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Ex-Manchester United star Mikael Silvestre has revealed how close he came to moving to Liverpool from Inter in the early stages of his career, claiming he was contacted personally by Gerard Houllier.

Silvestre enjoyed a hugely successful career spanning two decades, with his prime years spent on the books of Sir Alex Ferguson's United. The former France international racked up 353 appearances for the Red Devils between 1999 and 2008, winning 10 trophies in total, including four Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

He went on to play for Arsenal, Werder Bremen, Portland Timbers and Chennaiyin FC before hanging up his boots in 2014, but might have also had a spell at Anfield had he chosen a different route when leaving Inter at the age of 21.

"Marcello Lippi arrived at Inter and recruited another wing-back, Grigoris Georgatos, who was a bit older than me," Silvestre told FourFourTwo. "My game time was going to diminish and I wanted to play. Gerard Houllier had been my coach at youth level in France, so we knew each other well, and he called to ask if I wanted to join Liverpool.

"He said he wanted me to play left-back for them, and that while the competition would be there, I was in a good position to start most games."

The United legend went on to explain why he chose to snub Liverpool in favour of joining up with their arch-rivals, adding: "Alex Ferguson phoned me a few days later to register his interest.

"The choice was easy to make, because United had just won the Treble. Sir Alex was like, 'You’re going to play left-back and centre-back – I need you for both positions.'"

Silvestre ended up making his Red Devils debut against Liverpool, but insists there was no animosity between him and Houllier when they met on the touchline.

The 42-year-old said: "I remember that I arrived in Manchester on a Thursday and by Saturday I had already played my first game – at Anfield, of all places, against Liverpool!

"That was madness: I didn’t even know my team-mates or speak the language well. On matchday, I had a brief chat with Houllier, who jokingly asked me, 'Why didn’t you sign for us?' But he said he understood my choice."

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was all praise for his Bengaluru FC teammate Sunil Chhetri and went on to say that it would not be surprising if the 35-year-old goes on to play for six more years at the top level. 

While speaking about his introduction to football, Sandhu shared how winning a 100m race in school opened the doors for him to pick up the sport. He went on to claim that, in a race he could compete with Chhetri if not better him!

"I never watched football until 2006-07. I was born in a cricket-loving family. Even I love cricket. It's just that I found football. I started at my school academy. I won a 100m race. After I won the first race, it helped me get recruited in my academy. Then it was training twice a day training and getting in to a routine.

"I can compete with Chhetri in a race because I have bigger strides. He can play six-seven years easily. He is getting younger day by day," stated the India international during an online chat show hosted by the Indian Super League (ISL). 

Sandhu is currently in Sydney and has already started to train for the upcoming season with another Bengaluru FC teammate Erik Paartalu. He believes that he needs to improve with the ball at his feet and is currently honing his skills under the guidance of the Australian midfielder. 

"It is easy to train with Paartalu as we are in the same city. He knows the city very well and knows when and which pitch is free. We meet around three-four days a week. Erik makes me do a lot of hard work. I am trying to work on my passing and working with my left foot. Roy Krishna took advantage of my left foot (during the ISL last season). So I am working on it." 

The 28-year old accepted that the loss to Chennaiyin FC in the 2017-18 final of ISL was a huge setback, with Albert Roca stepping down after the final. He even considers the Marina Machans a greater rival to Bengaluru FC than Kerala Blasters.

"That was one of the worst nights at the Kanteerava. Losing the final is the biggest setback. We became more determined and we worked towards lifting the trophy. I was playing in a league format in Norway and mentally I was still in that league stage where things got over once you top the standings after the league. The shift was different for me to understand (adapt). It was also difficult when we came to know that (Albert) Roca would not coach us. But with Carles (Cuadrat) leading us it became easy. It was the same mindset and the same approach.

"If you slip there's always going to be someone behind you. Bengaluru did a lot in the past six-seven years. This season, a slip-up cost us a trophy. ATK was one of the most difficult sides to play. The way they defend made it more difficult. We had to take our chances. We did pretty well In the first leg. In the second leg, it was their quality that shone through. They deserved that result. We gave them the opportunity to be the better team," opined Sandhu. 

The Punjab-born player also revealed that Miku is the best player he has faced on Indian soil. He also said that apart from Bengaluru FC, he would like to don the jersey of either ATK or Kerala Blasters. 

Sandhu also opened up on one of India's best games in recent times where they managed to hold Asian champions Qatar to a goalless draw away from home. Gurpreet starred under the bar, pulling off several impressive saves.

"We had lost against Oman. It was a tough game. But going to Qatar and finding out Chhetri was not playing was a shock. But it was an opportunity to show that even without our best player we can do the job. I said the same thing in the dressing room. And we got a result. I have played more difficult games before though. The Iran game was much more difficult (in 2015). I was much more exhausted after that."

