CCRICKETRICKET | Page 5 NNBABA | Page 3 Crawley sees Pistons’ Casey Aussie echoes applauds ‘the in England beginning of competition the changes’

Saturday, June 27, 2020 TENNIS Dhul Qa’da 6, 1441 AH Davis Cup and GULF TIMES Fed Cup fi nals postponed to 2021 SPORT Page 6

RACING FOCUS Djoko’s coach Sheikh Mohamed’s Big Five wins Ivanisevic also Prix Matahawk in France positive for Agencies coronavirus Deauville, France

is Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani-owned Big Five Hopened his scorecard in the Prix Matahawk at Clairefontaine, Deau- ville, in France yesterday. The debutant bay gelding, which is also bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed, ran a little green in the 2400m race for three-year- old maidens. The Francis-Henri Graff ard-trained Big Five had to hold in the straight line to fi nd the gap, but fi nished bravely under Pierre- Charles Boudot to get his head in front of Keep Away, who ran in the colours of Ecurie Normandie Pur Sang and fi nished second for trainer A. Schutz with Ronan Thomas astride. Rockwood, trained by JP. Carvalho and owned by BB Bloodstock GBR, was further two-and-a-half lengths behind in third un- der Ioritz Mendizabal. Big Five was gelded last November. He is a brother to the superstar Flotilla, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (Group 1) and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1). Big Five was bred by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Al Pierre-Charles Boudot rides His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani’s Big Five to Prix Matahawk victory at Clairefontaine, Shahania Stud at Haras des Cruchettes. Deauville, in France yesterday. (Scoopdyga) AFP Zagreb SPOTLIGHT

roatia’s former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic said yesterday he has tested posi- Ctive for coronavirus just days after attending an exhibition tournament organised by world number one Novak Djokovic, whom he coaches. “Unfortunately...I have just found out that I tested ‘It’s for you’, tearful positive to Covid-19,” Ivanisevic said on Instagram. “I feel good and I don’t have any symptoms,” the 48-year-old Croat said and asked everyone who has been in close contact with him to take good care of themselves and their loved ones. “I will continue to self-isolate,” said Ivanisevic, add- ing that he had tested negative twice in the past 10 days. Ivanisevic is part of world number one Djokovic’s Klopp to Reds fans coaching team and was the director of the now-aban- doned Adria Tour which led to several top players be- coming infected with coronavirus. ‘IT’S SUCH A BIG MOMENT, I AM COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED’ Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all tested positive after taking part in the sec- AFP ond leg of the event held in Zadar, on Croatia’s Adriatic Liverpool coast, last Sunday. Players had embraced across the net, played basket- ball and even danced in a nightclub the week in the fi rst iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was leg played in Belgrade. overcome with emotion as he dedi- Djokovic was widely criticised for hosting the charity Lcated the club’s fi rst league title in 30 tournament. years to the fans on Thursday. On Tuesday he issued an unstinting apology for the Klopp wiped away tears of joy during a tel- now-cancelled Adria Tour, where social distancing was evision interview minutes after Chelsea’s 2-1 minimal and matches were played in front of thousands win against Manchester City sealed the Pre- of fans. mier League crown for Liverpool. The 33-year-old Serbian has said he is “so deeply “It’s such a big moment, I am completely sorry” that the tournament “caused harm”. overwhelmed,” Klopp told Sky Sports. His wife Jelena has also tested positive after the cou- “Tonight it is for you out there,” added ple travelled back from Croatia to Belgrade to be tested. Klopp. Ivanisevic strongly defended Djokovic after the tour- “It’s incredible. I hope you stay at home, nament. or go in front of your house if you want, but “Everyone is so smart now and many attack Novak, it not more. We do it together in this moment is rather popular,” he told local media this week. and it is a joy to do it for you.” The Croat argued Djokovic “tried to make something Thousands ignored Klopp’s plea to respect big, something with a charitable character after we social distancing rules amid the coronavirus were all locked up for three months”. as they partied the night away in the streets Meanwhile, Coric has told fans he is feeling well and around Anfi eld. experiencing no symptoms. But the German promised Liverpool will Liverpool fans celebrate winning the Premier League with flares outside Anfield after Chelsea won their match against Manchester City on “A few days have passed since I tested positive for hold a celebratory parade through the city Thursday. At right, file photo of Jurgen Klopp. Covid-19,” world number 33 Coric said on Twitter, with when it is safe to do so. a picture of him standing on a treadmill. “We will create pictures in the future with me to coach them,” said Klopp, who watched “What a season. We’ve been incredible. To be “I think back then if you’d have said it “I’m extremely grateful that I still feel well and don’t the parade whenever it will be for all our sup- City’s defeat alongside his players at a hotel. part of this group of players and part of this would take 30 years you’d have been arrested have any symptoms...TY very much for all the messages porters,” added Klopp. “We will be together “It’s just been a really exciting ride from journey is incredible and I am very proud to and sectioned, but sometimes things hap- of love and support I have received whilst isolating.” and enjoy this in a proper manner.” the fi rst day I arrived and it is not over yet, be able to call myself a Premier League win- pen,” Dalglish told BT Sport. Djokovic has apologised and said the timing of the The long-awaited title was clinched that’s the good thing. ner,” he said. “Since Jurgen came in, it has been very event was “too soon” while world number three Do- without Liverpool kicking a ball as City’s “The team all look like they have a good “In the league this year we have taken it positive all the way. He’s been fantastic and minic Thiem, who played in the Belgrade leg, said play- defeat meant Klopp’s men have an unassail- few years in their legs but for tonight we just to another level. We have been so consistent he epitomises everything that Liverpool ers behaved “too euphorically”. able 23-point lead at the top of the Premier enjoy this moment. It is the best thing I can and played so well.” stands