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UK health secretary Matt Hancock has been mocked by the football world after referring to Manchester United's Marcus Rashford as 'Daniel' in an interview following the government's U-turn regarding free meals for vulnerable children.

Rashford recently penned an open letter to the British parliament in which he begged the government to extend a scheme that provides food vouchers for approximately 1.3 million disadvantaged children across the country.

At first, the Department of Education stated that the scheme would not run over the summer, but Rashford's plea gained enough popularity for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to state on Tuesday that the government would in fact continue to help those in need.

With that, Rashford firmly cemented himself as the most talked about Premier League footballer amongst politicians, including Hancock.

Hancock's name is well known to players in England's top flight too, with the health secretary having called for top-earning athletes to “do their bit” for the country after the UK began to announce its plans for tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite all of that, however, Hancock still managed to refer to Rashford as 'Daniel' in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday.

“Righty-ho. Well I’ll tell you what happened, the Prime Minister talked to Daniel Rashford, he considered it and made his decision,” he said.

“I think it’s terrific, I’m in favour of making sure we get as much support as possible for people in difficult circumstances.

“I think that Marcus Rashford has done a great thing in the campaigning he’s done.”

Rashford responded to a tweet from Gary Lineker by saying he had been called 'much worse' in recent days on the back of his campaign.

Ex-England star Lineker also wrote: “Really looking forward to watching Richard Sterling, Colin De Bruyne, Danny Luiz and Co. tonight.”

Elsewhere, fellow Red Devil Gary Neville simply wished Rashford a good day, tweeting: “Morning Daniel”.

The healthy secretary subsequently tweeted to acknowledge the name mix-up, writing: "Too early. But in all seriousness Marcus you’re a credit to the nation."

Rashford also responded to that comment, replying: "As I said yesterday this was never about politics or me. The PM didn’t need to u-turn the decision but I’m thankful he did. I asked you to listen and you did that so on behalf of all mums likes mine, dads and carers that are struggling across the country, thank you."

Former Bidvest Wits winger Sifiso Myeni is saddened by the club's decision to sell its Premier Soccer League (PSL) status.

National First Division (NFD) club Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila recently confirmed that they had purchased Wits' status ahead of next season.

However, the deal will still need to be approved by the PSL Executive Committee before it is officially completed.

Myeni was nurtured in the Wits academy before he went on to help the first team win major trophies.

“It’s sad that a club with such a rich history has been sold. The owners know why they sold it, maybe it was a business decision," Myeni told Daily Sun.

"I thought it was just rumours when I heard about the sale for the first time. But when I heard TTM boss reveal on the radio that the only thing left now was for the PSL to confirm the sale, then I knew the club was gone.

“I joined the club because they had a good youth set-up. Coach Roger de Sa and Eric Tinkler gave me the break to play professional football."

Myeni had two successful spells with the Clever Boys having inspired the team to the 2010 Nedbank Cup triumph as one of the key players.

Before moving to Orlando Pirates in 2012, he returned to Wits four years later, and he helped the team clinch a league and cup double (PSL title and MTN8) during the 2016/17 season.

The Soweto-born player will always cherish his memories with the Students where he played with PSL legends such as Moeneeb Josephs, Marawaan Bantam, and many others.

"I was signed within three days of having trials with the team. I played with a lot of great players like Marawaan Bantam, Winstanley brothers [Ivan, Neil], Richard Rantjie, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Moeneeb Josephs," he said.

"Other youngsters like Patrick Phungwayo and Sibusiso Vilakazi found me in the first team. 

"I am proud that I made history by becoming one of the first players to play at the new FNB Stadium in 2010 when we beat AmaZulu [3-0] in the Nedbank final. I made more history by winning the league with the club.”

Myeni was hoping to reunite with his former teammates to celebrate Wits' 100th anniversary next year, but this will no longer be possible.

“Maybe the team would have done something to celebrate 100 years and invite all players," he concluded.

Myeni is currently clubless after being released by NFD club TS Sporting earlier this month.

Free State Stars chairman Mike Mokoena has passed away, the PSL confirmed in a statement on Wednesday morning. 

The cause of Mokoena's sudden death is still unknown.  

In a statement released by the league, PSL chairman paid tribute to Mokoena and hailed his contribution to South African football over the years. 