The former East Bengal player spent three years in Europe playing for Norway side Stabaek FC. He reckons that to be successful in Europe, one must start training there from the formative years.

"I think any player who goes at 15-16 years old in Europe can make it. You just have to work hard. You are training with better players, in better weather. It's not about playing but the journey is very important. That's what will make you a better player," concluded the goalkeeper.

Simba SC have emerged victorious in a friendly match against Transit Camp after a 4-2 win in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

It was the first match the defending Mainland Premier League champions have taken part in since the teams were allowed to converge for joint training sessions last month.

The Democratic Republic of Congo forward Deo Kanda was the first to strike for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the third minute.

Gerson Fraga scored the second for Sven Vandenbroeck's charges in the 15th minute before Tairone Santos added the third goal of the encounter two minutes after Fraga's strike.

Simba did not add a fourth goal until after the first half ended but they also could not keep Transit Camp at bay, as their opponents reduced the deficit in the first minute of added time courtesy of Hamadi Habibu.

In the 46th minute, Meddie Kagere added his name onto the scoresheet as he stretched Simba's lead further. Transit Camp answered back in the 64th minute from Nisile Kisimba's strike but their resurgence did not deny Simba a convincing win.

Simba's win came almost a day after their traditional arch-rivals Yanga SC were humbled by Kinondoni Municipal Council FC 3-0 in a friendly tie.

This was Transit Camp's second friendly match against a top club in the country after they had fought to a 0-0 draw against Azam FC a day ago.

The win for the Tanzanian 20-time league champions was witnessed by a large group of fans who followed the proceedings from the terraces.

Teams are in a race to raise the level of fitness of their players before the league resumes on June 13 after it had been suspended in mid-March due to the restrictions the government had applied to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Simba will face Ruvu Shooting on June 14 at home as they restart their title defence. The Wekundu wa Msimbazi enjoy a good lead at the top and coach Vandenbroeck had urged them to ensure they bag the first 12 points in order to win the title in earnest.

With three of their four foreign players already in Tanzania, Simba are assured of an almost full squad for the matches, which also includes the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Azam.

Sharaf Shiboub is the only foreign player yet to report from South Sudan.

Robin van Persie’s move to Manchester United in 2012 came as a massive disappointment to Thomas Vermaelen, with the former Arsenal defender admitting that he had hoped to see the Dutch striker go on to become “a legend” at Emirates Stadium”.

The proven frontman was well on course to achieve that status when the decision was taken to head for the exits in north London.

Van Persie had been acquired by the Gunners in 2004 and scored 132 goals in 278 appearances for the club.

His efforts saw him land a Premier League Golden Boot and take on captaincy duties for Arsenal.

He was very much a talismanic presence for Arsene Wenger, but took the decision in 2012 not to commit to new contract.

That forced the Gunners into a corner, with it clear that they needed to cash in on a prized asset who wanted out.

Domestic rivals United made the most of a surprise opportunity by tabling a £22.5 million ($29m) bid and saw Van Persie help them to title glory in his debut campaign at Old Trafford – while also landing another top goalscorer gong.

Vermaelen was among those left frustrated at the Emirates, with the Belgian admitting that he had hoped to see Van Persie sign a new deal and secure a standing alongside the likes of Ian Wright and Thierry Henry.

"It was a surprise he left," Vermaelen told Arsenal’s official podcast.

"I knew he was going to go eventually but to hear that he'd all of a sudden left for Manchester United was a big surprise.
 
"I wanted him to stay at Arsenal of course, because in his last season with us he was the PFA Player of the Year. He had a great season, the best season of his career, so I wanted him to stay and be a legend.
 
"Of course, he's strong in his character so he couldn't change his mind. I think that's a good thing because that makes him the person and player he is. You couldn't change his mind, he'd made it up that he was going to go."

Having seen Van Persie walk away when at the peak of his powers, Arsenal now find themselves in a similar situation when it comes to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Another prolific frontman is approaching the final 12 months of his contract, with no indication offered that fresh terms will be agreed as the likes of United begin to circle once again.

India number one Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is one of the few Indian players to have plied their trade in a European league. He was part of Norwegian outfit Stabaek for a period of three years from 2014 to 2017 before opting to return to India and join Bengaluru FC.

Gurpreet started his career with East Bengal in the I-League, however. In an Instagram chat on the Indian Super League (ISL) handle, he opened up on his time in Kolkata and detailed how he came to play in Norway and the challenges that came with it.

He also revealed that Hyderabad FC's veteran goalkeeper Subrata Paul was a huge factor behind him taking goalkeeping seriously, having not watched the domestic leagues with any seriousness before then.

