into the box and had some chances from counter-attacks,” he continued.

“But the thing that will please me is we defended resolutely and I thought Ezri Konsa was outstanding at the back.

“And Elmo as well, who came in late after Kourtney pulled out with a groin injury during the warm-up. I thought he dealt with Zaha expertly.”

Trezeguet and El Mohamady will hope to continue their fine performances in Aston Villa’s remaining three league games against Everton, Arsenal and West Ham to help the club avoid relegation.

Manchester City will be able to play in next season's Champions League after their two-year ban from UEFA competitions was lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The club will still have to pay a fine, which has been reduced from €30 million (£25m/$33m) to €10m (£9m/$11m).

City were initially punished by UEFA in February, when they were banned from competing in the Champions League or Europa League for two years and given a €30m fine for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

In its initial statement confirming City's punishment, UEFA said that it found the Premier League club guilty of "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016."

A statement from the CAS said City did not overstate their sponsorship contributions but did fail to cooperate with UEFA authorities.

"Manchester City FC did not disguise equity funding as sponsorship contributions but did fail to cooperate with the UEFA authorities," read the heading to the CAS statement.

"The CAS award emphasized that most of the alleged breaches reported by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred," added CAS, which will publish its full written reasons over the coming days.

"As the charges with respect to any dishonest concealment of equity funding were clearly more significant violations than obstructing the CFCB's investigations, it was not appropriate to impose a ban on participating in UEFA's club competitions for MCFC's failure to cooperate with the CFCB's investigations alone."

City responded to the verdict with a statement which read: "Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present.

"The club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered."

The ruling also has an impact on the clubs currently below City in the Premier League table.

If the ban had been upheld, the team finishing in fifth place - currently occupied by Manchester United - would have qualified for the Champions League, with Europa League qualification extended to sixth and seventh.

Questions will now be asked over the long-term viability of UEFA's FFP model after the outcome of what could come to be viewed as a landmark ruling.

However, the governing body said it remained "committed to its principles" in a statement reacting to the verdict.

"UEFA notes that the CAS panel found that there was insufficient conclusive evidence to uphold all of the CFCB’s conclusions in this specific case and that many of the alleged breaches were time-barred due to the five-year time period foreseen in the UEFA regulations," a statement read.

"Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them become financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA remain committed to its principles."

UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations aim to maintain the financial health of European football clubs in order to avoid ruination of teams. This is effectively achieved by limiting the net losses a club is allowed to make over a specified time period.

City immediately denied the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB)'s findings and initiated an appeal against the decision at the first opportunity, with club CEO Ferran Soriano emphatically declaring: "The allegations are not true. They are simply not true."

UEFA's investigation into the matter was prompted by the publication of a number of allegations by German magazine  Der Spiegel, which drew on documents said to have been obtained by whistleblowers Football Leaks, in 2018.

Animosity has been bubbling between the Premier League giants and European football's governing body for almost a decade now, and the latest clash has further strained the relationship.

Fans of City have made a habit of booing UEFA's anthem when it is played ahead of Champions League games, something that has intensified since 2014, when the club first fell foul of Financial Fair Play.

South African Football Association (Safa) chief executive officer Tebogo Motlanthe says it is not practical to expect the 2019/20 PSL season to resume in July 2020.

This comes after the PSL's acting chief executive Mato Madlala sent out a letter to Motlanthe, informing him of the decision by the league’s Board of Governors (BoG) during their meeting on Thursday.

The letter indicated PSL matches will take place in a biologically safe environment in Gauteng and the games are scheduled to start on Saturday, July 18 with football having been suspended in the country since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I would like to express utter surprise at the contents of the letter, coming as it does only a few hours after we agreed at our meeting today [at the request of the NSL] that we cannot conduct any substantive deliberations due to absence of Mr Murphy due to ill health,” Motlanthe told IOL.

PSL's compliance officer Michael Murphy has been ensuring that all 16 PSL clubs and 16 National First Division (NFD) teams undergo coronavirus testing protocols.

“The unilateral confirmation of training venues and the date for resumption on 18 July 2020 by NSL is against the spirit of our meeting and resolution of the Joint Liaison Committee," Motlanthe added.

