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England manager Gareth Southgate has urged football to rid itself of its white privilege problem as he revealed he had witnessed the blockage of black coaches and staff from prominent positions.

With anti-racism protests spreading worldwide following the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd, the spotlight has turned to discrimination within the football world.

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling says tackling racism is the most important issue society faces and that he believes that former Three Lions stars Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole have been given fewer opportunities in their coaching careers than team-mates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Southgate believes the hindrance of black coaches and staff is football's 'biggest crime' and called for the career path to be equal for all.

"I think Ashley Cole is developing very well and on a similar route to what Steven did – in that Steven worked in Liverpool’s academy for a couple of years,” Southgate said.

"On a broader scale, we lack that representation. The biggest crime for us in any area, if we’re adults looking at kids, is if they sit and think that a path in life isn’t possible. And is not accessible.

"I heard Jermain Defoe say a few days ago: ‘Is it worth me taking my [coaching] qualifications?’

"We have to avoid the feeling that you can’t achieve something because that stops some people going for it.

"We have to make sure the opportunity is there when people are qualified and capable.  And then, of course, they have to grasp that opportunity.

"If they can do well, they’ll role model what’s possible to the next generation.”

Southgate moved into football management as head of coach of Middlesbrough in 2006 after a distinguished playing career at the Teeside club, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, while also making 54 appearances for England.

He recognised he most likely wouldn't have been given that chance at Middlesbrough if it wasn't for his standing at the club and he feels that is a situation that would not happen for others.

"I know that I got an opportunity at Middlesbrough when I wasn’t qualified," Southgate said. "That came because I had worked at the club and the owner knew me.

"But I couldn’t say that opportunity would have been there for somebody else. And I think we are all very conscious of it.

"The power of what is happening at the moment is that people are standing together and these observations, these deeper-seated issues are rightly leading to the broader debate on opportunity, on privilege, and it’s important people speak out. I do feel there is a moment for change but I’m also conscious that we’ve been here before.

"People have spoken brilliantly over the last week – people like Troy Townsend, Chris Grant and David Olusoga. A lot of that will be uncomfortable for white people, in particular, but they are critical voices to be heard.

"It’s also important to hear from white voices because ultimately they are going to be in the positions to open up opportunity. We are the ones who have to be educated."

FC Dallas and U.S. men's national team defender Reggie Cannon says that Colin Kaepernick's much-criticized kneeling protests were right all along as the former NFL quarterback's message is now finally being listened to nearly four years after he first began his national anthem protest.

Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racism and police brutality in the United States, with the former San Francisco 49er consulting military veteran Nate Boyer to form a plan to send a message while still respecting those that had served.

However, Kaepernick's efforts were met with widespread backlash, including from President Donald Trump, who told NFL owners to fire any "son of a b*tch" that kneeled during the national anthem.

Since leaving the 49ers in 2017, though, Kaepernick has not been signed by any other team, despite leading his team to the Super Bowl in 2012.

In recent weeks, though, the U.S. has experienced massive protests across the country following the death of George Floyd, with marches occuring all over the world in an effort to combat racism and police brutality.

And Cannon says that the ongoing movement only shows that Kaepernick's point was right the whole time, even if many didn't listen to his peaceful form of sending a message. 

"I can firmly say Kaepernick was right," Cannon told reporters. "Peaceful protests happened, but they weren’t accepted. … Now, you get people speaking out against violent protests. We had a peaceful protest, we’ve been peacefully protesting. It didn’t work. Now that people are being forced to listen, the message is getting out."

When asked if he plans on kneeling during the national anthem when MLS returns, Cannon added: "I don’t know. It may happen, it may not."

A number of the USMNT's stars have been vocal in recent weeks, with the likes of Weston McKennie, Zack Steffen, Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams joining Cannon in speaking out against racism and police brutality.

Several key members of the team have used their platforms to advocate for change, with McKennie saying that one FC Dallas teammate, Ryan Hollingshead, reached out to ask what he can do to help.

In addition, FC Dallas head coach Luchi Gonzalez reached out to Cannon and other black players on the team, later hosting a group call for players to discuss their experiences with racism.

"Having that power of social media, I’ve been using that a lot," Cannon said. "It helps inspire different conversations to be had. After I reposted that video of George Floyd, as uncomfortable as it was, sparked a conversation between me and Ryan. He reached out to ask what he could do to help. That’s important, it gives you a sense of unity."

"It’s not just us fighting the battle in this case, it’s been different," Cannon added. "It’s been a crazy couple of weeks but it’s a time for change."

A few days before the competition returns, La Liga has announced new broadcast experiences that will be part of the remaining eleven matchdays of the 2019/20 season.

Due to the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank matches will look and sound different than they did before the league was postponed.

The innovations have been implemented in two main areas: virtualisation of stands and fan audio as well as new camera positions and the images they will offer to viewers. Both will be carried out with the help of partners and implemented by Mediapro, the official production partner of La Liga.

