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Techiman Eleven Wonders chief executive officer Takyi Arhin wants the Government of Ghana to take up the responsibility of player testing for the proposed return of football in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

All domestic competitions have been on hold since a national ban on public gatherings, including sporting and religious events, came into effect as part of measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease on March 15.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has seen the first request for the prompt return of football under tight safety protocols turned down by the national government, partly due to the cost of tests which are to be a major part of affairs under the proposed system. Further discussion between the GFA and relevant stakeholders are still ongoing as the football's governing body has not given up on its ambition.

“Why should clubs pay for testing? I don’t get it," Arhin quizzed, as reported by Footballmadeinghana.

“The 'burgers' [Ghanaians in diaspora] that were brought from abroad and given free accommodations and free meals, did they pay for their testing?

“Ghanaians that are tested so far, who pays for their testing? Why do we always cheapen ourselves like that? In terms of employment to the economy, football alone employs more than 4000 people.

“We pay taxes to clear our goods from the ports. We pay social security for our employees. We pay for VAT on matches played."

Before the West African country closed its borders to regular human travel, 1030 travellers from abroad were mandatorily quarantined in Accra, all at the cost of the Government of Ghana.

Generally, over 270,300 tests have been conducted in Ghana.

“Players that we transfer outside are helping the economy. We feed the various national teams with our players without taking anything from the government," Arhin added.

“So the government should support us financially to play matches behind closed doors, else the players will become rusty.

“We need to convince the government with these factors stated above rather than thinking of payment for the testing of our players and other stakeholders."

Ghana's ban on all contact sports, including football, remains in effect until at least July 31.

The championship was at the matchweek 15 stage - with Aduana Stars leading the table - when the competition was brought to a halt.

The GFA has set a June 30 deadline to make a final decision on the future of the 2019-20 Ghana football season in the wake of disruptions.
 

Simba SC have received a huge boost with the return of midfielder Jonas Mkude ahead of their two Mainland Premier League matches in Mbeya City.

The Tanzanian champions arrived in Mbeya on Monday in readiness for their two vital matches against Mbeya City on Tuesday and Tanzania Prisons on Saturday.

Making the squad to Mbeya, was midfielder Mkude, who has missed the first two matches since the league restarted. Mkude picked up an injury during the team’s friendly against KMC and thus missed the 1-1 draw against Ruvu Shooting and the 3-0 win against Mwadui FC.

Simba team doctor Yassin Gembe has confirmed that the player has now healed from the injury and will be in contention to play for the side in two matches.

“Mkude is now feeling better and ready to play again after the injury setback,” Gembe is quoted by the club’s official website.

“We have travelled with him to Mbeya, he is not feeling the pain like he was after sustaining the injury and it is now upon the coach to either use him or not, it will now depend on the format the coach will want to use in the matches but Mkude is ready and available to play.”

Meanwhile, Simba assistant coach Suleiman Matola has called on club fans in Mbeya to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday to cheer the team to victory against Mbeya City.

“We have managed to train in Mbeya, it is very cold here than in Dar in Saalam but the players are coping well, all we need now is the support of our fans around Mbeya, we want them to come out in large numbers and rally behind the boys.

“We need the points as if we get six from the two matches, we are almost certain going to be crowned champions, and that is why we want their support, the players are eager to win and they will not disappoint them.

“Our main aim now is to make sure we seal the title in Mbeya, we want to be crowned here, the coach is happy with players’ attitude and response after the 3-0 win against Mwadui, we want to keep the winning run going and we are confident of getting six points.”

Simba will then take on Tanzania Prisons on Saturday.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has expressed excitement by the exploits of Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew in the Premier League.

Back in action for the first time in three months due to the coronavirus disruptions, the 28-year-old highlighted his importance for The Eagles with a neat finish to ensure a 2-0 away triumph over Bournemouth on Saturday.

He has so far notched nine goals in 29 league matches this season, standing as the club's top scorer.

“I feel good and it’s good for us as a football nation and he is gradually growing to become a big name in the premiership and we are all happy," Akonnor told Starr Sports.

“I personally have some liking for him, the way he is growing, being a very young man and the way he is now maturing into a big player and somebody who always leads the attack, I think it’s a great thing.

“I will encourage him to continue with his fine form, it’s a great thing and it will always help us.”

