Bruno Fornaroli wonderstrike sinks Adelaide United

Melbourne City have shown glimpses of title-winning swagger in Friday night's 2-1 win over Adelaide United at AAMI Park.

Bruno Fornaroli's goals either side of halftime seized back the limelight from an absent Tim Cahill and improved City to second on the A-League table.

A first A-League goal for Sergi Guardiola frayed City nerves but John van 't Schip's side held on to bounce back from last round's home defeat.

Adelaide played their part in an entertaining game but took too long to click into gear, falling to a third-straight loss and their first away defeat of 2016.

When City purred into action, the champions couldn't lay a glove on them.

City's link-up play in attack - where Fornaroli and Fernando Brandan threatened at will - dazzled the 10,053-strong crowd and the Reds' defence.

Brandan's show-stopping backheel nutmeg of former City defender Ben Garuccio showed City's intent.

Soon after, Luke Brattan - playing as a No.10 and auditioning for a place in the Socceroos' squad in front of coach Ange Postecoglou - sparked the first goal.

Brattan hassled Tarek Elrich out of the ball, allowing Brandan to feed Fornaroli on the edge of the box.

The Uruguayan bent his back and arched his shot inside the back post past Eugene Galekovic.

Fornaroli should have had two before halftime, sidefooting over the bar late in the half when a fiercer strike might have done the job.

With seconds left before halftime, United almost made City pay for their missed chances when Ryan Kitto rattled the crossbar from Isaias' free kick.

City upped the ante after the break and United couldn't go with them, earning successive yellow cards for late tackles and then conceding a second goal.

Brandan, the shortest man on the pitch, sent a header from Brattan's corner into Guardiola's outstretched arm. Fornaroli converted the penalty.

City looked on track for a routine win but, in trademark style, gave their home fans grief by failing to close out the game.

On 64 minutes, Garuccio made amends for his earlier embarrassment by producing a perfect cross for Guardiola.

The Spaniard couldn't miss from just a few metres out, and it was game on.

Iacopo La Rocca should have done better with his header from a free kick, while Elrich had Dean Bouzanis back-pedalling to tip a lob over.

When Dylan McGowan spooned a loose ball over from close range, it was clear City would stand firm for a steadying win.

Chelsea and Manchester United set for transfer battle: This move would be one of biggest ever

The bank-busting move was reported last night by Mercato365, who also claim the Blues will face competition from old boss Jose Mourinho who also wants to bring the Frenchman to the Premier League.

Roman Abramovich is reportedly willing to meet the Frenchman's release clause at Atletico Madrid, which is believed to be £89m, and may have made moves to see how viable the transfer would be.

The 25-year-old recently penned a new contract which elevated his release clause to a world-record equalling fee.

The Blues are thought to have stepped up their interest in Griezmann this season and are watching him closely.

With Chelsea sitting fourth in the Premier League, Antonio Conte is thought to want to add to his squad and Griezmann fits the bill perfectly.

The Mercato365 report also says Manchester United are in for the forward, who has scored six 

But it rules out a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who have reportedly decided the player does not fit their needs at the club.

Griezmann recently admitted he was keeping his options open.

He said: "You never know what will happen in the future."

Lucas Perez out until December with ligament injury

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that striker Lucas Perez will be out for eight weeks with a ligament injury.

The 28 year old forward was signed from Deportivo for a fee of 17 million pounds during the summer transfer window and has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place at Emirates so far. Wenger has decided to use the Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez as his striker this season.

Furthermore, Perez will be disappointed with the fact that his injury has come at a time when Olivier Giroud is just returning from his injury. If the French striker can score a few goals now, Perez’s first team hopes could well be damaged beyond repair.

Perez will be sidelined until Christmas after a tackle from Reading’s Danzell Gravenberchduring Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie left him with damaged ligaments. Wenger has confirmed the injury during his pre-match press conference. The only boost for him is the return of Aaron Ramsey. The Welsh midfielder has recovered fully and could return against Sunderland this weekend.

