D’Agostino’s Viola deal confirmed

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) insisted it warned Argentina s Premier League-based quartet about the need to quarantine after Sunday s blockbuster CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier was sensationally abandoned.

The top-of-the-table fixture was halted following an apparent breach of coronavirus regulations, Argentina naming three Premier League players in their starting line-up – Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Tottenham pair Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso.

Brazil had called up nine Premier League stars to their side, though none of the group travelled, with top-flight English clubs given backing not to release players.

Travellers from the United Kingdom are also restricted entry to Brazil if they have spent time in the country within …

Arsene Wenger claimed there has been a very positive response to proposals for the World Cup to be staged every two years – as UEFA warned that its members could boycott the tournament.

The former Arsenal manager has become the figurehead for FIFA s mission to change the landscape of the world game, in plans that have been derided by UEFA and Europe s top leagues.

Wenger, 71, is FIFA s chief of global football development, and he has been at the forefront of promoting an idea that Saudi Arabia proposed to FIFA in May.

Frenchman Wenger said it would need to be a democratic decision by FIFA s members if global football s most important tournament is to shift from its current format, whereby it takes place every four years.

UEFA president Aleksander Cefe…

J.League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima host second-place Omiya Ardija on Wednesday, one game after replacing them at the top of the table.

The two sides are separated by just goal difference at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season, however in their previous meeting in the league, Omiya ran o
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ut 2-1 winners.

Omiya have lost their last two games, allowing Sanfrecce to reel them in and their hopes of regaining top spot will not be boosted by a failure to win in Hiroshima since 2010.

Yokohama F Marinos have also kept themselves in contention with back-to-back victories and now find themselves two points behind the leaders in third place.

They welcome mid-table side Kashiwa Reysol, a side they lost 2-1 to earlier this season.

Urawa Re…

John Guidetti is keen to secure a place in the Stoke City starting line-up as he aims to impress during his loan spell.

The Sweden international moved from Manchester City to the Britannia Stadium on a season-long loan earlier this month and, having overcome a lengthy injury lay-off, does not want to spend time on the bench.

He had to settle for a cameo role during the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, but the 21-year-old feels he is ready to make an impact from the start against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

I love to play every game I can, he told the Sentinel. No offence to training, but training is just training.

Games are what I live for – it s the best thing in the world to play football.

I want to play Chelsea away, (Manchester) United at home, S…

Glenn Murray smashed home a late penalty as Brighton and Hove Albion came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Albion s talisman grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck after Brighton had fallen 2-0 behind just after the hour, netting twice in 17 minutes to salvage a point.

It could have been all three for the hosts had Pascal Gross not seen an early penalty saved at the AMEX Stadium, the midfielder s miss punished soon after by Andre Schurrle.

Schurrle s cool finish from a crisp attacking move was added to by the impressive Aleksandar Mitrovic, the striker netting his fourth of the season at the second attempt.

However, the Serbian went from hero to villain as he inexplicably gave away a late penalty, allowing Murray to grab his second …

Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind described his positive working relationship with Jose Mourinho and believes Ajax could benefit from the Portuguese s tactics.

Blind returned to Ajax after a four-year spell at Old Trafford, having made just seven Premier League appearances for Mourinho s side in 2017-18.

Despite falling out of favour towards the end of his time at United and then being sold for a fee potentially rising to €20.5million, Blind reflected warmly on his experience of playing for Mourinho, who missed out on signing another defender before last week s transfer deadline.

Blind described his time at United as very positive , telling reporters: I almost played 150 matches. I won four trophies.

I had a very beautiful time. I had many…

Market: Roma win

Odds: 19/20 @

Desperate to make up some ground in the top-four chase, Roma will make the trip to Frosinone on Sunday evening.

Starting with the hosts, while Frosinone might have made a real statement last season as they stormed their way to a famous Serie A return, many in Eusebio Di Francesco s camp are looking over their shoulders at a looming relegation scrap in 2024. Opening Sunday’s showdown holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the Canaries are also find themselves at the heart of an extended rut. Although the Lazio-based outfit might have claimed a crucial 3-1 victory against Cagliari last month, it appears that might have been just a minor boost for the one-time Roma boss. Last seen putting in a nightmare …

Marseille agree deal for Diarra

French daily newspaper that Marseille are on the verge of signing midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The French giants have been in talks with the player s agents over the last couple of weeks and they appear to have reached an agreement over a four-year contract.

As a result, Diarra will join Marseille on a free transfer during the day, subject to passing a medical.

The 30-year-old arrives at Stade Velodrome as a replacement for Gianelli Imbula, although he might need some time to rediscover his form having failed to play a competitive game in over a year.

Diarra s illustrious career includes spells with Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid, whereas his stint in Russia proved a major disappointment.

Marseille coach M…

Cittadella produced a stunning display in the opening round of the Coppa Italia as they thrashed Potenza 15-0 on Sunday.

The Lega Pro side ran riot in their first competitive game of the new season, scoring 10 goals in the second half alone.

Giulio Bizzotto led the scoring charts for Cittadella with two goals in either half, while five other players found the net on two occasions in a rampant display.

Brescia began life as a Lega Pro side with a stuttering performance against Cremonese, the third-tier club  who count Roberto Baggio, Pep Guardiola and Andrea Pirlo as former stars  needing penalties to progress.

After a goalless 120 minutes, Brescia  who were relegated from Serie B last season  eventually prevailed 4-3 in the shootout, Carlo Crialese …

TalkSport understands that Ryan Kent could make a permanent switch from Liverpool to Rangers once his loan spell is completed.

The twenty-one-year-old moved north of the border in the summer and has already amassed seventeen appearances for Steven Gerrard’s side in all competitions, scoring two goals.

Kent had already had four stints away from Anfield, turning out for Coventry City, Barnsley, Freiburg and Bristol City while he has made just one appearance for his parent club.

That outing came in a 2-2 FA Cup third round draw with Exeter City back in January 2016 while internationally he has been capped for England at U18 and U20 level.

He played forty-seven times for Barnsley during the 2016/17 campaign and was named their Young Player of the Seas…