There was more to Ayew's Saturday strike than just drawing him close to double figures as it put him clear as the highest-scoring Ghanaian in the history of the Premier League with 25 goals.

He tied former Leeds United forward Anthony Yeboah on 24 goals ahead of the weekend fixture.

Seven of the France-born's strikes came while he was on the books of Aston Villa, eight while with Swansea City and 10 at Palace.

He reached the 25-goal mark in 129 matches while Yeboah scored his 24 goals in 47 appearances. 

Ayew is also on the brink of breaking another record, this time at Palace, with eight more matches to the end of the season.

The attacker's goals so far have won Palace 14 points in this term, leaving him just one point behind Andrew Johnson’s contribution in 2004-05 as no single player has collected The Eagles more points in Premier League history.

Ayew joined Palace in January 2019 for a half-season loan stint from Swansea. Despite a frustrating spell which yielded only one league goal, the striker was signed on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

He first came to England in 2015, signing for Villa from French side Lorient. In January 2017, he left for Swansea.

While in France, Ayew also played for Sochaux and Olympique Marseille.

Ghana's top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt last year, Ayew will be expected to continue his fine form in national colours when the Black Stars face Sudan in an Afcon 2021 qualifying double-header in October. 

Burnley CEO Neil Hart has labelled the flying of a banner that read White Lives Matter Burnley during his side's defeat at the hands of Manchester City as "disgusting". 

Monday's Premier League clash was marred when a small aircraft flew over the Etihad Stadium carrying the message just moments after players from both sides knelt in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

City went on to win 5-0, with Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both bagging doubles and David Silva also finding himself on the scoresheet. 

The actions of the fans that hired the plane and banner have invited wide condemnation, with Burnley captain Ben Mee admitting he was "ashamed and embarrassed" by the incident, and Hart added his voice to their critics with a furious attack on Tuesday. 

"I was disgusted to sit in the directors' box of the Etihad and see that plane fly over the stadium," the CEO explained to BBC Sport when asked about the incident.

"It's not good, we stand in solidarity with our players, with our stakeholders, our management team, with our community and our town, and we will continue to be very strong in our words against any form of discrimination. 

"I think disgusted is the word I would use." 

Hart went on to confirm that the individual or individuals behind the banner would no longer be welcome at Turf Moor. 

"We are working very closely with the authorities, we believe we know who is responsible, a police investigation has been launched and we will be issuing lifetime bans to those individuals, 100 per cent," he added. 

"The battle is not won by banners, whether they are positive or negative, while what the players are doing with the logos and Black Lives Matter on the back of their shirts goes a long way it is not won by that, it is won by action, it is won by doing work with those communities and working with those individuals, and it is won by action and communication. 

"I still see that as an opportunity and we will continue to develop and evolve our work in that space, and I will make it one of my top priorities over the coming months and years to continue this fight."

Former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Ramon Vega has called for more action against racism in football, saying the Black Lives Matter movement is “an enormous propaganda” which is not enough.

Racism incidences in some football stadiums around the world are rife and continue to be recorded, while concerns that they will not stop anytime soon keep growing.

This is despite some clubs being penalised to play behind closed doors and being slapped with hefty fines by football authorities, as well as players walking off the pitch in protest against racial abuse.

The resumption of football in some European leagues have seen the advancement of the Black Lives Matter movement by players standing against racial injustices but Vega, however, feels that more should be done to in dealing with racism.

“To be honest it’s not enough [Black Lives Matter], actually it’s an enormous propaganda,” Vega told Goal.

“Action is not being taken whatsoever because it’s a daily routine to live with each other. That’s the key importance of the movement and not just going on the streets and have a movement.

“Yes, of course, it’s awareness but how many times in the last 56 years [has] that happened? Nothing happened afterwards. A month later or two everybody has forgotten about this movement.”

The Swiss retired footballer has stressed education and stern action is required in the fight against racism.

“It’s not about the race here, it’s really about the human person and education of the human person and that’s what we need to be looking into action, not just movement and propaganda,” said Vega.

“Action is required here and I think that [is] key to this. For a long time in our society, I am frank to say it’s actually should [have been] cleared a long time ago but we are still here and to be honest it now needs to be action instead of just a movement.”

While Black Lives Matter has gained momentum in football, there appears to be public resistance on the movement.

A white banner was flown over the Etihad on Monday carrying a banner reading, ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ prior to Manchester City thrashing Burnley 5-0.