“We have made these broadcasting changes so fans can enjoy LaLiga,” said La Liga President Javier Tebas.

“We work with global partners to offer a great viewer experience. We are in an exceptional situation, but for us, it has been important to be able to adapt and offer a compelling, cutting-edge broadcast to our fans.”

Virtualised stands and fan audio for television broadcasts

The biggest change for the return of the competition is the virtualised broadcasting that La Liga will offer to international broadcast partners, which will allow matches to be seen in an attractive way that closely resembles how they looked and sounded before the competition was postponed.

For these broadcasts, the stands will be virtualised and will always offer to-scale images of seated fans wearing the colours of the home club. To develop this digital experience, La Liga collaborated with Norwegian company VIZRT, which also works with other European leagues.

In moments when the game is stopped, this image of fans can be transformed into a canvas that matches the colour of the home team and will carry institutional messages among other offerings.

This innovative broadcast will also feature virtual sound, which has been obtained through collaboration with EA SPORTS FIFA, in a project called Sounds of the Stands. Through this, the audio library of La Liga official sponsor EA, which was recorded in real stadiums, has been used and has been digitally adapted so that it can be implemented in real time during the match. It will be adapted to the flow of the game as certain situations occur, such as a goal or a foul, creating what is known as Atmospheric Audio.

Cameras: New angles to bring action closer to fans

The match itself will also be seen differently due to new camera positions.

Some cameras will shift their location to positions where they would previously have affected the sightline of fans in the stands. Among other examples, the aerial camera will modify its flight path to offer new shots, the bench camera will be moved to the opposite stand, while robotic cameras will be used in the tunnel for reasons of health safety.

Kit canopies above the streets

La Liga Santander club kits are one of the competition's identifying features and will be showcased through hanging exhibitions to generate a buzz ahead of the restart.

Madrid (Calle Preciados), Seville (Calle Tetuan) and Bilbao (Arenal Bridge) will display these exhibitions between 8 and 11 June. The kits, which will carry the #BackToWin message, will create a colourful canopy to get fans in the mood before the competition resumes.

Video mapping projections onto iconic buildings

Also, this week, the league will give exposure to the real stars of the competition: the fans. It has invited supporters of La Liga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank clubs to take photos in their respective kits and to share them in order to feature in a unique projection campaign.

The images will be projected onto important buildings in various Spanish cities using video mapping on 10 and 11 June. These will be accompanied by a video that pays tribute to the fans of La Liga who represent the soul of the competition.

The Golden Tower in Seville, the Puerta del Sol and City Hall in Madrid, San Mames stadium and the tourist office in Bilbao and L'Hemisfèric in the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia are the locations where these images and video will be projected.

An international return

These La Liga initiatives are not restricted to Spain, with over 80 expected to be rolled out globally.

Among these initiatives, urban art commissioned by La Liga will appear in 12 cities across five continents, including Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Lagos, Hong Kong, London, and Paris. These artworks, displaying the colours and values of the competition, are designed to unite different countries and cultures through football and LaLiga.

Support from sponsors

To increase the impact of the competition's return, these initiatives will be supported by national and international sporting figures, who have already affiliated themselves with some activities and will continue to do so in the coming days.

Major companies and partners of LaLiga are also supporting the return, such as Banco Santander, PUMA, EA Sports, Budweiser, Rexona, BKT, LiveScore, El Corte Ingles, Samsung, Panini, Deliveroo, Allianz, STIHL, Mazda, Danone, Marques del Atrio, VITALDENT, Mail Boxes and RENFE.

Some of these have released their own campaigns with content that is linked to LaLiga and promotes #BackToWin, ensuring that they are part of this global event.

An example of one such campaign is #LaLigaBouncesBack, an initiative by PUMA and LaLiga involving 32 sports stars that celebrates the return of the competition. The video features stars from the United States, South Africa, and Australia among others as well La Liga Santander players such as Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, Santi Cazorla, Marc Bartra, Suso and Jan Oblak.

All of these changes, which will be maintained as long as matches have to be played behind closed doors, continue La Liga's commitment to bring fans at home the best experience.

Barcelona head coach Quique Setien said he did not have "any doubts" over Lionel Messi's fitness as the superstar captain prepares to face Real Mallorca.

Messi returned to group training on Monday following concerns over a quadriceps injury that forced the six-time Ballon d'Or winner to train away from the squad.

Setien had previously stated that Messi is "perfectly fine" as the Barcelona boss addressed the superstar's physical condition after the Argentine trained by himself last week.

La Liga resumes on Thursday following a three-month break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic, with leaders Barca – two points clear of Real Madrid through 27 game – visiting Mallorca on Saturday.

Messi is set to face Mallorca after Setien told Catalunya Radio: "We didn't have any doubts over his availability against Mallorca.

"There have also been others with [injury] problems. He stopped [training] out of precaution."

