SPORT SPORTSPORT | 02 SPORT | 03 AAncelottincelotti wwants Federer, Williams fairfair play running out of onon seasonse Grand Slam rrestartestart date opportunities

SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2020 Teams to miss European event if their domestic competitions not completed UEFA warns clubs risk CL exclusion AFP – PARIS allow to conclude the season.” by the sporting result achieved consequences of the crisis, while The joint response came after at the end of a full domestic the other is devising a new match UEFA and Europe’s top clubs the Belgian Pro League competition, a premature ter- calendar. UEFA and the clubs have stated their determination announced on Thursday that it mination would cast doubts have set themselves a mid-May that the current football season recommended declaring the about the fulfilment of such target for deciding on the most should be played to a conclusion season over with the present condition.” viable option for completing the and threatened that teams may table accepted as final. The letter concluded: “UEFA season. be excluded from the next It is the first European reserves the right to assess the There have been calls in Champions League if their league to take such a measure, entitlement of clubs to be other countries for this season to domestic competitions are although more could follow. admitted to the 2020/21 UEFA be declared null and void, but any ended prematurely. That means Club Brugge club competitions.” option which rules out com- In a joint letter released yes- would in theory go straight into The Belgian Pro League said pleting this season could have terday, UEFA, the European the next Champions League it had “constructive” discussions serious consequences for leagues Club Association (ECA), and the group stage, but UEFA, the ECA with UEFA yesterday morning reliant on huge television deals European Leagues body repre- and the European Leagues indi- in which it “contested any and who could find themselves senting nearly a thousand clubs cated that they may be barred approach which would force a having to reimburse broadcasters in 29 countries, said that they from continental competition league to continue in the if remaining matches are not were working on the possibility if the Belgian league decision is current health crisis”. played. of playing on into July and finalised. It has called for a “varied Justifying its decision on August if need be. “It is of paramount impor- approach” based on the spe- Thursday, the Belgian Pro League The Champions League and tance that even a disruptive A general view of the Champions League trophy on display before cifics of individual leagues and said it was “very unlikely” to be Europa League -- both of which event like this epidemic does the group stage draw in Monaco in this August 29, 2019 file photo. countries. able to hold matches in front of are frozen in the last-16 stage not prevent our competitions UEFA has set up two crowds before June 30 and that -- could be completed once the from being decided on the field, working groups to devise a way it had “unanimously decided that domestic seasons are finished, in accordance with their rules football can restart in the domestic competitions is, at this for European football to get out it was not desirable...to continue and “stopping competitions and that all sporting titles are months to come -- with condi- stage, premature and not of the crisis caused by the coro- the competition” after that date. should really be the last resort awarded on the basis of results,” tions that will be dictated by justified. navirus pandemic. The decision still needs to be after acknowledging that no the joint letter said. public authorities -- and believe “Since participation in UEFA One is tasked with looking formally validated at a General calendar alternative would “We are confident that that any decision of abandoning club competitions is determined at the legal and financial Assembly on April 15. Premier League clubs to push players to take The coronavirus impact: 30% pay cut, season suspended indefinitely World of sport disrupted Joshua-Pulev title fight called off AFP – LONDON AP Premier League clubs will ask players to take a combination of The world heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua pay cuts and deferrals amounting and Kubrat Pulev on June 20 has been postponed because to 30 percent of their annual of the coronavirus outbreak. The fight was scheduled to take salary due to the financial crisis place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and will be caused by the coronavirus Joshua’s first defense of his IBF, WBA, WBO belts since he pandemic, the league said in a regained them from Andy Ruiz Jr. statement yesterday. Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, says a new date The English top flight’s highly- for the fight is being worked on. paid stars have come under increasing pressure to take pay cuts from government officials in Triathlon: World body extends recent days after four clubs said suspension of events they would use public money to subsidise pay for non-playing World Triathlon has extended its suspension of all events from staff. the end of April to the end of June because of the coronavirus Health secretary Matt outbreak. Hancock said on Thursday foot- The latest events to be called off include the Yokohama ballers should “take a pay cut and The Professional Footballers’ World Cup style training camps, Liverpool skipper Jordan leg of the world series, three African Cups, three American play their part.” Tottenham, New- Association (PFA) will meet with the clubs insist they will follow Henderson has reportedly led a events, four Asian Cups, one event in Oceania and eight in castle, Norwich and Bournemouth league and club officials to discuss government advice on when it is meeting of Premier League cap- Europe. plan to use the UK government’s the proposal today. safe for matches to return. tains to arrange an extra charity World Triathlon president Marisol Casado says “the furlough scheme to pay 80 A meeting between the “There is a combined fighting fund for the National suspension of all activities doesn’t mean at all that we stop percent of wages of non-playing league’s 20 clubs also agreed to objective for all remaining Health Service (NHS) made up of working” on finding alternative dates. staff up to a maximum of £2,500 indefinitely extend the suspension domestic league and cup matches player donations on top of any ($3,100) a month. of the season until it is “safe and to be played, enabling us to wage cuts or deferrals agreed The average salary for a appropriate” for football to return. maintain the integrity of each with the PFA. The PFA believes WNBA postpones season Premier League player £3m a The clubs are desperate for competition,” the statement players should not be used as year, according to the latest the season to be finished if pos- added. Despite their own financial scapegoats for clubs who have kick-off Global Sports Salaries survey. sible to avoid the potential of troubles, Premier League clubs chosen to furlough non-playing “Premier League clubs unan- having to reimburse broadcasters agreed to provide a £125m fund staff despite having the means to The WNBA has postponed