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The French League (LFP) has rejected a motion to extend Ligue 1 to 22 teams next season following a ruling by France’s Council of State that the relegations of Amiens and Toulouse were to be suspended.

Le Championnat was concluded early due to the coronavirus pandemic and became the only one of Europe’s big five leagues to abandon its season in April when the virus struck.

While Paris Saint-Germain were announced as champions – and their legitimacy has not fallen into question – Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to the second tier as they finished in the bottom two spots of the top division.

Both clubs have vehemently fought against such an outcome and earlier in June won a battle at the Council of State that nullified their relegation, the legality of which was "seriously doubted".

However, the LFP voted upon and rejected a proposal that would have seen Ligue 1 extended to 22 teams – and thereby reintegrate both clubs into its fold – for next season. 

In a press release, it noted: “The board of directors voted unanimously for a resolution proposing to the General Assembly to maintain the format of Ligue 1 at 20 clubs for the 2020-21 season.

“This resolution was voted upon after an in-depth examination of the challenges of a Ligue 1 of 20, 21 or 22 clubs on the 2020-2021 competition calendar after having obtained the opinion of the joint scheduling committee for the LFP and FFF (French FA), and consequences on the players' health. 

“This study also focused on the financial impacts, the distribution of audio-visual rights as well as on the contractual repercussions with Ligue 1 broadcasters.”

A further meeting between the LFP’s board of directors will take place on Tuesday, June 23, in which the resolution will be examined and the format of Ligue 1 season for the 2020-21 season will be decided.

Amiens, however, have already indicated that they will continue to fight the decision.

President Bernard Joannin described the decision as “unjust, incoherent and unfounded”, while he added that “as long as the authorities remain deaf to the legitimacy of our claim, we’ll exercise all the necessary means before the courts so that the future format of Ligue 1 is examined in accordance with the injunction of the Council of State”.

Franck Kessie has called on the AC Milan squad to give "everything" they have as they return to Serie A action against Lecce on Monday evening.

The Italian top-flight was suspended after Matchday 26 in March because of the coronavirus pandemic which hit Italy very hard, with more than 200,000 people affected of which 34,000 have died and more than 180,000 have recovered.

The reduction in cases and deaths has resulted in the green light for football to resume behind closed doors, which Kessie has been anticipating.

"There is a great desire to start again because we had a bad time. It was not easy for us to stay indoors and therefore we now all want to go back to playing," the Ivorian midfielder told Milan TV.

"It is not easy to get used to it [playing behind closed doors], but it is a matter of safety and therefore it is right to play like this until there is no longer the risk of getting sick."

Milan are presently seventh on the log, three points shy of Napoli who occupy the final Europa League qualification spot, and this is where the hard work comes in for the 18-time Italian champions.

"We are all close in the standings, we must work and do our best to try to score points in all the games," Kessie continued.

"We have to go even faster in these last few games that are missing. We have to give everything to reach our goal."

Milan lost a shot at an European spot by losing on away goals to Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-finals last week. On Monday night's game at Lecce, Kessie says it will be "very complicated".

"It will be a very complicated game, we play away from home and they are very busy," the 23-year-old explained.

"It will be a complicated game, we will have to give more than what we gave in Turin.

"Training is very important, if you train well during the week you can see it in games. We have to work hard to be ready on Saturday or Sunday."

Kessie went on to congratulate former Milan player and manager Gennaro Gattuso on winning the Coppa Italia via penalties against Juve in Rome on Wednesday.

The ex-Italy midfielder dedicated his first managerial title to his sister, who died earlier this month.

"I am very happy for him [Gattuso], even for the sad moment he is going through," Kessie said.

"Fortunately he is now feeling a little joy for winning the cup. I am happy for him."

Kessie has played 2,033 minutes of competitive football this season, scoring a goal and providing an assist.

He has made a total of 122 appearances for Milan since joining from Atlanta in 2017 on a two-year loan before it was made permanent last summer.

India have been drawn alongside Asian giants South Korea, Australia and Uzbekistan in the upcoming AFC U-16 Championship which is scheduled to happen between November 25 and December 12 later this year in Bahrain.

The official draw for the tournament was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. But even though India are clubbed in a very tough group alongside the giants of the continent, the U16 team's head coach Bibiano Fernandes is confident of his team giving a good account of themselves at the tournament.

