SPORT SPORT | 09 SPORT | 10 McIlroy, Johnson Du Plessis quit as headline charity captain after one game for of 'toughest' COVID-19 relief seasons

TUESDAY 5 MAY 2020 Thiem, Vonn Fans won't be allowed at matches charity run raises €2.8m 'any time soon', says FA Chairman REUTERS – LONDON

APAP – LONDONLONDONONN stricts social distancing regula- games could not take place at Tennis player Dominic Thiem tionst during the national their own stadium to stop fans and skiers Lindsey Vonn and SupportersSuppp orters areare notnot likelylikele y to bebe lockdown.lo from gathering outside, but the Marcel Hirscher were among allowedalllowed babbackck iintonto mammatchestchhes 'a'anyanyny The English Football Associ- plan has faced opposition from 77,000 people to take part in timetime ssoon,'oon,n ' ththehe hheheadad ooff EnEnglishglg ish ation,a which owns Wembley The reality is that we just Brighton and West Ham. a charity race to raise funds for footballfof otball hhasasas warned,wara nened,d wwithiti h StadiumS and runs the national don’t know how things are For Clarke, the focus is on spinal cord research. cost-cuttingcost-cutting underwayundn errwwaay teams,tte is cutting its annual going to pan out, but with completing the FA Cup, which is The original race was can- acrossacrosss thetheh gamegame to dealdeeaal budgetb by £75m ($93m) as it tries social distancing in place at the quarterfinal stage, and the celled due to the coronavirus withwiith thethe impactimppacct ofo thethhee to offset a potential “worst-case for some time to come resumption of key events at pandemic, but runners and coronaviruscoronaviv rus ppapandemic.annddememicc. scenario”s deficit of £300m over we do face substantial Wembley to generate revenue wheelchair users from 104 AllAll spsport,portt, iincludingnncludingng tthehhee theth next four years. for the FA. countries competed individ- changes to the whole PremierPrremmier LeLLeague,aggue, wwawasas sshshuthuutt “The reality is that we just “A huge amount of work is ually on Sunday, using an app downdown iinn BrBBritainitain inn MMarchaarrcchh aass don’td know how things are going football ecosystem: taking place to assess whether a to follow their own course and partpart ooff efeffortsfoforrts too ccontainonntaainn to pan out, but with social dis- FA Chairman Greg Clarke restart to the English season will local social distancing thetht e spreadspreadd ofof CCOCOVID-19.VVIDD--1199. tancingta in place for some time to be possible,” Clarke said. guidelines. GroupGrroup ttrtrainingaiainininng fforoorr comec we do face substantial “While we would all like to Participants in the Wings tteamseamms hhahass yeyyetet toto changesc to the whole football which operates the three profes- see football return in the coming for Life World Run ran or resumeresummee dueduuee toto ecosystem,”e FA Chairman Greg sional divisions below the weeks, the health of our com- rolled as far as they could until ClarkeC wrote to members of the , has told clubs munities and the protection of being caught by a virtual governingg body’s council. games might be played without the NHS (National Health “Catcher Car”. “For example it’s hard to fans until 2021. Service) must remain our pri- Russia’s Nina Zarina foreseeffo crowds of fans - who are The Premier League is trying ority and we will continue to be covered 54.23 km to win the theth lifeblood of the game - to find a way of restarting next led by government advice as we women’s race for the second returningr to matches any time month, with Liverpool 25 points work together with stakeholders successive year, while Britain’s FA Chairman Greg Clarke soon.”s clear with nine games remaining. from across the game to assess Michael Taylor captured his The , The league has told clubs that any potential restart.” first title after running 69.92 km in the men’s race. “It was a very good endurance session, so it’s a Costa Rican teams return to training very good day for me,” two- French league to take times French Open runner-up Thiem said. out €225m loan to The event raised €2.8m help struggling clubs ($3.06m). Fritz, Rae AFP – PARIS win Mario The French league is to take out a state-guaranteed loan, believed to be worth as much as €225m ($246m), to charity compensate for lost television income after the decision to bring a premature end to the football season. tournament The 40 clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 agreed to ask for the loan at a general assembly yesterday, the Professional REUTERS – TOKYO Football League (LFP) said in a statement. Sources said the loan corresponds to the amount of American tennis player Taylor money lost by clubs in the top two divisions after broad- Fritz and his doubles partner, casters Canal Plus and beIN Sports said they would not Tik Tok personality Addison release final payments due for the season, which was Rae, won the virtual Stay At ended with 10 rounds of matches unplayed because of Costa Rica’s Sport Herediano players take part in a training session in Heredia, Costa Rica, yesterday. Home Slam as real-life tennis the coronavirus pandemic. Costa Rica’s professional football teams resumed training last Friday, after a break of more than a month remains on hold because of the “Thanks to this loan, the LFP will be able to provide due to restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, with rigid sanitary measures to avoid infections. coronavirus crisis. clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 with the remaining sums from The likes of the Williams the broadcasting rights for the 2019-20 season,” the LFP sisters, Japanese stars Naomi said. Osaka and Kei Nishikori and France last week became the biggest European league the recently retired Maria yet to end its season, just as its neighbours in England, Sharapova competed as their Germany, Italy and Spain consider