"Sadly, it also undermines Minister (of Sport) Nathi Mathethwa’s directive that the association should play an overarching role in this matter.”

Motlanthe insists that football can only resume after August 1 and he also stressed the importance of match officials undergoing testing protocols.

“I wish to reiterate two critical factors we outlined at the meeting today (Friday): that we are committed to the resumption of play under safe conditions wherein the safety of players, team officials, match officials and other participants is not compromised,” he explained.

“Secondly, that for the reasons outlined at the meeting and in the presentation, I have since sent you, it is not practical to expect the resumption of play before 1 August.

“It is for this reason that we agreed to invite the management of the referees’ department to our next meeting to outline their project timelines, which will then enable all of us to take informed, responsible decisions."

The PSL will hold a press conference on Monday, July 13 at 12pm regarding the resumption of the season.

Jurgen Klopp has set a date for his departure from Liverpool, with the German planning to head home when his contract at Anfield expires in 2024.

The enigmatic 53-year-old committed to fresh terms with the Reds in December 2019 and, since putting pen to paper, a first English top-flight title in 30 years has been delivered on Merseyside.

The Premier League crown has been added to the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup prizes collected over the course of a memorable 13 months.

The challenge facing Klopp is to build on that success and establish another dynasty for Liverpool.

He intends to oversee that project, but is also starting to piece together plans for the next chapter in his career.

“Four years in Liverpool,” Klopp told SWR Sport when asked how long he intends to stick around in England.

Asked if he intends to head back to Germany at that point, the Reds boss said: “Definitely to live, after my career. Most likely even to Mainz.”

Klopp concedes that anything is possible once his association with Liverpool comes to a close, with the opportunity there for him to work in another club role, a national team post or “do nothing for a year”.

A man who has been at Anfield since October 2015 is, however, aware that no long-term plans can be set in stone at this stage.

He added: “In five years the world can look very different again.”

Much has changed during his time on Merseyside, with the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 presenting another unexpected challenge.

Liverpool have wrapped up a long-awaited title triumph with no supporters in attendance to acknowledge the achievement, but Klopp maintains that a “crazy” party will be held once public health concerns have been eased.

He said on getting fans back into stadiums: “The moment we can do that again, we want to celebrate the title. Even if that is a little strange, that you celebrate a title several months later.

“But Liverpool is an exceptional club, we will surely get something done. We're going to try to celebrate the title in a crazy way.

“We want to celebrate life. People can now plan longer so that they can be there. Maybe we can make something out of it that hasn't been done before.”

Paul Pogba says life at Manchester United “is about trophies”, with the World Cup winner urging the FA Cup and Europa League-chasing Red Devils to ensure that an opportunity to land two pieces of silverware does not “go away”.

A testing 2019-20 campaign could still deliver a positive finish at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his side closing in on a top-four spot, and the Champions League qualification which goes along with that, while major honours are also in his sights.

United have made their way to the semi-finals of the FA Cup while also having one foot in the last eight of the Europa League.

Pogba has helped the Red Devils to that continental crown once before, back in 2017, and is determined to ensure that a chance to add to his personal medal collection is not passed up.

The France international told United Review: “United is about trophies, we know that. And there are trophies we know we can get and we can win.

“We don’t want to let this opportunity go away. We’re going to do our best to go and get those two trophies by giving everything.

“We feel great. That is the mentality now – you have a positive mentality when you have a good result, but you also have to have the ability to get through the games like we did in the last few games.

“Every game is a final and we have to get the result that we need, that’s the mindset. It’s never enough for us, we have to carry on and keep fighting and keep pushing yourself to get better and better.”

Confidence is surging through the collective ranks at Old Trafford, with United having pieced together a 17-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Solskjaer is eager to point out that nothing has been achieved yet, but Pogba is among those feeling buoyant.

The 27-year-old midfielder added on the progress being made by the Red Devils: “Like I said before, it’s about the team. You can call it a proper team.

“Sometimes before, we were maybe too defensive or too offensive and we didn’t have this balance or this control; now you can see we have that balance and there is more structure and we’ve been working hard on that.