During an Instagram Live chat with the Indian football team's official page, Fernades revealed that he was not concerned about whom they would be drawn against.

“Before the draw, I had no expectations or any preference of opposition. I was relaxed. When I saw Australia, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan in our group, I thought of my team who have already given an account of them and done well in the qualifiers. I believe in my boys they can compete with any team at any level. I am sure our boys will make us proud.”

The preparations of the India colts were hampered due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting nationwide lockdown but the Goan coach explained that they have been regularly in touch with the players during the lockdown and are focusing on conditioning.

“It has been difficult for us and all over the world but everyone is finding ways to work with the boys. I know some countries have already started training. What we started doing is we had online sessions with the boys thrice a week were we conducted strength sessions, goalkeeping sessions and ball mastering sessions. I know it is not enough but we are keeping in touch with the players. We also used to watch matches of other U16 teams and analyse their games.”

The coach also suggested that even if they cannot play preparatory matches against international oppositions, the team will try to play quality opponents in Goa.

“We are aware of that and we are working on that. It is not in anybody’s hand. Hope the pandemic gets over as soon as possible. The plan is to play matches locally but higher level opponents. We will try to play international matches but if it does not happen, we will play matches in Goa. We can play against the lower ranked pro league teams.”

The former Sporting Clube de Goa player suggested that the standard of youth teams in India is improving with every batch and he is hopeful that in the next few years India will be among the top five teams in Asia.

“If we look at the matches we played the gap is not very big. Last time we lost by just one goal in the quarterfinal. We played against Turkmenistan and Bahrain this time and the gap is not too much. Just a little bit of work on the ground and we will be there. It is just a matter of time before we will be among the top 5 teams in Asia.”

The Championship play-offs represent some of the most exciting and potentially lucrative matches in world football, with a place in the Premier League on offer.

Four teams battle it out for the coveted promotion prize and the tension can be unbearable as fans live in hope that their team can reach the promised land of English football. 

The coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic forced a postponement to matters, but the league resumes in June after three months of no games.

Goal brings you everything you need to know about the competition phase, when the games are, how to watch and more.

Contents

What are the Championship play-offs?

The Championship play-offs in England are a series of knock-out games which take place at the end of the Championship season in order to determine which team earns the final promotion to the Premier League.

While the top two teams in the division earn automatic promotion, the teams which finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth qualify for the play-offs.

A merit-based system is in place to pair the semi-final opponents, with third place playing sixth place in one semi-final and fourth place playing fifth place in the other semi-final.

The Championship semi-finals are two-legged affairs, but the away goals rule does not apply. The semi-final winners progress to the play-off final.

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Which teams qualified for the Championship play-offs in 2020?

A number of teams are in with a good chance of qualifying for the Championship play-offs this season, but things could easily change when matches resume.

Leeds United and West Brom - who were involved in last season's edition - are the division's pace-setters at the summit. They will be aiming for automatic promotion.

Beneath those two there is a collection of teams fighting it out, including Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Preston North End, with the likes of Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers also in the mix.

Championship table 2019-20

Last updated: Games played on March 8, 2020 | Key: (P) - secured promotion | (Q) - qualified for play-offs

It is a tight division and very little stands between most of the teams, so a few results could easily alter the complexion of the table.

Other sides such as Swansea City, Millwall and Cardiff City will feel capable of mounting a play-off push.

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When are the Championship 2020 play-offs?

Championship play-off final

The 2020 Championship play-offs will be played in July, with the final scheduled for Tuesday August 4.

It was originally scheduled for Monday May 25, meaning there has been a delay of two months.

Championship play-off semi-finals

With the Championship returning at the end of June, the play-off semi-finals will now be played at the end of July. First legs will be played on July 26 and 27 with the second legs taking place on July 29 and 30.

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When & where is the 2020 Championship play-off final?

The 2020 Championship play-off final is scheduled for Tuesday August 4. It had originally been booked for Monday, May 25.

Since the game is being played in mid-week, it will kick off at 7:45pm rather than the usual afternoon kick-off time associated with weekend play-off finals.

Wembley Stadium in London is the traditional venue for the match. Wembley is used for all EFL play-off finals with those for League One and League Two also taking place at the venue.

Affectionately known as 'The Home of Football' in England, Wembley is one of the biggest stadiums in the world and Championship play-off finals regularly attract bumper crowds.