After facing Mallorca, Barcelona will host Leganes three days later before taking visiting Sevilla on June 19 for a third match in six days. 

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez has been declared fit to play for Barca in their final 11 matches of the 2019-20 season after recovering from the knee operation he underwent in January.

Suarez had surgery on the external meniscus of his right knee at the start of the year, having reportedly struggled with the issue for several months at that point.

Setien, however, is unsure whether the 33-year-old Uruguay international forward will start away to Mallorca.

"It's something that we have to talk about," Setien said. "I'm sure he could play from the start. It would be hasty for him to play the whole match. We don't know if he'll play from start to finish.

"He's doing very well, but we have to avoid putting him at risk. Any [injury] problem makes you miss three or four matches, which would be very damaging."

Setien added: "He's an extraordinary player. He has some qualities that any team would want.

"He's very active, he puts a lot of pressure on opponents and defences, his movement is good and he has great effectiveness. He's a great addition, without doubt."

Uchenna Kanu has revealed she is enjoying the start of her professional career as she continues to settle into life at Sevilla.

The Nigeria international is in her first season at Sevilla having joined this January after completing her four-year college studies in the USA, where she emerged as the all-time top-scorer with 157 goals.

She arrived with a reputation as one of Africa’s brightest young prospects after starring in Nigeria's triumph at the Wafu Women's Cup, scoring 10 goals before her Women's World Cup debut in 2019.

Things haven’t always gone to plan for the 22-year-old, though, as she adjusts to life in a new country with new team-mates and in a new position during the cancellation due to the global health crisis.

"I am in Sevilla right now and I am trying my best to stay safe and stay fit as well," Kanu told Goal with LaLiga.

"It’s sad that the situation is like this but I believing in God that everything will be sorted as soon as possible. 

"I’m doing well, I've my teammates and everyone is helping each other to get through this moment. To start with language, it’s not good and I’ve been struggling with it. 

"Thanks to God, I have a few people who came from America and speak English on the team, and a few of my coaches as well. They try to help me understand better. 

"Currently, I am taking Spanish language class, my club provided me with that and with everything else I think I like it here in Spain. I like my team, teammates, coaches and the training sessions have been pretty cool."

Before her move to Spain, she featured in four matches at the Women's World Cup last year, with Nigeria, having represented the country at the U17 and U20 Women's World Cup tournaments.

In her quest for a full-time professional stint, the Nigerian has left the United States after her graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Management to join Cristian Toro's ladies. 

Since her debut against Barcelona, Kanu has featured in six matches in all competitions for Sevilla, helping the outfit to the Women's Cup semi-finals before the halt due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The striker, who is launching her career in Spain admits she is unhappy not scoring a goal yet but is keen to improve with time and deliver many goals in the 2020-21 Primera Iberdrola season.

"Transitioning from the US is different, obviously, playing for a college in the US is not the same as playing professionally," she continued.

"There is a lot of hard work, more professionalism, a lot of challenge and seriousness. Most of the time, players don’t take it seriously as they don’t want to play pro but just want to play in college and have fun. 

"It’s been good for me here. I feel like I’m beating myself for the fact that I haven’t scored. However, I have been having some positive comments from people about my performances and contribution to the team. 

"I am planning on making it better next season and correct all my wrongs this season and get better. Try to score goals and help my team more because I felt like I should have scored a lot of goals - like four goals in six games but that hasn’t happened. 

"I feel next season will be a lot better with all I’ve experienced and I’m up for the challenge and have high hopes that everything is going to be better and I’m ready to give it my all next season."

The 20-year-old player has caught the eye with his versatility in his debut PSL season which has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Blom, who has been praised by coach Ernst Middendorp, revealed he will be ready to train with his teammates when Amakhosi return.

“As far as my injury from the tight thigh muscle,” Blom told the club's official website on Tuesday, “Our technical team has been supportive and giving me all the necessary treatment and encouragement I need.

"I am okay now and once we get back to the fields, I should be ready to return to playing.”

The former South Africa under-20 international also disclosed how he has been keeping fit during the current lockdown which was imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

“Nothing much in terms of training has changed except for doing it in isolation and away from the fields," he continued.

“We are working out from home. We all have a program to follow and the technical team is monitoring us online.”

Blom cannot forget the performances he produced when Chiefs beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the league played in Tshwane last October.

“It was my first big match I played since I turned out for the first team. I think I did well on the day and from the feedback I received, it really made me proud," he said.

"I will always cherish that moment and most importantly use that performance as a yardstick to be repeated consistently going forward. It was a high tempo game and I am glad I helped the team to perform on the day.”

The Soweto-born player also picked Chiefs' 2-1 defeat to Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout Cup match which was played last November, as his worst match for the first team thus far.

“I also won’t forget to learn from the worst moments in my game. When we lost to Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout Cup semi-finals, we committed lots of errors, especially at the back," he added.

"I have moved on and think that experience will help me to improve in my game.”

