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Midfielder Clatous Chama has returned to Tanzania ready for the resumption of the Mainland Premier League.

Chama is among the players Simba SC were waiting for as they had left the country when football activities were suspended in April.

Meddie Kagere and Francis Kahata are the other players who have already touched base in Dra es Salaam.

Kagere, the Golden Boot race leader with 19 goals, was the first one to join his teammates in Tanzania after the government had allowed the resumption of joint training sessions ahead of June 13's league resumption.

The Kenya attacking midfielder was the second to arrive and now the Wekundu wa Msimbazi are waiting to see whether South Sudanese midfielder Sharaf Shiboub will arrive before they restart their title defence.

Initially, Simba were expecting Chama to join the rest on June 8 but his timely arrival, a day earlier, should be a boost for Sven Vandenbroeck who has been overseeing training sessions at the Mo Simba Arena at Bunju since May 26.

The struggle Simba are witnessing in helping their players return has also been faced by their rivals. 

Azam's Ghanaian trio of Razak Abalora, Daniel Amoa, and Yakubu Mohamed, Ugandan Nicholas Wadada, and Never Tigere, Bruce Kangwa, and Donald Ngoma of Zimbabwe had left Tanzania in April.

Yanga SC are struggling to help head coach Luc Eymael arrive from Belgium as well as goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo, who is in Kenya.

Vandenbroeck had revealed that when Chama arrives, he will have to train alone to try and catch up with the other players.

“We are confident he [Chama] is keeping fit because we have been monitoring his progress and situation. Just like other players who rejoined us late, he has to undergo some sessions individually before he is integrated into the team fully,” the Belgian coach said.

Simba will face Ruvu Shooting in their first match on June 14 as they enjoy a healthy 17-point lead at the top of table.

Before the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) suspended the activities in April, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi had harvested 71 points from 28 matches. Second-placed Azam had 54 points from the same number of matches.

Chama's arrival will also be a big boost for the 20-time league champions when they take on Azam during the quarter-finals of the FA Cup tournament.

Leganes centre-back Kenneth Omeruo has paid a tribute to former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who passed away four years ago on Sunday.

The former Super Eagles captain died on June 7, 2016, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 54, a few months after losing his wife to cancer.

Keshi guided Nigeria to win their third Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2013, becoming the second man to clinch the continental title as player and coach.

The former Togo manager gave Omeruo his first international cap at the age of 19, against Cape Verde, and the defender was part of the Super Eagles' winning team in South Africa.

The centre-back has recalled the advice he received from the ‘Big Boss’ and how he desired success with Chelsea, although he ended up leaving Stamford Bridge permanently last summer and has continued to blossom in the Spanish top-flight.

Omeruo took time to post an emotional tribute to Keshi and wished he was alive to witness the progress the defender has made in his professional career and family life.

“It’s been four years already and I am still hoping I would one day pick up the phone and call you like I use to,” Omeruo posted on Instagram.

“I miss you but I am sad I am very sad that I am beginning to get used to your absence but one thing I will never forget, is your advice and your encouragements.

“You gave me more than one chances and you told me several times, until it stuck to my head, that everyone cannot love me. You told me to work hard always and not expect to be favoured because hard work always wins.

“You gave me an opportunity at a very young age even when I wasn’t expecting it. I was content with just making the squad and you never asked for anything in return.

“I remember against Ivory Coast, with the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure I didn’t know how to prepare for that game because I was a bit panicked.

“I remember you telling us we will get to the final even when we haven’t played Ivory Coast yet. I went into that game with so much passion. We used to talk about Chelsea and every time my contract is extended, you will congratulate me and tell me it’s like they don’t want to let me go but guess what Boss, I finally left Chelsea, and I am even happier than I used to be.

"I got married and we have a beautiful daughter Chairein and she is adorable and looks like me. Okay maybe not, you would have loved her. I had to write all this now because I just realized you weren’t here to see it all.

“Thank you for everything daddy and keep resting in peace coach Keshi. Forever in my heart.”

Keshi, who had 60 caps for the Super Eagles, served as manager of the side between 2011-2015, having previously managed Togo and Mali.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat against KMC in a friendly played at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Both teams were using the build-up to gauge their players ahead of the Mainland Premier League resumption on June 13 after it was given the green light by President John Pombe Magufuli.

KMC were the better side from the onset as they troubled Yanga, who looked out of place, but it took the former until the 45th minute to take a deserved lead when Sadala Lipangile slotted home using his right foot.

KMC then doubled their lead in the added minutes of the first half when Charles Ilanfya latched onto a through-ball to sneak it past Yanga keeper Metacha Mnata for a 2-0 lead at the half-time break.

After the resumption, Yanga’s assistant coach Boniface Mkwasa opted to ring a few changes to help reduce the deficit but KMC remained the dominant side and they wrapped up the win with a well taken free-kick courtesy of Hassan Kabunda in the 65th minute.