ways of resuming favourite characters from the matches. world of Nintendo to raise Paris Saint-Germain were declared champions, with money for charity. the decision being made after the French Prime Minister, The professional tennis Edouard Philippe, said that the season “cannot restart” tours are closed down until as a result of the pandemic which has killed almost 25,000 mid-July at the earliest people in the country. because of the coronavirus The LFP still hopes to start next season in late August, pandemic, meaning fans and when a record new television deal is due to kick in with players alike were eager to Spanish group Mediapro. turn their attention to the tour- Nevertheless, French clubs have been left staring at nament played within the a huge financial black hole, with the loss of television Mario Tennis Aces game. income being added to the loss of gate receipts, spon- The final, which pitched Fritz sorship and other revenue streams. and Rae against Nishikori and The French government introduced the loans scheme his partner, DJ Steve Aoki, was at the end of March in order to help all companies affected watched live by over 35,000 by the pandemic, with at least 70 percent of the total people on Facebook Gaming. amount guaranteed by the state. Several clubs have already Players of Costa Rica’s Sport Herediano sit at the dressing room as a worker fumigates before a training All the players received a applied individually to the scheme. session in Heredia, Costa Rica, yesterday. $25,000 donation to their charity of choice. F1 agrees $145m cap for teams in 2021

REUTERS – LONDON A major rewrite of the technical regulations has next few years.” Brawn said the new-look been delayed to 2022, with teams carrying over cars would definitely be coming for Formula One has agreed a $145m budget cap for this year’s cars to 2021. 2022, despite some teams next year and will continue to try and tighten The budget cap had been set initially at $175m teams pushing for that for future seasons, managing director Ross but some teams had wanted a more drastic limit another year’s delay. Brawn said yesterday. closer to $100m to ensure the sport survives the “Initiatives The Briton also told Sky Sports television after crisis. we are a teleconference with teams and the governing FIA Ferrari, the oldest and most successful con- bringing with that a much fairer prize fund would feature in a new structor, had opposed any reduction below these new commercial agreement due by the end of this year. $145m. regulations are to “The budget cap initial objectives were a more The cap does not include drivers’ salaries, with make the sport competitive field and I think with the situation we Britain’s six times world champion Lewis Hamilton more economically have now the sustainability, the economic sustain- on an estimated $35m a year at Mercedes. viable in terms of the com- ability, of Formula One is a priority,” said Brawn. “The message is clear we’ve got to cut costs,” plexity,” he said. “That counts as much for the big teams as it said Brawn. “The cars we have now are so complex that the does for the small teams.” “We started at $175 (million), that was a long more you spend, the quicker you will go. We need Formula One’s season has yet to start, with the battle to get it there, and with the current crisis we to level off that slope and create a situation where first 10 races postponed or cancelled by the are now going to start at 145 and the discussion money is not the only criteria for how competitive COVID-19 pandemic. really is how much further down we can drive the you’ll be.” TUESDAY 5 MAY 2020 SPORT 09 McIlroy and Johnson headline charity game for COVID-19 relief

AP — LOS ANGELES The May 17 match will be played at Seminole part to raise some money without playing until getting Club in South Florida, a fabled course along the and raise some awareness.” out to the range a few days Rory McIlroy and Dustin ocean where once prepared for the Tiger Woods and Phil ago. Some details of the Johnson headline a $3m Masters. It is to be televised by NBC networks, Mickelson are to play an Seminole match were still charity match for COVID-19 including , Sky Sports and the PGA exhibition match with NFL being worked out as it relief that will mark the first Tour’s global TV partners. greats Tom Brady and relates to safe practices. live golf on television since Peyton Manning, though Officials say spectators will the pandemic shut down details of when and where not be allowed. McIlroy and Johnson, major champions who have Georges Laraque sports worldwide. reached No. 1 in the world, will be partners in that match is to take place Along with the $3m to The May 17 match will be a Skins match against Oklahoma State alumni have not been disclosed. the two groups, Farmers played at Seminole Golf Club Live golf was last seen on Insurance has pledged $1m in South Florida, a fabled and Matthew Wolff. TV on March 12, the first for a birdies and eagles pool NHL's Laraque course along the ocean round of The Players Cham- that will benefit “Off Their where Ben HoHogangan once prepre-- pionship.pionship. ThThee tournament Plate,”Plate,” a ccharitableharitable oorgani-rgani- paredpared fforor thethe Masters. It is to bebe tetelevisedlevised byby NBNBCC nnet-et- McIlroy and Johnson,son, was cancecanceledled thatthat nignight,ht, anandd sationsation helpinghelping healthcarehealthcare hospitalised with works,works, including GolGolff majorma champions who hhaveave thethe earearliestliest ggolfolf wouwouldld return workers.workers. The PGA Tour is Channel,Channel, SkySky Sports andand ththee reachedrea No. 1 in the world,orld, is JJuneune 1111-14-14 at setting up a ““text-to-text-to- PGAPGA Tour’s global TV willwi be partners in a Skinskins ColonialColonial in Texas. donate” pplanlan onlinonlinee virus: ‘It’s the