"When I was playing football I didn't know much about the structure of Indian football. I was fortunate to get a call from India U16s and there in the camp in Goa I started watching I-League. That's when I decided to become a serious footballer watching Subrata Paul play," he said.

"Subrata Paul was the best in the country. He was great in one-on-one situations. Being a young keeper you idolise him and I wanted to replace him. I wanted to wear that India jersey and get out on the pitch."

The 28-year-old almost joined the famed Tata Football Academy (TFA) as a youngster before opting to go to Kolkata and join East Bengal.

"TFA was the place to be back then and in 2008 I went there. There was an East Bengal scout there. After watching me play, he came to my father and said that one day I will play for East Bengal. But a strange thing happened when I went back to Goa (India U16). Colin Toal was the coach and he asked me why I went to TFA when players from there are coming here? Then I did not join TFA. And in 2009, I signed for East Bengal."

"I chose East Bengal because of Atanu (Bhattacharya) da. I had offers from Salgaocar and Churchill Brothers as well. But I wanted to learn from the best and therefore, I joined East Bengal. Before that, I was training under Tanumoy Basu during my formative years," he added.

After surviving the testing atmosphere in Kolkata, a visit from former English goalkeeper John Burridge turned out to be a breakthrough for Gurpreet. However, he explains why he could not join Premier League outfit Wigan Athletic with whom Burridge had arranged a trial for Gurpreet.

"In 2010-11, John Burridge came to one of the East Bengal sessions. He was watching me play, he got excited. After the session, he told me that you are wasting your time here. You should go outside and play. That was the first time I thought about going out. Because of his help, I got a good seven day trial with Wigan Athletic. I got to understand the level of the Premier League. If I was a free agent, I could have signed for them. But due to contractual obligation I could not sign."

But former Wigan custodian Ali Al Habsi helped Gurpreet get a trial in Norway with Stabaek.

"I did not want to sign an extension with East Bengal. Thanks to Ali Al Habsi, I got an opportunity in Norway. They were looking for a good prospect. I went to Norway without expectations. Then I started training with them and a seven-day trial turned into a three-year contract."

He was initially on the fringes at Stabaek, getting occasional minutes during cup games but soon Gurpreet climbed up the ladder and became the first Indian to play in a Europa League game when he started for Stabaek in a qualifying fixture.

"I was training with Sayouba Mandé and I got better. But I had to surpass his level and get a chance in the team. It took me more than a season, but I became the number one," he added.

Gurpreet, who stands at 6'6", was sidelined soon after the club changed the head coach. Though he wanted to stay in Europe, Gurpreet ended up joining ISL outfit Bengaluru FC at the start of the 2017-18 season.

"I didn't want to leave (Stabaek) but I had to. I wasn't getting game time under the new coach. Then the contract expired. When you know that the coach is not expecting much from you it becomes difficult. My first intention was to stay in Europe and I tried my best. I had offers but they were from lower levels.

"I managed to talk to a club in Portugal first division. They had three keepers. They told me to join and spend one season loan and then join back. I accepted the offer. I found the loan option in ISL with Bengaluru. But we didn't hear from the Portugal club even on the transfer deadline day.

"That's when I decided to stay back with Bengaluru. It is an ambitious club. I am playing in Asia and then I tell them that I want to play for them for a long time. Then the five-year deal happens. But I told them that anything from Europe I will take into consideration."

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the club will need Eden Hazard for their La Liga title battle.

Hazard has been limited to just 15 appearances for Madrid since arriving from Chelsea in a reported €100 million deal due to injury and fitness problems.

The 29-year-old attacker broke his ankle prior to the La Liga campaign being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but he has used the near-three-month hiatus as a chance to fully recover ahead of the league's return.

Madrid – who were two points behind leaders Barcelona with 11 matches remaining – will resume their season against Eibar on June 14 and Courtois provided an update on team-mate Hazard.

"Hazard is just fine," Belgium star Courtois told Movistar. "The rhythm he has is surprising, but we have to go bit by bit.

"We can't expect him to be on top form without playing. I think he's in shape and we'll need him to fight for the title."

Madrid had only won one of their last four La Liga games prior to the league's postponement due to the Covid-19 crisis in March.

Zinedine Zidane's Madrid defeated bitter rivals Barca 2-0 in March but lost to Real Betis and Levante, while they drew at home to Celta Vigo.

"We can't wait for the league to begin again and start the battle to win it," Courtois said as Madrid prepare to play behind closed doors.

"It'll be different [without fans]," added Courtois. "It's great when there is an atmosphere - even when you are playing away from home and it's against you. It gives you adrenaline and it's something which motivates me to pull off more saves. I'll be just as motivated without the fans there."

