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Ajax have been banned from wearing their original design for a Bob Marley-inspired kit by UEFA, which says the strip contained imagery that goes against the federation's rules.

The strip, inspired by the song Three Little Birds which has become an anthem for Ajax fans, was introduced for the 2021-22 season and was worn by Ajax for the first time in their Eredivisie victory away to PEC Zwolle on Saturday.

However, the shirt had been changed from the design initially revealed in the summer - and the reason has now been revealed as being down to an obscure rule from the European football governing body.

What has been changed?

Ajax wore the predominantly black kit with red, yellow and green trim, which is serving as their third strip for 2021-22, against PEC as their blue away jerseys resembled their opponents' home shirt too much.

The original kit had three birds stitched on the back, just below the collar - one in each of red, yellow and green - in homage to the Marley track. Eagle-eyed supporters soon realised during the 2-0 win on Saturday that the birds had been removed from the players' kits.

Asked by website Ajax Life for the reason, the club said: "The European Football Association [UEFA] sees it as a different expression than the club logo, logo clothing sponsor or sleeve sponsor. Other expressions are not allowed."

What is Ajax's connection to Bob Marley?

The kit, which was released in August and which Ajax will predominantly wear in European fixtures this season, with the Eredivisie side in the group stage of the Champions League, was inspired by the fans' association with the reggae classic, which started in August 2008.

Following a friendly away to Cardiff City, supporters were asked to remain in the stands after the game. Three Little Birds was one of the songs played by the stadium DJ and it quickly became adopted by Ajax fans as an anthem which is sung at every match.

The fan connection was made official by the club with the kit design this season, and has been welcomed by the family of Bob Marley.

His daughter Cedella Marley said: "I am beyond touched that Ajax has taken Three Little Birds and made it their anthem. Stories like this warm my heart and show how impactful songs like Three Little Birds can be. Soccer was everything to my father and to use his words, 'football is freedom'."

Further Reading

Mauricio Pochettino admits he never expected to be a position where signing Lionel Messi was a realistic option, but the Paris Saint-Germain boss is expecting the Argentine to produce his best after settling quickly in French football.

A stunning coup for the Ligue 1 giants was secured over the summer when financial difficulties at Barcelona led to Messi becoming a free agent.

Pochettino was stunned a fellow countryman could join him at Parc des Princes and is looking to make the most of the opportunity.

What has been said?

The PSG manager told UEFA's official website of Messi: "I may not be the most appropriate person to describe him. There are many more people who have a wider vocabulary to describe him closer to the reality Leo deserves. 

"He will always be considered among the best in the world. Since he arrived, he has really adapted very quickly and he's been training very well, trying to achieve his highest level as soon as possible to compete at his best.

"I didn't think it was possible [that he would sign for us], and when an opportunity appears and everything goes so fast, you can't immediately process it. 

"However, there's that connection: we both are Argentinian, we both support Newell's [Old Boys], we both come from Rosario. I have also admired him for a long time when facing him as an opponent, so having him now training with us is really nice. We hope that, together, we will be able to achieve what the club desires."

What about PSG's other new signings?

The last transfer window was a particularly productive one for PSG, with multiple deals done without having to splash out on big-money transfer fees.

Four proven international performers were snapped up as free agents, while Achraf Hakimi was lured away from Inter following their Serie A title triumph in 2020-21.

Pochettino said of capturing ex-Real Madrid captain and World Cup-winning centre-half Sergio Ramos: "Sergio is also a player that we think can, given the possibility, convey his experience, his competitiveness. 

"He's a player that has also won everything, just like Leo. It's good having him at the club for all that he can share with his team-mates: all that experience he gained at Real Madrid."

He added on Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum: "He's been captain of the Netherlands national team, he won everything at Liverpool, but he still has a lot of football left to play.

"He can play in several positions, but without losing his competitiveness, deeply understanding the game, deploying a great level in terms of technique and [strength]."

On Italy international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who headed to France after severing ties with AC Milan, Pochettino said: "We have already seen him crowned Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament and winning Euro 2020 with Italy. I think that his profile as a goalkeeper and his age make him one of the best goalkeepers in the world, right?"