the start of its season because of imously agreed to consult their a reported £760m ($942m) if they for the English Football League continue paying them 100 percent the coronavirus pandemic. players regarding a combination fail to fulfil fixtures for television and National League to help those of their salary. The League was set to open training camps on April 26 of conditional reductions and contracts. further down the football Tottenham’s decision to fur- and the regular season was to begin on May 15. The WNBA deferrals amounting to 30 per However, despite reports of pyramid. lough 550 staff on Tuesday came will still hold a “virtual” draft on April 17. cent of total annual remuner- creative ways to finish the cam- A £20m charitable donation on the same day it was revealed Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement: “While ation,” the Premier League said paign with matches behind closed will also be provided to help those chairman Daniel Levy was paid the league continues to use this time to conduct scenario- in a statement. doors and players quarantined in affected by coronavirus. £7m last season. planning regarding new start dates and innovative formats, our guiding principle will continue to be the health and safety of the players, fans and employees.” The WNBA, which was set to begin its 24th season, is the United players to donate 30% of pay to NHS longest running professional women’s sports league. REUTERSREUTERS – MANCHESTERMANCHEST United are continuing to pay all while still spending huge salaries on matchday staff during the crisis and players who are sat at home on full PL will not resume in May Manchester United pplayers will donate have not sought to use the govern- pay. 30% of their wages to local hospitals ment’s furlough scheme to help strug- The comments from politicians led The Premier League has pushed back its restart date and says and health servicesservices in the first major gling companies protect jobs. a number of former players to rush to play will not resume at the beginning of May. coronavirus gesturegestu from a full The independent move by United the defence of their profession. The league had given a return date of April 30 amid the PPremierremier League squad. players came as talks continued Former Manchester United captain coronavirus outbreak but now says the season “will only TheThe momove was the idea of between the PFA players’ union and Gary Neville, now a television pundit return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.” cclublub ccaptain Harry the Football League and Football Asso- and businessman, defended the It says there remained a “combined objective” for all MaguMaguireir and was given ciation, looking at possible wage cuts players and turned on the health remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played to ffullull backing by the or deferrals during the current minister. maintain the integrity of each competition. plplayers, the Daily shutdown of the game. Ex-Manchester City and New- MMail reported Professional football in England castle United midfielder Joey Barton, yesterday. has been suspended until April 30, at now manager of League One (third Tour de Suisse cancelled the earliest, due to the pandemic with tier) Fleetwood Town, said Hancock Manchester some top- flight clubs putting non- was diverting attention on to football. The Tour de Suisse has been cancelled because of the coronavirus United’s Marcus playing staff on leave. “NHS under funded and mis- pandemic, removing one of the few cycling events left on the Rashford has Health minister Matt Hancock managed for decades? That’ll be the calendar before the Tour de France is due to start. The nine- teamed up with said on Thursday that players should Premier League footballers fault. day Swiss race was scheduled to run from June 6-14 and is charity FareShare take a pay cut and “play their part” Wake up! This is about shifting the designed to give riders a chance to prepare for the three-week to help feed at least after he was asked about the morality focus away from the government Tour de France. 400,000 children. of clubs using the government’s job handling this pandemic horren- The French race is still scheduled to start on June 27. protection funds for non-playing staff dously,” he wrote on twitter. 02 SPORT SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2020 Ancelotti wants fair play on season restart date AFP – PARIS in December, has won the Champions while you play.” He says he is talking to League as a player and coach and has friends and relatives in Italy by phone. Before the Premier League starts up it led teams to league titles in Italy, “It’s very painful to hear that so many must ensure all clubs resume training Germany, France and England. of my compatriots are dying every day.” on the same day, Everton manager After more than 45 years in the While he said the pandemic was “like a Carlo Ancelotti told French newspaper game, he finds himself in a world war,” Ancelotti remained optimistic about L’Equipe in an interview published without football, preoccupied by the ter- the future. yesterday. rible toll the coronavirus pandemic is “It’s unfortunate to have to mourn so The Premier League is on hold taking, particularly in his native Italy. many deaths, but this crisis will bring because of the coronavirus pandemic. Unsure of what is going to happen next, society back to different, more human It was scheduled to resume on April 30, he is calm in the face of the relationships. We are becoming aware, but club chairmen were meeting by vid- uncertainty. during confinement, that it is important eoconference yesterday and were Confined to his home in Liverpool for a daughter and her father or a husband expected to push that the date back. and with no players to coach or matches and wife to talk to each other and com- “One of the important things is that to watch, he is in no rush to return to municate more. We are regaining the all the clubs resume training at the same the managerial treadmill. desire to talk and not just to have our time, that there are no disparities, that “It’s a little strange for me. It’s some- noses in the phone. no one has an advantage over the thing I’ve never done,” he said. “We spend all our time running and others,” the 60-year-old Italian told The whole Everton squad stayed in programme that we update to keep “It’s a lot, but a player has no problem it feels good to take a break. L’Equipe. England and none have tested positive them in good physical condition. Even taking part in a match after a seven or “Football is not my priority at the “Players nowadays are capable of for Covid-19, he said. though I know they are.” eight week break. Of course, they won’t moment. In fact, I don’t care whether being physically ready within a “I keep in touch with the players. I Even if the league does resume on be at 100 per cent when he resumes, but we’ll be back in June, July or August. I fortnight.” don’t call them regularly but, with the April 30, players will have gone seven they have the ability to do it, there’s no really don’t. There are lives we have to Ancelotti, who took over at Everton staff, we send them a training weeks without collective training. doubt about that,” he said. “You train think about now.”