The controversial banner has widely received condemnation including from the likes of City manager, Pep Guardiola.

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed three players and one member of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Ligue 1 champions, who were crowned in April after the remainder of season was cancelled and positions decided on a points-per-game basis because of the coronavirus pandemic, are due to return to training ahead of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals and the resumption of the Champions League.

Thomas Tuchel's men are through to the last eight of the Champions League, which will be finished in a tournament in Lisbon in August.

They sealed a place in the quarter-finals of the European competition prior to the season's interruption in March at the expense of Borussia Dortmund, joining Atalanta, Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig as one of the four teams who have already advanced from the last-16 stage. 

Prior to that tournament PSG are scheduled to face Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France final on July 24 and then Lyon in the last Coupe de la Ligue showpiece on July 31, which added to Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions means the French side remain in the running to complete an unprecedented quintuple.

The club carried out on the tests that confirmed the cases on Monday.

A statement on PSG's website read: "These individuals had exhibited symptoms during the confinement period when they were not in contact with each other. 

"They are no longer contagious and will resume their training program."

PSG are scheduled to resume training in small groups on Thursday.

Two players who will not take part in the remainder of the club's season are Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier, who, as Goal revealed on Saturday, have declined the chance to extend their contracts to the end of August. 

Brazil defender Thiago Silva is also set to leave Parc des Princes this summer after eight trophy-laden seasons with the club, but talks are still ongoing to tie the PSG defender down to a temporary deal which would last until the end of the Champions League. 

Layvin Kurzawa is also discussing terms with the club, who are keen to avoid losing more first-teamers as they seek their first-ever victory in the competition.

Phil Foden is a “really special player”, says Owen Hargreaves, with the promising Manchester City midfielder boasting the potential to “reach the level of a David Silva”.

A World Cup-winning Spain international is a current team-mate of an exciting 20-year-old playmaker at the Etihad Stadium.

Silva will, however, be leaving England at the end of his current contract – with a short-term extension agreed to get him to the end of a delayed 2019-20 campaign – meaning that a starting berth is about to open up in Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Foden, who netted twice when included from the off in City’s 5-0 victory over Burnley, is expected to take on a more prominent role from next season.

He has had to be patient in waiting for that opportunity to present itself, but is about to see that persistence rewarded.

Hargreaves is among those expecting a home-grown star to flourish at City, with there every reason to believe that one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects can follow in the footsteps of some illustrious figures.

“I don’t think there is a better player you can learn from than David Silva,” former City midfielder Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.

“Kevin De Bruyne is another one he is learning from, Bernardo Silva is another.

“But I remember one of my youth team managers said to me – I came on the pitch one day shouting out someone’s name that I had watched in the Champions League, I think it was David Beckham – my manager at the time when I was 16 took me to the side and said: ‘Owen, stop shouting out everyone else’s name, just be yourself, that’s good enough’.

“Phil Foden is at this level now that he’s good enough, he doesn’t have to worry about looking at anybody else’s game.

“Phil Foden is a really special player. In between the spaces, the lines, I think he’s as good as any player in the Premier League.

“His use of space is really special, he just needs the reps. When he gets the reps, I think he is going to reach the level of possibly a David Silva.

“It’s a long way away, but his starting point is exceptional.”

Foden’s two-goal showing against Burnley was his 64th senior outing for City, with the target having now been found on 13 occasions across those appearances.

While pushing to nail down a regular role for the Blues, the England U21 international is also looking to force his way into contention for a place in Gareth Southgate’s senior Three Lions fold.

Kelechi Nwakali has stated he is committed to helping Segunda Division side Huesca secure promotion to La Liga at the end of this season.

The midfielder joined the Oscenses last summer from Premier League side Arsenal, where he failed to play a single game for the Emirates Stadium outfit.

The midfielder featured for MVV Maastricht, VVV-Venlo, MVV Maastricht and Porto B on loan during his three-year stay with the Gunners.

The Nigeria international could only make his debut for the Spanish division side on June 18 against Mirandes owing to visa issues and the outbreak of coronavirus across the world.

Huesca are already in the playoff spot after securing 54 points from 34 games, following 16 wins, six draws and 12 losses. 

The 22-year-old, who has made two appearances for the Oscenses, has promised to give his best to ensure his side secures promotion to the Spanish top-flight.