The 2019 Championship play-off final between Aston Villa and Derby County, for example, drew an audience of 85,826.

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Championship play-offs TV channel & live stream

Sky Sports has exclusive broadcasting rights for the Championship in the UK and the play-offs will be shown live on Sky Sports Football. Sky Go is the channel's online streaming service.

In the US, the ESPN network and its online streaming platform  ESPN+ will be the sole outlets broadcasting the Championship play-offs.

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Who won last year's Championship play-offs?

Aston Villa won the 2019 Championship play-offs after a 2-1 victory over Derby County.

Goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn either side of half-time were enough to see Villa to victory over the Rams, who threatened a comeback late in the second half when Jack Marriott found the net.

Villa overcame West Brom in the semi-final to book their place in the final of the play-offs, while Derby defeated Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United - a team that had been fancied to win the division.

It was the Birmingham club's second successive appearance in the play-off final, having lost the 2018 edition 1-0 to Fulham.

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Nantes star Moses Simon reveals that he failed to shine at Levante due to his struggles to overcome the language barrier in Spain.

After four seasons at Genk - where he won the Belgian Pro League and Belgian Super Cup titles, the Nigeria international joined the Spanish elite division side on a five-year contract.

However, he failed to reignite his spark for Paco Lopez’s team - scoring just once in 19 league games which led to his loan move to Stade de la Beaujoire.

He explained to Goal that it was difficult to get along at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia because of language difficulties, but feels it is easier in France where he could communicate effectively.

“It is the language barrier because my coach [Paco Lopez] doesn’t speak English,” Simon told Goal.

“All he speaks is Spanish and that made it very difficult for me to communicate effectively with him and that I feel affected my performance.

“But here in France, I understand their language and most of my teammates speak English as well. That makes me very free and I am also able to understand whatever my coaches say.”

The ex-Trencin man scored nine goals and contributed eight assists in 30 appearances across all competitions - a feat which earned him the Canaries’ Player of the Season prize.

He was also handed a four-year contract that will see him remain with Christian Gourcuff’s men until 2024. Simon explains the motivation behind his new deal and what he hopes to achieve with Nantes.

“I decided to remain with Nantes because the love for me here is more than what is obtainable in Spain,” he continued.

“My teammates and the fans here appreciate my efforts and that alone made me want to stay. 

“Personally, I will keep doing my best for the team and hopefully, we can get a ticket to play in the Uefa Champions League or the Europa League. That is one of my goals.”

The league organisers elected to call time on Ligue 1at the end of April owing to the coronavirus pandemic, with Paris Saint-Germain crowned as champions.

Nantes finished in 13th place while Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to Ligue 2 after being adrift at the bottom of the log.

UEFA has confirmed the 2019-20 Europa League and Champions League competitions will be completed this summer after a three-month suspension as the world dealt with the coronavirus pandemic.

However, calendar constraints and the need to kick off the 2020-21 season means that they will occur under vastly different circumstances.

While the Champions League knockout tournament will be held in Portugal, Germany has been chosen to stage the Europa League knockout tournament.

Here's how it will happen...

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What is the Europa League 2020 tournament?

The Europa League 2020 'final eight' tournament will condense the knockout stage into single-leg deciders from the quarter-final stage on.

Once the last-16 round has been completed - there are six second-leg games to play, while two ties will change to single-leg games - the final eight tournament will commence in Germany.

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be straight knockout matches as opposed to the usual two-legged affairs in order to streamline things.

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Where will the Europa League 2020 tournament be held?

The Europa League 'final eight' tournament will be played at four venues across Germany. They are: Dussedorf, Cologne, Duisburg and Gelsenkirchen.

The stadiums being used for the tournament are Schalke's Arena AufSchalke, Koln's RheinEnergieStadion, the MSV-Arena in Duisburg and the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.

A decision will be made on whether the remaining last-16 matches will be played at teams' respective home venues or in venues in Germany.

Gdansk was originally scheduled to host the 2020 Europa League final, but it will now be held in Cologne at the RheinEnergieStadion, with the 2021 final taking place in Gdansk.

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When will the Europa League 2020 tournament take place?

The 2019-20 Europa League knockout stage will now take place from August 5 and conclude on August 21. 

Last-16 matches will take place on August 5/6, with the quarter-finals set to take place on August 10/11.