“The improvement is huge and you can tell that. It’s always good to have that improvement, but you don’t want to stop it, you know you have to keep working.

“There is a lot of stuff to do, we are not there yet but we are on the way, and if we keep doing what we’re doing now, then I think there is nothing that can stop us to get to where we should be.”

United will be back in Premier League action on Monday when they take in a home game with Southampton.

Mikel Arteta kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Mesut Ozil’s future at Arsenal on Sunday.

The Germany international was once again missing from the Gunners squad as they lost 2-1 away at north London rivals Tottenham to drop down to ninth in the Premier League.

Ozil hasn’t made a single appearance since football resumed in June, making the squad only twice before being left out entirely with a mysterious back problem.

“He is still in the same positions he was last week or two weeks ago and we said we will manage everything internally,” Arteta said when asked about Ozil’s future.

“I have nothing to say.”

Arteta has been praised for his no-nonsense attitude with the likes of Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi in recent weeks, insisting that players need to ‘get on the boat’ if they wish to remain at the club.

The Spaniard recently said that there would always be a place for a player of Ozil’s quality at the Emirates Stadium, suggesting he could yet have a future at the club.

Questions remain around the Gunners’ defenders, with another defensive error costing them against Spurs.

Sead Kolasinac’s mistake allowed Heung-min Son to equalise soon after Alexandre Lacazette’s stunning opener.

After the game, Arteta was asked if such inconsistency could allow Rob Holding a chance to return to the side and impress. But, after a recent unbeaten run, he didn’t seem overly concerned.

“Sometimes it’s the position, sometimes it’s the momentum of the players, when we don’t concede in three or four games in a row everything is really positive,” Arteta explained.

“Obviously when you concede two goals like today… [people ask] why are we not playing someone else?

“Rob has done really well when we’ve demanded him to play and he will be ready to play when we demand him to do so I’m sure.”

Sunday’s defeat put another nail in the coffin of any lingering European hopes Arsenal were still clinging onto.

Level on points with 10th-placed Burnley with three games to play, things aren’t getting any easier as they host champions Liverpool on Wednesday, before their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.

Major League Soccer (MLS) has postponed Victor Wanyama's expected second league tie against Toronto FC to July 16.

The Kenyan and Montreal Impact were to face Toronto on July 15 but MLS announced the tie had been given another date on Sunday.

The change of date was occasioned by Toronto’s opening match postponement against DC United, which was scheduled for July 12, being moved to July 13 due to MLS’s health and safety protocol that both teams must follow.

“Major League Soccer announced on Sunday night that the match between DC United and Toronto FC, which was postponed earlier on Sunday, will now be played on Monday at 9 am,” MLS statement read.

“Under the league’s health and safety protocols, clubs are tested the day before each match. The results of yesterday’s (July 11) tests for DC United and Toronto FC produced an initial unconfirmed positive Covid-19 case for one player and an inconclusive test for another player.

“Both teams participated in another round of testing on Sunday, and all players from the two clubs tested negative. Based on those results, the game will be played Monday morning at 9 am ET.

“The player who tested positive and the player whose test was inconclusive will undergo additional testing and will not play in tomorrow’s match.

“Additionally, the timing has been adjusted for three further MLS is Back Tournament games. The game between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact, originally scheduled for July 15 at 8 pm ET, will now take place on July 16 at 8 pm ET.

“DC United's second game of the competition, against the New England Revolution, originally scheduled for July 16 at 8 pm ET, will now take place on July 17 at 8 pm ET.

“Finally, San Jose Earthquakes vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC will now be played at 9 pm ET on Wednesday, July 15.”

Wanyama’s debut in the MLS saw his side lose 1-0 to New England Revolution and led to his coach Thierry Henry questioning their desire.

“If you don't fight and you don't win battles, you don't even need to talk about tactics. It's about desire. I'm not questioning their desire, but it wasn't there [on July 9]. Hopefully, it will be there against Toronto,” Henry said after the loss.

“We didn't know where we would be physically for this game, but it's not an excuse. One thing I tell my team all the time is to fight. But that did not happen tonight, and we need to rectify that against Toronto.”