partners.partners. matchma against Oklahomaoma GolfGolf courses in to allowallow viewers ttoo It willwill bebe thethe firstfirst golfgolf StateSta alumni Rickie Fowlerwler PPalmalm Beach makemake aadditionaldditional worst thing ever’ event at SeminoleSeminole sshownhown on andan Matthew Wolff. County, wherewhere contributions.contributions. television.television. McIlroy and Johnsonn are all four pplayerslayers playingpla for the Americanican live,live, were REUTERS — TORONTO NuNurses Foundation, wwhilehile closed until latelate FoFowler and Wolff are lastlast weeweek.k. Former NHL Georges Laraque, who playingpl for the CDC Foun-oun- McIlroy said he had is in a Quebec hospital after contracting dation.da The match is titled,tled, gonegone some sevesevenn COVID-19, said his condition was steadily “TaylorMade“Ta Driving Relief.”lief.” weeks improving but that people needed to take AllAll four players hhaveave the respiratory disease seriously. endorsementen deals wwithith In a series of videos posted over the TaylorMade.Tay weekend, the 43-year-old native McIlroy, currently No.No. 1 said he was training for a marathon and andan the reigning PGA TourTour delivering food to the elderly when he fell playerpla of the year,ear, ill. announcedan the match on After a few trips to the hospital, the asth- Rory McIlroy the “Today” show withth matic Laraque said he was finally able to CarsonCa Daly, with whomm get tested for the disease despite being told McIlroyMc has a podcast. there was a shortage of tests. He described it as a The test came back positive and he was chancecha to “do a small admitted to the hospital on Thursday, where he developed pneumonia in both lungs and was hit by nightly fevers. But in the most recent video, he said he Hungary's Katinka Hosszu in NBA: Nets GM slept through the night without having a action in this file photo. fever and was beginning to feel better. Marks doesn’t Laraque praised the healthcare workers attending to him at Charles-LeMoyne hos- pital in , near Montreal, as well as rule out doctors and nurses helping people battle the disease around the world. COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus. Durant’s return “You’re putting your health at risk just to help me,” he said in a self- video REUTERS — NEW YORK punctuated with coughing fits that showed him hooked up to an oxygen tank. Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean “It’s so crazy because I was running six Marks isn’t ruling out Kevin Durant’s days a week, 10 kilometres a day, to get return if the NBA season should resume. FINA postpones 2021 Fukuoka ready for a marathon. I was doing that for Play has been suspended since March months. 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic and “Now, after the COVID attacked my that has given Durant nearly two extra lungs, I can’t even get up to go brush my months of recuperating time in his Aquatics Worlds to May 2022 teeth without struggling,” said the former recovery from last June’s ruptured right Oiler, Phoenix Coyote, Pittsburgh Achilles tendon. Penguin and Montreal Canadien, who retired Durant suffered the serious injury REUTERS — TOKYO Lausanne-based FINA had to to exert our utmost efforts to from the in 2010. during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals as move the championships eliminate COVID-19 as early as “It’s the worst thing ever. It takes all my a member of the Golden State Warriors. Swimming’s world governing because the 2021 slot of July 16 possible to meet the expecta- energy just to get up,” he said. He signed with the Nets as a free agent body FINA rescheduled the to August 1 clashed with the tions of the many athletes and He also pushed back against suggestions in July. 2021 Fukuoka Aquatics World new date for the Tokyo Games, sports fans longing for the by some online that he was not really sick. So with Durant’s recuperation period Championships to May 2022 which were postponed due to opening of our championships, “Are you kidding me?” he said. “They closing in on 11 months and a possible yesterday to avoid a clash with the COVID-19 pandemic. and to make the event a great have no idea. This is serious stuff.” resumption date still weeks away, the the postponed Tokyo Olympics. The switch after consul- success,” he said. There have been 60,503 COVID-19 cases question of a return this season is at least The new dates for the tation with broadcasters, ath- The swimming body said its in Canada and almost 3,800 deaths, becoming a plausible scenario. swimming event in the Jap- letes and national federations World Masters Championships according to a tally by Johns Hopkins “That’s a $110 million question,” anese city are May 13-29, 2022. follows similar moves by ath- will also take place across the University. Marks told Newshub of New Zealand. “After liaising with the rel- letics and soccer for the world island of Kyushu from May Laraque, who lives in Edmonton, Alberta, “In all seriousness, we’ve tried not to evant stakeholders and championships in Oregon and 31-June 9, 2022. also criticized Quebec’s plan to reopen ele- talk about his timeline a lot. receiving feedback from them, women’s European soccer Swimming’s new date also mentary schools this month. Quebec has the “He knows his body better than we have no doubt that the championship respectively. avoids any overlap with the most deaths from the illness than any other anybody. Our performance team and decision taken will provide the Soichiro Takashima, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Canadian province. training staff have done a tremendous best possible conditions for all mayor of Fukuoka, said there due to be held in the British city “If we in Quebec are limited in the job getting him to this point, but I just participants at the champion- would be no reduction in the of Birmingham from July 27 to number of