Semi-finals will be played on August 16/17, while the final, which will be held at Koln's RheinEnergieStadion, is scheduled for Friday August 21.

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Which teams will be involved in the Europa League 2020 tournament?

None of the Europa League last-16 ties have been resolved yet, so we don't yet know who exactly will play in the 'final eight' tournament.

The winners of the following ties will play in the 'final eight' stage:

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Maritzburg United chairman Farouk Kadodia has confirmed the departure of Jeremy Brockie.

Brockie was on loan at the Team of Choice from Mamelodi Sundowns until the end of the season. 

However, with the suspended season set to be extended due to the coronavirus outbreak, Maritzburg United felt Brockie wasn't going to add value to the team and decided to part ways with him. 

According to Kadodia, Brockie wasn't guaranteed game time in the remaining five league games. 

"We've got only five games left, we are not going to assure him game time. That's the reason why (we let him go early) because he is a loan player. We had to make a decision if we were going to give him game time," Kadodia told IOL. 

Brockie will become a free agent at the end of June after his parent club, Sundowns, indicated that they won't exercise the option they have on his current contract. 

Kadodia said Brockie stayed in Pietermaritzburg for the past three months of the coronavirus lockdown and confirmed the marksman will join his family abroad now that he's left the club. 

"He stayed here the whole lockdown. He stayed here without his family who had already gone. He is looking forward to meeting his family," he said. 

"He has already left. I'm not too sure where he has gone to. Whether he is got a flight or not [I'm not too sure].

"No, he won't be [part of the team that will finish the season]."

The 32-year-old marksman had a difficult season with Maritzburg United - scoring just once and contributed a single assist in 15 appearances across all competitions. 

His struggle for form started when he left SuperSport United for Sundowns in 2018. 

Brockie scored just two goals in 32 matches for Sundowns before falling down the pecking order under the stewardship of Pitso Mosimane.  

Reports suggest that SuperSport United will re-sign Brockie ahead of next season as the lanky striker looks to revive his career. 

This is because Matsatsantsa could lose a few of their key players, including Bradley Grobler, who is wanted by both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson announced that Jeffrey Schlupp will be unavailable for the Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday after getting injured in training on Thursday.

The Ghana international had been out with a hip injury since December 2019 and made a return after he was named on the bench in a 1-0 win over Watford on March 7 before the league was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has however suffered a setback and will not be part of the squad along with his teammates James Tomkins and Martin Kelly.

Schlupp has scored two goals and provided two assists in the Premier League this season, both happening on back-to-back occasions.

His assists first game in a shock 2-1 victory at Manchester United and then a home win against Aston Villa, while his goals came in an away win at Burnley followed by the sole goal in the reverse fixture against Bournemouth at Selhurst Park.

"James Tomkins hasn’t recovered, we hoped he would but he hasn’t. Jeff Schlupp picked up an injury during our training sessions early on and he's still out with that injury and now Martin Kelly has picked up a calf injury to add to the thigh injury that he had and suffered from," Hodgson told me media.

"It’s a bit disappointing, especially with regards to James Tomkins and Martin Kelly, who were injured basically when we stopped and I was rather hoping they’d recover. But they’ve picked up fresh injuries."

The former Liverpool manager went to assert he has very little concerns about the fitness level of his team.

"I haven’t had general concerns over our fitness level. But it’s fitness levels over 90 minutes of intense football," he said.

"The fitness level you need to deal with that is always going to be an unknown until you’ve got a few games behind you."

Prior to the Premier League suspension, Crystal Palace won three games in a row all by a 1-0 scoreline with Ghana forward Jordan Ayew scoring in two of them.

The 28-year old is the South London outfit's top scorer in the league with eight goals, which is an English top-flight best for him.

Palace sit in 11th spot on the standings, 12 points clear of 18th-placed Bournemouth.

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United star helped force a crucial government U-turn on free school meals for children.

Rashford launched a campaign to force Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet to reverse its decision not to award free-meal vouchers to more than one million children in England outside of term time.

The England international wrote an open letter to MPs, and detailed his own experience growing up using food banks and receiving free school meals.

His lobbying forced a change in government policy, with the establishment of a £120 million ($149m) Covid Summer Food Fund confirmed earlier this week.

Speaking at a virtual press conference ahead of Liverpool’s return to Premier League action this weekend, Klopp praised Rashford’s campaign, and insisted football must continue to do all it can to affect social and political change where possible.