Nigeria international Asisat Oshoala is delighted over the return to training with her teammates at the Spanish Primera Iberdrola champions this week.

The 25-year-old joined Barca in January 2019 and has been in a breathtaking form, scoring 36 goals in 36 games in all competitions to solidify her name as one of the world's best female strikers.

In the outgone season, she finished as the second Spanish top-flight highest scorer, scoring 20 goals in 19 matches to help Barcelona to the league diadem - the first title in five years without defeat.

The European country - where Oshoala has been banging the goals was one of the most hit countries by the Covid-19 disease, with 289,046 cases and 27,136 deaths recorded, as of Tuesday.

The Spanish top-flight was one of the football leagues in Europe that was cancelled, with seven matches left to go due to the coronavirus pandemic in May after a three-month-long suspension.

With lockdown eased by the Spanish government in May, Oshoala and her teammates are back at the club's training grounds on Monday following three weeks of conducting individual sessions.

Before claiming the title, the former Arsenal and Liverpool striker won the Catalunya Cup and the Super Women's Cup with Luis Cortes' team.

The return to training means Cortes' side are gearing up for the Women's Champions League semi-final showdown with Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid which was initially scheduled for May.

Uefa is set to decide on the indefinitely postponed competition this week as last season's runners-up will be eager to know their fate in their bid to claim the first continental crown this term.

Admira Wacker secured a comfortable 3-0 triumph over St. Polten in Tuesday’s Austrian Bundesliga play-offs with substitute Seth Paintsil bagging two assists.

With the visitors holding on to a slim lead at the NV Arena, the Ghanaian who was brought in with 11 minutes left to play conjured moments of magic to guarantee his team maximum points.

Wacker came into the encounter on the back of two successive defeats in the Austrian elite division and faced a tough task against the hosts who silenced Swarovski Tirol 5-0 the last time out.

Nevertheless, they took the lead in the 40th minute through Roman Kerschbaum who had been cautioned nine minutes earlier.

Even at the deficit, St. Polten pushed for an equaliser but their efforts met a strong resistance from the visitor’s backline plus impressive goalkeeping from Andreas Leitner.

In the 79th minute, manager Philip Thonhauser brought in Paintsil for Sinan Bakis – and that proved to be the tonic needed to secure a valuable away triumph.

Three minutes to full-time, the 24-year-old assisted Daniel Toth for his team’s second goal, before helping Pascal Petlach two minutes later.

Sierra Leone international George Davies was on parade from start to finish for Alexander Schmidt’s Polten while Issiaka Ouedraogo was handed a starter’s role but was substituted for Cory Burke after 64 minutes.

Ouedraogo, 31, has featured 12 times for the Burkina Faso senior national team, and eight times so far with a goal to show for his efforts for his club.

With the victory, Admira Wacker move up to fourth in the relegation-playoffs log having accrued 12 points from 25 outings, same as Polten although with an inferior goals difference.

Wacker host Swarovski Tirol in their next outing on Saturday, as St. Polten visit Rheindorf Altach on the same day.

Having featured in Tuesday’s encounter, Paintsil now boasts 15 Bundesliga games but still waits for his maiden goal.

He was promoted to the club’s senior team last season having spent four seasons in the Finnish league where he featured for FF Jaro and Jakobstads BK.

Boasting a Ghanaian passport, he is eligible to represent the Black Stars at international level.

Asante Kotoko have been barred from making any new player signings for the next year, life patron Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has instructed.

The development was revealed as the club's new board convened for the first time on Tuesday.

The Kumasi-based side is arguably Ghana's biggest club and the most successful in the history of the Premier League with 23 titles.

"Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has directed that the club should not recruit any new player for at least a season," chief of staff of the Manhyia Palace, Kofi Badu, said. The Manhyia Palace is the seat of Otumfuo.

"The reason is to temporarily stop the player attrition rate and enable us to work with the current crop of players, who the Asantehene thinks have the quality to push the club to the top."

A new nine-member Kotoko board was announced last month.

The unit is led by Kwame Kyei, who has been at the helm of affairs for the last three years.

Jude Arthur (Board Chairman for Ghana Commercial Bank), Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi (Board Chairman Ghana EXIM Bank), Kwasi Osei Ofori (Chairman Erdmark Group/ CEO Rocksure Mining Ltd), Lawyer Kwamina Mensah (Corporate Lawyer), Alhaji Lamine (Businessman), Joseph Yaw Adu (Retired Director of Sports at Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology), Baffour Kwame Kusi (Otumfuo's Ankobeahene), and Evelyn Nsiah Asare (Acting Head of Sports at Sunyani Technical University) complete the board.

"His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehe, has constituted a new board of directors for Asante Kotoko Sporting Club and charged it with an ambitious task to rebuild the Asante Kotoko brand not only for its performance on the sporting field but as a viable economic entity," a statement from Manhyia Palace said in announcing the new board.