“I’m excited to be playing competitive football again. I have waited so long for this moment and I’m fully committed to helping the club achieve promotion,” Nwakali told AOI.

“The aim is to pick one of the automatic promotion tickets; we have a big game tomorrow against league leaders Cadiz.

“It won’t be an easy match but the entire squad is very committed to ensuring we get back to winning ways.”

Nwakali will be expected to play a part when Huesca take on Segunda Division leaders Cadiz on Wednesday.

The midfielder burst into the limelight in the 2015 U17 World Cup where helped Nigeria win the title, scooping the Golden Ball award of the tournament in the process.

Besides representing Nigeria at the U17 level, he has also played for the U20 side and currently has one cap for the Super Eagles.

Nwakali will hope to play more prominently for his club in order to boost his chances with the three-time African champions.

Rennes president Nicolas Holveck has confirmed there is “a lot of interest” in forward M’Baye Niang, but says Marseille, who are widely rumoured to be interested in him, have not yet contacted the club.

A number of clubs have been linked with Niang, including reported Premier League interest from Tottenham Hotspur as well as Brighton and Hove Albion.

Niang has previously turned out for Watford where he had a brief spell and could be lured back to the Premier League.

Ligue 1 giants Marseille have however emerged as the forward’s most talked about suitors but Holveck says the Stade Velodrome side has never approached them.

“M'Baye was on the recovery. We received a lot of expression of interest, but no offers,” Holveck said as per Foot Mercato.

“No agreement as I have heard on some platforms, with Marseille in particular. We didn't even get a phone call from Marseille. M'Baye is here today. He has expressed his wish to develop under different skies, but not as vehemently as the press reported it.”

The former AC Milan attacker has however previously refused to rule out the prospect of signing for Marseille as he admitted contact from the Stade Velodrome outfit, contrary to Holveck's remarks.

“It's flattering [the rumours around Marseille]. There is no smoke without fire. There have been discussions, but today there is nothing concrete,” Niang recently told Canal+ as per Foot Mercato.

“Marseille also has problems to resolve. Yes, it is a club that interests me, it is a club that has a good history, they also have warm supporters, as I like.

“Today everyone talks about Marseille because my wife is from Marseille, I like Marseille, I am there often. But there are other clubs that I can like as much.”

Interest in Niang might not be surprising as he recorded the best statistics of his football career in the past two seasons at Rennes.

In the 2019/20 cancelled Ligue 1 season, he managed 10 league goals and two assists in 26 appearances, while the previous season he grabbed 11 goals and five assists in 29 league games.

Tanzania Prisons twice came from behind to register a 2-2 draw with JKT Tanzania in the top-tier game played on Tuesday.

The hosts suffered an early shock when Michael Aidan opened the scoring in the 16th minute. It happened to be the only goal in the first half as the Prisoners fought for an equalizer in vain.

However, it took the administrative side just two minutes after the restart to bring the two sides on level terms courtesy of Adily Buha.

The goal did not demoralize JKT but acted as a motivator. Their push for the second goal paid dividends in the 68th minute. When it seemed the match was destined for a 2-1 win in favour of the visitors, Jeremiah Juma managed to find the back of the net and ensure the two sides shared the spoils.

In another match staged on June 23, Mtibwa Sugar defeated their hosts Singida United 3-1.

Boban Zirintusa needed just seven minutes to give the Sugar Belt side a deserved lead after a low start by the Singida based side. The defenders and custodian were punished for poor organization at the back.

In the 25th minute, The Sugar Millers doubled their advantage courtesy of Zirintusa again.

The third goal came in the 64th minute through Riphat Msuya; the consolation for the hosts came with three minutes to go owing to a fine strike by Steve.

Mbao FC needed an early goal by John Jordan to defeat Coastal Union.

Mwadui ended their losing streak with a 3-0 win against Lipuli. Having lost the last two matches against Yanga SC and Simba SC respectively, a win on Tuesday was vital and they delivered it.

Ruvu Shooting and Ndanda FC played to a goalless draw.

On Wednesday, league leaders Simba SC will be away to Mbeya aiming to claim maximum points, same as second-placed Azam FC who will be entertaining Kagera Sugar.

27-time champions Yanga SC will be playing fourth-placed Namungo. Mara based Biashara United will host KMC with Alliance also playing Polisi Tanzania.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are targeting about seven points to be crowned 2019/20 league champions.

