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Pepe Reina has revealed he was unable to breathe for 25 minutes while struggling with coronavirus symptoms.
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Coronavirus Pandemic : How is it affecting sports worldwide?
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The Viper
T20I Debutant
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- Sep 19, 2018
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- 6,865
Bournemouth's Eddie Howe has become the first English Premier League manager to take a voluntary salary cut, following the suspension of the competition because of coronavirus fears.
A statement on the club website said the chief executive Neill Blake, first team technical director Richard Hughes and assistant manager Jason Tindall had also all taken "significant, voluntary pay cuts". Other non-playing staff have also been affected.
Tottenham, Newcastle and Norwich had already announced they had furloughed their non-playing staff - although managers appeared to be exempt.
Bournemouth said: "Furloughed employees - all of whose roles have been affected by the closure of Vitality Stadium and the club’s other sites - will be on leave for a minimum of three weeks under the UK government's coronavirus job retention scheme, which is currently set to run until Sunday, 31 May."
A statement on the club website said the chief executive Neill Blake, first team technical director Richard Hughes and assistant manager Jason Tindall had also all taken "significant, voluntary pay cuts". Other non-playing staff have also been affected.
Tottenham, Newcastle and Norwich had already announced they had furloughed their non-playing staff - although managers appeared to be exempt.
Bournemouth said: "Furloughed employees - all of whose roles have been affected by the closure of Vitality Stadium and the club’s other sites - will be on leave for a minimum of three weeks under the UK government's coronavirus job retention scheme, which is currently set to run until Sunday, 31 May."
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker says he will donate two months' salary to the British Red Cross to help in their work in the fight against the coronavirus.
The former England international, who currently works for both the BBC and BT Sport, recently served a period of isolation after his son George showed symptoms of the virus.
"The British Red Cross are on the front line trying to help in all sorts of different ways with the coronavirus," Lineker told World At One.
"Hopefully lots of other people that are in a position of relative wealth can do something similar and I am sure many will."
The former England international, who currently works for both the BBC and BT Sport, recently served a period of isolation after his son George showed symptoms of the virus.
"The British Red Cross are on the front line trying to help in all sorts of different ways with the coronavirus," Lineker told World At One.
"Hopefully lots of other people that are in a position of relative wealth can do something similar and I am sure many will."
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- Oct 2, 2004
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Premier League footballers should "take a pay cut and play their part" during the coronavirus pandemic, says health secretary Matt Hancock.
Some clubs have furloughed non-playing staff but not looked at players' wages.
"Given the sacrifices many people are making, the first thing PL footballers can do is make a contribution," he said at the daily government briefing.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) said "players will have to share the financial burden".
In a statement, the PFA added: "We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff's salaries. However, our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should.
"The players we have spoken to recognise that the non-playing staff are a vital part of their club and they do not want to see club staff furloughed unfairly.
"Any use of the government's support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society.
"In instances where clubs have the resources to pay all staff, the benefit of players paying non-playing staff salaries will only serve the business of the club's shareholders."
Hancock's comments. which came on a day when the number of UK deaths from coronavirus rose to 2,921 and followed comments made by Conservative colleague Julian Knight, who is chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.
Knight has written to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages, saying clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change approach by Tuesday, 7 April.
"The purpose of the coronavirus job retention scheme is not to support the economics of Premier League clubs," Knight wrote.
The PFA statement added: "We fully accept that players will have to be flexible and share the financial burden of the Covid-19 outbreak in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game.
"Our advice going out to players at this point reflects that expectation."
Premier League sides Tottenham,Newcastle,Bournemouth and Norwich have opted to utilise the government's job retention scheme.
Players, coaches and executive staff at Norwich have donated £200,000, made up of a percentage of their salaries, to help local people affected by the pandemic.
Players at Championship leaders Leeds United have already volunteered to take a wage deferral, while Birmingham City players who earn more than £6,000 a week have been asked to take a 50% cut for the next four months.
In Europe, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a 70% pay cut, while Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber, technical director Dan Ashworth and head coach Graham Potter have each taken a "significant" voluntary pay cut but no decision has been taken on whether to furlough any of the club's staff.
Read more on
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52142267
Some clubs have furloughed non-playing staff but not looked at players' wages.
"Given the sacrifices many people are making, the first thing PL footballers can do is make a contribution," he said at the daily government briefing.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) said "players will have to share the financial burden".
In a statement, the PFA added: "We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff's salaries. However, our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should.
"The players we have spoken to recognise that the non-playing staff are a vital part of their club and they do not want to see club staff furloughed unfairly.
"Any use of the government's support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society.
"In instances where clubs have the resources to pay all staff, the benefit of players paying non-playing staff salaries will only serve the business of the club's shareholders."
Hancock's comments. which came on a day when the number of UK deaths from coronavirus rose to 2,921 and followed comments made by Conservative colleague Julian Knight, who is chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee.
Knight has written to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages, saying clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change approach by Tuesday, 7 April.
"The purpose of the coronavirus job retention scheme is not to support the economics of Premier League clubs," Knight wrote.
The PFA statement added: "We fully accept that players will have to be flexible and share the financial burden of the Covid-19 outbreak in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game.
"Our advice going out to players at this point reflects that expectation."
Premier League sides Tottenham,Newcastle,Bournemouth and Norwich have opted to utilise the government's job retention scheme.
Players, coaches and executive staff at Norwich have donated £200,000, made up of a percentage of their salaries, to help local people affected by the pandemic.
Players at Championship leaders Leeds United have already volunteered to take a wage deferral, while Birmingham City players who earn more than £6,000 a week have been asked to take a 50% cut for the next four months.
In Europe, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a 70% pay cut, while Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber, technical director Dan Ashworth and head coach Graham Potter have each taken a "significant" voluntary pay cut but no decision has been taken on whether to furlough any of the club's staff.
Read more on
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52142267
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino admitted on Thursday that "nobody knows" when football can resume around the world, and that when it returned it was "going to be different".
He said that because of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, for once football "is not the most important thing".
"We all wish that we could have football tomorrow but unfortunately it's not possible and nobody in the world today knows when we will be able to play like before," Infantino told South American football chiefs via video link.
"Our world and our sport is going to be different when we return to normality. We have to make sure that football survives and that it can prosper once again."
Like most other sports, football across the world has been largely halted by the pandemic, which to date has infected nearly a million people and killed more than 47 000.
In his message, Infantino said that "these are times of respect for those who suffer and for those who are helping".
"For the first time, football is not the most important thing! Health comes first and must continue until this disease is defeated."
Infantino was speaking by video link to a CONMEBOL congress in Paraguay.
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/In...obody-knows-when-football-can-resume-20200402
He said that because of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, for once football "is not the most important thing".
"We all wish that we could have football tomorrow but unfortunately it's not possible and nobody in the world today knows when we will be able to play like before," Infantino told South American football chiefs via video link.
"Our world and our sport is going to be different when we return to normality. We have to make sure that football survives and that it can prosper once again."
Like most other sports, football across the world has been largely halted by the pandemic, which to date has infected nearly a million people and killed more than 47 000.
In his message, Infantino said that "these are times of respect for those who suffer and for those who are helping".
"For the first time, football is not the most important thing! Health comes first and must continue until this disease is defeated."
Infantino was speaking by video link to a CONMEBOL congress in Paraguay.
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/In...obody-knows-when-football-can-resume-20200402
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
Liverpool’s Champions League tie at Anfield with Atlético Madrid should not have been played, the city council’s director of public health has said, amid concern at the rising number of confirmed coronavirus cases there.
Matthew Ashton, who began in the role on Wednesday, is responsible for coordinating the response to the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic while having to work from home, as confirmed cases in Liverpool rose to 262.
“It was not the right decision to stage the match,” Ashton told the Guardian, although he said he was not critical of the scientists or medical officers whose advice informed the government’s approach of allowing sporting events to continue. “People don’t make bad decisions on purpose – perhaps the seriousness of the situation wasn’t being understood across government at that time.
“Although we will never know, the Atlético Madrid game could have been one of the cultural events and gatherings that influenced the rise in Liverpool. It is definitely one to be included on the list for learning and for a future inquiry, so that organisations can learn and not make similar mistakes.”
On 11 March, the day of the last-16 second-leg match, which was won 3-2 by Atlético and attended by 54,000 people, including 3,000 away supporters, Liverpool had just six confirmed cases of coronavirus. Madrid had by then become a centre for the spread of the virus. La Liga decided that day that all matches must be played behind closed doors and Spain’s government had ordered schools closed the day before. In Britain the government was still pursuing its policy of allowing life to continue with no restrictions other than advising people who believed they had Covid-19 symptoms to self-isolate.
Dr David Halpern, chief executive of the governmental behavioural insights team, first publicly mentioned the term “herd immunity” that day, suggesting that the majority of the population could be allowed to contract Covid‑19 while people most vulnerable to the virus might be isolated. All major events such as football matches, described as “mass gatherings”, were still scheduled to go ahead. The government changed the policy and began to announce social distancing restrictions the following Monday, 16 March.
Joel Rookwood, a senior lecturer in sport business management at the University of Central Lancashire, and a Liverpool supporter, has been suffering severely from the symptoms of Covid-19 since 14 March, although he has not been in hospital so has not been tested for the virus. He was at the Atlético match, and believes he contracted the virus at the game.
Writing about his experience in his local newspaper, the Lancashire Evening Post, Rookwood, 39, said he had feared he would be vulnerable if he contracted the virus because he has twice been hospitalised with pneumonia. For days since the match he has suffered from “acute shortness of breath and violent episodes of rigor (shaking). I haven’t eaten solid food or been fully horizontal for 10 days. Precious periods of sleep are counted in minutes, not hours.” He did call 111 last weekend when his condition deteriorated, but was told he was 280th in the queue for an ambulance, and he was not considered critical enough for that to be accelerated.
Scientific advice to the government at the time of the match, and the way it was communicated by ministers, made a distinction between “mass gatherings” outdoors, which are said to involve a lower risk of infection, and people meeting inside, in pubs and bars, where the risk of transmission is greater. That appeared to overlook the glaring reality that a mega-event such as Liverpool’s Champions League game involves multiple intense indoor gatherings as well; the old Victorian pubs around Anfield were packed for hours that night, as were the club’s bars, shop, concourses, toilets, entertainment and working areas. Even out on the Kop, Rookwood points out that on such a tumultuous football night there was a great deal of close contact.
Yet despite the pandemic beginning to take hold in Britain then, he recalls no allowances being made for it: “There were queues and groups everywhere. Pubs were packed, friends greeted each other with the customary contact, fans gathered in condensed queues and stood or sat together in close proximity … The celebrations that night were very physical, shared experiences.”
Prof Neil Ferguson, leader of the Imperial College team of scientists advising the government, said that their advice on mass outdoor gatherings did acknowledge that people would also gather indoors at pubs and bars.
“The issue is that people spend a very small amount of their time during the week at a mass gathering. It is not that mass gatherings don’t contribute at all [to the spread of a virus] but that at a population level, stopping them has a marginal impact.”
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...s-citys-public-health-director-matthew-ashton
Matthew Ashton, who began in the role on Wednesday, is responsible for coordinating the response to the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic while having to work from home, as confirmed cases in Liverpool rose to 262.
“It was not the right decision to stage the match,” Ashton told the Guardian, although he said he was not critical of the scientists or medical officers whose advice informed the government’s approach of allowing sporting events to continue. “People don’t make bad decisions on purpose – perhaps the seriousness of the situation wasn’t being understood across government at that time.
“Although we will never know, the Atlético Madrid game could have been one of the cultural events and gatherings that influenced the rise in Liverpool. It is definitely one to be included on the list for learning and for a future inquiry, so that organisations can learn and not make similar mistakes.”
On 11 March, the day of the last-16 second-leg match, which was won 3-2 by Atlético and attended by 54,000 people, including 3,000 away supporters, Liverpool had just six confirmed cases of coronavirus. Madrid had by then become a centre for the spread of the virus. La Liga decided that day that all matches must be played behind closed doors and Spain’s government had ordered schools closed the day before. In Britain the government was still pursuing its policy of allowing life to continue with no restrictions other than advising people who believed they had Covid-19 symptoms to self-isolate.
Dr David Halpern, chief executive of the governmental behavioural insights team, first publicly mentioned the term “herd immunity” that day, suggesting that the majority of the population could be allowed to contract Covid‑19 while people most vulnerable to the virus might be isolated. All major events such as football matches, described as “mass gatherings”, were still scheduled to go ahead. The government changed the policy and began to announce social distancing restrictions the following Monday, 16 March.
Joel Rookwood, a senior lecturer in sport business management at the University of Central Lancashire, and a Liverpool supporter, has been suffering severely from the symptoms of Covid-19 since 14 March, although he has not been in hospital so has not been tested for the virus. He was at the Atlético match, and believes he contracted the virus at the game.
Writing about his experience in his local newspaper, the Lancashire Evening Post, Rookwood, 39, said he had feared he would be vulnerable if he contracted the virus because he has twice been hospitalised with pneumonia. For days since the match he has suffered from “acute shortness of breath and violent episodes of rigor (shaking). I haven’t eaten solid food or been fully horizontal for 10 days. Precious periods of sleep are counted in minutes, not hours.” He did call 111 last weekend when his condition deteriorated, but was told he was 280th in the queue for an ambulance, and he was not considered critical enough for that to be accelerated.
Scientific advice to the government at the time of the match, and the way it was communicated by ministers, made a distinction between “mass gatherings” outdoors, which are said to involve a lower risk of infection, and people meeting inside, in pubs and bars, where the risk of transmission is greater. That appeared to overlook the glaring reality that a mega-event such as Liverpool’s Champions League game involves multiple intense indoor gatherings as well; the old Victorian pubs around Anfield were packed for hours that night, as were the club’s bars, shop, concourses, toilets, entertainment and working areas. Even out on the Kop, Rookwood points out that on such a tumultuous football night there was a great deal of close contact.
Yet despite the pandemic beginning to take hold in Britain then, he recalls no allowances being made for it: “There were queues and groups everywhere. Pubs were packed, friends greeted each other with the customary contact, fans gathered in condensed queues and stood or sat together in close proximity … The celebrations that night were very physical, shared experiences.”
Prof Neil Ferguson, leader of the Imperial College team of scientists advising the government, said that their advice on mass outdoor gatherings did acknowledge that people would also gather indoors at pubs and bars.
“The issue is that people spend a very small amount of their time during the week at a mass gathering. It is not that mass gatherings don’t contribute at all [to the spread of a virus] but that at a population level, stopping them has a marginal impact.”
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...s-citys-public-health-director-matthew-ashton
The Professional Footballers' Association has said it "fully accepts that players will have to be flexible and share the financial burden" of the coronavirus pandemic.
The trade union for professional association footballers in England and Wales says its members must act "in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game".
The statement came after UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the "first thing" Premier League footballers could do to help is "take a pay cut".
Speaking at the government's daily briefing, Mr Hancock added: "Everybody needs to play their part in this national effort and that means Premier League footballers."
On Wednesday, Premier League clubs were accused by Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, of living in a "moral vacuum" after some clubs furloughed non-playing staff while preserving the wages of highly-paid players.
The trade union for professional association footballers in England and Wales says its members must act "in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game".
The statement came after UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the "first thing" Premier League footballers could do to help is "take a pay cut".
Speaking at the government's daily briefing, Mr Hancock added: "Everybody needs to play their part in this national effort and that means Premier League footballers."
On Wednesday, Premier League clubs were accused by Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, of living in a "moral vacuum" after some clubs furloughed non-playing staff while preserving the wages of highly-paid players.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
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KARACHI: Legendary players have joined hands with the Karachi Sports Forum (KSF) in its campaign to distribute ration bags and medicines among the financially unstable athletes, ground staff and organisers in this difficult hour being faced by them due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Squash icon Jahangir Khan presented his autographed racket used in British Open final, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui presented his hockey stick used in the 1978 World Cup final at Argentina and former cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed presented his bat used in the 2017 Champions Trophy for the auction, said a statement here on Thursday.
KSF chief organiser Waseem Hashmi has said that the forum, by auctioning the things used by the former and present legendary players, would help distribute ration bags among the remaining needy athletes.
Meanwhile in his video message, Jahangir said that taking precautions is the only solution to prevent the coronavirus. He advised the masses not to take the virus lightly and quarantine themselves in their homes.
Jahangir appreciated the efforts made by the KSF volunteers for distributing ration among the needy athletes.
Islahuddin appealed to the generous people to come forward and assist the KSF in this noble cause.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1545964/jahangir-islahuddin-sarfraz-donate-historic-memorabilia-to-ksf
Squash icon Jahangir Khan presented his autographed racket used in British Open final, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui presented his hockey stick used in the 1978 World Cup final at Argentina and former cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed presented his bat used in the 2017 Champions Trophy for the auction, said a statement here on Thursday.