for. Djokovic’s compatriot, Manchester United midfi eld- League with seven games to play. imagine, it’s more than I ever dreamed of to Liverpool’s principal owner John W Hen- “I think there will be plenty more days to er Nemanja Matic, came to his defence, saying there has A fi rst league title in three decades caps a be honest.” ry, whose Fenway Sports Group bought the look forward to as long as Jurgen is there.” been a “campaign” against him despite the event break- meteoric rise for the Reds back to the top of Virgil Van Dijk’s signing from South- club in 2010, paid tribute to their incredible Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted ing no local rules. the English game after Klopp arrived in 2015 ampton in 2018 has proved one of the key campaign. the Champions League trophy last season In an open letter published by Serbian media, Matic with the club struggling just to break into the moments in Liverpool’s renaissance under “This was a season for the ages and for the and the midfi elder said clinching the Premier said the “mice” had came out of their holes to criticise top four. But the former Borussia Dortmund Klopp. faithful of Liverpool Football Club,” Henry League was just as sweet. Djokovic. coach remains hungry for more silverware in The Dutch defender said Liverpool had to tweeted. “I’m just a little bit overwhelmed right “Very soon the cat will be on the court, and the the coming years with most of his squad still raise their game even higher this season to Kenny Dalglish, who won three titles as now, it’s just an amazing feeling and just so mice back in the hole,” he wrote.”The only thing I hold in their prime. overhaul City after a club record 97 points Liverpool manager and was the last man to proud of what we’ve achieved,” he said. against Novak is that he apologised to the mice who “What they did over the last two or three was still only good enough for second last guide them to the trophy in 1990, admitted “Another moment in our lives that we’ll criticise him for no reason. years is just exceptional and a pure joy for season. he never expected the wait to be so long. never forget.” “No, Nole.They will apologise to you — soon.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, June 27, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS LA LIGA No word from Barca on Arthur departure, ‘More than just says manager Setien

AFP Madrid, Spain football’, media hail uique Setien said yes- terday that Barcelona Qhad not told him that Arthur Melo was leav- ing the Catalan giants, with the Brazil midfi elder being tipped to move to Juventus. Klopp, Liverpool “I’m counting on him and he has a chance to play,” Setien told reporters ahead of Barca’s La Liga Clinching the title with seven games to spare has never been done before match at Celta Vigo on today. “We need to make sure that this noise doesn’t aff ect him and that he is able to give his very best. The club has not told me that he will be sold.” Spanish and Italian media re- port that Arthur, 23, will move to Serie A leaders and reigning champions Juve, with Miralem the fact that he still has things to Pjanic moving in the other direc- do here, leave a good memory and tion. be honest until the end.” The Gazzetta Dello Sport re- Barca are second in La Liga, ports that the deal will see Juve level on 68 points with leaders pay Barca 10 million euros ($11.2 Real Madrid, and go into today’s million), and that Arthur has clash at Celta Vigo with a tight agreed personal terms with Juve. tussle for the title awaiting them “I don’t now if he will leave, with seven games remaining in some people say it’s better to the season. keep him because of his young “(The current situation) is not Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp. (AFP) age, others the opposite,” added normal, it all to play for and any Setien. player in that situation knows that AFP land, puncturing sport’s ability “He will be with us until the fi - the season is not over,” said Setien. London, United Kingdom to pretend the rest of the world nal match of the season, and if he “I don’t doubt for a minute the is simply a subplot,” he wrote. thinks of leaving afterwards, he professionalism and the honesty “But sport has many func- needs to manage that, think about of the players until the last day.” fter Liverpool play- tions beyond simply fl ag-wav- ers and fans celebrated ing and Liverpool’s success will Aa fi rst league title in be deeply felt at a club where, as 30 years long into the with every other club, football French Cup fi nal between PSG and St night, yesterday’s headlines has always been a bit more than hailed a historic triumph for just football.” Etienne to be held on July 24: FFF Jurgen Klopp’s all-conquering Ronay says Liverpool’s play- The French Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and St Etienne squad. ers were on another level to their has been rescheduled for July 24, the French football federation German coach Klopp won rivals, like the bully in the school said yesterday. It will be the first off icial professional game in universal praise for his transfor- playground. Two young Liverpool fans have their photographs taken beneath the club crest as supporters celebrate France since play was halted in March amid the Covid-19 crisis. FFF mation of the club since taking “From late summer into winning their first Premier League title in 30 years outside Anfield stadium in Liverpool yesterday. (AFP) president Noel Le Graet added that the League Cup final between charge fi ve years ago. spring they seemed to be oper- PSG, who were crowned Ligue 1 champions after the season was Liverpool have not just won ating to a diff erent set of physi- storing domestic dominance, coverage of the Hillsborough to move to Papua New Guinea off icially halted on April 30, and Olympique Lyonnais, would be the league, but are on course to cal laws,” he writes. despite Liverpool’s rich Euro- tragedy which saw 96 support- if Liverpool’s long wait came to played a week later. “The French Cup final will be held on the rewrite the record books. “Marching the Premier pean history. ers killed in 1989. an end. 24th and the League Cup final on the 31st. At the moment, We’re Clinching the title with seven League around in a headlock, “There is something about However, even they paid due Sky posted a spoof video on at 5,000 (people allowed in the stands), so maybe we’ll make games to spare has never been ruffl ing its hair, fl icking its ears.” domestic dominance that brings homage to Klopp and his team’s Twitter of pundits trying to a request to try and get more,” Le Graet told the FFF assembly done before and Manchester The Daily Mail hailed the con- a deeper, richer sense of pride,” style of play. chase down Neville as he board- yesterday. The FFF also confirmed that the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season City’s record 100 points tally and nection between Klopp and his said Matt Dickinson. “Jurgen Klopp’s swashbuckling ed a plane to the south Pacifi c would start on the weekend of August 22. 