Klopp said: “What Marcus Rashford did, I could not respect more. It’s unbelievable. It’s a little bit of a shame that he had to do it, because things like this should be just natural. 

“But there was something to do and he did the job in an incredible manner. What he did during lockdown was absolutely fantastic.”

Klopp also praised his own players who, led by captain Jordan Henderson, made significant contributions to local charitable causes during lockdown, and who were heavily involved in the creation of the #PlayersTogether initiative which will see crucial funds distributed to NHS charities across the UK.

“What Hendo and the players did during lockdown, I am proud but not surprised,” Klopp added. “They do a lot of things without talking about it, and that makes me proud.

“The players were ready to immediately help during this difficult time.”

Discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, meanwhile, Klopp insisted that football should not ignore political issues and should instead do all it can to make a difference.

“If football is a role model for anything in life it is for equality,” he said. “Wherever you are from, whatever country you are from, whichever colour you are, you are the same. 

“I know it’s easy to say that, but it’s just completely natural for us in football. That’s how it should be everywhere. Judge people only because of who they are, nothing else.

“It is so dumb not to be like this, I cannot understand it but it is like this, so we have to stand up. We will do what we have to do to sort this situation, for now and for the future. We can’t change the past but we can change the future so we should all try.”

Thiago Alcantara, David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are yet to sign new contracts that will keep them at Bayern Munich beyond next year, but Hansi Flick wants them all to remain.

Speculation has swirled around numerous key Bayern players in recent times, with several having contracts that expire at the end of the 2020-21 season.

Reports have suggested Thiago has been in talks with the club regarding a new deal, but that Bayern are growing frustrated by the Spaniard's prolonged silence.

That has led to suggestions Thiago might be looking for a way out, and if his desire is to leave, Bayern will have to offload him in the coming months or risk losing him on a free transfer next year.

As for Boateng, the experienced central defender also has a season left on his current terms, and despite enjoying an impressive resurgence under Flick, Paris Saint-Germain and Hertha Berlin – his first club – have been mooted as potential destinations.

Alaba finds himself in a similar position with his contract, but Flick reiterated a preference for the trio to stay with the Bundesliga champions.

"Thiago is an exceptional player, an excellent football player," he told reporters on Friday. "He brings every team a great level of play and is very intelligent.

"I would like him to stay here. He and the club know that. I want him and Alaba to help us next year.

"We are in good spirits that it can work out, but in sport you never know how it will turn out. Both players are top, top players.

"David and Jerome are doing very well, he [Boateng] is in a very good shape. That is the basis that we are defensively so good.

"It is clear that you want to have such experienced players in your own ranks. I cannot say what thoughts Jerome has. He's at a certain age, maybe he wants another challenge by switching. He has another year of contract. If he stays, I'm not sad."

Flick also wants Bayern's loan players, such as Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho, to remain at least until the end of the latter stages of the Champions League, which will take place in August.

But he accepts both could have to return to their parent clubs, Inter and Barcelona, respectively.

"We are in an exchange, but it is still too early to talk about departures," he said. "We have three games left, then there is a short break, then there is the Champions League.

"We want to play the Champions League as we started the season and have finished. I want the loan players to stay there, but the clubs have to negotiate."

Olivier Giroud says fellow striker Timo Werner signing for Chelsea is going to provide him with "more motivation" and that he relishes the competition.

Werner has joined the Blues in a £47.5million (€52m/$60m) deal from RB Leipzig after the Stamford Bridge side won a long-term transfer battle, securing his signature ahead of a host of other interested parties including Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The arrival of the German puts more pressure on the other Chelsea forwards, including Giroud, however the French international said it is just a chance for him to step up and make life difficult for manager Frank Lampard.

Giroud told The Guardian: “He [Werner] is going to be a very good signing and will provide more motivation for strikers.

“I’ve been the super sub but I want to make the gaffer’s choices even more difficult.”

The 33-year-old signed a one-year contract extension at Chelsea earlier this season, having worked his way back into the side in the first few months of 2020 after rarely featuring under Lampard in the first half of the season.

Giroud had scored twice in nine Premier League games this season before the 2019-20 campaign was postponed because of coronavirus, however after a 100-day hiatus the English top flight has returned, with Chelsea's first match back coming against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Giroud's club and international team-mate N'Golo Kante was one of the players to voice their concerns about football returning, with BAME people disproportinately affected by Covid-19.