Townsend hits Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick Clubs, players strike out at UK Health deals on salary cuts Minister for REUTERS – MILAN ‘blaming’ players With sports events around the world suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, football clubs AFP – LONDON and leagues have been discussing pay cuts with players to help them make it through the crisis. Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend has Here is a summary of some of the agreements accused the British government’s Health reached or negotiated by major football clubs. Secretary of “deflecting blame” onto foot- ballers after Matt Hancock said they ITALY should take a pay cut during the coro- The Italian top-tier football league proposed navirus crisis. on Monday to suspend players’ salaries for 4 months Tottenham, Newcastle, Norwich and until June, Sky Sport Italia reported citing an official Bournemouth have said they will use a letter from the league to the Italian football players’ government scheme to guarantee 80 association (AIC). percent of salaries for non-playing staff Players will be able to renegotiate their salaries up to a maximum of £2,500 ($3,100) per Flick extends Bayern deal if the season resumes before the end of June, the letter month. says. Such moves have prompted angry The players’ association told the league that it BERLIN responses from politicians given no cuts REUTERS – some initial wobbles re-established Bayern’s would prefer to freeze wages only for a month, Ansa have so far been agreed for high-earning domestic dominance, putting them firmly back reported following the first meeting between the two players. Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has agreed in the running for a record-extending eighth arties after the letter. Citing the “ultimate sacrifice” made a contract extension to 2023, making his straight league title. JUVENTUS by staff in Britain’s National Health position permanent after he took over in an He quickly managed to transform Bayern Players and coach Maurizio Sarri have reached Service who had died from the corona- interim role earlier this season, the club said within just a few weeks after the club had an agreement over a wage reduction that will save virus while treating patients, Hancock yesterday. dropped down the pecking order under Kovac the Italian champions €90m ($100.26m), the Serie called for players, in some cases earning “Bayern are very satisfied with Hansi Flick’s earlier this season and risked missing out on A club said on Saturday. hundreds of thousands of pounds a week, work,” said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge the title they have dominated for much of the INTER MILAN to take a pay cut. in a statement. past 10 years. He said: “I think the first thing that “The team has had a very good devel- Bayern are four points clear of second- Players and coaching staff are willing to cut Premier League footballers can do is opment under him, plays attractive football placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, their wages for the rest of the season, Italian news make a contribution, take a pay cut and which is reflected in results. We are the only which has been suspended due to the corona- agency Ansa reported citing sources in the club. play their part.” club still competing in all three virus, and have reached the German Cup last Talks between the Professional Foot- competitions.” four where they are due to face Eintracht ENGLAND ballers’ Association (PFA) and clubs over Bayern lead the Bundesliga and are also in Frankfurt. The association representing England’s pro- pay cuts are ongoing, with the PFA the German Cup semi-finals and the Cham- The Bavarians also won their Champions fessional footballers denied on Wednesday that it has insisting on Thursday they are aware pions League last 16. League last 16 first-leg match at Chelsea 3-0 but blocked wage deferrals for players during the coro- their members “must share the financial The 55-year-old Flick took over in the return game has been postponed due to the navirus stoppage but said that clubs should pay all burden”. November, replacing Nico Kovac, and after virus. staff if they could afford it. But Townsend said footballers, many TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR of whom have already made significant Spurs have imposed a 20% pay cut on 550 non- charitable donations during the crisis, playing staff in April and May due to the coronavirus were an “easy target” for ministers. Coronavirus-free Tajikistan pandemic, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. “Football is trying to do a lot of NEWCASTLE UNITED good,” he told Talksport radio Newcastle United have become the first Premier yesterday. kicks off domestic season League club to place members of their non-playing “To wake up yesterday and see foot- staff on temporary leave in response to the corona- ballers being painted as villains was a bit REUTERS - DUSHANBE football fans. But the Super Russia, Israel, India and even virus crisis, the BBC has reported. of a surprise. Cup clash between champions Bulgaria. “The Health Secretary, deflecting Tajikistan’s domestic soccer Istiklol and league runners- The Tajikistan pre-season SPAIN blame onto footballers. I don’t think that season is kicking off on schedule up Khujand on Saturday could curtain raiser will be played is right. His job is the responsibility for despite almost every other bring some solace to soccer behind closed doors at the The Spanish Football Federation said on March NHS workers. soccer league around the globe fanatics this weekend with Central Republican Stadium in 25 that it planned to open a line of credit worth “NHS workers have been underpaid