It’s very frustrating because he worked very hard to get there. Of course he is absolutely gutted, because it’s an injury coming from nowhere, and a stupid one, because it was a deliberate kick. It’s a similar tackle to [Granit] Xhaka, but there was no red card. But the red card would not have helped Pérez. What is most important is that he’s out for six to eight weeks.

Pérez will miss a few crucial matches in the Premier League as well as the Champions League over the next two months. Arsenal will be without his services for the clashes against Tottenham, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. The new signing has started just once against Southampton this season and has scored twice against Nottingham Forest in the previous round of the EFL Cup.

Wayne Rooney warned amid Old Trafford exit rumours: Don't do this

Barcelona legend Xavi believes Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney can still play at the highest level if he lessens his playing time.

According to the Spaniard, the 31-year-old still has the ability to impress, but he needs to stop aiming to play in every game for the Red Devils.

Manager Jose Mourinho has dropped his captain in recent weeks after a dismal run of form which also saw the forward left out of the England starting line-up.

‘With all respect to The MLS, China, and other leagues, Wayne Rooney is not ready for that yet. In two or three seasons maybe, but at his age it is not the time,’ Xavi told Goal.

‘A player of his ability at his age needs to be playing in one of Europe’s top leagues.

‘I still think he has a lot to offer Manchester United but if either him or the club decide not to continue that relationship, I know he would offer something to all the top clubs in Europe.

‘Rooney has always played with so much energy and he may need to adjust his role and play a little deeper, but his quality is still there to see.

‘As you get older there are other things you need to accept like you can’t play three games in a week or 50 games a season, but if you are willing to adapt you can still play at the highest level.

‘Wayne Rooney has been one of the best players in Europe over the last ten years – and that has not changed overnight – he still has a lot to offer.’

Manchester United to host West Ham in EFL Cup quarter-finals

 Manchester United were handed a home tie with West Ham United in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final draw after eliminating derby foes Manchester City.

Jose Mourinho’s United saw off holders City courtesy of a 54th-minute Juan Mata goal at Old Trafford and will now entertain Slaven Bilic’s West Ham, who pulled off a 2-1 upset win at home to Chelsea.

In the only other all-Premier League last-eight tie, Southampton — 1-0 victors over Sunderland — will visit Arsenal.

Liverpool, who beat Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, host second-tier Leeds United, while Championship leaders Newcastle United visit Hull City.

English Football League Cup quarter-final draw (ties to be played the week commencing November 28):

Liverpool v Leeds

Manchester United v West Ham

Hull v Newcastle

Arsenal v Southampton

Bottles and seats thrown as violent scenes overshadow West Ham's win over Chelsea

An investigation will be launched after fans of West Ham United and Chelsea clashed violently at full-time of their League Cup tie on Wednesday night.

Seats inside the new London Stadium were ripped out and thrown, bottles were hurled and one fan was photographed with blood pouring down his face after being allegedly struck by a coin.

In what is the latest in a series of violent incidents since West Ham moved to the London Stadium, the main trouble flared up in the final minutes of West Ham’s 2-1 win as rival fans gathered in the gangways. The West Ham stewards did try to keep the two sets of supporters separated but objects were hurled and there were reports of scuffles breaking out.

Police were also on hand for the first time this season inside the London Stadium. The Football Association, West Ham and the Metropolitan Police are all now likely to review how trouble still flared up even after weeks of planning for what was always regarded as a high risk fixture.   

West Ham had agreed to the unusual step of post-match fan segregation for the game, as well as a ban on alcohol sales in the mobile bars outside the stadium. Bars inside the stadium also closed at full-time when supporters were warned that a cordon would be in place either side of the away turnstile to avoid any clashes. Fans of both clubs had mixed freely before the match and, amid what was a heavy police presence, there were no initial reports of trouble.

West Ham are promising a zero tolerance approach to any fans that are now identified.