The defensive midfielder is back and now available for selection, however, and Giroud says he understands his team-mate's concerns.

He said: “I believe, like all the player,s he had at-risk people in his entourage, so that’s why he didn’t feel very comfortable. I respect that. We are very glad to have him back and I think he will definitely be here for the first game. He is looking good.”

Giroud was a key part of France's World Cup winning side in Russia in 2018, however his chances of a tournament swansong at Euro 2020 have been damaged after the competition was delayed until 2021 because of coronavirus.

He will be 34 when the tournament comes around, but Giroud - who has 39 goals from 97 games for France - is refusing to worry about his international future.

He said: “Panic is not for me. Time is not playing on my side, I’m almost 34, but my body is ready to play a few more years at the best level. We are World Cup champions and we want to do like our brothers from France 98 and win the European Championship.”

Leroy Sane has told Manchester City that he will not sign a new contract with the Premier League champions, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The Germany international is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich leading the chase for the 24-year-old.

Guardiola confirmed that the club have made several offers to the winger but he has no interest in signing a new deal with the club.

Sane will leave for the Allianz Arena this summer if the two clubs can agree a fee, although City maintain he will not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

"Leroy has said he doesn't want to extend the contract," Guardiola said ahead of Monday night's clash with Burnley.

"It means he wants to leave. It's going to happen this summer or at the end of his contract. The club have offered him two or three times and he rejected so he's going to play for another club.

"Leroy rejected to extend the contact and everybody knows that. If at the end of this season we agree between the two clubs he is going to leave, if not he is going to stay another year."

Sane was at the centre of a transfer saga between the clubs last summer that was expected to rumble on until deadline day, only for the winger to suffer a serious knee injury in the Community Shield in August.

Bayern decided against a move in January, with Sane still recovering from the setback that has seen him miss the whole season so far, though he was edging closer to an on-field return when the Premier League was shut down by the Covid-19 outbreak.

He was an unused sub for the Premier League return against Arsenal, although Guardiola says he remains in his plans for the rest of this season.

Sane joined City in August 2016 from Schalke in a deal worth €52 million (£37m/$46m) and the City boss admitted he is saddened that he wants to leave.

"I'm so disappointed," he added. "We want him. He's a young player with incredible potential and incredible quality and that's difficult to find all around the world.

"We tried before the injury, we tried before the surgery and after that, but he rejected and he has other ambitions. I understand. We want players who want to play for this club.

"We respect him, he's an incredibly nice guy. We love him, I love him so much. He's so well- educated, has a nice family. It's just he decides he wants another adventure for his career."

Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is out of contract at the end of the month and the City boss confirmed he will sign a short extension to stay with the club for longer.

RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has launched a staunch defence of Timo Werner after the Germany striker completed his move to Chelsea.

Werner agreed terms on a deal that reportedly takes him through to 2025 at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues said to have paid a reported £47.5million for his services.

The 24-year-old will become a Chelsea player in July, meaning he will not feature for Leipzig when their Champions League campaign resumes, with the tournament due to be completed in a shortened format in Lisbon in August.

Werner's decision to make the move to London while Leipzig are still in Europe's premier competition has drawn condemnation among some quarters in Germany.

But Nagelsmann had sympathy for his departing superstar in the context of the unprecedented complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic and is convinced Werner will give his all for Leipzig's final two Bundesliga games.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Leipzig's clash with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, Nagelsmann said: "I would like to defend him. 

"I don't like the way he's portrayed right now. I read some reports yesterday where it was said that he was not a sportsman, since he does not want to play in the Champions League for us anymore.

"He is a great sportsman who will give his all for us in the last two matches and who certainly will score in the last two matches. 

"If he stays healthy he will play for sure and be a normal member of our team even though he will leave us. 

"Regarding the Champions League, I would have loved to have him on board and would have liked it if he'd play for us. Simply because he is great player who scores a lot of goals. 

"But I can understand his and his team's side. He's coming to another city in a different country with a foreign language. 

"It's an unusual situation due to Covid, we never had something like this in football, with all competitions being spread out, everything being different and different measures need to be taken."

Nagelsmann believes Werner would have wanted to see out the Champions League campaign and says he must not be judged negatively by the unusual situation.

