A Togolese international footballer who broke his neck during a match in China has made an extraordinary recovery and may return to playing in a matter of months, his agent and club told AFP on Tuesday.

Samuel Asamoah, 31, ploughed head-first into a pitch-side LED advertising panel after being shoved by an opponent while jostling for the ball earlier this month.

The midfielder's club, second-tier Guangxi Pingguo, said at the time he had fractures in his neck and nerve damage and was at risk of "high-level paraplegia" – warning his "career may also be seriously affected".

But Asamoah's agent Avram Marius told AFP in a message that "he is ok" and "doing the recovery".

"In two months he can play normally," he added.

His club was more cautious and put Asamoah's return to football at an estimated "three to six months".

"Currently (Asamoah) is doing some basic strength recovery," a Guangxi representative who wished not to be named told AFP in a separate message.

In a video posted by his team on Friday, Asamoah looked to be walking with ease as he visited a fruit shop.

He shook hands as he met people at an elderly care centre.

"I always thank God for the gift of life," said Asamoah, wearing a neck brace, in the video.

Asamoah spent most of his career in Belgium before moving to China last year.

He has played six times for Togo, according to football statistics website transfermarkt.com.

Lionel Messi wants to play for Argentina in next year's World Cup, but he says he will listen to his body before deciding whether he can make that dream come true.

The 38-year-old striker for Inter Miami of MLS led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and yearns to be on the field when the "Albiceleste" defend the crown next year in North America.

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi told NBC News in an interview broadcast on Monday that he will see next year how his body feels before deciding on whether or not he can play in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"It's something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup and I would love to," said Messi, who turns 39 next June.

"I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my national team, if I am there.

"And I'm going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter and see if I can really be 100 per cent, if I can be useful to the group, to the national team, and then make a decision."

Messi, who has been playing professionally since 2004, wants the chance for one more star turn on football's biggest stage.

"I'm really eager because it's a World Cup. We're coming off winning the last World Cup and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it's always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions."

Messi, who debuted with Barcelona in LaLiga at age 17, joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and moved to MLS in 2023.

"The truth is that I like everything about living here," Messi said of Miami.

"I spent a lot of time in Barcelona, which for me is an extraordinary city, where I grew up and had many spectacular moments, and which we miss a lot.

"But Miami is a city that allows us to live very well, that makes us enjoy life, that allows us to be calm, that allows the kids to be themselves and live day to day."

Messi has 195 appearances for the Argentine national team, scoring 114 goals.

Brendan Rodgers has left his role as Celtic manager, the Scottish Premiership club announced on Monday, ending his second spell in charge after a poor start to the season.

"Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation. It has been accepted by the club and Brendan will leave his role with immediate effect,” Celtic said in a statement.

Rodgers' exit comes after mounting pressure over results, including a shock Champions League qualifying defeat by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty in August and a 3-1 league loss at Hearts on Sunday that left Celtic trailing in the title race.

Celtic's former boss Martin O'Neill, 73, has been appointed interim manager.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has urged his teammates to accept responsibility for the Scottish champions' lacklustre start to the defence of their title.

Sunday's uninspiring 3-1 loss away to leaders Hearts left Glasgow giants Celtic eight points behind the Edinburgh club.

That defeat meant Celtic have dropped 10 points in their opening nine league outings and while the Hoops board and, more recently, manager Brendan Rodgers have borne the brunt of fans' anger, skipper McGregor insisted: "The players always have to take responsibility, I've been saying it since day one.

"Even with the distraction of the (protests about the) board and (lack of) signings and everything else, I've been the one who has said 'no, no, no, the players have got to take responsibility'.

"The only guys who can fix it are the guys on the pitch. Yes, I understand, we're in a difficult moment, but the only people who are coming to save you is yourself."

He added: "We can't be looking at who is going to take the baton off you - we have to fix it. And what we have to do is learn quicker than we're learning at the minute, or else we won't fix it, it's as simple as that.

"I've been saying it every week since the season started.

"I think the players understand the situation, but we need to turn that into action on the pitch.

"I see it on Thursday night (against Sturm Graz) when we were excellent. But we need to back it up three days later, and then another three days later we've got to do the same."