Bidvest Wits assistant and youth coach Dillon Sheppard says he is not bothered by the sale of the club because the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is yet to approve and confirm the deal.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns winger explains Clever Boys' players must be professional and honour their contract until the end of the current campaign.

Sheppard’s sentiments come after the club had been sold to National First Division (NFD) outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) and they will relocate from Braamfontein to Venda in the next campaign.

“For now, I am not going to comment on the sale of the club especially because the PSL has not confirmed anything,” Sheppard told Isolezwe.

“I am still part of the team and I am also part of the senior team where we have duties to complete.”

Although many of the first team campaigners have been linked with moves to other PSL sides, the former South African international has urged the players to remain professional until the end of the 2019/20 season.

“I don’t think [the sale of the club] will have any distractions. We all have contracts that we must honour,” he added.

“The players are professional and I believe they will be able to finish their contracts and the job in the right manner because they are contracted until the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, key players such as Buhle Mkhwanazi, skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo, Sifiso Hlanti, and midfielder Thabang Monare have all been linked with moves to clubs such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

On the other hand, Namibian winger Deon Hotto’s name has also been bandied about with some of the key figures set to complete moves to the Buccaneers, Amakhosi as well as the Brazilians.

In addition, head coach Gavin Hunt said he is eyeing a Nedbank Cup triumph as they are in the semi-finals of the league’s premier knockout competition, saying he hopes to qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup.

The Braamfontein-based side is set to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Ke Yona semi-finals and Hunt is keen to sign off Wits’ PSL status by winning the Cup, although the triumph would benefit Limpopo side TTM to play in Africa next season.

Blackburn Rovers defender Tosin Adarabioyo and Swansea City forward Andre Ayew have been named in the Championship Team of the Week.

Adarabioyo delivered a scintillating performance for the Blue and Whites to help them secure a 3-1 win against Bristol City on Saturday.

The Anglo-Nigerian inspired Tony Mowbray’s side to victory in the encounter, scoring a brilliant effort after Corry Evans’ strike had cancelled out Jamie Paterson’s opener.

The win propelled the Ewood Park outfit to seventh on the league table, one point below the play-off spot.

Ayew, meanwhile, made a key contribution for Swansea in their 3-0 comfortable win against Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

The Ghana international set up Rhian Brewster for his side’s opener before wrapping up the commanding display with his well-taken strike from the penalty spot.

Following the eye-catching performances from the African stars, they have been named among the best players in the English second tier.

Adarabioyo, who is eligible to play for the Super Eagles, has featured in 29 games for Blackburn, scoring three goals since his summer loan move from Premier League side Manchester City.

Ayew, meanwhile, has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 37 games across all competitions for Swansea in this campaign.

The African stars will hope to continue their impressive performances for their clubs in their next league games.

Blackburn will take on Leon Balogun’s Wigan Athletic while Swansea will face Luton Town at Liberty Stadium on June 27.

With the first round of games of Project Restart now done and dusted, there were a few winners and losers as the Premier League returned.

In the top-half, observers primarily focused on Chelsea – who defeated Aston Villa 2-1 – and Wolverhampton Wanderers – who beat West Ham United 2-0 – two sides that made great strides in securing Champions League spots...but nobody seems to be talking about in-form Crystal Palace.

The Eagles secured an impressive 2-0 success at Bournemouth, courtesy of goals from Luka Milivojevic and red-hot Jordan Ayew, seeing them pick up where they left off pre-pandemic. Having won three games on the trot before football’s suspension, Roy Hodgson’s troops made that four successive league wins which sees them leapfrog wobbling Arsenal in the table.

With eight gameweeks to play, Palace are ninth in the standings on 42 points and were, interestingly, one of the four sides in the top 10 to pick up a win in gameweek 30.

The excitement surrounding the Eagles’ amazing run is understood when their current situation is put in context: success at the Vitality Stadium put them level with Tottenham Hotspur in eighth, two behind Sheffield United and only four behind joint-fifth pair of Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Despite thriving in what has generally been a mixed campaign for most of the teams below champions-elect Liverpool, Palace haven’t been glorified for their achievements and seem to be flying under the radar. For a club whose highest top flight finish was 10th in 2014/15 and last year ended in the bottom half, this campaign’s transformation has been commendable.

Indeed, no player epitomises the South London club’s success more than Ayew, who scored his ninth league goal of the campaign on Saturday. For a forward who could only find the back of the net once in 20 appearances in the previous season, his renaissance has been astonishing.