KSF chief organiser Waseem Hashmi has said that the forum, by auctioning the things used by the former and present legendary players, would help distribute ration bags among the remaining needy athletes.
Meanwhile in his video message, Jahangir said that taking precautions is the only solution to prevent the coronavirus. He advised the masses not to take the virus lightly and quarantine themselves in their homes.
Jahangir appreciated the efforts made by the KSF volunteers for distributing ration among the needy athletes.
Islahuddin appealed to the generous people to come forward and assist the KSF in this noble cause.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1545964/jahangir-islahuddin-sarfraz-donate-historic-memorabilia-to-ksf
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Peshawar Zalmi continues its campaign of donations and helping medical staff in their fight against Corona virus
Zalmi Foundation donates 60,000 masks and 100 protector suits for doctors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan at Chief Minister's House on Friday. In the meeting, Javed Afridi presented 60,000 surgical masks and 100 protector suits from Zalmi Foundation to the Chief Minister for doctors and medical staff fighting against Corona virus. Javed Afridi said that he salutes the unparalleled services of doctors and medical staff for the elimination of the virus as well as for taking care of the patients.
Zalmi Foundation previously deposited PKR 10 Million in the Prime Minister's Corona Relief Fund and also distributed rations to Afghan refugee camps in Peshawar.
Zalmi Foundation donates 60,000 masks and 100 protector suits for doctors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan at Chief Minister's House on Friday. In the meeting, Javed Afridi presented 60,000 surgical masks and 100 protector suits from Zalmi Foundation to the Chief Minister for doctors and medical staff fighting against Corona virus. Javed Afridi said that he salutes the unparalleled services of doctors and medical staff for the elimination of the virus as well as for taking care of the patients.
Zalmi Foundation previously deposited PKR 10 Million in the Prime Minister's Corona Relief Fund and also distributed rations to Afghan refugee camps in Peshawar.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Premier League clubs will ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs as it was announced the season will not resume until "it is safe and appropriate to do so".
All clubs have agreed to put the proposed "combination of conditional reductions and deferrals" to players.
The Premier League will advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS.
Clubs still intend on completing all league and cup fixtures.
The EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship have all suspended play without setting a target return date, meaning the entirety of English football is on hold indefinitely.
"Any return to play will only be with the full support of government and when medical guidance allows," the Premier League said.
"It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May - and that the 2019-20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so."
What are Premier League and English football's options amid coronavirus?
Players had faced scrutiny, notably from health secretary Matt Hancock, to take a cut in wages and "play their part" in offering support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some clubs had furloughed non-playing staff as a result of the shutdown of the sport.
Captains of the clubs - led by Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson - have held discussions over the creation of a charitable fund which would likely benefit the NHS.
After Friday's meeting, the Premier League has proposed a cut in wages in order to "protect employment throughout the professional game".
"This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change," the Premier League said. "The league will be in regular contact with the Professional Footballers' Association and the union will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow (Saturday) between the league, players and club representatives."
Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend had spoken of his frustration with Hancock "deflecting blame on to footballers", stating players were an "easy target" and often supported charities.
The Premier League said it was aware of "severe difficulties" throughout the football pyramid and with clubs unable to play fixtures, moved to help "immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow" at EFL and National League clubs.
The league's statement expressed "huge appreciation for the heroic efforts of NHS staff and all other key workers who are carrying out critical jobs in such difficult circumstances" with £20m immediately committed "to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 pandemic".
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52148955
All clubs have agreed to put the proposed "combination of conditional reductions and deferrals" to players.
The Premier League will advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS.
Clubs still intend on completing all league and cup fixtures.
The EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship have all suspended play without setting a target return date, meaning the entirety of English football is on hold indefinitely.
"Any return to play will only be with the full support of government and when medical guidance allows," the Premier League said.
"It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May - and that the 2019-20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so."
What are Premier League and English football's options amid coronavirus?
Players had faced scrutiny, notably from health secretary Matt Hancock, to take a cut in wages and "play their part" in offering support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some clubs had furloughed non-playing staff as a result of the shutdown of the sport.
Captains of the clubs - led by Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson - have held discussions over the creation of a charitable fund which would likely benefit the NHS.
After Friday's meeting, the Premier League has proposed a cut in wages in order to "protect employment throughout the professional game".
"This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change," the Premier League said. "The league will be in regular contact with the Professional Footballers' Association and the union will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow (Saturday) between the league, players and club representatives."
Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend had spoken of his frustration with Hancock "deflecting blame on to footballers", stating players were an "easy target" and often supported charities.
The Premier League said it was aware of "severe difficulties" throughout the football pyramid and with clubs unable to play fixtures, moved to help "immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow" at EFL and National League clubs.
The league's statement expressed "huge appreciation for the heroic efforts of NHS staff and all other key workers who are carrying out critical jobs in such difficult circumstances" with £20m immediately committed "to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 pandemic".
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52148955
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua’s defence of his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world titles against Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev has been postponed.
The fight was scheduled to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 20 June.
A statement from Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing said a new date for the fight "was being worked on".
Matchroom added it was "continuing to explore the possibility" of hosting the bout at the same venue at a later date.
Joshua, 30, has not fought since December, when he gained a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia to regain his belts after losing to the American-Mexican in New York last June.
Pulev, 38, is the mandatory challenger to Joshua's IBF belt. He was scheduled to fight Joshua in October 2017 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium but had to withdraw less than two weeks before the bout because of a shoulder injury.
All fights overseen by the British Boxing Board of Control until the end of May have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Promoter Eddie Hearn had previously said Joshua v Pulev could be moved to July because of the uncertainty of when Tottenham's remaining home Premier League matches would be played.
The statement from Matchroom Boxing comes shortly after the Premier League announced that the football season would be suspended indefinitely.
Britain's Tyson Fury, the holder of the WBC heavyweight belt - the only one Joshua does not hold - is contractually obliged to have a third match with American Deontay Wilder.
Fury beat Wilder with a seventh-round technical knockout in Las Vegas in February and promoter Frank Warren has said they could fight again in October.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/52158860
The fight was scheduled to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 20 June.
A statement from Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing said a new date for the fight "was being worked on".
Matchroom added it was "continuing to explore the possibility" of hosting the bout at the same venue at a later date.
Joshua, 30, has not fought since December, when he gained a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia to regain his belts after losing to the American-Mexican in New York last June.
Pulev, 38, is the mandatory challenger to Joshua's IBF belt. He was scheduled to fight Joshua in October 2017 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium but had to withdraw less than two weeks before the bout because of a shoulder injury.
All fights overseen by the British Boxing Board of Control until the end of May have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Promoter Eddie Hearn had previously said Joshua v Pulev could be moved to July because of the uncertainty of when Tottenham's remaining home Premier League matches would be played.
The statement from Matchroom Boxing comes shortly after the Premier League announced that the football season would be suspended indefinitely.
Britain's Tyson Fury, the holder of the WBC heavyweight belt - the only one Joshua does not hold - is contractually obliged to have a third match with American Deontay Wilder.
Fury beat Wilder with a seventh-round technical knockout in Las Vegas in February and promoter Frank Warren has said they could fight again in October.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/52158860
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
Premier League players' "backs are against the wall" over discussions about wage cuts, says Danny Rose.
Top-flight clubs have agreed to propose a 30% cut to ease the financial burden of the coronavirus crisis.
There had been criticism for the slow response from football, while some clubs - including Newcastle - have placed staff on temporary leave.
"We're all keen to make something happen," Rose, who is on loan at Newcastle, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I can only speak for myself but I would have no problems whatsoever contributing any of my wages to people who are fighting this on the front line and to people who have been affected by what's happening at the minute."
What are clubs doing to help in the coronavirus crisis?
The Premier League has agreed to use the wage cuts to advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS.
Earlier, captains of clubs - led by Jordan Henderson - had held talks about possible donations to charity during the pandemic.
"We sort of feel that our backs are against the wall. Conversations were being had before people outside of football were commenting," Rose, who has been loaned to Newcastle by Tottenham, added to the Friday Football Social.
"I've been on the phone to Jordan Henderson and he's working so hard to come up with something.
"It was just not needed for people who are not involved in football to tell footballers what they should do with their money. I found that so bizarre."
On Thursday, health secretary Matt Hancock said footballers should "take a pay cut and play their part", as some clubs placed non-playing staff on the government's furlough scheme.
Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee Julian Knight has written to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages, saying clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change approach by Tuesday.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has previously written to its members urging them not to agree any reduction or deferral in wages until they have spoken to the union.
The league, clubs and players representatives will be joined by the PFA at a meeting on Saturday to discuss the next steps.
'We get judged every day of our lives'
Wolves captain Conor Coady said players had been looking to do something "for a while now".
"It's fantastic to see people trying to make that effort. It's something everyone wants to be a part of. As footballers, it's important we help as many people as possible.
"What's come out now is the 30% cut. We get judged every single day of our lives. The time now is to go forward and make a donation."
Former Tottenham and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said the criticism levelled at Premier League players "was an absolute joke".
"Their hearts are in the right place - they wanted to have control over where money goes," he said.
"Essentially, if the players take a wage cut, the beneficiaries are the clubs. Their main concern is what is happening to this money. They are happy to put money into a pot, rather than it just vanishing.
"They want to have an influence as to where this money is going. Is it going to the NHS, school meals? They want control over that. They don't want to be dictated to by the Premier League - they don't want to have no idea where the money's gone."
Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich have also opted to utilise the government's job retention scheme.
Players, coaches and executive staff at Norwich have donated a percentage of their salaries to help local people affected by the pandemic, while players at Championship clubs Leeds and Birmingham have agreed deferrals and cuts to wages.
In Europe, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a 70% pay cut, while Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52163997
Top-flight clubs have agreed to propose a 30% cut to ease the financial burden of the coronavirus crisis.
There had been criticism for the slow response from football, while some clubs - including Newcastle - have placed staff on temporary leave.
"We're all keen to make something happen," Rose, who is on loan at Newcastle, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I can only speak for myself but I would have no problems whatsoever contributing any of my wages to people who are fighting this on the front line and to people who have been affected by what's happening at the minute."
What are clubs doing to help in the coronavirus crisis?
The Premier League has agreed to use the wage cuts to advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS.
Earlier, captains of clubs - led by Jordan Henderson - had held talks about possible donations to charity during the pandemic.
"We sort of feel that our backs are against the wall. Conversations were being had before people outside of football were commenting," Rose, who has been loaned to Newcastle by Tottenham, added to the Friday Football Social.
"I've been on the phone to Jordan Henderson and he's working so hard to come up with something.
"It was just not needed for people who are not involved in football to tell footballers what they should do with their money. I found that so bizarre."
On Thursday, health secretary Matt Hancock said footballers should "take a pay cut and play their part", as some clubs placed non-playing staff on the government's furlough scheme.
Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee Julian Knight has written to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages, saying clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected to a windfall tax if they do not change approach by Tuesday.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has previously written to its members urging them not to agree any reduction or deferral in wages until they have spoken to the union.
The league, clubs and players representatives will be joined by the PFA at a meeting on Saturday to discuss the next steps.
'We get judged every day of our lives'
Wolves captain Conor Coady said players had been looking to do something "for a while now".
"It's fantastic to see people trying to make that effort. It's something everyone wants to be a part of. As footballers, it's important we help as many people as possible.
"What's come out now is the 30% cut. We get judged every single day of our lives. The time now is to go forward and make a donation."
Former Tottenham and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said the criticism levelled at Premier League players "was an absolute joke".
"Their hearts are in the right place - they wanted to have control over where money goes," he said.
"Essentially, if the players take a wage cut, the beneficiaries are the clubs. Their main concern is what is happening to this money. They are happy to put money into a pot, rather than it just vanishing.
"They want to have an influence as to where this money is going. Is it going to the NHS, school meals? They want control over that. They don't want to be dictated to by the Premier League - they don't want to have no idea where the money's gone."
Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich have also opted to utilise the government's job retention scheme.
Players, coaches and executive staff at Norwich have donated a percentage of their salaries to help local people affected by the pandemic, while players at Championship clubs Leeds and Birmingham have agreed deferrals and cuts to wages.
In Europe, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a 70% pay cut, while Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52163997
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- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Paris Saint-Germain star, the world's third-highest-paid footballer, donated part of the money to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the rest to a charitable fund launched by his friend Luciano Huck, a Brazilian TV presenter, the report said.
The striker's press office declined to comment, saying: "We never talk about donations or amounts."
Neymar, 28, followed the example of PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who last month made what was described as a major donation -- amount undisclosed -- to a French charity helping fight the impact of COVID-19.
Huck, who has been touted as a possible candidate in Brazil's 2022 presidential election, launched his fund to help poor Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to coronavirus.
The donations come as high-paid footballers face pressure to forego some of their salaries amid the crisis, which has ground the sporting world to a halt and left some clubs struggling to pay their staff.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to temporary closures of educational institutions, the cancellation or postponement of major events, and poses a significant threat to businesses and economies around the world. At this time of need, many famous people are stepping up to help those affected by making donations or showing acts of kindness. Click through to take a look at some well-known people helping out during the pandemic.
Neymar is riding out the pandemic at his luxury villa in Mangaratiba, a resort town outside Rio.
He faced criticism last week after he was photographed relaxing with a group of friends on a beach volleyball court, even as half the world's population -- including most of Brazil -- is in confinement to slow the virus' spread.
His press team said he was receiving no visitors and was in quarantine at a "completely isolated" residence with people who made the trip from France with him.
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/sport/foo...m-to-fight-coronavirus/ar-BB129eQe?li=BBqdhxG
The striker's press office declined to comment, saying: "We never talk about donations or amounts."
Neymar, 28, followed the example of PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who last month made what was described as a major donation -- amount undisclosed -- to a French charity helping fight the impact of COVID-19.
Huck, who has been touted as a possible candidate in Brazil's 2022 presidential election, launched his fund to help poor Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to coronavirus.
The donations come as high-paid footballers face pressure to forego some of their salaries amid the crisis, which has ground the sporting world to a halt and left some clubs struggling to pay their staff.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to temporary closures of educational institutions, the cancellation or postponement of major events, and poses a significant threat to businesses and economies around the world. At this time of need, many famous people are stepping up to help those affected by making donations or showing acts of kindness. Click through to take a look at some well-known people helping out during the pandemic.
Neymar is riding out the pandemic at his luxury villa in Mangaratiba, a resort town outside Rio.
He faced criticism last week after he was photographed relaxing with a group of friends on a beach volleyball court, even as half the world's population -- including most of Brazil -- is in confinement to slow the virus' spread.
His press team said he was receiving no visitors and was in quarantine at a "completely isolated" residence with people who made the trip from France with him.
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/sport/foo...m-to-fight-coronavirus/ar-BB129eQe?li=BBqdhxG
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Premier League warns PFA of £762m penalty if season is voided
The Premier League faces a £762m financial penalty if the season does not resume, players have been told.
Such a penalty would apply if broadcasters demanded refunds on games they could not show, the league said during a conference call on Saturday.
During the call with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), the Premier League explained why it wants players to drop wages by 30%.
Clubs and players will discuss the plan with talks set to go into next week.
That is because the Premier League is not mandated to make such a decision and it has to be agreed by the players and coaches.
As well as the PFA, which is the players' union, representatives from the League Managers' Association - the managers' union - were also involved in Saturday's call, which was concluded in less than an hour with no agreement reached.
During the meeting, the league said the season will almost certainly be played behind closed doors if it resumes.
It also warned that, in addition to the penalties payable to broadcasters, hundreds of millions of pounds could be lost in sponsorship and matchday revenue because the season has been suspended.
The Premier League announced on Friday that it would ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs.
There are issues to be sorted out, though, as the PFA and leading agents think wage deferrals rather than cuts are preferable at this stage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52168692
The Premier League faces a £762m financial penalty if the season does not resume, players have been told.
Such a penalty would apply if broadcasters demanded refunds on games they could not show, the league said during a conference call on Saturday.
During the call with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), the Premier League explained why it wants players to drop wages by 30%.
Clubs and players will discuss the plan with talks set to go into next week.
That is because the Premier League is not mandated to make such a decision and it has to be agreed by the players and coaches.
As well as the PFA, which is the players' union, representatives from the League Managers' Association - the managers' union - were also involved in Saturday's call, which was concluded in less than an hour with no agreement reached.
During the meeting, the league said the season will almost certainly be played behind closed doors if it resumes.
It also warned that, in addition to the penalties payable to broadcasters, hundreds of millions of pounds could be lost in sponsorship and matchday revenue because the season has been suspended.
The Premier League announced on Friday that it would ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs.
There are issues to be sorted out, though, as the PFA and leading agents think wage deferrals rather than cuts are preferable at this stage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52168692
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Liverpool FC statement: COVID-19 update
Liverpool Football Club is continuing to deal with a range of challenges caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to update supporters on the progress that has been made to date.