Celtic last faced an eight-point deficit at the top of the table when arch-rivals Rangers, then under Steven Gerrard, won the Premiership title in the 2020/21 season.

McGregor, asked about the challenge of overhauling Hearts, replied: "They're eight points clear of us, and we're now the team that are chasing. If they're the guys at the top, then of course, we have to try to chase them."

Brentford manager Keith Andrews is happy to do without several first-team regulars as his side look to end Grimsby's giant-killing run in the English League Cup.

Premier League side Brentford travel to Blundell Park on Tuesday for a fourth-round tie, hoping to avoid becoming the Mariners' latest victims.

Grimsby, sixth in English football's fourth division, produced one of the great cup shocks by beating Manchester United in the second round after a marathon penalty shoot-out and followed that up by knocking out Championship crisis club Sheffield Wednesday.

But Brentford head into the last 16 buoyed by their 3-2 win at home to Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday, with Andrews saying: "The bench has made a huge impact in recent weeks - goals from it, courage, personality and experience - so they need to be rewarded, and the squad will be utilised."

Grimsby's push for promotion has faltered recently, with last weekend's 3-2 loss at Crewe their second defeat in three league matches, but Andrews added: "We're really up to speed on their key players and the system they play.

"To get to this point in the competition is significant for them. They've achieved a lot this season and are a very well-coached team. We have to be very respectful of them, but we'll be ready."

ALL-WELSH CLASH

Wrexham welcome Cardiff in Tuesday's other tie in an all-Welsh clash that will see the two clubs meet for the first time in 21 years.

The Dragons have enjoyed three successive promotions under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with Wrexham aiming to reach quarterfinals for the first time since the 1977/78 season.

"It's a Welsh derby and the chance to get into the quarterfinals for only the third time in our history, so it's an exciting evening ahead," Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told the BBC.

"I had a chat with the lads about our history in this competition and the rivalry between Wrexham and Cardiff.

"I don't think it needed too much explaining because everywhere I've been going in the last few weeks, supporters have been speaking to me about that and I'm sure the players have been the same."

Cardiff, top of League One, knocked Premier League Burnley out in the previous round.

Hundreds of Turkish football referees, including some officiating at national level, have bet on matches despite not being allowed to do so, the president of the country's football federation said on Monday.

Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu said that an investigation into 571 referees showed that "371 have betting accounts and 152 actively bet".

"We are determined to clean football of any trace of corruption. We will make no exception," Haciosmanoglu said, vowing that "necessary sanctions" would be taken immediately.

He said, 22 of the 371 referees (seven match referees and 15 assistants) officiate at the national level.

Neither the identities of the referees nor whether they had bet on their matches were revealed.

Each of the three Turkish footballing giants – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas – released a statement urging the federation to name and shame the referees and the matches on which they had bet.

Issues of referee partiality are not new in Turkey. The federation has used foreign officials to operate VAR in the Super Lig.

In February, a foreign referee was handed the whistle for the high-profile Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

Ashraf Hakimi scored a brace of goals for Paris St Germain and Mo Salah ended a four-game goal drought but the pair had contrasting results this past weekend as African players continue to excel in the best leagues in the world.

Here is a round-up of the top performers.

ACHRAF HAKIMI (MOROCCO & PSG)

Next fixtures: Lorient (a) & Nice (h)

For a player who features at right-back, Hakimi gets his fair share of goals and he netted twice in a 10-minute spell to help Paris St Germain to a 3-0 win at Brest on the weekend to stay top of Ligue 1.

The Morocco international now has 60 goals for club and country in his career, and is arguably the best in his position in the world. His first was a lovely volley after a ball over the Brest defence, before he finished into the roof of the net from close range following a scramble in the box. Those were his first goals of the Ligue 1 campaign.

MOHAMMED SALISU (GHANA & MONACO)

Next fixtures: Nantes (a) & Paris FC (h)

Salisu scored the only goal of the game as Monaco won at Toulouse and although they find themselves in sixth in the Ligue 1 table, they are only three points behind leaders PSG. The Ghana defender netted inside three minutes as he powered in a header from a corner. It is just a fourth goal of his league career for a player who has also featured in LaLiga and the Premier League, so a rare but welcome event.