On Hakimi, the PSG boss said: "Achraf is a young player [I have] been following since [I was] at Tottenham. 

"We were on the edge of signing him for Tottenham, but then he went to play for Dortmund. He has a great capacity to run, his physical potential is huge. He is young, he's maturing at the defensive level, but he makes a lot of contributions in attack."

PSG, with Messi and Neymar back at their disposal, are set to open their Champions League group stage campaign for 2021-22 on Wednesday away at Club Brugge.

Further reading

Odisha get their 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign up and running with a home fixture against Bengaluru.

Five of the opening seven games will be home fixtures at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, with clashes against Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin among them.

Under new head coach Kiko Ramirez for their fresh run in the ISL season 8, the club will be making to make it to the play-offs for the first time since 2016 (as Delhi Dynamos).

Jamshedpur kick off their 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) season with a an away fixture against East Bengal before a tough test against FC Goa in gameweek two.

The Men of Steel have home games against Hyderabad, ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru in December, besides a couple more against Chennaiyin and NorthEast United in January, at Bambolim.

Owen Coyle is in his second season with the club who are yet to qualify for the play-offs.

Harvey Elliott could have been forgiven for wanting to hide himself away from the world after suffering a horror injury in Liverpool's win at Leeds, but he still found time while visiting hospital to make the day of a young Reds supporter.

The 18-year-old midfielder paid an unexpected visit to a medical facility in West Yorkshire after badly dislocating his ankle during Sunday's outing at Elland Road.

He is now facing a long road to recovery, but was not the only person with allegiances to the Premier League heavyweights to find themselves nursing broken bones on Sunday.

What happened to Elliott?

After tangling with Leeds defender Pascal Struijk, Elliott was left in need of immediate medical attention.

He was stretchered from the field and taken to a nearby hospital, where he found himself in a bed alongside a young Liverpool fan that had broken his wrist earlier that day.

Despite being in obvious pain himself, Elliott was happy to pass over a few mementos that helped to raise the spirits of a fellow teenager starting out on his own rehabilitation programme.

How long will Elliott be out for?

No timescale has been put on Elliott's recovery as yet, but reports suggest that he could be out of action for around six months.

That suggests that there is still a chance of him returning this season, but no risks will be taken with his long-term fitness.

Liverpool have already announced that Elliott will be undergoing surgery this week, allowing him to start moving down a path that will eventually lead back to Jurgen Klopp's plans.

He has posted on social media: "I'm of course absolutely devastated with what happened yesterday at Leeds, but have been totally overwhelmed by the love and support shown to me by the entire football world following the injury.

"Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out or sent messages to me and my family - it means so much to us. Also, a massive thanks to everyone inside Elland Road for the reception you gave me immediately after it happened.

"I am now fully focused on my recovery and will give everything in my rehabilitation to be back out there as soon as I can. I know I have an incredible support network behind me at Liverpool and together we will get through this.

"To all of the Liverpool fans: your support means the world to me. I'm one of you and I can't wait to be back faster, fitter and stronger to help the team in the future. You'll Never Walk Alone!"

Further reading

Arsene Wenger claims to see "potential" at Arsenal that will allow a reversal in fortune to be delivered by Mikel Arteta and his coaching team at Emirates Stadium.

Questions have been asked through the opening weeks of the current campaign as to how long Arteta will remain at the helm in north London.

A disappointing opening delivered no points and no goals through three games, leading to a club-record £145 million ($200m) being spent in the summer transfer window, but a corner was finally turned in a 1-0 win over Norwich last time out.

What has been said?

Legendary former Arsenal boss Wenger, who spent 22 years in charge of the club between 1996 and 2018, told beIN Sports of the club's class of 2021-22: "First of all, honestly I like to usually say what I think, I believe in this situation I’m an Arsenal fan.

"After that, of course, when I talk about Arsenal it’s a sensitive subject and at the moment the timing is maybe not the best to talk.

"I must say I find the squad full of quality. I’m not pessimistic because I feel they had two difficult games out of the first three – Chelsea on a high at home and of course after they go to Manchester City. Of course, you go to Man City and you can say it’s predictable that you could drop points.