Not only will Madrid take to the field without fans, the Spanish giants will play away from the Santiago Bernabeu due to renovation work on the iconic stadium.

Madrid are set to play their remaining La Liga games at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano – the club's Valdebebas training ground.

"I don't think it will work against us [playing away from the Bernabeu]," Courtois said. "It's an honour to play at a stadium named after a legend - the best player in Real Madrid history.

"For the history of the club, it would be very nice to win the league there. The training sessions we have had there have been going well and I can't see us having any problems playing there."

Very few Indian players can boast of being part of historic title-winning sides like Jayesh Rane can. The decorated ATK attacking midfielder has an enviable CV, with one I-League title and two Indian Super League (ISL) titles to his name.

Jayesh was part of the Chennaiyin FC squad that sported a spirited comeback in the 2015 ISL to clinch the title. They won their last four games in the league phase, as required and defeated ATK, FC Goa in the following rounds to make the improbable possible.

He was also an integral part of the Aizawl FC side that defied all odds to write an incredible footballing story in the 2016-17 I-League season. Khalid Jamil’s men became the first team from North-East India to win the national title, despite not having any star name.

Recently, the 27-year-old won his second ISL title, this time with ATK which became the first side to win the competition thrice. Understandably, he was unable to pick a favourite when he spoke to Goal.

“All the tournaments were memorable. In the I-League when I played for Aizawl FC, no one thought we would win. But it became one of the best stories you've heard. Even with Chennaiyin FC (In 2015), no one thought we would win. We had to win five games in the last five games. We did it and won the trophy. You can say that all three were memorable for me,” he said.

All players have that one coach with whom they share a special bond and are able to play to their potential under them. While Jayesh claimed to have learnt a lot from all the coaches he played under, he reserved a special mention for Khalid.

He credited the former Aizawl and Mumbai FC coach for his development and versatility.

“It was always Khalid (Jamil). He was the one who picked me up at Mumbai FC where I started my career. There are many coaches I have trained under – at Air India it was Godfrey Pereira and then there was my uncle Rajesh Rahane.

“But it was Khalid Jamil who stood out. He knows how to handle players. There were no superstars in the team at Aizawl. He knew how to bring the best out of everyone. He knows me very well from the beginning and what I was capable of. And hence played me at central midfield that season.

“He knows where to use the players. He is very intelligent in all this."

Rane also paid credit to his former coaches and explained how playing in different styles has helped him improve his game.

“Everyone had their own style. I was with (Marco) Materazzi for three years. He was very strict on the field, like all foreign coaches I’ve played under. But Materazzi was chill (off the field). He used to say that we could do whatever we wanted off the field but on the pitch, he always demanded our 100 per cent. That is all he asked for. I got to learn different styles. From Materazzi, I learn the Italian style which was different defensively. I got to learn a lot. I was with Steve Coppell, Teddy Sheringham, Robbie Keane, and Antonio Habas. All their styles were different,” he explained.

Rane started his career as a striker and went on to play at multiple positions. A crucial element in any squad, Rane has practically played everywhere on the pitch bar between the posts and in central defence. Once again, he had words of praise for Khalid who believed in testing his players at multiple positions.

“I am a player who loves to adjust anywhere. I don’t mind where I play as long as I play football. Whatever the coach asks me to do, I would love to do it. Every coach has their own style and you need to adjust as a player.

“At Mumbai FC I started off as a striker. Ashutosh (Mehta) was there in my team at that time and he used to play as a right-winger. I was not a regular and joined mid-way. In most of my junior career, I played as a striker.

“Khalid Jamil knew that with my body type, you can’t play as a striker in Indian football because strikers are usually big. So, he used me as a winger. Then I played as a right-back, left-back, centre-half, and every other position. I give all the credit to Khalid Jamil because he used to play me in every position. He likes to try playing everyone in different positions.

“Whenever a coach asks me if I can play in a certain position because a player is injured, I am always up for it,” said Jayesh.

He also spoke about how Fiji star Roy Krishna motivated the youngsters at ATK last season. As for his personal goals, Jayesh is looking to achieve his first national team call-up. He has also made it his mission to impress in his first-ever Asian outing as ATK-Mohun Bagan gear up for their AFC Cup 2021 campaign.

“Elano, (Stevin) Mendoza, (Bernard) Mendy, Robbie Keane and many other players were active in mentoring the youngsters. I learnt a lot from them. This season, Roy (Krishna) stood out as a player who encouraged youngsters and motivated them.

“My goal was always to play for the national team and that will always be there. We will be playing AFC Cup with ATK now. I have never played in that competition before, so winning that would be a goal,” he concluded.