MOHAMED SALAH (EGYPT & LIVERPOOL)

Next fixture: Aston Villa (h)

This season has been a struggle for Salah as he has failed to reach the heady heights of then last campaign, but he broke a four-game scoring drought with a goal against Brentford. The Reds suffered a fourth Premier League loss in a row though as they went down 3-2, piling on the misery for Salah.

He took his goal superbly, controlling a difficult high ball before smashing it into the top corner. That is his third goal of the campaign to go with two assists in nine starts, which for any other player would be perfectly acceptable, but salah has set such high standards in recent years.

DANGO OUATTARA (BURKINA FASO & BRENTFORD)

Next fixture: Crystal Palace (a)

The winger has been superb for Brentford since joining them from Bournemouth and netted the opener in their 3-2 win over Liverpool. It was a superb finish as he hooked the ball into the net on the volley, showing all of his excellent technique. It was his second goal of the campaign but surely there are more to come from a very fine attacking player.

LYLE FOSTER (SOUTH AFRICA & BURNLEY)

Next fixture: Arsenal (h)

Foster had to settle for a place on the bench after he had been a starter this season, but came on to score a dramatic 95th minute winner for Burnley at fellow strugglers Wolves. He was slipped in behind the home defence and showed great composure to lift the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net for his second goal of the campaign to go with an assist. It was a big win for Burnley, who claim back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since 2022.

MARSHALL MUNETSI (ZIMBABWE & WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS)

Next fixture: Fulham (a)

Munetsi has been one of the stand-out performers for Wolves this season in what has been a horror run of form that leaves them bottom of the Premier League table with without a win. In fact, if you stretch it back to last season, they have taken three of the last 39 points available.

But Munetsi has been a constant threat for opponents and scored his side’s second goal to level the game at 2-2 just before halftime with a neat flick into the net. He now has a goal and an assist in the Premier League, but has also stood out for his work-rate.

CHEMSDINE TALBI (MOROCCO & SUNDERLAND)

Next fixture: Everton (h)

It has been a dream start to the season for promoted Sunderland and they capped that with victory at Stamford Bridge with a 2-1 success against Chelsea. Their winner came very late on through Talbi, who scored his first goal for the club since a move from Club Brugge in Belgium. Brian Brobbey held the ball up well and laid it off for Talbi, who side-footed low into the far corner of the net. He also has an assist this season.

BRYAN MBEUMO (CAMEROON & MANCHESTER UNITED)

Next fixture: Nottingham Forest (a)

Things look to be turning around for Manchester United this season as they completed a third win in a row to bring relief for manager Ruben Amorim. Part of their upturn in form has been thanks to Mbeumo, and he scored two more goals in a 4-2 success at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

He took a pass from Benjamin Šeško for his first goal and cooly slotted the ball into the goal, before sealing the points late on with a first-time finish from the edge of the box. He now has four goals and an assist in nine Premier League games since moving to Old Trafford from Brentford.

ETTA EYONG (CAMEROON & LEVANTE)

Next fixture: Celta Vigo (h)

Eying moved to joint second in the LaLiga scoring charts with his sixth goal of the campaign as Levante played to a 1-1 draw with Mallorca. Only Kylian Mbappe (11) has managed more goals in the Spanish top flight this season than the Cameroon star.

His goal came after 22 minutes as the ball fell fortuitously to him in the box and he showed great composure to finish from close range. His side could not hold onto the advantage, but he continues to be excellent this season.

ANDRE-FRANK ZAMBO ANGUISSA (CAMEROON & NAPOLI)

Next fixtures: Lecce (a) & Como (h)

Defending champions Napoli picked up what could be a massive victory come the end of the season when they defeated title rivals Inter Milan 3-1 on Saturday and Anguissa got his name on the scoresheet.

He does love a goal against Inter and made the points safe with the third goal as he picked up the ball 35 yards from goal, burst towards the edge of the box and fired in a thunderous strike for his third goal of the campaign to go with an assist.