19-point winning margin from adopted city. “Perhaps you can see it in the side have enjoyed the most domi- island. two seasons ago are under threat. “From the start, he and Liv- Museum of Liverpool where you nant campaign in the history of Former England cricket star Relief on Merseyside was all erpool felt made for each other,” walk up the stairs and see a big the English top fl ight,” it purred. Kevin Pietersen, never one to Amiens, Toulouse set for relegation as the greater after a three-month wrote Martin Samuel. “He got sign proclaiming ‘The People’s On Twitter former players shirk either controversy or pub- FFF approves 20-team Ligue 1 delay to the Premier League sea- the club, he got the city, he got Republic’. Or in the shop where exchanged banter with former licity, also stirred the pot on so- son due to coronavirus. its people.” they sell Scouse passports. Liverpool defender Jamie Car- cial media. Amiens and Toulouse are set for relegation, barring further legal The Guardian’s Barney Ronay Klopp already delivered on “And in the booing of the na- ragher photo-shopping fellow “Liverpool winning the PL challenges, after the French football federation (FFF) signed off said the title win was an “anni- his promise to win a trophy in- tional anthem whenever Liver- Sky pundit and Manchester couldn’t have come at a better on a 20-team Ligue 1 for the 2020-2021 season. The two clubs had hilation” and a culmination of 18 side his fi rst four years in charge pool play at Wembley, declaring United great Gary Neville in a time — when there’s no crowds been hoping to stay in an expanded top flight after they came last months of the players “playing with the Champions League last a sense of separatism.” Liverpool shirt with a bottle of & zero interest!” in rankings calculated for the previous season when it was cut through a kind of fury”. season. The Sun is not welcomed champagne. The manner in which the Liv- short by the coronavirus pandemic. They won a respite last month “Death, plague and economic However, The Times high- in Liverpool with the tabloid Neville had joked earlier in erpool fans celebrated on Thurs- when an administrative court ordered the Ligue de Football Pro- collapse may have stalked the lighted the importance of re- banned from sale owing to their the season that he would have day was a form of riposte. fessionnel (LFP) to reconsider the format of Ligue 1 for the coming season. But the LFP, after consulting the FFF, decided on Tuesday to keep Ligue 1 restricted to 20 clubs. Yesterday, the FFF in turn England FA slammed for snubbing COMMENT signed off on a new 4-year agreement with the LFP drawn up on that basis. Lorient and Lens are due for promotion from Ligue 2 to Australia, New Zealand World Cup bid replace the two relegated teams. AFP Clarke also reportedly Sydney, Australia snubbed a phone call from Nuno believes Wolves will keep New Zealand PM Jacinda Police rebuke Liverpool fans aft er Ardern as she lobbied to Premier League street party he English FA came get the bid over the line. stars without European football Tin for stinging criti- “I don’t find it very funny,” Police criticised Liverpool fans after thousands poured into the cism yesterday after Football Federation Aus- AFP ing for a top-four secure a place among Europe’s streets around Anfield to celebrate their Premier League triumph, voting for Colombia to host tralia chief executive James London, United Kingdom fi nish in only elite. urging them to show caution during the coronavirus pandemic. the 2023 women’s World Johnson told Fox Sports. their second sea- But an upbeat Nuno said yes- Jubilant supporters thronged the area after Chelsea beat Man- Cup over Australia and “We are disappointed.” son back in the terday: “I don’t think that’s the chester City in London, guaranteeing an end to Liverpool’s 30-year New Zealand. Clarke’s decision was in line olverhampton Premier League. reason they are here. The reason wait to win the English top-flight crown. Assistant chief constable The bid won 22 of the 35 with the way UEFA voted. Wanderers man- Nuno’s side are is they enjoy working together Rob Carden said Merseyside had been “disproportionately af- valid votes cast by FIFA “It was a choice between ager Nuno Espirito currently sixth, so we don’t have to achieve any- fected” by the coronavirus crisis and people had a responsibility to WSanto Council members, with Eng- two countries where is confi dent fi ve points behind fourth-placed thing to retain them.” prevent further cases. “Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout lish FA chairman Greg Clarke women’s football is already the club can retain their best Chelsea and level on points with “We don’t think about that the lockdown period, not everyone adhered to the regulations in siding with Colombia. strongly established, and a players even if they fail in a sur- Manchester United. (the top four). There’s no race for place. Although the vast majority of celebrations were good- The joint bid scored far continent where it still has prise bid to qualify for next sea- Ruben Neves, Adama Traore anything, the race is to compete, natured, a large number of people chose to gather outside the higher in the evaluation to be firmly implanted,” a son’s Champions League. and Raul Jimenez have all been improve and make good games.” stadium.” Police off icers were seen in the area as fans celebrated report than their rivals. UEFA statement said. Wolves travel to Midlands ri- linked with moves away from He added: “I’m very proud of but no attempts were made to disperse the good-natured crowd. vals Aston Villa today still push- Molineux should Wolves fail to the work we have been doing...” Swiss prosecutors widen FIFA probe BUNDESLIGA to former UEFA president Platini Swiss federal prosecutors are targeting former European football head Michel Platini in a widening of their probe into a 2mn Swiss franc ($2.1mn) payment arranged by former FIFA president Sepp Bremen, Hamburg fi ghting to avoid relegation Blatter, the Off ice of the Attorney General (OAG) said yesterday. Swiss prosecutors have been probing Blatter over accusations he AFP Bremen must win at home If they are to survive, the club Should Hamburg come third in said he will decide his future at