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Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that Manchester City "were left behind" by Liverpool in the title race this season.

Pep Guardiola guided City to a third Premier League crown in 2017-18, as his side blew away the competition to set a new all-time points record of 100. The Blues retained their crown the following season after edging a tense race ahead of Liverpool, who ultimately missed out on English football's top prize by a single point.

City were tipped by many to continue their dominance, but the Reds are on the verge of knocking them off their perch after winning 27 of their 29 fixtures so far this season.

The coronavirus outbreak has delayed their coronation for three months, but Jurgen Klopp's men need only six more points to be assured of a first top-flight crown in 30 years when the action gets back underway on June 17.

Gundogan acknowledges the fact that Liverpool have set new standards in terms of consistency and says City have been guilty of letting too many points slip cheaply.

The City midfielder told Turkish publication Fanatik: “We were left behind in the championship race this season in the Premier League. We couldn't show an effect like the last two seasons [when] we are champions.

"Whether we play good football or play good matches, there are points we have simply lost. Liverpool came to this level without losing many points, so we lost a lot of points, so the difference increased.”

Gundogan has enjoyed a prominent role in Guardiola's squad since swapping Dortmund for City in 2016. The 29-year-old also had the privilege of playing under Klopp at Westfalenstadion, and he sees both men as the "top two teachers" in world football.

“Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are the two best teachers in the world," said Gundogan. "Four years have passed with Klopp. A teacher I love very much. He creates an amazing team spirit and motivates footballers incredibly.

"Pep is at a very high tactical level. A teacher who wants to know every detail of the game. I have not seen a teacher who improved himself tactically.

"Their styles are different, but both are very successful. Although they are very different, they are both the world's top two teachers for now.”

Sandro Tonali is reportedly on Juventus' and Inter's radar and Brescia coach Diego Lopez believes the in-demand midfielder has "no limits".

Tonali, who played a key role in Brescia's promotion from Serie B last season, has again starred for the club despite their position at the bottom of Serie A.

Nine points adrift of safety when the coronavirus pandemic brought the season to a halt back in March, Brescia look doomed to an immediate return to the second tier. However, Tonali appears likely to remain in the top-flight with one of the league's elite and is said to prefer Inter over Juve.

Asked about the 20-year by Corriere della Sera, Lopez said: "There's a lot of talk about him, and rightly so, but he's just a young lad who is in love with the ball.

"I can't give him advice on what to do off the pitch. As a player, I'd say he can still improve. He has it all, but he can get even better. He has no limits.

"I really like him in front of the defence. I see him versatile like [Radja] Nainggolan in the middle of the field."

Tonali has drawn comparisons to legendary Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who also began his career at Brescia.

Pirlo recently described Tonali as a "more complete player" than he was, much to the astonishment of the current Azzurri international, who has already won three caps for his country.

"Let's say that Pirlo gave the right answer," Tonali told Sportweek. "We don't play like each other - but to say that I'm a more complete player than he was…

"When two of my friends sent me the Instagram live in which he said that, I stayed still. I'm still speechless now. All I can say to him is, thank you.

"I'd rather say what I'd like to learn from him. The long pass from deep, accurate to within a millimetre. I'm better at short passes today. Which, to tell you the truth, comes even more natural to me than the long pass.

"I know that with the right sacrifices, I can reach the top of the world. I haven't achieved half of what I have in mind, but I feel good enough to make it."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has refused to be drawn into whether or not he is after Cape Town City striker Kermit Erasmus. 

While Mosimane admits that the former Orlando Pirates marksman is good enough to play for any team in the league, he feels going after him or any of the players the Brazilians are reported to be after needs timing. 

"Kermit is always a good football player," Mosimane said as quoted by IOL.  

"This thing needs timing. Sometimes you want a player at this time and he decides that he doesn’t want to come - and probably was not ready. Maybe we found somebody the same as him or better.

"It's always about timing when it comes to transfers. Sometimes when you need this player, and he's available, and you sign then good. Sometimes, you need this player and he is not available," added Mosimane. 

"Next season, you don’t need him. Or that season you need him more. Do you know what I am saying? Football is a game of moments. Players must also understand that sometimes, you might be needed and six months down the line, you’ve lost your chance," he continued. 

The Tshwane giants have already secured several signings for next season, including George Maluleka and Grant Magerman but Mosimane confirmed he still wants to add more players but made it clear that Sundowns are after quality.   

"We are going for more quality, but it won’t be easy. But as the president has said, the expectations are high. He wants us to be in the Club World Cup. So, the resources have to be there. So, it’s not about the local league but the Champions League. We need to have a team for that," Mosimane said.

Erasmus has been linked with a possible move to Sundowns alongside Knowledge Musona who is based in Belgium with Anderlecht. 

This season, Sundowns have had to do without a natural No.9 because of injuries to Mauricio Affonso, while Jeremy Brockie, who is on loan to Maritzburg United, is set to leave the club at the end of the season. 

Tanta SC midfielder Taddeo Lwanga has explained why he has been able to make it into the first team and enjoy good performances since joining the Egyptian club.

