SPORT SPORTS | 06 SPORT | 07 DhoniD won't Don't rush to pplayla for restart La Liga, aagain, says Real Madrid Harbajan star Bale warns

SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2020 hints at 2030 ambitions with new AFP – Metropolis Daily, calling it “a Chinese Super League new era for Chinese football”. (CSL) champions China is in the throes of a multi- Most will be used for the Evergrande billion-dollar splurge on new newly expanded 2021 Club last week began football stadiums, ramping up World Cup and the 2023 AFC ambitions to be a superpower Asian Cup, but President Xi on their in the sport and host a World Jinping has his eyes on the ¥12bn ($1.7bn) new home. Cup as early as 2030. biggest prize of all. The building spree is taking “I think China’s desire to Evergrande Group also place despite the coronavirus apply for the World Cup is very intends to build two more pandemic which has brought clear,” said Ji Yuyang, a jour- 80,000-seater stadiums much of the world to a stand- nalist for the Oriental Sports still, ravaging economies and Daily. in China. putting live sport on hold. Ji said it was a matter of But with the outbreak when, not if, China bids. The country will have receding in China, where it FIFA President Gianni A rendering at least 12 major new emerged in December, Chinese Infantino said in June that he of Guangzhou football stadiums two Super League (CSL) champions would welcome a Chinese bid Evergrande’s new years from now and most Guangzhou Evergrande last to stage the 2030 World Cup, 100,000-seat of them will be used for week began construction on the next one up for grabs. soccer their ¥12bn ($1.7bn) new home. Guangzhou Evergrande’s the newly expanded 2021 in Guangzhou, Club World Cup and the With a capacity of 100,000, new stadium made headlines Guangdong province, 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the lotus flower-shaped because of its vast scale and China. stadium will for a time trump bold design. Barcelona’s Camp Nou -- which But it jarred because most is set for expansion -- as the sport in the world is shut down 50,000 for home matches spectators.” Most stadiums cur- stadium for CSL side Shanghai Professor Simon Chadwick world’s biggest football , and economies, including needs such a big arena. rently used by Chinese football SIPG is scheduled to be finished said that aside from China’s once it is completed by the end China’s -- the second largest -- “I think Evergrande may teams were built for multiple next year. World Cup aspirations, the rush of 2022. are reeling from coronavirus. have two considerations. First, sports. They are falling into dis- Shanghai Stadium, the on new stadiums sends a Evergrande Group, a major Moreover, Guangzhou is not a 100,000-seat stadium might repair and facilities for fans are biggest arena in the city and message that “China is devel- property developer founded by holding Asian Cup games and come in handy if China hosts a poor. SIPG’s former home, is also oping and becoming healthier one of China’s richest men, said the stadium will not be ready World Cup final or opening cer- Replacing them with undergoing major renovation. and stronger. it also intends to build two more for the Club World Cup, even emony,” said Ji. gleaming, football-specific Ji said that while the Ever- “There’s something about 80,000-seater stadiums in though the tournament is “Another point is that Ever- fits with Xi’s master plan grande Group were likely the iconography and symbolism China. poised to be put back from the grande will be able to make a to transform the sport in the paying for Guangzhou’s new of the stadiums, particularly the The country will have at summer of 2021 because of the statement by saying that they country on and off the pitch. stadium, in some other Guangzhou development,” said least 12 major new football sta- pandemic. have the largest professional In Shanghai, which has instances it was a combination Chadwick, director of the Centre diums two years from now, said Critics also queried why a football stadium in the world, ambitions of holding the of the club and local for the Eurasian Sport Industry the state-run Southern club that averages about with the largest number of Olympics, a 33,000-seat government. at Emlyon Business School. Ministry wants Bundesliga players Players may lack fitness if to wear masks if action returns Bundesliga AFP – resumes in May ’s ministry of labour wants footballers to wear masks as AFP – BERLIN protection against the coronavirus FIFA to give member if Angela Merkel’s government gives Footballers may not have the green light for the Bundesliga to enough time to get match fit if nations $150m of return next month. the German league resumes The German Football League next month amid the corona- (DFL) confirmed yesterday that they virus pandemic, warns virus relief funds are ready for the Bundesliga to Eintracht Frankfurt director AFP – LAUSANNE resume from May 9, albeit without Fredi Bobic. fans in stadiums and with strict “Should the politicians FIFA will release $150m to its member football asso- player hygiene measures in place. decide that we can play Bun- ciations to help handle financial troubles caused by The final decision will be made desliga football again, we will the coronavirus, the global governing body said by German Chancellor Merkel and need full team training again yesterday. state leaders, who are due to meet at some point,” Bobic, 48, a FIFA said that “all operational funding” for 2019 in Berlin on Thursday. former Germany striker, told and 2020 would be distributed amongst the 211 Germany has been less affected Bayern 's Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge broadcaster RTL. member associations in the next few days “as the first than other European countries by and Joerg Wacker wearing protective masks, made out of fan scarves, “You need at least 14 days, step of a relief plan to assist the football community the pandemic, but currently has 5,321 originally produced for the Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Champions League ideally about three weeks.” impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic”. deaths