arranged a payment of two mn Swiss francs ($2.06mn) from FIFA Berlin, Germany against Cologne and hope Union from northern Germany must the second tier and Bremen man- the “end of the season”. to then UEFA president Platini in February 2011. Blatter and Platini, Berlin beat Fortuna Duesseldorf stop history repeating itself. age 16th in the Bundesliga, there A win could lift Peter Bosz’s who captained France to victory in the 1984 European Champion- in the capital. By coincidence, it was a 5-0 would be a heated northern Ger- Leverkusen to fourth and into ship on home soil, were both banned in 2016 from soccer for six erder Bremen have If Duesseldorf draw, Bremen, home defeat to today’s op- man derby in the two-legged pro- the Champions League places, years over the payment, made with Blatter’s approval for work one fi nal chance who are winless in their last 14 ponents Cologne in May 1980 motion/relegation play-off . providing Moenchengladbach done a decade earlier. Both have denied any wrongdoing. Wto avoid automatic home league games, will need which sealed their only previous “I would rather see Hamburg lose at home to Hertha Berlin. relegation today on to win by four goals against Co- relegation. play Duesseldorf in the play- Havertz’s decision could be the last weekend of the Bundes- logne to climb to 16th and give Until the season before last, off s — I wouldn’t want to face infl uenced by whether or not Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations liga season while fellow fallen themselves the hope of a two- Bremen’s arch-rival Hamburg Bremen,” former Hamburg leg- Leverkusen play Champions fi nals could be postponed giants Hamburg will also make a legged relegation/promotion was the longest-serving Bun- end Uwe Seeler told Sport Bild. League football next season. last bid to earn a chance to win playoff against the side who fi n- desliga club. If Hamburg are to Bremen have won the ‘Nord- A postponement of January’s Africa Cup of Nations finals could promotion back to Germany’s ish third in the second division. return, they need to win on Sun- derby’ 47 times to their rivals’ 38 TODAY’S FIXTURES be on the cards when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) top-fl ight. In a blow to Bremen, Milot day and hope third-placed Hei- victories with 36 draws. „Borussia Dortmund v Hof- meet next week in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cup The best either team can hope Rashica, the club’s top scorer denheim do not win. One to watch: Kai Havertz Af- fenheim of Nations is set for Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 for is a spot in the playoff for with seven goals this season, is Hamburg, relegated in 2018 ter 10 years at Bayer Leverkusen, „Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz but appears increasingly under threat as time begins to run out. the fi nal Bundesliga slot next doubtful with an ankle injury. for the fi rst time in their his- home-grown in-demand for- „Borussia Moenchenglad- Qualifying is still far from complete and national team football on season. Both must overtake the Duesseldorf and Bremen are tory, blew their chances of au- ward Kai Havertz, 21, could bach v Hertha Berlin the continent is not due to resume before October in the wake of team above them to do it. fi ghting to avoid joining bottom tomatic promotion last Sunday play his last game for the club at „VfL Wolfsburg v Bayern the pandemic. CAF’s executive committee will meet in an online “We owe it to everyone in the side Paderborn, who are already when they leaked two late goals home to Mainz today. Munich conference on Tuesday to decide what to do, and also set out a club to fi ght until the very last relegated. in a 2-1 loss at Heidenheim, who Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man- „Eintracht Frankfort v Pad- possible process for completing this season’s two continental club moment, as long as it is still No other club — not even Bay- leapfrogged into third place. chester United and Bayern Mu- erborn competitions. FIFA’s decision on Thursday to cancel September’s mathematically possible,” said ern Munich, who have already Fourth-placed Hamburg must nich are all reportedly interested „Werder Bremen v Cologne window for national team matches in all regions, except Europe Bremen head coach Florian Ko- won the title before today’s beat mid-table Sandhausen and in the attacking midfi elder. „Freiburg v Schalke 04 and South America, has left CAF with fewer dates to try and com- hfeldt. game at Wolfsburg — has spent hope Heidenheim fail to win at His Leverkusen contract runs „Augsburg v RB Leipzig plete the competition’s qualifying campaign and the finalise the To have any chance of stay- longer in the Bundesliga than Bielefeld, who are already pro- until 2022, with no exit clause, „Union Berlin v Fortuna Dues- field for the 24-team tournament. ing up, second-from-bottom Bremen. moted as champions. and the rising Germany star has seldorf Gulf Times Saturday, June 27, 2020 3 SPORT

NBA NHL Panarin lobbies players to hold out Pistons coach Casey for fi nancial change applauds ‘beginning ‘I hope the ones who are not speaking up take a stand of the changes’ and step up and do so’

By Jim Souhan Star Tribune

wane Casey is one of Reuters ers’ equity continues to grow three black men who Los Angeles exponentially. It is time to fi x Dhave coached the Min- the escrow. We as players can- nesota Timberwolves. not report to camp to resume He owns the third-best win- ew York Rangers for- play without already having an ning percentage of the 13 Wolves ward Artemi Pan- agreement in place. We are all head coaches in franchise his- Narin wants the NHL in this together.” tory. to change a facet The escrow amount is 14%, From 2005 to ’07, he lived in its payroll mechanism before according to multiple media downtown Minneapolis. Now players agree to the league’s reports. coaching the Pistons, Casey was Return to Play plan. The New York Post reported at his home in Detroit when he The 28-year-old left winger Thursday that the NHL Play- fi rst saw video of Derek Chauvin spelled out on his Twitter ac- ers’ Association is set to vote kneeling on the neck of George count when he believes wrong on the league’s protocols for Floyd. with the league’s escrow sys- training camp (Phase 3 of the “I knew it was going to be tem, in which owners with- Return to Play outline) and the something big,” Casey said in a hold money from players’ pay- postseason (Phase 4). phone conversation this week. checks to ensure the proper Panarin also addressed his “It was a public lynching. Even revenue split is achieved by disappointment about the with the camera