''The Board will be the highest decision-making body of the club, responsible to the sole shareholder for policy formation and active oversight over the management, development, financial control, technical direction and performance of the club.

''Against the backdrop of recent disquiet among stakeholders and without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing Prof. Lydia Nkansah Committee, His Majesty has tasked the Board to rebuild the Asante Kotoko SC brand both for its performance on the sporting field and as a viable and self-sustaining economic entity able ultimately to reclaim its pre-eminent position among the elite clubs of Africa.''

Last month, Kotoko almost copped a transfer ban by Fifa for breaching player transfer rules in the signing of Ghana striker Emmanuel Clottey from Tunisian fold Esperance in 2015.

The offence caused the 1970 and 1983 African champions to pay $240,000 [€218,915].

Michaela Abam has opened up on what her experience was like in her first-ever Women's World Cup with Cameroon in France. 

Born and raised in the United States of America, Abam shot into prominence during her days at West Virginia University, scoring 42 goals in 95 games before being snapped up Sky Blue in 2018.

Having being born to Cameroonian parents, she was eligible to suit up for the Central Africans and made her debut for the country in a 7–0 win against Zambia, scoring twice in November 2018.

She made the Cameroon squad for the 2018 African Women's Cup of Nations in Ghana but could not feature due to passport issues and later went on to earn her place for the 2019 Women's World Cup.

At the global event in France, she started in three matches as the Indomitable Lionesses reached the Round of 16 and she has described her debut as one 'I will remember for the rest of my life'.

"It wasn’t a silver lining and it was really something I will remember for the rest of my life," Abam told Goal with LaLiga.

"It was an honourable thing in the fact that I am US-born you know and having through my parents to represent my root country. 

"I have this opportunity to kind of beam light to the continent a little bit more which was really inspiring and appreciative for me. 

"It was tough I won’t lie, even going into the camp beforehand, it was like a whole month or two we were preparing for the tournament. 

"I think that was the hardest part as you’re into the fire here and trying to spark the light and once you end up there, it was another whole level. 

"The team, the players, probably wouldn’t have experienced that in my life if I never started with that. 

"I am super grateful for the opportunity and being able to represent at a stage like that. It was really nice."

The former Sky Blue, Paris FC, and Real Betis striker had missed the Women's Olympic Qualifiers but she is keen to make a return to the Cameroon fold ahead of this year's Awcon.

Manchester United had a scare at their Carrington training ground on Tuesday as a friendly was cancelled at the last minute after Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill tested positive for the coronavirus.

The two clubs had arranged a behind-closed-doors friendly at Man Utd's training base as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side step up preparations ahead of the return of the Premier League, beginning with a visit to Tottenham on June 19.

Players from both teams were spotted arriving at Man Utd's training base only for the Stoke players to leave shortly after, before a ball was kicked.

It is understood Stoke were preparing for the game in the Academy Building when news filtered through from the EFL of a positive Covid test which had been taken the day before in preparation for the restart of the Championship.

The visiting players left the training ground and Solskjaer’s side continued with their preparations including an inter-squad game. It is understood Stoke players and staff had not come into contact with any Man Utd players or staff due to safety protocols that are currently in place at the training ground.

Stoke announced on Tuesday evening that it was O'Neill that had produced the positive test as the manager will now enter a period of isolation as the team continues preparation for a return to play.

"Stoke City can confirm that manager Michael O'Neill has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following the latest round of testing on Monday (June 8)," the club said in a statement. "O'Neill had tested negative in the previous five rounds of testing.

"He will now follow the relevant guidance and undergo a period of isolation, whilst continuing to be in regular virtual contact with his coaching staff and players.

"Assistant manager Billy McKinlay will take charge of training as the Potters prepare for their game against Reading on June 20.

"The Club will be making no further comment on this matter."

Premier League players and staff have been tested six times for the virus, ahead of next week’s restart, with the latest set of results showing zero positives from 1,195 tests.

Out of the six rounds of tests there have been a total of 13 positives out of 6,274 tests carried out, and none of them have been at Manchester United.

Solskjaer’s side returned to their Carrington training base at the end of last month after the go-ahead was given for socially distanced training and preparations have been going well.

"Everyone knows that we will have to be at our best, have to be focused against Tottenham,” Solskjaer told the club website.

"We know it's a big game for everyone. We had Chelsea when we started the league this season so I'm confident that our players can go into the Tottenham game with that mentality of going there to play a very good game of football.

"Training has been about recapping what we did well, tweaking maybe one or two things and looking at some new ideas, but hopefully we can see a lot of what we saw towards the end before the lockdown."

AC Milan winger Samu Castillejo says he was robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old posted in an Instagram story that he was the victim of an armed robbery, with reports in Italy saying he stopped at a traffic light in his car when two men approached him and took his watch.

"Is everything fine in Milan? Two guys have robbed me while pointing a gun at my face," he wrote.

The Spaniard followed up to say that he emerged from the incident shaken but unscathed and has reported it to police.