due to the virus. Bundesliga clubs have been match in this file photo. Each national governing body will receive According to magazine Spiegel, back in training for three $500,000, that FIFA says would normally be delivered the Federal Ministry for Labour has weeks, but so far only in small “upon fulfullment of specific criteria”, but will release drafted safety guidelines which “It’s an interesting idea, but, for quarantined in a hotel for the groups, observing social dis- those funds and any “remaining entitlement for 2019 include a recommendation that me, not one you can put into duration of the season amid hopes tancing and strict hygiene and 2020”. players and match officials wear a practice.” it can be completed in Germany by measures to reduce the risk of FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that the funds mask which would “not slip in Bayer Leverkusen’s medical June 30. infection. were the “first step of a far-reaching financial relief sprints, headers and challenges”. advisor Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar Players have already given a Defending champions plan we are developing to respond to the emergency “Should the masks slip, the game says masks would not be necessary mixed response to the idea of being Bayern Munich were four across the whole football community”. must immediately be stopped”, as the league is planning to regularly isolated for the nine remaining points clear at the top of the “It is FIFA’s duty to be there and support the ones according to the draft, and because test players and club staff if the games of the season. table when the league season that are facing acute needs,” added Infantino. the masks would get wet fast due to league resumes. “I personally would find it was halted on March 13. “This starts by providing immediate financial exertion, they should be “replaced “Wearing a mask is uncom- extremely difficult to spend the next However, Bundesliga bosses assistance to our member associations, many of which every 15 minutes at the latest”. fortable, breathing is impeded,” said few weeks in a hotel and not be able said yesterday that they will be are experiencing severe financial distress.” The Bundesliga’s top clubs are Dittmar. to see my family,” Eintracht ready to resume from May 9. The funds come from the Forward 2.0 programme, sceptical. “This wouldn’t work in football, Frankfurt defender Danny da Costa The German Football which was launched in 2016 and will provide $1.746bn “You might be able sprint once but I don’t think it is necessary -- told reporters. League (DFL) still needs the in total over the 2019-2022 period. with a face mask on, but not several with testing, the risk of infection is However, Bayern Munich go-ahead from Angela Mer- Last month FIFA announced the creation of a times,” RB Leipzig’s sports director extremely low.” forward Thomas Mueller said being kel’s government and state football aid fund but it has since not given any addi- Markus Kroesche told daily paper Another suggestion in the min- placed in quarantine may be the only leaders, who will meet in tional details on its operation or scope. Bild. istry guidelines is that each team be way to get the season finished. Berlin next Thursday. “You’ll get caught”, Coe warns cheats during pandemic

AFP – BERLINBERLIN German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. championships, scheduled to be held in - if there are no competitions, there’s “But nobody should run away with this August, was cancelled. no prize money, so the first objective WorldWorld AAthleticsthletics PresidentPresiden Sebastian Coe the idea that there is no testing taking So far eight major athletics meets is to try and get competitions” going hashas warned anyany athletes tempted to use place at all. It is. have been cancelled or postponed this again. dopingdoping substances duringdurin the corona- “I want to send a very clear message season with no revised dates yet “I am genuinely hoping that we can virus pandemic, whenwh drugs testing to the athletes: do not sit there thinking announced. get athletes back into training later this is provingproving moremo difficult, that that this is a test-free zone. It isn’t. Coe said the global pandemic will year. Many (athletes) have maintained theythey “will get caught”. “If you choose to step outside the have financial consequences for athletes good conditioning, training in their “Clearly,“Clea because of integrity of our sport, you will get caught.” and hopes competitions can still take houses, on balconies, in hotel corridors, lockdown,lockdow curfews and The 2020 athletics calender has been place in 2020. in streets. internationalintern travel decimated by the coronavirus with the “It’s not just about not having com- “Of course, not being able to run restrictions,restri (drugs) Tokyo Olympics, the season’s highlight, petitions - (athletes) have their own per- outside your front door is a big challenge. testingtest has been postponed until 2021, but as yet has no sonal contracts and sponsorships,” said We want to get them back into compe- morem difficult,” fixed date. the former middle-distance runner. tition as quickly as we can, but as safely Sebastian Coe Coe, 63, told On Thursday, the European athletics “There are broadcast issues as well as we can do it.” SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2020 SPORT 05 Resume season next March at Indian Wells: Jabeur