Napoli have warned they will not allow Kalidou Koulibaly to leave in a cut-price deal, insisting the defender's value has not budged during the coronavirus crisis.

The Senegalese centre-back, who turns 29 later this month, has frequently been linked with a move, including to Premier League duo Manchester United and Liverpool.

Clubs across Europe have been hit by the impact of the pandemic, with the financial toll leading to suggestions it could have a major effect on the transfer market.

Yet Napoli have no intention of allowing players to leave below their full value, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said it will take top dollar to prise away any of the club's stars.

Addressing the future of Koulibaly, Giuntoli told Italian broadcaster Sky Sport 24: "He is a great footballer and the club has the right to ask for the price it wants."

Giuntoli does not buy into the theory that the best players will suddenly be available for lower prices than before Covid-19 hit.

"They say negotiations will change, but in my opinion this is an alibi. I don't think the coronavirus issue can change the price of Koulibaly or other top players," Giuntoli said.

"Certainly, however, we'll come to appreciate the contractual formula such as the loan with an option to buy, which help to postpone the guarantees and ease the balance immediately. Football can adapt quickly."

Giuntoli also had words of praise for Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose sister passed away earlier this week.

“We immediately appreciated the technical and human qualities of Gattuso,” he added.

"There is a strong desire to continue with him and we are planning the team of the future together, to return to compete for the championship. Obviously, this is a very delicate moment, we are all a little shaken and my thoughts go to him and his parents.

“Rino's work is not only appreciated by the club, but also by the players who are doing very well in his 4-3-3.

“For example, Lorenzo Insigne is in love with Napoli: he still has two years on his contract and our common will is to return to the field stronger than before.

“The same applies to Fabian Ruiz: in he is happy here, I think he will stay and we will discuss his renewal from next year.”

Quique Setien insisted Lionel Messi is "perfectly fine" as the Barcelona head coach addressed the superstar's physical condition.

Messi has trained separately after Barca confirmed their captain suffered a quadriceps injury ahead of La Liga's resumption on June 11 following a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

League-leaders Barca currently sit two points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid with 11 matches remaining and will restart their 2019-20 campaign against Real Mallorca on June 13.

After that, they'll face a short turnaround before a match against Leganes three days later before a slight break ahead of a match against Sevilla on June 21.

Despite the congested schedule, Barca boss Setien has no concerns about six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi ahead of that initial trip to Mallorca.

"It's not just Messi - other players haven't trained because they've had niggles," Setien told Movistar. "It's happened to lots of them.

"Leo has a cramp that's not hugely significant. I think he's perfectly fine and he won't have any problems.

"It's the same for any other player. We'll see how the league goes and what circumstances come up.

"We have lots of games and a small squad. I always want to have Messi on the pitch, of course."

Messi is atop La Liga's goalscoring charts with 19, ahead of Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who had netted 14 goals of his own at the moment the league was suspended in March due to Covid-19.

While Messi's fitness is a focus for Barcelona, the club will also be boosted by the return of Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan star's extended injury absence. 

The club confirmed over the weekend that Suarez will be fit to take part in next weekend’s clash with Mallorca, as he'll return to the Barca squad for the first time since January.

Suarez has been out of action for the last five months after undergoing surgery for a knee injury that had been expected to end his season.

However, with the season prolonged due to the coronavirus, the Uruguayan star will be ready for the final matches of the campaign as Barca pursue La Liga's title once again

Augsburg striker Florian Niederlechner believes the lack of crowd noise contributed to his penalty miss during a 1-1 draw against Koln.

Niederlechner saw his spot-kick saved in the 27th minute by Timo Horn in the Bundesliga match played behind-closed-doors on Sunday.

The 29-year-old felt the eerily quiet 'ghost' atmosphere at Augsburg Arena made his chance to open the scoring a difficult one.

"I made the biggest mistake you can make as a penalty taker. Crappy ghost games," Niederlechner said post-match.

As Niederlechner was preparing to take the penalty, a Koln player told Horn that the Augsburg forward likes to shoot in the right corner.

After hearing the exchange between his opponents, Niederlechner decided to shoot away from his preferred side, with Horn diving full stretch to make the save.

"Actually, my corner is on the right, every time. I let the situation really influence me," Niederlechner said. "I was often the hero. Today I was the fool."

Three points would have been handy for Augsburg, but in the end they only managed to salvage a draw shortly afterr Anthony Modeste gave Koln the lead in the 85th minute.

Phillip Max forced an equaliser three points later with Augsburg moving three points clear of the relegation zone with four matches to play.

Koln are seven points clear of 16th-placed Dusseldorf and will be looking to secure their place in the Bundesliga next season over the next two matchdays.