rolling, he had the end of the season. Under NHL staging its 24-team play- a look on his face that made the current collective-bar- off s in two as-yet-unnamed my stomach turn. I think that’s gaining agreement, players hub cities rather than having why you see the uproar around and teams each receive 50% of teams compete in their home the country, the look on his face the league’s revenue. markets. NHL training camps as he kept his knee on George Panarin wrote, “I am very are scheduled to open July 10, Floyd’s neck, as three other cops much looking forward to the with the expanded postseason stood around watching with no playoff s with the New York due to start around July 30. remorse that they had this hu- Rangers. I have concerns not He wrote, “I know the proc- man being on the ground, dying. only about the health of play- ess for selection of the Hub “I felt that clip right there was ers and their families but also Cities is ongoing. I sincerely the beginning of the changes go- about the long term prosperity wish that my teammates and ing on right now. If you had any of the NHL. I could train and play games at decency at all as a human being, “For nearly two decades, MSG and bring employment that hurt you to the middle of the Players have protected the and economic opportunity your soul.” owners income with escrow, safely back to New York City Casey, 63, coached the Wolves including throughout this for Ranger fans and all New from 2005 until Kevin McHale pandemic crisis, even as own- Yorkers.” fi red him in 2007. McHale re- placed him with Randy Wittman when the Wolves were 20-20. REPORT Wittman fi nished his two-sea- Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey directs action against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on November 25, 2019. (TNS) son stint with a .266 winning percentage. port of white coaches, but Casey “I did meet a lot of great white NBA has 16 players positive McHale should not have fi red believes they make a diff erence. people, and Somalis, and African NFL training camps Casey, who made the playoff s “We have a commissioner, Americans. I do know that the aft er 302 Covid-19 tests in his previous six coaching Adam Silver, who allows us city is a melting pot. seasons with Toronto and De- and encourages us to speak our “You wouldn’t imagine that total of 16 NBA play- In preparation for the planned to open on time troit. That is a sporting injus- minds,” said Casey, the 2018 NBA what happened would happen in ers have tested posi- resumption of play, NBA teams tice. Casey preferred to speak to Coach of the Year. “I’m so proud Minneapolis. The population did A tive for Covid-19 from this week began testing all American injustices, and how of my colleagues. I love that not refl ect that attitude. Maybe 302 tests conducted players and some staff . his league has reacted to the lat- Steve and Gregg and Quin have the police department, but not last Tuesday, the league and its Indiana Pacers playmaker Mal- est unjust killings of people of stepped up. I love what Ryan has the population.” players union announced yes- colm Brogdon and Sacramento colour in our country. “I felt for said. I really wonder what Flip The Kentucky native ex- terday. Kings forward Jabari Parker Minneapolis,” he said. “Not the (Saunders) would think about pressed guarded optimism about None of the players or teams said this week they have tested police, but the people.” what’s going on in Minneapolis. his league, and his country. involved were revealed by the positive for the deadly virus, Casey is lending his voice to “Doc said it last year. If black “I’m hopeful because I see so NBA in its two-sentence state- both adding they expect to join the chorus. So have other black coaches complain, then we’re many diff erent races and back- ment. their teammates when the NBA NBA head coaches, such as Doc just angry black men. Even grounds and religions on the The tests were required as play- season resumes. Rivers. What is diff erent about though we have the right to protest front speaking out,” ers committed to participating “I recently tested positive for the NBA is that so many white speak out, it carries a lot more said Casey, whose Pistons will in the 2019-20 season restart in the Covid virus and am cur- head coaches have done more weight when white coaches say not be part of the NBA restart a “bubble” quarantine setting rently in quarantine,” Brogdon than shake their heads about it. I hope the ones who are not next month. “Growing up in the next month at Orlando, Florida. said. “I’m doing well, feeling the killing of Floyd. San Anto- speaking up take a stand and step South, starting school during Each player who tested posi- well and progressing well. I nio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, up and do so. We are supposed to segregation and being a part of tive will remain in self-isolation plan to join my teammates in Golden State Warriors coach be leaders of men.” forced integration, I’ve seen the until he meets public health Orlando for the resumption of Steve Kerr, Utah Jazz coach Quin Casey was a gracious and ap- good and the bad in the South. protocol for leaving isolation the NBA season and playoff s.” Snyder and Timberwolves coach proachable presence in Min- “The good thing about this and is cleared by a physician. Parker confirmed his diagnosis Ryan Saunders have taken stands neapolis. “Living there for two time is that I see people who The NBA season was shut and said he was isolating in against police brutality and sys- years and meeting the good peo- want to change, people fi ght- down on March 11 after Utah’s Chicago. “I am progressing in Reuters partners.” temic racism. ple there, I know what happened ing to change the way the police Rudy Gobert tested positive for my recovery and feeling well,” Los Angeles A report by The Athletic In a perfect world, black doesn’t represent the majority of treat African Americans. Yes, coronavirus. Parker said. AFP earlier this week said the NFL coaches wouldn’t need the sup- the people in that city,” he said. these things give me hope.” would not require uniform he NFL has told teams rules regarding attendance they should plan for restrictions across the league. SPOTLIGHT Ttraining camps to That could mean that teams start on schedule in in states with relaxed rules late July, league executive vice would have greater home-fi eld president/general counsel Jeff advantage than teams in states Pash told reporters Thursday. with heavier restrictions. Rhule willing to kneel with players Most teams are scheduled to NFL owners did approve a report with their full rosters on proposal Thursday to tarp off Reuters