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AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has resigned following threats on his life, Goal can report.

Trucha’s resignation comes after the club’s chairman Dan Shikanda claimed a few members had resorted to threats towards the coach and his agent.

A close source at the club has now revealed to Goal that the former Orapa United head coach has left the club and Anthony Kimani, his hitherto assistant, is set to take charge.

This will be the second time Kimani is taking over the club on an acting capacity as he had to fill the void when the former Rwandan head coach Casa Mbungo left in December 2019 citing financial struggle.

“It is true Trucha has resigned,” the source stated on Thursday.

“He left on Wednesday following numerous threats on his life and the people around him. The coach felt the environment had become so poisoned and thus he could not go on with his job.

“Trucha had good intentions for the club and his efforts to turn AFC Leopards into a strong side had already been felt. But some people, it seems, were not happy with what was happening.”

Shikanda had stated the coach's issue was a serious matter that they had even planned to engage the police.

“There is a serious issue with the coach,” Shikanda told reporters on Wednesday. “We shall do a press conference on Thursday and from here we will go and organise to get the nitty-gritty.

“We are taking the threats seriously and we shall write a statement with the police. We are handling that because the coach feels he is not safe.

“He is in Kenya to help us and add skills to the team.”

The chair also claimed the said members have a major target of rocking the club due to the good job done by the National Executive Committee.

“It is unfortunate that some people who call themselves our members are trying to destabilise our team. They have seen us doing well and they are surely not happy," he added.

“We have beaten Tusker in the first match and there are no comments on our social media pages had we lost that match, you could have seen a lot of negative comments.

“But we know we have people who masquerade as AFC Leopards' members and fans but in the real sense, they are not.

“They are trying to kill the club and are trying to kill the work that the National Executive Committee has done.”

Ingwe will host Football Kenya Federation Premier League debutants Bidco United on December 6 for the second tie of the season.

Ex-Chelsea star Didier Drogba has paid an emotional tribute to Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who passed away in November.

The Albiceleste superstar died of a heart attack at the age of 60 and farewell messages across the world have poured in for the former Barcelone star.

Maradona was famous for his dribbling skills and ability to cut open defences during his playing years and helped Argentina win the 1986 World Cup.

The forward also enjoyed success at club level, winning a number of accolades with Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli among others.

Drogba, who holds Maradona as his role model, also had a great career during his playing years, clinching a number of laurels during his time with Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray before his retirement from professional football.

The former Ivory Coast has paid a tribute to the football icon, recollecting his only meeting with him in 2018, which he described as the best day of his life.

“The day I quit my playing career, it was like my childhood dream was over. This ‘little death’ had been hard to live with, because all of a sudden, we find ourselves a little naked, without a horizon, without a goal to reach, without a dream to exceed,” Drogba told France Football.

“There, with your disappearance, it is much more than a child's dream which vanishes, it is the end of ‘my’ football, of the idea that I have always had and of which you were at the same time the symbol, the model and the spokesperson. Football is full of life, daring, mischief and freedom. 

“The funny thing is that my first World Cup match was against Argentina. And that I even scored. On this occasion, I saw you from afar but I had not dared to approach.

“I am shy although it is not always visible. All of a sudden, I, the captain of the Ivorian selection and Chelsea player, felt like a very small boy in front of ‘my God’.

“The only other person who impressed me so much was Michael Jackson. He too, I only saw him from afar, but what a shock!

“In 2008, I almost ran into you for good, but you chose the Africa Cup of Nations period to come visit the Blues! When I knew that you had been able to meet all my teammates while I was in Ghana, I was crazy!

“Finally, I was able to meet you in 2018, on the occasion of the World Cup. I'm not afraid to say it was the best day of my football career.

“I will always remember that you kissed me and said: ‘Drogba, bomba!’ I don't know if you realized it, but I was no longer touching the ground. And it took me a while to come back down. It was a bit like my Ballon d'Or. 

“In recent years, of course, I felt sorry to see you. I thought I could guess sadness and regret in your often lost gaze.

“It's crazy because I only spoke to you for ten seconds and I still have the impression that I know you so well. Now we'll have to learn to love football without you. It's like continuing to love life after a loved one is gone. Obviously, it is possible, but it will take time. Goodbye Diego, I loved you so much.”

Fred has posted an Instagram message after his sending off against Paris Saint-Germain, admitting it "wasn't the best night" for him or Manchester United.

United suffered their second Champions League defeat of the season on Wednesday as PSG ran out 3-1 winners at Old Trafford to leave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in a precarious position in Group H.

The Red Devils are still top of the pool ahead of the French champions and RB Leipzig on goal difference, but they must now travel to Germany on matchday six knowing that a defeat will send them crashing out of the competition.