"The bad result we made was in the first game against Brentford. After that it puts you straight away on the back foot.

"I wish them to recover and I think they will. The potential is there so I hope they come back."

Are Arsenal back on track?

The Gunners desperately needed a positive result of any kind against Norwich, with the Canaries also entering that contest without a point to their name.

Arteta's side found the going tough at times, with pressure and tension inside the Emirates making life difficult, but they did get the job done.

Club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted the only goal of the game, lifting Arsenal off the foot of the table and into 16th place.

That success now needs to be used as a springboard, with upcoming outings against Burnley and AFC Wimbledon in the Premier League and Carabao Cup set to be followed by a derby date with neighbours Tottenham on September 26.

Further reading

Holders Barcelona will face Arsenal in the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League, with Paris Saint-Germain drawn with Real Madrid on Monday afternoon.

The Spanish champions overcame English opposition in the final in May to be crowned queens of Europe, beating Chelsea 4-0 in an incredible performance.

The Blues themselves were given a tough draw for the new season as they look to go one better than last term, taking on two-time champions Wolfsburg, who gave them a difficult quarter-final earlier this year, as well as Juventus.

Who has drawn who?

With Wolfsburg and Lyon both sitting in pot two ahead of the draw - clubs that together won all but one edition of the UWCL between 2011 and 2020 - there were always set to be huge clashes in this first round.

The French side, seven-time European champions, will face Bayern Munich in the group stage, the German champions who reached the semi-finals last season. They beat Chelsea in the first leg of that last-four tie, but ultimately fell short due to defeat in London.

The inclusion of Real Madrid in pot three made the draw even more interesting. While PSG got a kinder draw by avoiding Arsenal, Lyon and Wolfsburg by drawing Icelandic outfit Breidablik from pot two, their meetings with Las Blancas will be extremely tough.

This is the Spanish side's first venture into Europe, with it being just the second ever season that Real Madrid have had a women's team. However, their defeat of Manchester City in the last round of qualifying has sent a statement straight away.

Other debutantes in the competition are Koge and Hoffenheim, who both went into Group C with Arsenal and Barcelona. The former, of Denmark, beat Sparta Prague in qualifying to reach this stage, while Hoffenheim sent a message by dispatching of Swedish outfit Rosengard, who reached the quarter-finals last season.

When does the UWCL group stage begin?

The first games of the group stages will kick-off on October 5 and 6, with the top two in each of the four groups to progress to the quarter-finals. Those final group games will be played on December 15 and 16.

Although the idea of a women's equivalent to the Europa League has been discussed, such a competition does not exist yet, so those finishing third and fourth in their groups will be eliminated.

Group stage draw in full

Further reading

Cristiano Ronaldo is already having an impact on his team-mates off the pitch at Manchester United, says Lee Grant, who claims the star's healthy lifestyle has already shamed the other players into eating more healthily.

Following an extraordinary summer return to OId Trafford from Juventus, Ronaldo started where he left off as he scored twice in United's 4-1 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.

Reserve goalkeeper Grant has revealed that Ronaldo's positive impact for United stretches to the pre-match meal as well, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's choice of food ensuring none of his new colleagues went for pudding.

What has been said?

Grant told talkSPORT : “This was Friday night in the group hotel. You finish your dinner and usually on a Friday night you've got some cheat stuff out. You’ve got some apple crumble or you’ve got a bit of brownie and cream or what not.

“I tell you now, not one player touched the apple crumble and custard, not one player went up for that brownie because everybody was sat down and one of the lads said to me, ‘What has Cristiano got on his plate?’

“So we were having a little goosey gander at what he has got and obviously it is the cleanest, most healthy plate you can imagine. It just cracked me up how not one single player dared get up and have that junk food that was laid out.”

Ronaldo's diet

The Portugal international's dislike of sugary drinks and snacks made headlines in the summer when he removed bottles of Coca-Cola from in front of him before a press conference at the European Championship, imploring those watching to "drink water" instead.

Ronaldo has a personal dietician who has worked with him ever since his Real Madrid days, eating six small meals a day and sticking rigidly to healthy options.