tests that we have, why are we don’t know how coming out of this pan- ships,” said FINA President competition schedule. August 7. reopening schools to kids? Obviously there’s demic will affect anybody, let alone Julio Maglione in a statement. “Of course, due to lin- There had been fears that a not going to be enough tests to test all the Kevin. “At a time of unprecedented gering COVID-19 fears here clash would deny British fans kids in school. “When you’ve got enough invested in uncertainty, FINA hopes the in Fukuoka City, we still the chance to see current “It’s not going to be a safe environment a player like Kevin, we’re never going to announcement of these dates cannot let our guard down,” Olympic and world breast- for the parents when the kids go back to push him to come back. When the timing will allow for some clarity in added the mayor. stroke champion Adam Peaty school or for the teachers, who are already is right, he’ll be 100 percent when he gets planning for all concerned.” “However, we will continue going for gold at home. underpaid,” he said. “For two months of on the court." schools, is it worth it?” Durant signed a four-year, $164 million contract to help bolster the Nets, who are aiming to be a top-flight Eastern Conference contender. Snell wins MLB The Show Players League title The 31-year-old Durant is a 10-time All-Star and four-time scoring champ in REUTERS — NEW YORK Snell claimed the “BoFlows” nickname. his 12 on-court seasons. The small best-of-five World Bichette took 24.8 percent of forward was NBA MVP in 2013-14 as a Tampa Bay Rays star and Cy Series 5-1, 3-2, 6-0 on the fan vote and six from his member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Young hurler Blake Snell his to winning 26 of peers. Durant has averaged 27.0 points, 7.1 swept pitcher Lucas Giolito Dwight Smith Jr. of the his final 29 match-ups Blake Snell rebounds and 4.1 assists in 849 career of the Chicago White Sox on Orioles took home Best games. He was the No. 2 overall pick by Sunday to claim the inaugural overall. Snell lost just Manager award for doing the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA MLB The Show Players once over his three more with less. Smith fin- Draft and that franchise moved to League title in dominating play-off series. ished 19-10 and qualified for Oklahoma City after a debut season in fashion. the postseason despite an which Durant won NBA Rookie of the Snell claimed the best-of- O’s team with a 69 overall Year honours. five World Series 5-1, 3-2, 6-0 the 5-1 win. Though Snell rating. Smith earned 34.2 of on his to winning 26 of his took the title, he did not win the fan vote and eight player final 29 match-ups overall. the Best Player Award. That votes. Snell lost just once over his went to Joey Gallo, the No. 2 Brett Phillips of the three play-off series. seed who suffered a stunning Kansas City Royals won Most Kevin Durant For a player who is stead- upset at the hands of seventh- Entertaining Streamer despite fastly stingy on the real seeded Ian Happ in the quar- not winning the fan vote; mound, Snell posted a terfinals. Gallo earned 39.8 Aaron Hicks won In-Game league-leading 145 runs percent of the fan vote and 10 MVP after mashing 14 home during the regular season of from his fellow competitors. runs and a 2.369 OPS in 29 the Players League. Snell came in second. regular-season games for Snell got off to a fast start Gallo also earned Best teammate Tommy Kahnle, in the Series, slugging a Cameo for his own virtual how represented the Yankees leadoff home run with Willy player slugging 13 home runs in the tournament. Adames in Game 1 against in 48 at-bats and posting a Best Reaction goes to Giolito. He followed that up 1.814 OPS. Rhys Hoskins of the Phillies with HRs by Mike Zunino and The Best Twitch Name and Cole Tucker of the Austin Meadows to cruise to went to Bo Bichette’s Pirates. 10 SPORT TUESDAY 5 MAY 2020 Du Plessis quit as captain after one of his career’s ‘toughest’ seasons

AFP — CAPE TOWN wicketkeeper Mark Boucher as coaching staff and suffered Quinton de Kock has been coach and ex-Test captain heavy defeats in all three Tests. made limited overs captain Former South African captain Graeme Smith as director of “I was up for the fight but but a new Test skipper has yet Faf du Plessis said yesterday he cricket. the sheer amount of pressure to be appointed. remained committed to the Du Plessis said what had that the India team put on us I was up for the fight But Du Plessis said he was national team despite standing been an “emotional roller- took us to a breaking point,” he fully committed to providing down from the role after one of coaster” started with a poor admitted. but the sheer amount the support to a new lead- Australia’s his most challenging campaigns. 2019 World Cup campaign in “It was obvious to me that of pressure that the ership group and an enforced In a pre-recorded interview England. as a Test team we weren’t near India team put on us time away from the game Labuschagne released by Cricket South It got even tougher when where we wanted to be.” because of a COVID-19 Africa, 35-year-old Du Plessis South Africa went to India with - ‘TheThe good fightfight’ - took us to a breaking lockdown had reminded him wants to revealed some of the thinkinghinking an inexperi-inexperi- GoingGoing into thethe 2019/20 point. It was obvious how much he enjoyed playing behind his decision to ggiveive up encedenced season,season, Du PPlessislessis was one to me that as a Test cricket and how much he flourish across the position in February.y. team ofof South Africa’s most suc-suc- wanted to remain involved He also said the decisionision to andand cessfulcessful Test skippers,skippers, with team we weren’t near with South Africa rather than all formats rest him from most of thee councoun-- 17 wins in 29 where we wanted to