"I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard," Prestianni wrote on his Instagram account.

After being sworn in as the State Minister for Youth and Sports on Tuesday, former national football team captain Aminul Haque appeared before the media at his residence in Mirpur to outline the immediate and long-term sports plans of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government.

Serhou Guirassy scored a goal and laid on another as Borussia Dortmund beat Atalanta 2-0 at home on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie.

Dutch midfielder Noa Lang scored a brace as Galatasaray thumped Juventus 5-2 in a pulsating contest in Istanbul on Tuesday in the first leg of a Champions League playoff.

Vinicius Junior scored a sensational goal to earn Real Madrid a 1-0 Champions League playoff first leg victory at Benfica on Tuesday, although the match was marred by apparent racist abuse aimed at the Brazilian.

Paris Saint-Germain recovered from a shambolic start as Desire Doue inspired a comeback from two goals down to beat Monaco 3-2 in the principality in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal and England "get the benefit" from the friendly rivalry between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke as the duo battle to start for both club and country.

Vitor Pereira said he trusts Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis despite becoming the fourth manager of the Premier League side this season.

Barcelona winger Raphinha lashed out at perceived refereeing double standards in La Liga on Tuesday after his side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Girona.

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac called on his side to recreate their domestic form on the Champions League stage when they take on Atalanta in the knock-out play-offs on Tuesday.

Arsenal will visit League One Mansfield Town, while Manchester City travel to Newcastle United in a mouth-watering all-Premier League tie following the FA Cup fifth round draw on Monday.

Barca remain on 58 points, two behind Real Madrid, and have lost successive games in all competitions for the first time since October.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique dismissed any suggestions of dressing room disharmony as the reigning European champions prepared to put their continental title on the line this midweek against domestic rivals Monaco.

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho insisted he is capable of saying no to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as he played down rumours of a return to the Spanish giants on Monday.

“I think the biggest challenge is getting people to accept new ideas and a new competitive environment. Diet and nutrition are significant hurdles, as are training facilities," Butler said.

The top-tier competition has been on hold since the first phase ended on January 3.

Arsenal powered into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in six years as the quadruple chasers crushed Wigan 4-0 on Sunday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick called on his team to show a "reaction" against Girona on Monday in La Liga after their 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Serie A referee designator Gianluca Rocchi said referee Federico La Penna was "clearly wrong" in showing Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu a second yellow card during Saturday's loss at Inter Milan, and apologised over the incident.

An impressive performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first start in two-and-a-half months also helped Los Blancos move two points clear of champions Barcelona, who visit Girona on Monday.