“All stadium partners are committed to a zero tolerance policy to anti-social behaviour, inside and outside the London Stadium and will not hesitate to take action,” said a spokesman. There have been a total of nine arrests outside the London Stadium so far this season but also 23 internal banning orders

Photographer to help Afgan 'green-eyed girl'

A photographer who took the iconic National Geographic image of an Afghan refugee in 1985 has vowed to do "anything possible" to help after reports she has been arrested.

Officials said "green-eyed girl" Sharbat Gula was detained on suspicion of holding fake Pakistani ID papers.

She could face a fine and up to 14 years in jail.

Photographer Steve McCurry posted to Instagram that this was "an egregious violation of her human rights".

He wrote: "We are doing everything we can to get the facts by contacting our colleagues and friends in the area.

"I am committed to doing anything and everything possible to provide legal and financial support for her and her family.

"I object to this action by the authorities in the strongest possible terms. She has suffered throughout her entire life."

Pakistan recently launched a crackdown against fake identity papers. Thousands of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan who have tried to dodge its computerised system.

Mrs Gula allegedly applied for an identity card in April 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi.

An official from the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) said three staff who issued Mrs Gula's ID have been missing since the alleged fraud was reported.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) are seeking those staff members and are also looking for Mrs Gula's husband.

The celebrated "Afghan girl" picture of then-12-year-old Mrs Gula was taken in 1984 in a refugee camp in north-west Pakistan, during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. It led to one of the most recognisable magazine covers ever printed.

In 2002, Mr McCurry tracked his subject down after 17 years of searching.

At that time, Mrs Gula was living in a remote Afghan village with her baker husband and three daughters.

Mr McCurry arranged funding for her biggest wish - to go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with her family.

She has since moved back to Pakistan, to the Peshawar region near the Afghan border.

Pakistan's push against foreigners getting fake ID cards through fraud has detected 60,675 cards in the hands of non-nationals, officials say.

Recent UN figures show that Pakistan hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees. A further one million unregistered refugees are believed to be in the country.

Reds edge Spurs in English Cup

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both scored twice as the experienced players secured passage for their youthful teams into the quarter-finals of the English League Cup.

Sturridge, who has failed to score in seven Premier League matches this season, has only found joy in front of goal in England's second-tier knockout competition when top-flight typically deploy weaker teams.

Sturridge's double eliminated Tottenham with a 2-1 victory at Anfield, his first Liverpool goals since also netting twice in the League Cup in August.

After firing into the roof of the net from Marko Grujic's cross in the ninth minute, the England striker tucked the ball under Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm in the second half.

Vincent Janssen pulled one back from the penalty spot but Tottenham couldn't force extra time against its Premier League title rival.

"He is a finisher, a really good striker. I have never been in doubt about him, even when he didn't score. He was really good, " said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp.

It was a smoother night for Arsenal against Reading, despite only beating the second-tier League Championship club 2-0.

Oxlade-Chamberlain poked the ball through defender Tyler Blackett's legs into the corner of the net to put Arsenal ahead in the 33rd minute. A deflected shot from the England international doubled Arsenal's lead in the 78th.

"He has acted in front of goal like he didn't deserve to score," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

"Now he has some belief with his finishing and we hope every time he has the ball something can happen."

Premier League side Hull survived a late scare against Bristol City of the League Championship to win 2-1. Harry Maguire and Michael Dawson scored either side of halftime but City forward Lee Tomlin grabbed a goal in the third of seven minutes of stoppage time.

The biggest win of the night saw second-tier leader Newcastle, relegated from the Premier League last season, rout 10-man Preston 6-0.

Leeds-Norwich went to extra time after a 1-1 draw.

The fourth round will be completed Wednesday with three all-Premier League matches, headlined by United hosting City in the season's second Manchester derby clash between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. There's also a London derby between West Ham and Chelsea, while Southampton takes on Sunderland.

Antoine Griezmann wins La Liga best player

Antoine Griezmann has won the best player award in the Spanish league for last season.