signing a contract to play try’s limited over matcheses in tthehe matches.matches. overseas. past campaign had beenn at his ButBut desdespitepite be: Faf du Plessis “I have been a captain REUTERS — MELBOURNE request. Boucher’sB oucher’s since the age of 13 and I’ve “The season gonee by is appointment, backed by the always looked at myself as a Australia’s Marnus probably one of the toughestughest I experience ofof Jacques 18-15 win-loss record in 36 leader before a player,” he Labuschagne (pictured) wants had to face over my career Kallis as a battingbatting cocon-n- Tests. said. to enhance his power-hitting because it had a lot of differentifferent sultant,sultant, the defeats in “Then the pressure really “I enjoy that more than ability in one-day interna- elements to it that wasn’tsn’t just IndiaInndia were followed started pointing towards me anything else so I will always tionals as he seeks to establish cricket,” he said. byb a 3-1 homehome and a lot of energy was pushed miss it but I do think the time himself as an all-format He did not elaboratee on tthehe losslol ss in a homehome towards me. I just felt at the is right for me to move on to player, the 25-year-old said “elements” but it was a perioperiodd seriesses ries agaagainstinst time that I had been fighting the what will be a position of yesterday. during which there was turmoil England good fight for the Proteas and I growing other leaders. Labuschagne has been a in the administration of SSouthouthh whwhichich gave it my absolute everything,” “This is something I have revelation in Test cricket since African cricket, culminatingting meantm ean t he said. looked at as my real purpose stepping up as Steve Smith’s in the suspension of chiefef Faf du Plessis he ffin-in- “On reflection after the Test in the next year for the Proteas concussion substitute at Lord’s executive Thabangg ishedished series, I went away and that was - to really get stuck in and in last year’s Ashes series in Morne and the withwith when I thought it was the right grow guys and share my England. appointment of former an time,” he added. experience.” In the subsequent series against Pakistan and New Zealand, the right-hander smashed four centuries in five India's Shami considered tests, including a maiden double hundred in Sydney earlier this year. suicide before comeback The South Africa-born batsman made his one-day debut in India earlier this year and smashed his maiden AFP — NEW DELHI century in this format against the country of his birth in India fast bowler Mohammed March. Shami has revealed how he “There’s heaps to improve thought of committing suicide Shoaib Akhtar on, that’s for sure,” the top while struggling with personal order batsman said in a video problems before making a conference. spectacular comeback to the “Personally, in one-day national side. cricket, an area I want to con- Shami battled weight issues, Pakistan's Akhtar tinue to get better at is that injury and a legal quarrel with later stages in the innings, the his estranged wife before a boundary options at the back- stellar performance at the open to coaching end of a one-day game. World Cup last year re-estab- “Batting at four in that lished the 29-year-old as a key one-day lineup, that’s defi- player. Indian fast bowlers nitely something I’m going to With cricket and sports need to continue to improve halted in the coronavirus IANS — LAHORE current ones who will tell-off at.” lockdown, Shami opened up the batsmen in a way that you Mohammed Shami (right) reacts with captain Virat Kohli as they Australia’s chairman of about his own and his family’s With the world coming to a will enjoy a lot.” walk back to the pavilion during the first day of the first Test selectors Trevor Hohns has fears to team-mate Rohit standstill due to the corona- Earlier, Akhtar had pro- said they do not want to “over- Sharma during an exchange on against Bangladesh, in this file photo. virus pandemic, former and posed a series between India burden” Labuschagne at this Instagram. current sportspersons have and Pakistan to help raise funds stage with another format but “I think if my family had not I might jump from the balcony.” academy in Dehradun. “Then been interacting on social to fight the pandemic. the batsman harbours supported me back then I Shami’s contract with the my family explained that every media to keep fans engaged While former India Twenty20 dreams. “By no would have lost my cricket. I Board of Control for Cricket in problem has a solution no and former Pakistan fast skipper Kapil Dev was against means do I want to limit thought of committing suicide India was withheld in 2018 matter how big the problem. My bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said the idea, Akhtar found the myself to those two formats, I three times during that period because of allegations of brother supported me a lot.” that he would love to take up support of former captain definitely have the ambition due to severe stress,” said domestic violence, only to be A lean and hungry Shami an offer to coach the Indian fast Shahid Afridi. to play T20 cricket for Aus- Shami. reinstated later. made a strong comeback in the bowlers. “The entire world is fighting tralia,” Labuschagne said. “I was not thinking about The bowler also struggled Indian team at the 50-over In an interview on social against coronavirus and we “...It doesn’t look like there cricket at all. We were living on with injury that saw him spend World Cup. networking app Helo, Akhtar need unity in our region to might be too many other the 24th floor. They were scared nearly a year on the sidelines, He took 14 wickets in four said that he has never stepped defeat this common enemy. opportunities but, for me, it’s leading to weight gain. He said games including a match- back from sharing his Such negative comments don’t about scoring