Chelsea say they categorically refute FIFA s claims they have breached transfer regulations and will appeal a two-window ban.

FIFA s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea on Friday after it uncovered 29 cases in which the club were in breach of article 19 of the regulations, relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

The investigation was originally in relation to 92 players.

The Blues were told they will not be able to register new signings in either of the next two transfer windows and were fined 600,000 Swiss francs.

However, the club have criticised FIFA s findings and, in a statement announcing their intention to appeal the decision, said they are extremely disappointed .

Chelsea FC categorica…

MLS commissioner Don Garber is keen for Lionel Messi to join the competition, though a deal would have to be outside the box .

Messi has been heavily linked with a move to Inter Miami, as his contract at Paris Saint-Germain enters its final months.

In November, Messi s representative Marcelo Mendez denied reports that the seven-time Ballon D Or winner would join the MLS club at the end of the Ligue 1 season.

Negotiations between Messi and PSG regarding a new deal are reported to be ongoing but, with less than four months remaining on his agreement, he could become a free agent later this year.

If a move to the MLS was to materialise, Garber explained that they would need to be creative in order to complete the deal due to the league s financial and salary…

Erling Haaland will fly at Manchester City, says new team-mate Kalvin Phillips, backing the Norway international as a  good lad  who will deliver on his promise.

The pair are the headline recruits for Pep Guardiola s Premier League champions this term, with Haaland arriving from Borussia Dortmund and Phillips recruited from Leeds United.

The duo share common ancestry both were born in Leeds, despite Haaland representing the nation of his father at international level and Phillips admits that it has allowed them to bond at their new home.

But it is the forward s talismanic drive and self-belief that can help fire City to the next level, Phillips believes.

I think just the presence he has and the confidence he has in himself is what every big striker…

Ralf Rangnick has been confirmed as interim manager of Manchester United, meaning that thoughts can now turn to more important matters.

Yes, transfers.

While the 63-year-old is only set to be in the dugout until the end of the season, his deal includes a further two years in a consultancy role, meaning he will presumably have a say on comings and goings at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

As well as showing his qualities as a coach and tactician during his career, Rangnick has also shown himself to be adept at identifying and recruiting talent, scouting the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Sadio Mane and Erling Haaland over the years.

While funds have been readily spent by United in recent times, it seems clear that the current squad needs more adding to …

Robert Lewandowski accused Bayern Munich of making up bulls*** about him in an attempt to keep the fan base onside ahead of his move to Barcelona. 

Barca paid an initial €45million to sign Lewandowski from Bayern, where he had one year left on his contract and had made his desire to leave clear after a breakdown in talks over an extension. 

Lewandowski denied wanting out because of the Bundesliga champions reported interest in Erling Haaland, who ended up swapping Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City. 

While he was unwilling to give the full details, he hit out at his former club for painting what he feels was an inaccurate portrait of the situation. 

No, that was nothing to do with Erling, he told ESPN FC. I am the guy who even if something s not…

Djamel Belmadi vowed to unleash his strongest team on Tanzania as in-form Algeria aim to make another statement at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Desert Foxes beat Senegal, the tournament s top-ranked team, 1-0 in their previous outing and are now in pole position to top a tough Group C.

Only an unlikely win for bottom-placed Tanzania could deny Belmadi s men, who began the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Kenya.

Algeria appear poised to seriously challenge for a second continental crown and will be taking no chances in Cairo on Monday, with captain Riyad Mahrez seemingly in line to start.

We respect Tanzania, but that doesn t mean we won t go in at full strength, head coach Belmadi said. We already beat the number one team already in Africa, Senegal.<…

Will the arrival at Chelsea of Guus Hiddink lift the Blues?

As expected Chelsea has appointed veteran Dutch boss Guus Hiddink on an interim basis until the end of the season, after Jose Mourinho’s departure from the club earlier this week.

The 69-year-old will not be in the Blues dugout for today’s home clash with Sunderland, as coaches Steve Holland and Eddie Newton take charge of the team.

Hiddink the ace firefighter

Hiddink comes in for his second spell at Chelsea, but once again he is being brought in as a firefighter. Second time around the reigning Premier League champions are in major trouble in the top-flight, incredibly just a point clear of the dreaded relegation zone.

Former-boss Jose Mourinho is still considered one of the greates…

Manchester United need a win and Cristiano Ronaldo needs a goal. Perhaps the visit of Southampton, who shipped nine at Old Trafford a year ago, will prove profitable.

Frank Lampard oversees his first home league game in charge of Everton as Leeds United visit, and he will hope it goes better than it did when he was Derby County boss and encountered the same opposition.

Liverpool and in-form Andy Robertson head to Burnley, while Wolves and Joao Moutinho are hoping for more magic against Tottenham.

Why not welcome the weekend by having a go at Stats Perform s quiz? As usual, the answers are at the bottom. Some of these are quite tricky, so if you get five out of five, we won t blame you for throwing in a SIUU or two

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is …

Manchester City secured a last-16 spot in the Champions League but failed to turn their complete dominance into more than a 1-0 win over Olympiacos.

Eager to put Saturday s 2-0 Premier League loss to Tottenham behind them, Pep Guardiola s side controlled proceedings in Wednesday s Group C clash in Athens.

But they had only one goal to show for it as Phil Foden, who wowed for England during the international break, swept the visitors into a first-half lead that never came under threat from the toothless hosts.

Guardiola, who signed a new contract last week, saw his side frustrated by a combination of profligate finishing and fine goalkeeping from Jose Sa.

City, who scored nine goals across their opening three group games, were quickly on the front foot and…

Frenkie de Jong believes Netherlands run to the Nations League final means the Oranje are a force to be reckoned with once again on the international stage.

After finishing third at the 2014 World Cup, Netherlands failed to reach each of the next two major tournaments and few would have fancied them to progress from A Nations League group starring Germany and France.

But under the guidance of Ronald Koeman, a rejuvenated side finished top of the pool, before defeating England 3-1 after extra time in Thursday s semi-final.

There was to be no silverware, though, as Goncalo Guedes solitary strike ensured the inaugural crown went the way of hosts Portugal at the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday.

The Young player of the Tournament:  Frenkie de Jong

�…