A Neymar brace and a Marquinhos strike gave PSG their victory in Manchester, with Marcus Rashford's deflected effort ultimately amounting to nothing more than a consolation for the hosts, who were reduced to 10 men when Fred was shown a second yellow card 20 minutes from time.

The Brazilian's first bookable offence came early in the first half, but he was somewhat fortunate not to be given his marching orders by referee Daniele Orsato for headbutting Leandro Paredes off the ball.

He was walking a tightrope from that moment onwards, and although Solskjaer had five substitutions at his disposal on the touchline, the Norwegian head coach decided against hauling him off at half-time.

Asked if made a mistake by keeping Fred on the field, Solskjaer told reporters post-match: "Fred has played really well. We spoke about staying calm and on your feet [at the break].

“The second yellow card was nowhere near a foul. Ander knows that. Fred shouldn’t put his head towards Paredes [but] I don’t think he touched him. He was a bit lucky to stay on."

United will have to make do without Fred when they head to RB Leipzig next week, but the Brazil international did not offer any sort of apology when taking to social media to address his followers on Thursday.

"It wasn't the best night, but we kept working for the best. Always strong mind. We are United! #MUFC" he wrote on Instagram.

Fred will, however, be back in contention for a place in Solskjaer's line up when the Red Devils make the trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham on Saturday.

United are currently sitting ninth in the Premier League standings, but could move into the top four if they beat the Hammers and other results go their way this weekend.

Sacking Zinedine Zidane would be a “very hasty” decision by Real Madrid, says Hugo Sanchez, with the Blancos urged to stick with their current coach despite recent struggles for form.

The reigning La Liga champions have found the going tough in 2020-21 at home and abroad.

Inconsistency proved to be an issue at times last season, only for a remarkable post-lockdown run to deliver another domestic crown.

Defending that prize is not going to be easy, with Zidane’s side dropping 13 points through 10 games.

Struggles are also being endured on a European stage, with Madrid in danger of missing out on a place in the last-16 of the Champions League.

A 2-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk last time out has the Blancos sat third in Group B with one game left to take in – against table-topping Borussia Monchengladbach.

Real’s fate remains in their own hands there, while time is on their side in La Liga, but questions are being asked of Zidane’s ongoing presence and his ability to build on successes of the recent past.

He has vowed not to walk away from Santiago Bernabeu, with there a desire on his part to put things right, and Sanchez believes faith should be shown in an iconic Frenchman.

The legendary former Blancos striker told ESPN when quizzed on whether Zidane should be sacked: “No, I don't think so yet; it would be very hasty right now.

“You have to wait until after the remaining [Champions League group] game, which is complicated by being dependent on others. 

“There will be a certain pressure, nervousness and obviously waiting for the result against Borussia Monchengladbach, too.”

While calling for patience from Real, Mexican legend Sanchez – who hit 208 goals in 283 appearances for the Blancos in his playing days – concedes that standards are slipping in the Spanish capital.

He added: “There have been serious criticisms of Zidane.

“He is bearing it stoically, but I note his nervousness because his players aren't rising to the expectations placed upon Real Madrid players.”

Real will be back in domestic action against Sevilla on Saturday, before then taking in a crucial home date with Monchengladbach on December 9 which will determine their continental fate.

Barcelona’s interim president, Carles Tusquets, has admitted that he “would have sold Lionel Messi in the summer”, with some big decisions facing those at Camp Nou.

A six-time Ballon d’Or winner looked to be heading for the exits when the 2019-20 campaign came to a close.

Having grown disillusioned with life in Catalunya on and off the field, Messi stunned the football world when stating his desire to move on.

Barca moved quickly to make the Argentine aware that a release clause in his contract was no longer valid, forcing the 33-year-old to reassess his options and agree to stay put.

His current terms are, however, only due to run until the summer of 2021 and no extension has been agreed as yet.

Messi will be free to speak with his many suitors from January, with Barca’s next round of presidential elections not due to take place until the 24th of that month.

It could that whoever takes the reins finds themselves overseeing the end of an iconic spell for a modern-day great, with free agency beckoning.

The likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be already jostling for position at the front of a recruitment queue, with a remarkable agreement potentially in the offing.

Tusquets believes Barca should have avoided any threat of Messi walking away for nothing by bowing to his demands in the last window and sanctioning a big-money sale.

He has told RAC1: “Economically speaking, I would have sold Messi in the summer.

“It would have been desirable for the money you would’ve received and the money you would’ve saved. La Liga requires wage limits.”