Lwanga joined Tanta, who had been promoted to the Premier League, after his exploits with the Uganda National team in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

The deep-lying midfielder has made 11 appearances for the Tanta-based club since making his debut against Wadi Degla in September.

“I always want to get better every time that’s why I always give my best on the pitch. I’ve learnt to make effective decisions and play with efficiency during games which are key,” Lwanga told Football256.

“Being versatile is key in making effective decisions during games. The most important though is to work hard and have discipline.”

Although Lwanga has enjoyed good individual performances and stamping his authority in the first XI, Tanta have been struggling to get better results.

Before the league was suspended, they were 15th after engaging in 18 games.

“The team is new in the league and most of the players are new as well so it’s not easy to create a formidable team performance but we shall get there especially after the Covid-19 induced break,” he added.

The former Vipers SC, Express FC and SC Villa star has also revealed he may be on the move should a better offer be dangled before him.

“If a better club comes up with a good offer either here in Egypt or elsewhere who am I to refuse?” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Tom Masiko has revealed his interest to extend his stay at the Wakiso Giants.

The midfielder joined the Purple Sharks from Vipers SC last year on a season-long loan and made an impressive mark which has seen him linked with other clubs. 

“I have enjoyed my time here since I came, I relish the challenge here and I believe there is more I can offer the club,” Masiko told Football256.

“If you ask me, I would like to extend my stay here. But of course, that is a decision I will have to take in the coming weeks when a contract offer is tabled for me to consider.” 

Rumours have it Masiko is trailed by Uganda Revenue Authority [URA FC], AFC Leopards of Kenya and Tanzania’s Azam FC as his contract expires at the end of June.

Ivan Rakitic has attempted to quash speculation over his future by insisting he will stay at Barcelona next season but admits that he has found a lack of regular playing time frustrating in 2019-20.

Rakitic completed a €18 million (£16m/$19m) move to Camp Nou from Sevilla in 2014 and has since racked up 299 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 35 goals.

The Croatia international has picked up four La Liga titles and a Champions League winners' medal during that period, establishing himself as one of Europe's top midfielders in the process.

However, Frenkie de Jong's arrival at Barca from Ajax last summer saw Rakitic slip down the squad pecking order, and he has been restricted to just 10 La Liga starts in total this term.

It has been suggested that the Blaugrana will cash in on the 31-year-old before he becomes a free agent in 2021, with Sevilla reportedly eager to re-sign their former talisman when the transfer market reopens.

Rakitic has no intention of moving on just yet though, as he told Croatian publication Tportal: "I spoke to the club ten or 15 days ago and the conclusion is that I have nothing to talk about because I have a contract until the summer of 2021 with Barcelona and it is the entity I want to be in and play with.

"Furthermore, my wife and my daughters are good in the city. There is no reason to think about other things. I am training well and I am sure that Rakitic will be in Barcelona longer."

The experienced playmaker says that although he has found in difficult being on the fringes of the action over the past year, he still has nothing but "respect" for head coach Quique Setien, who replaced Ernesto Valverde in the Camp Nou hot seat back in January.

"It is not nice when you do not play, especially when you do not understand why and they do not explain the reasons," said Rakitic. "But I respect the coach's decisions. I am in a team sport, not individual."

Barca's latest La Liga defence will get back underway when they take on Mallorca on June 13, with all remaining fixtures set to be played behind closed doors following the coronavirus-enforced break in the season.

Setien's men were two points clear of Real Madrid with 11 games remaining when play was stopped, and Rakitic is fully focused on adding yet more silverware to his impressive haul later in the year.

He added: "The most important thing to me is the present moment, and that means we are starting the championship next weekend. We must be ready for that too. 

"With the years I have, I think I have proven that football is most important to me. I simply want to be happy and enjoy. That means winning a lot more trophies with Barcelona."

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo has defended the limited playing opportunities for reserve goalkeeper Boalefa Pule in favour of the ever-present Ronwen Williams, saying he does not want to tamper with the goalkeeping department.

Williams has featured in every minute of SuperSport's 31 matches across all competitions so far this season while Pule has been on the bench in those games.

While some teams prefer to rest their first-choice goalkeepers in Cup games to afford reserve glovemen a taste of action, Tembo insists on Williams playing every minute.

"We all know that only one [player] can play in that position and I am not one coach who loves chopping and changing, especially in that position of goalkeeper because goalkeepers need confidence. If you don’t play them regularly, it becomes a problem and they lose confidence,” Tembo told Phakaaathi.

Tembo has however underlined Pule's importance in the team, saying the second-choice goalkeeper keeps the club's incoming captain Williams on top of his game by providing stiff competition in the goalkeeping department.

Pule, who last week extended his SuperSport stay by three years, has been a reserve goalkeeper at Matsatsantsa since 2011, the same period Williams started commanding a first-team spot.

However, 30-year-old Pule's nine-season stint with SuperSport has been punctuated by loan spells at AmaZulu and Bidvest Wits.