Mr Mike Mokoena, the Chairman of Free State Stars Football Club, one of the founding members of the NSL and longstanding member of the Executive Committee, has departed.
Our prayers are with the Mokoena family, especially its Matriarch, Ausi Joyce Mokoena who has been a pillar of strength that propped Bra Mike up over the years.

Mike Mokoena was a self-made man that took the fruits of his toil, which he could have used for his personal benefit and that of his family and invested selflessly into football. The Free State Stars payroll that he created and maintained, sometimes under very trying circumstances, is a source of viable livelihood for many.

Bra Mike was an epitome of practicality. People do not come more practical that Mr Mokoena lived.

He shined a spotlight on a little known town in South Africa. He literally put Qwa Qwa and the town of Bethlehem on the map. The economic activity generated by Free State Stars in that part of our country is a powerful legacy of a passionate man that always maintained that “where there is a will, there is a way”

Mike Mokoena, through his toil, left this world a better place than he found it.

May his soul repose peacefully.

Mokoena founded the now Free State Stars in 1977, and the club gained promotion to the professional league in 1985. 

Under his leadership, the club was bought by the league in 2002 when PSL reduced the number of teams from 18 to 16. 

In 2003, Mokoena returned to football after buying Ratanang Maholosiane's status and renamed it Free State Stars and the club was back in the PSL two years later.

While the club got relegated twice thereafter, including the 2018/19 season, Mokoena was proud to have watched Stars lift trophies while he was still in charge of the club.  

Stars won the 1994 Coca Cola Cup, Baymed Cup in 2006 as well as the Nedbank Cup in 2018 with Mokoena as the chairman.  

AFC Leopards interim head coach Anthony Kimani has revealed how John Makwatta's exit affected the young players.

Makwatta joined Zambian giants at end of the January transfer window after netting 13 goals for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side and Kimani admits his exit was a big loss to young players.

“[John] Makwatta was a leader on and off the pitch and his personality was very inspiring to younger players. We definitely missed that when he left for Zambia,” Kimani told reporters.

Kimani was among the local coaches who took part in the Caf ‘C’ level courses conducted by the Kenya Football Federation (FKF).

“It was an important training. It has raised our knowledge and put us at another level,” said the 2008 KPL winning star with Mathare United.

“Seeing a number of former players undertake the same training was also refreshing. It built their ability to coach even if they are not already doing it now."

Tom Juma, a former Harambee Stars and the current Football Operations Manager at AFC Leopards, also lauded the initiative undertaken by the federation.

“There was a big vacuum as previous regimes never bothered to organize for such courses and the most recent ones have made a difference even at grassroots level,” Juma said.

“And when you look at the numbers trained, you realise there are many people and that it will make a big difference in their lives.”

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti was also among the trainees and explained how the course is vital.

“Some people assume that if you were a player, then automatically you are qualified to be a coach. However, that is not always the case. The transition from playing to coaching is a process and needs knowledge,” said the former Thika United coach.

“In this regard, I am glad to have attended the Caf ‘C’ level course with a number of former players. It was very educative and went a long way to build our capacity.

“I benefitted a lot. It has helped me to look at coaching from a different perspective,” said Bidco coach Antony Akhulia.

Evans Mafuta (Nairobi Stima Assistant Coach), Rix Kanuli (Shabana Asst. Coach), Ibrahim Shikanda (Bandari Assistant Coach), Kinero Abdalla (Modern Coast Assistant Coach), Godfrey Oduor (KCB Assistant Coach), Charles Okere (Tusker Assistant Coach), Fred Ambani (Wazito Assistant Coach), John Amboko (Nairobi City Stars Assistant Coach), George Maina (Naivas Coach), and Pascal Ochieng (Posta Rangers Assistant Coach) were also the beneficiaries of the training.

Manchester City have a better team than Real Madrid, according to midfielder Rodri – but they can’t take Champions League progression for granted.

As authorities work on plans to finish the European campaign, City have one foot in the quarter-finals after coming from behind to beat Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

When the second leg is played, it will doubtless be a fascinating encounter between the teams currently sat second in the Premier League and La Liga, but Rodri is wary of overconfidence.

“I don’t trust any scoreline against Madrid, even though we won 2-1,” Rodri told Diario AS.

“It is Madrid and they are far from finished. We have a better team and we showed it in the first leg, but there is one step to take.

“We have to respect our opponents, we have to go for the victory because, if not, we will be in trouble.