While Tusquets would have been willing to draw a line under Messi’s trophy-laden and record-setting spell at Camp Nou, plenty of those looking to take his place in the boardroom hold a different opinion.

Many, including the likes of Joan Laporta and Victor Font, have stated a desire to keep an all-time great in his current surroundings, with there a confidence on their part that fresh terms can be thrashed out.

For now, though, Barca are looking for Messi to spark their 2020-21 campaign into life, with Ronald Koeman taking to resting the South American over recent weeks for the bigger challenges to come.

Arsenal are "crying out for a player like" Mesut Ozil, according to David Seaman, who says Mikel Arteta is letting a "quality" midfielder's talent go to waste.

Ozil was initially brought back in from the cold when Arteta was handed the managerial reigns at Emirates Stadium last December, having fallen out of favour under previous manager Unai Emery.

The ex-Germany international featured prominently in the Spaniard's starting XI up until the 2019-20 campaign was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, with his last appearances for the Gunners coming in a 1-0 win over West Ham on March 7.

Arteta has not had any use for Ozil since football's resumption in June, despite the fact the playmaker has been keeping himself in optimal condition on the training ground.

A man who moved to Emirates Stadium from Real Madrid for £42 million ($56m) in 2013 played no part in Arsenal's run to FA Cup glory, and was left out of his current manager's Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the new season.

Ozil publicly questioned the club's loyalty in the wake of that decision, and is now being forced to run down the final few months of his contract behind the scenes with little sign of Arteta altering his stance heading into the New Year.

Seaman finds it hard to fathom that the ex-Madrid star is being left out for footballing reasons, with it his belief that the German is still more than capable of adding a much-needed creative dimension to the current Gunners squad.

“I am surprised Arteta is choosing to leave out Mezut Ozil because he’s a player of quality,” The former Arsenal goalkeeper told The Target Men Podcast.

“I feel something’s gone on personally between the two of them, because to leave him out, and on the money he’s on, is a big statement and for me it’s a bit of a waste, because he’s still a quality player.

“When you look at the Arsenal team, we’re crying out for a player like that, so why don’t you build your team around Ozil rather than just leaving him out in the field and letting him go.”

Seaman went onto assess his old club's chances of qualifying for the Champions League, having seen Arteta deliver only four wins from 10 Premier League matches so far this term.

“The way Arsenal are now, top four is going to be almost like winning the Premier League," he added.

“The team need to get a run going and gain confidence again, but I do think top four would be a great season for Arsenal.”

Leandro Paredes has echoed Neymar’s calls for Lionel Messi to make a move to Paris Saint-Germain, with one Argentina international hoping to be joined by another at Parc des Princes.

A big future call is facing a six-time Ballon d’Or winner at Barcelona.

Messi made one push for the exits over the summer as he sought to take on a new challenge and bring his career-long association with the Blaugrana to a close.

His path was quickly blocked, leading the 33-year-old to reveal to Goal that he will be honouring his contract.

That deal is due to come to a close in the summer of 2021 and, with no extension agreed, he will be free to speak with interested parties from January.

Few sides in world football could afford to finance a move for Messi, or match his ambition, but PSG form part of an elite club.

Premier League heavyweights Manchester City also fall into that category, and have seen a move for a modern-day icon mooted, but Paredes hopes a fellow countryman can be tempted to the French capital.

He told ESPN: “Messi at PSG? I hope so, we all want him to come but it will be his decision.

“We have an incredible squad, good players, good people, we take advantage of that.

“As I have said, I hope Leo will make the best decision for him, but we will welcome him with open arms.”

Neymar, who spent four productive years alongside Messi at Barca between 2013 and 2017, had already stated his desire for Messi to make a move to PSG prior to Paredes joining the conversation.

The Brazilian forward said after finding the target in a 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester United: “What I want the most is to enjoy playing with him again.”

When asked where that reunion would occur, Neymar said with a laugh: “He can play in my role, it wouldn't be a problem with me!

“For sure, next year we have to do it.”

Barca are currently in the process of doing all they can to keep Messi on their books, with former president Joan Laporta – who is back in the running to take the reins again in 2021 – reading little into comments from Neymar and Co.

He has told Radio Catalunya: “It is normal for him to say it, they are friends and have an established understanding between them. This relationship is normal.

“I hope that Leo can wait and listen to the proposal of the new Barcelona president.”

Laporta added: “We have contact with Leo, I know he appreciates me, we respect each other, but we have not talked about the renewal.

“Messi guarantees you to aspire to be able to win everything. I want him to stay at Barca.”

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers does not expect injured Ghana midfielder Daniel Amartey to be back in action in the next few weeks but reveals the defender's rehabilitation has been progressing.