REUTERS – TUNIS as it would not be fair when calcu- Former world number one Andy lating ranking points. Murray said on Wednesday tennis The tennis season stalled by the “I don’t think it’s a good idea to will be one of the last sports to return COVID-19 pandemic should only start the season this year. Start the to action after the world has resume next March and tournaments season again next year in March,” Don’t start by playing the recovered from the pandemic and that have already been completed this Jabeur said in Eurosport’s Tennis Australian Open since we Jabeur expects the Tours to restart in year should not be played in the 2021 Legends vodcast. already played it this year... September. season, Australian Open quarter- “Don’t start by playing the Aus- start from Indian Wells, where “Honestly, I think, September is finalist Ons Jabeur (pictured) said. tralian Open since we already played going to be where everything is going everybody stopped. It’s fair Professional tennis has been sus- it this year... start from Indian Wells, to start. Let’s say even if we start in pended since March due to the coro- where everybody stopped. It’s fair for the other Grand Slams, July - what about the other tourna- navirus outbreak when Indian Wells for the other Grand Slams, it’s fair for it’s fair for the points and for ments? “What about the other Grand became the first major tournament the points and for everything.” This everything: Ons Jabeur Slams if we can play around two or to be cancelled. The ATP and WTA year’s French Open was moved to three Grand Slams for a year and just Tours said the hiatus will continue September 20-October 4 while the skip the other one? How is it fair for at least until mid-July. Wimbledon championships, which without fans is unlikely and Jabeur, the points, how is it fair for the other Tunisian Jabeur, the first Arab were set to begin in late June, were ranked 39 in the world, believes it players? “Everybody lost a lot of woman to reach the quarter-finals cancelled. would not be fair on the players if things... We don’t stop playing tennis, of a Grand Slam, said resuming the US Open organisers said last only certain majors could be com- we will start playing tennis again, but season later this year was not ideal week that playing the hardcourt Slam pleted in a season. not with the ranking.” Think local to reboot tennis, stars suggest

AFP – PARIS A statement by the academy said Nadal was dis- As the weeks go by, the globe- cussing with the ATP the pos- trotting world of top-level sibility of creating “a campus tennis remains in limbo and where elite players can reside, I think there will be more the season looks increasingly train and compete between regional prize money compromised by the corona- themselves in matches that tournaments.ents. I thinkthink tthishis is virus pandemic. will be televised so that fans what’s goingoing A glimmer of hope is around the world can enjoy to happenn emerging however with plans them.” for local tournaments to get Resuming the tours behind very soon:n: the machine up and running closed doors has been sug- Novak again as soon as possible. gested, but many tournaments Djokovic “I think there will be more need ticket revenue to break regional prize money tourna- even. ments. I think this is what’s Even for bigger tourna- going to happen very soon,” ments, playing in front of Novak Djokovic said during empty stands is bad for the an Instagram live chat with image. Fabio Fognini. “Can you imagine a Grand For the moment, the tennis Slam final without anyone in is suspended until July 13, the stands?” Fognini asked though few players believe it Djokovic. will resume at once. The Tunisian Ons Jabeur, Djokovic said the globe- a 25-year-old who started the The project will only see trotting nature of the tour Children play tennis in a deserted season with a breakthrough the light of day in the event would work against a smooth street in Paris, on the thirty- run to the quarter-finals at the that the tour is further resumption as nations come sixth day of a lockdown in Australian Open, has sug- postponed and if the out of lockdown at different aimed at curbing the spread of gested that tennis might government authorises the times and with different rules. the COVID-19 disease. resume with team events in organisation of this kind of “It will be difficult to start the autumn to allow players tournament which will bring the tour because our tour is to earn some money, but every week in different coun- a photo on social media public,” Tsonga told the matches will be broadcast added that the ranking tour- together a bit of the public: tries,” he said. showing him at work on a clay Eurosport. on TV, especially as there will naments take a break of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who has “I think there will be court and congratulating A more ambitious idea has be no other live sports at the exactly 12 months. suggested,suggested, aalonglong wwithith hishis regional prize money tourna- himself for “swapping the been put forward by Patrick same time. “Let’s pretend that the end coachcoach to hhaveave ments, but probably not remote control for a racket”. Mouratoglou, who coaches He plans 10 matches per of 2020 was never here,” she a summersummer (rankings) points.” and In France, Jo-Wilfried Serena Williams. He proposes weekend for five weeks as told Eurosport. tour in thethe Germany have announced Tsonga and his coach, Thierry organising not a tournament part of an event called “Then don’t start by plans for competitions in May Ascione, have suggested a but a league, staring on May Ultimate Tennis Showdown playing the Australian Open southsouth ofof and June with 32 men, summer tour in the south of 16, behind closed doors at his (UTS). since we already played it this France.France. including Dominic Thiem, France. academy in the south of To date, four players have year and the other tourna- Philipp Kohlschreiber and “The project will only see France. promising “millions of been announced: David ments in the beginning of the Jan-Lennard Struff, and 24 the light of day in the event dollars” in prize money and Goffin, Fognini, Benoit Paire year, and then start from women. that the tour is further post- targeting a young on-line and Alexei Popyrin. Indian Wells, where eve- In both countries, the poned and if the government audience. Rafael Nadal has also rybody stopped. players have already been authorises the organisation of Mouratoglou is a con- made his academy on the “It’s fair for the other allowed to resume training. this kind of tournament which sultant for several television island of Mallorca available to Grand Slams, it’s fair for the Thiem, an Austrian, posted will bring together a bit of the channels and guarantees that players. points and for everything.” Euro Championships cancellation delivers another blow to athletics