runs in one-day his family and friends helped winning hat-trick. knowledge and he would be help at all. I don’t see anything and Test cricket and if I get him bounce back. Shami has claimed 180 more than happy to do the wrong with Shoaib Akhtar’s opportunities down the road “My two or three friends wickets in 49 Tests and 144 same with Indian bowlers. suggestion for Pakistan and then make sure I take them.” used to stay with me for 24 scalps in 77 one-day interna- Asked if he was open to India to play cricket. “Once you’ve played that I think if my family hours (during my days of tionals since making his debut coach the Indian team if such “Kapil’s reaction has sur- initial season in any format, had not supported depression). My parents asked for India in 2013. an offer came, he said: “I will prised me. I expected better people start knowing you and me back then I would me to focus on cricket to Skipper Virat Kohli heaped definitely. My job is to spread from him and feel one should knowing how you play, so they recover from that phase and not praise on the fast bowler, knowledge. What I have not talk like this in these crisis come back more rehearsed, have lost my cricket: think about anything else,” he saying, “he is someone who can learned is (ilm) knowledge and times. Sport is supposed to more researched and they Mohammed Shami said. change the complexion of the I will spread it. I will produce bring people together and build understand your game a lot “I started training then and match totally when you don’t more aggressive, fast and more bridges. It is pretty disap- better,” he said. sweated it out a lot at an see it coming”. talkative bowlers than the pointing,” he said. Froome unsure if Tour de France Virus forces 2020 Women’s organisers can prevent gatherings Tour of Britain cancellation PARIS — REUTERS Froome, who won the Tour in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 AFP — LONDON Cycling and the UCI, we have Britain’s four-time Tour de and is one victory away from decided to work towards June France champion Chris Froome equalling the record held by This year’s edition of cycling’s 2021 for the next edition of the (pictured) is unsure if the Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Women’s Tour of Britain has Women’s Tour, and will not organisers can fully prevent Bernard Hinault and Miguel been cancelled due to the Following discussions seek to re-arrange the race large crowds from gathering at Indurain, is using the delay to coronavirus, organisers with stakeholders later in 2020,” SweetSpot the race that was rescheduled make up the training time he announced yesterday. and sponsors, as well Group chairman Hugh due to the COVID-19 pandemic. lost after a crash last year. The stage race, first run in Roberts told the BBC. The Tour, scheduled to start The 34-year-old spent over 2014, had been due to take as British Cycling “We recognise the on June 27, was pushed back to three weeks in hospital after place from June 8-13 and was and the UCI, we have unprecedented nature of the Aug. 29 due to the outbreak. breaking his neck, femur, initially postponed in March current global situation and Mass gatherings have been elbow, hip and ribs in a high- following the outbreak of the decided to work the challenges for the UCI cal- banned in France until Sep- speed crash while training for pandemic. towards June 2021 endar and so wanted to take tember, with the country the Criterium du Dauphine in But organisers SweetSpot for the next edition an early decision not to look recording more than 168,000 June. have now decided it cannot for an alternative 2020 date.” coronavirus cases and over “Some days I’m doing up to be run this year and have of the Women’s Tour, The UCI is set to release a 24,000 deaths. cricketer Kevin Pietersen. six hours sitting on the sta- instead asked the Interna- and will not seek to revised race calendar for this “Would the organisers be “You’re not going to get the tionary trainer -- big days,” tional Cycling Union (UCI), season today ahead of able to keep people from same scenes as you would get Froome said. world cycling’s governing re-arrange the race announcing dates for next coming and gathering in large going through these tunnels of “A lot of the training I’ve body, for permission to stage later in 2020: Hugh year in the months ahead. crowds? In theory we can put just people everywhere and all been doing has been indoors so next year’s edition from June Roberts Britain’s Lizzie Deignan on the race and it can be the rest of it. it’s almost prepared me for this 7-12, 2021. became the first cyclist to win broadcast on television,” “Maybe that’s the version of whole lockdown period, and “Following discussions the Women’s Tour twice when Froome said in an Instagram the race we need to see this mentally I’m able to get through with stakeholders and sponsors, as well as British she won the 2019 edition. chat with former England year. I don’t know.” it a bit easier.” TUESDAY 5 MAY 2020 SPORT 11 Lloris wants Ronaldo recalled from Portugal Premier League title as gets back to training settled on