The centre-back has been out of action since hurting his hamstring during a Premier League clash with West Ham United in October.

The game was just his second match in the Championship this season.

"I can’t wait, [to see them back on the pitch]," Rodgers said on the injury return of Ricardo Pereira, Caglar Soyuncu and Wilfred Ndidi in his team news during a pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League encounter with Ukrainian club Zorya Luhansk.

"The players, up until now, have done amazingly to sit where we are after 10 games and, at this early stage of the Europa League, we’re qualified.

"It’s a huge testament to the guys that have performed. However, to have this level of player coming back, especially from a defensive side, it can just get us back working to how we want to work.

"We’ve had to adapt during this early period of the season, in terms of our style and identity at times, but to get those players back, with their level of mobility and quality is really going to help us.

"It’ll make the squad super competitive when they do (return from injury and play regularly), so we’re really looking forward to seeing the three boys play tomorrow.

"Hopefully they get through as much of the game as they can and the likes of Timothy Castagne (hamstring) are not too far away too.

"Daniel Amartey’s (hamstring) a little bit away, but he's progressing really well. It gives us a really exciting squad."

The current injury is no doubt a straight major blow to Amartey's hopes of becoming a key member of Rodgers' set-up.

The 25-year-old had just returned from a two-year injury layoff when he suffered the setback against West Ham.

In all, he has made just 33 Premier League appearances for The Foxes since joining the club from Danish outfit FC Copenhagen in 2016.

Five of those outings helped Leicester win the 2015-16 league title.

FIFA 21 will be one of the best-selling games on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in 2020-21 as football fans get a chance to play as their favourite players and teams.

Online play is hugely popular in FIFA 21, with game modes like FIFA Ultimate Team, Online Seasons and Pro Clubs pitting people around the world against each other.

You can play against or with friends online on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, but this is the first year in a few seasons where people will be split heavily across different generations of the console.

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Can I play FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5 against PlayStation 4 players?

Playing against your friends or even with them using Co-Op mode is one of the most fun ways to play FIFA 21.

Pro Clubs is also hugely popular as you can create a team of 11 players, all playing online at once against other clubs from all over the world.

Co-Op has been introduced into FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 21, meaning an online guest can drop in and help you control your side in FUT.

However, if you are playing on different consoles, it is not possible to play with or against friends in FIFA 21.

That means if you have upgraded to FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5, you will not be able to play with or against friends who are still playing on PlayStation 4.

EA Sports confirmed that cross-play would not be supported during a Q&A session on their FIFA Direct Communication Twitter account:

"You won't be able to play across console generations or cross-play in FIFA 21. However, you will be able to carry over your FUT progression from PS4 to PS5 and Xbox 1 to Xbox Series X."

Can I play against Xbox Series X players using FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5?

Unfortunately, as well as not being able to play against PlayStation 4 players using FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5, you will not be able to play against FIFA 21 gamers on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S.

Cross-play is not supported in FIFA 21, but future versions of FIFA may have cross-play where multiple consoles can play together or against each other online.

Other games on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X support or will support cross-play, including Destiny 2, Chivalry 2, Fortnite and Worms Rumble.

Worms Rumble is free to PlayStation Plus subscribers in December and will give players a chance to try out cross-platform play against players on Xbox and even PC.

How can I upgrade FIFA 21 from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5?

Anyone who has purchased FIFA 21 on PlayStation 4 can download FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5 using EA Sports' Dual Entitlement offer.

You can upgrade at any time during the season by either logging on to the PlayStation Network account where you purchased the PS4 version or by inserting the PS4 disc into the PS5 disc drive.

However, anyone who purchased the physical copy of FIFA 21 for PlayStation 4 can only upgrade to PlayStation 5 if they have the disc version of the new console.

Will my Ultimate Team copy across from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5?

Using the Dual Entitlement offer, you can upgrade your copy of FIFA 21 from PS4 to PS5 and bring some of your progress across to the new console.

This allows you to carry your Ultimate Team progress and Volta progress onto the PlayStation 5.

However, progress you have made in Online Seasons and Career Mode cannot be copied onto the new console.

Pro Clubs and Co-Op Seasons progress is also set to one console only and is not transferrable from console to console.

Can I still play with my Ultimate Team on PlayStation 4 after playing on PlayStation 5?

As cross-console play is not allowed in FIFA 21, many people may still wish to play the PlayStation 4 version of FIFA 21 against their friends despite having bought a PlayStation 5.

Luckily, Ultimate Team progress can be carried forward and back through PS4 and PS5, meaning you can still play Co-Op Ultimate Team using your FUT team even after upgrading to the new console.