M’BALA NZOLA (ANGOLA & PISA)

Next fixtures: Lazio (h) & Torina (a)

Nzola thought he had given his Pisa side a famous win at the San Siro against AC Milan when he netted in the 86th minute to make it 2-1 to the visitors, but an injury-time equaliser from Milan meant they had to settle for a point. It was still a good result for Pisa, who are second bottom in the table.

Nzola beat the offside trap, but still needed a magical first touch to create the shooting chance, which he got before burying the ball into the bottom corner of the net. It is his second goal of the season.

An Afghan women's refugee team lost 6-1 to Chad in a FIFA-organised tournament in Morocco on Sunday but for the players the match itself represented a victory after being denied the chance to play the sport they love back home.

Women's sport has been banned in Afghanistan since the Taliban government took over in 2021, prompting players to flee the country fearing persecution.

Prior to the Taliban's takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

The women's national team last played an international match in 2021, losing 5-0 to Qatar, but in May world soccer's governing body approved the creation of an Afghan women's refugee team, with Pauline Hamill named as coach.

The team chose "Afghan Women United" as their official name following consultations with FIFA ahead of their loss to Chad, their first match of the four-team FIFA Unites: Women's Series tournament, which also features Tunisia and Libya.

"That's all we wanted all these years after trying so hard to get what we truly deserve as a woman. Our right to play and to represent our country," captain Fatima Haidari said in the lead-up to the match.

"We are profoundly grateful that FIFA gave us this opportunity and this privilege to represent what women are capable of."

Afghan Women United opened the scoring through Melbourne-based striker Manozh Noori's penalty on Sunday, sparking wild celebrations among her teammates and on the sidelines.

But Chad, who played their first match in 2019 and competed in qualifying for the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, recovered quickly and went on to record the comfortable win in Berrechid, 40km from Casablanca.

Afghan Women United's next game is against Tunisia on Wednesday before they take on Libya on Saturday.

The tournament was scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates but was moved to Morocco last week.

Bradley Carnell’s Philadelphia Union came through the first hurdle in the Major League Soccer playoffs on Sunday, but they had to scramble to win the first of three playoff clashes against Chicago Fire.

The former Bafana Bafana left back took Philadelphia to top place in the regular season in his first year in charge of the club and his side are top seeds for the playoffs, which began last Wednesday.

Union meet Chicago in a best of three matches play-off series and went 2-0 up on Sunday after winning 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 home draw.

“We put on a really good display of what we try to do. We broke in transition, we showed what we can do, created chaos moments, and took opportunities when they came,” Carnell said after the match.

“It was a contrast of two styles: one team trying to waste every second and trying to get out of here and get what they wanted, penalties. Glad we came out on the other side.”

Game one, WON! 🙌#DOOP | @PennMedicine pic.twitter.com/rKD0RIZTuf

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 27, 2025

Philadelphia were on their way to victory after scoring twice in five minutes during the second half with Indiana Vassilev (70th minute) and Milan Iloski (75th minute) netting.

Jonathan Bamba pulled one back for Chicago in the 84th minute before former Philadelphia centre back Jack Elliott equalised with a long-range shot that forced penalties.

Philadelphia are now one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they would meet Charlotte or New York City.

They can punch their ticket on Saturday, when they visit Chicago, but if they lose then the two sides will play a decisive third game in Philadelphia on 8 November.

Cameroon striker Bryan Mbeumo took his Premier League goal tally to five this season after scoring twice for Manchester United in a 4-2 win over Brighton at the weekend.

His first goal gave United a three-goal lead and the second sealed a third consecutive league win for the first time under manager Ruben Amorim.

Mbeumo, 26, joined United from Brentford in the close season after launching his professional career with Troyes. He represented France at age-limit levels before switching his allegiance to Cameroon.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester United)

Mbeumo scored his first goal in the 61st minute, squeezing a low shot through Brighton defender Lewis Dunk's legs and past 'keeper Bart Verbruggen at his near post. His second arrived in stoppage-time when he finished off Ayden Heaven's pass.