AFP – MILAN resumption of the champi- A man wearing a protective face mask cycles past the pitch onship, for now, is not really a mural of Juventus’ outside of Cristiano Ronaldo has been discussed.” Spadafora added, as AFP – PARIS Juventus’ Allianz Stadium yesterday. recalled from Portugal as Serie if to confirm his difficult rela- A clubs get back to individual tionship with professional Hugo Lloris believes that training yesterday after a two- football: “Now excuse me, but ending the English Premier month coronavirus lockdown, I’m returning to take care of all League season without but doubts remain over whether the other sports and sports declaring Liverpool cham- the championship can return. centres (gymnasiums, dance pions would be “cruel”, but the The interior ministry’s go- centres, swimming pools) which Tottenham captain wants the ahead for players to return to must reopen as soon as pos- final table decided on the field. club training facilities two sible.” The Corriere dello Sport The goalkeeper is fol- weeks ahead of schedule has daily on Monday created a lowing the English social iso- offered fans hope that the front-page photo of the minister lation rules at home with his 2019-20 season might yet be with a dagger about to burst a family in London, helping his saved. ball, with the headline “Attack two oldest daughters with The government was on Calcio”. their homework while trying responding after regions that Officially, all 20 Serie A to stay fit in case the reason had avoided the worst of the teams have unanimously restarts. pandemic took matters into backed a return to competition, “We’re in a situation where their own hands and gave per- despite reservations from clubs local governments, teams such activities.” Champions Juventus “The contagion is still everyone wants to finish and mission to clubs to open their such as Brescia and Torino, in as Napoli and Parma have fol- have recalled their overseas important and we are not yet get the verdict from the pitch,” facilities for players to train on the north of Italy, which was lowed the lead of Lazio -- who players, including Ronaldo, who out of the problem,” Cairo said Lloris told French sports daily their own. particularly hard hit. trailed leaders Juventus by just once back from the Portuguese on the 71th anniversary of the L’Equipe. But sports minister Vin- Torino president Urbano a point when play was sus- island of Madeira will have to Superga tragedy, a plane crash “It would be terrible if it all cenzo Spadafora has warned Cairo conceded there were pended -- and set dates this spend two weeks in which killed all the members of ended like that with nine or 10 that although individual “divergent opinions”. week for players to train. quarantine. the legendary ‘Il Grande Torino’ games to go in the Premier training can resume, training With the league suspended Sassuolo became the first Juventus began carrying out team. League. We’re coming into the in groups must wait until May since March 9, football author- team to resume individual medical tests on their players at “We must be on high alert. most exciting, beautiful time 18. And with Italy still in the ities point to the severe eco- training yesterday, with Bologna the club’s J-Medicial centre in The restart on a day like this is of the season. Nobody wants grip of the pandemic which has nomic impact for a sector which set to follow today, then Lazio Turin on Monday, local media something symbolic.” The it to end like this.” killed nearly 29,000, it is according to the federation and Roma after their players reported. Italian Football Federation Liverpool lead the table by uncertain when matches will posts a turnover of €4.7bn and staff undergo coronavirus The first to arrive were Fed- (FIGC) will hold a meeting on 25 points. be able to restart. ($5.1bn) and employs more than tests. erico Bernardeschi, Juan May 8 which could be decisive, “It would be cruel for Liv- “Nothing has changed com- 120,000 people. Inter Milan said “first-team Cuadrado, Carlo Pinsoglio, although president Gabriele erpool with the lead they have. pared to what I have always Clubs from the less affected players will, on a voluntary and Aaron Gravina warned he would They’re practically champions. said about football,” said areas of the country have been basis, be able to make use of the Ramsey, all wearing face masks. “never sign for the end of the There would be a taste of the Spadafora. talking about going back to pitches at the Suning Training City rivals Torino are also championships”, which he said unfinished business.” “Team training will not training for weeks. Centre in Appiano Gentile over cautiously preparing to return would be “the death of Italian The France captain says resume before May 18 and the Following decisions from the coming days for individual to training. football”. that resuming the Premier League without fans will be strange. “It’ll be weird wherever it happens. Football is not a closed-door sport,” he said. “Without spectators, it’s not the same sport. That’s not how I see football. “We’re here to bond, to share our emotions. We all want full stadiums, with atmosphere, fans, colour and song. But you have to take the context into consideration.” A general view outside the Juventus’ Allianz Stadium after Italy allowed Serie The British government A teams to start training individually as the country begins a staged end to a still has not given any indi- nationwide lockdown due to a spread of the coronavirus in Turin, Italy, yesterday. cation when football will be able to resume. “We have to be ready. Just in case,” said Lloris, who was among the players to return to Players should be able to snub Tottenham’s training centre Spanish rivals want last week for individual sessions. Premier League return: Sordell The World Cup winner contributed the gloves he wore AFP – LONDON Sordell, who also featured for fans at Copa final when Tottenham lost the 2019 Burnley and Bolton before retiring last Champions League final to Players should be allowed to refuse to year, believes players should only REUTERS – SEVILLE Liverpool in France for one take part if the Premier League resumes return if they are comfortable with their Spanish soccer association, have agreed charity auction. They raised amid the coronavirus crisis, former personal situations while the virus is Spanish soccer clubs Athletic Bilbao and to request that the final is played with €4,800 ($5,250). Watford forward Marvin Sordell said still a threat. Real Sociedad want their postponed Copa supporters at a later date to be agreed by He also