"All progress you make or content you acquire within FIFA 21 Ultimate Team (including players, items, coins, FIFA Points, match record, and leaderboard placement), as well as all progression in Volta... will transfer from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 and back, or Xbox One to Xbox Series X and back," EA Sports confirmed.

Ex-Arsenal youngster Stephy Mavididi has credited Cristiano Ronaldo for aiding his development, admitting that training with the Juventus superstar "helped me so much".

Mavididi spent five years making his way through Arsenal's youth ranks before graduating to the senior squad in 2016, but struggled to force his way into Arsene Wenger's plans thereafter.

The former England Under-20 international was sent out on loan to Charlton Athletic twice and Preston North End once before being sold to Juventus on a permanent deal in 2018 - initially joining the Italian giant's reserves set-up.

Mavididi was handed his first-team debut a year later, but ultimately failed to establish himself as a regular, and was subsequently loaned to Ligue 1 outfit Dijon for the duration of the 2019-20 campaign.

The 22-year-old impressed enough to earn a €6 million move to Montpellier in the summer transfer window, where he is finally beginning to fulfil his potential after been handed the opportunity to play week in, week out.

Mavididi has scored twice in 11 Ligue appearances to help Michel Der Zakarian's side rise to fifth in the standings, and he will be in line to feature once again when reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain arrive at Stade de la Mosson on Saturday.

The talented young forward claims he soaked up a lot of valuable experience working alongside Ronaldo in Turin, which has helped him transform into the player he is today.

“It was a privilege to even train with him. It’s helped me so much," Mavididi told The Guardian  of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"It’s not even about going up to him and asking him questions. You just watch him and you learn.”

The former Gunners striker went on to explain why he failed to make the grade at Emirates Stadium, before insisting that leaving England proved to be a blessing in disguise.

“I tend not to look at the regrets because if I had stayed at Arsenal then I probably wouldn’t be where I am now," he said.

"When you’re at these big clubs, you’ve got to have everything going in your favour – you need a manager who is willing to play you, some luck and maybe if there’s some injuries or suspensions – and that’s not always the case in football.

"Moving abroad gave me a fresh start. It helped me to discover a different way of living and playing football at a very good level instead of dropping down the leagues.”

Mavididi added on his desire to make a mark at international level: "My ultimate goal is to get into England’s senior team, but for now the best pathway is the Under-21s so I want to try and get into that squad.

"We have a very exciting generation of players and I feel like I’m part of that.”

Tottenham must be considered serious Premier League title contenders this season as “Gareth Bale is a serial winner and Jose Mourinho is a born winner”, says Paul Robinson.

Spurs have risen to the top of the table on the back of a productive start to their 2020-21 campaign.

A change in the dugout was made 12 months ago with the intention of pushing the club into contention for major honours.

Mourinho was appointed as successor to Mauricio Pochettino after collecting an enviable haul of trophies across spells at the likes of Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The Portuguese has been given the backing he requires to make Tottenham competitive once again, with former fan favourite Bale returning to north London from Real Madrid on a season-long loan.

Robinson believes title-challenging pieces are being fit together by Mourinho and Co, with expectation and excitement building again at a success-starved club.

The former Tottenham goalkeeper told Ladbrokes: “This is the best Spurs squad I’ve seen in a number of years. They’re competing on all fronts which I think is something Jose wants to keep doing. I do genuinely think they can mount a serious title challenge due to the fact that they’ve got proven winners in the dressing room.

“Gareth Bale is a serial winner, Jose’s a born winner, we know that. Hugo Lloris is a World Cup winner; they’ve got the ability and the staying power to challenge for the title.”

The presence of Mourinho is considered to be the major contributing factor to Tottenham chasing down major honours this season, with Robinson admitting the 57-year-old will be judged on efforts in his first full campaign as Spurs boss.

The ex-England international added ahead of a north London derby date with Arsenal on Sunday: “I think you judge Jose on this season. We’re always quick in the media and as pundits to judge people over a short amount of time – Mikel Arteta is feeling that now at Arsenal over such a short period of time.

“Jose was brought in for a reason. Pochettino took the team to a certain level and he nearly won something, but nearly wasn’t good enough. The chairman wants to win something. Jose was given the tools, he’s been backed in the transfer market which is fantastic to see, so you can now judge him as Spurs’ manager.

“He’s actually turning a lot of people who questioned his appointment back in his favour. You can see he’s got the twinkle back in his eye. The Jose at Spurs is the Jose who was at Chelsea, not the one that was at Manchester United. The one who was winning big trophies and had the players on his side and winning a lot of friends. It seems like we’ve got that Jose again.