The Atletico Madrid forward was announced as the winner in a ceremony organised by La Liga in Valencia on Monday.

Atletico also had Diego Simeone win the best coach award, Diego Godin earn the best defender award, and Jan Oblak clinch best goalkeeper.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi was selected as the best forward, and Real Madrid's Luka Modric as the best midfielder.

Team captains voted for the top players in each position, while a data-analysis system generated the best player award.

Barcelona won the Spanish league last season, ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico.

Jose Mourinho suffers nightmare Chelsea return

Jose Mourinho was humiliated on his Premier League return to Stamford Bridge where his former side Chelsea routed Manchester United 4-0 on Sunday.

Having held out for 90 minutes at Anfield last Monday, United conceded the quickest goal in the Premier League this season to Pedro after 30 seconds and were then ripped apart as Gary Cahill (21), Eden Hazard (62) and N'Golo Kante (70) completed the scoring.

Most of the goals stemmed from poor defending as Chelsea found ever more ingenious ways to inflict pain on Mourinho. Marcus Alonso began the unravelling with a defence-splitting pass that found Pedro, while Cahill could not believe his luck when the ball fell to him in the area after Chris Smalling failed to clear a corner.

Two up at half time, when United replaced Marouane Fellaini with Juan Mata, Chelsea sat back and waited to hit United on the break with Hazard adding a third after a clever one-two and then Kante driving into the area unopposed to score his first goal for the club.

Sydney FC late show stuns Phoenix Wellington

Sydney FC have edged Wellington Phoenix 1-0 with a 92nd minute winner from Milos Ninkovic at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.

The Phoenix, who now haven't scored a goal in 270 minutes this season, were again punished for their inability to convert their chances.

However, they looked to have done enough to earn a point until Ninkovic slotted home Matt Simon's header with barely a minute of added time remaining.

The home team who dominated early, with Roy Krishna featuring twice in the first five minutes through quickfire work in tandem with Kosta Barbarouses, but Sydney's back four, led by the hard-working Matt Jurman held strong.

Wellington had the ball in the back of the net after 13 minutes, Michael McGlinchey slotting Barbarouses's low cross home only to be ruled offside.

Sydney looked at their most dangerous on the counterattack, Carney breaking through in the 33rd minute and unleashing a powerful left-footed drive which forced a superb reflex save from Wellington keeper Glen Moss.

The Phoenix continued to create a muiltitude of chances at the other end, but couldn't deliver the crucial final strike.

Left back Tom Doyle's 36th minute header rattled the woodwork then Krishna timed his run perfectly to again find the back of the net off a Barbarouses through ball, only to be denied by the assistant referee's offside flag.

The second half delivered more of the same, Wellington continuing to create chances and Sydney continuing to accumulate yellow cards - four in total to Wellington's none.

But while the Phoenix continued to manufacture plenty of solid opportunities, they still couldn't convert and Sydney launched a stinging series of attacks.

Carney looked to have found the winner in the 78th minute, finding space down the left then cutting inside young right back Jacob Tratt only to curl his shot wide of the far post.

The offside flag again halted Barbarouses in the 84th minute when he was through one-on-one with Vukovic, but it was Sydney's tenacity which saw them home eight minutes later.

Youngsters Donnarumma, Locatelli sends AC Milan to first win over Serie A champions Juventus since 2012

A stunning second-half strike by 18-year-old Manuel Locatelli gave AC Milan a 1-0 win over Juventus after the Serie A titleholders had a goal controversially disallowed on Saturday.

Juventus thought they had gone ahead in the first half from Miralem Pjanic's free kick but the goal was ruled out for offside after a two-minute consultation between match officials.

It was Milan's first win over Juventus for nearly four years and ended a run of nine successive defeats against the Turin side.

Earlier, an unlucky own goal by Armando Izzo handed Sampdoria a 2-1 win over neighbours and bitter rivals Genoa in a pulsating derby. Sampdoria also missed a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Juventus stayed top with 21 points from nine games but Milan closed the gap to two points.