Bryan Mbeumo was too hot to handle 🥵 pic.twitter.com/Ux9JT3bxCX

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 25, 2025

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The Egypt forward ended his goal drought but still couldn't stop the troubled champions slumping to a 3-2 defeat at Brentford. Salah grabbed his first goal in seven matches to make it four for the season. It was a sweetly-struck finish from Dominic Szoboszlai's 89th-minute cross.

PAPE SARR (Tottenham)

The Senegal midfielder put the seal on his third-placed team's 3-0 win at Everton with the final goal. Sarr netted with a close-range header after Richarlison nodded the ball into his path in the 89th minute.

LYLE FOSTER (Burnley)

The South Africa striker scored for the first time since August to seal Burnley's dramatic 3-2 win at Wolves. The Clarets had blown a two-goal lead when Foster struck with a cool finish from Tunisian Hannibal Mejbri's pass in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

(1) new message from Lyle Foster 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/MyX7cQAbGv

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) October 26, 2025

SPAIN

DAVID CARMO (Real Oviedo)

The Angolan centre-back blasted home from close range in the 97th minute to rescue Oviedo a point on the road against Girona in a crunch LaLiga relegation clash between the two teams at the bottom. Carmo, on loan at Oviedo from Nottingham Forest, was able to celebrate only the third top flight goal of his career to seal a 3-3 draw.

AZZEDINE OUNAHI (Girona)

Morocco midfielder Ounahi joined Girona in the close-season and has two goals in his last three games for the club after scoring off the bench against Real Oviedo. The 25-year-old was sidelined for the previous match against Athletic Bilbao and the team missed him, but he made a quick impact on his return with a fine strike from outside the area.

𝗔𝗭𝗭𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗛𝗜. 🇲🇦@GironaFC | LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/cJUeI3e4wx

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) October 25, 2025

GERMANY

YAN DIOMANDE (RB Leipzig)

Leipzig winger Diomande was the first of six scorers in a 6-0 Bundesliga romp at Augsburg, while laying on two assists. With 10 minutes gone, the 18-year-old Ivorian collected a pass from Romulo and squeezing the ball inside the near post for his first Bundesliga goal.

EDMOND TAPSOBA (Bayer Leverkusen)

Centre-back Tapsoba scored in the second half as Leverkusen cruised to a 2-0 home win over Freiburg. With Leverkusen leading, the Burkina Faso international rose to nod an Alejandro Grimaldo cross into the net.

FRANCE

ACHRAF HAKIMI (Paris Saint-Germain)

African Player of the Year contender Hakimi scored twice as PSG won 3-0 at Brest to regain first place in Ligue 1. The Morocco captain and defender has been included in a 10-man shortlist for the award and he and Livepool forward Mohamed Salah are the favourites. Hakimi scored with a low shot on 29 minutes and struck again before halftime with a shot into the roof of the net.

𝗔𝗭𝗭𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗛𝗜. 🇲🇦@GironaFC | LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/cJUeI3e4wx

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) October 25, 2025

Tanzanian football giants Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC) have appointed former Angola football team coach Pedro Goncalves as their new man in charge, replacing Romain Folz.

The Portuguese mentor has taken over the mantle from interim coach Patrick Mabedi, who was holding the fort following the sacking of the former Mamelodi Sundowns assistant trainer.

The ex-Kaizer Chiefs legend Mabedi presided over Yanga’s passage to the Caf Champions’ League group phase after overcoming Silver Strikers from Malawi 2-0 on Saturday and 2-1 on aggregate.

Yanga have also appointed Filipe Pedro as an assistant coach. It remains to be seen if Mabedi will still be in the same coaching panel. The former Malawi coach joined the Tanzania Mainland Premier League side two weeks ago.

Frank Lampard hailed Coventry's clinical finishing as the Championship leaders beat 10-man Watford 3-1 on Saturday.

Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jamie Allen set the Sky Blues on their way inside the first seven minutes before Tatsuhiro Sakamoto effectively wrapped up their sixth successive league win before the interval.

Watford's James Abankwah was sent off for a professional foul before halftime, while Imran Louza's second half penalty was little consolation for the out-classed visitors.

"At the minute we're clinical and we're dangerous, and we've been more dangerous than today," Lampard said.