While our priority from the outset has been to focus primarily on the health and wellbeing of our players, staff, supporters and local community, the club has also committed to playing as full a role as possible in the Premier League’s ongoing response to the crisis.
As such, we welcome Friday’s announcement from the Premier League which confirmed the provision of support for the National Health Service, the EFL and National League and a commitment for the 2019-20 season to resume only when it is safe to do so.
At club level, various other measures have been taken to protect the best interests of the club and our staff in both the short term and the long term, with all such actions being undertaken following various internal discussions. In some instances, further measures will follow only once all parties are in a position to proceed and updates will be provided as and when this is the case.
Liverpool FC has placed some staff who are impacted by the Premier League suspension on furlough. The club has confirmed those staff will be paid 100 per cent of their salaries to ensure no member of staff is financially disadvantaged. Last month the club also confirmed that it would pay its matchday and non-matchday staff while the Premier League is suspended.
Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club – on and off the pitch – with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis. There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule. These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing.
In addition, with the health and wellbeing of all club staff being of paramount importance, a number of proactive steps have been taken to assist staff during the crisis. Steps include regular updates from the chief executive to keep staff informed of decisions and latest information and a new online portal providing health and wellbeing information and key contacts. This also includes guidance from the club’s sports psychologist on mental health and wellbeing and healthy eating advice from the club’s head of nutrition. The club has also launched a new learning and development platform providing specific help with adapting to working from home and dealing with remote working.
Liverpool FC has also been actively working with its players, Liverpool FC Foundation and the club’s community outreach programme, Red Neighbours, to ensure its community response is targeted to help local families in food crises and those that are socially isolated. A significant donation has been made to St Andrew’s foodbank in north Liverpool by the first-team players and Liverpool FC Foundation, an emergency foodbank appeal was launched by Liverpool FC Foundation to help those in need and LFC staff are continuing to volunteer to help ensure families have food throughout the crisis and beyond.
The club also launched ‘LFC Connect’; a social isolation initiative aimed at telephone contact with the most vulnerable in our communities. Our fan services team have been busy contacting the elderly and vulnerable and having a virtual cuppa with them.
For those who would normally participate in our schools and community programmes, we have filmed virtual sessions and exercise routines that can be done at home in order to keep fitness levels up. These fitness-at-home videos cover virtual chair yoga, walking football for our team of over-50s, mindfulness and fitness and football coaching for the tens of thousands of children who participate in our weekly programmes.
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/392185-liverpool-fc-statement-covid-19-update
Liverpool Football Club is continuing to deal with a range of challenges caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to update supporters on the progress that has been made to date.
While our priority from the outset has been to focus primarily on the health and wellbeing of our players, staff, supporters and local community, the club has also committed to playing as full a role as possible in the Premier League’s ongoing response to the crisis.
As such, we welcome Friday’s announcement from the Premier League which confirmed the provision of support for the National Health Service, the EFL and National League and a commitment for the 2019-20 season to resume only when it is safe to do so.
At club level, various other measures have been taken to protect the best interests of the club and our staff in both the short term and the long term, with all such actions being undertaken following various internal discussions. In some instances, further measures will follow only once all parties are in a position to proceed and updates will be provided as and when this is the case.
Liverpool FC has placed some staff who are impacted by the Premier League suspension on furlough. The club has confirmed those staff will be paid 100 per cent of their salaries to ensure no member of staff is financially disadvantaged. Last month the club also confirmed that it would pay its matchday and non-matchday staff while the Premier League is suspended.
Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club – on and off the pitch – with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis. There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule. These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing.
In addition, with the health and wellbeing of all club staff being of paramount importance, a number of proactive steps have been taken to assist staff during the crisis. Steps include regular updates from the chief executive to keep staff informed of decisions and latest information and a new online portal providing health and wellbeing information and key contacts. This also includes guidance from the club’s sports psychologist on mental health and wellbeing and healthy eating advice from the club’s head of nutrition. The club has also launched a new learning and development platform providing specific help with adapting to working from home and dealing with remote working.
Liverpool FC has also been actively working with its players, Liverpool FC Foundation and the club’s community outreach programme, Red Neighbours, to ensure its community response is targeted to help local families in food crises and those that are socially isolated. A significant donation has been made to St Andrew’s foodbank in north Liverpool by the first-team players and Liverpool FC Foundation, an emergency foodbank appeal was launched by Liverpool FC Foundation to help those in need and LFC staff are continuing to volunteer to help ensure families have food throughout the crisis and beyond.
The club also launched ‘LFC Connect’; a social isolation initiative aimed at telephone contact with the most vulnerable in our communities. Our fan services team have been busy contacting the elderly and vulnerable and having a virtual cuppa with them.
For those who would normally participate in our schools and community programmes, we have filmed virtual sessions and exercise routines that can be done at home in order to keep fitness levels up. These fitness-at-home videos cover virtual chair yoga, walking football for our team of over-50s, mindfulness and fitness and football coaching for the tens of thousands of children who participate in our weekly programmes.
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/392185-liverpool-fc-statement-covid-19-update
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- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The PL are handling the CV crisis terribly <br>-slow to lockdown/tried one last weekend of games <br>-furloughing straight away a PR disaster<br>-turning on players publicly/trying to blindside them<br>-no increase in funding for EFL/Non League<br>-all stakeholders unhappy with their approach</p>— Gary Neville (@GNev2) <a href="https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/1246643056083963904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wrestlemania, the WWE's biggest show, has gone ahead this weekend without an audience - despite almost every other sports event around the world being postponed or cancelled.
The match was originally going to be held in the massive 65,000-seat Raymond James Stadium in Florida.
But without any spectators, they decided to move it to a (much smaller) training centre in Orlando instead.
It's a two-night event. The first half was held last night, and the rest is tonight.
The match was originally going to be held in the massive 65,000-seat Raymond James Stadium in Florida.
But without any spectators, they decided to move it to a (much smaller) training centre in Orlando instead.
It's a two-night event. The first half was held last night, and the rest is tonight.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Kyle Walker is facing disciplinary action from Manchester City after breaking the UK government's rules on social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The England defender has apologised for his actions after it was widely reported he held a party at his home last week.
"I want to take this opportunity to issue a public apology for the choices I made last week which have resulted in a story today (Sunday) about my private life in a tabloid newspaper," Walker's statement read.
"I understand that my position as a professional footballer brings the responsibility of being a role model. As such, I want to apologise to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down.
"There are heroes out there making a vital difference to society at the moment, and I have been keen to help support and highlight their amazing sacrifices and life-saving work over the past week.
"My actions in this matter are in direct contrast to what I should have been doing regarding the lockdown. And I want to re-iterate the message: Stay home, stay safe."
It comes just days after the full-back urged to 'tough it out and think of others' with the Premier League champions confirming they will look into Walker's conduct.
A club statement read: "Manchester City FC are aware of a story in a tabloid newspaper regarding the private life of Kyle Walker in relation to a breach of the UK lockdown and social distancing rules.
"Footballers are global role models, and our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS and other key workers in fighting the effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus, in any way we can. Kyle's actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts.
"We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle's swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ces-disciplinary-action-after-lockdown-breach
The England defender has apologised for his actions after it was widely reported he held a party at his home last week.
"I want to take this opportunity to issue a public apology for the choices I made last week which have resulted in a story today (Sunday) about my private life in a tabloid newspaper," Walker's statement read.
"I understand that my position as a professional footballer brings the responsibility of being a role model. As such, I want to apologise to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down.
"There are heroes out there making a vital difference to society at the moment, and I have been keen to help support and highlight their amazing sacrifices and life-saving work over the past week.
"My actions in this matter are in direct contrast to what I should have been doing regarding the lockdown. And I want to re-iterate the message: Stay home, stay safe."
It comes just days after the full-back urged to 'tough it out and think of others' with the Premier League champions confirming they will look into Walker's conduct.
A club statement read: "Manchester City FC are aware of a story in a tabloid newspaper regarding the private life of Kyle Walker in relation to a breach of the UK lockdown and social distancing rules.
"Footballers are global role models, and our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS and other key workers in fighting the effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus, in any way we can. Kyle's actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts.
"We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle's swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ces-disciplinary-action-after-lockdown-breach
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/SAFoundationN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAFoundationN</a> President <a href="https://twitter.com/JK555squash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JK555squash</a> joined volunteers to support Karachi Sports Forum in their ongoing campaign supporting out of work sports related personnel in this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid19</a> pandemic. Ensuring <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HopeNotOut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HopeNotOut</a> for all<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DonateKaroNa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DonateKaroNa</a> <a href="https://t.co/tw5QOQY9oT">https://t.co/tw5QOQY9oT</a> <a href="https://t.co/7mR6J9H5Ov">pic.twitter.com/7mR6J9H5Ov</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1246840687036895237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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- 217,977
Louis van Gaal has accused his former club Ajax of trying to use the coronavirus pandemic "for their own gain".
Ajax technical director Marc Overmars called for the Eredivisie season to be declared over in the face of the global pandemic.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona star was highly critical of the Dutch football association (KNVB) when it issued a statement saying it would follow UEFA's direction to attempt to finish the season, which has been suspended, by August 3.
On Sunday, UEFA released a statement saying that there are no plans to wrap the season up by August 3, and that the president Aleksander Ceferin had been misquoted by some outlets sharing his interview with ZDF.
"I'm comparing the KNVB and UEFA with the sentiments of American president Donald Trump a week ago when he thought the economy was more important than the coronavirus," Overmars told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
"I'm comparing the KNVB and UEFA with the sentiments of American president Donald Trump a week ago when he thought the economy was more important than the coronavirus."
"Hello! There are more than a 100 people dying daily in the Netherlands because of the coronavirus."
Ajax currently lead the Eredivisie on goal difference, just ahead of AZ Alkmaar. Both teams sit on 56 points after 25 games, with Feyenoord six points further back in third position.
Club Brugge look set to be crowned Belgian champions early after the Jupiler Pro League's board of directors recommended the season should be ended early because of the global pandemic.
If the Eredivisie were to follow suit, Ajax could be handed the title.
That would not sit well with Van Gaal, who managed Overmars at Ajax during their Champions League-winning season in 1994/95.
"If it is established that the coronavirus has been defeated, you first have to finish the current competition," Van Gaal told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.
"Sports exists to find a winner, not to say after 25 matches we cut things off and Ajax is champion. But while the government has also been following the experts for weeks, some football clubs suddenly say that it is not possible - Ajax first.
"Clubs that misuse this corona crisis for their own gain and then make it a public health statement. I'm a man who can't take that."
Van Gaal believes UEFA's decision to postpone Euro 2020 until the summer of 2021 will leave enough time for domestic leagues to be completed this summer.
"You can also play the season out in June or July," Van Gaal added.
"There is plenty of time this summer, the European Championship is off the calendar. And if UEFA and FIFA are willing to change rules and provide space, well then get started."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...-to-use-coronavirus-crisis-for-their-own-gain
Ajax technical director Marc Overmars called for the Eredivisie season to be declared over in the face of the global pandemic.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona star was highly critical of the Dutch football association (KNVB) when it issued a statement saying it would follow UEFA's direction to attempt to finish the season, which has been suspended, by August 3.
On Sunday, UEFA released a statement saying that there are no plans to wrap the season up by August 3, and that the president Aleksander Ceferin had been misquoted by some outlets sharing his interview with ZDF.
"I'm comparing the KNVB and UEFA with the sentiments of American president Donald Trump a week ago when he thought the economy was more important than the coronavirus," Overmars told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
"I'm comparing the KNVB and UEFA with the sentiments of American president Donald Trump a week ago when he thought the economy was more important than the coronavirus."
"Hello! There are more than a 100 people dying daily in the Netherlands because of the coronavirus."
Ajax currently lead the Eredivisie on goal difference, just ahead of AZ Alkmaar. Both teams sit on 56 points after 25 games, with Feyenoord six points further back in third position.
Club Brugge look set to be crowned Belgian champions early after the Jupiler Pro League's board of directors recommended the season should be ended early because of the global pandemic.
If the Eredivisie were to follow suit, Ajax could be handed the title.
That would not sit well with Van Gaal, who managed Overmars at Ajax during their Champions League-winning season in 1994/95.
"If it is established that the coronavirus has been defeated, you first have to finish the current competition," Van Gaal told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.
"Sports exists to find a winner, not to say after 25 matches we cut things off and Ajax is champion. But while the government has also been following the experts for weeks, some football clubs suddenly say that it is not possible - Ajax first.
"Clubs that misuse this corona crisis for their own gain and then make it a public health statement. I'm a man who can't take that."
Van Gaal believes UEFA's decision to postpone Euro 2020 until the summer of 2021 will leave enough time for domestic leagues to be completed this summer.
"You can also play the season out in June or July," Van Gaal added.
"There is plenty of time this summer, the European Championship is off the calendar. And if UEFA and FIFA are willing to change rules and provide space, well then get started."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...-to-use-coronavirus-crisis-for-their-own-gain
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
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- 6,865
Champions League and Europa League could be abandoned if coronavirus restrictions remain in September, says Uefa president
The Champions League and Europa League could be abandoned if coronavirus restrictions remain in place into September, according to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.
But Ceferin added that playing behind closed doors would be preferred to abandoning games.
Champions League and Europa League matches are currently suspended until further notice.
"We can't play it out in September or October," Ceferin told ZDF Sportstudio.
When asked whether the season could be abandoned, he added: “If the authorities do not allow us to play, then we cannot play.”
Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea are both still in the Champions League, while Manchester United, Wolves and Scottish Premiership side Rangers are all in the Europa League.
“The fact is that we really don’t know much,” Ceferin explained.
“We are waiting for the development of this terrible situation in the world, and mainly in Europe.
"It is still better to play the game behind closed doors and have it on TV, which is what the people need and want because it brings positive energy to their homes, than not playing at all.
“That’s what the people want, that brings positive energy, and it will be July or August."
The finals of the Champions League, Europa League and Women's Champions League, all of which were scheduled for May, have already been postponed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52175816
The Champions League and Europa League could be abandoned if coronavirus restrictions remain in place into September, according to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.
But Ceferin added that playing behind closed doors would be preferred to abandoning games.
Champions League and Europa League matches are currently suspended until further notice.
"We can't play it out in September or October," Ceferin told ZDF Sportstudio.
When asked whether the season could be abandoned, he added: “If the authorities do not allow us to play, then we cannot play.”
Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea are both still in the Champions League, while Manchester United, Wolves and Scottish Premiership side Rangers are all in the Europa League.
“The fact is that we really don’t know much,” Ceferin explained.
“We are waiting for the development of this terrible situation in the world, and mainly in Europe.
"It is still better to play the game behind closed doors and have it on TV, which is what the people need and want because it brings positive energy to their homes, than not playing at all.
“That’s what the people want, that brings positive energy, and it will be July or August."
The finals of the Champions League, Europa League and Women's Champions League, all of which were scheduled for May, have already been postponed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52175816
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Australian Open semifinalist and German star Alexander Zverev suspects he contracted coronavirus in December.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the world, with more than 69,300 deaths globally and sport brought to a standstill.
All ATP and WTA tournaments have been called off until mid-July, with Wimbledon cancelled, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Zverev produced his best grand slam performance at the Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals in January, and the 22-year-old believes he may have been infected prior to the year's opening major in Melbourne.
"My friend Brenda and I were in China on December 28," the world number seven told Bild.
"You can't imagine how I coughed for a month in Australia. I had a fever for two or three days and I coughed for five or six hours. Brenda too. We didn't know what it was. It was a cough that I never had. I had no pain, but I coughed continuously every 10 seconds.
"I had no pain, but I coughed continuously every ten seconds."
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tenn...d-19-china-bild-interview/article31266389.ece
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the world, with more than 69,300 deaths globally and sport brought to a standstill.
All ATP and WTA tournaments have been called off until mid-July, with Wimbledon cancelled, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Zverev produced his best grand slam performance at the Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals in January, and the 22-year-old believes he may have been infected prior to the year's opening major in Melbourne.
"My friend Brenda and I were in China on December 28," the world number seven told Bild.
"You can't imagine how I coughed for a month in Australia. I had a fever for two or three days and I coughed for five or six hours. Brenda too. We didn't know what it was. It was a cough that I never had. I had no pain, but I coughed continuously every 10 seconds.
"I had no pain, but I coughed continuously every ten seconds."
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tenn...d-19-china-bild-interview/article31266389.ece
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has called for football authorities to reach an agreement on financial support during the coronavirus crisis "urgently", adding the public will take a "very dim view" of clubs furloughing low-paid workers.
Some Premier League clubs, including leaders Liverpool, are facing criticism for furloughing non-playing staff.
Players have been urged to do more by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut.
But the Professional Footballers Association says that may harm the NHS while former England captain Wayne Rooney has called the power struggle a "disgrace" and says players are being treated like "scapegoats".
Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Dowden said "clubs, players and owners should be thinking very carefully about their next steps".