Before the game, Mkwasa had told reporters his target was to triumph in the friendly so as to help bring back a winning mentality ahead of their first match on June 14.

“I know it will be a tough match since [KMC] are among the good sides in the league but we are well prepared to win and bring back winning mentality to players,” Mkwasa told reporters earlier.

“It will give us an opportunity to see the balance of the team and where we should fix the problems before heading to the battlefield next week.”

Mkwasa further revealed his side was ready to navigate the congested fixtures when the season resumes, saying they have a huge squad to pick from and hence can rotate.

“As you know, we gave individual training sessions to be accomplished by players at their own homes when the league was suspended but that is not enough to make them fit for competitive games that is why we thought of playing friendly encounters to assess the players,” Mkwasa continued.

“We also need to get prepared with the many fixtures coming up and know how to rotate the squad, and this friendly will help us a lot.”

Yanga will face Mwadui FC in their first match on June 14.

Frenkie de Jong has revealed he is taking tactical advice from Lionel Messi as he continues to settle into life at Barcelona.

The Netherlands international is in his first season at Camp Nou having joined from Ajax in a €75 million (£65m/$85m) deal last summer.

He arrived with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young prospects after starring for Ajax in their memorable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Things haven’t always gone to plan for the 23-year-old, though, as he adjusts to life in a new country with new team-mates and in a new position.

A deep-lying playmaker for Ajax, De Jong was deployed in a wider midfield role by Ernesto Valverde in the early weeks of his Barca career to accommodate the return of Sergio Busquets. New boss Quique Setien, who replaced Valverde in January, then played De Jong further forward in a more attacking role.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman questioned Barcelona’s use of De Jong earlier this season, though the player himself says it is just part of a learning process.

"In Ajax and the Dutch squad I've had a different role but we're playing with a double six [two defensive midfielders]," he told BBC Sport.

"I have to adapt and it's going OK, but I can improve. I'm at my best when I'm not the most defensive but also not the most attacking [midfielder].

"If Lionel Messi is talking and giving you advice you take it as he is by far the best player in the world. If he gives advice, you listen. Sometimes he says you have to be deeper or to the side, small things but it makes the difference.”

De Jong also revealed how a visit by Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu convinced him to join the club instead of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Manchester City.

"It was my dream to play for Barcelona,” he added.  "They were my favourite club outside of the Netherlands. When they came and showed they were really interested they made the choice easier.

"At the beginning I didn't have the feeling Barcelona really wanted me. But they said you have a good chance of being a starter and it was really easy for me.

"[Bartomeu] talked about the other clubs and Pep Guardiola and said when he was at Barcelona he was amazing. He said Guardiola was the greatest manager but told me: 'If you want to enjoy your life, you want to play in Barcelona'.

"Sometimes when I'm driving to the training ground you see the weather and there are these moments when you think: 'I always wanted this as a kid'. It's a dream, I'm really happy.”

De Jong and Barcelona are scheduled to return to action against Real Mallorca on June 13 after a three-month shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The midfielder admits life is different post-lockdown but believes Barca have benefited from the break and can achieve something “special” as they look to pip Real Madrid to the title.

"I didn't have the virus but life isn't how it used to be," he said. "I don't think it's changed me as a person. I've spent a lot of time with my girlfriend, we were in Holland and we could go out - the situation was a bit more comfortable than in Spain.

"When we were training in separate groups we had to wait before the others left, I couldn't say 'hi' to them, that was really strange.

"Training is intense and maybe we're better than when we stopped. I'm feeling there is something special coming."

Former Liverpool defender Jon Otsemobor claims that he felt "used" after his then-senior teammate El Hadji Diouf once woke him up at 02:00 to party with a group of people dominated by women, on a day they were supposed to report for training later on.

Diouf is said to have arrived at Otsemobor's place unannounced and in the company of about 10 party-goers, most of which were women.

Otsemobor, then a first-team player fresh from Liverpool's youth system, says he could not turn down Diouf's sudden approach as he felt "obliged" to play to his senior's demands after he was awoken by a ringing bell.

"Sem, open the door!" Otsemobor told Liverpool Echo claiming Diouf as having said.

"When an older pro like that approaches you, you feel obliged. I was still a young lad, and I was just disappointed thinking he took my friendship and used it. I felt at the time, when I went into the dressing room, you can't just use me like that, I'm your friend.

"If he needed a place to stay and all that, fine, but I'm not hosting parties for all different people who were flying into the country every weekend!"

Diouf's three-season spell at Liverpool, punctuated by a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, proved to be eventful as much as it was unsuccessful.

During his tenure on Merseyside, Diouf made a total of 55 appearances for the Reds, scoring a mere three goals, including a period of roughly 13 months without a goal to his name.