Bayern Munich look close to securing their eighth consecutive title, leading Borussia Dortmund by seven points with only 12 left to play for.

In the race for the two Champions League spots behind Bayern and Dortmund, RB Leipzig have a three-point advantage in third over Gladbach and Leverkusen, with Wolfsburg all but mathematically out of the race for Europe's premier club competition.

Over the recent weeks, Bundesliga clubs and players have joined in on the worldwide protests surrounding the death of George Floyd.

Following a series of individual messages from Marcus Thuram, Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi, both Dortmund and Bayern continued to speak out against the killing prior to their games against Hertha Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, Bayern choosing to take to the field wearing black armbands sporting the words 'Black Lives Matter'. 

BVB's stars, meanwhile, trained in shirts that showed the words "Black, white, yellow, red" crossed out above "Human," and another which stated simply, "No justice, no peace."

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling says tackling racism is the most important issue society faces.

The 25-year-old voiced his support of the anti-racism protests that have spread across the United States and Europe in response to George Floyd’s death.

Although the coronavirus pandemic is still going on, large crowds have gathered in cities all over the world to call for action against police brutality and discrimination.

Sterling says standing up to racism is more important than the danger posed by Covid-19 and urged people to do it peacefully.

"I know this might sound a little bit cheesy but the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting," Sterling told BBC Newsnight.

"This is the most important thing at this moment in time because this is something that is happening for years and years.

"Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it.

"At the same time, this is what all these protesters are doing. They are trying to find a solution and a way to stop the injustice they are seeing, and they are fighting for their cause.

"As long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anybody and not breaking into any stores, they continue to protest in this peaceful way."

The England international says he does not fear putting his career at risk by speaking out about the issue and warned that protesting can only go so far.

"I don’t really think about my job when things like this happen, I think about what’s right.

"There’s only so much communities and other backgrounds can take – especially black people,” he said.

"It’s been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change.

"This is something that needs more than just talking. We need to actually implement change and highlight the places that do need changes.

"But this is something that I will continue to do, spark these debates and get people in my industry looking at themselves and thinking what they can do to give people an equal chance in this country."

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo believes his "very special" team can win the Champions League without fans.

Atletico dethroned titleholders Liverpool in the last 16 before the Champions League was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in March.

The Champions League could resume in August, with the Bundesliga back underway as La Liga, the Premier League and Serie A prepare to return this month.

Atletico lost two Champions League finals under Diego Simeone in 2014 and 2016, but Cerezo told Movistar: "We are very special, we can win a Champions League without an audience. It could be our year."

La Liga will restart with a Seville derby between Sevilla and Real Betis on June 11 following the Covid-19 crisis. Atletico, meanwhile, will travel to Athletic Club behind closed doors on June 14.

Simeone's men are sixth in the table with 11 matches remaining, a point behind Real Sociedad and the final Champions League qualification spot.

"In the league we are in a difficult situation and in Champions we are very good," Cerezo said. "A few games away from reaching a final, which is where we like to be."

"He [head coach Simeone] is calm and has confidence in what he does and will direct us to get into the top four," added Cerezo.

The coronavirus pandemic is set to impact the transfer market as clubs feel the financial effects of the crisis.

Atletico spent heavily at the start of the season after Antoine Griezmann joined Barcelona, breaking a club record to sign Joao Felix, while Marcos Llorente, Hector Herrera, Felipe, Renan Lodi, Mario Hermoso and Kieran Trippier also arrived.

Looking ahead to 2020-21, Cerezo said: "There is a possibility that nobody will be signed, but we will have to wait for what happens in the season. The transfers will be very difficult for everyone."

Star Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez has recently been in the headlines with the Spaniard reportedly being hunted by Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with the midfielder, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still in the market for more ball-playing options despite adding Bruno Fernandes to his ranks and seeing Paul Pogba return to fitness.

They will not be the only ones in the mix, though, if a scramble is sparked for a prized signature, with Saul's agent Jonathan Barnett admitting as much to Sport Witness.

He said: "Somebody like Saul doesn’t need anybody to push him. He’s so good and everybody knows that and they know a lot of clubs want him. But he’s already at a very big club. He has a very good relationship with Atletico Madrid and Atletico fans.

"Every good player is linked with another club. Some agents may want to do that and if they need the press to do something, then they are not very good at their job. It’s journalists trying to write things. It may be true or may not be true, but it’s something we as an agency at Stellar don’t really get involved in."

In the wake of media reports that Tanzanian giants Simba SC are looking to sign Orlando Pirates attacker Justin Shonga, the player’s agent Mike Ngobeni has addressed the Zambian’s future.

According to Ngobeni, they are set to meet with the former African champions and discuss the 23-year-old’s future as he is struggling to get regular game-time under coach Josef Zinnbauer.