"Leaving the public purse to pick up the cost of furloughing low paid workers, whilst players earn millions and billionaire owners go untouched is something I know the public will rightly take a very dim view of," Mr Dowden said.
"At a time of national crisis, our national sport must play its part.
"I expect to see the football authorities judge the mood of the country and come together with an agreement urgently."
Some Premier League clubs, including leaders Liverpool, are facing criticism for furloughing non-playing staff.
Players have been urged to do more by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut.
But the Professional Footballers Association says that may harm the NHS while former England captain Wayne Rooney has called the power struggle a "disgrace" and says players are being treated like "scapegoats".
Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Dowden said "clubs, players and owners should be thinking very carefully about their next steps".
"Leaving the public purse to pick up the cost of furloughing low paid workers, whilst players earn millions and billionaire owners go untouched is something I know the public will rightly take a very dim view of," Mr Dowden said.
"At a time of national crisis, our national sport must play its part.
"I expect to see the football authorities judge the mood of the country and come together with an agreement urgently."
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Premier League footballers are set to start negotiations over proposed wage cuts on a club-by-club basis, after talks aimed at a collective pay deal in response to the coronavirus crisis broke down.
The Premier League proposed top-flight players in England took a 30% pay cut.
Players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, said such a move would lead to a loss of over £200m in tax contributions to the UK government and would be "detrimental" to the NHS.
After rejecting a league-wide proposal, the players are now expected to ask their own club to explain more about its financial position before accepting any cuts or deferrals.
Several clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham, have faced criticism for furloughing non-playing staff.
The Premier League proposed top-flight players in England took a 30% pay cut.
Players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, said such a move would lead to a loss of over £200m in tax contributions to the UK government and would be "detrimental" to the NHS.
After rejecting a league-wide proposal, the players are now expected to ask their own club to explain more about its financial position before accepting any cuts or deferrals.
Several clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham, have faced criticism for furloughing non-playing staff.
Kroll
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2017
- Runs
- 10,229
- Post of the Week
- 1
The Open cancelled - R&A announces St George's in Kent to host 149th Championship in 2021
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/52135613
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/52135613
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The mother of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has died in Spain after contracting coronavirus.
The Premier League club said Dolors Sala Carrio passed away aged 82 in Manresa, Barcelona from COVID-19.
"Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends," Manchester City said in a statement on Twitter.
The manager is currently in Spain, having returned to his home country during the ongoing postponement of the Premier League.
Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement: "Our prayers and heartfelt sympathies are with Pep and his family at this overwhelmingly sad time.
"He and they have the love and support of the entire City family."
Guardiola's inner-city rivals, Manchester United, have also tweeted their condolences.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to Pep and his family. #ACityUnited," the club said in a statement.
Former City star Yaya Toure and the manager of League One side Fleetwood Town, Joey Barton, have both added to the messages pouring in to the club.
The Manchester City family are devastated to report the death today of Pep’s mother Dolors Sala Carrió in Manresa, Barcelona after contracting Corona Virus. She was 82-years-old .
The official club accounts of Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur have both tweeted their condolences to Guardiola.
Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich CIty FC and Nottingham Forest have also paid their respects.
Last month, 49-year-old Guardiola donated €1m (£918,000) to help his home country of Spain fight COVID-19.
Spain is one of the worst affected countries by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The country is second only to Italy for the number of people who have died from COVID-19.
Deaths in Spain have fallen for the fourth day in a row - 637 people have lost their lives to the virus in the last 24 hours, down from Thursday's total of 950.
Guardiola has also issued a video as part of Man City's CItyzens At Home campaign, which urges fans to stay home, and listen to the advice of scientists, doctors, and nurses.
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...ther-dies-after-contracting-covid-19-11969418
The Premier League club said Dolors Sala Carrio passed away aged 82 in Manresa, Barcelona from COVID-19.
"Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends," Manchester City said in a statement on Twitter.
The manager is currently in Spain, having returned to his home country during the ongoing postponement of the Premier League.
Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement: "Our prayers and heartfelt sympathies are with Pep and his family at this overwhelmingly sad time.
"He and they have the love and support of the entire City family."
Guardiola's inner-city rivals, Manchester United, have also tweeted their condolences.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to Pep and his family. #ACityUnited," the club said in a statement.
Former City star Yaya Toure and the manager of League One side Fleetwood Town, Joey Barton, have both added to the messages pouring in to the club.
The Manchester City family are devastated to report the death today of Pep’s mother Dolors Sala Carrió in Manresa, Barcelona after contracting Corona Virus. She was 82-years-old .
The official club accounts of Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur have both tweeted their condolences to Guardiola.
Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich CIty FC and Nottingham Forest have also paid their respects.
Last month, 49-year-old Guardiola donated €1m (£918,000) to help his home country of Spain fight COVID-19.
Spain is one of the worst affected countries by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The country is second only to Italy for the number of people who have died from COVID-19.
Deaths in Spain have fallen for the fourth day in a row - 637 people have lost their lives to the virus in the last 24 hours, down from Thursday's total of 950.
Guardiola has also issued a video as part of Man City's CItyzens At Home campaign, which urges fans to stay home, and listen to the advice of scientists, doctors, and nurses.
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...ther-dies-after-contracting-covid-19-11969418
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
England men's manager Gareth Southgate and women's boss Phil Neville are to take a 30% pay cut to their salaries as two of the Football Association's highest earning employees.
Southgate earns £3m a year while Neville reportedly earns up to £300,000 as head coach of the Lionesses.
Chief executive Mark Bullingham said it was "challenging times" and did not "take these decisions lightly."
The government's furlough scheme is being looked at as a contingency plan.
The FA said employees earning £50,000 or more a year will take a temporary pay reduction of 7.5%, while senior management agreed a 15% cut.
Bullingham also said the financial impact of postponements including England international fixtures, FA Cup matches and Wembley events will contribute to a loss of about £100m, but it could increase to £150m depending on "the government's necessary medical measures."
Bullingham, who earns about £800,000 a year, added: "Along with many other organisations across the country, we are currently reviewing our financial model during this challenging period.
"We want to take prudent and appropriate steps to help protect and support the FA and our employees during this unpredictable time."
Meanwhile, West Ham boss David Moyes has told the Premier League club he is willing to a take a pay cut due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Bournemouth's Eddie Howe and Brighton's Graham Potter have already volunteered for a cut in salary as clubs try to find a way of limiting their losses amid games being suspended.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52173869
Southgate earns £3m a year while Neville reportedly earns up to £300,000 as head coach of the Lionesses.
Chief executive Mark Bullingham said it was "challenging times" and did not "take these decisions lightly."
The government's furlough scheme is being looked at as a contingency plan.
The FA said employees earning £50,000 or more a year will take a temporary pay reduction of 7.5%, while senior management agreed a 15% cut.
Bullingham also said the financial impact of postponements including England international fixtures, FA Cup matches and Wembley events will contribute to a loss of about £100m, but it could increase to £150m depending on "the government's necessary medical measures."
Bullingham, who earns about £800,000 a year, added: "Along with many other organisations across the country, we are currently reviewing our financial model during this challenging period.
"We want to take prudent and appropriate steps to help protect and support the FA and our employees during this unpredictable time."
Meanwhile, West Ham boss David Moyes has told the Premier League club he is willing to a take a pay cut due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Bournemouth's Eddie Howe and Brighton's Graham Potter have already volunteered for a cut in salary as clubs try to find a way of limiting their losses amid games being suspended.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52173869
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The 149th Open Championship has been cancelled but 2020's three other men's majors have been rescheduled because of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Masters has been put back from April to November, while the US PGA Championship is slated for August.
The US Open, at Winged Foot, New York, is being moved from June to September, a week before the Ryder Cup.
The Open, due to take place in July at Royal St George's in Kent, will now be hosted by the venue in 2021.
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: "We have explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible."
However, all three of the majors hosted on American soil each year are still hoping to go ahead. And the Ryder Cup - the biennial event that pitches Europe's finest golfers against their American counterparts - is being kept in its late September slot.
The PGA Tour's season-ending FedExCup Play-offs are scheduled to take place on four successive weekends, with the first from 13-16 August.
A joint statement, issued by Augusta National Golf Club, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour, the R&A and USGA said: "We remain very mindful of the obstacles ahead, and each organisation will continue to follow the guidance of the leading public health authorities, conducting competitions only if it is safe and responsible to do so."
In the women's game, the LPGA Tour has moved two of its five annual majors. The ANA Inspiration has been pushed back to 10-13 September at Mission Hills, California, while the US Women's Open switches to 10-13 December at Champions Golf Club in Texas.
Of the three other majors, The Evian Championship in France, switched from a July date to 6-9 August, while the Women's PGA Championship in Pennsylvania (25-28 June), and Women's British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland (20-23 August) are still going ahead as scheduled.
'Open decision made with a heavy heart'
It is the first time The Open has been cancelled since the 1940-45 tournaments were not played because of World War Two.
The 149th Open will now be played at Royal St George's in Sandwich from 11-18 July 2021, meaning the R&A can keep the 150th Open at St Andrews in Scotland, from 10-17 July 2022.
The R&A said all tickets bought for this year's tournament will be transferred to next year's event, with full refunds for those people who are no longer able to attend.
BBC Sport understands that the R&A had pandemic insurance cover, which should significantly reduce the financial losses from the cancellation.
In a statement on the R&A website, Slumbers added: "We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart.
"We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.
"We rely on the support of the emergency services, local authorities and a range of other organisations to stage the Championship and it would be unreasonable to place any additional demands on them when they have far more urgent priorities to deal with."
Ireland's Shane Lowry, who won last year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, tweeted: "Obviously I'm disappointed that I won't get to defend the Open Championship this year but I feel the R&A have made the right decisions based on people's health and safety. See you all in Royal St George's in 2021."
And England's Danny Willett, who won the 2016 Masters, told BBC Radio 5 Live; "Postponement or cancellations is something that we have become accustomed to until everyone is safe and safe to do our sport. It is a shame but there are things bigger than golf at the moment."
Royal St George's has hosted The Open 14 times, most recently in 2011, when Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke won for the first time.
The Open, which started in 1860, was also previously not held from 1915 to 1919 because of World War One.
The only other previous cancellation came in 1871, when no trophy was available because Tom Morris Jr was allowed to keep the Challenge Belt for winning the tournament three times in a row.
The Claret Jug, the prize for the champion golfer of the year, was introduced in 1872.
A golfing year without The Open is hard to imagine but staging the 149th championship in the current situation was always going to be a tall order. Work to erect the temporary infrastructure to house about 200,000 spectators during Open week is a massive undertaking.
By delaying a year and pushing St Andrews back to 2022, the 150th Open will still be played at the venue known as the home of golf.
It is a big "if" but if the new schedule plays out as now intended, men's golf will have a blockbuster spell between August and November.
The prospect of the US Open and Ryder Cup in consecutive weeks in September will capture the imagination of golf fans everywhere.
But the new schedule means that among the biggest tournaments only the PGA Championship can have a material effect on the make up of the European and American teams.
Staging major international events as early as August seems optimistic, indeed the most likely of these tournaments to actually be played is a November Masters.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/52135613
The Masters has been put back from April to November, while the US PGA Championship is slated for August.
The US Open, at Winged Foot, New York, is being moved from June to September, a week before the Ryder Cup.
The Open, due to take place in July at Royal St George's in Kent, will now be hosted by the venue in 2021.
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: "We have explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible."
However, all three of the majors hosted on American soil each year are still hoping to go ahead. And the Ryder Cup - the biennial event that pitches Europe's finest golfers against their American counterparts - is being kept in its late September slot.
The PGA Tour's season-ending FedExCup Play-offs are scheduled to take place on four successive weekends, with the first from 13-16 August.
A joint statement, issued by Augusta National Golf Club, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour, the R&A and USGA said: "We remain very mindful of the obstacles ahead, and each organisation will continue to follow the guidance of the leading public health authorities, conducting competitions only if it is safe and responsible to do so."
In the women's game, the LPGA Tour has moved two of its five annual majors. The ANA Inspiration has been pushed back to 10-13 September at Mission Hills, California, while the US Women's Open switches to 10-13 December at Champions Golf Club in Texas.
Of the three other majors, The Evian Championship in France, switched from a July date to 6-9 August, while the Women's PGA Championship in Pennsylvania (25-28 June), and Women's British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland (20-23 August) are still going ahead as scheduled.
'Open decision made with a heavy heart'
It is the first time The Open has been cancelled since the 1940-45 tournaments were not played because of World War Two.
The 149th Open will now be played at Royal St George's in Sandwich from 11-18 July 2021, meaning the R&A can keep the 150th Open at St Andrews in Scotland, from 10-17 July 2022.
The R&A said all tickets bought for this year's tournament will be transferred to next year's event, with full refunds for those people who are no longer able to attend.
BBC Sport understands that the R&A had pandemic insurance cover, which should significantly reduce the financial losses from the cancellation.
In a statement on the R&A website, Slumbers added: "We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart.
"We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.
"We rely on the support of the emergency services, local authorities and a range of other organisations to stage the Championship and it would be unreasonable to place any additional demands on them when they have far more urgent priorities to deal with."
Ireland's Shane Lowry, who won last year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, tweeted: "Obviously I'm disappointed that I won't get to defend the Open Championship this year but I feel the R&A have made the right decisions based on people's health and safety. See you all in Royal St George's in 2021."
And England's Danny Willett, who won the 2016 Masters, told BBC Radio 5 Live; "Postponement or cancellations is something that we have become accustomed to until everyone is safe and safe to do our sport. It is a shame but there are things bigger than golf at the moment."
Royal St George's has hosted The Open 14 times, most recently in 2011, when Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke won for the first time.
The Open, which started in 1860, was also previously not held from 1915 to 1919 because of World War One.
The only other previous cancellation came in 1871, when no trophy was available because Tom Morris Jr was allowed to keep the Challenge Belt for winning the tournament three times in a row.
The Claret Jug, the prize for the champion golfer of the year, was introduced in 1872.
A golfing year without The Open is hard to imagine but staging the 149th championship in the current situation was always going to be a tall order. Work to erect the temporary infrastructure to house about 200,000 spectators during Open week is a massive undertaking.
By delaying a year and pushing St Andrews back to 2022, the 150th Open will still be played at the venue known as the home of golf.
It is a big "if" but if the new schedule plays out as now intended, men's golf will have a blockbuster spell between August and November.
The prospect of the US Open and Ryder Cup in consecutive weeks in September will capture the imagination of golf fans everywhere.
But the new schedule means that among the biggest tournaments only the PGA Championship can have a material effect on the make up of the European and American teams.
Staging major international events as early as August seems optimistic, indeed the most likely of these tournaments to actually be played is a November Masters.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/52135613
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Manchester United will not be using the government's furloughing scheme to protect around 900 members of staff during the current coronavirus pandemic.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
BERLIN: Bundesliga clubs returned to team training on Monday, with players split in small groups or pairs and kept at a safe distance amid strict measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
German football has been suspended for almost a month and the German Football League (DFL) has said the ban will remain in place for the top divisions at least until April 30.Clubs, however, were given the all clear from their state authorities and the DFL to resume training this week, with champions Bayern Munich deciding to train players in small groups to minimise the risk of infection.
“Obviously all health guidelines are being adhered to,” the club said in a statement. “Obviously the training is closed to the public. FC Bayern are asking fans to continue following guidelines and please do not come to the team’s training centre.”
Keeping at least 1.5 metres from each other, players including captain Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller trained together for the first time since the Bundesliga was halted on March 13.
“It was a very unusual feeling to hold a training session in small groups, but it was also nice to see the boys in person again,” said Neuer after Bayern had previously held training sessions online.
After arriving at staggered times to limit contact -- with no greeting hugs or handshakes -- the 21-man squad was split into five groups, each containing a maximum of five players.
When they changed, the players were kept four metres apart in the changing rooms at the club’s state-of-the-art training complex in southern Germany.On the pitch, Bayern’s stars were careful to keep their distance from each other and there were no challenges or tackles.Once training was over, the players left to shower at home, where they ate food provided by the club in lunch boxes.
Other clubs also cautiously resumed training Monday, after the league’s ban on doing so until April 5 passed, amid hopes the league will resume in early May.Bayern are four points clear in the Bundesliga table.
At the training ground of their closest rivals Borussia Dortmund, the players also did not shower or eat on site after a session that focused on running and shooting.
Bottom club Paderborn also trained in small groups with coach Steffen Baumgart saying it was important for the players to be back on the pitch.
“It is important that players get the ball on their feet again,” Baumgart said. “That is why we have created the training sessions in such a way that ball activities are the focus.”
Weight and fitness sessions will be done individually, he said.Eintracht Frankfurt trained in pairs.The only clubs in Germany’s top flight not planning group training this week are Freiburg, whose players continue to work individually, and Werder Bremen, where the city’s senate still prevents training in groups.
Germany has seen the number of infected people rise above 100,000 this weekend and nearly 1,600 have died after testing positive for the virus that has forced the country into lockdown.