AFP – PARIS improve rapidly, but unfortu- calendar that have been forced nately that wasn’t the case,” upon the sport” in its next vid- Athletics was left with the “We looked at all the possibil- eoconference on May 7-8. prospect of a lost season ities, including reducing the The Eugene Diamond yesterday after this summer’s number of athletes in each League meeting was due to European Championships, set contest and halving the number take place on June 7 with Paris to be held in Paris, were of spectators.” Continental gov- six days’ later. Their post- cancelled due to the corona- erning body European Athletics ponement means that eight virus pandemic. said that the decision followed events have been pushed back In a statement, the event’s a meeting between the organ- with no revised dates yet organising committee and ising committee and the FFA announced. A screenshot from a virtual French Athletics Federation and “an earlier meeting The next scheduled game in the MLB The Show series. (FFA) said they “wished to between the relevant French Diamond League meeting is adopt a responsible position by authorities” -- including the London on July 4, although the putting human health and the country’s interior and sport Bislett Games in Oslo -- one of Lux, Gallo go 2-1 in MLB The Show fight against the spread of the ministries. the longest-standing meetings virus before any other “Whilst we regret on the international calendar AGENCIES – LOS ANGELES Luz lost 4-3 to Arizona Dia- helping fill some time for consideration”. announcing the cancellation of -- will go ahead on June 11, mondbacks right-hander Jon players and fans with the The championships were our European Athletics Cham- albeit in a different format from Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Duplantier before edging baseball season shut down scheduled for August 25-30. pionships, it is worth reiterating the Diamond League meeting Gavin Lux kept pace with Houston Astros right-hander indefinitely due to the corona- The cancellation follows the that in these unprecedented originally planned on that date. event-leading Texas Rangers Lance McCullers Jr. 2-1 and virus pandemic. postponement in March of the times the health and safety of The event will be “an alter- outfielder Joey Gallo as both shutting out St. Louis Cardinals All players will square off Tokyo Olympics to 2021 and all athletics’ stakeholders native athletics competition won two of three games last infielder Matt Carpenter 1-0. once in a 29-game round robin the announcement earlier on including athletes, fans, offi- under Norwegian coronavirus night in MLB The Show Players Phillips, Duplantier and over three weeks. Each regular- Thursday of the postponement cials, partners and everyone regulations”, organisers said. League action. Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo season game lasts three innings, of Diamond League events in connected with the sport is par- Oslo will feature a pole Gallo (19-4) holds a 2 1/2- Bichette all went 2-1 on and there are extra innings Eugene, Oregon, and Paris. amount,” said European Ath- vault head-to-head between game lead on Lux (16-6) and Thursday, and Oakland Ath- when needed. “We really tried,” said Jean letics’ Interim President Armand Duplantis and 2012 Tampa Bay Rays left-hander letics left-hander Jesus Luzardo The eight-player posts- Gracia, president of the Paris Dobromir Karamarinov. Olympic champion Renaud Blake Snell (13-3). Snell was idle finished 3-2. eason will culminate in a May European Championships European Athletics added Lavillenie, whose world record yesterday. utility man 2 . The playoffs will organising committee. “We all that it would discuss the “other the young Swede broke in New York Mets utility man Ian Happ split his two games. utilise a best-of-three format hoped that the situation might changes to the global athletics February. Jeff McNeil (15-6) lost two of Carpenter, Chicago White Sox until the World Series, which three games on Thursday to slip right-hander Lucas Giolito, will be best-of-five. into fourth place. McNeil is a Minnesota Twins right-hander Sony Interactive Enter- half-game ahead of Trevor May and Houston Astros tainment and Major League Padres shortstop Fernando right-hander Lance McCullers Baseball, in cooperation with Tatis Jr., who is 15-7 after going Jr. each finished 1-2, and the players association, will 2-1 on Thursday. Edwards went 1-3. donate $5,000 on behalf of Gallo routed McNeil 9-2, fell The online tournament uti- each player to a Boys and Girls 5-2 to Kansas City Royals out- lising the “MLB The Show 20” Club in his community. A total fielder Brett Phillips, then shut game features one player from of $175,000 will be donated, out Seattle Mariners right- each of the 30 major league including the World Series prize hander Carl Edwards Jr. 1-0. teams. The charity event is of $25,000. 06 SPORT SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2020

In this file photo taken on August 18, 2019 ’s Jofra Archer bowls to ’s captain Tim Paine during play on the fifth day of the second Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Cricket chiefs announced yesterday that no professional cricket would be played in Dhoni won’t England and Wales until July at the earliest as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked fresh havoc on the international sporting calendar. play for India again, says Harbhajan

AFP - NEW DELHI

