The man who showed footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die from conditions linked to brain or nerve damage has slammed FIFA's rule-makers for failing to act sooner to protect players.

After being hit with a four-year blanket ban from international sporting competition, the door was left slightly ajar for a 'neutral' Russian team to play at the 2022 World Cup.

Manchester City are considering a bid to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, but face competition from Chelsea who intend to bring their academy graduate back to Stamford Bridge.

FIFA has been told to take legal action to claw back the two million Swiss francs that was 'unduly' paid by Sepp Blatter to Michel Platini in 2011, following a review by its Governance Committee.

The Blues were given the all clear to sign players last week after their FIFA-imposed transfer ban was lifted and it is thought Chilwell is a target, along with England team-mate Jadon Sancho.

Klopp has travelled to Qatar with his strongest squad possible ahead of the semi-final against Monterrey, while the club's youngsters will take to the pitch just 24 hours earlier in the Carabao Cup.

Liverpool have been handed a boost after star defender Virgil van Dijk returned to training on Tuesday evening in Qatar. After missing the first session to work alone in the gym, Van Dijk is back.

Bento Miguel Martins, 14, thought he was just accompanying his dad, Eduardo Martins, 38, to the airport in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday to wave him off for his flight to Qatar to watch the FIFA World Cup.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM: By the time it came to the 85th minute Jurgen Klopp had seen enough. So on came Firmino for Origi.

IAN HERBERT: If anyone was oiling the wheels it was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, rebuilding his career after an injury which cost him a place in two Champions League finals and a World Cup.

DOMINIC KING: Liverpool once again hauled themselves over the line when it appeared they would take a false step. This team do not trip up, as Roberto Firmino took the Superman role.

Midfielder Adam Lallana believes winning is an 'addiction' and he and the rest of the squad are hooked on securing more silverware.

Liverpool clinched their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup title on Saturday after Roberto Firmino scored an extra-time winner to earn a 1-0 victory over Brazilian side Flamengo in Doha.

MARTIN SAMUEL IN DOHA: Liverpool have won the hearts and minds of sceptics by treating the crown of world champions as a prize to be fought for, and treasured after winning Club World Cup.

EXCLUSIVE BY DOMINIC KING IN DOHA: Liverpool were left dismayed by the over-zealous actions of FIFA officials who prevented their squad from celebrating with their fans in Doha.

Current rules state that only charitable messaging can be added to shirts in the middle of a Premier League season. But the Reds have asked if the badge can be worn in all top-flight matches.

Liverpool have been granted permission to wear their gold FIFA Club World Cup winners badge in the Premier League - but only for one game. They will wear it against Wolves on December 29.

EXCLUSIVE BY SAMI MOKBEL: Andrew Massey, the Reds' current head of medical services, is set to leave Anfield to take up a similar role at world football's governing body FIFA.

Liverpool are appointing Arsenal's lead doctor Gary O'Driscoll as their new head of medical services. He has been the leading candidate to replace Andrew Massey at the club.

Every team has an unsung hero. Since he signed from Hoffenheim, Roberto Firmino has often played in the shadows - putting in some stellar displays but not always getting the recognition he deserves.

Emiliano Sala was killed in a plane crash as he returned to Wales from France just two days after his transfer from Nantes to Cardiff was announced on January 19 last year.

Alex is seen in workout gear and rubs her bump for the camera in a new video. The 30-year-old said she plans to play in the 2020 Olympics in July and is still training to some degree.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly the leading candidate to become the new president of Ligue 1 side Rennes and is open to talks with the club's wealthy owners.

FIFA's chief refereeing commissioner believes the controversial technology should only work like a 'parachute' to correct an error.

Following requests from a number of Serie A clubs, the country's governing body released a statement in which it said it was open to trialling a system whereby teams could request an on-field review.

Wenger wants a player to be deemed onside if any part of the body which can legitimately score a goal is level or behind the last defender - even if other parts of their body are beyond it. 

IAN LADYMAN: Lamenting this week of the passing of Harry Gregg, I found myself thinking about Sir Bobby Charlton and, in turn, the 1966 World Cup final.

Another spell on the sidelines beckons for Daniel Sturridge but this time, he cannot be left cursing his luck. His gambling ban means that Sturridge only has himself to blame.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: UEFA will escalate their battle with FIFA for control of the international calendar by endorsing a new Champions League-style tournament in 2021.

With the suspension of the Premier League and EFL, Orient have taken it upon themselves to start a 128-team FIFA 20 tournament, with clubs including Man City, Brentford and Derby set to take part.

As revealed by Sportsmail earlier this year, Gary O'Driscoll was offered the top medical job at Liverpool after their head doctor Andrew Massey took up a role with FIFA.

With the season possibly extending into July, Sportsmail revealed on Saturday how out-of-contract players are on a collision course with their clubs due to the fact their deals expire on June 30.

FIFA's competition was meant to be played in a new, expanded format between mid-June and the start of July of next summer, with 24 teams from six confederations taking part.

The group will look at issues related to the international fixture calendar, and amendments and special dispensations that might be required on contracts to protect players and clubs.

Q&A: Amid all of the uncertainty provided by the suspension of football is the situation concerning players whose contracts are set to expire on June 30. Sportsmail answers the key questions.

Gareth Bale is among a number of footballers hoping to raise funds to fight against coronavirus by playing a series of competitive matches in the video game FIFA 20.

The sporting calendar has been decimated due to the coronavirus crisis, with it recently being announced that the suspension of football throughout England has now been extended until April 30.

Real Madrid continue to lift silverware even in the absence of La Liga action, after star Marco Asensio was crowned the winner of a FIFA 20 tournament between a number of the division's stars.

The club were reluctant to let Son leave for the tournament after he signed a new long-term contract and had already missed some of the season through injury.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio committed the ultimate Hammers sin by wearing a Tottenham Hotspur shirt after losing to defender Ryan Sessegnon on FIFA 20 last week. 

FIFA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have teamed up by launching a new awareness campaign where world stars call on people around the globe to follow five key steps to combat the virus.

MIKE KEEGAN: The global game's governing body has recognised the current coronavirus crisis as a 'force majeure' - an unforeseen circumstance that prevents a contract from being fulfilled.

Antonio is primed to face one of the club's young fans as a game against the winger is the prize in their newly-launched Young Hammers at Home initiative to help those at home due to COVID-19.

The fund needs to be signed off but should it be ratified as expected, it would help a series of authorities across the planet who are already struggling thanks to a lack of revenue and cashflow.

FIFPRO has been part of working groups set up by European football's governing body UEFA and world governing body FIFA to look at the issue of player contracts which normally end on June 30.

PSG defender Thomas Meunier joked that he'd offer value to top clubs 'even if he has to cut off a leg', but rubbished links to Tottenham. 

The governing body of world football is also set to change the dates of this summer's transfer window and will also allow players whose contracts run out on June 30 to extend their deals.

The coronavirus outbreak has given plenty the chance to stop and take stock. Here, Sportsmail's experts offer their suggestions as to how football could improve once it returns.

England stars at all levels are set to battle it out in a FIFA 20 tournament to raise awareness for the National Emergencies Trust amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Arteta is likely to want to overhaul this squad at the end of the season, and the future of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will also need addressing.