Despite the training resumption the DFL made it clear last week it was not known if or when the season would resume, and the stop in play has also had major financial effects on clubs.
Two weeks ago Dortmund, Bayern, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen came together to create a 20 million euros ($21.6 million) solidarity fund to help clubs in the top two tiers.Dortmund have also provided part of their Signal Iduna Park stadium for the treatment of suspected virus cases.
German football has been suspended for almost a month and the German Football League (DFL) has said the ban will remain in place for the top divisions at least until April 30.Clubs, however, were given the all clear from their state authorities and the DFL to resume training this week, with champions Bayern Munich deciding to train players in small groups to minimise the risk of infection.
“Obviously all health guidelines are being adhered to,” the club said in a statement. “Obviously the training is closed to the public. FC Bayern are asking fans to continue following guidelines and please do not come to the team’s training centre.”
Keeping at least 1.5 metres from each other, players including captain Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller trained together for the first time since the Bundesliga was halted on March 13.
“It was a very unusual feeling to hold a training session in small groups, but it was also nice to see the boys in person again,” said Neuer after Bayern had previously held training sessions online.
After arriving at staggered times to limit contact -- with no greeting hugs or handshakes -- the 21-man squad was split into five groups, each containing a maximum of five players.
When they changed, the players were kept four metres apart in the changing rooms at the club’s state-of-the-art training complex in southern Germany.On the pitch, Bayern’s stars were careful to keep their distance from each other and there were no challenges or tackles.Once training was over, the players left to shower at home, where they ate food provided by the club in lunch boxes.
Other clubs also cautiously resumed training Monday, after the league’s ban on doing so until April 5 passed, amid hopes the league will resume in early May.Bayern are four points clear in the Bundesliga table.
At the training ground of their closest rivals Borussia Dortmund, the players also did not shower or eat on site after a session that focused on running and shooting.
Bottom club Paderborn also trained in small groups with coach Steffen Baumgart saying it was important for the players to be back on the pitch.
“It is important that players get the ball on their feet again,” Baumgart said. “That is why we have created the training sessions in such a way that ball activities are the focus.”
Weight and fitness sessions will be done individually, he said.Eintracht Frankfurt trained in pairs.The only clubs in Germany’s top flight not planning group training this week are Freiburg, whose players continue to work individually, and Werder Bremen, where the city’s senate still prevents training in groups.
Germany has seen the number of infected people rise above 100,000 this weekend and nearly 1,600 have died after testing positive for the virus that has forced the country into lockdown.
Despite the training resumption the DFL made it clear last week it was not known if or when the season would resume, and the stop in play has also had major financial effects on clubs.
Two weeks ago Dortmund, Bayern, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen came together to create a 20 million euros ($21.6 million) solidarity fund to help clubs in the top two tiers.Dortmund have also provided part of their Signal Iduna Park stadium for the treatment of suspected virus cases.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
La Liga president Javier Tebas says Spain’s domestic football season may resume as early as 28 May in the best-case scenario of options being discussed by the league.
No Spanish side has played a competitive game since 11 March, when Atletico Madrid knocked holders Liverpool out of the Champions League at Anfield.
In a conference call with international journalists, Tebas also said La Liga clubs will lose around €1bn (£884m) if the 2019-20 campaign cannot be restarted.
He also stressed:
Three potential restart dates of 29 May, 6/7 June and 28 June were being assessed.
Closed-door matches and reduced capacities could be implemented.
La Liga had already lost €150m (£133m) in sponsorship and ticket revenue.
Spanish football will not ask for any money from central government.
Eight clubs across the first and second divisions had laid players off.
No Spanish side has played a competitive game since 11 March, when Atletico Madrid knocked holders Liverpool out of the Champions League at Anfield.
In a conference call with international journalists, Tebas also said La Liga clubs will lose around €1bn (£884m) if the 2019-20 campaign cannot be restarted.
He also stressed:
Three potential restart dates of 29 May, 6/7 June and 28 June were being assessed.
Closed-door matches and reduced capacities could be implemented.
La Liga had already lost €150m (£133m) in sponsorship and ticket revenue.
Spanish football will not ask for any money from central government.
Eight clubs across the first and second divisions had laid players off.
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
The Canadian GP has become the ninth 2020 Formula 1 race to be called off, with the season now delayed until late June at the earliest.
UK racing's first four Classics of the season - including the Derby at Epsom - have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Next month's Guineas meeting at Newmarket, featuring the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, is off.
Meanwhile, organisers of Royal Ascot say the June meeting, which attracted over 290,000 people in 2019, may be able to proceed but as an "event not open to the public".
"It may prove possible to run the Royal Ascot races behind closed doors, dependent on government and public health policy and the approval of the BHA [British Horseracing Authority],” said Ascot Racecourse's chief executive Guy Henderson.
British racing is currently suspended until at least the end of April.
Next month's Guineas meeting at Newmarket, featuring the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, is off.
Meanwhile, organisers of Royal Ascot say the June meeting, which attracted over 290,000 people in 2019, may be able to proceed but as an "event not open to the public".
"It may prove possible to run the Royal Ascot races behind closed doors, dependent on government and public health policy and the approval of the BHA [British Horseracing Authority],” said Ascot Racecourse's chief executive Guy Henderson.
British racing is currently suspended until at least the end of April.
Savak
World Star
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Runs
- 50,172
- Post of the Week
- 3
Sports is the last thing that should be on people's minds. Sporting bodies have been making Millions and Billions for the last 20-30 years, they should have solid finances to be able to deal with losses for one year.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seeing everyone suffer in Pakistan with food shortage due to the corona virus I have made bags which contain rice, flour, daal, chick peas, juices, water, powder milk, bars of soap. I would like to thank the pakistan Army for helping us distributing the bags <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialDGISPR</a> <a href="https://t.co/NfkW0Av31B">pic.twitter.com/NfkW0Av31B</a></p>— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/amirkingkhan/status/1247609268544712704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The Premier League could lose £1bn if the 2019-2020 season cannot finish - and English football faces "the danger of losing clubs and leagues" amid economic challenges "beyond the wildest imagination".
The season has been halted indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters warned of "further losses" if the situation "deepens and extends" beyond this season.
While Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said: "Many communities could lose the clubs at their heart with little chance of resurrection."
Some clubs have placed non-playing staff on temporary leave, while talks continue over the salaries of players. On Monday, Liverpool reversed a decision to furlough staff and apologised after facing criticism.
The Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut for players, but the Professional Footballers' Association says it would harm the NHS.
Top-flight players are now negotiating on a club-by-club basis over proposed wage cuts after talks broke down without resolution over the weekend.
Players are prepared to step up - PFA boss TaylorWhat are Premier League clubs doing on pay?Players left in 'no-win situation' over 'disgraceful' wage row - Rooney'Clubs showing restraint on furloughing'
Masters' warnings came in a letter to MP Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee - who has accused top-flight football of being in a "moral vacuum"
In the letter, Masters defended clubs' rights to furlough staff, saying: "We do agree with you that restraint needs to be shown by all and we and our clubs are doing just that. Individual clubs will need to make these decisions based on their own forecasts as each club will have its own unique position."
"The furlough scheme announced by Government is meant for the whole economy, including many enterprises which might be regarded as providing entertainment or otherwise dependent on elite talent.
"Not only is our industry facing losses now, but to be realistic, we must also base our plans on full recovery being some distance away.
"Ultimately, the very heavy losses that we face will have to be dealt with or else clubs or other enterprises who depend on football for income will go out of business."
However, Knight continued his criticism on Tuesday, responding: "It is time for the Premier League to stop defending the indefensible.
"It is frankly laughable to think that clubs are showing restraint on use of government money to pay non-playing staff and flies in the face of public opinion. Liverpool has listened to fans, done the right thing and changed its mind."
'Agree a common cause to save our game'
Speaking at an FA Council meeting, Clarke said: "In the face of this unprecedented adversity, all the stakeholders within the game from players, fans, clubs, owners and administrators need to step up and share the pain to keep the game alive.
"It is time for the stakeholders to agree common cause to save our game. Contribute. Football is a team game and now is the time for teamwork."
With no games being played, Football League clubs are struggling with cashflow issues without ticket sales, as well as matchday and merchandise income.
On Monday, England men's manager Gareth Southgate and women's boss Phil Neville said they would take a 30% pay cut.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the financial impact of postponements, including England fixtures, FA Cup matches and Wembley events could be as high as £150m.
Clarke said: "We are committed to finishing the professional football season as this resolves the issues of promotion and relegation together with title winners on merit.
"However, we may not be able to finish the season as football is not our priority - human life is - and we will do as the government directs as the pandemic unfolds.
"Further down the football pyramid, our leagues have requested that the season is curtailed and that decision rests with the FA Council.
"The pandemic will be followed by its economic consequences and all business sectors will suffer.
"We face the danger of losing clubs and leagues as finances collapse."
National League chairman and former FA chief executive Brian Barwick admits the game will change as a result of the pandemic, but insists the "starting point" will be to "protect our clubs".
"Certainly at National League level, we have to look at all the ways we can retain our clubs," Barwick told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We have 68 clubs across our three divisions and we are concerned about making sure that when we come through this we have 68 left.
"It is going to be tough and tight, so any opportunities that the government give us, or the wider sporting industry gives, or football gives us, we have to take heed of and do the right thing.
"Our clubs range from professional to semi-professional and, in truth, they are absolutely fundamental to the communities they are in.
"The game will have to change and there will be better brains than me to work that out - but the starting point for us is to protect our clubs, our league, while fitting inside the football family.
"The FA chairman spoke strong words but the FA has been working with us to protect our clubs and try to make sure we have three divisions at the end of it."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52191973
The season has been halted indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters warned of "further losses" if the situation "deepens and extends" beyond this season.
While Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said: "Many communities could lose the clubs at their heart with little chance of resurrection."
Some clubs have placed non-playing staff on temporary leave, while talks continue over the salaries of players. On Monday, Liverpool reversed a decision to furlough staff and apologised after facing criticism.
The Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut for players, but the Professional Footballers' Association says it would harm the NHS.
Top-flight players are now negotiating on a club-by-club basis over proposed wage cuts after talks broke down without resolution over the weekend.
Players are prepared to step up - PFA boss TaylorWhat are Premier League clubs doing on pay?Players left in 'no-win situation' over 'disgraceful' wage row - Rooney'Clubs showing restraint on furloughing'
Masters' warnings came in a letter to MP Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee - who has accused top-flight football of being in a "moral vacuum"
In the letter, Masters defended clubs' rights to furlough staff, saying: "We do agree with you that restraint needs to be shown by all and we and our clubs are doing just that. Individual clubs will need to make these decisions based on their own forecasts as each club will have its own unique position."
"The furlough scheme announced by Government is meant for the whole economy, including many enterprises which might be regarded as providing entertainment or otherwise dependent on elite talent.
"Not only is our industry facing losses now, but to be realistic, we must also base our plans on full recovery being some distance away.
"Ultimately, the very heavy losses that we face will have to be dealt with or else clubs or other enterprises who depend on football for income will go out of business."
However, Knight continued his criticism on Tuesday, responding: "It is time for the Premier League to stop defending the indefensible.
"It is frankly laughable to think that clubs are showing restraint on use of government money to pay non-playing staff and flies in the face of public opinion. Liverpool has listened to fans, done the right thing and changed its mind."
'Agree a common cause to save our game'
Speaking at an FA Council meeting, Clarke said: "In the face of this unprecedented adversity, all the stakeholders within the game from players, fans, clubs, owners and administrators need to step up and share the pain to keep the game alive.
"It is time for the stakeholders to agree common cause to save our game. Contribute. Football is a team game and now is the time for teamwork."
With no games being played, Football League clubs are struggling with cashflow issues without ticket sales, as well as matchday and merchandise income.
On Monday, England men's manager Gareth Southgate and women's boss Phil Neville said they would take a 30% pay cut.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the financial impact of postponements, including England fixtures, FA Cup matches and Wembley events could be as high as £150m.
Clarke said: "We are committed to finishing the professional football season as this resolves the issues of promotion and relegation together with title winners on merit.
"However, we may not be able to finish the season as football is not our priority - human life is - and we will do as the government directs as the pandemic unfolds.
"Further down the football pyramid, our leagues have requested that the season is curtailed and that decision rests with the FA Council.
"The pandemic will be followed by its economic consequences and all business sectors will suffer.
"We face the danger of losing clubs and leagues as finances collapse."
National League chairman and former FA chief executive Brian Barwick admits the game will change as a result of the pandemic, but insists the "starting point" will be to "protect our clubs".
"Certainly at National League level, we have to look at all the ways we can retain our clubs," Barwick told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We have 68 clubs across our three divisions and we are concerned about making sure that when we come through this we have 68 left.
"It is going to be tough and tight, so any opportunities that the government give us, or the wider sporting industry gives, or football gives us, we have to take heed of and do the right thing.
"Our clubs range from professional to semi-professional and, in truth, they are absolutely fundamental to the communities they are in.
"The game will have to change and there will be better brains than me to work that out - but the starting point for us is to protect our clubs, our league, while fitting inside the football family.
"The FA chairman spoke strong words but the FA has been working with us to protect our clubs and try to make sure we have three divisions at the end of it."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52191973
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Real Madrid's players, coaches and "main directors" will take a pay cut of 10-20% this year as the club deals with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Football in Spain has been suspended indefinitely since March, when the country declared a state of emergency.
Real said the decision to reduce pay was "taken by players, coaches and employees" to avoid "traumatic measures that affect the rest of the workers".
The club's basketball team have also agreed voluntary pay cuts.
Real said the move was "depending on the circumstances that may affect the closing of the current 2019-20 sports season".
It added the decision would help mitigate a decrease in income "as a result of the suspension of competitions and the paralysis of a large part of its commercial activities".
It was announced last month that Barcelona players would take a 70% pay cut and make additional contributions to ensure non-sporting staff received full wages.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52223344
Football in Spain has been suspended indefinitely since March, when the country declared a state of emergency.
Real said the decision to reduce pay was "taken by players, coaches and employees" to avoid "traumatic measures that affect the rest of the workers".
The club's basketball team have also agreed voluntary pay cuts.
Real said the move was "depending on the circumstances that may affect the closing of the current 2019-20 sports season".
It added the decision would help mitigate a decrease in income "as a result of the suspension of competitions and the paralysis of a large part of its commercial activities".
It was announced last month that Barcelona players would take a 70% pay cut and make additional contributions to ensure non-sporting staff received full wages.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52223344
Savak
World Star
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Runs
- 50,172
- Post of the Week
- 3
CJ McCollum estimates a third of NBA players live paycheck to paycheck
The COVID-19 crisis has shut down the nation. There are no sports, not even pick-up basketball games. There are no shopping trips. There are no dinners eaten at restaurants and movies seen in theaters.
It has wreaked havoc on the economy and left millions unemployed. Families who live paycheck to paycheck are now scrambling to pay bills with no idea when they’ll be able to work again.
It’s also impacting the finances of professional athletes at all levels. For those at the lower salary level, it is making a larger impact. And many are living close to a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum told former NBA player Jay Williams on “The Boardroom.”
"I would say out of 450 players … 150 probably are living paycheck to paycheck," McCollum said.
McCollum, a vice president for the NBA players association, said some players are hurting since there could be a pay stoppage soon, and there will be a drop in the salary cap for next season due to lost revenues.
“I think a lot of guys are going to be hurting especially people on minimums or people that didn't just budget correctly and didn't expect this to happen,” McCollum said, via The Boardroom. “Maybe they loaned money or paid money to family. Maybe they're taking care of multiple people and now there's a work stoppage for us and for a lot of people in America.”
Though the average and median salaries for NBA players are in the millions and superstars sign for contracts of up to $40 million a season, per Basketball Reference, there are still players at the bottom of rosters who are making far less.
McCollum has advocated for being concerned about health rather than basketball right now. In an interview for The Athletic’s Hoops Adjacent podcast he ripped into NBA owners for not stepping up to take care of arena workers. Athletes such as Zion Williamson were the first to start donations to workers.
“The money I have is unbelievable to an average citizen,” McCollum said, via The Athletic. “The money [owners] have is unbelievable to me. And I’m signed up to make hundreds of millions of dollars. So that kind of gives you perspective as to how much money they have – they have so much money they pay me hundreds of millions of dollars.”
McCollum donated $170,000 to organizations in Portland, Oregon, and Canton, Ohio, last week for COVID-19 relief.
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/cj-mc-c...yers-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-184128783.html
The COVID-19 crisis has shut down the nation. There are no sports, not even pick-up basketball games. There are no shopping trips. There are no dinners eaten at restaurants and movies seen in theaters.
It has wreaked havoc on the economy and left millions unemployed. Families who live paycheck to paycheck are now scrambling to pay bills with no idea when they’ll be able to work again.
It’s also impacting the finances of professional athletes at all levels. For those at the lower salary level, it is making a larger impact. And many are living close to a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum told former NBA player Jay Williams on “The Boardroom.”