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he doesn’t think Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play for India again, adding to the guessing game over the future of the superstar former captain. Dhoni, 38, has not appeared for club or country since last year’s 50-over World Cup and India’s coronavirus lockdown could threaten his chances of getting back into the national team. The Indian Premier League, the main platform before this year’s scheduled T20 World Cup, is likely to be truncated or cancelled because of the pandemic. Harbhajan, who plays with Dhoni at IPL side Chennai Super Kings, said international retirement was on the cards for Dhoni and that he was increas- Tendulkar’s ingly being asked about his Virus pushes English cricket teammate. ‘Desert “It’s up to him. You need to know whether he Storm’ voted wants to play for India again,” Harbhajan said in his top ODI season back until July an online forum. “As far as I know him, innings he won’t want to wear AFP - LONDON a bio-secure solution that offers optimum England’s Professional Cricketers’ Asso- India’s blue jersey again. on birthday safety and security for all concerned.” ciation backed the ongoing delay, with IPL he will play, but for Cricket chiefs announced yesterday that Under the plans, nine rounds of fixtures chairman Daryl Mitchell saying they wel- India I think he had decided no professional cricket would be played in will be lost in the four-day County Cham- comed “the steps taken to protect the the (2019) World Cup was AFP - NEW DELHI England and Wales until July at the earliest pionship season, but time slots for red-ball players and the game at this time”. his last.” as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked fresh and white-ball cricket will remain in a Meanwhile the ECB will discuss the Dhoni, who gave up A blistering 143 scored against havoc on the international sporting revised schedule. future of the inaugural Hundred compe- Test cricket in 2014, started Australia in 1998 was voted calendar. The lucrative Twenty20 Blast will be tition again next week, with the tournament training for the Super Kings Sachin Tendulkar’s greatest The England and Wales Cricket Board pushed as late in the season as possible. All meant to start in July. in March but has not com- one-day innings in an Inter- (ECB) said attempts would be made to matches previously scheduled in June will A new 100-balls-per-side format, to be mented on his international national Cricket Council poll reschedule international fixtures in the be moved later in the season. played by eight franchises rather than future. released for his 47th birthday. period from July until the end of September, England are also scheduled to play English cricket’s established 18 first-class Dhoni led India to win The 131-ball knock, with including the West Indies Test tour of Twenty20 and one-day games at home to counties, the ECB believe the Hundred will the inaugural Twenty20 nine fours and five sixes, England. Australia in July, with three Tests and three attract a new audience vital to safeguarding World Cup in 2007. He hit became known as the ‘Desert Global cricket is at a standstill as a result Twenty20s against in August and English cricket’s future. a six to seal the 2011 World Storm’ after a sand storm in of COVID-19, with stark warnings issued September. The ECB late last month announced Cup final victory and, along Sharjah interrupted India’s over the damaging economic fallout. Three one-dayers against Ireland are £61m ($75m) aid package in response to with it, his status as a chase. ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said listed for later in September, with the ECB the “once in a generation” challenge of the national hero. He has Tendulkar took on the the plan was to reschedule international having previously said they were prepared coronavirus outbreak. amassed 10,773 runs from likes of Shane Warne, Damien matches as late as possible in the English to field England Test and limited-overs Problems for the English game are 350 ODIs. Fleming and Michael Kas- season to give the best chance of play. teams at the same time in order to get as reflected globally. prowicz but his side lost. The West Indies tour, including three many games played as possible. South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka set for Tendulkar’s blitz narrowly Tests, had been due to start on June 4. Some of the English players also wel- June was officially called off earlier this Pacers Broad, edged out his match-winning A women’s series between England and comed the idea. week with no new date set and the world’s 98 against arch-rivals Pakistan India, comprising one-day internationals But any matches that do go ahead may richest cricket tournament, the Indian Anderson eye in the 2003 World Cup group and Twenty20 matches, was scheduled for well be behind closed doors, with Harrison Premier League, has been indefinitely match. later in that month. telling the BBC on Thursday the ECB were suspended. one last Ashes “It was neck and neck” Before that the County Championship “starting to get comfortable with the idea Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin tilt before until the end, the ICC said in had been due to begin two weeks ago, on that there won’t be crowds this summer”. Roberts warned this week that the organ- releasing the results of its poll. April 12. “If you talk about the measures the isation could lose hundreds of millions of retirement Tendulkar, who played “There will be no cricket unless it’s safe (British) government has got in place dollars if this year’s Test tour by India was 200 Test matches and is now to play,” said Harrison. “Our schedule will through this lockdown... probably the last scrapped. REUTERS - LONDON India’s biggest cricket legend only go ahead if government guidance lever the government is likely to pull is the But cricket chiefs said they were still in retirement, used his permits. one around mass gatherings and that is making plans for this year’s Twenty20 birthday to urge fans to stay “Our biggest challenge, along with other obviously something for us that impacts World Cup in Australia, due to start in England’s new ball pair of indoors during the nationwide sports, is how we could seek to implement the ability to put cricket fans into stadia.” October. James Anderson and Stuart coronavirus lockdown. Broad have their eyes on “They encouraged me and the 2021-22 Ashes series in they prayed for me. What did Australia before they they pray for? That Sachin Moving Asia Cup to accommodate Abu Dhabi to consider retirement, the shouldn’t get out and I should duo have said. be at the crease,” he told offer venue for Anderson, England’s Indian broadcaster Star Sports. IPL unacceptable for PCB: Khan completing highest Test wicket-taker, “My wish for