Castillejo joined Milan two years ago from Villarreal in a €21 million (£16m/$20m) move.

He has since made 59 appearances and scored five goals for the Rossoneri.

Castillejo has featured 16 times in the league this term, starting 12 of those.

He has three years left on his contract and despite his limited role so far in 2019-20, he said last month that he is planning on staying at the club for a long time.

"Those who know me know how tough I am, beyond the appearance I give with my hair and tattoos. I'm a very humble boy," Castillejo said in an interview with AS .

"The first year was adaptive, it is difficult to show what you can do when getting just 15 minutes and only starting one game every two or three weeks.

"If there is confidence and you're made to feel important you feel better about yourself.

"I always wanted to succeed here. I want to stay at the club for a long time. The truth is that 2020 had started well. I have played every game and at a good level. I hope it continues like this."

The San Siro outfit will be back in action later this month when they take on Juventus in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie on June 12.

Then they will return to Serie A duty when Stefano Pioli’s men take on relegation candidates Lecce on June 22.

Milan are currently seventh in the Italian top flight and three points behind Napoli, who occupy the final spot that guarantees a place in the Europa League play-offs next term.

Bayer Leverkusen swept aside overmatched minnows Saarbrucken to reach the final of the DFB-Pokal with a 3-0 away win.

Saarbrucken were declared champions of their truncated Regionalliga Sudwest campaign – week-by-week consistency having gone hand in hand with an incredible cup run – when Germany's lower categories were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It meant the fourth-tier side had not played for more than three months by the time Leverkusen, fifth in the Bundesliga, arrived at Hermann-Neuberger-Stadion.

Despite the likes of Kai Havertz and Leon Bailey sitting out the contest entirely, Peter Bosz's men were 2-0 up inside 19 minutes thanks to Moussa Diaby and Lucas Alario, with Karim Bellarabi getting in on the scoring act after half-time.

Kerem Demirbay had an early shot deflected wide before a sublime chipped pass from the playmaker found a swivelling Diaby to volley the 11th-minute opener.

Alario capitalised on a defensive mix-up to lash home at the near post and effectively end the contest, with the opening half continuing to take place almost exclusively inside the Saarbrucken half thereafter.

Paulinho clipped a clever effort beyond goalkeeper Daniel Batz and narrowly wide of the left-hand post after Alario opened up the home defence.

Saarbrucken bodies were launched in the direction of Mitchell Weiser's 42nd-minute drive to help keep the deficit down at the break.

A double substitution robbed Leverkusen of their fluency during the opening stages of the second half, although any whiff of encouragement was snuffed out when Demirbay teed up one of the replacements, Bellarabi, to slam home from inside the box.

Paulinho exchanged passes with another substitute, Kevin Volland, to lash over in the 72nd minute before Batz saved sharply from the latter and Markus Mendler scuffed a wonderful chance for a memorable Saarbrucken consolation.

What does it mean? Lockdown shuts the door on Saarbrucken's dreams

Saarbrucken's improbable run to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal captured hearts and minds across German football but circumstances dictated their bid for one more memorable night was inevitably forlorn. A fourth-tier club taking on Champions League aspirants would require everything to fall in their favour at the best of times, but Lukas Kwasniok's men being forced to spend 94 days without match practice, as COVID-19 brought their league competition to a premature close, left them playing out a hopeless if noble endeavour.

Demirbay shows there can be life after Havertz

Havertz sat out Tuesday's tie as a precaution, allowing him to bask in being one of the hottest properties in Europe. A host of big hitters are purportedly lining up to take the Germany international off Bosz's hands, but the Leverkusen coach's trademark expansive style remained in good order without his talisman. That owed much to the mesmeric Demirbay, who created each of his side's goals.

Batz flaps unhelpfully

Batz will forever be remembered as the superhero of this Saarbrucken run, having saved a penalty in normal time and a remarkable four more during the quarter-final shoot-out against Fortuna Dusseldorf. It was unfortunate, therefore, to see him fail to claim Demirbay's cross and collide with Manuel Zeitz – allowing Alario to make it 2-0. There was no way back from there.

What's next?

Bayern Munich or Eintracht Frankfurt await in the final for Leverkusen, who were swatted aside 4-2 by the reigning Bundesliga champions at the weekend. Saarbrucken's next meaningful action will take place in 3.Liga – a fitting reward for their superb 2019-20.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has left the door open for a potential move to the Egyptian Premier League in future.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after ending his contract with Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor by mutual agreement in March.

Mikel quit the Black Sea Storm after expressing his fears of playing football amid the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

He was recently linked with a move to Brazilian side Botafogo who showed interest to sign him but the ex- Tianjin TEDA captain claimed he was yet to make a final decision.

During a chat with Egyptian media outfit OnTime Sports, the two-time English Premier League winner was quizzed about a potential move to the Egyptian topflight.

“Playing in the Egyptian Premier League? Why not?” said Mikel as reported by Kingfut.