"I would say out of 450 players … 150 probably are living paycheck to paycheck," McCollum said.
McCollum, a vice president for the NBA players association, said some players are hurting since there could be a pay stoppage soon, and there will be a drop in the salary cap for next season due to lost revenues.
“I think a lot of guys are going to be hurting especially people on minimums or people that didn't just budget correctly and didn't expect this to happen,” McCollum said, via The Boardroom. “Maybe they loaned money or paid money to family. Maybe they're taking care of multiple people and now there's a work stoppage for us and for a lot of people in America.”
Though the average and median salaries for NBA players are in the millions and superstars sign for contracts of up to $40 million a season, per Basketball Reference, there are still players at the bottom of rosters who are making far less.
McCollum has advocated for being concerned about health rather than basketball right now. In an interview for The Athletic’s Hoops Adjacent podcast he ripped into NBA owners for not stepping up to take care of arena workers. Athletes such as Zion Williamson were the first to start donations to workers.
“The money I have is unbelievable to an average citizen,” McCollum said, via The Athletic. “The money [owners] have is unbelievable to me. And I’m signed up to make hundreds of millions of dollars. So that kind of gives you perspective as to how much money they have – they have so much money they pay me hundreds of millions of dollars.”
McCollum donated $170,000 to organizations in Portland, Oregon, and Canton, Ohio, last week for COVID-19 relief.
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/cj-mc-c...yers-live-paycheck-to-paycheck-184128783.html
Last edited by a moderator:
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s been a long busy day at the <a href="https://twitter.com/AmirkhanGyms?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmirkhanGyms</a>(Pakistan) giving out food bags to the needy. Thousands of people queued up to receive food bags. <a href="https://twitter.com/AKFoundation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AKFoundation</a> team will be out all night delivering to rural areas to their doorstep. Thankyou to all those that helped <a href="https://twitter.com/PTVNewsOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PTVNewsOfficial</a> <a href="https://t.co/2c68rRePdk">pic.twitter.com/2c68rRePdk</a></p>— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/amirkingkhan/status/1247963372781539333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Southampton have become the first Premier League club to announce their players will defer part of their salaries amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and his staff, as well as the board of directors, will also adopt the measure until June.
Premier League clubs previously said they would ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs.
However, the Professional Footballers' Association said that would hit tax contributions to the NHS.
On Monday, Premier League players launched the #PlayersTogether initiative to generate and distribute funds to the NHS.
What are Premier League clubs doing on pay?
Southampton have also said they will not be using the government's furlough scheme during April, May and June and all staff not deferring their salaries will "continue to receive 100% of their pay".
Newcastle United, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich City had already announced they will furlough some non-playing staff, while Liverpool reversed their decision.
Southampton say the actions of the players, coaches and directors in deferring their salary will "help protect the future of the club, the staff that work within it and the community we serve".
Premier League football has been postponed indefinitely because of the spread of coronavirus.
Players have been negotiating on a club-by-club basis over proposed wage cuts after talks aimed at a collective pay deal in response to the coronavirus crisis broke down without resolution over the weekend.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52228542
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and his staff, as well as the board of directors, will also adopt the measure until June.
Premier League clubs previously said they would ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs.
However, the Professional Footballers' Association said that would hit tax contributions to the NHS.
On Monday, Premier League players launched the #PlayersTogether initiative to generate and distribute funds to the NHS.
What are Premier League clubs doing on pay?
Southampton have also said they will not be using the government's furlough scheme during April, May and June and all staff not deferring their salaries will "continue to receive 100% of their pay".
Newcastle United, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich City had already announced they will furlough some non-playing staff, while Liverpool reversed their decision.
Southampton say the actions of the players, coaches and directors in deferring their salary will "help protect the future of the club, the staff that work within it and the community we serve".
Premier League football has been postponed indefinitely because of the spread of coronavirus.
Players have been negotiating on a club-by-club basis over proposed wage cuts after talks aimed at a collective pay deal in response to the coronavirus crisis broke down without resolution over the weekend.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52228542
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Sports continue to plan for resumptions
With the 2020 sporting calendar halted by the coronavirus outbreak, many governing bodies are still working out potential ways to complete their competitions when they are advised it is safe to do so.
Although that still seems a long way off, fans might be encouraged by some of today's developments:
English Football League clubs have been told the season can be completed in just 56 days when it is safe to resumeFormula 1 could still hold a world championship this year even if the season cannot start until OctoberThe Premier League Darts season hopes to resume on 30 July
With the 2020 sporting calendar halted by the coronavirus outbreak, many governing bodies are still working out potential ways to complete their competitions when they are advised it is safe to do so.
Although that still seems a long way off, fans might be encouraged by some of today's developments:
English Football League clubs have been told the season can be completed in just 56 days when it is safe to resumeFormula 1 could still hold a world championship this year even if the season cannot start until OctoberThe Premier League Darts season hopes to resume on 30 July
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Premier League clubs will receive millions of pounds in advanced payments related to league positioning and television fees in an effort to ease their cash-flow problems.
The 20 clubs agreed to the funding to cope with the lack of income because of the coronavirus crisis, with payments expected to be in the region of £20m.
The partial release of "merit payments" is prize money that clubs would have received, while "facility fees" relate to how many matches each club had shown on live TV matches.
Clubs will also receive part of their funding for next season in the summer months.
The arrangement for this season's advanced payments, which was first reported by The Times, was decided by the clubs at last week's shareholder meeting.
Premier League football has been postponed indefinitely because of the spread of the coronavirus.
There will need to be adjustments made to these payments at the end of the season based on what the final table looks like.
BBC Sport has been told the amount of money being released has been carefully decided, based on balancing the cash-flow problems clubs are experiencing with the worst-case scenario of broadcasters demanding money back if the remaining fixtures are not played.
Sports streaming provider DAZN has told the Premier League it will be deferring its most recent payments for overseas rights until it receives clarity on when or if the season will resume.
DAZN has the rights to show Premier League action in Japan, Canada, Spain and Brazil.
The Premier League is understood to be facing potential financial losses of £762m in broadcast revenue if the season cannot resume.
Insiders have stressed that the release of merit payments should not be seen as an indication of an idea to end the season where it is now, and that the decision has been made to help clubs through this crisis.
Typically clubs receive some funding at the beginning of a new season.
It is understood the intention is still to pay clubs part of this funding for next season during the summer months, to again help tide clubs over during this period when they have no other money coming in.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52228551
The 20 clubs agreed to the funding to cope with the lack of income because of the coronavirus crisis, with payments expected to be in the region of £20m.
The partial release of "merit payments" is prize money that clubs would have received, while "facility fees" relate to how many matches each club had shown on live TV matches.
Clubs will also receive part of their funding for next season in the summer months.
The arrangement for this season's advanced payments, which was first reported by The Times, was decided by the clubs at last week's shareholder meeting.
Premier League football has been postponed indefinitely because of the spread of the coronavirus.
There will need to be adjustments made to these payments at the end of the season based on what the final table looks like.
BBC Sport has been told the amount of money being released has been carefully decided, based on balancing the cash-flow problems clubs are experiencing with the worst-case scenario of broadcasters demanding money back if the remaining fixtures are not played.
Sports streaming provider DAZN has told the Premier League it will be deferring its most recent payments for overseas rights until it receives clarity on when or if the season will resume.
DAZN has the rights to show Premier League action in Japan, Canada, Spain and Brazil.
The Premier League is understood to be facing potential financial losses of £762m in broadcast revenue if the season cannot resume.
Insiders have stressed that the release of merit payments should not be seen as an indication of an idea to end the season where it is now, and that the decision has been made to help clubs through this crisis.
Typically clubs receive some funding at the beginning of a new season.
It is understood the intention is still to pay clubs part of this funding for next season during the summer months, to again help tide clubs over during this period when they have no other money coming in.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52228551
Kianig89
T20I Star
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
- Runs
- 32,267
Scottish PL not to resume before 10 June 
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Runs
- 44,825
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very disappointed, I am supporting 10,000 needy and poor families of Pakistan with food at the AK Boxing Academy in Islamabad. Authorities of Pakistan Sports Board have creating hurdles and stopped people and food to enter into premise. <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sayedzbukhari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sayedzbukhari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrFMirza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrFMirza</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Ven9nhcBB">pic.twitter.com/3Ven9nhcBB</a></p>— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/amirkingkhan/status/1248308489048469506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
The EFL says it will need 56 days to complete its 2019-20 season and has advised clubs that matches are likely to resume behind closed doors.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Former Liverpool player and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish has been released from hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Tottenham have reversed their decision to use the government's furlough scheme for some non-playing staff during the coronavirus crisis following criticism from supporters.
On 31 March, the English football club announced550 employees would take a 20% pay cut in an attempt "to protect jobs".
But on Monday, a Spurs statement said non-playing staff would receive "100% of their pay for April and May".
Only board members would now take salary reductions, the statement added.
On 31 March, the English football club announced550 employees would take a 20% pay cut in an attempt "to protect jobs".
But on Monday, a Spurs statement said non-playing staff would receive "100% of their pay for April and May".
Only board members would now take salary reductions, the statement added.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Agar kisi Insaan ke sath ziadati ki hai to us say maafi mang lo wrna Qayamat ke din wahan par Maafi nahi milaygi!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID2019?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID2019</a> <a href="https://t.co/eTXVqEnkOA">pic.twitter.com/eTXVqEnkOA</a></p>— Javed Miandad (@I_JavedMiandad) <a href="https://twitter.com/I_JavedMiandad/status/1249746247394656262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Social Distancing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyEaster?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyEaster</a> <a href="https://t.co/lDCAsxkOAw">pic.twitter.com/lDCAsxkOAw</a></p>— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) <a href="https://twitter.com/usainbolt/status/1249708513066131457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tour de France set to be postponed amid coronavirus pandemic
The Tour de France looks set to be postponed following the French government's extension of a ban on mass gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that restrictions on public events would continue until mid-July.
Cycling's biggest race, won by Team Ineos' Egan Bernal last year, is due to run from 27 June to 19 July.
Race organisers ASO have been contacted for comment.
The Tour, due to start in Nice, is being contested by Bernal's Ineos team-mate and four-time winner Chris Froome after the Briton broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs in a crash preparing for last year's event.
Colombian Bernal won last year's race following a battle with Britain's Geraint Thomas, who won the 2018 edition.
On 10 April, cycling's governing body furloughed staff and cut leaders' salaries as a result of the global pandemic.
The International Cycling Union blamed the postponement of the Olympics and Paralympics, plus losing much of its annual calendar, for the move.
The Giro d'Italia has already been called off, along with the 'monument' one-day races: Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
As it stands, the Road World Championships remain scheduled to take place at the end of September in Switzerland.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/52275641
The Tour de France looks set to be postponed following the French government's extension of a ban on mass gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that restrictions on public events would continue until mid-July.
Cycling's biggest race, won by Team Ineos' Egan Bernal last year, is due to run from 27 June to 19 July.
Race organisers ASO have been contacted for comment.
The Tour, due to start in Nice, is being contested by Bernal's Ineos team-mate and four-time winner Chris Froome after the Briton broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs in a crash preparing for last year's event.
Colombian Bernal won last year's race following a battle with Britain's Geraint Thomas, who won the 2018 edition.
On 10 April, cycling's governing body furloughed staff and cut leaders' salaries as a result of the global pandemic.
The International Cycling Union blamed the postponement of the Olympics and Paralympics, plus losing much of its annual calendar, for the move.
The Giro d'Italia has already been called off, along with the 'monument' one-day races: Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
As it stands, the Road World Championships remain scheduled to take place at the end of September in Switzerland.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/52275641
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
Tour de France to go ahead at end of August after coronavirus delay
The postponed 2020 Tour de France will now start on 29 August, following the French government's extension of a ban on mass gatherings to mid-July because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cycling's biggest event, won by Team Ineos' Egan Bernal last year, was originally due to run from 27 June to 19 July.
"Holding this event in the best conditions possible is judged essential given its central place in cycling's economy," said cycling's governing body the UCI.
Many large-scale sporting events due to take place this summer have either been called off, like Wimbledon, or pushed back by a year, such as football's European Championships and the summer Olympics.
Four-time winner Chris Froome is set for a return in this year's Tour, which is due to start in Nice, after he missed last year's race following a high-speed accident in which he broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs.
He earlier tweeted that he was expecting an announcement about the race on Wednesday.
Cycling's two other three-week grand tour races have also been re-scheduled for this year. The Giro D'Italia - due to take place in May - and the Vuelta a Espana, which is set for September, will now take place after the World Road Championships.
The championships, which will be held in Switzerland, remain in their 20-27 September slot.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/52275648
The postponed 2020 Tour de France will now start on 29 August, following the French government's extension of a ban on mass gatherings to mid-July because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cycling's biggest event, won by Team Ineos' Egan Bernal last year, was originally due to run from 27 June to 19 July.
"Holding this event in the best conditions possible is judged essential given its central place in cycling's economy," said cycling's governing body the UCI.
Many large-scale sporting events due to take place this summer have either been called off, like Wimbledon, or pushed back by a year, such as football's European Championships and the summer Olympics.
Four-time winner Chris Froome is set for a return in this year's Tour, which is due to start in Nice, after he missed last year's race following a high-speed accident in which he broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs.
He earlier tweeted that he was expecting an announcement about the race on Wednesday.
Cycling's two other three-week grand tour races have also been re-scheduled for this year. The Giro D'Italia - due to take place in May - and the Vuelta a Espana, which is set for September, will now take place after the World Road Championships.
The championships, which will be held in Switzerland, remain in their 20-27 September slot.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/52275648
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
Sport continues to be disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Tour de France the latest major event to be postponed.
Cycling's biggest race, due to begin in June, has been rescheduled to start on 29 August.
It forms part of a revised schedule for sports fans later in 2020, assuming events are given the go-ahead.
Cycling's biggest race, due to begin in June, has been rescheduled to start on 29 August.
It forms part of a revised schedule for sports fans later in 2020, assuming events are given the go-ahead.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
Coronavirus: Eto'o plans to help 100,000 in Cameroon
Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has said he will distribute supplies to 100,000 people to help support efforts to combat coronavirus in his home country.
Eto'o runs a foundation in the country and has promised that it will be used to "share soaps, sanitisers and several food items to fifty thousand households in four cities - Douala, Buea, Yaoundé and Bafoussam."
An additional 50,000 protective face masks will also be supplied - specifically for taxi drivers in the country.
“This is a serious humanitarian crisis and only via proper sanitisation and the distribution of health kits can we curb the coronavirus,” read a statement from the Samuel Eto'o Foundation.
Cameroon’s government continues to take measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including closing down the central African nation’s borders and suspending all sports activities.
On 5 April, Cameroon’s health minister Manaouda Malachie reported that 650 people had tested positive with the virus. A total of 165 have recovered while there have been 17 deaths.
With Cameroon’s top and second tier football championships suspended, several players have taken to social media to plead for help amidst growing financial concerns.
Around a thousand footballers from 44 clubs of the country’s men and women’s domestic championships are also expected to benefit from the move via food items and basic necessities.
Eto'o, four-time African Player of the Year, has previously taken to his social media to give fans advice on following World Health Organisation tips on fighting coronavirus.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/52311219
Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has said he will distribute supplies to 100,000 people to help support efforts to combat coronavirus in his home country.
Eto'o runs a foundation in the country and has promised that it will be used to "share soaps, sanitisers and several food items to fifty thousand households in four cities - Douala, Buea, Yaoundé and Bafoussam."
An additional 50,000 protective face masks will also be supplied - specifically for taxi drivers in the country.
“This is a serious humanitarian crisis and only via proper sanitisation and the distribution of health kits can we curb the coronavirus,” read a statement from the Samuel Eto'o Foundation.
Cameroon’s government continues to take measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including closing down the central African nation’s borders and suspending all sports activities.
On 5 April, Cameroon’s health minister Manaouda Malachie reported that 650 people had tested positive with the virus. A total of 165 have recovered while there have been 17 deaths.
With Cameroon’s top and second tier football championships suspended, several players have taken to social media to plead for help amidst growing financial concerns.
Around a thousand footballers from 44 clubs of the country’s men and women’s domestic championships are also expected to benefit from the move via food items and basic necessities.
Eto'o, four-time African Player of the Year, has previously taken to his social media to give fans advice on following World Health Organisation tips on fighting coronavirus.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/52311219
BoomBoomCricket
First Class Captain
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
- Runs
- 5,834
- Post of the Week
- 2
The PGA Tour has announced plans for tournament golf to return in June, with the first four events of the season's resumption played behind closed doors.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
<iframe width="416" height="234" src="//fave.api.cnn.io/v1/fav/?video=sports/2020/04/09/iyw-sports-vignette-6.cnn&customer=cnn&edition=international&env=prod" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Aisam Qureshi doing some excellent work.
Aisam Qureshi doing some excellent work.