A spitting incident and a verbal altercation with Steven Gerrard are some of Diouf's infamous episodes during his Liverpool days, as Otsemobor reiterated the well-publicised reports that the former Senegal international earned himself some enemies in the Reds dressing room were true.

Otsemobor asserted that Diouf was awakened to the reality that there were a lot of other players who were "better" than him, having arrived at Anfield from Ligue 1 side Racing Lens after an impressive outing at the 2002 Fifa World Cup.

"I know a few other lads in the dressing room didn't like him, but I never had a problem with him," said Otsemobor.

"He did, at times, come across arrogant but don't get me wrong, he was a good footballer.

"I think from where he was in Senegal, and the upbringing he came through, he was looked upon as a God over there.

"He was doing well, outstanding at the World Cup before he came to Liverpool, and Liverpool paid £10m for him.

"I think he still had that persona about him, that God-like persona. When he came into the dressing room it wasn't long before he found out there were a lot of other lads there either as good as him or better than him.

"Maybe he didn't get the respect off some of them that he would have thought but I never seen him have bust-ups or arguments with anyone. I don't recall any, anyway."

After leaving Liverpool, Diouf went on to play for five other Premier League sides, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers as well as Doncaster Rovers and Leed United in the Championship.

Eleven Wonders chief executive officer Albert Commey is the latest to express concern about safety amid considerations for a prompt return of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

There have been recent calls for resumption of the championship which has been on hold since March as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Commey's comments follow similar remarks by Aduana Stars coach Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin.

"We shouldn’t joke with the situation now because we cannot afford to lose a soul in the industry to the virus," the CEO told Onua FM.

"We have a responsibility, we need to make sure that measures are put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

"The [Ghana] Football Association (GFA) is consulting stakeholders and if they agree for it to be cancelled, then we do that."

The Premier League was at the matchweek 15 stage, with Aduana atop the standings, when it ground to a halt.

At the time, a total of six coronavirus cases had been recorded in Ghana.

As at Sunday June 7, the West African nation has so far registered 9,638 cases involving 44 deaths, 3,636 recoveries and 5,958 active cases.

"The corporate world is monitoring and watching our reaction on how we will deal with the situation so we have to show resilience," Commey added.

"We have to show that we will be able to stand by them in times of difficulties when they sponsor the league and there is a problem.”

Commey also shared his thoughts on the sideline of football by the government of Ghana in a stimulus package for businesses in the wake of the Covid-19 disruptions.

"We pay tax so the country really gains from football," he said.

"Seventeen point five (17.5) per cent of the money gained from gate proceeds by clubs goes to the state as tax, so calculate the number of games played every week and even [tax from] hoteliers - [not forgetting] those who sell at the stadium also benefit from football - [to get an idea about our contribution to the economy]."

The Premier League, together with all other domestic competitions, has been on hold since March 15 following a ban on all public gatherings, including sporting and religious events.

The GFA has said it will wait until at least June 30 to make a decision on the future of football.

The ban on football, however, continues until at least July 31.

Ilkay Gundogan has hailed Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu as one of the Premier League’s top performers and suggested Manchester City should sign him.

Turkish centre-back Soyunci, 24, joined the Foxes from Freiburg in 2018 and has excelled for the Foxes, who are third in the Premier League after 29 matches.

Soyuncu is being linked with a move to other teams in the English top-flight and Gundogan believes City should be in contention to land him, while he has also been impressed by Everton attacker Cenk Tosun.

“I agree with the general opinion of football fans. Caglar Soyuncu had the best performance in the Premier League this season after Van Dijk,” the Germany international told Fanatik.

“I didn't know him before. We met when we played against each other. In addition to the Premier League matches, we faced Leicester City in a cup game two years ago.

“We became opponents in many matches. We always saw and talked to each other and started getting to know each other.

“He's a very good boy. I love him. His understanding of football and character are also very good.

“His performances for both Leicester and Turkey are good. I hope we see him in better places.

“The first one that comes to my mind about the Turkish player I want to see at Manchester City is Caglar.

“I would also count Cenk Tosun. He may be at this level in the near future. I think he has also played well, but he suffered an unlucky injury.

“He also scored a goal in the match we played at home against Crystal Palace. I think he's settled in the Premier League. He deserves it.”

The 29-year-old midfielder would also like to line up alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, admitting that he thinks the Barcelona hero is the best in the game.

“Messi is a footballer whose talent will not be seen again,” he added.

“For me, Messi is a little higher. Messi and Ronaldo are very important players. I would like to play with both of them on the same team one day.”

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli concedes his side were not playing well enough earlier this season but says the unexpected break caused by the coronavirus pandemic has given the team a chance  to “dig in” and end the campaign on a high.

Spurs’ last match before the COVID-19 shutdown was a disappointing 3-0 last-16 second leg loss at RB Leipzig in the Champions League in March, completing 4-0 aggregate defeat by the German side.