“I am a professional footballer and everything is possible. I never ruled anything out.

“My goal is to continue playing football, and I hope I will have the opportunity, I do not reject any offers made to me, but rather study them well until I make the right decision.”

Mikel left Chelsea after over 10 seasons at Stamford Bridge. There, he made 374 appearances and won eight major domestic honours and two European trophies.

He returned to English football on a short-term deal at Middlesbrough, after a spell at Chinese topflight outfit Tianjin TEDA.

Having represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels, he made his senior national team debut against Libya on August 17, 2005.

Mikel went ahead to feature in two Fifa World Cup tournaments and four Africa Cup of Nations, where he won the title in 2013 and bronze medals in 2006, 2010 and 2019. He also captained the U23 team to a third-place finish at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

However, he retired from international football after helping Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2019 Afcon staged in Egypt.

The 2005 Caf Most Promising Talent of the Year is Nigeria’s fourth most-capped player after Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa after garnering 86 caps in 14 years of service to fatherland – with six goals to his credit.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) defender Juma Kipenzi has revealed they want to face rivals Simba SC in the semi-finals of the domestic cup.

The two Tanzanian giants could meet again in the Kariokor derby before the season ends as Yanga have been drawn to face Kagera Sugar while Simba will face Azam FC in the quarters with winners from both matches facing off in the last four.

Makapu has now explained his main dream is for the two giants to meet again and has promised Yanga will once again beat Simba.

“We have been drawn to face Kagera and I have the confidence we will beat them and reach the semi-finals, and it is where I now want Simba to also beat Azam so that we clash again,” Makapu is quoted by Sokaletu.

“I am praying we meet them [Simba] again, we will beat them, we don’t fear them, actually they have nowadays become our customers and if we beat them then our work will be easier in the final.”

In the league this season, Yanga managed to beat Simba 1-0 in the second-round after the two sides had settled for a 2-2 draw in the first match.

The quarter-final matches will be played on June 31 and July 1.

Eight teams have made it to the last eight with the eventual winner getting a slot to represent the nation in the Caf Confederation Cup. The top four teams are all still in the competition hoping to go all the way to the final.

On the last Tuesday of the month, the first match will be between fourth-placed Namungo against Alliance. The game will be played at Uwanja wa Majaliwa in Lindi.

The second match of the day will be between Yanga and Kagera at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

On Wednesday, July 1, minnows Sahare All-Stars will be at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga against Ndanda FC. The latter come into the match as favourites owing to their undoubted quality in the squad as compared to the second-tier side.

The biggest match, arguably, will be played on the same day at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam and will be between Azam, who are the defending champions, and league leaders Simba.

Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela says it will "be a strange phenomenon" for Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs that command a huge following if the current season resumes with no fan attendance inside Stadiums.

Traditional giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are the most supported teams in South Africa and enjoy big and passionate crowds even during away games.

Bloemfontein Celtic and Black Leopards also play in front of capacity crowds at home.

With the PSL advocating for the return of football behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, Komphela said teams with a huge fan base could feel the effects of not having the backing of their supporters.

“It’s going to be a big challenge to the teams who carry bigger reputations and are used to playing in front of a full capacity or large crowds," said Komphela as per Sowetan Live.

"They might find this very strange‚ it’s going to benefit the other teams in the league. Playing football behind closed doors is another dynamic because there are advantages and disadvantages and I want to look at it from both sides. It will be very unfair of me to look at it from one side.

"You go to play at Loftus and you come across 40,000 yellow and green supporters and when you are Golden Arrows you have few supporters in the corner even though you have similar colours. You will be under pressure because Sundowns is going to enjoy the support because energy is everything in life. Supporters ignite their clubs and on matchday they become the 12th player.

"Teams that play without supporters and are used to playing without supporters are not going to be affected that much. However‚ for Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs‚ it is going to be a strange phenomenon to them because they will be playing in front of empty stadiums.”

“It is going to have a huge impact both emotionally and psychologically to the players and that can affect the technical output. Mind you‚ us who are just below those big three or four teams in the league‚ we are going out there saying that we won’t be beaten by Sundowns‚ Chiefs or Pirates and the motivation is going to be even extra.”

In the remaining league games, Chiefs will have to host Sundowns and the Brazilians will also have to play Pirates in big matches that are traditionally crowd-pullers that usually see tickets being sold out.

If the season continues, the matches behind closed doors will restart at a point where the title race is stiff with Chiefs leading second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns by four points although Amakhosi have played one match more.

Orlando Pirates will also be likely to play in an empty Orlando Stadium as they bid for a top-three finish.

PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has revealed the league will only try and find a replacement for Absa once there's a surety on what's going to happen to the current season. 

As things stand, the season has been suspended for over two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And this was met by Absa's decision to end their relationship which will come into effect once the 2019/20 campaign is complete. 

Absa decided against renewing their contract with the PSL after entering a three-year deal with the league in 2017.  