Juventus have won the last five Serie A titles while Milan have slumped into midtable mediocrity but the seven-times European champions have made a bright start this season under new coach Vincenzo Montella.

The game at San Siro was an intense, tactical battle but erupted in controversy after 35 minutes.

Pjanic floated a 40-yard free kick over the wall, Juve's Leonardo Bonucci lunged and failed to make contact with the ball but distracted Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and it flew into the net.

Juventus players were back on the halfway line waiting for the restart when referee Nicola Rizzoli disallowed the goal for offisde against Bonucci although replays suggested he was onside when the ball was played.

Locatelli added to Juve's sense of injustice when he collected Suso's pass and fired an unstoppable shot past Gianluigi Buffon into the top corner in the 65th minute.

Donnarumma, 17, ensured Milan's win by turning away Sami Khedira's long-range shot with the last kick of the game.

Liverpool join Arsenal at the top of the PL

Arsenal lead Liverpool on goal difference at the top of the Premier League after a day when just 13 goals were scored and Tottenham Hotspur fluffed their lines.

Arsenal are ahead by just a single goal after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday while Liverpool joined them on 20 points after a 2-1 victory over West Brom 2-1 in the late match.

With Manchester City not playing until Sunday, three sides had the chance to leapfrog them at the top but only Liverpool were able to claim three points.

Having won seven games in a row in all competitions, Arsenal could not find a way through at the Emirates and had to settle for a draw, leaving them one point better than City.

Alexis Sanchez went closest to giving Arsenal victory when his shot was brilliantly saved by Victor Valdes while Adama Traore forced a superb stop from Petr Cech at the other end.

Mesut Ozil thought he had won it with a goal in injury time but his effort was ruled out for offside.

"When you win you deserve it, and when you don't win you need it," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said about having a drink on his 67th birthday.

Goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho put Liverpool in control at half-time against West Brom.

A two-goal win would have put them top on goals scored but Gareth McAuley pulled one back 10 minutes from time and the hosts were happy to hold on.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side remain unbeaten in the league, watched his side fail to break down Bournemouth and admitted they "have to win games like this" if they want to compete for the title this season.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saved well from Charlie Daniels early on while Erik Lamela hit the crossbar for the visitors and Dele Alli and Danny Rose also went close.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said he was more proud of his players than he was last week when they hammered Hull 6-1.

"We went toe to toe with an outstanding team and it was a game of real quality," he said.

Stoke City moved away from the bottom of the table thanks to a 2-0 win at Hull, Xherdan Shaqiri grabbing both goals.

Scott Arfield scored the winner as Burnley moved out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win over Everton, while champions Leicester picked up their first league win in more than a month, easing to a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Winston Reid scored in injury time as West Ham beat bottom side Sunderland 1-0 while Swansea and West Brom drew 0-0.

Melbourne Victory snatch last-gasp 2-1 win over Adelaide United

An injury-time winner from Marco Rojas has given Melbourne Victory a last-gasp 2-1 A-League victory over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.

The Reds struck the upright twice in the dying minutes on Saturday night when the scores were locked a 1-1 before Rojas popped up in the 93rd minute to snatch victory for the visitors.

Adelaide had enjoyed a bright start, with Spanish striker Sergi Guardiola testing the palms of Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas from 20m on seven minutes.

Shortly after, Reds winger Ryan Kitto burst down the right flank and played a square ball across the area that midfielder Jesse Makarounas smartly dummied, leaving Henrique to watch his shot saved by Thomas.

But it was the visitors who would break the deadlock with a swiftly executed counter against the run of play.

Rojas tore down the right wing after being released by Carl Valeri and supplied a perfect ball to Besart Berisha.

The Albanian striker was cool and composed as he took a touch, beat defender Dylan McGowan before slotting his shot past Eugene Galekovic on 20 minutes.

The Reds continued to push forward and went close twice more in the closing stages of the first half.