Shonga is currently struggling to gain a regular spot in the front line for Pirates as he competes with the likes of Gabadinho Mhango, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Augustine Mulenga.

“All of my players are settled in their clubs. One player whose future is not secured is Shonga. We are waiting for everything to return to normality then we can sit down with Pirates and discuss his future,” Ngobeni told Isolezwe.

“That is when we will have clarity on what the future holds because people in Zambia are asking me what I happening about Shonga.

“They want to see him becoming one of the key players for the national team in Zambia. One of the big guys in the Zambian team, Adrian Kashala has called me twice. They want to see Shonga playing regular football."

In the midst of reports that the former Nkwazi FC player has been linked with a move to the East African giants, Ngobeni says his client remains contracted to the 2018/19 PSL runners-up.

“Shonga has a two-year contract with Pirates. If his situation doesn’t change, we will look at securing a loan deal for him because he wants to play regular football," he added.

“However, that will depend on Pirates because he is contracted to them.”

Shonga has been linked with a move away from the Sea Robbers for some time after falling down the pecking order, and has managed just 11 appearances for the Soweto giants this season without finding the back of the net.  

Since his arrival in 2017, Shonga has featured 77 times for Pirates and has 16 goals and 16 assists to his name.

Anthony Ujah provided an assist as Union Berlin held Salif Sane's Schalke 04 to a 1-1 draw in Sunday's Bundesliga encounter.

Ujah laid the assist for Robert Andrich to open the scoring in the 11th minute before Jonjoe Kenny drew Schalke level 17 minutes later.

The Nigeria forward was in action for 78 minutes for Union Berlin before he was replaced by Joshua Mees, while Senegal defender Sane was on parade from start to finish for the visitors.

The result was Schalke 04's first point since the restart of the 2019-20 Bundesliga season after the coronavirus lockdown while the hosts picked up their second straight draw at home.

Schalke 04 are 10th on the Bundesliga table after gathering 38 points from 30 points and Union Berlin are 14th with 32 points after 30 games.

The Royal Blues' form has been particularly poor since the season resumed after the coronavirus-enforced suspension, suffering four straight defeats as they lost to Borussia Dortmund, Augsburg, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Werder Bremen, conceding 10 goals and scoring just one.

Ujah made his eighth league start of the season on Sunday, and he has scored two goals and provided an assist in 20 league appearances so far while Sane has played 15 league matches with two goals to his credit.

Morocco's Amine Harit was not available for the match as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury while Nigeria's Suleiman Abdullahi was an unused substitute for the Berlin outfit.

On the international scene, Ujah made his debut for Nigeria in 2013 and he has made seven appearances for the Super Eagles so far, with his last international outing dating back to a friendly fixture against Niger in September 2015.

Although he was born in France, Sane has made 30 appearances for Senegal since he switched his international allegiance to the West African country in 2012.

Union Berlin will be hoping to secure their first league victory since February 24 when they visit Koln for their next league fixture on June 13 while Schalke 04 welcome fifth-place Bayer Leverkusen to the Veltins-Arena with the aim of grabbing their first league win since January 17.

Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala has been named in the Spanish Primera Iberdrola Team of the Season for the 2019-20 campaign.

Oshoala has emerged as one of the superstars in the top-flight, putting her strength, power, and physicality on display while scoring goals aplenty for Barcelona, since moving to Spain on January 31, 2019.

The Nigeria international played a huge role in helping the Catalans clinch their first league title in five years without losing a match in 21 games last season.

The FC Robo Queens product scored 20 goals and gave one assist in 19 outings to help Lluis Cortes' side finish at the top before the league was called off due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The 3-3-4 formation list, dominated by Barcelona, saw Sandra Panos claim the goal post, while Mapi Leon and Marian Torrejon, along with Deportivo La Corona's Maria Mendez named in the defence.

In the midfield are Ona Batlle of Levante and Barcelona duo of Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas, while Oshoala led the attack with Jenni Hermoso, Graham Hansen and Atletico Madrid's Lucy Santos.

The Super Falcons star is the only African among the nominations, with the likes of Logrono striker Jade Boho, who managed 12 goals last term, overlooked.

So far, the reigning African Women's Player of the Year has scored 36 goals for Barcelona in 18 months, becoming one of the top 10 all-time scorers of the Spanish giants.

On her initial loan spell, she scored eight goals in 11 games, including their only goal in the Champions League final, and made history as the first African to register a goal at that stage of the European competition.

At Barcelona, the 25-year-old celebrated her first silverware with the Copa Catalunya last August, before clinching the Super Women's Cup in February and recently the Spanish top-flight title.