“Eliminating Madrid, who have won three Champions League titles in a row and have been so powerful in recent years in Europe, would give us a lot of morale and confidence to say that it can be done. But there are great teams in Europe, not just Madrid.”

Rodri is coming towards the end of his first season at City, having joined in a club-record deal from Atletico Madrid last summer.

Seen as the long-term successor to Fernandinho in the holding role, the Spaniard has bedded in and will be expecting to kick on next term.

In moving from the Spanish capital, Rodri swapped Diego Simeone for Pep Guardiola.

They may seem like chalk and cheese in terms of their footballing philosophy, but Rodri says they are not all that different.

“Many people think that they are polar opposites and that they have nothing in common, but I see similarities,” he said.

“They are very intense, very hard-working, they make you do your best every day, they take training as if it were competition because it is an opportunity to learn, they love you 100 per cent.

“From there, each one has his way of understanding football and putting it across.

“I am lucky because working with both of them has made me a more complete player.”

South African Football Association’s (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan has dropped a hint Bafana Bafana could return to action sooner rather than later.

The Safa boss explained they are communicating with Fifa regarding the return to international competitions, this comes after the matches were suspended following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

On the other hand, Jordaan says they need to see the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season back in action before international games can return.

“As I’m talking to you, I’m responding to Fifa to check on their inputs about international football. I’m talking about issues raised by Fifa when it comes to international competitions,” said Jordaan as quoted by DailySun.

“International competitions are more complicated because our players must first come from Europe to South Africa, but there are no flights at the moment [due to lockdown restrictions].

“But in order for Bafana to play, we need domestic leagues to play because you cannot have players not playing in the domestic leagues and you want them to play at international competitions; the players must be match fit, they must come from a competitive environment, in this case, the PSL, before they go to Bafana to international competitions.

“Domestic competition must commence before you can have international competition.”

According to the publication, together with PSL chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza, Jordaan was tasked to deliver the 2019/20 NSL (National Soccer League) Covid-19 Health and Safety Directive protocols that were compiled by JLC (Joint Liaison Committee).

With the country still in Level 3 of lockdown, it is also reported Khoza and Jordaan have since met Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa in a meeting on Monday via Zoom.

In addition, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize was in Port Elizabeth on Monday where he also met Jordaan and discussed football-related issues.

Meanwhile, the current season was halted in March just before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome e Principe was cancelled.

As things stand, Kaizer Chiefs currently lead the log table with 48 points from 22 matches whilst Mamelodi Sundowns sit second with 44 points, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United share third spot with 40 points.

Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser has turned down the opportunity to sign a short-term extension that would see him finish up the club's nine remaining Premier League matches, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the month.

The Scotland international, who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the past, will fall into the free agent pool come July, with it likely that the 26-year-old is keen to avoid unnecessary injury risk ahead of a potentially lucrative transfer. 

Former Gunners icon Ray Parlour recently responded to reports that Fraser would not stay on with the Cherries, branding the wide man's behaviour “disgraceful” and saying players can just as easily get injured in training as they would during a competitive match.

The diminutive attacker has paid no heed to his detractors, however, with Bournemouth announcing on Wednesday that Fraser was not amongst those who had put pen to paper on short-term deals.

“Simon Francis, Andrew Surman, Artur Boruc and Charlie Daniels have agreed short-term contract extensions to cover the remaining nine games of the 2019/20 season,” a club statement read.

“The quartet will prove a boost to Eddie Howe and his squad as the Cherries prepare for the return of the Premier League later this week.

“Francis, who is club captain, has played the most prominent role this season with 18 appearances in all competitions, whilst vice-captain Surman has featured on nine occasions.

“Goalkeeper Boruc has been named on the bench 29 times this season, while full-back Daniels is continuing his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

“Winger Ryan Fraser has declined to sign a short-term contract extension.

“The Cherries restart their Premier League campaign on Saturday 20th June, hosting Crystal Palace at Vitality Stadium. The game is the first-ever Premier League match to be broadcast on the BBC.”

Sitting in the relegation zone with 27 points from 29 games, Howe's charges must dig deep during the run-in, with the south-coast side currently on a streak of four matches without a win.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recommends IM Vijayan for the country's fourth-highest civilian award – the Padma Shri, Goal understands.  

Hailing from Thrissur, Vijayan was a gifted striker which catapulted him to stardom. He started off at the very bottom, selling soda and cigarettes during football games in Thrissur's Corporation stadium.