Guardiola was the lucky recipient of a ricocheted clearance and his left-foot effort was pushed past the post by Thomas, who also kept out a close-range push from Kitto on the stroke of halftime.

Victory pressed early in the second half and found some success in wide areas, but crosses from Mitch Austin and Jason Geria failed to trouble the Reds' defence.

Berisha and Oliver Bozanic combined nicely on the edge of the area just after the hour, but the latter's close-range effort was swatted away by Galekovic.

United equalised almost immediately thanks to brilliant curling from Tarek Elrich in the 68th minute.

The fullback raced to a quickly taken free kick and turned inside before picking out the top corner with his left foot.

Chances flowed in the final stages and on 80 minutes Berisha nearly put Victory back in front after a cheeky back-heel from a Daniel Georgievski cross, but it trickled wide.

Reds midfielder Isaias was next to try his luck but Thomas was again equal to the task, saving the 25m free kick.

Then United substitute Danny Choi was put through by Guardiola but his low, powerful drive hit the base of the post.

Guardiola rattled the upright a minute later after he shot on the turn from 10m.

Victory had the final say, with Rojas knocking the ball home from six yards deep into stoppage time.

Adelaide United coach Guillermo Amor lamented the Reds' missed opportunities and said his side should have come away from the match with more.

"When you don't win you can think a lot of things," he said.

"But it's true that today I think the team deserved more, deserved a better result."

Victory coach Kevin Muscat was pleased his side took all three points and praised the quality of the football from both sides.

"The players, credit to them showed some real character and some real confidence," he said.

"It was a tough night. The intensity from both teams on a good surface was sky high."

Pictures of two Egyptian children engaged to be married trigger outrage — once again

While celebrating his eldest son's lavish wedding, at which a number of famous singers and belly dancers performed, Nasser Hassan decided to "double the joy," he later recalled.

He announced that his son Omar would marry his cousin Gharam.

At the wedding, held in a province about 75 miles north of Cairo, the guests didn’t find it strange. Some would later tell Egypt’s Al Watan newspaper that there was “nothing inappropriate,” adding that it was only “an engagement, not a marriage".

Omar is 12 years old. His fiancee, Gharam, is 11.

Egyptian laws prohibit official registration for marriages for anyone under the age of 18. But the practice remains prevalent. According to UNICEF, 17 percent of Egyptian girls are married before the age of 18, the vast majority of the unions taking place in rural areas

But in the case of Omar and Gharam, their engagement sparked outrage, particularly among child and women’s rights activists. The photos of the young couple – Omar in a blue suit, heavily made-up Gharam in a white dress, high heels, and wearing a tiara – splashed across newspapers in the country and heightened the anger.

That prompted Reda Eldanbouki, the head of the Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counseling, to report the incident to the National Center for Childhood and Motherhood, a government agency. He also filed a complaint with the attorney general to investigate the incident and hold the parents accountable for this "crime," he said in a statement.

The engagement of Omar and Gharam “will only lead to an early marriage in which the girl will be deprived of equal chances to education, growth, and will isolate her from social spheres,” he said.

But if history is any indication, it’s unlikely the complaints will stop Egypt’s child marriages, a practice that is also prevalent in many nations in the Middle East, Asia and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dar al-Ifta, Egypt’s highest Islamic authority, has repeatedly urged state institutions to make concerted efforts to stop marriages among minors.

But that has either had little effect in many areas or has spawned efforts to manipulate the law. In Egypt’s rural areas, families marry off their children but usually delay the official registration of the marriage until the couples reach the lawful age of matrimony to avoid legal punishment. As a consequence, any children born of the marriage will not be issued birth certificates or be recognized until then, legal experts say.

Omar’s father, faced with the backlash of his decision, told local newspapers that he "is a free man and did nothing wrong.