Supporters were unimpressed by the club’s decision to sign the forward permanently from Swansea City in the summer but the 28-year-old has rewarded Hodgson's faith to propel the London side into the division’s top 10.

After coming up trumps on several occasions in the ongoing campaign, the same supporters started cheering his name at Selhurst Park before the sport’s shutdown in March.

Ayew’s strike against the Cherries saw him become Ghana’s outright leading Premier League scorer with 25 goals, supplanting Leeds United icon Tony Yeboah who netted 24 goals across two seasons in the mid-90s.

It’s quite the turnaround for the youngest son of African football legend Abedi Pele, who registered only three shots on target from 17 attempts last term.

The forward is one goal away from joining Chris Armstrong (15 goals), Andrew Johnson (21), Christian Benteke, Milivojevic (10, 12) and Wilfried Zaha (10) as the only players to have netted double figures for Crystal Palace in their 11 campaigns in the big time.

If his well-taken effort against Eddie Howe’s team, as well as his three-game scoring streak either side of the pandemic, is anything to go by, Ayew is primed to become the sixth Eagle to hit 10 goals or higher.

For a side that has three more goals than lowest scorers Norwich City (28 to 25), the Ghana star’s return is even more remarkable. Given the low-scoring nature of Hodgson's troops, nearly every strike from their top scorer this term has been of great importance.

Having hit the opener in a 2-1 success over Manchester United in August, Ayew followed that up with the winner over Aston Villa days later in a 1-0 victory. October brought even more joy for the West African striker who netted an 87th-minute winner at city rivals West Ham United before equalizing at Arsenal as the Eagles fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

Both London clubs were on the receiving in the reverse fixtures too, with an incredible 90th-minute solo effort completing a 2-1 comeback win over the Hammers (he’d set up Cheikhou Kouyate’s leveller as well) and an equalizer against the Gunners making sure the Eagles would finish 2019/20 unbeaten against two London rivals.

A five-game drought followed Ayew’s goal against Mikel Arteta’s team, but that ultimately birthed his current scoring run which includes winning strikes over fierce rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford, their last two games before the Premier League was suspended.

In a campaign where usual talisman Wilfried Zaha, scorer of three goals and as many assists, has somewhat underperformed, it’s been the Ivorian star’s teammate who has carried the can for Hodgson's side.

This is evidenced by the fact that the Ghanaian’s goals have won Palace 12 points this term as they chase a maiden European sojourn that was unforeseen when 19/20 kicked off.

They don’t have an easy run-in, however, with games against Liverpool (Wednesday), Leicester City, Chelsea, Man United, Wolves and Tottenham on the final day to come in the final weeks of the season.

If the Eagles are to play continental football in 2020/21, they’ll have to secure several positive results against the sides fighting for the same goal as them. All these teams are superior to the ninth-placed side for technical quality, a factor taken into cognizance when playing down their chances of securing a top six finish.

Still, their 2-1 win over the Red Devils (the first at Old Trafford since 1989) and 2-2 draw at Manchester City in January gives them a reason to be bullish going into a thorny climax to the season.

Palace are likely the most unglamorous side in the top-half, but with the wily old Hodgson at the helm and Ayew’s prolific campaign could gatecrash the European party against all odds.

Willian has agreed on a deal in principle to remain at Chelsea until the end of the domestic season, with his current contract having been due to expire on June 30.

Frank Lampard will be boosted by the news that the 31-year-old has agreed to stay until the domestic season is finished but it remains unclear whether he will compete in the club's Champions League campaign in August.

The outage of football across Europe due to the coronavirus pandemic has seen seasons extended beyond the typical cut-off date of June 30 for expiring contracts.

FIFA had issued guidance that players and clubs should attempt to end the season with their current squads but made it clear that both parties had to agree to continue working together.

Indeed, Chelsea are still tying up Pedro's agreement to carry on for another month or so amid an agreement being put in place for him to move to Roma next season.

Pedro's deal is complicated by the fact that he has a pre-contract in place ahead of a free transfer. Willian, however, has yet to agree terms with any club for 2020-21.

Chelsea still have time to agree on a longer-term deal with Willian, who has asked for a three-year contract, but the Blues are currently only willing to sign him on a short-term basis.