"It was a tricky game for us and I thought we did the job and we did it well."

Hayden Hackney's first goal since August preserved second-placed Middlesbrough's unbeaten home record by securing a 1-1 draw with Wrexham at the Riverside Stadium.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna was impressed with his players' character in their gritty 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Portman Road.

Jack Clarke netted in the 83rd minute as Ipswich got back to winning ways after successive Championship defeats.

"To be fair it was a good win in that if I could have picked the type of win that would really benefit the group today, I think it would be one where we have a clean sheet, we have a really stable performance and give nothing away," McKenna said.

Millwall boss Alex Neil ranked the 1-0 victory against Leicester at The Den as a key step in his side's development.

Femi Azeez produced a fine finish from Casper De Norre's sublime pass late in the first half.

The win could have been more comfortable had Mihailo Ivanovic not had a penalty saved in the second half, but third-placed Millwall are now just two points behind Middlesbrough.

"It felt like a big win because, in this narrative, I think - because this has happened at a lot of clubs, it's not the first time it's happened to me - there's always 'oh, we've won a few, we're going to lose the next one'," Neil said.

"Then when you win the next one, the feeling changes, doesn't it?"

Sheffield Wednesday's 2-1 defeat against Oxford added to the club's woes after they were placed in administration this week.

Bottom of the table Wednesday received a 12-point deduction as a result of the administration, leaving them on -6 points.

Goals from Will Lankshear and Cameron Brannagan gave Oxford a two-goal lead at the break before Sean Fusire pulled one back for Wednesday early in the second half.

The game was played amid a backdrop of renewed optimism among Wednesday supporters following the news that the appointment of administrators had seen controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri relinquish control of the club.

Swansea piled the pressure on beleaguered Norwich boss Liam Manning as Zan Vipotnik's double secured a 2-1 win for the Welsh club.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker says competing in African club competitions must be seen as a privilege and his club’s nomination for the Club of the Year at the Confederation of African Football Awards is special.

Stellenbosch are one of the 10 finalists for the award after reaching last season’s African Confederation Cup semifinal in their first season of continental competition.

They are back in the competition this season and on Sunday host 15 de Agosto from Equatorial Guinea in the second leg of their second round tie, having forced a goalless draw away last weekend.

“It's a privilege to play on the continent and then to be nominated for Club of the Year in CAF, when you look how many teams there are on the continent, is just really special.

“We want to be playing in Africa, and we don't mind where we play. I do think it builds a bit of resilience in a team. I mean, we’ve had to spend five days together, whether it's on a plane, in an airport, on a bus, at a hotel, and I think that brings the team together.

“We've brought in a number of new players, and I think actually enduring a little bit of hardship might in the long run be good for team morale.”

Stellenbosch will be looking for a spot in the group phase, which carries considerable prize money, but had to play midweek when they beat Lamontville Golden Arrows 4-3 in the league.

Asked whether clubs flying the South African flag should be playing playing games on a Wednesday before a continental competition game, Barker said: “I do think that should be a big consideration, but I do know, obviously, seasons when you have Afcon and the amount of Fifa breaks we had leading up to the World Cup qualification, that if you don't play these games, eventually it catches up to you.

“We initially tried to get the game against Arrows postponed but we were unable to. So now having played and got the positive result, then I think it plays in our favour. I think playing regularly is not a bad thing. It's just managing players and their workload and just making sure everybody's as fresh as they can be.”

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said their embarrassing 1-0 home defeat by Cypriot minnows AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League on Thursday should serve as a reminder for the FA Cup winners to "stay humble".

The Premier League club were hosting a European match for the first time in their 101-year history but Riad Balic's goal early in the second half spoiled the party at London's Selhurst Park.

Palace are eighth in the Premier League and enjoying a good run of form while Larnaca are fifth in the Cypriot league.

"We will learn from it, the players will learn. And yes, it's disappointing, it's a frustrating night, but maybe the whole environment needed it to stay humble," Glasner told reporters.

"You are always told when you play in the Premier League you win the Conference League. Stay humble. I don't know if any debutant (is able) to win the competition. I don't think so."