The former striker started his career at the age of 17 with the Kerala Police Football Club. He went on to play for clubs like Mohun Bagan, FC Kochin, JCT Phagwara, Churchill Brothers, and East Bengal. At one point, he was the highest-paid footballer in the country. He led JCT Phagwara to the inaugural National Football League title. 

He made his debut in international football in the year 1989 and went on to make 66 appearances for India. During this period he scored around 40 goals. His most productive season arrived in 1999 when he scored 10 goals in 13 matches for the national team. 

He scored one of the fastest international goals in history when he hit the back of the net after 12 seconds against Bhutan during the  South Asian Football Federation Cup. In the 1999 South Asian Games he netted a hat-trick against Pakistan. He retired playing for the Red and Golds in 2006. 

Vijayan was named AIFF's Player of the Year on three occassions- 1992, 1997, 2000. Whereas, he received the Arjuna award in 2003. His poaching skills were second to none during his playing days and it will be fitting to honour him with the Padma Shri award for his contribution to Indian football. 

Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will be allowed to sign a marquee player for the 2020-21 season if the signing falls into one of two categories specified by the league, Goal has learnt. 

Formerly, the clubs were allowed to sign a marquee player if he is of international repute and the signing had to be approved by league authorities. From next season, the clubs have the option of signing a Veteran' or a 'Prodigy' player and both categories have been well defined. 

A ' Veteran ' has to satisfy three criteria - He should have a minimum of 75 appearances under his belt for clubs playing in the top five leagues - English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1. He must have represented a club in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League. In international football, he must have played in the FIFA World Cup, Euro Cup or FIFA Confederations Cup (qualification rounds do not count). 

A ' Prodigy ' can be an U-23 player who has at least two senior team appearances in the top five leagues specified above or someone with at least three appearances for a national team that falls in the top 25 FIFA Rankings as of April 9, 2020. The appearances should be in the finals of major tournaments across all age groups (FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, FIFA Confederations Cup).

However, a marquee player needs to be approved by the ISL before a club can be signed.

As reported earlier , the 2020-21 season of the ISL will see a mandatory Asian player take the field for clubs. The clubs will be allowed to sign a minimum of five and a maximum of seven foreign players in a squad that can have as many as 35 players. 

Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will have a minimum of two developmental players in their matchday squads during 2020-21 season, Goal can confirm. 

In a welcome move to improve the quality of Indian players in the league, ISL has altered its player guidelines to ensure that there must be two, and not one developmental player (born on or after January 1, 2000) in each club's 18-member matchday squads.

As reported earlier, the 2020-21 season of the ISL will see a mandatory Asian player take the field for clubs. The clubs will be allowed to sign a minimum of five and a maximum of seven foreign players in a squad that can have as many as 35 players. There can also be a maximum of 30 and a minimum of 18 Indian players in a squad next season. For comparison, clubs were only allowed to sign at most 18 Indian players in the fourth season of ISL.

While the clubs will have to follow a four foreign player rule in the starting XI from the 2021-22 season, the upcoming season will give all clubs the option to sign a maximum of seven and a minimum of five foreign players. The minor and gradual changes in ISL's policies can be looked at as a step in the right direction, given the need to develop Indian players in all positions in order to improve the competitivenes of the Indian players. 

As for the salary cap for players, there will be no change in the INR 16.5 Cr figure from last season. 

The 2020-21 season of the Indian Super League could face a delayed start due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As it stands, no deadlines have been set for the submission of players' documents.

The summer transfer is from August 1 to October 20, 2020.

AC Milan midfielder Refiloe Jane has signed a contract extension for another season with the Italian Seria A women's giants.

The development is coming on the heels of the premature termination of the 2019-20 season on June 8 without title winners as Maurizio Ganz began plans for the upcoming 2020-21 campaign.

Before the league cancellation, the 27-year-old resumed training with her teammates on May 27 in anticipation of the restart before the subsequent cancellation which was ratified on June 16.

Jane, who joined the Italian outfit last summer after she parted ways with Australian side Canberra United in April 2019, whom she scored twice and provided an assist in eight appearances.

Before signing a one-year contract in Italy, Banyana Banyana deputy captain had arrived from guiding South Africa to retain the Cosafa Women's Cup on their home ground last August.

The former Colchester United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Vaal University of Technology midfielder scored twice in 15 appearances to help AC Milan to third spot with 35 points after 15 games.

