Former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who was favoured for the national coaching post, expressed his bitterness on Monday over the debate which has led to him no longer being a candidate.

“Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all,” Infantino wrote in a post shared on his Instagram account and FIFA’s official channels.

“It’s a great signing. I think that in that position, we needed an important player, and I’m sure that there were not many more better options than Morgan,” the Spaniard told reporters.

A female assistant referee suffered a concussion after she was knocked to the ground while attempting to separate players during a pre-season friendly between French club Metz and Dutch side Fortuna Sittard.

Eddie Hearn says the long-awaited showdown between British rivals Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua must take place in the UK under the terms of the fight deal signed three months ago.