The Viper
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2018
- Runs
- 6,865
US Open: 'Unlikely' tournament will be played behind closed doors
The fate of this year's US Open will not be decided until June, but it is "highly unlikely" to be staged behind closed doors.
The US Tennis Association (USTA) has set up a medical advisory group to help them determine whether it will be safe to play the tournament.
The US Open is due to begin at Flushing Meadows in New York on 31 August.
More than 10,000 people have died from coronavirus in the city and lockdown measures have been extended to 15 May.
Nearly three quarters of a million people attended last year's US Open, and when asked if they would play without fans, USTA chief executive Mike Dowse said: "We're not taking anything off the table right now, but to be honest and open, I think that's highly unlikely.
"That's not really in the spirit of the celebration of tennis, and it also goes back to the health and wellbeing of our players and support staff that help run the tournament.
"Unless the medical experts come up with a solution that truly is foolproof and safe, we don't see that as an option."
A tournament behind closed doors still involves several thousand people. The USTA would be able to fulfil its commitment to broadcasters, but would still have to pay the players while missing out on vast revenue from ticket sales, food and drink, and merchandise.
The USTA is still aiming to run the tournament as scheduled, but has previously indicated it may explore the possibility of pushing it back into the autumn.
The French Tennis Federation has already rescheduled Roland Garros to run from 20 September to 4 October, pushing the tournament back four months from its original date of 24 May to 7 June.
While Wimbledon, due to be played between 29 June and 12 July, has been cancelled.
"In one sense we're very fortunate that we are the fourth Grand Slam to go, so time is on our side at this point," Dowse continued.
"The driving factor will be the health and wellbeing of the players, the fans and our staff. And to that, we just don't have enough information if we can run the tournament safely.
"We've set a time frame around June to make that decision, and the way we are approaching it is through a medical advisory group.
"We have five or six doctors consulting with us on a regular basis, and based on that information we will ultimately make the decision if it's safe to play the tournament or not."
The Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, which stages the US Open every year, is currently operating as a 450-bed hospital for the people of New York.
Dowse says they are also making 25,000 meals a day for health care professionals, and for children who are missing out on school lunches.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52316965
The fate of this year's US Open will not be decided until June, but it is "highly unlikely" to be staged behind closed doors.
The US Tennis Association (USTA) has set up a medical advisory group to help them determine whether it will be safe to play the tournament.
The US Open is due to begin at Flushing Meadows in New York on 31 August.
More than 10,000 people have died from coronavirus in the city and lockdown measures have been extended to 15 May.
Nearly three quarters of a million people attended last year's US Open, and when asked if they would play without fans, USTA chief executive Mike Dowse said: "We're not taking anything off the table right now, but to be honest and open, I think that's highly unlikely.
"That's not really in the spirit of the celebration of tennis, and it also goes back to the health and wellbeing of our players and support staff that help run the tournament.
"Unless the medical experts come up with a solution that truly is foolproof and safe, we don't see that as an option."
A tournament behind closed doors still involves several thousand people. The USTA would be able to fulfil its commitment to broadcasters, but would still have to pay the players while missing out on vast revenue from ticket sales, food and drink, and merchandise.
The USTA is still aiming to run the tournament as scheduled, but has previously indicated it may explore the possibility of pushing it back into the autumn.
The French Tennis Federation has already rescheduled Roland Garros to run from 20 September to 4 October, pushing the tournament back four months from its original date of 24 May to 7 June.
While Wimbledon, due to be played between 29 June and 12 July, has been cancelled.
"In one sense we're very fortunate that we are the fourth Grand Slam to go, so time is on our side at this point," Dowse continued.
"The driving factor will be the health and wellbeing of the players, the fans and our staff. And to that, we just don't have enough information if we can run the tournament safely.
"We've set a time frame around June to make that decision, and the way we are approaching it is through a medical advisory group.
"We have five or six doctors consulting with us on a regular basis, and based on that information we will ultimately make the decision if it's safe to play the tournament or not."
The Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, which stages the US Open every year, is currently operating as a 450-bed hospital for the people of New York.
Dowse says they are also making 25,000 meals a day for health care professionals, and for children who are missing out on school lunches.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52316965
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,977
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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-stylermal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_AIOhMHO6u/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-stylermal; font-weightrmal; line-height:17px; text-decorationne; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Couldn’t have done this challenge without my racquet from @rogerfederer. #tennisathome</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-spacewrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-stylermal; font-weightrmal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Serena Williams</a> (@serenawilliams) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-04-15T12
49+00:00">Apr 15, 2020 at 5:59am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-stylermal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-spacewrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-stylermal; font-weightrmal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Serena Williams</a> (@serenawilliams) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-04-15T1249+00:00">Apr 15, 2020 at 5:59am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
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Former Leeds United and England footballer Norman Hunter has died in hospital after contracting coronavirus.
The 76-year-old, who was a tough-tackling defender, was a key player in Leeds' most successful era.
He won two league titles during a 14-year career at Elland Road, and was a non-playing member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad.
Hunter was admitted to hospital on 10 April after testing positive for coronavirus.
A statement issued by Leeds said they were "devastated" by the passing of Hunter, whose "legacy will never be forgotten".
The 76-year-old, who was a tough-tackling defender, was a key player in Leeds' most successful era.
He won two league titles during a 14-year career at Elland Road, and was a non-playing member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad.
Hunter was admitted to hospital on 10 April after testing positive for coronavirus.
A statement issued by Leeds said they were "devastated" by the passing of Hunter, whose "legacy will never be forgotten".
The Viper
T20I Debutant
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Premier League unlikely to restart before June 8, with aim to complete season in five-week period.
Well said [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]. The flawed business models of various sporting bodies are getting exposed.
Take Premier League football for example. It was common knowledge WELL before the Coronavirus that the financial model underpinning the League was unsustainable.
Yes the League generates £5bn in revenues, but 60% was being generated by the Big Six. The revenue gap between the Sixth and Seventh placed club is £200m according to Swiss Ramble. In the previous season, 12 out of 20 PL clubs reported losses. So while the Big Six were raking it in, the bottom clubs struggled to stay competitive. And you can only imagine how badly the Lower Leagues were faring. This is why the same clubs win the same trophies every year to the point of tedium.
These appalling inequalities between top and bottom clubs was clear to see, but the governing bodies kept silent. Suddenly, amidst a deadly global pandemic the FA realise some clubs could go to the wall. Whilst the Big Six will sustain the biggest losses, it's the smaller clubs who'll lose more as a proportion of their revenue.
Now in a just world - Coronavirus will cause a major rethink of how football's finances are structured, how to reduce inequalities between top and bottom, and for more equitable revenue sharing.
But what's the Premier League's response ? Play the rest if the season behind closed doors to fulfill their precious television contracts. To hell with human life. Now you see why I haven't watched a full football match in 4 years and counting despite growing up a diehard fan who'd never miss even a meaningless cup game.
This sport is a mafia.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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(Reuters) - The NBA has reached an agreement with the National Basketball Players Association to withhold 25% of each player’s salary from May 15 due to the shutdown of the sport because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The deal would provide a gradual reduction in player salaries in case a “force majeure” event, such as the pandemic, wipes out the rest of the regular season.
The money will be placed in escrow and paid back to players if all of the remaining regular season games are played, ESPN reported.
If only part of the season can be played, the amount paid out would be on a pro rata basis based on the number of games completed.
The salary reductions will continue through the first two months of the 2020-21 NBA season, ESPN said.
The NBA has not held a game since March 11 and it is unclear when it might return to action.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...receive-25-less-pay-from-may-15-idUSKBN21Z3FF
The deal would provide a gradual reduction in player salaries in case a “force majeure” event, such as the pandemic, wipes out the rest of the regular season.
The money will be placed in escrow and paid back to players if all of the remaining regular season games are played, ESPN reported.
If only part of the season can be played, the amount paid out would be on a pro rata basis based on the number of games completed.
The salary reductions will continue through the first two months of the 2020-21 NBA season, ESPN said.
The NBA has not held a game since March 11 and it is unclear when it might return to action.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...receive-25-less-pay-from-may-15-idUSKBN21Z3FF
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Watford are set to become the third Premier League club to agree wage deferrals with their first team squad.
Earlier this month, Southampton and West Ham confirmed their players would defer part of their salaries because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Arsenal players are set to take a 12.5% pay cut while Chelsea's will reportedly agree to a 10% decrease in salary.
In addition to the players, Watford’s senior management and executives are also expected to agree to deferrals.
Talks with the Watford squad have taken place amid a backdrop of discontent over the payment of last season’s bonuses, with that issue not yet resolved to the players’ satisfaction.
However, the club are close to a wages deal, having told the players they are not intending to furlough staff.
It comes after Premier League-wide talks aimed at a collective pay deal broke down without resolution.
The Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut, but the Professional Footballers’ Association said that would affect tax contributions to the NHS.
Earlier this month, Premier League players launched the #PlayersTogether scheme to generate and distribute funds to the NHS.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52348498
Earlier this month, Southampton and West Ham confirmed their players would defer part of their salaries because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Arsenal players are set to take a 12.5% pay cut while Chelsea's will reportedly agree to a 10% decrease in salary.
In addition to the players, Watford’s senior management and executives are also expected to agree to deferrals.
Talks with the Watford squad have taken place amid a backdrop of discontent over the payment of last season’s bonuses, with that issue not yet resolved to the players’ satisfaction.
However, the club are close to a wages deal, having told the players they are not intending to furlough staff.
It comes after Premier League-wide talks aimed at a collective pay deal broke down without resolution.
The Premier League proposed a 30% pay cut, but the Professional Footballers’ Association said that would affect tax contributions to the NHS.
Earlier this month, Premier League players launched the #PlayersTogether scheme to generate and distribute funds to the NHS.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52348498
Sportspeople, teams and organisations have displayed their philanthropic side during the pandemic. Now the players and coaching staff of Italian football club Roma have given up their salaries for the remainder of the season to help combat the financial fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.
Brighton football club's Amex Stadium has been converted into a drive-through Covid-19 testing centre.
Chinese Super League team Wuhan Zall made an emotional homecoming having been unable to return for three months because of the pandemic.
Danish football club FC Midtjylland are planning a 'football drive-in' when the season restarts with matches played in empty stadiums.
Brighton football club's Amex Stadium has been converted into a drive-through Covid-19 testing centre.
Chinese Super League team Wuhan Zall made an emotional homecoming having been unable to return for three months because of the pandemic.
Danish football club FC Midtjylland are planning a 'football drive-in' when the season restarts with matches played in empty stadiums.
Abdullah719
T20I Captain
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- Apr 16, 2013
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Australia's rugby union players have agreed to take an average pay cut of 60% until 30 September.
The deal, which comes after weeks of negotiations with the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA), will see the game's highest earners take the largest cuts.
All 192 players will be paid in full for April before the changes come into effect. However, pay negotiations will resume if the season restarts before 30 September.
In a statement, the head of the RUPA, Justin Harrison, said: "Australia’s professional players will play a central role in the short–term preservation of the game by accepting a significant reduction in pay in order for necessary transformation to begin."
The deal, which comes after weeks of negotiations with the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA), will see the game's highest earners take the largest cuts.
All 192 players will be paid in full for April before the changes come into effect. However, pay negotiations will resume if the season restarts before 30 September.
In a statement, the head of the RUPA, Justin Harrison, said: "Australia’s professional players will play a central role in the short–term preservation of the game by accepting a significant reduction in pay in order for necessary transformation to begin."
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
Sharp rise in footballers reporting depression symptoms
BERN (Reuters) - The global players’ union FIFPRO says there has been a sharp rise in the number of players reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety since the sport was brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 outbreak.
FIFPRO said that 22% of women players and 13% of men players who took part in a survey reported symptoms “consistent with a diagnosis of depression” such as lack of interest, lack of appetite, lack of energy and self-esteem.
This compared to 11% and 6% respectively in a similar survey conducted in December and January.
It said that 18% of women players and 16% of men reported symptoms of generalised anxiety such as worry or tension. There was some crossover with 11% of women players and 7.5% of men reporting both sets of symptoms, FIFPRO said.
“In football, suddenly young men and women athletes are having to cope with social isolation, a suspension of their working lives and doubts about their future,” said FIFPRO’s chief medical officer Vincent Gouttebarge.
“It is a time of huge uncertainty for the players and their families due to the insecurity of their future and the social isolation.”
FIFPRO said that the survey, conducted with the Amsterdam University Medical Centre, included 1,134 male players, with a mean age of 26, and 468 female players, with a mean age of 23, in 16 countries.
On a more positive note, Gouttebarge said that nearly 80% of players surveyed reported that they had access to sufficient resources and support for their mental health, often through their national player associations.
FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said they were not trying to make a special case for footballers.
“We are very conscious that this is a reflection of a problem in broader society than and there is no suggestion that it is more severe for our members,” said Baer-Hoffmann.
“Footballers are more similar to average society than most people think, and that is simply because of the misconceptions about how players live.”
He reiterated that many footballers lived a precarious financial existence at the best of times.
“The average contract length is under two years and the average income is close to that of the general public,” he said. “Many are incredibly dependent on their footballing skills and are not prepared for what would come after.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...s-reporting-depression-symptoms-idUSKBN2221LY
BERN (Reuters) - The global players’ union FIFPRO says there has been a sharp rise in the number of players reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety since the sport was brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 outbreak.
FIFPRO said that 22% of women players and 13% of men players who took part in a survey reported symptoms “consistent with a diagnosis of depression” such as lack of interest, lack of appetite, lack of energy and self-esteem.
This compared to 11% and 6% respectively in a similar survey conducted in December and January.
It said that 18% of women players and 16% of men reported symptoms of generalised anxiety such as worry or tension. There was some crossover with 11% of women players and 7.5% of men reporting both sets of symptoms, FIFPRO said.
“In football, suddenly young men and women athletes are having to cope with social isolation, a suspension of their working lives and doubts about their future,” said FIFPRO’s chief medical officer Vincent Gouttebarge.
“It is a time of huge uncertainty for the players and their families due to the insecurity of their future and the social isolation.”
FIFPRO said that the survey, conducted with the Amsterdam University Medical Centre, included 1,134 male players, with a mean age of 26, and 468 female players, with a mean age of 23, in 16 countries.
On a more positive note, Gouttebarge said that nearly 80% of players surveyed reported that they had access to sufficient resources and support for their mental health, often through their national player associations.
FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said they were not trying to make a special case for footballers.
“We are very conscious that this is a reflection of a problem in broader society than and there is no suggestion that it is more severe for our members,” said Baer-Hoffmann.
“Footballers are more similar to average society than most people think, and that is simply because of the misconceptions about how players live.”
He reiterated that many footballers lived a precarious financial existence at the best of times.
“The average contract length is under two years and the average income is close to that of the general public,” he said. “Many are incredibly dependent on their footballing skills and are not prepared for what would come after.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...s-reporting-depression-symptoms-idUSKBN2221LY
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
Uefa will provide an update on plans to finish the 2019-20 season to all its 55 national associations at a video conference on Tuesday.
European football's governing body hopes to end the campaign in August, although with every league bar Belarus still suspended there are doubts over whether that deadline can be met.
Uefa has launched two working groups, one specifically assessing the fixture calendar. It is hoped specific proposals will be presented by mid-May at the latest.
However, the continuing uncertainty over the spread of coronavirus is creating major issues, with some leagues - including Germany and Denmark - talking optimistically about a resumption next month, while others - England among them - believe it will be June at the earliest before they can play games, and some Premier League clubs feel it will be longer than that.
Uefa is still hoping to complete its own tournaments in the normal two-legged format. However, there is an understanding that it may not be possible, so one-off games, and a week-long mini-tournament from the quarter-finals onwards for both the Champions League and Europa League, have also been discussed.
Tuesday's meeting will be followed on Thursday by a meeting of the Uefa executive committee.
That is expected to provide an update on the Womens' European Championship and the Nations League, both of which have been moved to allow Euro 2020 to take place a year later than scheduled, plus plans to relax financial regulations this season.
In addition, it is anticipated, Uefa will confirm that it will listen to requests to end domestic leagues early.
It has previously warned against this, saying countries risk their places in next season's European competitions.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52353856
European football's governing body hopes to end the campaign in August, although with every league bar Belarus still suspended there are doubts over whether that deadline can be met.
Uefa has launched two working groups, one specifically assessing the fixture calendar. It is hoped specific proposals will be presented by mid-May at the latest.
However, the continuing uncertainty over the spread of coronavirus is creating major issues, with some leagues - including Germany and Denmark - talking optimistically about a resumption next month, while others - England among them - believe it will be June at the earliest before they can play games, and some Premier League clubs feel it will be longer than that.
Uefa is still hoping to complete its own tournaments in the normal two-legged format. However, there is an understanding that it may not be possible, so one-off games, and a week-long mini-tournament from the quarter-finals onwards for both the Champions League and Europa League, have also been discussed.