Goal understands the Serie A club decided to retain the services of the South Africa international amidst the team's ongoing massive clear out, having parted ways with 10 players.

An Italian source reports that Jane and Dominika Conc were retained while Monica Mendes, Sandra Zigic, Mai Bellucci, Francesca Zanzi and Pamela Begic.

Other players affected in the clear out are Nora Heroum, Patricia Andrade, Marta Carissimi, Martina Capelli and Raffaella Manieri.

As the first South African female to play in the Serie A, she will now hope to help Maurizio Ganz's side to domestic glory next season.

Italy has now become the latest of Europe's top-flight leagues to prematurely declare their season over after the Spanish Primera Iberdrola, French and English Women's Super League.

Mainz forward Taiwo Awoniyi disclosed that he wanted to continue playing despite a nasty head collision with Augsburg’s Felix Uduokhai.

The 22-year-old was stretchered off in the 23rd minute with his neck in a brace before he was rushed to the hospital for further observation. Subsequently, he was replaced by German-Nigerian Karim Onisiwo.

Achim Beierlorzer’s men suffered a 1-0 home defeat to the Fuggerstadter thanks to Florian Niederlechner’s first minute strike and they now sit three places above the relegation zone after accruing 31 points from 31 games.

Now in a stable condition, the Nigeria youth international stated that being in an unconscious state, he still craved to continue with the encounter, while applauding the medics for reviving him as well as the fans for their goodwill messages.

“What I find interesting about this incident is that the doctors and paramedics told me that while they were attending to me at the stadium after the collision I was saying I want to continue playing,” he told Ojbsport.

“I am so thankful and grateful to God for being alive. It happened so fast and I didn’t even know what was going on, but in my mind all I was saying was I wanted to continue playing.

“I regained consciousness in the hospital and was told of what happened in the stadium. To be alive and okay is the greatest gift that anybody can wish for and I am so appreciative.

“I appreciate them for the work they did and I also thank the fans for the well wishes.”

The Liverpool loanee scored his first Mainz goal on May 17 in a 2-2 versus Cologne in a German top-flight clash after replacing Dong-Won Ji.

He is unlikely to feature when Mainz visit the Signal Iduna Park for Wednesday’s tie with Borussia Dortmund.

Awoniyi joined the Reds in 2015 but has since spent his time out on loan, with the club unable to secure a UK work permit for the player.

Spells at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen and Gent failed to work out, but the Nigeria U23 star was impressive in two stints with Belgian outfit Mouscron.

Hansi Flick did not shy away from a potential treble bid after Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title on Tuesday.

Bayern have been in outstanding form since Flick's November appointment, winning 26 of their 29 matches in all competitions, and their first major silverware of the campaign was delivered with two matches to spare as Robert Lewandowski's first-half goal secured a decisive 1-0 win at Werder Bremen.

Bayern's season is far from over however, as they now turn their attention towards the DFB-Pokal final against Bayer Leverkusen, and then the Champions League.

The German champions hold a 3-0 first-leg lead over Chelsea in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition, with their performance in that match and subsequent fixtures prompting talk of a stunning sweep of the prizes on offer.

"We have now taken the first step and achieved our first big goal by winning the champion," head coach Flick told Sky Sport. "But we still have the DFB-Pokal as our next goal. 

"Of course, there is also the Champions League. It is clear it cannot be planned. It will be difficult enough to come through the game against Chelsea first. Then we'll see what's going to happen. It will be difficult and we have to be fit."

Bayern were below their brilliant best against Werder but held on for the victory following Alphonso Davies' contentious red card with 11 minutes to go.

Flick added: "With the red card, Bremen were a bit braver. We had to defend and did it sensationally. That is why there is no criticism today.

"I am very, very happy and can only say it again and again: you never succeed alone. We are just one unit and I really enjoy being here."

Flick suggested the title-clinching triumph epitomised his team and their spirit.

"The football we have played in the last few months has been sensational," he said. "You can feel the passion, enthusiasm and fighting spirit, even today after the red card."

Lewandowski's sublime 43rd-minute finish proved enough to seal the points and the championship, his 31st goal of the league campaign wrapping up a 30th German title for Bayern.

Quique Setien praised Antoine Griezmann for doing a "commendable job" in Barcelona's 2-0 La Liga victory over Leganes on Tuesday.

A goal from Ansu Fati opened the scoring for Barca, with the young Spanish star shining throughout a strong performance.