Two weeks ago, Houston Texans July 28, although a few coach- the fi rst few rows of seats at Los Angeles coach Bill O’Brien said he would take a es have alluded to rookies and games and cover them with knee with any of his players who kneel Carolina Panthers coach quarterbacks being allowed to sponsor advertising. during the anthem. Matt Rhule. (TNS) report the week before. The league’s chief medi- irst-year Carolina Panthers Kneeling during the anthem ex- Pash added that the presea- cal offi cer, Dr Allen Sills, also coach Matt Rhule says he is ploded into a national issue in 2016, son schedule might not pro- spoke with reporters via con- Fconsidering taking a knee when then-San Francisco 49ers quar- ceed as planned, saying own- ference call Thursday, say- during the national anthem terback Colin Kaepernick began tak- ers are in “active discussions” ing the NFL and NFL Players alongside his players who do so in sup- ing a knee during the national anthem about the subject and that it Association are working on port of the growing movement against as a protest against racism and police could be shortened due to the fi nal details for “a very am- racial injustice. brutality. Kaepernick, now 32, has coronavirus pandemic. bitious (coronavirus) testing Taking part in a video question- not played in the NFL since 2016, and “We expect to have some program” focused on keeping and-answer with media members, he eventually settled a collusion case resolution relatively soon on players, coaches and staff safe. Rhule was asked if he would “consider with the NFL last spring. that and will advise the clubs Sills was also asked about taking a knee during the national an- Kaepernick’s protests gained re- at that time,” he said. NFL players who have fl aunted them, in support of some players.” newed attention following the death The fi rst preseason game, the NFLPA’s recommendation “I would consider anything as we of George Floyd last month. Floyd, the August 6 Hall of Fame to avoid gathering for group move forward,” Rhule responded. “I’m an African American man, died after Game in Canton, Ohio, was workouts, particularly Tampa supportive of the cause. I’m support- Minneapolis offi cer Derek Chauvin, cancelled earlier Thursday. Bay Buccaneers quarterback ive of the movement. I’m supportive who is white, kneeled on his neck Each team has four scheduled Tom Brady. He declined to ref- of social justice. I think every person for eight-plus minutes. Chauvin is preseason games at the mo- erence Brady specifi cally but — whether a coach, player, everyone — charged with second-degree murder, ment. said the league supports the that will be a very personal decision. third-degree murder and second- Whether fans will be NFLPA’s recommendation. I think it has to be made at the right degree manslaughter, while three present at games — preseason “The NFLPA and the NFL time for the right reasons for every- other offi cers are charged with abet- or regular season — this fall are in the same exact place, body.” ting murder and manslaughter. (The remains to be seen, although which is we want whatever Rhule added, “I will support my Minneapolis Police Department fi red commissioner Roger Goodell makes the safest possible en- players with whatever they do, and all four offi cers the day after Floyd’s sounded optimistic on a con- vironment for all of our con- then when the time comes, I will really killing.) ference call. He said the league stituents, whether they be think deeply about what is the best Floyd’s death sparked public pro- is planning to “get ready for players, coaches, trainers, thing for me and what is the best way tests around the world and led to nu- games at our stadiums and to medical staff (or) anyone in that I can show my support. But make merous athletes to speak out against engage our fans both in sta- that team environment,” Sills no mistake, I’m defi nitely supportive.” racial injustice. diums and through our media said. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, June 27, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT McCarthy tests positive for Covid-19 at PGA event: report AFP eron Champ, who tested positive Tuesday New York at River Highlands. Caddies for Brooks Koepka and Graeme Denny McCarthy walks along the 15th green McDowell also tested positive this week during the first round one of the Travelers merican Denny McCarthy tested in Connecticut, prompting the players to Championship at TPC River Highlands in positive for Covid-19 yesterday at withdraw from the event after close con- Cromwell, Connecticut, on Thursday. (AFP) Athe PGA Travelers Championship, tact with them in practice rounds. becoming the third tour player in- McCarthy’s fi rst-round playing partners fected with the deadly virus since the tour were American Bud Cauley, who opened resumed play. with a 69, and England’s Matt Wallace, PGA Tour offi cials confi rmed to The Golf who opened on 70. Channel that McCarthy, a 27-year-old McCarthy was quarantined until decid- from suburban Washington who was seek- ing where he wanted to isolate for at least ing his fi rst PGA title, would not tee off in 10 days under PGA Tour safety protocol his scheduled second round at TPC River installed to allow the tour to return earlier Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. this month after a three-month coronavi- McCarthy fi red a three-under par 67 in rus shutdown. Thursday’s opening round and told the tel- McCarthy was 66th at Colonial two ecaster that symptoms developed following weeks ago in the PGA comeback event and his fi rst round. missed last week’s cut at the Heritage tour- “I was feeling pretty sore and tired after nament. the round,” McCarthy told Golf Channel. World number one Rory McIlroy called “Didn’t think much of it because I practised the notion of shutting down the event or a lot Monday through Wednesday.” the season restart because of a few positive But when he woke up in the night and re- tests a “silly” idea. mained sore, McCarthy said he thought it “You hear one or two positive tests and would be best to be tested before going to people are panicking, and I saw a couple of the course yesterday. calls to shut the tournament down, which “I woke up in the middle of the night and is silly from my point of view,” he said my body was really achy and sore and fi g- Thursday. ured something was wrong,” he said. “There have been almost 3,000 tests The test confi rmed he had joined US administered. The percentage of positive compatriots Nick Watney, who tested posi- tests is under a quarter of a %. I think as a tive last week in South Carolina, and Cam- whole, it has been going really well.”