“I was initially surprised when Mourinho came in, more so at the sacking of Pochettino. I was surprised because of how far Mauricio had taken the club on, but it wasn’t just his form at the start of last season that got him the sack.

“It was the form at the end of the previous season as well. There was a run of performances that weren’t good enough and it’s where he potentially lost the dressing room. It was a brave decision to lose Pochettino, and you’ve got to give Daniel Levy a lot of credit for doing it and bringing Jose in.

“He’d had the opportunity at that time to bring a world-class manager, a born winner, into his club and he went and did it. Yes it was a big decision but he deserves a lot of credit for making it, and for backing Jose.”

The local fans only got to taste the atmosphere and excitement of supporting their favourite teams in their respective stadiums for three round of the 2020 Super League season before Malaysian Football League (MFL) announced that matches will be played behind closed doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia.

Now plans are afoot to look into the possibility of fans being allowed back into the venues in stages and in accordance to governmental guidelines, taking their cues from what is happening around the world in other leagues like the Premier League in England.

A meeting was held yesterday to kickstart the discussion led by MFL and attended by the Sports Ministry and National Sports Council. They will form the taskforce in charge of preparing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for a domesitc travel bubble to local organised competition.

"This is the first meeting of the taskforce and we have raised the issue of SOP concerning local football competitions. Among the things discussed was how many fans can be allowed back into the stadium at various stages of the 2021 season as well as the SOP on playing in green zones if it involves another team from the red zone." said Dato Ab Ghani Hassan, the chief executive officer of FAM.

The larger discussion was held over the organisation of local competition especially after the 2020 Malaysia Cup had to be cancelled because the Malaysian government denied MFL's application to hold matches even with the right SOP in place.

With the situation in dfferent from one town to another, there might be a situation where a fixture pits a team from a non-restricted zone against a team from a restricted zone, where traveling in and out of the restricted zone was not allowed, which was one of the major reasons for the cancellation of the Malaysia Cup.

MFL and the respective governmental ministries will have to come up with an agreed SOP on how to proceed in such a case as well for other situations like if a certain number of players are tested positive - on where the limits are that a fixture can still go on.

But it is a good sign that MFL are already thinking about getting fans back in, even if it was just a couple of hundreds to start with.

Arsenal are in need of a Mesut Ozil right now, says Gilberto Silva, with the Gunners urged to spend big on luring a player of the ilk of Jack Grealish to the club.

The Gunners have made the bold decision to drop a World Cup-winning playmaker from their Europa League and Premier League plans this season.

Plenty have questioned the ostracising of Ozil, with the 32-year-old rotting away in the shadows at Emirates Stadium as he runs down a lucrative contract.

Silva, who once formed part of Arsenal’s fabled ‘Invincibles’ squad, is among those who feel a role could have been found for a creative German within Mikel Arteta’s plans.

The Brazilian told Ladbrokes: “If we want to talk about Mesut Ozil, then he's actually the kind of playmaker that Arsenal really need.

“Arsenal need someone to come into the side and create chances - to give the ball to the forwards.

“I thought that player might have been Willian when he was brought in but he's been playing out wide.

“Ozil could be the type of player Arsenal actually need to sign.”

With the Gunners requiring someone to pull the strings, and Ozil not about to be brought back in from the cold any time soon, Silva believes Arteta and Co should be looking close to home for reinforcements.

England international Grealish has been showing for club and country that he can compete at an elite level, with his price tag – after signing a new long-term contract over the summer – continuing to rise as a result.

Silva added when asked who Arsenal should be targeting: “I like Jack Grealish. I've spoken about him a lot. He has done an amazing job; he'd be a good fit for the team.

“If you see the way he plays, his ability and desire. He's got quality, there is no doubt about that. He has been sensational this season.

“Good players are not cheap; this is the reality of football, but they make a huge impact.

“If the club decided in the future that they wanted to bring in a Jack Grealish, then they know it's not going to be cheap. They'll have to spend big.

“It's not easy to find quality players at a good price; you have to understand the market very well and be at the front of a long list of many, many clubs who are all looking for similar players to improve their squads.”

Vipers SC will reportedly leave for Khartoum on Thursday for the Caf Champions League second leg tie against Al-Hilal without six players.

According to Sports Nation, Karim Watambala, Milton Kariisa, Geoffrey Wasswa, Abraham Ndugwa and Livingston Mulondo have all returned positive Covid-19 tests and will be required to self-isolate meaning they will automatically miss the Sunday clash.

Watambala, Wasswa and captain Lwaliwa played in the entire game at St Mary’s Stadium when they were defeated 1-0 and their absence is set to complicate matters for head coach Fred Kajoba.