Despite struggling to earn himself the number one position for such a long period, Pule has won the club's faith in him, with Tembo crediting him for bettering William's game through the challenge he offers.

“Pule is a very good goalkeeper and he is also a fantastic professional, he works hard and he understands the role he plays,” said Tembo.

"He understands that it is not easy for goalkeepers to make a break but he has been working for his chance to come and it will come if he keeps on working hard and that is why we decided to extend his contract.

“He keeps Ronwen on his feet and there is a good healthy relationship in the goalkeeping department which is what we wants. The level that Ronwen is at is probably because of Pule’s contribution in terms of pushing him because he also wants to play."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contents

What is the Man City vs UEFA dispute about?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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When will the Man City vs UEFA case take place?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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What are the Financial Fair Play regulations?

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

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

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

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

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What is CAS?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vipers SC striker Fahad Bayo has blamed his international engagements with the Uganda national team for missing out on the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) Golden Boot.

Bayo lost the race to Maroons FC's Steven Mukwala when the league was cancelled due to the ongoing measures put in place against the coronavirus.

Bayo had scored 12 goals in his maiden season at Vipers since his August 4 arrival and his tally was bettered by Mukwala, who scored one goal more.

Mukwala was on loan at Maroons from Vipers.

When coach Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry picked Bayo for Cranes duties, the forward was leading on UPL scoreboard with eight goals while Mukwala had scored seven.

Bayo was first summoned for the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso in November, before he was called up again for an African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier against Burundi.

He grabbed his maiden goal for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup record holders against Burundi and was on the score sheet again against Malawi at Namboole Stadium in an Afcon qualifier.

“Any player can be on form, but I missed two league games while with the Cranes which also affected me in that [Golden Boot] race,” Bayo told Football256.

“[It is] because I was in my greatest form when I was handed the opportunity to represent my country in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“Playing for Uganda at such a big stage was a dream come true but that’s how I lost the league's Golden Boot.” 

The international engagements saw the former Buildcon FC striker miss two critical matches, against KCCA FC at Lugogo Stadium and against URA FC at St Mary's Stadium in Kitende.

Vipers won the encounter against the Tax Collectors and lost the second to the Kassasiro Boys.

As Mukwala and Bayo occupied the first and the second slot on the top scorers' chart, Ben Ocen of Police FC was third with 11 goals in what was a very tight race.

Viane Sekajugo of Wakiso Giants was joint fourth alongside Frank Kalanda of Express FC after both netted nine goals.

RB Leipzig's Timo Werner would not have been good enough for Liverpool, according to Robbie Fowler, who insists the Chelsea-bound forward is far from the finished article.

Goal has reported that Chelsea have agreed to pay Werner's £54 million ($68m) buy-out clause, after offering the 24-year-old a contract worth £9m per season at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool had initially been touted as the most likely next destination for the Germany international, who admitted back in February that Jurgen Klopp's philosophy would suit his style of play.

However, the Blues now look set to win the race for his signature ahead of the summer transfer window, while the Reds continue to feel the pinch financially amid the coronavirus crisis.

Fowler isn't too fussed that his old club have missed out on Werner though, and doesn't believe he would have found a place in Klopp's starting XI ahead of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane.

"I’ve heard the noise ­surrounding Timo Werner in recent weeks – but I’m not a big fan," the Liverpool legend wrote in The Mirror.

"I realise he’s a talented player, he has moments of real brilliance in matches that underline his quality, but I stand by this: is Werner up to the standard of Liverpool’s current front three? Not for me. Obviously my opinion will be put to the test next season if he does complete a move to Chelsea.

"There has been so much rumour around his intended destination for months now, with my former club at the heart of that, but most of the other big names in European football have been linked to him.

"I’ve also seen the meltdown from some Liverpool fans when they ­realised he’s probably not leaving RB Leipzig for Anfield after all. It makes it seem as though he’s a Marco van Basten, a world-class player who would walk into any side.

"For the life of me, I don’t know why. I’ve watched him a fair few times and there are things about his game I like and admire, but does he influence games consistently enough? Not for me. Does he match up to the players you are signing him to challenge and replace? Not at Liverpool. Maybe at Chelsea."

Fowler added on Liverpool's reluctance to meet Werner's price tag: "I’ve heard so many people ­complaining about Liverpool owners not splashing the cash, not diving in on ­Werner when he’s a ‘steal’ at £52m. Is he really, though?

"This is the reality – all those other clubs, Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus, Real Madrid, Man City and United have looked at him and thought, in the current market, his release clause fee is too high. How do we know that? Because otherwise, they would have activated it.

"To be honest, I see a situation where Chelsea saw perhaps the only circumstance in which they would sign Werner. That they had to pay the ­release fee to get him – because other clubs wouldn’t.

"In short, they had to pay a massive premium to make him come to their club. We’ve seen it before with clubs struggling a tiny bit – they pay over the odds to get players. City had to do that for a while, Chelsea themselves too. At times, Liverpool have done that over the past two decades. It rarely worked for them."