Lionel Messi's second-half penalty, meanwhile, saw Barca seal the victory while restoring their five-point lead atop the table.

Griezmann, however, again largely struggled, continuing a run of concerning performances dating back to before the coronavirus-caused break.

The forward had an effort ruled out for offside and he has just eight goals in 28 La Liga games in his first season since making the move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid.

In total, Griezmann has scored 14 goals across 38 matches, leaving him tied with the injury-plagued Luis Suarez for second in goals at the club behind Messi.

It's a drop-off from Griezmann's efforts with Atleti, with the forward having netted at least 20 goals in each of his five seasons with Diego Simeone's side.

But Setien praised the France international for his efforts, telling Movistar: "Griezmann is a boy who does a commendable job.

"He is an extremely important player."

Barcelona are yet to hit top form on the return from the coronavirus-enforced break, but managed to overcome La Liga's bottom side.

Setien said he expected a challenge unless his side found an early goal, with Fati's opener coming three minutes before half-time.

"I knew the game was going to be difficult. Unless you have the fortune of getting it right at the beginning, which opens the game, it will be complicated. It has been so," he said.

"We started very well, but then we lost some balls and gave them life. It happened to us in the cup match [in January]. They could have scored, then we have already controlled the last 20 minutes.

"They close very well and defend very well. It is not easy to find spaces."

Barcelona's busy run of fixtures continues with a trip to Sevilla on Friday, marking the club's third game back from the break.

After that, Messi, Griezmann and co. will jump right back into action four days later for a home match against Athletic Bilbao.

Robert Lewandowski wants to see even more from Bayern Munich in the Champions League after sealing another Bundesliga title.

Lewandowski's first-half goal lifted Bayern to a 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Tuesday, securing an eighth straight league title despite Alphonso Davies' late red card.

Hansi Flick's men are on track to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after a 3-0 away win over Chelsea in the last-16 first leg, with the tournament set to be completed in August.

Lewandowski, who has scored 46 goals this season, hopes Bayern can reach another level in Europe's top club competition.

"We are German champions. Of course it is a bit complicated without celebrating fans. That certain extra, this passion is missing," the striker said, via the club's website.

"We are still very satisfied. It was not an easy season, we fought for the title for a long time. I hope that we can celebrate with the fans in the stadium soon.

"Werder played a little more defensively but well in the first half. In the second half we should have scored a goal, then it would have been a little easier.

"We showed that we are the best team in Germany and we want to play even better in the Champions League."

Lewandowski's team-mate Thomas Muller labelled the championship win as one of the most emotional moments in his career.

"We had to fight hard, but that describes a bit the situation of the last few weeks," he told ARD. "We stayed with it.

"The fighting spirit, regardless of the quality, is enormous.

"With this comeback that we started and the way we played in the second half of the season, I have rarely had so many emotional moments in Bundesliga matches, whether at Borussia Dortmund [a 1-0 win last month] or today.

"When I look at the boys, we achieved this common goal and it is one that we achieved with pride."

Bayern's celebrations were dampened slightly by restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Muller was determined to enjoy the triumph.

"We will devote ourselves to the evening in compliance with the rules and let the emotions run wild for the time being," he said.

"During the coronavirus period, everyone has to have a single table, but we will not necessarily give up.

"You can still lift a glass two metres away with a little distance."

Bayern still have two Bundesliga games remaining this season, hosting Freiburg on Saturday before taking on Wolfsburg a week later.

David Silva will finish the season with Manchester City and hopefully receive a "proper farewell" later, manager Pep Guardiola said.

Silva was coming out of contract at the end of June, but the playmaker will see out the campaign with City, having confirmed this season would be his last at the Etihad Stadium.

And Guardiola hopes the 34-year-old, who has been at the Premier League club since 2010, can get a proper tribute at some stage, with games resuming behind closed doors.

"Yeah, David will stay until the end of season," he told reporters ahead of City's return to action with a clash against Arsenal on Wednesday.

"He will finish the last games without people, but hopefully he and the club can organise a proper farewell in front of people.

"Big clubs become incredible clubs when they make gestures to incredible players who have been here more than a decade. Like Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Yaya Toure … all these players, Pablo Zabaleta. Sorry for the names I forget, but they know who they are.

"The situation is what it is, no-one wants it, David especially. The club will make an agreement with David and do what they have to do."

Former Spain playmaker Silva joined City from Valencia in 2010 and over the subsequent decade established himself as one of the club's finest ever players.