Ndugwa started the game and paved way in the second half while Kariisa was substituted in the first half. The Venoms would need at least a 2-0 win in order to book their position in the next round.

Kajoba is also set to miss Aziz Kayondo and Bobosi Byraruhanga who are still in Tanzania after successfully participating in the Cecafa U20 Championship that ended on Wednesday. They defeated reigning champions Tanzania 4-1 to claim the regional title.

Allan Kayiwa and Shaban Mohamad are injured and might miss the game.

After the home loss, coach Kajoba claimed some players were not at a level to play for the team as they were very poor.

"Poor first half, very good second half but now we have to go back to the drawing board and correct those small mistakes," Kajoba said in an earlier interview.

"In the first half, we didn’t play good football. I felt some of the players were below par in the first half and I thought they were not at the level required to play at Vipers."

Meanwhile, Al Hilal captain Abd Al-Latif Saeed picked three players, and one of them was Watambala, whom he claimed impressed and must be checked closely on Sunday.

“Three players caught my imagination. Shirt number 25 [Watambala], shirt number three [Galiwango] and the wide forward [Orit] who came on were brilliant,” Saeed said then.

“I think they were good on the day for their side and caused a couple of problems for our backline. We have to take notice of them for the second leg.”

The winner between Al-Hilal and Vipers will either face Asante Kotoko of Ghana or Nouadhibou of Mauritania in the next round.

Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) coach Mike Mutebi has stated the new signings will not be immediately drafted into the first team.

The 13-time champions brought on board 11 new players in their bid to reclaim the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) title after losing it to Vipers in the abandoned 2019/20 season. The former Uganda Cranes coach has explained the new players will have to fight for their positions in the team.

"I am pleased that the new players have already assimilated in the way we play and obviously by signing them we knew that they were the right players given what we play," Mutebi said ahead of the new season.

"And you will find out that most of the new recruits are not going to be starters, they are just going to offer competition and when they make their case then they will play.  

"On a large note, the players that were here last season are the ones that are going to play but obviously Denis Iguma, Bright Anukani, Samson Kigozi, Juma Balinya, and Brian Aheebwa - those ones must start."

The Kasasiro Boys will kick-off their campaign on Thursday away to Bright Stars. However, they will have to do without assistant captain Julius Poloto, John Revita, Gift Ali, and Moses Aliro.

"Bright Stars have always given us problems and I know they will again give us a headache on Thursday, but this time around we believe that we have enough in our armoury to negotiate and try to win that match," Mutebi added. 

Last season, Bright Stars managed to hold the Garbage Collectors 1-1 away at Lugogo Stadium before claiming a 2-1 league win at home.

KCCA FC went on to finish the season in second position with 50 points, four less than the Venoms. 

KCCA FC 2020/21 Squad:

Mwirusi Ali Ramadhan, Kato Samuel Nemeyimana, Musana Hassan, Musa Ramathan, Revita John, Mazengo Loro Stefano, Gift Ali Abubakar, Ayella Dominic, Aheebwa Brian, Balinya Juma, Kigozi Samson Andrew, Kawooya Andrew, Magambo Peter, Anaku Sadat Happy. Mugume Ashraf, Achai Herbert, Keziron Kizito, Lwanga Charles, Sserwadda Steven, Anukani Bright, Ssenyonjo Samuel, Poloto Julius, Bukenya Joseph Kizza, Lukwago Charles, Iguma Denis, Aliro Moses Okabo, Kalanzi Moses, Obenchan Fillbert, Matovu Hassan Muyomba, and Kafumbe Joseph.

Gary Neville has cast doubt over Dean Henderson’s claims to being a long-term option for Manchester United, with the Red Devils legend having seen too many young goalkeepers fail to live up to expectations.

As things stand, a 23-year-old custodian at Old Trafford is being lined up to follow David de Gea between the sticks.

United have two international shot-stoppers tied to long-term contracts, with considerable faith still being shown in a proven Spaniard when it comes to filling a No.1 berth.

Henderson is having to fill back-up duties for now, but a home-grown star is expected to step in at some stage and take on the challenge of filling some iconic boots.

Neville is not sure that the England hopeful can emulate the likes of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar by becoming a stalwart between the sticks, with there still plenty of questions for him to answer.

The former United defender told Viaplay Fotball: “I think De Gea is the No.1 as Henderson has a lot to do in my mind. I don't get carried away by a young and talented goalkeeper at Manchester United.

“I've seen it before over the last 25 years where there have been young and talented goalkeepers who have threatened to come in but to stand in those goals at the club, in particular when fans come back into the stadium, then they are big, big boots to fill. Only Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel have filled those boots in my time, while David de Gea has now.