"I don't think one should judge from a far distance what kind of player or human being Timo Werner is. It is his right," he added. 

"It's a pity and sad and I believe he would have liked to play. However, it is a transfer that ends a big chapter of his life and where a new one with a lot of changes begins. 

"It's normal that during this time he does not want to take the risk of being injured, even though that rarely happens with him. 

"He wants to make his move together with his girlfriend so I can completely understand. It's not right that he is being blamed for his decision. 

"That does not mean I would not have liked him to take part in these matches. Timo knows this. He still is a good guy and a great player, so you must not criticise him in every TV show and claim that he is not a good sportsman."

La Liga and Sevilla FC have signed a strategic consultancy agreement with Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga SC).

The agreement will see Sevilla provide advise on sporting management, economic management and fans with an aim of helping the record Tanzanian champions in their transformation journey.

The development follows a historic agreement between the two sides early in June which will see the Andalusia-based outfit contribute its strategic vision to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Yanga‘s resource management and complete its evolution into a leading club in Tanzania.

“Our international strategy, as well as having a presence and increasing interest in the competition, has the aim of making football grow on a local level. We think that increasing interest in football in each country is good for everyone,” La Liga International Development Director Oscar Mayo said. 

“It will be three-and-a-half-year agreement, in which we will advise them in management and activities with the fans, digital transformation, marketing and sales, economic control, digitalisation or international development.”

The director of Sevilla FC Jose Maria Cruz said the club's coaches will travel to the East African nation when travel restrictions will be lifted in order to implement the details of the pact.

“In these complicated moments for travel, the idea is that the work is more telematic and as soon as the sanitary circumstances allow it, we can complement it with the presence of our technicians there in Tanzania,” said Cruz.

“When the circumstances allow it, our coaches will be present in Tanzania.”

“Just like when we have asked La Liga for help to go to an international market, we have had it when they ask us for help in a specific country, we have thrown ourselves into it. We understand that there has to be a joint work.”

Yanga's chairman Mshindo Msolla hailed the deal when it was signed in Dare Salaam a few weeks ago saying it will greatly help their bid to transform the Wananchi side.

“It is a new dawn for this great club of Tanzania as we venture into transforming ourselves into a respected club across Africa. We are very happy that the deal is now sealed and we now look forward to making the partnership a great success,” Msolla said then.

“I am excited to witness one of the historic moments for this great club that I have supported since my childhood," former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, who witnessed the signing of the agreement, said.

“It is aimed at improving the standards of the club and now we should use the deal to the maximum and make sure we become a force to reckon with in Africa.”

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has labelled Odion Ighalo as "one of the most positive surprises ever".

The 31-year old has shone brightly at the Old Trafford since arriving on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January, scoring four goals in eight competitive appearances.

With the coronavirus pandemic halting football activities, Ighalo’s initial loan deal was to expire in May, but has now been extended till January 2021, ensuring he completes the ongoing season.

"I think he’s been one of the most positive surprises ever,” Schmeichel told the Express.

"First of all his personality around the club, he’s been a revelation around the club. Everybody has tagged on and liked him straight away.

“When you have that kind of personality, it changes the whole team. Someone who brings a laugh into the dressing room, rather than coming in grumpy or not saying anything.

“It changes the dynamics. And what he’s done on the pitch, that really has surprised me.

“I was kind of confused…because it was last day and it looked as if they were just needing and looking to bring someone in.

“But that’s not the truth. And what he’s done is just fantastic.

“And another thing as well, someone like him, all of his life the only thing he really wanted to achieve was to play for Manchester United.

“Now that has been cut short by circumstances that are out of everybody’s control. And for what he’s done, in the very few games he’s ended up playing, it would have been heartbreaking if that was to stop."

With the return of Marcus Rashford to fitness, Ighalo’s chances of starting games might be very limited, but Schmeichel acknowledges that he can still be of great value from the bench.

“I think he might not be a starter but he might be somebody you can throw into the mix," the 56-year old continued.

"You’ve seen him in the Europa League, like Ole himself, he can come on and change a game.

“Nobody, nobody, knows that better than the Manchester United manager. The value of having someone on the bench who can change a game, so I’m really happy about that.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men will be up against Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night with the hope of temporarily displacing Chelsea from fourth spot on the table.

Stuart Baxter boasts of a globetrotting career with the British manager working in eight countries on three continents. His upcoming stint with Odisha FC will be his first on Indian soil and second in Asia. 