Arsenal and Tottenham are thought to be two clubs interested in the Brazilian, who has grown comfortable in London due to his family situation in the English capital.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have avoided the same problems that they have had with Willian and Pedro for both Olivier Giroud and Willy Caballero by activating one-year extension clauses in their contracts.

Lampard had spoken of the importance of keeping his squad together for the final weeks of the season as he competes for a top-four spot and Champions League football next term.

"We want them to extend their stay and make sure they can see out the season," Lampard told reporters via a Zoom conference call ahead of their 2-1 win over Aston Villa. 

"I see both sides. I see the individual player because I was one, and I respect that they have both been great servants to the club.

"I’ve had nothing but open conversations with them. We’re just trying to make that extension happen. The players have to be happy. We have to be happy. Hopefully we can get there before the 23rd of June, next week, because that’s the day we have to get it done by.

"Anyone around us knows that. So we'll keep talking and hopefully they stay on."

Willian will also play in the FA Cup, which sees his side face Leicester City in the quarter-final on Sunday, while the final could potentially be his last game for the club on August 1 should the Blues get there.

Chelsea's eight loanees in the Championship have mostly agreed to continue on with their respective clubs, while the club has sold Mario Pasalic to Atalanta in a deal worth around £13 million ($16m).

Kenyan referees are beginning to see the benefits of development programs put in place by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) under the leadership of Nick Mwendwa in the last four years.

According to Sylvester Kirwa, the referees’ manager at the federation, they have seen an increased number of whistle-blowers joining the elite status.

“When I was employed by the federation, we decided to focus on certain key areas: building capacity, recruitment, development, and having more women,” Kirwa told reporters on Tuesday.

Kirwa says the fate of the local referees was changed completely after the federation managed to secure two critical Fifa funded courses that they used to support them.

“The result is we sent women referees to the Africa Women Nations Cup (Awcon) and the World Cup for the first time,” Kirwa continued.

“Our two referees, Mary Ann and Caroline Wanjala have also joined the Elite ‘A’ category. Previously, referees used to pay money to attend courses but we abolished these allowing more of them to be trained.”

Kirwa said the number of men elite referees has also gone up to three with Peter Waweru, Gilbert Cheruiyot, and Davies Omweno joining the club.

“Locally, we have seen very young referees coming up and now the majority of those handling the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) are between 24-33 years. This means that they have another 15 years at the top,” added Kirwa.

Meanwhile, Richard Obare a member of the referee’s committee said more than 2000 referees have been trained in the last four years.

“The courses have been quite helpful and our referees have benefitted a lot. Even referees at the grassroots level have benefitted from the new changes,” Obare told reporters.

Margrate Omondi a Fifa instructor noted that she is happy that a number of women referees are now officiating in the KPL.

“Before that, we had just a few women at the top. But now there is no difference as more and more women are handling the KPL. Furthermore, men and women are getting an equal number of matches.”

Kenyan football is preparing to go for elections with Mwendwa seeking to defend his seat but will face stiff opposition from former FKF president Sam Nyamweya, ex-Cecafa boss Nicholas Musonye, Hebert Mwachiro, former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda and Sammy Shollei.

Sergio Aguero's 2019-20 season may already be over after Manchester City confirmed on Tuesday that the striker will travel to Barcelona for a specialist examination on his left knee.

The Argentine pulled up with an injury during City's routine 5-0 win over Burnley on Monday night, sparking fears that he would have to spend time on the sidelines.

Pep Guardiola confirmed after the match that the attacker's chances of a swift return did "not look good" and that he had been struggling with a niggle even before the match.

Now, however, it has been confirmed that specialist Dr Ramon Cugat will examine Aguero, with the severity of the issue currently unknown.

Taking to Twitter following City's update, the 32-year-old wrote: “The scans I did this morning have confirmed that I have damaged my left knee. It’s a pity but I’m in good spirits and so focused to come back as soon as possible. Thank you very much for all your messages!”

The news comes as a blow to the Etihad outfit, who will have wanted their striking talisman fit and firing for the season run-in. While the Premier League title is all but wrapped up, City currently boast a 2-1 first-leg lead over Real Madrid in the round of 16.

An FA Cup quarter-final date against Newcastle also has to be taken in before the season's end, but it will be Europe's premier club competition that City will be focusing on, with a European ban appeal still to be decided upon.