having ground to a halt due to bookmakers already offering the capital Dushanbe. €500m to clubs who will not be able to claim their for years. Only 2,000 of them have been the COVID-19 pandemic. a variety of bets and even live The World Health Organi- full television rights. able to be tested for coronavirus. The clubs in the land- streams of the game. zation has warned that people BARCELONA “He (Hancock) is coming out and locked Central Asian country The Belarus Football Fed- should avoid crowds, although Players will make an extra contribution on top deflecting onto the easy targets, the foot- of nine million people are eration has already got deals the ex-Soviet Union state has not of the 70% pay cut they have agreed to take during ballers, and that doesn’t sit right with largely unknown, even among with sports networks in more announced a single case of coro- the enforced La Liga break so that the club’s other me.” the world’s most ardent than 10 countries, including navirus infection. employees can earn their full salaries during the coro- navirus crisis, captain Lionel Messi said on Monday. ATLETICO MADRID Atletico Madrid have also temporarily cut Dortmund Stadium to be used as medical centre players’ and coaches’ wages by 70% in order to cope with the financial impact of the coronavirus pan- AFP – BERLIN demic, but guaranteed a full salary for their other north stand of the 81,000-capacity stadium “It’s obviously strange at first to go to a employees, the Spanish club said on Thursday. -- the one opposite the famous “Yellow Wall” football stadium when you have fever and Germany’s biggest football stadium, Borussia -- into a treatment centre in collaboration breathing difficulties, but we actually do have GERMANY Dortmund’s Signal-Iduna-Park, is to be with a local medical association. optimal conditions here,” said Dirk Spelmeyer, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig partially transformed into a medical centre The centre will provide check-ups, issue chairman of the local Association of Statutory and Bayer Leverkusen have come together to create to help treat patients during the coronavirus prescription medicines and even offer initial Health Insurance Physicians (KVWL). pandemic, the German Bundesliga club treatment for those diagnosed with He added that the stadium would relieve a €20m solidarity fund to help German clubs in the announced yesterday. COVID-19. pressure on the other specialised corona- top two tiers stave off a potential financial crisis during “Our stadium is a symbol of the city... its It will be available only to those who are virus treatment centre in the north of the city. the coronavirus pandemic. technical, infrastructural and spatial set-up showing symptoms of the disease, and will The Signal-Iduna-Park is the second BAYERN MUNICH make it the ideal place to help people who be open daily from 12 noon to 4.00 pm. major European stadium to be used in the The German champions said players would cut are potentially infected,” said club directors “In this way, possible chains of infection fight against the virus, after Spanish giants their salaries by 20%, ESPN reported citing a confir- Hans-Joachim Watzke and Carsten Cramer can also be broken by avoiding contact to Real Madrid offered their Santiago Bernabeu mation from the club. in a statement. other patients, doctors and staff in the indi- -- another 81,000-seater -- to store medical BORUSSIA DORTMUND Dortmund said they had transformed the vidual doctor’s surgeries,” the club said. equipment. The German club said on March 24 that players, managers and coaching staff agreed to cut their sal- aries to show solidarity with the club’s 850 employees and families. The club added it could save up to a double- digit amount in personnel costs, depending on the duration of the situation. FRANCE Lyon have put all of their staff on partial unem- ployment status like all the clubs in French top-tier league Ligue 1. Under a government scheme, companies can request a reimbursement for putting workers on shorter or zero hours since the coronavirus outbreak. Borussia Dortmund’s Signal-Iduna-Park. PICTURE: TWITTER @BRFOOTBALL SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2020 SPORT 03 Federer, Williams running out of Slam opportunities

MUMBAI - REUTERS “Or has this actually helped What now for tennis in 2020? The cancellation of him? But the less Wimbledon this match play that you PARIS - AFP played sooner rather than later. Who knows what week has not only get in this period at will happen?” fanned the possi- that age, it’s so Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since The clay-court and grass-court seasons have bility of a total tennis much harder to World War II and no resumption of the ATP and already been binned. In all, 21 tournaments on wipeout for the rest come back and WTA Tours until July 13 at the earliest as the coro- both tours have been affected. of the season but recover once you navirus continues to cause havoc. The rescheduled French Open has been shoe- may also have put start again. AFP Sport looks at what happens next for horned into September-October, starting just a an end to the Grand “It has stopped tennis in 2020. week after the US Open final in New York. Slam title chase for the potential ... of DJOKOVIC, BIGGEST WINNER OR LOSER? Two different continents; two radically dif- both Roger Federer Federer winning Before the season went into cold storage, ferent surfaces. and Serena one or two more. It Novak Djokovic had captured an eighth Aus- Also, a rebooted Roland Garros now clashes Williams. becomes very tralian Open and was on an 18-0 winning streak with six ATP and WTA events, some of which Wimbledon was highly unlikely for since the turn of