The previous week the north London club were beaten at home by Norwich on penalties in the FA Cup fifth round, meaning they are guaranteed to end the 2019-20 without a trophy.

In the Premier League, Tottenham face a real fight to qualify for the Champions League next season. They are currently eighth in the table, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with 11 games remaining.

To add to their troubles, captain Harry Kane suffered a hamstring injury in January while Son Hueng-Min broke his arm the following month, with both expected to be sidelined for the majority of the campaign at the time of their injuries.

However, the three-month Premier League shutdown has given Kane, Son and the rest of the squad time to rest and recuperate.

Manager Jose Mourinho revealed last month the duo had now recovered from their injuries, while Alli, Moussa Sissoko, Erik Lamela and January signing Steven Bergwijn were also fit again after minor knocks. It leaves the former Chelsea and Manchester boss with a near fully-fit squad to choose from for their first game back against Manchester United on June 19.

England forward Alli believes Tottenham have used the break to their advantage and is hopeful the team can right some of the wrongs of earlier this year.

“We are excited as it was an unexpected break having the season cut midway through,” Alli said on a live stream after competing in a charity FIFA20 match organised by Gamers Without Borders.

“From a Tottenham point of view we were not doing well enough before the break and we know that but we've all come back to training hungry and we want to improve.

“Everyone is excited so we just need to dig in.”

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has insisted the club is not raising expectations on wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko neither is he being pressured.

The striker who holds both a Cameroonian and German passport has been a sensation for BVB at youth level scoring more than 150 goals across the various age grades including 34 strikes in 20 outings in this season's Under-19 Bundesliga.

This led to increased calls for Moukoko to be drafted into the Dortmund senior team, but due to DFB restrictions that do not permit players to debut until they turn 17, it became impossible.

Dortmund, however, challenged the rule to reduce the age down to 16 which was eventually granted.

Moukoko will turn 16 on November 20 and could, therefore, make his senior bow, but Zorc is in no rush.

"The framework conditions for professional appearances by absolute exceptional players of this age have been created, but we are therefore not putting any pressure on him at all," Zorc told Bild am Sonntag .

"We do well not to raise expectations of Youssoufa too high."

Former player and now head of Dortmund's licensing player department, Sebastian Kehl also asserted that any chance of Moukoko making his debut this year will have to be handled "responsibly".

"There will always be a decision on a case-by-case basis, which will not only be made on the basis of sporting skills," Kehl said.

"Here physical and mental aspects, but also the personality of the player plays a major role. We will all handle it very responsibly."

Dortmund occupy second spot on the Bundesliga log, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich with four rounds left to wrap up the season that was halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Moukoko is hailed as the 'New Eto'o' in reference to the prowess of Cameroon great Samuel Eto'o who played for the likes of Real Madrid, Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea, winning the Champions League three times and multiple domestic titles.

Eto'o also won the Africa Cup of Nations twice and an Olympic medal.

He is Cameroon's all-time top scorer with 56 goals and is a four-time recipient of the African Footballer of the Year.

The former FC Porto marksman left Blackburn Rovers for fellow English club West Ham United midway through the 2009/10 campaign.

However, McCarthy struggled with injuries and made a few appearances for West Ham and he was not included in Bafana Bafana's final 23-man squad for the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals.

“2010 was my worst year just like 2020 is for everyone. When I look back, I think I shouldn’t have left Blackburn Rovers. But I didn’t really have a choice. I didn’t just want to be an impact player," McCarthy told the South African Football Journalists' Association (Safja).

“When I had conversations with Sam Allaydyrce [coach of Blackburn at the time] that’s what he told me. He wanted a 90 minutes striker, he wanted a target man and I’m more of a luxury player. He said I was more of a number 10.

“West Ham United came knocking and I had a conversation with [Gianfranco] Zola and he told me what his plans were and that suited me. I got injured in my debut and that injury hindered me throughout. I picked up weight. That didn’t help going to the 2010 World Cup."

McCarthy rejected a chance to be in a camp with Bafana for three months and this backfired as then-South Africa head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira did not include him in the 2010 World Cup squad.

“I think it was to get back at me. I don’t know if you can recall, there was a period when Carlos Alberto Parreira wanted to have a three-month training camp in Brazil. First, he wanted to convince the European players," he said.

“The first trip that he made was to Blackburn Rovers. He came to England to see me and Aaron [Mokoena]. The president of the club said that there was no way in hell that was going to happen. We were going to miss three months of action.

“At the time I was flying at Blackburn. The coach then spoke to me, he said if I put pressure on the club they will let me go. I must just tell the club that I want to go. But listen, my bread and butter was paid by Blackburn."

McCarthy believes that Parreira misunderstood him as the accomplished Brazilian coach felt that the Cape Town-born legend was disrespecting the national team.