"A good workout must be combined with a good diet," he has said previously. "I eat a high protein diet, with lots of wholegrain carbs, fruit and vegetables, and avoid sugary foods."

Further Reading

Sergio Busquets admits that Lionel Messi's departure from Barcelona came as a "shock", but he is convinced that the Liga giants can compete for Champions League glory without the iconic Argentine in their ranks.

The Blaugrana saw the six-time Ballon d'Or winner walk away from Camp Nou as a free agent over the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain embracing the opportunity to acquire the all-time great.

Barca's loss has been their gain, but Busquets is eager to see everyone in Catalunya move on and find other ways of claiming major silverware without the South American superstar leading the charge.

What has been said?

Busquets told reporters when quizzed on Messi's exit: "It was a shock, for everything that Leo gave to Barca and personally to me. 

"It was an accumulation of emotions that were difficult to digest, but we have to try to change the story. We are at the beginning of the season and we'll have to get used to playing without Leo."

Can Barcelona conquer Europe without Messi?

During a record-setting stint at Barca, Messi helped to secure four Champions League crowns - with the last of those coming in 2014-15.

His absence will hit Ronald Koeman's plans hard as another European adventure is about to start, but Busquets believes continental glory is there to be shot at.

Pressed ahead of a group-stage opener against Bayern Munich on Tuesday on whether Barca can go all the way without Messi, Busquets said: "Anything can happen in football. Chelsea won the Champions League last season and were not favourites. 

"The important thing is the collective level and we know that we do not have Leo or his individual qualities. We are here, excited and aware of the difficulty, but we have a lot of ambition and we want to win."

Who will star in Messi's absence?

Filling Messi's boots at Camp Nou will be an impossible task, but there are a number of hopefuls ready to provide inspiration in the final third of the field.

Summer signing Memphis Depay has stepped up to that mark through his early appearances for the club, with two goals and an assist recorded across three outings, and Busquets admits that the Dutch forward could become a new talisman.

The World Cup winner said of the talented Netherlands international: "He has started very well, not only with goals and assists. 

"He arrived after having had a few very good seasons and has been a great signing. Hopefully he will be important in terms of goals and assists, but also in every other way. 

"He has connected very well with the fans and has adapted well. Frenkie [de Jong] and Luuk [de Jong] will make it easier for him. Players like this are always welcome."

Further reading

Chennaiyin will start the 2021-22 Indian Super League with an away game against Hyderabad FC on November 23 at the Atheltic Stadium in Bambolim, Goa.

The Super Machans did not have the best of seasons last time as they finished eighth on the points table with 20 points from 20 matches. This time with a new coach, they will hope to challenge for the title.

The two-time ISL winners begin their campiagn with a tie against Hyderabad followed by NorthEast United and East Bengal in their second and third matches respectively.

When do Chennaiyin FC face Kerala Blasters in 2021-22?

The Super Machans face rivals Kerala Blasters on December 22 in a home tie at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. Last season, the two teams met each other twice and both matches ended in ties (0-0 and 1-1).

When do Chennaiyin FC meet Bengaluru FC in 2021-22?

Chennaiyin take on old foes Bengaluru FC on December 30 in a home tie at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. Last season, the two teams met each other twice. The Blues won the first tie 1-0 and the second phase match ended in a goalless draw.

Chennaiyin FC's Indian Super League first phase fixtures 2021-22:

Harvey Elliott has vowed to return "fitter, faster and stronger" from the horror ankle injury that he suffered in Liverpool's win over Leeds.

A 3-0 victory for Jurgen Klopp's side at Elland Road, which saw Mohamed Salah reach 100 Premier League goals, was overshadowed by an unfortunate setback for the teenage star.

Elliott is facing a long road to recovery after enduring a severe dislocation at Elland Road, but he has the full support of the football community behind him and is already looking forward to getting back out onto the field.

What has been said?

Elliott posted on Instagram: "I’m of course absolutely devastated with what happened yesterday at Leeds, but have been totally overwhelmed by the love and support shown to me by the entire football world following the injury. 

"Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out or sent messages to me and my family, it means so much to us. Also a massive thanks to everyone inside Elland Road for the reception you gave me immediately after it happened.

"I am now fully focused on my recovery and will give everything in my rehabilitation to be back out there as soon as I can. I know I have an incredible support network behind me at Liverpool and together we will get through this.

"To all of the Liverpool fans, your support means the world to me. I’m one of you and I can’t wait to be back faster, fitter and stronger to help the team in the future.

"You’ll Never Walk Alone."

What happened to Elliott?

The England Under-17 international, in what was his fourth appearance of the season, tangled with Pascal Struijk midway through the second half of a top-flight fixture in West Yorkshire.

With both men going for the ball, their legs became tangled and Elliott was left writhing in agony.

Struijk was shown a straight red card, with the Liverpool bench angered and shocked by what they witnessed.

Elliott was stretchered from the field following lengthy treatment and taken straight to hospital.

He was released from medical care on Sunday evening, but is set to undergo surgery this week as a more definitive timescale is put on his rehabilitation.

Further reading

Everton manager Rafa Benitez has openly claimed he is impressed with Alex Iwobi ahead of their Premier League fixture against Burnley on Monday.

The 25-year-old Nigeria international, who began his career at Arsenal, making 149 appearances and scoring 15 goals, before moving to Goodison Park, picked an injury during the team’s Carabao Cup game against Huddersfield but he kept playing until the last minute in the game they won 2-1.

The former Liverpool manager has admitted he was impressed by the character of the Super Eagle as he battled to stay on and help his team despite the injury.

“I want to say, also, how much I liked the character and determination of Alex Iwobi when he was hurt against Huddersfield but stayed on the pitch to help his teammates,” Benitez said as quoted by the club’s official website.

“Tom Davies, too, had a problem in his quadriceps but kept working so hard.”

In a recent interview, Iwobi credited Benitez for his improved form at the start of the season.

“The manager is always talking to me and trying to help me,” Iwobi told Everton TV. "It's helped me a lot so far this season.

“It’s not just me, of course, but the whole team [he speaks to]. My confidence is playing a big part, too. I’m pushing a bit more up the field and getting involved in attacks.

“I just need to add more goals and assists, as the manager wants. With the manager, he doesn’t give us any rest, he’s onto us 24/7. This is what we need.

“You can see everyone’s playing with a lot of confidence. That big motivation is there [to continue achieving positive results].

“We’ve started off very well, but we have to keep going until the end. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

He has so far started in two league games and will hope to start again against Burnley.

Meanwhile, Benitez is confident the team will maintain their perfect start to the season against Burnley.

“The belief in the team is increasing, with everyone beginning to be clear about their jobs. We can manage different situations over 90 minutes and this helped us have good control for a lot of our match against Brighton two weeks ago,” Benitez said.

“But there are many areas where we can get better and if the players keep working with the same intensity and approach to games, the improvements will continue little by little.”

Hyderabad will kick off their 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a clash against Chennaiyin at Bambolim.

With away games to Mumbai City and Jamshedpur next, their next set of home fixtures will be against Bengaluru and NorthEast, followed by a clash against FC Goa who tipped the Nizams to a place in the play-offs last season.

Eying a strong start to the new season, Hyderabad conclude their first half fixtures with two away games against ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters in January, 2022.

It has been a summer of change at Paris Saint-Germain on and off the field, with the Ligue 1 giants moving in a new direction following the arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Co.

Mauricio Pochettino is overseeing the pursuit of more major honours, with the Argentine boasting a star-studded squad at this disposal.

Every effort is being made to inspire those on the pitch and in the stands, with PSG making their first change to pre-match entrance music since 1992.

What song was PSG's entrance music?

The Phil Collins song 'Who Said I Would' has been PSG's entrance music at Parc des Princes for 29 years, with only a brief change made to 'O City of Light' in the wake of the Paris bomb attacks in 2015.

Supporters have grown very accustomed and attached to that tune and eyebrows were raised when a different track was played ahead of the first home game of the season against Strasbourg on August 14.

The general consensus was that a mistake had been made, or a one-off alteration had been made to the play list.