"The contract was for three years. So, it was not pulling out. It was the expiry of the contract which again is a question of deciding whether they continue or not continue," Khoza told eNCA. 

"But the decision to end the relationship was not an acrimonious one; it was a situation that we understand because, with Covid-19, anything is possible."  

Asked if the process to find Absa's replacement has begun, Khoza made it clear that it's impossible to begin that process at this stage. 

He cited the current situation that sees football suspended in the country as the stumbling block in opening negotiations with any company. 

"It's important that we finish the league first. Finishing the league means you know what you are selling because if you get a sponsor, [they'd ask] 'when are you starting?' - you can't provide an answer," said Khoza.    

A few high-profile companies such as Telkom, Nedbank, Bidvest and Betway have all been reported to be interested in taking over from Absa from next season. 

The league together with the South African Football Association (Safa) are working around the clock to ensure the season resumes. 

And there are indications that this could happen soon following Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe's statement that with teams having already fumigated their training facilities, the process of allowing teams to train may be sped up. 

There are eight to six rounds of matches left before the completion of the 2019/20 season - and the football fraternity is eagerly waiting to find out if the government will give the go-ahead to the league to play their remaining matches behind closed doors. 

The high court in France has blocked the relegation of Amiens and Toulouse from Ligue 1 after the 2019-20 season was cancelled.

The Professional Football League (LFP) named Paris Saint-Germain as Ligue 1 champions and relegated the bottom two following prime minister Edouard Philippe's April 28 announcement that all sporting events were banned until September amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision proved controversial as Toulouse and Amiens appealed against their relegation, while Lyon pursued legal action after they were denied a place in European competition next season because of their seventh-place finish.

The case was initially dismissed, but the clubs turned to the country's highest administrative court, which ruled that the call to end the season early was legal but suspended the relegatation of Amiens and Toulouse. Lyon's appeal, however, was rejected.

Regarding the season being ended early, the court ruled: "There is no serious doubt on the legality of this decision, which weighed the advantages and the disadvantages of an immediate stop of the championship, whereas a very great uncertainty affected the hypothesis of a possible restart of competitions in good time."

As a result of the judge's decision, the French top flight could be expanded to 22 teams, as Lorient and Lens will be promoted from Ligue 2.

The ruling continued: "The judge in summary proceedings considers that the board of directors of the LFP could not legally rely, in deciding to relegate the last two teams in Ligue 1, on the fact that the current agreement concluded with the French Football Federation (FFF) provides for a limit of 20 clubs, while this agreement ends on June 30 and a new agreement will have to be signed.

"The judge therefore orders the LFP, in conjunction with the competent bodies of the FFF, to re-examine the question of the format of Ligue 1 for the 2020-2021 season, in view of all the elements relating to the conditions under which this season is likely to take place, and to draw the consequences as to the principle of relegation before June 30."

After the French government admitted that cup final matches may take place in July and August, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin this week said the league could resume with play-offs before August 2.

Nine Ugandan Premier League (UPL) clubs will not be part of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) consultative meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 9.

In a letter to the UPL Secretariat and signed by Fufa CEO Edgar Watson Suubi, the Federation had invited 14 clubs in the top-tier, including the promoted MYDA FC, for a meeting this week.

"Fufa wishes to invite the clubs that have sportingly qualified for the 1st Division season 2020/2021 for a consultative meeting to consider... the following; club licensing programme for the season 2020/21, competition reforms," read the Fufa letter obtained by Goal.

"The meeting will take place on Wednesday 10th June at Fufa Executive House Conference Hall starting at 10 am.

"... In order to abide by the Covid-19 guidelines of social distancing, each club shall be represented by one person who shall be the club owner or their representative, in their absence, the club chairman or their representative, in their absence the club Chief Executive Officer.

"Remember to wear a face mask!" 

However, Mbarara City FC, Busoga United FC, Express FC, Bright Stars FC, BUL FC, SC Villa, Wakiso Giants, Onduparaka FC and Kyetume FC have revealed their intention of not honouring the meeting.

In a letter dated June 9 signed by Mbarara City Chairman Mwine Mpaka, the teams have given the reasons why they will not be part of the aforementioned meeting.

"The under-listed chairmen have noted with concern the following anomalies that we would like to draw your attention to; the invitation to discuss club licensing and league reforms in one meeting is ineffective and will not deliver the desired outcome of the meeting; the notice given is rather too short for us to make the necessary preparations and consultations," read part of the letter to UPL and obtained by Goal.

"We had earlier planned for a similar meeting scheduled for 18th June 2020 as communicated by [Bernard Bainamani] on the UPL forum.

"Owing to the above, therefore, we have unanimously agreed not to attend the scheduled meeting due on June 10th, 2020. The following suggestions are also proposed for better planning going forward.

"Organize a separate meeting for CEOs to discuss club licensing; organize a separate meeting for club chairmen to discuss strategic issues affecting the future of the league.”