"I think in a way he felt that I wasn’t complying to him asking me to fight to play for Bafana instead of Blackburn," he revealed.

"All the excuses were made about what had been happening at West Ham. I came back from injury. I didn’t meet the weight requirements and all that. The excuse that they gave the nation was that I brought girls to the hotel. I was like ‘are they f**** out of their minds or what," he concluded.

Nevertheless, McCarthy retired from international football having played and scored for Bafana at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals.

The Scotland-based coach has been jobless since he left PSL side Cape Town City last November, but he is targeting coaching positions at Scottish side Hearts and Portuguese giants FC Porto.

Laldinliana Renthlei is likely to sign for Jamshedpur FC for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season, Goal can confirm. 

The full-back came to prominence after winning the Mizoram Premier League (MPL) with Chhinga Veng FC in 2017. He was even adjudged the best defender of the tournament for his impressive performances. He was loaned out to Aizawl FC to play in I-League and the defender made 24 appearances for the People's Club in the 2017-18 season.

He made his continental debut with Aizawl during their AFC Champions League qualifier against Iranian side Zob Ahan Esfahan, a match which Aizawl lost 3-1. 

Dinliana joined Chennaiyin FC in 2018 and has made 22 appearances cumulatively in two seasons. Although he fell out of favour in the first half of last season, under Owen Coyle, he once again became a regular and played in most matches including both the semi-finals and the final against ATK.

The Mizo defender joins the Red Miners to further strengthen their backline that already consists of promising players like Jitendra Singh and Narender Gahlot. They have already signed full-back Ricky Lallawmawma from ATK and goalkeeper Pawan Kumar from NorthEast United.

Jamshedpur have also secured the services of winger Jackichand Singh, who had a prolific campaign with FC Goa last season.

The Tata Steel owned club had a forgetful outing in the 2019-20 campaign as they finished eighth on the league table with 18 points from an equal number of matches. 

The club is set for a revamp as they have parted ways with coach Antonio Iriondo. Their mainstay in defence, Tiri, has also left the club. It remains to be seen what further moves they make in the transfer market to bolster their squad for the upcoming season. 

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has explained why he will face problems to pick his first eleven when the Mainland Premier League resumes.

The Tanzanian top-flight, which took a break in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, has been given the green light to resume. The first fixtures will be played on June 13.

The Belgian coach has now explained that all his players came back to training in good shape, high spirits, and the desire to end the season on a high hence his headache to settle for the first eleven when they face Ruvu Shooting in their first match.

“What I have been impressed with the squad for the few days we have been together, is the desire to fight hard and keep the spirit in training, something I have not seen before,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by MwanaSpoti.

“Every player is fighting and giving his all in training, they are burning to go out and see off the season and that is becoming tough for me to decide on which players to start and which ones to drop.

“It is not about even the starting eleven but even the first 18, it will be a bit tough for me, I have never seen such a competitive side since I signed to coach Simba.”

Vandenbroeck attributed the latest level of his players on following the training sessions they were given during the lockdown period.

“When I look at all the players, I am now convinced that they really followed the training notes I used to send to them,” Vandenbroeck continued.

“Most of the players in the squad are very hungry to play and they are looking very fit, you cannot even imagine they have been in a long break.”

Vandenbroeck however, admitted his side will struggle to hit the form which they were riding in before the season was halted.

“My only worry is that we will not be able to get the rhythm we had picked before the season was stopped, we were doing so well and getting the level we were in, will not be easy,” Vandenbroeck concluded.

Simba are topping the table on 70 points, 17 more than second-placed Azam FC and are thus destined to win a third straight title.

The South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Tebogo Motlanthe has hinted the 2019/20 PSL season will not be cancelled. 

However, Motlanthe warned a final decision on when football will return rests solely with the South African government. 

Motlanthe said the people must not jump the gun and push for the resumption of the season even if the situation doesn't permit it. 

While Minister of Sport Nathi Mthethwa has allowed the return to training of contact sports under Level 3 of the coronavirus lockdown, Motlanthe reiterated that competitive football cannot be played unless the country moves to a lower level or ease the regulations.  

"People must not jump the gun. We will take guidance from the government," Motlanthe told Daily Sun.  

"The Minister told us to consider lives before economy. Under Level 3, football cannot be played. 

"Fifa said the respective governments across the world must make decisions and we are no exceptions," he said. 

Motlanthe further stated the process of deciding what will happen might be sped up as clubs have already fumigated their training facilities for the return to training. 

His statement simply means Safa has no intention to abandon the current season; something the PSL has been working hard to achieve over the past few months. 

The Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) resolved that both Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan and PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza should make presentations to Mthethwa over the league's readiness to possibly resume football, and Motlanthe said the country might hear the way forward sometime next week. 

"Clubs have already fumigated their facilities and put plans in place to be compliant. Hopefully, the process might be sped up and next week we might hear something from the government," added Motlanthe.   

