Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb has been postponed after a fan was stabbed to death in the Greek capital.

The Greek supporter, 29, died following brawls between rival fans outside AEK’s Agia Sophia Stadium in a northern suburb of Athens on Monday evening.

Police said eight others were injured and 98 arrests were made.

Uefa had banned visiting supporters from both legs of the third-round qualifying tie over security concerns.

European football’s governing body said that the trouble meant the match had to be postponed, with the decision made in consultation with the local authorities.

“Uefa deplores in the strongest possible terms the appalling incidents that took place in Athens last night and resulted in the loss of a life,” Uefa said.

“While expressing our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim, to AEK Athens FC and its fans, we would like to reiterate that violence has no place in our sport and we expect that those responsible for this terrible act be arrested and consigned to justice in the shortest delay.”

The return leg in Croatia will go ahead as planned next Tuesday,15 August with the game in Athens to be rearranged for either Friday, 18 August or Saturday, 19 August.Greek police said the trouble started 90 minutes after Croatian side Dinamo had completed a pre-match training session at the stadium in Nea Philadelphia and left under police escort.

Between 100-120 Dinamo fans showed up to the stadium and clashed with AEK fans who had gathered there.

Fans from both sides “threw flares, improvised incendiary devices, objects, stones, and also used improvised bats”.

Police said a preliminary investigation had started and they were trying to identify the perpetrators.

“GNK Dinamo strongly condemns the riots that took place last night in Athens,” a Dinamo Zagreb statement said.

“Such events are not in line with the values ​​and ethics we promote as a club and community.

“We express our deep concern over this incident. GNK Dinamo would like to express its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.”

Hooliganism has marred Greek football in recent years and last year the government increased the maximum sentence for crimes of fan violence from six months to five years after another fatal stabbing.

Alkis Kampanos, 19, was killed in February 2022 in Thessaloniki during a fight between supporters of the city’s rival clubs Aris and PAOK.

Last month, seven defendants were found guilty of his murder and sentenced to life in prison. Five others received sentences of more than 19 years for complicity.

Newcastle completed the signing of defender Tino Livramento from Southampton on Tuesday for a reported initial fee of £32 million ($41 million).

Livramento, 20, impressed during the 2021/22 season shortly after moving to St. Mary’s from Chelsea.

However, he missed most of last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in April 2022 as Southampton were relegated from the Premier League.

The BBC said the total fee could rise to £40 million should performance-related bonuses be met.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has now added three new players to his squad during the transfer window following the arrivals of Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali and winger Harvey Barnes.

“At 20, he already has lots of attributes that I admire but he also has the potential and drive to really grow with this team,” said Howe in a club statement.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and to seeing him develop in a Newcastle shirt.”

Backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Newcastle have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Livramento, who has signed a five-year contract, said the Magpies’ upward curve played a major role in attracting him to St. James’ Park.

“The way the manager plays football is really attractive and I feel like it suits me as a player,” said the England under-21 international.

“With how well the team did last season, the trajectory that we’re on now, I’m just looking forward to being a part of that.”

Newcastle begin their Premier League campaign at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

FIFPRO is assisting the Nigerian women’s team in their fight with the country’s football federation (NFF) to receive wages owed since 2021, the global players’ union said on Tuesday.

Nigeria arrived at the Women’s World Cup having been at loggerheads with the NFF over pay and conditions, with coach Randy Waldrum saying he was owed seven months’ wages and some of his players had not been paid in two years.

Nigeria reached the knockout stages at the World Cup where they were eventually eliminated by England on penalties after a 0-0 draw in their last-16 match on Monday.

“FIFPRO can confirm it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some of which date back to 2021,” it said in a statement.

“During the World Cup, the players expressed the desire to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing other distractions.

“However, the Super Falcons believe that it is now time for the Nigeria Football Federation to honour their commitments and pay the outstanding amounts.”

Reuters has contacted the NFF for comment. They did not respond when asked about the issue last month.

Nigeria are 11-times Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions and the outspoken Waldrum said he was not confident the dispute would be resolved by the end of the tournament.

“The team is extremely frustrated that they have had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament and may have to continue doing so afterwards,” FIFPRO added.

“It is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time in their careers.

“FIFPRO will continue to work with the players to ensure their contractual rights are honoured and the outstanding payments are settled.”

Nigeria forward Ifeoma Onumonu revealed the squad have no access to a gym in their training camp in Nigeria and that the players were forced to share beds.

“There’s a lot that needs to be done. Hopefully more people start to talk about it. Coming here it’s hard to adjust,” she was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

“We do what we can because we love playing for our country but hopefully they make it easier for us to do our best.”

