‘Regulate the transfer market’

Chelsea probed by FIFA

Tottenham’s Harry Winks (left), vies for the ball with Barnsley’s Jason McCarthy during the English League Cup soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Barnsley at Wembley Stadium in London on Sept 19. (AP)

GENEVA, Sept 20, (Agencies): UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called for greater support from Europe's political leaders to help introduce measures to regulate the transfer market on the continent.

"I have heard some very prominent politicians, such as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel just a few days ago, condemning financial developments in football and calling for greater sporting balance," Ceferin said in a speech to open the UEFA Congress in Geneva on Wednesday.

"To all the European politicians, let me say that we cannot agree more, but I cannot say that you have done much to help us set things straight so far.

"We are open to any and all reforms that would serve the good of the game. We are imaginative and we are committed, and we are just waiting for the green light from those who... have yet to enable us to put it right."

Hoping to be elected for a fourth term in legislative elections this weekend, Merkel recently criticised French giants Paris Saint-Germain's spending in the summer transfer window as they committed the two biggest fees in history to sign Neymar from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($264m) and Kylian Mbappe from Monaco for 180 million euros.

"Such sums are comprehensible to no one. UEFA and

In those cases, clubs must still ensure that the player continues his education and studies for an alternative career, as well as making sure he has a high living standard.

A Chelsea spokesman told British media that the club complies with all FIFA statutes and regulations when recruiting players.

Russia, host of the 2018 World Cup, regained its place on the FIFA Council when Alexei Sorokin was elected as one of the decision-making panel's European members on Wednesday.

Sorokin, the chief executive of the organising committee for next year's tournament, was elected by acclamation at an extraordinary UEFA Congress on Wednesday. He was the only candidate.

Russia had been without a representative on the global governing body's FIFA Council since May when Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko was barred from standing for re-election.

Karim Benzema became the latest Real Madrid star to sign a new bumper four-year contract with the European Champions to 2021, the club announced on Wednesday.

Vice-captain Marcelo, Isco and Dani Carvajal all extended to 2022 over the past week as Real reward key members of the squad that became the first side to retain the Champions League trophy in June.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul's loan move to Brighton and Hove Albion from fellow Premier League newcomers Newcastle United has been made permanent, both clubs announced on Wednesday.

The Dutch international moved to Brighton on a seasonlong loan last month after 12 years at Newcastle and has signed a one-year contract, Brighton said on its website (www.brightonandhovealbion.com).

England sacked the women’s national team soccer head coach Mark Sampson on Wednesday as a consequence of “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour in a previous position.

The Football Association (FA) said Sampson’s contract had been terminated with immediate effect but the decision was not linked to allegations of discriminatory remarks to one of his England players.

The 34-year-old Sampson, whose side beat Russia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, has been accused of discrimination by Chelsea striker Eniola Aluko. played the first 45 minutes before coming off at half-time.

But Liverpool's disappointing recent form showed no signs of improving and Islam Slimani finished them off 12 minutes from full-time.

Slimani took Okazaki's pass and drove a fine strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

At Wembley, Tottenham won for just the second time at the national stadium since moving into their temporary home at the start of the season.

With White Hart Lane being redeveloped, Tottenham had been suffering from home sickness after failing to win any of their three Premier League games there.

But Pochettino still sent out a strong side featuring Dele Alli, Son HeungMin, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen, while Argentine defender Juan Foyth made his debut and Fernando Llorente got a first start.

Tottenham once again looked uncomfortable in their new abode as second-tier Barnsley held out for 65 minutes before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat in a front of a sparse 23,926 crowd.

England midfielder Alli finally broke the deadlock with a smart finish from Kieran Trippier's cross to give Tottenham win number two at Wembley following last week's Champions League success against Borussia Dortmund.

Elsewhere in the third round, Premier League side Stoke slumped to a surprise 2-0 defeat at secondtier Bristol City.

Famara Diedhiou headed City in front in the 50th minute and Matt Taylor added the second on the hour.

Burnley also bowed out after losing 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw with second-tier Leeds at Turf Moor.

Roy Hodgson got his first win as Crystal Palace manager as Bakary Sako sealed a 1-0 win against Huddersfield.

The former England coach's first game had ended in a 1-0 home defeat against Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend.

But Sako nabbed the first goal of the Hodgson era with a close-range header from a 13th-minute corner at Selhurst Park.

Alli