The country is divided on possible solutions that could save both the lives of players and officials and the season which is only left with eight to six rounds of matches at most before its completion. 

As things stand, Kaizer Chiefs top the standings with 48 points and lead second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns by four points although the defending champions have a game in hand. 

Manchester City are set to go head-to-head with UEFA on Monday in the Swiss courts as they desperately battle against a decision that could see them banned from the Champions League for two years.

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

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

The latest butting of heads could result in City losing their Champions League status and cost them hundreds of millions in the process - something that, if it comes to pass, will naturally not go down well.

So what exactly is happening on Monday? Goal brings you everything you need to know.

Contents

What is the Man City vs UEFA dispute about?

UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) found Man City to be in breach of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and slapped the club with a two-year ban from UEFA competition, along with a €30 million (£25m/$33m) fine.

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

The governing body added: "The Adjudicatory Chamber has also found that in breach of the regulations the Club failed to cooperate in the investigation of this case by the CFCB."

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

Soriano said that the club's representatives delivered what they believed to be "irrefutable evidence" against UEFA's findings and it is now up to the CAS to make a decision on the matter.

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

In May, three months after the punishment was confirmed, UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin was somewhat evasive about the topic when asked about it by the Guardian in the context of the Covid-19 crisis, which had seen football across the world postponed.

When asked if UEFA still supported the sanctions against City, Ceferin said: "Look, the decision was made and now the case is at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and CAS will decide. 

"That’s absolutely all I can say, for two reasons. Firstly, the independent bodies made the decision, I didn’t, and secondly, I really don’t know the case [well enough]."

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When will the Man City vs UEFA case take place?

Man City's CAS appeal against UEFA's decision will begin on Monday June 8 and the hearing is expected to last three days.

Representations will be made by both parties to a panel of three judges - one chosen by City, one chosen by UEFA and one chosen by CAS - in support of their respective positions.

While the hearing will last only a matter of days, final adjudications can take weeks. It is expected that the outcome of Man City's appeal will be known in three or four weeks' time.

Once the arguments have been heard, CAS will make a decision which will either: uphold UEFA's position, reject UEFA's position or mitigate the punishment. 

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What will the Man City vs UEFA case mean for Champions League places?

If Man City are successful in their appeal against UEFA's punishment, their ban will probably be rescinded and they will be free to compete in the Champions League should they qualify.

However, should the CAS uphold UEFA's interpretation, then the ban will remain in place and City will not be able to reap the rewards of their Premier League finish by qualifying for the Champions League.

In that scenario, City's place in the Champions League (assuming they finish, as expected, in the top four) will go to the team which finishes fifth in the division.

It is possible that a club such as Manchester United, Wolves, Sheffield United or Tottenham - who are all in the mix for European qualification - could benefit from City's difficulty, should CAS uphold UEFA's view.

If, in 2020-21, Man City finished in the European qualification spots, their place would also go to the next highest-placed team.

In some cases, where a ban is not overturned, the CAS may recommend that the punishment is reduced. So, for example, it may be considered that a one-season ban is sufficient.

Should City lose the case, they stand to potentially miss out on around £150 million ($190m), when one considers revenue such as tournament prize money, TV money, sponsorship and so forth.

There could also be a knock-on effect in terms of personnel, both in terms of the stars currently at the club and potential recruits, as alluded to by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez when asked about Kevin De Bruyne's future at the club.

"Kevin is a winner," Martinez told beIN Sports. “I think he will weigh up everything before his decision.

"He will take into consideration if there is a ban in the Champions League, if the coach that he has a fantastic relationship is going to stay at the club.

“As you can imagine, this is the moment that a player like Kevin De Bruyne is enjoying his best years and he's given them to Manchester City. But then you think, 'what's going to happen in the next four, five years?'"

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What are the Financial Fair Play regulations?

UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations aim to maintain the financial health of European football clubs in order to avoid ruination of teams. 

This is effectively achieved by limiting the net losses a club is allowed to make over a specified time period.

The apparent issue with regard to the Man City case, as detailed by UEFA, is the break-even requirement, which orders that clubs must balance their books over the course of a three-year period.

FFP was introduced in 2011 after being approved by UEFA in 2010

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What is CAS?

CAS is the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an independent body which is the highest authority in the world for the resolution of legal battles between sporting parties.

Known as TAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport) in some parts of Europe, it is based in the city of Lausanne in Switzerland and has been operating since the 1980s, with further reform in 1994.

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Wilfried Zaha has revealed how he battled rumours linking him with an affair with David Moyes’ daughter during his brief stint at Manchester United, without receiving any support from the club.

During his first season at Old Trafford, the 27-year-old was rumoured to be sleeping with Lauren which contributed to his lack of first-team action with the Red Devils.