organised a France yesterday. “Some people will be living on their del Rey final to be rescheduled for when the three parties,” the clubs said. team auction with Blaise Premier League chiefs hope the own and they won’t have any respon- the coronavirus is no longer a threat so “Both clubs have always wanted our Matuidi, the Juventus mid- season can be finished over the sibilities in that sense, or those fears it can be played with spectators, they said supporters to be able to attend the match, fielder, and Raphael Varane, summer, but their ‘Project Restart’ has that they may pass the virus onto in a joint statement yesterday. what we want more than anything is to the Real Madrid defender, and come in for criticism for potentially somebody else if they contracted it The first final between the two pres- have a Cup final with our supporters in raised more than €300,000 putting players at risk. themselves,” Sordell told Britain’s Press tigious Basque clubs was due to be held the stands.” for Paris hospitals. Although the Premier League is Association. on April 18 in Seville until all organised The statement added that the two reportedly willing to pay for testing for “There will be other players who soccer was indefinitely postponed in clubs had asked the Federation’s exec- players and staff if matches resume, live with their parents, or they are their March as COVID-19 swept Spain. utive committee at its next meeting on that has not been enough ease the fears parents’ only means of being able to Stakeholders are confident the May 8 to guarantee that the final would of some stars. get food. Spanish League season can resume in be declared an official competition and “Their partners might be pregnant mid-June in closed stadiums without would be played with fans present. We’re coming into the or they might have young kids, and spectators, with fans not expected to be Over 25,000 people have died from most exciting, beautiful some might have underlying health able to return to grounds until 2021. the novel coronavirus in Spain although time of the season. conditions. Some players themselves But the Copa finalists do not wish the the daily infection rate and death toll has Nobody wants it to end I think people’s own situations might have underlying health showpiece match to take place in an dropped significantly. like this. It would be cruel need to be respected. If they want conditions. empty stadium and are willing to wait as Yesterday, professional athletes were for Liverpool with the to play, and it’s safe to do so, then “I think people’s own situations long as it takes to ensure their fans can able to train on an individual basis for lead they have. They’re allow them to play. If they don’t need to be respected. If they want to enjoy the final. the first time since the crisis began practically champions. want to play because they don’t play, and it’s safe to do so, then allow “The presidents of Copa del Rey although soccer clubs are not expected There would be a taste of think it’s safe to do so, I think that them to play. If they don’t want to play finalists Athletic Club and Real Sociedad, to return to training grounds until their the unfinished business: needs to be respected: Sordell because they don’t think it’s safe to do after meeting with the president of the players have tested negative for the virus. Hugo Lloris so, I think that needs to be respected.” German league hopes for restart despite 10 positive cases

AFP – BERLIN or matches,” the DFL said in a the plans for Bundesliga statement. teams to finish its interrupted Germany’s football league The positive results, around season. insisted yesterday the mass 0.5 percent of the total, all came Germany’s top clubs are testing of players and backroom from the first batch of tests as desperate for the season to be staff was “providing protection” the German league prepares to completed by June 30 in order after 10 cases of coronavirus restart matches from the to claim a €300m ($325m) across the top two divisions weekend of May 16 in empty sta- instalment of money due from raised questions about its plans diums and with strict hygiene the league’s television to resume matches this month. measures. contract. Yesterday, the German The league’s plans to become Thirteen of the 36 clubs in Football League (DFL) reported the first major European football the top two leagues are that out of 1,724 tests, 10 had competition to restart since the reportedly under severe returned a positive result, three season was halted in mid-March financial pressure due to the of which are already known to hinge on the regular testing of Players of FC Cologne attend a training session, after the club announced the positive testing of pandemic. involve Bundesliga side players. three players on COVID-19 in Cologne, Germany, yesterday. Some politicians also want Cologne. The DFL did not specify league games switched from “The tests carried out over which clubs the positive tests pay-per-view broadcaster Sky the past few days have fulfilled came from, but the individuals comes as the league is hoping to According to the regula- 14-day isolation period. Horst to state channels to encourage their purpose of providing addi- concerned have immediately get the green light to resume tions in force in Germany, Seehofer, fans to stay at home and not tional safety and thus protecting been quarantined and the local from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s anyone who has been in Germany’s Interior Min- gather to watch matches in players as best as possible from health authorities informed. federal government on contact with a positive case of ister who has responsibility public places which have a infection during team training The news of the positive tests Wednesday. coronavirus must observe a for sport, has said he supports subscription.