Should the ban be upheld, Aguero, who turns 33 in July, would be entering the final year of his City contract without the prospect of continental football. As such, the club will be focusing all their efforts on the Champions League this term as they look to dethrone Liverpool as European champions.

But while Aguero's absence will undoubtedly sting, the form of players such as Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne will no doubt give fans hope that they can still go all the way, with Gabriel Jesus an able deputy for the Argentine.

In addition, Phil Foden's performance against Burnley showed that the youngster is ready for life at the very top, giving Guardiola another option to choose from in an already star-studded squad.

Liverpool may have passed on the opportunity to sign Timo Werner but it would still come as a surprise if Jurgen Klopp does not look to land another striker in the next transfer window, says John Aldridge.

The Reds decided not to table a bid for a prolific Germany international frontman who is now set to link up with their Premier League rivals at Chelsea.

Klopp’s reluctance to join that chase came as a surprise to many, with the general consensus being that greater depth is required in the attacking ranks at Anfield.

Aldridge believes that issue will be addressed at some stage in the near future, with there every chance that Liverpool will look to land “a player or two” when in a position to do so.

The former Reds frontman told the Liverpool Echo: “We understand the reasons why they decided not to sign Timo Werner and how the manager and those around him are determined to build the right kind of squad and not go for quick fixes.

“The position they have got Liverpool into in recent years is absolute evidence that they deserve to be trusted but they're not soft, they know there's a possibility of losing [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane for a period of time next January now it looks like the Africa Cup of Nations is going to be rescheduled back to that time of the year and I just wonder whether there might be a change of heart over bringing a player or two in.

“We've got Curtis Jones who can come in for [Adam] Lallana but if [Xherdan] Shaqiri goes we will need another striker, I think.

“It's not easy to improve a squad as good as Liverpool's but Chelse, amongst others, are strengthening well and will be more competitive next season, as will Manchester United who have a great looking player in [Bruno] Fernandes and will no doubt to try attract more.

“When you're ahead, you have to try and make sure you stay that one step ahead so if that means going out and getting a world-class player to enhance the squad then I would like to see us do it.

“There will be a couple of players who leave in the summer and, while we have high hopes for some of the young lads who clearly have big futures ahead of them, I would still like to see us get someone in.

“Ultimately it comes down to whether Jurgen Klopp feels the same but if he does, I'd be surprised if it didn't happen.”

Speculation suggests that there is still plenty of forward-thinking talent registering on Liverpool’s recruitment radar, with Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho and Wolves winger Adama Traore among those to be generating talk of possible big-money moves to Merseyside.

Atletico Madrid still believe in Joao Felix, according to Diego Simeone, who says the €126 million (£114m/$143m) starlet will "evolve" as he gets older.

Felix became the most expensive player in Atletico's history when he joined the club from Benfica last summer after months of intense transfer speculation.

Manchester City, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United had all been linked with the 20-year-old after his outstanding 2018-19 season at Estadio da Luz, but he ultimately decided that Wanda Metropolitano was the best place to continue his development.

Unfortunately, the Portugal international has been unable to justify his price tag in his first full season with Atletico, with niggling ankle injuries significantly limiting his contribution.

Felix has recorded a modest eight goals and three assists in 29 appearances in total, with his latest effort coming in a 5-0 victory over Osasuna on June 17.

Simeone was rewarded for restoring the ex-Benfica midfielder to his line-up for Atletico's second outing since the resumption of La Liga, and he also started the club's 1-0 win at home to Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Ahead of a meeting with Levante on Tuesday, Simeone has backed Felix to become a more "decisive" player as he gains more experience at the highest level.

"He is a different player, but we have always valued his talent as we have seen him in training and matches," the Atletico boss told a pre-match press conference.

"Surely, when he grows older and can spend more time in situations that are decisive for the team and he will evolve as a player.

"He has all the important attributes that can make or break a game, and with his growth in matches he will develop even more as a footballer."

Atletico's latest win saw them move four points clear of Getafe in the race for the final Champions League spot with eight games remaining.

Simeone has been able to shuffle his pack more freely due to the new ruling allowing five substitutions per game, and he would like to see the system become standard practice due to the opportunities it creates for fringe players.

"It seems to me that it gives footballers a greater chance of playing," he added.

"With three changes not everyone on the bench can be involved, but now we've discovered something new and the people who make decisions will decide if it's convenient or not.

"There are more options for players to play, but it's not up to us to make these decisions."