The 34-year-old has won four Premier League titles, five EFL Cups and two FA Cups – the first of which in 2011 ended City's 35-year trophy drought.

Before the start of the current campaign, Silva stated 2019-20 would be his final season in England.

Although his deal will now be extended beyond June 30 under special provisions for clubs to try to finish the schedule despite the Covid-19 pandemic, he told AS that position has not altered.

"I will say one thing, I am moving forward. I am sorry, I have been here 10 years and I have fulfilled what I wanted," Silva said.

"The cycle closes here, but I will always keep this club in mind for everything I have lived. From the first moment people have treated me incredibly.

"Here they have a great respect for you, people give admiration towards you. Now my family and I need another challenge."

City have a game in hand but are 25 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Former Getafe and Fulham midfielder Derek Boateng has advised in-demand Atletico Madrid ace Thomas Teye Partey to prioritise success in deciding his club future.

The 27-year-old is reportedly a top priority of Arsenal while Manchester United, PSG and Chelsea have also been mentioned as possible destinations.

This season, he has so far made 25 league appearances for Los Rojiblancos, starting 22 of the games and scoring twice.

"For me as a senior brother, as an experienced player, I like him [Partey] a lot, he’s such a respectful player and wherever he is right now he deserves it," Boateng told SPORTSworldGhana.

"I personally want him to play where he will be happy. We all know that he is playing every game at Atletico Madrid [but] we don’t [really] know what goes on there. Only he knows what is going on there and can explain things better. The Premier League is also a good league for him to play but at the end of the day, you have to play where you will be happy and also be respected.

"About seven people have even sent me messages on Instagram that I should advise Partey to move to Arsenal but the best advice I can give him is that he should play where he will be happy. If Atletico Madrid is making him happy and he is playing week in week out, then he should stay there, play and enjoy the game.

"When I was in Spain, I played against him and after the game we talked for a while, so I know him. I remember he once had an interview when he started his career at Mallorca and he mentioned that he likes me, Andres Iniesta, Yaya Toure [and similar] kinds of players but I am his role model and that he wants to be like me, he wants to play like me.

"I think he has to check where his style of play suits because sometimes you can make a move and you won’t finish well."

Partey joined Atletico from Ghana in 2011.

After time in the Rojiblancos' youth set-up, he was sent on double loans to Real Mallorca and Almeria before making his senior breakthrough at his parent club in 2015-2016.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey is good enough to play for "the best teams in Europe", according to head coach Diego Simeone.

Thomas has been linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal after eight years in Madrid, where he first featured for Atleti's youth and reserve teams.

Simeone can see why such a transfer would appeal to the London club and several other European giants, even if Thomas is still searching for consistency.

"Thomas is the one who best understands this position and the transition from defence to attack, shooting, scoring, providing assists and playing passes between the lines," Simeone told reporters ahead of Atleti's game against Osasana.

"When he's at his best level consistently, he's so good that all the best teams in Europe are looking at him."

Joao Felix was one of the continent's most sought-after talents this time last year, but his first season at Atleti has not gone entirely to plan.

A €126 million (£112m/$142m) signing from Benfica, the Portuguese has scored just four times in La Liga and did not feature in the weekend draw with Athletic Bilbao due to a knee problem.

"[Joao Felix] had started these recent training sessions very well, but then he had to sit out due to a knee problem," Simeone said. "Now he is working with the same enthusiasm. We will assess how he is, we will do a couple of tests, and based on this, we will decide what is best for tomorrow [against Osasuna].

"He has to do what he has done in other games, against Villarreal, Liverpool.

"He had a great pre-season, a very good start, then he had an injury. It was difficult for him to return because of the rhythm and the association with his new team-mates. Then he started to be the player from the beginning.

"He is a young boy. It is normal that this happens to him during the season, but we have the idea that he is very important from here to the end."

Simeone's comments came after Atletico confirmed defender Felipe had suffered a thigh strain. The 31-year-old suffered a setback having already missed Sunday's stalemate at Athletic, Atleti’s first game since La Liga's resumption, through injury.

"Felipe Monteiro underwent further tests at the Clinica Universidad de Navarra that confirmed a muscle strain in the quadriceps of his left thigh," the team said on Tuesday. "Although the defender has made progress since the previous tests he underwent last week, the area requires maximum caution and he will continue to train and be assessed individually."