Zaha was limited to four appearances in David Moyes’ team before he was loaned to Cardiff City for the remainder of the 2013-14 season.

He returned to Crystal Palace on an initial loan the following campaign, but he bemoaned the lack of help from Manchester United during the period when the rumours were circulating.

“No one at the club at all told me anything, I didn't know what to do whatsoever,” Zaha said in a chat with Rio Ferdinand.

“I remember tweeting something about it saying 'silly rumours' because it was getting too much, so I had to say something myself and then I remember the club media messaging me saying 'you shouldn't have done that, you shouldn't have done this' and I'm thinking 'you haven't helped me.'

“I'm here by myself, struggling because people are telling me I've slept with the manager's daughter and that's why you're not playing me.

“The funny thing is, it's carried on for so long I felt like, is the manager not going to come and have a word with me over this?

“That's how I felt and I'm thinking this is ridiculous man. Up to this day, I still get people that think that's true and I've never even met his daughter.”

Zaha who has contributed three goals and three assists for Crystal Palace in this campaign, explained how traumatic the experience was for him as a teenager.

“It was stressful. I'm 19, I'm living in Manchester and all of a sudden we come back from a tour and I'm not playing for no reason so obviously [people] are going to make up rumours," he continued.

“I'm in Manchester where I'm by myself, and I'm not playing on top of that, so it's stressful enough to have a rumour.

“People came out with it, I see it trending on Twitter, people came out with how can he play so well on tour then just be dashed out like that with nothing, no one telling us anything - he must have slept with the manager's daughter.

“And that started going and I'm 19, and my Twitter is blowing up. I've never had it before and my Twitter is blowing up and there's no one for me to speak to.”

Wayne Rooney has leapt to the defence of former team-mate Roy Keane over his now-infamous interview with Manchester United’s TV station that is believed to have hastened his departure from Old Trafford 15 years ago.

Keane launched a blistering attack against some of his team-mates, including Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher, Alan Smith, John O'Shea and Kieran Richardson, following a 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in October 2005.

The 30-minute interview, due to be screened on MUTV, was subsequently pulled as the club’s management deemed his comments too critical. Two weeks later Keane was released from the final six months of his contract, a subdued end to a glittering United career that yielded 17 trophies over 12-and-a-half years.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder had already endured several run-ins with then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the preceding six months, with the MUTV interview seen as the final straw.

Though well known for his abrasive style and fierce determination, many felt Keane had overstepped the mark in being so vocally critical of his team-mates. Rooney, though, says that is not the case, and believes Keane was justified in making those comments.

“Roy Keane was vocal. He had an aura,” Rooney wrote in a column for The Sunday Times. “I remember my first United training session thinking, ‘I need to impress him.’ Not the manager. Him.

“I was at United when he gave his infamous MUTV interview but disagree with how it’s portrayed. Roy was supposedly too critical of his team-mates but I’ve watched the video and there’s nothing wrong with it at all. He said that players can’t pass the ball ten yards and they’re playing for Manchester United and it’s not good enough. Well, he’s right.”

Rooney would later follow in Keane’s footsteps and become United captain in the summer of 2014, following the departure of Nemanja Vidic. He was appointed England captain later that year too after Steven Gerrard’s retirement.

The Derby forward says he learnt a great deal from the skippers he played under during his career, each displaying different character traits. They all, though, possessed the same set of characteristics that made them such successful leaders.

“Captains set the example through performances,” Rooney added. “They don’t have to be the best player, but they have to be consistent. They can’t show weakness. They have to always show belief. If you go a goal down you have to keep encouraging, demonstrating your calmness to everyone.

“The best captains I played for had different personalities but shared those traits. David Beckham was quiet, but it was an iconic time when he was captain of England because of his status in the game. He led through his attitude and work rate.

"Stevie Gerrard brought drive and determination. He wasn’t the most vocal, but you knew by one of his tackles what he was saying. John Terry was very good too; Duncan Ferguson was really quiet off the pitch but on it was all heart and fight.”

Spanish football will remember victims of the coronavirus pandemic with a minute's silence before every remaining match in the 2019-20 season.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga announced on Sunday that teams from the top division down to amateur level will pause for a moment of reflection before games.

After a three-month interruption, football is set to resume in Spain in the coming week, with La Liga getting back under way with Sevilla's home derby against Real Betis on Thursday.

Leaders Barcelona resume at Real Mallorca on Saturday, while second-placed Real Madrid face Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The first professional game of the resumption will be a second-tier clash between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete on Wednesday, when the teams will play the second 45 minutes of a game that was abandoned in December.

A joint statement read: "The RFEF and La Liga have announced that upon the return of football, in all professional and non-professional competitions, a minute of silence will be held before all matches in memory of those who have died from COVID-19.

"Both organisations have reached an agreement to pay a sincere tribute during this season to all those who have left us because of the pandemic, as well as their families.