Palace next visit league leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Full-time thoughts from Oliver Glasner.

Watch in full ⤵️

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 23, 2025

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi are among 10 stars nominated for the 2025 African Player of the Year award, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

Salah finished fourth and Hakimi sixth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or and are the favourites for the African award.

Egypt captain Salah has been voted African Player of the Year twice while Morocco skipper Hakimi is seeking a first success.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) - 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝘀#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/z4VOFZERxM

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) October 22, 2025

Apart from Salah, the other two contenders from the Premier League are both Senegalese – Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr and Everton striker Iliman Ndiaye.

There are two Africa-based nominees, Congolese Fiston Mayele from Egyptian club and African champions Pyramids and Oussama Lamlioui of Moroccan outfit Renaissance Berkane. Both are prolific scorers.

The last winner, Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman, did not make the short list, but 2023 winner and compatriot Victor Osimhen was included.

CAF technical and development committee members, coaches, former stars and selected media representatives chose the 10 nominees.

Nominees

Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa (CMR/Napoli), Fiston Mayele (COD/Pyramids), Mohamed Salah (EGY/Liverpool), Denis Bouanga (GAB/Los Angeles FC), Serhou Guirassy (GUI/Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (MAR/PSG), Oussama Lamlioui (MAR/Renaissance Berkane), Victor Osimhen (NGR/Galatasaray), Iliman Ndiaye (SEN/Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (SEN/Tottenham Hotspur)

Coventry extended their lead at the top of the Championship thanks to Brandon Thomas-Asante's double to win 2-1 at Portsmouth on Tuesday, while Millwall beat Stoke 2-0 to go third.

Frank Lampard's Sky Blues have won five straight games to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table over Middlesbrough.

Frank Lampard reacts to tonight’s 2-1 win away at Portsmouth. 🎙️

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) October 21, 2025

Thomas-Asante converted his seventh and eighth goals of the season as Coventry took another step towards ending a 25-year absence from the Premier League.

Goals from Femi Azeez and Tristan Crama bolstered Millwall's unlikely promotion hopes with a third consecutive victory.

However, it was another night to forget for all three clubs relegated from the Premier League last season.

Charlton climbed to fifth with a 3-0 win at Ipswich.

Southampton lost 3-1 at Bristol City despite going in front, while Leicester were beaten 2-1 at Hull.

Sheffield United, who only missed out on promotion last season in the play-off final, climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to a 3-1 win at Blackburn.

Norwich fell into the bottom three after they lost 1-0 at Derby, while Birmingham beat Preston 1-0 to climb up to 12th and within three points of the playoff places.

New Rangers boss Danny Rohl said on Tuesday only by winning games can he gain the confidence of supporters underwhelmed by the German's appointment.

Rohl, 36, has only previously managed Sheffield Wednesday but enjoyed spells as a backroom coach at Bayern Munich and the German national team under Barcelona boss Hansi Flick.

The Rangers hierarchy have been heavily criticised by the club's support for a chaotic recruitment process to find the successor to Russell Martin.

Chairman Andrew Cavenagh watches on as Danny Röhl leads his first session at the Rangers Training Centre.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 21, 2025

Martin was sacked on October 5 after just 123 days in charge.

Talks with former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and Shaghai Port coach Kevin Muscat broke down without an agreement, leaving the club's under-19s coach Steven Smith to take charge of Saturday's 2-2 draw against Dundee United.

"You can be the first, the second or the third choice, what's important is that you win the next games and then you have to go forward," Rohl told reporters at his unveiling.

"The first step is, and this is the huge one, we need wins in a row. This is very important, because with wins in a row you can create self-confidence."

Rohl takes over a team that has only won five of their 18 games this season.

Rangers sit 13 points behind surprise Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and eight adrift of fierce rivals Celtic.

The Ibrox side are also yet to win a point in the Europa League after two games ahead of Rohl's first match in charge at Brann in Norway on Thursday.

Yet, he said there is huge potential in a squad that has won just one of eight league games so far this season.

"I see so much potential. If you can bring the squad together with your style of football, with the things you demand, then you will go in a fantastic direction," added Rohl.

Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have been the target for angry fans at the failed hire of Martin and an expensive squad overhaul in the transfer market that is yet to reap any reward.

However, the former Manchester United executive defended the process that led to Rohl's appointment.

"I can understand that on the outside it might look as though the process has gone awry, but all we can look at is the outcome of the process," said Stewart.

"We had discussions with a number of very credible candidates and we got one of those over the line."

There was anger on Monday in Israel after police banned the Israeli Premier League's Tel Aviv derby amid chaotic scenes, triggering complaints from the clubs and political opposition.

Sunday's match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off after what a police spokesman described as "disorderly conduct, riots, the hurling of objects, smoke grenades, fireworks, injured officers and damage to the stadium infrastructure".

Speaking to public broadcaster KAN, he said: "This is not a soccer game: this is severe disorder and violence."

After the police order, the Bloomfield Stadium, the home ground for both teams, was evacuated, with police on horseback intervening to control the 30 000 fans.

Hapoel's management was infuriated by the police decision and tactics.

"From the preliminary discussions before the game, it seemed that the police were preparing for a war rather than a sports event," the club said in a statement published on social media.

"Everyone saw the harsh videos, children trampled by horses, police officers beating fans indiscriminately," it said, accusing the police of taking over the sport and demanding football authorities regain control.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also seized upon the incident to attack Israel's far-right interior minister.

"To the endless list of failures of the incompetent minister Itamar Ben Gvir, tonight was added the inability to facilitate a soccer game in the State of Israel," Lapid posted on social media.

Ben Gvir responded in a statement from his office, justifying the clampdown.

"The decision was made by the district commander, and I support him, believing that the police acted correctly," Ben Gvir said.

"Dozens of flares were thrown and both officers and civilians were injured. It was a real battlefield, and the response was justified."

Israeli Police cancelled the Tel Aviv derby tonight between Maccabi Tel Aviv Vs Hapoel Tel Aviv after a riot between rival fans broke out that posed a "risk to life"

According to Keir Starmer the Israeli Police are now Anti-Semitic pic.twitter.com/FRItLIJVSY

— Cllr Martin Abrams 🕊️🍉 (@Martin_Abrams) October 19, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv was less outspoken than its rival club.

In a separate controversy, Maccabi's supporters are already facing a ban from an upcoming Europa League match in Birmingham, England, where a local safety committee has tried to ban Israeli away fans from Aston Villa's stadium.

The UK government is trying to reverse the ban, which has been criticised by Israeli ministers, Europe's football governing body Uefa and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said: "We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets."

Rangers have named former Sheffield Wednesday coach Danny Rohl as their new manager to replace the sacked Russell Martin, the Scottish club said on Monday, with the German 36-year-old signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Rohl left Championship side Wednesday by mutual consent in July, less than two weeks before the start of the season, having been in charge since October, 2023 and guiding them to a 12th-place finish last season.

That was the German's first senior managerial role having previously served as assistant manager at RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and with the German national team.

Martin was dismissed on October 5 after a disappointing start to the season, where one win in seven league games left Rangers well off the pace in the Scottish Premiership standings.

Rangers drew 2-2 at home to Dundee United on Saturday and are sixth in the standings, 13 points adrift of leaders Hearts.

"I know it has been a difficult start to the season, but there is still so much to play for in four competitions," Rohl said in a club statement.

"My staff and I will give it everything to reward the supporters and the club."

Rohl's first game in charge is an away trip to face Norwegian side SK Brann in the Europa League on Thursday.

Rangers lost their opening two games in the competition to Genk and Sturm Graz under Martin.

Welcome to Rangers, Danny Röhl.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 20, 2025

Liverpool captain Grace Fisk has replaced injured Arsenal defender Katie Reid in the England squad for this month's friendlies against Brazil and Australia, the FA said on Monday.

Fisk, 27, will hope to earn her senior international debut as England play their first matches since winning the Euros in July.

Along with Reid, Manchester City midfielder Grace Clinton has also withdrawn due to a small injury, the FA said in a statement.

"Both will remain with their clubs for rehabilitation," the FA added.

England will play Brazil on Saturday in Manchester, before facing Australia in Derby three days later.