the year. Talk was of Djokovic, form part of the lucrative and high-profile Asian scrapped for the first Roger Federer speaks during a media briefing at Cape him.” now a 17-time Grand Slam title winner, going hard-court swing. time since World Town International Airport ahead of his exhibition tennis While Federer on to match his 2011 and 2015 seasons. In 2011, The Laver Cup in Boston, where Roger War Two on match against Rafael Nadal, in Cape Town, South Africa, has said he will still he built a 41-match win streak before ending the Federer is likely to feature, is another direct rival Wednesday due to in this February 5, 2020, file photo. be around for year with a 70-6 record and 10 titles, including to the Paris showpiece. Furthermore, there are the coronavirus pan- Wimbledon next the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open no guarantees that the spread of the deadly coro- demic, with the sus- year Williams has crowns. In 2015, Djokovic won the same three navirus will have stalled by the summer. pension of professional tennis extended to July 13. been tight-lipped on her future. Slams again out of 11 titles in a win-loss record “I think that we are going to have to draw a The entire claycourt and grasscourt seasons The American, who turns 39 in September, of 82-6. line under the 2020 tennis season,” tweeted have been cancelled, with the four-month lost in last year’s Wimbledon final and remains After taking the 79th title of his career in former world number one and two-time major shutdown wreaking havoc on the finances of the one Grand Slam short of tying Margaret Court’s Dubai on the last day of February this year, the winner Amelie Mauresmo. “The international lower-tier players. record 24 major titles. 32-year-old proclaimed: “One of the targets is circuit = male and female players of all nation- Tennis Australia head Craig Tiley has said it She has reached four Grand Slam finals since to go unbeaten the whole season. I’m not alities including their coaching staff, spectators would be tough for the sport to return before giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 but kidding.” However, with the French Open, which and people from all over the world who bring 2021 while All England Lawn Tennis Club CEO failed to win any of them. he has won once, and Wimbledon, where he was these events to life. No vaccine = no tennis.” Richard Lewis agreed that it was not unrealistic Martina Navratilova, winner of 18 Grand Slam the defending champion, respectively postponed to believe tennis might be done for the year. singles titles, says the situation is not ideal for and scrapped, has his bubble burst? END OF THE ROAD FOR LOW-PAID? While 38-year-old Federer is well insulated anyone but for players like Williams and Federer “The big loser is Djokovic,” former world The likes of Djokovic, Federer and Rafael from the shutdown’s financial fallout it could well the clock is ticking. number one and seven-time major winner Mats Nadal have all banked over $100m in prize impact his hopes of adding to his record haul of “The youngsters are missing a chance to Wilander told L’Equipe. “He hasn’t lost this year money in their careers. However, the world 20 Grand Slam titles. improve and yet, but this virus has rankings stretch beyond the 1,200 mark where The last of Federer’s Slams came at the 2018 match up stopped him in his tracks.” an army of under-achieving and low-paid Australian Open and the closest he came to adding against players barely make ends meet. Currently at to his tally was last year’s Wimbledon final. higher-ranked WILL THERE BE ANY 1,283 in the world is 27-year-old Ksenia Koles- Federer’s last match was in the Australian players,” she MORE TENNIS AT ALL IN nikova of Russia - in 2020, she has officially Open semi-finals before he underwent keyhole said. 2020? made just $68. surgery on his knee in February. “The After Wimbledon was “Players lower ranked than 250 will not be His next chance at a Grand Slam would be the middle cancelled for the first time able to buy food in two-three weeks’ time,” US Open, scheduled in New York from Aug. 31 to players are in 75 years on Wednesday, warned Georgia’s world number 371 Sofia Sept. 14. kind of stuck, All England Club chief Shapatava. The French Open, an event he has skipped and the older Richard Lewis was hoping She has organised a petition calling on the in the past, has been rearranged from May to players like for the best but fearing the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to provide September -- a week after Flushing Meadows. Serena Wil- worst. a financial safety net for the hundreds who toil Australian Todd Woodbridge, a nine-times liams and “I don’t think it’s unre- in second and third-tier events. But she is not Wimbledon doubles champion and singles semi- Roger Federer, alistic to say that there optimistic the ITF will look favourably on her finalist, was unsure what was in store for Federer time is not may be no more tennis plea. “I honestly don’t think so,” she said. if the season is lost. their friend. Serena Williams of the US in action during the match this year,” he said. “But I “They replied that their plate is full and they “The question that Roger will have to ask “So they against China’s Qiang Wang during their third-round match would like to think that will come back to me as soon as they can. But himself is how motivated is he to come back for lost basically of the Australian Open at the Melbourne Park, Melbourne, things will settle down so after that email they did not reply with another year?” Woodbridge told Australian Asso- this year this Australia, in this January 24, 2020, file photo. that tournaments can be anything.” ciated Press this week. opportunity.”