"That is why from this very Wednesday, in the resumption of Rayo Vallecano-Albacete as in the rest of La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank [Segunda Division] matches, as well as in the play-offs for promotion to La Liga Santander and Segunda B, the world of football will remember the deceased with 60 seconds of mourning before the start of the matches."

Spain has suffered over 27,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of March.

It will only be the players, officials and coaching staff who will be marking the minute’s silence in the grounds, as Irene Lozano, the president of Spain's National Sports Council (CSD), has insisted it is "impossible" to have fans back in stadiums when La Liga resumes.

"If you compare yourself to other places, the Bundesliga, where people have not entered, it is time to be patient, it is time to be responsible," she said. "They cannot enter or congregate in the immediate vicinity. If it happens, who is responsible for that?

"Until all the forecasts are in the same phase of de-escalation, it is impossible for there to be football with the public."

Simba SC midfielder Jonas Mkude has revealed the league's uncertainty made players work hard in isolation.

The Tanzania Mainland League took a break in mid-March owing to Covid-19. However, President John Pombe Magufuli gave the green light for leagues to resume on June 1 after stating the government is dealing well with the virus.

"We were in the dark regarding the league whether it will resume or not," Mkude said as quoted by Mwanaspoti.

"Since nobody was sure about how things would unfold, all players had to be prepared. It is the reason why we trained hard in isolation in order to be ready when called.

"Now that we are sure we are playing, it is up to each of us to fight for the starting berth in the team."

The Taifa Stars player has also opined on how the team should play when they eventually get on the pitch.

"We cannot afford to play below our standard, we have to remain on top of our game," Mkude added.

"The effects of Covid-19 are well known by the team and it is the reason why most players stuck to the guidelines given. 

"And now that we have resumed, the technical bench has been giving us different programs; for fitness and tactical awareness."

Before the league took a break, Wekundu wa Msimbazi had been in good form and were leading the table with 71 points from 28 matches.

The league will resume on Saturday, June 13 when Mwadui FC will host Young Africans at Kambarage Stadium in a tie expected to kick-off at 16:00 EAT. This is a first-round match, (Matchday 17) which had not been honoured before the league was cancelled in mid-March.

Yanga's participation in the Caf Champions League made the fixture hard to be played at the time.

The second match will see Coastal Union host third-place chasing Namungo FC at Mkwakwani Ground and is expected to kick-off at the same time as Yanga vs Mwadui.

On June 14, champions Simba SC will host Ruvu Shooting at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam and second-placed Azam FC will be at home at Azam Chamazi Complex, against Mbao FC.

Yanga will again be on duty on June 17 when they are hosted by JKT Tanzania at Jamhuri Stadium.

The Coastal Union vs Namungo FC, Azam vs Mbao FC, Simba vs Ruvu Shooting and Yanga vs JKT matches are Matchday 29 action.

Forgotten former Platinum Stars defender Rofhiwa Tshikovhi has shared contrasting remarks on his failed move to Kaizer Chiefs as he is now looking to make his return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The experienced centre-back explains the partnership between Tefu Mashamaite, Erick Mathoho, and Morgan Gould created doubts for him in joining the Soweto giants, saying he would have been a third option instead of becoming a regular at Naturena.

Currently without a club since parting ways with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in January 2018, the 31-year-old is still keen to play in the South African top-flight.

“Yes [I regret not joining Chiefs] and I can also say no I don’t have regrets,” Tshikovhi told Goal.

“I extended my contract with Platinum Stars because I was playing as a regular. So, for Chiefs, it was about whether I move to them and play regular football or become a third choice or option.

“Remember there was Tower [Mathoho], Morgan [Gould], and Masha [Mashamaite]. The other thing is that I was still playing regularly for Stars until there were changes in management.”

The Tshiondo-born defender joined Dikwena now known as Cape Umoya United in 2014 and left in 2018 to join TTM in the National First Division (NFD) and says he is now looking for a new football home.

“All in all, I can say I don’t regret playing under coach Allan Freese. Because I’m currently without a club, I would like to play in the PSL or in the NFD [National First Division] because I still have what it takes to play,” he added.

“Yes, things were good as I was waiting for my chance from 2012 until the 2015/16 season, but things didn’t go well when there were changes in the management and when coach Cavin [Johnson] took over.

“However, I am happy now and I am just looking for a team, it’s not about money. My target is to get a PSL club because I still have something to offer and want to achieve.”

In addition, the move to join former coach Stuart Baxter’s troops was also made difficult by the fact that Johnson preferred Tshepo Gumede and Siboniso Gumede’s partnership at the heart of his defence.

The lanky centre-back was reportedly linked with a move to Bidvest Wits back in 2017 but could not impress coach Gavin Hunt after training with the Braamfontein-based outfit and he is now hoping to revive his career.