But in the case of Omar and Gharam, their engagement sparked outrage, particularly among child and women’s rights activists. The photos of the young couple – Omar in a blue suit, heavily made-up Gharam in a white dress, high heels, and wearing a tiara – splashed across newspapers in the country and heightened the anger.

That prompted Reda Eldanbouki, the head of the Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counseling, to report the incident to the National Center for Childhood and Motherhood, a government agency. He also filed a complaint with the attorney general to investigate the incident and hold the parents accountable for this "crime," he said in a statement.

The engagement of Omar and Gharam “will only lead to an early marriage in which the girl will be deprived of equal chances to education, growth, and will isolate her from social spheres,” he said.

But if history is any indication, it’s unlikely the complaints will stop Egypt’s child marriages, a practice that is also prevalent in many nations in the Middle East, Asia and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dar al-Ifta, Egypt’s highest Islamic authority, has repeatedly urged state institutions to make concerted efforts to stop marriages among minors.

But that has either had little effect in many areas or has spawned efforts to manipulate the law. In Egypt’s rural areas, families marry off their children but usually delay the official registration of the marriage until the couples reach the lawful age of matrimony to avoid legal punishment. As a consequence, any children born of the marriage will not be issued birth certificates or be recognized until then, legal experts say.

Omar’s father, faced with the backlash of his decision, told local newspapers that he "is a free man and did nothing wrong.

Omar’s father said his decision was meant to shield Omar and Gharam. “We have to protect them in their early years before they reach the age of deviation,” he told local newspapers.

Brisbane Roar scrape past Mariners in Gosford

A first half strike from Thomas Kristensen has helped a wasteful Brisbane hold off Central Coast 1-0 and claim their first win of the A-League season.

The loss keeps Central Coast without a win this season and extends their winless run to 13, however rookie coach Paul Okon will be buoyed by his team's effort.

Playing in their first home game of the season, the Mariners treated the 7,073 crowd with an intent missing from their 4-0 humiliation against Sydney FC a week earlier.

The return of Fabio Ferreira injected a creative outlet early on the right flank, while gloveman Paul Izzo produced a number of strong saves in place of a sacked Ivan Necevski.

Brisbane had to survive a handball shout on Luke De Vere that could've been fatal, while Mariners talisman Roy O'Donovan's header had to be parried away by Michael Theo soon after.

However despite the home side's bright early display, Kristensen drew first blood for the visitors and rewarded right back Jack Hingert in the 33rd minute.

His cross was met with a quick-fire shot from Brett Holman, only for a deflection to draw Izzo out of the goals and then get beat by Kristensen's low hit.

The Mariners re-asserted their dominance after halftime but failed to muster a clear chance, eventually running out of puff and allowing the Roar back into the contest.

Twice Izzo denied point-blank opportunities to Jamie Maclaren, who was also denied by the crossbar in the 59th minute.

The former Socceroo wasn't the only one to throw away chances, with substitute Brandon Borrello also bombing a second goal for his side after an Izzo error late in the game.

Mid-week signing Scott Galloway made his first appearance for the Mariners late in the second half after moving from Melbourne Victory.

World Cup 2018: Russia choose Wolf Zabivaka the wolf as mascot

 Brazil legend Ronaldo meets new World Cup mascot Zabivaka in Moscow

Russia have named Zabivaka the wolf as their mascot for the 2018 World Cup.The wolf received 53% of the votes, beating competition from a tiger who got 27% and cat which collected 20% in the month-long voting process.

"I am sure Zabivaka will be a massive hit among fans at the Confederations Cup in 2017 and 2018 World Cup," said Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko.

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo added: "Mascots are great ambassadors and bring so much joy to the stadiums."

• He is charming, confident and social and has always dreamt of becoming a football star.

• His favourite sporting pastime is playing football. He is a fair player, values his team members and respects his opponents, and he plays with skill and purpose.

• He is always fun to be around - as the joker in the pack, he knows how to make others laugh.

• He has taken to wearing cool sports glasses when he's in action; he believes they give him special targeting powers on the pitch. And he loves to pose for photos.