them is that will be 38 in July while they should also not get out. IANS - LAHORE Cup is going ahead England season Broad, second in that list They should also stay inside even though cricket and four years younger, the crease which means that Making any change to remains suspended does not expect his career they should stay at home, safe the schedule of the due to the COVID-19 IANS - LONDON to last as long as that of his and healthy.” Asia Cup to accom- pandemic. bowling partner. Meanwhile the Board of modate the Indian The ICC hosted a The cricket season in England “I don’t think I could go Control for Cricket in India Premier League (IPL) Chief Executives’ could be hosted in Abu Dhabi. until your age,” Broad told relived the master blaster’s will be objected by the Committee (CEC) Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), the Anderson during an unbeaten century against Pakistan Cricket Board meeting with the CEOs governing body for cricket in Instagram Live chat. England in the Chennai Test in (PCB), CEO Wasim of the 12 full members the city, is set to offer the “Your action’s so 2008 in excerpts released on Khan said. and three associate England and Wales Cricket smooth, it looks a lot calmer its Twitter feed. “Our stance is representatives to Board (ECB) its facilities for on your body whereas mine Tendulkar smashed 103 in absolutely clear, the discuss the challenges usage between October and is a little more forceful the second innings to guide Asia Cup is set for Sep- boards will face in the January, according to ESPN- through my body I think. India to a six-wicket win. tember and the only reason it potential host for the Indian coming months in their Cricinfo. "But I’m loving the BCCI President Sourav should not take place is con- Premier League (IPL) which has respective countries. The offer could be environment at the minute. Ganguly, a former India tinued health safety issues. We been postponed. The men’s T20 World Cup extended to both County I love playing for England,” teammate, and other past and will not accept that the Asia Cup The BCCI, meanwhile, is scheduled to be played in cricket and international he said. present cricketers paid tribute is moved to accommodate the maintains that any decision on Australia from Oct. 18 to Nov. matches. “I still have huge moti- to Tendulkar. IPL,” Khan said on GTV News when the IPL can be held will 15 while the women’s World The city’s Sheikh Zayed vation to keep playing and Current India skipper Virat Channel. be arrived at only after the sit- Cup in 2021 is scheduled for Stadium complex has multiple you just assess that year by Kohli said: “Happy birthday to “I have heard that there is uation around the pandemic Feb. 6 to March 7 in New grounds meaning more than year. And we’ve got that the man whose passion for the talk to move the Asia Cup to improves and the existing Zealand. one matches could take place carrot dangling over us of game of cricket has inspired November-December but for lockdown in the country is “The CEC was updated on at the same time. Australia in Australia which many.” us that is not possible. If you eased. the continuing contingency The stadium has served as looks like an achievable The right-handed Ten- move the Asia Cup you are Board President Sourav planning for all ICC global Pakistan’s home for a number carrot to grab.” dulkar made his debut for making way for one member Ganguly recently said that there events, including the men’s T20 of years apart from hosting Anderson added: “The India aged just 16 in 1989 and nation and that is not right and will be no cricket in India in the World Cup 2020 and the IPL, PSL and County Champi- big thing is standards. If broke almost every batting it will not have our support,” he near future. women’s World Cup 2021. onship matches. your standards feel like record before retiring in 2013. said. “There are too many ifs and Planning for both events as cur- The summer season for they’re dropping then yeah Tendulkar's debut Test The PCB had initially buts involved. More impor- rently scheduled is ongoing,” cricket in England has been you might consider fin- incidentally was Kapil Dev's wanted the Asia Cup to be held tantly, I don’t believe in sport the ICC said in a statement. ravaged due to the coronavirus ishing. But as long as my 100th match played at in Pakistan but it was even- when there is a risk to human Cricket Australia chief pandemic that has brought standards stay high, my in 1989. tually decided to be held in the life,” said Ganguly. Kevin Roberts on Thursday said cricket to a standstill around fitness levels stay good and The former India captain United Arab Emirates in Meanwhile the Interna- they were working with the the world. my skills stay where I want is the only cricketer to have September. tional Cricket Council (ICC) ICC, the government and the The UK is still grappling them to be and my speed scored 100 international cen- However, the cricket cal- announced on Thursday that local organising committee to with the pandemic but the stays pretty good which turies and is the highest run endar has been ravaged by the planning for this year’s men’s understand what it would take United Arab Emirates (UAE) they have been (I’ll keep scorer with 34,357 runs across coronavirus pandemic and the Twenty20 World Cup and next to conduct the tournament as seems to have seen off the playing).” formats. UAE is now speculated to be a year’s women’s 50-over World scheduled. worst of it. SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2020 SPORT 07 German Cup final postponed Don’t rush to restart La Liga, indefinitely as season still suspended German Cup trophy Real Madrid star Bale warns AFP — MADRID needed government as early as 28-29 May, but coronavirus in the country REUTERS — BERLIN approval. could also be 6-7 June or so far. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale Rafael Ramos of the even as late as June 28,” The Spanish players The German Cup final has been says there should be no rush Spanish Association of Tebas said, calculating that union (AFE) agree with postponed indefinitely from its to restart La Liga during the Football Team Physicians the move could save Spanish Welsh winger Bale in his call original May 23 date due to the coronavirus lockdown as the said La Liga is planning to clubs a billion euros in for prudence. coronavirus outbreak, which has Spanish football federation return to action in a series revenue if they complete La “Ask yourself if this is wreaked havoc with the season, the plans tests and a return to of stages. Liga and the European really a good idea. Is it safe? German Football Association (DFB) training. “The idea according to competitions. isn’t our main concern eve- said yesterday. Testing players is being La Liga is to test everyone Whatever Tebas wants, rybody’s safety?,” Diego Football in Germany has been discussed with a view to on April 28 and 29,” Ramos SpainSpain is under a severseveree Lopez thethe EspanyEspanyolo goal- suspended since mid-March and completing the Liga season said on Spanish radio lockdown quarantine and is keeper said on Wednesday.Wed will remain so until at least April and thereby avoiding on Thursday.sday. reelingreeling aafterfter 22,000 EightEight EspanyolEspanyol players 30. The German Football League is financial disaster, a source He addeddded that deaths are sick with Covid-19.Covid- hoping to restart the Bundesliga cose to La Liga said. thee teststests fromfrom BarcelonaBarcelona aandnd sometime in May. Bale said he wanted to would bbee midfielder Sergio BBusquets “Due to the current suspension get back into action but felt repeateded was alsoalso scepticascepticall on the and the open question as to when it wise to wait and see. everyy proposedproposed ddates.ates. play will resume, the dates for the “Everyone wants to play three oorr “I supposesuppose it’s wworkable, German Cup final and the two football, but the most four days.ys. toto train without ggettinget too semi-finals will for now remain important thing is everyone La Liga closeclose to tthehe ototherhe guys, vacant,” the DFB said in a stays safe, we don’t want to presidentnt Javier showeringshowering at home,hom but statement. come back too early. We Tebas saisaidd meetings anandd travetravellingl to a The German government is due need to make sure every- several alter-alter- matchm to meet with leaders of the federal of empty stands, DFB President thing is done safely so we natives forfor a wouldwo be states next week to discuss any Fritz Keller said, as spectators in avoid the second wave of return too actactionion difficult,”dif potential easing of coronavirus Germany will not be allowed in this virus,” Bale told British were beingbeing saids measures in Germany, which could when play resumes. broadcaster BT Sports. mulled wwithith May Busquets.Bu potentially result in a league restart Bayer Munich face Eintracht The Bundesliga in 4 slatedd fforor thethe next month. Frankfurt and Saarbruecken host Germany, where there have return too training.training. Whenever the final takes place, Bayer Leverkusen in the last four been far fewer coronavirus “Thee scenarios Gareth Bale it will most likely be played in front of the German Cup. deaths, said they are “ready” we are lookinglooking at to restart on May 9 but could seee LaLa LiLigaga rrestartestart plans to Iniesta on depression at Barcelona resume Super League in June: Reports ‘Everything clouds over and goes dark’

REUTERS — AFP — MADRID and goes dark,” Iniesta said. means he can’t be well. He said, affects millions of people On Jarque’s death, Iniesta ‘I’m not well dad’. I said, ‘what’s around the world,” said Turkey plans to resume its Andres Iniesta has described his added: “That was like a body wrong?’ ‘I don’t know, I don’t Guardiola. soccer Super League matches struggle with depression while blow, something powerful that feel well.’” “They have to know we are in mid-June and the games playing for Barcelona, which his knocked me down again and I Iniesta’s father admitted he The days pass and there for them.” may be played without spec- mother says was a “bottomless was pprettyretty llow,ow, cclearlylearly bbecauseecause thoughtthought hihiss son mmightight hhaveave ttoo you realise you’re not “Guardiola tried to get him tators, state media quoted the pit” that caused her 25-year-old I wasn’tn’t veryvery wewell.”ll.” take a bbreakreak ffromrom football. improving, you don’t out of that bottomless pit he was head of the clubs’ association son to ask to sleep with his IIniesta’sniesta’s depressiondepression is “At oneone in,” said Iniesta’s mother Maria. as saying yesterday. parents. describedribed by thosethose closestclosest to stages tag e I feel good, you’re not Iniesta came through Bar- Turkish soccer, basketball Iniesta recalls his expe- him, includingncluding hhisis motmotherher Maria thoughtthought hehe yourself. Everything celona’s La Masia academy and and volleyball leagues, which rience with the illness in a Lujann andand ffatherather Jose Antonio. wouldw ould went on to win nine La Liga were among the last to con- Rakuten TV documentary, “I nnoticedoticed he wwasn’tasn’t wellwell havehave to clouds over and goes titles and four Champions tinue playing matches, were ‘Andres Iniesta - The Unex- one nignightht wwhenhen we were stopstop dark: Andres Iniesta Leagues with the club. suspended on March 17 due to pected Hero’, which was sleepingping ddownstairsownstairs anandd hehe because He also lifted the World Cup the COVID-19 pandemic after released on Thursday and came ddownown anandd saisaid,d, ‘mum can the mostmost with Spain in 2010, after scoring came under interna- covers his move to Japanese I sleepp hhereere witwithh yyou?’”ou?’” Maria importantimportant Iniesta began having ses- the winning goal against the tional and domestic pressure side Vissel Kobe in 2018. said. “Then“Then the worldworld camecame thingthing waswas ssions with psychologist Inma in the final. to postpone them. After winning the Cham- downn on my hhead.”ead.” hhim,”im,” saisaidd Puig,P who said the Spaniard’s Despite receiving a hero’s Turkey has confirmed pions League under Pep Guar- Joseose Antonio saisaid:d: “Our JJoseose recoveryre owed much to those farewell from Barca, Iniesta more than 100,000 cases of diola