That is, however, not the case.

What is PSG's new entrance song?

Rather than the familiar sounds of Collins ringing out in the French capital, PSG now take to the field with DJ Snake and his 'DJ Snake intro mixed' track blasting through the Parc des Princes PA system.

The club's director of diversification, Fabien Allegre, has been explaining that decision, telling Le Parisien: "It was not a mistake. We are very attached to this song [the Collins track], I hear it, and our will is not to eliminate it from all our matches.

"But why couldn't we have Go West [by the Pet Shop Boys] or the Phil Collins song when the players arrive for the warm-up? I got a lot of positive feedback from people who enjoyed the song."

He went on to say: "We will make adjustments, but let's not prevent the club from continuing its journey by remaining in the past. If we had taken that approach with everything we have done for 10 years, starting with one of the most important signs, which is the shirt, we would not be where we are today.

"We are just as capable of highlighting major international brands or young talents in art or fashion as we are promoting the musical talents of Greater Paris."

Who is DJ Snake?

As PSG are looking to embrace a more local feel at Parc des Princes, DJ Snake was an obvious option to turn to.

The 35-year-old Paris native was as surprised as anyone to learn at the opening home match of the season that he had been selected to get an iconic venue in the mood for football.

He is, however, a Grammy-nominated peformer and producer, with three Billboard Music and MTV Music Awards on his mantelpiece.

DJ Magazine has often voted him into their annual rundown of the top 100 DJs on the planet and he has worked with established acts such as Lil Jon, Major Lazer, Justin Bieber, Cardi B, J Balvin, Sean Paul and Selena Gomez.

He is a PSG supporter and will be hoping to see the likes of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe chase down silverware at home and abroad in 2021-22.

More PSG news

Mumbai City kick off the 2021-22 Indian Super League season against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium, on November 22.

The reigning champions will be guided by Sergio Lobera and the Spaniard will continue to have the services of his trusted lieutenants in Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall. They have added Igor Angulo, Brad Inman, and Cassio Gabriel to their roster as well. 

When do Mumbai City face ATK Mohun Bagan in 2021-22?

Mumbai City will face the Mariners on December 1 at the Fatorda Stadium in a 7:30 PM kickoff. They had beaten Antonio Habas' troops in the ISL Final last season and will look to continue their good form against the Kolkata-based side.

Mumbai City's ISL fixtures 2021-22

Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew is optimistic of brighter days ahead after making his debut for Al Sadd in a 2-0 win over Al Sailiya in a Qatari top-tier assignment on Sunday.

The champions scored their first goal in the 23rd minute when Boualem Khoukhi finished a Baghdad Bounedjah pass. 10 minutes later, the latter completed his brace of assists, this time around setting up Rodrigo Tabata.

The Ghanaian, who played the entire game, saw his effort, in the 18th minute, pushed over the bar by Magdi Siddiq in the visitors' goal. Despite not finding the back of the net, he was sharp throughout the game.

The former Swansea forward has now taken to his social media account to express his feelings after making his debut for the Xavi Hernandez-led charges with a win.

"First game and three points; happy to play my first official game for the club. Insha-Allah, there will be more to come from us," Ayew reacted on social media.

It was the first game in the 2020/21 Qatari top-flight division campaign, and an excellent way for the reigning champions to start the season.

The West African completed his move to Al Sadd on July 23. The 31-year-old joined the King of Hearts as a free agent after leaving EFLChampionship club Swansea City at the end of last season.

Having signed a two-year contract with an option to extend for another one year, the forward was handed the No.24 jersey.

"As soon as I was informed that Al-Sadd was interested, I thought straight away that it was a very good idea for me. For me, it’s the best club in the Gulf; I watched their style of play and it’s the best club here," Ayew had stated when he signed for his new team.

"It’s also a club with which I have a personal history due to my father. I followed the club when I was young because my father always followed the club’s results. It wasn’t a surprise for me, I was very happy and proud, but I had to take some time to make the decision, because I had a few offers from the Gulf and from Europe, so I had to take time to make the right decision.

The attacker hopes to be involved when his team makes a trip to Qatar SC in their next assignment.