“I think he's [De Gea] probably been better this season. I was nervous about him towards the end of last season and I think even Ole would've been looking at him and thinking ‘you're not far away from being left out’.

“But I think now he's stuck with him, which I think is the right thing to do. If you're going to take someone like him out then you have to make sure that you're absolutely certain because once you take him out of the team you really are moving his confidence away and he may as well leave the club.

“For me, I think it's exciting that Henderson is coming through but I reserve my judgement on whether he can become somebody who can go in Manchester United's goal in the next 10 years.”

Henderson provided cover for De Gea when United’s first-choice keeper picked up a knock in their last Premier League outing at Southampton, but he was back on the bench for a Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Hertha Berlin sporting director Arne Friedrich says that Matteo Guendouzi is "worth every penny" after joining on loan from Arsenal this summer following a recommendation from former Gunners star Per Mertesacker.

Guendouzi made the move to Germany in October, departing Arsenal on loan after a tumultuous summer that saw him relegated to the bench after a 2-1 defeat against Brighton back in June that included a post-game scuffle with Neal Maupay.

Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille had also made contact with the Gunners, but it was Hertha Berlin that won out as the only club that submitted an official bid for the France Under-21 international.

Forced to quarantine upon arriving in Berlin due to a positive coronavirus test, Guendouzi has had a delayed start to life in the Bundesliga, although he has now featured in four consecutive games.

Friedrich, who has been with Hertha since November 2019 after previously playing for the club for eight seasons, says that Guendouzi's arrival in Berlin was preceded by a glowing recommendation from former international team-mate Mertesacker.

"He's a fantastic player," Friedrich told reporters. "We spoke to Arsenal before the transfer obviously, and I also spoke to Per Mertesacker, with whom I played in the national team. Our relationship is very honest, very transparent, and he had already said that he has such good quality and he's showed it already.

"From the first day when he came here to Germany onwards, he had to go into quarantine... I don't know what happened, I think either him or someone else tested positive so he had to sit in the hotel for the first two weeks here in a brand new city.

"He was so professional and we brought him some gear, a bike to work on and he was really, really ambitious to get on the field as soon as possible.

"Ever since, every day he shows in practice what a good player he is."

Since heading out on loan, Guendouzi has said that team-mates Mesut Ozil and Bernd Leno helped steer him towards the Bundesliga, although the 21-year-old Frenchman believes that he still has a future at the Emirates.

He did, however, admit that he felt he needed to leave Arsenal to have fun, having been left frustrated by a lack of playing time in north London towards the end of last season. 

Now settled in Berlin, the midfielder is beginning to impress, with Friedrich saying that Guendouzi has already left a major impression on the club's hierarchy.

"He's so calm," he said. "He wants every single ball, even under pressure. He has his own understanding that he wants to win games.

"He has this intrinsic motivation to just show the world how good he is. This is what we need, this is what everybody needs and he is highly confident, which is also very important for our team because our team is still looking for structure.

"We are very, very happy to have him here and he's worth every penny."

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has expressed his delight to return from a long-term groin injury.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury problem against Burnley in September which has since sidelined him from action.

Ndidi has only featured in two Premier League games for the King Power Stadium outfit in the 2020-21 season, missing their previous 13 games.

The midfielder was a consistent performer for the Foxes last season as they finished fifth on the league table to clinch a Europa League ticket.

Ndidi is set to make a return for Leicester against Zorya in their Europa League group game on Thursday night and has revealed his excitement. 

“Hi guys, it’s Wilfred Ndidi and we are happy to be back and hopefully things go well,” Ndidi said in a video posted by Leicester on Twitter alongside his teammate Ricardo Pereira.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is also looking forward to the return of the Nigeria international for their encounter against the Ukrainian Premier League side.

"Wilfred Ndidi, it’ll be fantastic to see him back. Caglar Soyuncu will play. Ricardo Pereira as well. Timothy Castagne is still out, we’ll see how he is when we get back," Rodgers said in a pre-match press conference.

Ndidi has been with Leicester since 2017 when he teamed up with the Premier League club from Belgian side Genk.

The midfielder has distinguished himself in the English top-flight with his solid defensive displays for the King Power Stadium outfit.

Ndidi will hope to stay fit and help Leicester finish as high as possible at the end of the 2020-21 Premier League season.

Ndidi was missed during Nigeria’s double-header against Sierra Leone, as the Super Eagles struggled to pick up two points in the outings.

The midfielder’s return will also delight Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr, who has been under immense pressure for his not-too-impressive performances against the Leone Stars.