A photo posted by Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on his Haircuts and horses - India cricketers Twitter handle @imjadeja. make most of coronavirus lockdown

NEW DELHI - AFP Paceman Jasprit Bumrah, famous for opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan posted his lethal sling-arm action, is contenting a skit of him doing household chores while From Virat Kohli having his hair cut by his himself with watering plants, and using getting orders from his wife. Bollywood wife, to Ravindra Jadeja on a “this time to reflect on the aspects of my Cricket commentators have also kept stallion, India’s superstar cricketers are life that are truly important and picking up the humour alive with witty posts as India, making the most of their enforced break some new hobbies along the way”. which has 1,965 confirmed coronavirus during the national coronavirus lockdown. With many rich and middle-class cases and 50 deaths, pursues a 21-day At a time when the Indian Premier Indians now forced to do the housework lockdown which started on March 25. League (IPL) would normally be in full themselves because their domestic staff Sanjay Manjrekar posted a video of him swing, Kohli has sent out a number of video can’t get to work, Bumrah also posted a cutting vegetables, complete with a running messages telling people to stay indoors to video of him mopping a floor -- less than commentary. stop the spread of the virus. But the tweet successfully. The IPL, cricket’s biggest Twenty20 that got the most media coverage and “My modified mobility drills are keeping league, is officially postponed until April 15 “likes”, more than 100,000, was one posted the house clean and my mother very happy. but it is widely expected to be either pushed by his actress wife Anushka Sharma of her (P.s - I had to do everything again without back further, severely truncated or can- cutting her style-icon husband’s hair. the slippers.),” the 26-year-old wrote on celled altogether. At the same time Kohli, 31, has been Twitter along with the video. In international cricket, India top the chatting live on Instagram with former The Board of Control for Cricket in India ICC Test championship table, are second England star Kevin Pietersen “about what’s (BCCI), which donated $6.8m to the prime behind England in the one-day rankings happening world over at the moment and minister’s coronavirus relief fund, has also and lie fourth in the T20 chart. also about all the years we’ve known each kept its Twitter account active with the The lockdown in the country of 1.3 other”. news of the players during curfew. billion has left hundreds of thousands of Elite cricketers have a relentless travel Pictures of Test batsman Cheteshwar India’s poor suddenly jobless, prompting schedule and while the lockdown is tough Pujara with his wife and daughter were dis- many of them to walk sometimes hundreds for many, Australia coach Justin Langer said played on the BCCI page. of miles back to their home villages. it was “nirvana” for his players to have an “The Pujara family is spending some “Our hearts are breaking looking at the extended break at home. quality time home. Some household chores suffering of so many & we hope our con- Jadeja has been able to indulge his love & fun time with the little one. Stay Home tribution, in some way, helps easing the of horses, posting a video of himself riding Stay Safe,” the post said. Fast bowler pain of our fellow citizens,” Kohli tweeted, a white stallion. The all-rounder was also Mohammed Shami is “having the most adding that the couple were donating to seen sprinting topless on a treadmill. amazing time” with his dog Jack and relief funds. Star Afridi feels PCB failed to set Fast bowler Cummins hopes IPL, strong example against corruption T20 World Cup can go ahead

LAHORE - IANS “I have nothing against anyone but even MELBOURNE - REUTERS said they’re still really confident and hopeful it Former Test and ODI skipper Shahid Afridi feels now if the Board wants to set an example it can (the IPL) will be on at some stage.” that repeated cases of Pakistan players either do that. Only then can we hope to curtail such Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins expects the The 26-year-old felt Australia were rather being approached by bookies or them failing cases,” he added. 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) to be merely lucky that the disruption came towards the end to reportport approaches is duduee to t o Commenting on Umar Akmal, he said: delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic of their international season. the fafailureilure of tthehe PPakistanakistan “Umar“Umar really needs to look at the companycompa he and is optimistic the home Twenty20 World Cup He hoped the sports world would return to Cricketet Board to set strong keeps.keeps. He needs to get his priorities sorted will go ahead as scheduled later this year. normal again before the Twenty20 World Cup examples.mples. Umar Akmal isis out. He is a fine batsman but he can’tcan’ keep Cummins is IPL’s most expensive overseas in October-November and Australia’s subsequent the latestatest player who on carrying like this.” player after the Kolkata Knight Riders acquired home series against India. failedd to report an AfridiAfridi alsoalso mademade itit clearclear thatthat theth PCB him for a staggering $2.18m in the players’ auction “The World Cup is still six-seven months approachoach made during shouldshould groom the players. “Most of the in December. away, and the big India tour is still eight-nine the PPakistanakistan SuSuperper PakistaniPakistani playersplayers come throughthrough withoutw His record-breaking payday will have to wait, months away. Lots of things can change,” he said League.ue. any proper education background andan they however, as the start of the Twenty20 tour- yesterday. “I feelfeel thesethese are prproneone to fallifallingng ppreyrey to ppeopleeopl who nament, originally scheduled for March 29, has “The T20 World Cup is something we’ve examplesples should have encourage corruption in the game.game. been deferred to April 15 and