Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday.

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with a hat-trick in the champions' 3-1 win at West Ham, while Declan Rice was controversially sent off as Arsenal were held to a damaging 1-1 draw by Brighton on Saturday.

Australian midfielder Patrick Yazbek's omission from the latest Socceroos squad was not because of him being sanctioned for violating America's Major League Soccer anti-discrimination policy.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed concerns about the fitness of teenage star Nestory Irankunda ahead of Australia's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night.

The draw for the league stage of the new-look UEFA Champions League took place on Thursday, throwing up a series of heavyweight fixtures including a trip for holders Real Madrid to Liverpool and a repeat of last season's final between the Spanish giants and Borussia Dortmund.

Mary Fowler has defended the Matildas' Paris preparations following their Olympic flop earlier this month.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has tragically passed away aged 76 after revealing he had terminal pancreatic cancer.

Former Juventus and Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa has signed a two-year marquee deal with Sydney FC in a huge boost for not only the Sky Blues but the entire A-League.

Liverpool's perfect start to life under Arne Slot has continued with a solid victory over Brentford, with two key attackers getting their names on the score sheet.

Ange Postecoglou warned Yves Bissouma not to misbehave again after the Tottenham midfielder returned from his laughing gas suspension to inspire Saturday's 4-0 rout of Everton.