GOLF RUGBY WC organisers face In eighth PGA start, seeding problems Gordon fi res 62 to lead Travelers South Africa’s flanker and captain Siya Kolisi (centre) lifts The ‘I HIT A LITTLE BIT BETTER TODAY AND THE PUTTER HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY NICE’ Webb Ellis Cup after winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match against England. (AFP)

AFP in the quarter-fi nals in Japan, Paris but are battling for fourth in the current rankings. Atcher also said that rugby ith the corona- hotbed Toulouse would not virus pandemic host any matches in the later Wplaying havoc stages of the competition but with internation- would stage up to fi ve pool al rugby, organisers of the 2023 games and was guaranteed one Rugby World Cup are prepared of France’s warm-up games. to rank teams on their form Of the nine grounds that will in 2019 for November’s pool stage games, the Municipal draw. Stadium in Toulouse has the Twelve nations have already smallest capacity at 33,150. qualifi ed for France in 2023 “The stadium disqualifi es but the seedings have yet to be Toulouse’s bid for the knock- determined and the shutdown out rounds,” Atcher said dur- of international rugby raises ing a telephone press briefi ng. problems for calculating an He added that host cit- up-to-date ranking. ies that were not selected to “Unless the Six Nations host knock-out games would Tournament can be complet- not automatically be awarded ed and the November tours warm-up games. can take place, the ranking on “For Marseille, it’s not a which the draw will be based principle that has been put will be that of the end of the into practice. It will depend 2019 World Cup,” Claude on the number of warm-up Atcher, the head of the organ- matches that the French team ising committee, said in a tel- will play in 2023,” Atcher said econference. adding that it depended how The top three fi nishers in many warm-up games Fabvien each pool in Japan qualifi ed Galthie decided to play. automatically for the 2023 “Today, the coach hasn’t World Cup. They were the decided how many matches teams that make up the Eu- he wants to play. If we’re on ropean Six Nations, the four the basis of three, potentially southern Super Rugby teams there could be one in Mar- plus Fiji and Japan. seille,” he said. Reverting to the 2019 plac- The competition will run ings could harm France or from September 8 to October Ireland, both were eliminated 21, 2023.

Will Gordon of the United States plays his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, yesterday. (AFP) Chiefs’ Cane returns for Crusaders clash AFP day and the putter has been birdie putts at the fi rst and New York working really nice,” Gordon second holes and added an- Brendan Steele of the United All Blacks captain Sam Cane week competition but face a said. “Just trying to stay out other birdie on a 25-foot putt States plays his shot from the will make his debut in New daunting visit to Christchurch. of my own way and stay in the at the par-3 eighth. 18th tee during the second round Zealand’s Super Rugby The Crusaders, who are host- ill Gordon, play- moment. I’ve been really free Americans Brendan Steele, of the Travelers Championship competition on Sunday when ing their first home match of ing in only his and letting them go in.” who shot 62 also yesterday, yesterday. (AFP) the Waikato Chiefs face the the competition, are unbeaten Weighth PGA Tour Gordon shared 31st in his and Xander Schauff ele were Canterbury Crusaders in a against Super Rugby opposi- event thanks to debut last year at Reno and his in the clubhouse on 131. match that will have added tion at Rugby League Park a sponsor exemption, fi red an best result was a share of 10th American Collin Morikawa, spice after some pre-game since 2016.They have also eight-under-par 62 yesterday in last year’s RSM Classic. who made his fi rst 22 consec- comments fired up the won 17 of their last 19 games to seize a two-stroke lead at “I’ve been playing when- utive cuts as a professional, Hamilton-based side. against New Zealand sides, the Travelers Championship. ever I get my starts,” Gordon will miss the mark this week, A back injury kept Cane out of though those two losses have The 23-year-old American said. “I got really lucky I got ending the second-longest the Chiefs’ first two matches been to the Chiefs. “We’re stood on 12-under 128 after 36 one this week and I want to such streak in the last 30 years of Super Rugby Aotearoa and probably the one team that holes at TPC River Highlands make the most of it.” three shy of matching Tiger coach Warren Gatland said can stress and put them in Cromwell, Connecticut, as Gordon started on the back Woods with 25. his experience would be a under pressure,” Gatland said. Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes, nine and birdied six of his fi rst Morikawa opened with a 72 welcome boost. “It’s massive “The players... have a lot of the overnight leader after an eight holes, the fi rst of them and only managed a 71 yester- for us,” Gatland told report- belief that if they do things opening 60, teed off to begin on a 45-foot putt at the 10th. day. ers on a conference call on right they can get it done.’ his second round. A three-putt bogey at 12 “It was bound to happen at Thursday. “We don’t have a Gatland added that com- Gordon fi red nine birdies was sandwiched between some point,” he said. “Now lot of talkers in the team, we ments from Crusaders and All against a lone bogey in his back-to-back birdies on ei- I guess we’re going to stop have do-ers, but Sam coming Blacks prop Joe Moody earlier fi rst PGA start since Febru- ther side and he added two talking about it and I can just in and bringing that leader- this week that he felt there ary’s Puerto Rico Open as more birdies at the par-3 go on to next week.” ship voice is huge for us.” The was a “deep-seated hatred” the tour took a three-month 16th, on a 20-foot putt, and Morikawa will actually re- Chiefs lost the first two games between the two sides meant hiatus from March until two the par-4 17th, after dropping turn in two weeks for the fi rst and must beat the Crusaders his team needed no additional weeks ago. his approach to eight feet. of two events at Muirfi eld Vil- to stay in contention in the 10- motivation. Reuters “I hit a little bit better to- He followed with 15-foot lage in Dublin, Ohio. Gulf Times Saturday, June 27, 2020 5 SPORT

CRICKET ROUND-UP Coulter-Nile ‘fi red up’ to Pakistan tour of England prove WA to go ahead despite wrong positive Covid-19 results