another post- spoken about for the best part of two or three been setset in the pastpast but “I just feel that the board must hhave a ponement looks inevitable. years,” said Cummins. this didn’tdidn’t happenhappen and grooming and education program forfo these “They obviously haven’t cancelled it or any- “The (ODI) World Cup in 2015, that was abso- that iss why we have seen players. I think it is about how wellwe you thing like that yet. It’s still a bit of a holding lutely a career highlight for me and I wasn’t even such casescases onon manage a talent. Umar is one examexample.p But pattern so we’re in contact with our teams every playing in the final. regularar basis,” justjust telling them about tthehe aanti-cor-nt few days,” Cummins told reporters in a video @I’d love to see that go ahead. Afridii totoldld ruptionruption claclausesu is conference yesterday. “That’s probably the big tournament this year the GeoGeo not enough.”enou “Obviously everyone is still really keen for it for international cricket ... I’d love for that to channel.nel. to go ahead, but the priority is to minimise risk happen in a perfect world and if I was to be really of (the virus) spreading.” greedy, I’d love for the IPL to happen as well,” “The last I spoke to (franchise officials), they he added. 04 SPORT SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2020

Turner proposes Brooks Koepka of the United States in action during a practice round home run derby to prior to the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach At this point we are Golf Links, in this June decide tied games 12, 2019 file photo. not in a position to confirm any specific AFP — LOS ANGELES Opening Day, originally dates. While we are scheduled for March hopeful that we will be Major League Baseball’s 2020 26, now won’t come season promises to look a lot before mid-May. Even able to conduct the US different, and Los Angeles if teams won’t play a Open at Winged Foot Dodgers slugger Justin Turner full 162-game schedule, has an idea to keep games short it seems likely that Golf Club in June, it in a campaign compressed by is increasingly likely coronavirus. whatever program is Opening Day, originally eventually put in place that we will need to scheduled for March 26, now will be jam-packed with postpone: Craig Annis won’t come before back-to-back games and mid-May. double-headers. Even if teams won’t play a full 162-game schedule, it seems likely that whatever That means bullpen program is eventually put in pitchers will be called on, and place will be jam-packed with relievers who might have once back-to-back games and been counted on to put in long double-headers. innings “are now your sixth and Turner suggested that to possibly seventh starter. avoid marathon games MLB “Oh and by the way you should institute a home run might have a double header derby to decide any contest tied scheduled in the next day or after 10 innings. two or what if this is the first “Instead of playing 17 game of the double header? innings, you get one extra That’s why a 15-inning game US Open in limbo, likely inning, you play the 10th for THIS SEASON is not ideal. inning, and (if) no one scores, “Nobody wants to see a then you go to a home run tie,” Turner wrote on Twitter. derby,” Turner said. “A quick 1 round, 6 man “You take each team’s three derby (3 a side), 5 outs or 10 to be delayed: Report best hitters and you give them swings each (keep it safe for the all five outs and see who hits hitters too) and you have your AFP — LOS ANGELES the most homers.” winner! Turner first floated the idea Turner emphasised that he US Golf Association executive US Women’s Open postponed in a TV interview on was suggesting the change -- Craig Annis conceded in com- Wednesday, and elaborated on similar to a penalty shootout ments to Golf Week magazine REUTERS — NEW YORK reduced daylight in tially some new locations. Twitter. used in ice hockey and football that it is “increasingly likely” December. The US Open becomes the He said it could protect -- for 2020 only. that the US Open will be post- The US Women’s Open has “The USGA remains com- second women’s major to be pitching staffs, with his plan Turner has first-hand expe- poned in the face of the been postponed and moved mitted to hosting the US postponed because of the calling for pitching coaches to rience of how ultra-long games COVID-19 pandemic. from June 4-7 to December Women’s Open in 2020,” said outbreak. throw during the derby decider. can deplete a team. In an article posted online, 10-13 due to the novel coro- USGA CEO Mike Davis in a The ANA Inspiration, He noted that even if teams The Dodgers beat the Red Golf Week reported that USGA navirus outbreak, said the statement. which was scheduled for April are allowed to carry extra Sox 3-2 in the longest post- officials are holding off on an United States Golf Association “Our priority remains 2-5 at Mission Hills Country pitchers on their rosters this season game in history: a announcement about the major (USGA) yesterday in a ensuring the safety of all Club in Rancho Mirage, Cali- season, the starters won’t be fit 7-hour, 20-minute, 18-inning championship, scheduled for statement. involved with the US Women’s fornia was earlier moved to enough to go deep into games marathon in game three of the June 18-21 at Winged Foot in The tournament had Open, while still providing the Sept. 10-13. early in the campaign. 