in 2009, Iniesta was bat- 25 year-oldyear-old son Antonio.Antonio. arounda him, including hinted his relationship with the the new coronavirus, with a tling injury and then hit by the comingng downdown at Guardiola.G board influenced his decision death toll of 2,600. death of his friend Dani Jarque, midnightnight andand “Guardiola said this is the to go to . “We have a provisional the 26-year-old Espanyol wantingting to firstfi time I’ve been in this situ- “People at the club never decision to launch the Super defender who suffered a heart sleepp with ationa as a coach,” said Puig. “I imagined I could leave,” Iniesta League matches in the week of attack. hisis Andres Iniesta rememberr he said, ‘the most said. “It’s like everything, in June 12-14,” state broadcaster “The days pass and you parentsnts importanti thing now is Andres, relationships if you don’t TRT Haber quoted the Turkish realise you’re not improving, the person not the player’.” discuss things at the right time clubs’ association chairman you don’t feel good, you’re not “They’re people and this there comes a time when there’s Mehmet Sepil as saying. yourself. Everything clouds over is a very human thing which no way back.” “The base scenario is that Super League and Turkey Cup matches be completed by July 26,” he was cited as saying, Premier League players should resist adding that matches may be staged without spectators. Separately, broadcaster pressure over wage cuts, says Keane CNN Turk on its website reported Sepil as saying it was planned that matches would AFP — LONDON but only a handful of clubs. Only Keane believes more pressure begin in June without Arsenal have so far agreed a 12.5 should be put on the billionaire club spectators. Former Manchester United captain Roy percent cut in wages, while South- owners to honour their wage bills than Keane has told players at the Premier ampton, West Ham, United on players. League’s top clubs to ignore pressure and Watford players are to defer a part The Premier League said a number to take pay cuts during the coronavirus of their salary. of complex scenarios were being crisis. Keane, the former Ireland assistant worked through, with fears that failure English football has been halted manager, acknowledged the pressure to finish the season could cost it more since mid-March in a bid to curb the on players to take a pay cut but said he than £1bn ($1.2bn). We have a spread of COVID-19 and clubs at all would not do so if placed in a similar Keane’s former United team-mate, provisional decision levels are feeling the pinch. position. Gary Neville, said the Premier League to launch the Super Premier League chiefs, due to meet “The way I look at it now, particu- should borrow against future television with clubs next week, are committed larly after the way I left Manchester earnings to safeguard English football’s League matches in to finishing the season but there is no United, I wouldn’t take a pay cut from financial survival. Manchester United’s Dwight Yorke and Roy the week of June indication of when it will resume. anybody if I was at one of the bigger “The future revenues are into the Keane (foreground) celebrate their 3-2 win 12-14: Chairman Earlier this month, top-flight clubs clubs,” he told Sky Sports. tens of billions in the Premier League agreed to consult with their players “I know there is pressure on and more if they wanted to extend their against Juventus in their Champions League Mehmet Sepil over deferrals and reductions players, but it is nobody’s business what TV contracts,” said Neville, also the co- semi-final second leg match in Turin, , in amounting to 30 percent of their salary you do with your wages.” owner of League Two Salford City. this April 21 April 21, 1999 file photo. Woods, Mickelson trash talking already ahead of showdown

AFP — of trash talk already, a little bit be like that when we play, one-on-one showdown in showcase golf in a differedifferentnt of banter back and forth,” when we compete.” November 2018 at Las Vegas. way, but it’s about ccharity.harity. Tiger Woods and Phil Mick- Woods said. “Whether it’s ‘I Champions for Charity was “After feeling the sting of That’s the reasonn why elson haven’t seen set a date might need extra caddies to carry announced on Wednesday, defeat the first time around, we’re all doing this.”s.” for their charity golf showdown my Super Bowls,’ because he has with no date, location or format looks like @TigerWoods is The event, whichch must alongside NFL stars Tom Brady more Super Bowls than my revealed, although Woods con- bringing a ringer to The Match be approved by thee US PGA and Peyton Manning, but the partner or, ‘I’ve got more majors firmed he and retired two-time (#PeytonManning),” Mickelson Tour, could showw how a trash talk is already abundant. than Phil, so I’m going to have to Super Bowl champion quar- tweeted. “I’m bringing a (goat foursome can competepete in a tel-tel- Woods, a 15-time major have a truck come up to the first terback Manning will face six- emoji for Greatest of All Time). evised event with noo sspectatorspectators winner and the reigning tee and U-Haul it out,’ we’ve had time Super Bowl winner Brady, @TomBrady - Ready to hit and observe social distancing Masters champion, told banter back and forth, and it has the New England Patriots (bombs)?” safeguards to preventnt the spread sponsor GolfTV that group text been fantastic. legend who signed with the The event will be used as of the deadly disease.e. messages between the famed “It’s typical us. It’s what we Tampa Bay Buccaneers last a fundraiser for coronavirus The PGA Tour iss looking at foursome have been heavy on do. We like to give out the month, and Mickelson, a five- pandemic relief efforts. ending what would bbee a threethree-- bragging rights over champi- needle and to give out the time major winner. “We’re coming together to month hiatus on Juneune onships captured. needle you’ve got to be able to Mickelson defeated Woods help other people,” Woods said. 11 at Fort Worth,h, Tiger Woods “There has been a little bit take it. It has been fun and it’ll in extra holes to win a $9m “We’re coming together to Texas.