England’s Lauren James issued an apology on Tuesday after she was sent off for a stamp on Nigeria player Michelle Alozie during their Women’s World Cup last-16 game.

James, England’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals, received a red card for a bad-tempered stamp on Alozie’s back in the 87th minute of Monday’s game.

England were reduced to 10 players for more than half an hour but went on to win in a penalty shootout after the match ended 0-0 following extra time.

“All my love and respect to you. I am sorry for what happened,” James said on messaging platform X.

“Also, for our England fans and my teammates, playing with and for you is my greatest honour and I promise to learn from my experience.”

The apology came as a response to Alozie’s post where she said: “We are playing on the world’s stage. This game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments.

“All respect for Lauren James.”

England will face Colombia in the quarterfinals on Saturday but James will miss that game through suspension. England now await a Fifa decision to see if the Chelsea player will receive an extended ban for the stamp.

“Lauren is really sorry for her actions which led to the red card and is full of remorse. It is wholly out of character for her,” England’s Football Association said in a statement.

“We will be supporting Lauren throughout and will be putting forward representation on her behalf. We fully respect Fifa’s disciplinary process and will not be making any further comment until after any decision has been made.”

Africa’s last hope at the Women’s World Cup ended on Tuesday as Morocco went out, easily beaten 4-0 by France in Adelaide in their last-16 tie.

The North Africans follow South Africa and Nigeria out of the tournament although the fact that the continent has delivered three of its four representatives into the knockout stages must be seen as a triumph as it came again all expectation.

Africa, however, remain without a win in the knockout stage of the tournament after nine editions.

France, whose tally of 12 goals in this tournament is the most they have scored at a Women’s World Cup, now meet co-hosts Australia in Brisbane in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Eugenie le Sommer, in a French record 19th World Cup appearance, scored a pair after Kadidiatou Diani and Kenza Dali had set them off to a quick start.

France dominated the first half and led 3-0 inside 23 minutes as Morocco had no answer to their precision passing and ability to get behind the North Africans’ defence.

The opener came on 15 minutes as neat one-two passing unleashed Sakina Karchaoui on the left wing and her cross was perfect for Kadidiatou Diani to head home unopposed.

Diani turned supplier for the second as she crossed low for Kenza Dali to score from close range as the ball crept in off the post.

France made it three goals in eight minutes as they again tore Morocco apart with the pace of their attack. Nesryne El Chad tried to clear but ball struck Diani and ricocheted to Eugenie le Sommer, who finished easily.

France had 70 per cent of the ball in the opening period and Morocco barely made it into their half as the European side stroked the ball around effortlessly under no real pressure.

Morocco looked to lift their levels after the break but their first corner of the game came in the 67th minute, when their chances were looking slim already.

France then put it all beyond doubt as they made it 4-0 as substitute Vicki Becho’s cross to the back post was headed home by the unmarked Le Sommer as Morocco’s defence went to sleep.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Dutch centre back Micky van de Ven from German side Wolfsburg on a six-year contract, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old defender, who moved to Wolfsburg in 2021, made 41 appearances for the Bundesliga side in all competitions while he has also featured for the Netherlands Under-21 side 11 times.

At Wolfsburg, the defender was deployed in a back three as well as a back four as the club finished eighth.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Micky van de Ven from VfL Wolfsburg, subject to international clearance and work permit,” Spurs said in a statement.

“The defender has signed a contract with the club that will run until 2029, and will wear the number 37 shirt.”

Van de Ven follows the permanent signings of James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Guglielmo Vicario, Manor Solomon and Ashley Philips.

Spurs open their Premier League campaign away at Brentford on Sunday.

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery that will rule the French international out for an “extended period” the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Nkunku, 25, joined the Blues in June from RB Leipzig for a reported £63 million ($80 million).

The BBC and The Telegraph reported that Nkunku could be out for up to four months.

He was expected to spearhead a new-look Chelsea this season under the management of Mauricio Pochettino.

The news comes as a hammer blow just days before they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

In a statement, Chelsea said: “Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period.

“The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department.”

Nkunku, who missed last year’s World Cup finals due to a left knee problem, suffered the injury during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago last week.

Pochettino described the pitch at Soldier Field as “not perfect” but conceded that is the risk in playing a money-spinning tour of the States on surfaces designed for multi-sport use.

Chelsea could now be forced into the transfer market to recruit more firepower.

A return of just 38 goals in the Premier League last season contributed to a 12th-placed finish – their lowest since 1994.