2018 World Series. Mamaroneck, New York, as been scheduled to be held world’s best players the While the US Women’s golf governing bodies around on the Jackrabbit Course at opportunity to compete this Open has been postponed the the world scramble to come Champions Golf Club in year.” men’s US Open, scheduled for up with a modified schedule Houston but will now also Qualifying for the major is June 18-21 at Winged Foot Golf for a season up-ended by the be played on the Cypress expected to be held on Club in Mamaroneck, New virus. Creek layout because of the rescheduled dates and poten- York, remains unchanged. “At this point we are not in a position to confirm any spe- cific dates,” Annis, the USGA’s by next week.” Golf Week, citing The Open this year” and that anonymous sources, and the chief brand officer, told Golf three unnamed sources, “due to a range of external PGA Championship -- post- Week. described “weeks of daily con- factors, that process is taking poned from May -- could be “While we are hopeful that ference calls” among golf’s gov- some time to resolve.” slotted in at Harding Park in San we will be able to conduct the erning bodies working to put According to Golf Week, a Francisco in August. US Open at Winged Foot Golf together a revamped schedule. rescheduled British Open could Of course, any proposed Club in June, it is increasingly One piece apparently conceivably take place in Sep- schedule will be subject to likely that we will need to missing from the puzzle is a tember, a week before the change or cancellation postpone. decision by the Royal & Ancient Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits depending on when compe- “We have been working on the fate of the 149th Open in Wisconsin. tition can resume at all. with our broadcast partner Fox Championship, slated for July If the R&A instead opts to The number of confirmed Sports, the PGA Tour, and other 16-19 at Royal St. George’s in cancel, that slot could see the COVID-19 cases around the Justin Turner golf organisations to determine Sandwich, England, and US Open held at Winged Foot, world soared past one million what a viable postponement whether it will be postponed or Golf Week reported. on Thursday and deaths topped date could be should we need cancelled outright. The Masters, which was due 50,000 as Europe reeled from to make that decision. We are R&A chief executive Martin to start on April 9 at Augusta the pandemic and the United currently considering a number Slumbers said on Thursday the National, could be held in the States reported the highest of options and expect to be in a organisation was “continuing week of November 9, Golf official daily death toll so far of position to announce a decision to work through our options for Week reported citing two any country.

Russian coach Australia’s diagnosed with Ohio State star Kaleb Wesson NBL denies coronavirus Hawks sold to after qualifiers leaving to enter NBA draft LaMelo Ball

REUTERS — MOSCOW AP — COLUMBUS REUTERS — MELBOURNE

A Russian national boxing Ohio State star Kaleb Wesson Australia’s National Basketball team coach has tested positive plans to enter the NBA draft. League (NBL) has denied the for the coronavirus after Wesson announced in a struggling Illawarra Hawks returning home from Olympic tweet that he would forego his club have been sold to teenage qualifiers cut short in London final year of eligibility and Ohio State star NBA prospect LaMelo Ball after last month. declare for the draft. Analysts Kaleb Wesson the player’s manager said it Anton Kadushin, who have projected him as a second- (right) plans to enter was a “done deal”. works with Gleb Bakshi, the round pick. the NBA draft. Ball, seen as a potential 2019 world champion in the Wesson can sign with an number one pick in the 2020 middleweight class, wrote on agent for exploratory purposes NBA draft, had an injury- his Instagram page on and still protect his final year of blighted stint at the Wol- Thursday that he had tested eligibility. He has until June 3 to longong-based Hawks last positive for the virus. make a decision. year but impressed so much He said he experienced Wesson, a native of the in his 12 games that he won the symptoms including a high tem- Columbus suburbs playing NBL’s rookie-of-the-year perature on March 25, a few alongside older brother Andre, award for the 2019/20 season. days after returning from the was a force for the Buckeyes Ball’s manager Jermaine qualifiers, and that he was now and their most valuable player Jackson told ESPN that he and at home in self-isolation. in a tumultuous season. the player had bought the The head of Russia’s Ohio State weathered a team, which said earlier this boxing federation, Umar rough patch that saw it lose six sudden departure of budding The 6-foot-9 forward trans- together, two NCAA Tourna- week it was looking at dif- Kremlev, said in a statement of seven games to start 2020 star guard DJ Carton, who said formed his body between his ments and for sure another had ferent ownership models. on its website that the situation and play through the suspen- he left because of mental health sophomore and junior seasons, we been able to play the season However, the NBL said no was under control and that sions of two key players and the issues and was transferring. dropping from 289 pounds to out to the end,” he wrote. deal had been completed, Kadushin had a mild case of Kaleb Wesson averaged 14 255 and adding muscle. The “There were so many great though it confirmed 18-year- the virus. Kremlev added that Wesson can sign with points and 9.3 rebounds in change was evident in his moments, huge wins and expe- old Ball. there were no coronavirus an agent for exploratory leading Ohio State to a 21-10 quickness and endurance. He also riences we had together that I “At this point we are con- cases among the Russian purposes and still record and 11-9 in the Big Ten developed into an effective will never forget.” tinuing to work with current boxers who had returned from Conference. outside shooter, averaging 42.5% Ohio State’s offense has licence holder Simon Stratford London last month. protect his final year The Buckeyes won nine of from beyond the 3-point arc. been built around Wesson the on a number of options for The Olympic qualification of eligibility. He has their last 12 to end the regular Among those Wesson past two seasons. Without him, what we hope will be a fruitful tournament in London was until June 3 to make a season and never got to play thanked in the tweet were his the Buckeyes will have to look outcome for Illawarra and the halted on March 16 because of decision. beyond that because of the Ohio State team-mates. to Kyle Young and EJ Liddell as NBL,” the league said in a the rapidly spreading virus. spread of the new coronavirus. “What we accomplished key big men. statement.