Tuesday's meeting will be followed on Thursday by a meeting of the Uefa executive committee.
That is expected to provide an update on the Womens' European Championship and the Nations League, both of which have been moved to allow Euro 2020 to take place a year later than scheduled, plus plans to relax financial regulations this season.
In addition, it is anticipated, Uefa will confirm that it will listen to requests to end domestic leagues early.
It has previously warned against this, saying countries risk their places in next season's European competitions.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52353856
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- Mar 19, 2015
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- 15,745
Sheffield United's players have agreed to a partial pay and bonus deferral until the end of 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
- Runs
- 15,745
Barcelona: Sponsor to name Nou Camp for coronavirus funds
Barcelona are to give a sponsor naming rights to the Nou Camp for the first time and donate all the revenue to fighting coronavirus.
Barca's stadium - which is known as Camp Nou in Catalan - has never had another name since opening in 1957.
The La Liga champions have given the title rights to the Barca Foundation, who will find a sponsor for 2020-21.
"Revenue will be used to fund research projects and the worldwide fight against the pandemic," the club said.
"FC Barcelona and the Barca Foundation consider it a necessity that at this time of humanitarian crisis, the institution should use all its resources to fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences."
Spain is one of only four countries in the world to have more than 20,000 coronavirus-related deaths to date.
Barcelona did not have a shirt sponsor until 2010 when they signed a deal with the Qatar Foundation, although charity Unicef had appeared on their shirts from 2006.
Barcelona are to give a sponsor naming rights to the Nou Camp for the first time and donate all the revenue to fighting coronavirus.
Barca's stadium - which is known as Camp Nou in Catalan - has never had another name since opening in 1957.
The La Liga champions have given the title rights to the Barca Foundation, who will find a sponsor for 2020-21.
"Revenue will be used to fund research projects and the worldwide fight against the pandemic," the club said.
"FC Barcelona and the Barca Foundation consider it a necessity that at this time of humanitarian crisis, the institution should use all its resources to fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences."
Spain is one of only four countries in the world to have more than 20,000 coronavirus-related deaths to date.
Barcelona did not have a shirt sponsor until 2010 when they signed a deal with the Qatar Foundation, although charity Unicef had appeared on their shirts from 2006.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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- 217,977
Uefa is still planning for a June restart across its leagues but says in "special cases" some could be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
All 55 European national FAs met by video conference on Tuesday when ways to finish the season were outlined.
Each involved a June start, with the Champions League final on 29 August.
Earlier this month, Uefa warned leagues that ending competitions early could result in them forfeiting Champions League and Europa League places.
However, the uncertainty over when football can restart has made detailed planning impossible and for the first time, Uefa has accepted completing the season in some countries may not be possible.
"There was a strong recommendation given to finish domestic top division and cup competitions, but some special cases will be heard once guidelines concerning participation to European competitions - in case of a cancelled league - have been developed," Uefa said in a statement after the meeting.
It was not explicitly outlined to associations what "special cases" would mean. However, Uefa expects leagues to come to it with their reasons for wanting a season to be ended prematurely.
The Belgian Pro League became the first major European league to be cancelled because of coronavirus on 15 April.
Uefa has to work out the qualification process for its 2020-21 competitions, which might overlap with the end of the 2019-20 season.
While the qualification process is an afterthought for the major European leagues, it represents a crucial part of the fixture calendar for many countries.
The number of countries involved has created a massive logistical headache for Uefa at a time when travel bans are in place across Europe.
The current plan is to play the 2020-21 season as normal, including two-legged ties, but with the usual dates already put back, this may be impossible to implement.
It is also not clear how Uefa intends to play out the Champions League and Europa League this season, with both still to complete the last-16 stage.
The option of fitting games into the schedule around league matches as normal remains, as does completing the tournaments after domestic leagues have finished. No deadline has been put on making a final decision but the latter choice would seem more likely as it is hoped - by August - that travel restrictions will have eased.
No changes have been made so far to the international calendar, with all matches currently postponed until September.
It is anticipated the Euro 2020 play-offs will be completed at the earliest available opportunity, and the use of triple match windows during international breaks has not been ruled out given the present desire to complete every tournament.
The working group responsible for coming up with a revised fixture calendar will meet on Wednesday, with Uefa's executive committee due to meet on Thursday.
That meeting is also expected to provide an update on the Women's European Championship, which is set to take place in July 2022, and the Nations League. Both have been moved to allow Euro 2020 to take place a year later than scheduled.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52372673
All 55 European national FAs met by video conference on Tuesday when ways to finish the season were outlined.
Each involved a June start, with the Champions League final on 29 August.
Earlier this month, Uefa warned leagues that ending competitions early could result in them forfeiting Champions League and Europa League places.
However, the uncertainty over when football can restart has made detailed planning impossible and for the first time, Uefa has accepted completing the season in some countries may not be possible.
"There was a strong recommendation given to finish domestic top division and cup competitions, but some special cases will be heard once guidelines concerning participation to European competitions - in case of a cancelled league - have been developed," Uefa said in a statement after the meeting.
It was not explicitly outlined to associations what "special cases" would mean. However, Uefa expects leagues to come to it with their reasons for wanting a season to be ended prematurely.
The Belgian Pro League became the first major European league to be cancelled because of coronavirus on 15 April.
Uefa has to work out the qualification process for its 2020-21 competitions, which might overlap with the end of the 2019-20 season.
While the qualification process is an afterthought for the major European leagues, it represents a crucial part of the fixture calendar for many countries.
The number of countries involved has created a massive logistical headache for Uefa at a time when travel bans are in place across Europe.
The current plan is to play the 2020-21 season as normal, including two-legged ties, but with the usual dates already put back, this may be impossible to implement.
It is also not clear how Uefa intends to play out the Champions League and Europa League this season, with both still to complete the last-16 stage.
The option of fitting games into the schedule around league matches as normal remains, as does completing the tournaments after domestic leagues have finished. No deadline has been put on making a final decision but the latter choice would seem more likely as it is hoped - by August - that travel restrictions will have eased.
No changes have been made so far to the international calendar, with all matches currently postponed until September.
It is anticipated the Euro 2020 play-offs will be completed at the earliest available opportunity, and the use of triple match windows during international breaks has not been ruled out given the present desire to complete every tournament.
The working group responsible for coming up with a revised fixture calendar will meet on Wednesday, with Uefa's executive committee due to meet on Thursday.
That meeting is also expected to provide an update on the Women's European Championship, which is set to take place in July 2022, and the Nations League. Both have been moved to allow Euro 2020 to take place a year later than scheduled.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52372673
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PARIS: Confusion reigns in French football as to whether the league should resume amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The co-president of the French professional footballers’ union called for the league to stop, while coaches in the top two divisions have expressed diverging opinions whether the 10 remaining games should be played.
“It is legitimate to collectively ask ourselves the question of whether championships should continue,” Sylvain Kastendeuch wrote in a column for Le Monde newspaper. “The economic emergency should not override the priority for public health. Let us renounce a rushed and dangerous resumption of the championship.”
The president of the national union of coaches, former France coach Raymond Domenech, said all of the stances taken at this current time, from one side or another were not leading anywhere.
“For the moment no one knows where we’re heading, taking a fixed stance makes no sense,” he said in a video on Tuesday on the website of sports daily L’Equipe. “Resuming just like that is impossible, that’s obvious to everybody. But we can do everything to try to resume. We can ask questions about how we can resume and under what conditions.”
But the players’ union estimated that 75% of its membership fear getting injured if the league resumes with a packed schedule, and are worried about the virus spreading.
However, the union also took a slightly more cautious view than Kastendeuch.
“A return to competition seems difficult to envisage at this stage,” the UNFP said in a statement following Kastendeuch’s column on Monday. “However, if in the days ahead all the doubts can be removed to allow a resumption in the best conditions, the UNFP obviously won’t oppose this.”
France’s top two divisions fall under the umbrella of the French league’s governing body.
The LFP’s administrative council unanimously voted on April 10 to consider resuming on June 17 and concluding the games — 11 for leaders Paris St Germain and mid-table Strasbourg by July 25. In that hypothetical scenario, next season would start on August 22.
France is in lockdown until May 11, with the government set to announce at the end of April what measures will be put in place when the confinement ends.
The co-president of the French professional footballers’ union called for the league to stop, while coaches in the top two divisions have expressed diverging opinions whether the 10 remaining games should be played.
“It is legitimate to collectively ask ourselves the question of whether championships should continue,” Sylvain Kastendeuch wrote in a column for Le Monde newspaper. “The economic emergency should not override the priority for public health. Let us renounce a rushed and dangerous resumption of the championship.”
The president of the national union of coaches, former France coach Raymond Domenech, said all of the stances taken at this current time, from one side or another were not leading anywhere.
“For the moment no one knows where we’re heading, taking a fixed stance makes no sense,” he said in a video on Tuesday on the website of sports daily L’Equipe. “Resuming just like that is impossible, that’s obvious to everybody. But we can do everything to try to resume. We can ask questions about how we can resume and under what conditions.”
But the players’ union estimated that 75% of its membership fear getting injured if the league resumes with a packed schedule, and are worried about the virus spreading.
However, the union also took a slightly more cautious view than Kastendeuch.
“A return to competition seems difficult to envisage at this stage,” the UNFP said in a statement following Kastendeuch’s column on Monday. “However, if in the days ahead all the doubts can be removed to allow a resumption in the best conditions, the UNFP obviously won’t oppose this.”
France’s top two divisions fall under the umbrella of the French league’s governing body.
The LFP’s administrative council unanimously voted on April 10 to consider resuming on June 17 and concluding the games — 11 for leaders Paris St Germain and mid-table Strasbourg by July 25. In that hypothetical scenario, next season would start on August 22.
France is in lockdown until May 11, with the government set to announce at the end of April what measures will be put in place when the confinement ends.
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- Oct 2, 2004
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What's happening in sport
Tottenham footballers Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko have apologised for training together despite the coronavirus restrictions. Aurier posted a video of the pair on social media - the third time Spurs staff have been caught doing something similar
Dutch football authorities have said they intend to call off their league season after the government extended a ban on major events (Ajax and AZ Alkmaar are joint top)
Most major European leagues, including the English Premier League, are hoping to complete their seasons later in the summer
European football governing body Uefa is set to announce the 2021 Women's European Championship will be held in July 2022 after the men's tournament, and the Tokyo Olympics, were postponed to 2021
Tottenham footballers Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko have apologised for training together despite the coronavirus restrictions. Aurier posted a video of the pair on social media - the third time Spurs staff have been caught doing something similar
Dutch football authorities have said they intend to call off their league season after the government extended a ban on major events (Ajax and AZ Alkmaar are joint top)
Most major European leagues, including the English Premier League, are hoping to complete their seasons later in the summer
European football governing body Uefa is set to announce the 2021 Women's European Championship will be held in July 2022 after the men's tournament, and the Tokyo Olympics, were postponed to 2021
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UEFA has categorically denied that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended to them this week that all international competition should be suspended until the end of 2021.
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Premier League side Crystal Palace have cancelled a summer trip to take part in the Queensland Champions Cup in Australia - a competition they had been hoping to play in as preparation for the 2020-21 football season.
World number one golfer Rory McIlroy has said he would rather the Ryder Cup was postponed until 2021 than be held this year without fans. The event - played between Europe and the United States every two years - is scheduled to take place at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin from 22-27 September.
The Professional Darts Corporation has cancelled its May and June events, including the World Cup of Darts, which was meant to be held in Hamburg, Germany from 18-21 June, although it may be rescheduled for later in the year.
In horse racing, this year’s Galway Festival in the Republic of Ireland will be staged behind closed doors, if it goes ahead as planned in July.
World number one golfer Rory McIlroy has said he would rather the Ryder Cup was postponed until 2021 than be held this year without fans. The event - played between Europe and the United States every two years - is scheduled to take place at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin from 22-27 September.
The Professional Darts Corporation has cancelled its May and June events, including the World Cup of Darts, which was meant to be held in Hamburg, Germany from 18-21 June, although it may be rescheduled for later in the year.
In horse racing, this year’s Galway Festival in the Republic of Ireland will be staged behind closed doors, if it goes ahead as planned in July.
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Football clubs in the National League - the fifth tier of English football - and the National League North and the National League South - the sixth tier - have voted to end the 2019-20 season at its current point.
The league said there was a "clear majority of clubs in favour", although it is unclear what will happen regarding teams being promoted and relegated.
The Premier League - English football's top level - and the EFL - consisting of the Championship, League One and League Two - are all trying to complete their current seasons fully.
Premier League leaders Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table and need to win two of their final nine matches to become English champions for the first time since 1990.
The league said there was a "clear majority of clubs in favour", although it is unclear what will happen regarding teams being promoted and relegated.
The Premier League - English football's top level - and the EFL - consisting of the Championship, League One and League Two - are all trying to complete their current seasons fully.
Premier League leaders Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table and need to win two of their final nine matches to become English champions for the first time since 1990.
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Wales footballer Gareth Bale and his wife Emma have donated £500,000 to the charitable arm of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CVUHB).
The money will provide "those extras for staff and patients that normal NHS funding doesn't provide" and the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity said it was the couple's wish that the money was used on "the response to Covid".
Bale, 30, added: "The University Hospital of Wales holds a special place in my heart - it's where I was born and has provided great support to my friends, my family and the wider community so me and my family would like to show our support.
"Keep up the good work; you're doing an amazing job and thank you very much."
The money will provide "those extras for staff and patients that normal NHS funding doesn't provide" and the Cardiff & Vale Health Charity said it was the couple's wish that the money was used on "the response to Covid".
Bale, 30, added: "The University Hospital of Wales holds a special place in my heart - it's where I was born and has provided great support to my friends, my family and the wider community so me and my family would like to show our support.
"Keep up the good work; you're doing an amazing job and thank you very much."
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Germany's Bundesliga could take a step closer to becoming the first major football league to resume.
The German Football League is meeting at 10:00 BST (09:00 GMT) to discuss Germany's top two divisions returning on either 9 or 16 May.
Final approval would be needed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders on 30 April.
The Belarus Premier League is the only one in Europe which has not been stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, European football's governing body Uefa is expected to announce today how teams can qualify for next season's European competitions if domestic leagues are cancelled.
The German Football League is meeting at 10:00 BST (09:00 GMT) to discuss Germany's top two divisions returning on either 9 or 16 May.
Final approval would be needed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders on 30 April.
The Belarus Premier League is the only one in Europe which has not been stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, European football's governing body Uefa is expected to announce today how teams can qualify for next season's European competitions if domestic leagues are cancelled.
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The postponed 2021 Women's European Championship will take place from 6-31 July 2022, Uefa has confirmed.
The tournament, to be held in England, has been pushed back after the men's European Championship and the Tokyo Olympics were both postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The intention is to use the same venues as the original tournament.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says the move ensures the competition will get the "spotlight it deserves".
He added: "By moving to the following year, we are ensuring that our flagship women's competition will be the only major football tournament of the summer."
Uefa's chief of women's football, Nadine Kessler, said: "This decision puts us in a position to deliver a tournament that attracts global attention, maximises media coverage and increases stadium attendances, and is therefore helping us to meet our core objective of inspiring the next generation of footballers.
"2022 also allows for further promotion and partner activation, which would have been much more difficult in what is now a crowded summer in 2021."
Moving the Euros to 2022 will avoid two women's tournaments in the same summer.
Three European teams - Great Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden - have already qualified for the Olympics.
As it stands, the finale of the Women's Euros will coincide with the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which are held from 27 July-7 August.
Uefa says there were "extensive discussions" with Birmingham 2022 organisers.
The Football Association's director of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell said: "We are also grateful to the Commonwealth Games Federation for its collaboration as we sought to confirm these new dates, and look forward to working together to showcase the best of women's sport across both of our events."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52396536
The tournament, to be held in England, has been pushed back after the men's European Championship and the Tokyo Olympics were both postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The intention is to use the same venues as the original tournament.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says the move ensures the competition will get the "spotlight it deserves".
He added: "By moving to the following year, we are ensuring that our flagship women's competition will be the only major football tournament of the summer."
Uefa's chief of women's football, Nadine Kessler, said: "This decision puts us in a position to deliver a tournament that attracts global attention, maximises media coverage and increases stadium attendances, and is therefore helping us to meet our core objective of inspiring the next generation of footballers.
"2022 also allows for further promotion and partner activation, which would have been much more difficult in what is now a crowded summer in 2021."
Moving the Euros to 2022 will avoid two women's tournaments in the same summer.
Three European teams - Great Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden - have already qualified for the Olympics.
As it stands, the finale of the Women's Euros will coincide with the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which are held from 27 July-7 August.
Uefa says there were "extensive discussions" with Birmingham 2022 organisers.
The Football Association's director of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell said: "We are also grateful to the Commonwealth Games Federation for its collaboration as we sought to confirm these new dates, and look forward to working together to showcase the best of women's sport across both of our events."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52396536