Maritzburg United defender Rushine de Reuck says he would like to play continental football as they look to secure a third-place finish and qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup.

The Team of Choice centre-back has attracted interest from a number of Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams including Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

However, the Cape Town-born defender has revealed his ambitions to play in Europe, saying according to their targets, they are surging closer to securing a position to qualify for a continental spot.

“We have targets as Maritzburg right now. I think we’re five or six points behind our best finish in the league – when we got to 45 points. So, there are targets to achieve and we want to fight for a Caf place as well,” De Reuck told FARPost.

“At the beginning of the season it was to get into the top eight, but now it’s different. To play in Africa will be very good for Maritzburg because they’ve never done that. And we’re not far off that. That’s the goal and the next step for us.

“I want to be part of that, I’ve been to two cup finals and haven’t won yet, but I want to continue making history with this club. It’s a club I fell in love with, it’s a club that gave me an opportunity when no-one believed in me.

“I’m just focused on Maritzburg, on Maritzburg doing well; that’s the most important thing,” he said. “I don’t think every day what people are saying about me. I’m happy with my progress and what I have achieved for Maritzburg this season.”

Speaking about playing under the former Bafana Bafana midfielder Eric Tinkler, the nippy defender has heaped praise on his manager, adding that positional play has helped to develop his game.

“He told me the talent is there, but that I need to work harder. And that’s what I’ve done, I’ve studied the game more and now this season I’ve hardly had any bookings,” he added.

“I’ve bettered my positional play, the way I read the game, the way I see things, studying players. I know what to do in certain areas. I know my strengths; I’m not scared to go 1-v-1.

“I’m good in the air, when the ball is coming for a cross, things like that, the coach has helped me a lot in terms of possession play, what I must do when I have the ball.”

Having already reached the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup but lost to the Brazilians, coach Eric Tinkler's men are fifth on the PSL table with 39 points from 24 games as the games remain suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ghana international Samuel Inkoom believes new Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has what it takes to succeed at the helm of affairs.

Akonnor assumed duty in January, taking over from James Kwasi Appiah whose contract expired at the end of last year.

The former Wolfsburg captain has been tasked to lead Ghana to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year as well as qualify the team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“He has that kind of character to handle the Black Stars. It's not every player who has played football can manage a team," he told Joy Sports.

"But I think he has the character to handle the national team. I believe he will do well with his assistant coach David Duncan. What’s important is that we all support CK Akonnor.

"CK has played at the highest level in terms of football. He knows what is good for footballers.

"I knew him when I was young. I was watching him captain the Back Stars and also playing for Wolfsburg."

Despite taking up the new job at the start of the year, Akonnor is yet to supervise his first game for the Black Stars five months on.

He named a 23-man squad for his first assignment - an Afcon qualifying double-header against Sudan in March - but the matches had to be called off due to the coronavirus disruptions.

The West Africans are hoping to win the continental showpiece for the first time since 1982, having won the title on four occasions.

Their last appearance at Egypt 2019 ended in disappointment as the Stars suffered a Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Tunisia.

It was the first time Ghana failed to reach the quarter-final since 2006.

Inkoom, who currently plays club football for Georgian side Samtredia, will be hoping to impress Akonnor for a recall for national duty after a long absence.

He was a member of Ghana's gold-winning side at the 2009 Fifa U20 World Cup, the silver-winning team at Afcon 2010 and the quarter-final-reaching outfit at the 2010 World Cup.

He was also at Afcon 2012 in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea. 

Two individuals connected to Championship clubs have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest round of testing, the English Football League (EFL) has confirmed.

This most recent figure marks a significant decrease from the previous two batches, which saw a combined total of 19 positive tests.

One of the positive results came at Barnsley, the Tykes have confirmed, with the club saying the individual is "safe" and "remains upbeat".

"Barnsley FC can confirm that one person has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following a round of testing on Friday 5 June," a statement on the club's website read.

"The single positive test is from an asymptomatic member of backroom staff who had tested negative in all four previous rounds.

"The individual will now follow the relevant guidance and undergo a period of isolation whilst remaining in close communication with club personnel, before being re-tested at a later date."

The overall sample size was 1,179 this time around, meaning over 5,000 tests have been carried out on players and staff associated with Championship clubs since May 21.

An EFL statement read: "Following the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 1,179 players and club staff from the 24 Championship clubs were tested over the course of Wednesday June 3, Thursday June 4, Friday June 5 and Saturday June 6, with two individuals testing positive from two clubs.

"Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities."

The Championship is set to resume on June 20, three days after the Premier League recommences.

Just one point separates top two teams Leeds and West Bromwich Albion, while Fulham are six points further back in the play-off places with Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston.

Across League One and League Two, 267 players and staff were tested - one returned a positive result.