His appointment points towards a shift in modus operandi of recruiting a head coach by the Odisha and the erstwhile Delhi Dynamos management. For the past three seasons, they had pinned their hopes on Spanish managers but failed to secure play-off qualification. Moreover, the selection of Miguel Angel Portugal and Josep Gombau was approved after working closely with Qatar's Aspire Academy, an institute with whom Odisha have a strategic partnership of four years.

Although both the coaches managed to leave their mark on the team with a distinct style of football, results have remained at bay. After finishing eighth in two successive seasons, they improved their record considerably with a sixth-place finish in the previous campaign, and more importantly remained in the hunt for a playoff spot till the penultimate matchday. 

After Gombau and Odisha mutually agreed to terminate the contract, the time was ripe for a fresh impetus. This time the think tank took matters in their own hand and opted for someone who has the experience and has found success all over the globe.

He has won the top-flight division and Cup with Sweden's AIK and also has the distinction of being the first coach to win a Premier Soccer League title in his first season in South Africa with the Kaizer Chiefs. But he reached the zenith of success when he guided the Bafana Bafana to the quarterfinal of the AFCON Cup 2019.

In Baxter, they have a man who by his own admission is “pretty easily transportable”, and is flexible enough to mould himself to suit the project at hand. At Odisha, he will be entrusted with the responsibility of bringing out the best from a bunch of potential youngsters who have been showing flashes of brilliance but have failed to produce the goods consistently. 

His challenge will be to push players like Shubham Sarangi, Vinit Rai, Jerry Mawihmingthanga to the next level and at the same time nurture upcoming talents like Akshunna Tyagi and Rishabh Dobriyal. 

It is unlikely that he will be furnished with a star-studded squad with the best players in each position. But the 66-year-old has shown that he has the expertise to turn heads even with underdogs. 

Not many placed their bets on a nervy South African side who barely scraped through the group stages on goal difference against Mohamed Salah's Egypt. But at the final whistle, Salah left in tears dismayed and shocked after getting knocked out at their own backyard by Baxter's men.

"When it comes to coach Stuart‚ he appeared to be more detailed when it came to the analysis of his team and the individual analysis of the players in his team. And he plans very well in terms of his opponents. So I think the modern way of coaching with coach Stuart was well applied," commented Molefi Ntseki, coach South Africa national team, after taking over the mantle following an unceremonious exit of Baxter. 

He is another English coach who advocates attractive football, unlike the common misconception about the long-ball game coaches from that region are said to prefer.

Can Odisha turn around their fortunes with Baxter at the helm? The Juggernauts wait in eager anticipation. 

Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Odisha FC have signed Stuart Baxter as their head coach ahead of the 2020-21 season.

The 66-year-old will be the club's sixth coach in seven seasons as the English-born Scot is set to take over from Josep Gombau who led the club over the last two seasons at Delhi Dynamos and later Odisha FC.

On joining the club, the experienced coach said, "I'm pleased to say that Odisha FC and I have reached an agreement for the upcoming ISL season. The vision of the Sharma family for the club representing the sporting state of Odisha is an exciting one with development, teamwork and cooperation with our stakeholders serving as cornerstones for the task ahead.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of Indian football and the opportunity to develop players and coaches in India. I'd like to wish all the supporters, players and staff good health during these testing times. Together we will bring joy and success to the region."

Baxter's had two stints with the South African national team including his last assignment when he famously defeated Mohammed Salah's Egypt in the 2019 African Cup of Nations to make it into the quarter-finals. His previous stint with the Bafana Bafana was preceded by him leading the England U-19 team between 2002 and 2004.

In his overall coaching career, Baxter has managed 455 games in all competitions, won 220, drew 75 and lost 160 times in his time in Europe, Africa and Asia. He won two Premier Soccer League titles with South African outfit Kaizer Chiefs besides winning the MTN8 Cup once and the Nedbank Cup thrice including twice with SuperSport United.

He had a fair amount of success in Sweden as well where he led AIK into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League after winning the Swedish championship with them and a Swedish Cup each with AIK and Helsingborgs IF.

Delhi Dynamos/Odisha FC's best performance so far is making it to the play-offs twice, in 2015 and 2016, under former managers Roberto Carlos and Gianluca Zambrotta respectively.