Ten out of 29 players in Pakistan squad tested positive for coronavirus last week “fi red up” Nathan Coulter-Nile is look- By Ali Martin confi rmed cases in the country so far, ing for an opportu- Pakistan’s Mohamed Hafeez has A The Guardian with the death toll around 4,000 Britain nity in this summer’s has been one of the countries hardest- angered the Pakistan board after One-Day Cup to prove Western hit by the virus, with more than 43,000 announcing he had tested negative for Australia (WA) wrong after they akistan have been confi rmed as deaths from Covid-19. coronavirus in a second, private test. opted not to renew the right- England’s second set of sum- Besides Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Mo- arm quick’s contract earlier Pmer tourists despite the raft of hammad Rizwan, Wahab Riaz, Imran this week. Coulter-Nile, the positive Covid-19 test results Khan, Mohammad Hasnain and Kashif team’s leading wicket-taker among their squad during the past week Bhatti were diagnosed Tuesday as hav- in their victorious campaign In a statement yesterday the England ing the virus pathogens. Shadab Khan, last summer, said that while he and Wales Cricket Board said the Paki- Haris Rauf, Haider Ali, and a team understood WA were making stan squad will travel to the UK tomor- massage therapist tested positive on changes in a bid to end a 21-year row and begin a two-week period of Monday. But of the positive Tests, only Sheffi eld Shield title drought he quarantine and training at Worcester- wicketkeeper Rizwan would be classed did not agree with the decision. shire’s New Road before switching base a fi rst-choice Test player. “I’d love to face WA, I’d to Derbyshire’s County Ground on 13 England face the West Indies in a defi nitely be fi red up for it,” the July for two warm-up matches. three-Test series starting at Southamp- 32-year-old told Cricket Aus- A fi nal squad for departure will be ton on July 8 -- a campaign that will tralia website. “I know the boys named today, with 10 players and a sup- mark the return of international cricket had nothing to do with the deci- port staff among the initial 29 testing from lockdown. Jimmy Adams, the West sion and a few of them openly positive for coronavirus at the start of Indies director of cricket, told the Two said they were disappointed the week – despite all being asympto- Hacks, One Pro podcast: “I think a lot with it, but any chance I get matic – and Shoaib Malik given addi- of us are crossing our fi ngers that the to prove the decision-makers tional time at home with his family. environment can be kept Covid-free. wrong, I’d defi nitely take that Mohamed Hafeez, among the posi- What we don’t want at all is an outbreak opportunity. tive results, drew the ire of his board af- within the bubble. We’re hearing news “I understand where they’re ter seeking out a second private test and from Pakistan about their players, which coming from; they want to win posting the outcome – negative – on is throwing spanners in the works there. a Shield title and that’s the way social media. “I personally went to test “Credit to the ECB, they haven’t left they thought they needed to it again, along with my family, and here any stone unturned in terms of a safety go do it,” said the white-ball I, along with my all family members are point of view. What I was impressed specialist. I don’t agree with it. reported negative,” he tweeted. with was the speed they put the plan But it’s not my decision.” Further testing has taken place since together. They have done as much as but the ECB has said no one shown to be anybody could expect in terms of player ROSES RIVALS TO MEET IN positive will travel in the advance par- safety. COUNTY WARM-UP ty. Pakistan are due to play three Tests “Can we get through to the end of the Yorkshire will face arch-rivals from 5 August, before three Twen- series with all the guys clear? It will re- Lancashire in a red ball two-day ty20s starting at the end of that month, lax quite a few players if we do, because friendly in July it was an- but the tour will ultimately hinge on there will be other tours for guys to nounced Thursday in a boost to the success of the stringent biosecure think about and it will be a good advert hopes of English county cricket measures in place for the England ver- for what can be done. being staged this season amid sus West Indies series that begins in “It’s not just cricket but other sports the coronavirus. The warm-up Southampton on 8 July. around the world are holding their match is due to take place at Pakistan’s fragile health system is breath. Pull this off and we have a blue- Headingley from July 24-25. struggling to cope with the pandemic. print that might kickstart the game un- Spectators won’t be allowed There have been more than 190,000 til this thing settles down properly.” but the match will be streamed online to members of both ‘Roses’ counties. Yorkshire chief SPOTLIGHT executive Mark Arthur told the club’s website: “We are thrilled to have been able to arrange this fi xture with Lancashire. Al- Crawley sees Australia echoes in England competition though the match will be played behind closed doors, both clubs AFP to attend the birth of his second child. I haven’t quite completely proven my- are keen that its members have London An intra-squad match from July 1-3 self yet, but hopefully with a couple of access to fantastic coverage of could have a bearing on selection and scores I can get to that point.” the match as a thank you for Crawley, asked about competing for a He added: “I remember the Australia their loyalty during these dif- ak Crawley believes the compe- place with Denly, told a conference call team of the early 2000s, some really fi cult times.” tition in England’s batting order from England’s training base in South- good players didn’t get in that side and I The international game is set Zcan help Joe Root’s men emulate ampton on Thursday: “It’s slightly odd. think that’s why they were such a strong to resume with the fi rst Test be- the successful Australia side of I get on really well with Joe and I wish side, they had such good training envi- tween England and West Indies the early 2000s. Kent batsman Craw- him every success. Ideally, we’d both ronments where everyone is always try- at Southampton starting on July ley appears to be in a four-way fi ght for play. He’s desperate to play for Eng- ing to improve to get in the side. It feels 8. But the England and Wales a top three place with Rory Burns, Do- land — as am I — and we’ll still be good like we have something similar at the Cricket Board have said there minic Sibley and county colleague Joe friends whatever happens.” moment. We’ve got strength in depth will be no full county matches Denly ahead of next month’s three-Test And Crawley was confi dent the com- and that’s what pushes you harder and until August 1 at the earliest series at home to the West Indies. petition for a spot would benefi t both makes a side.” because of the coronavirus. Burns’ ankle injury paved the way for him and the England team as a whole. Crawley lives in a fl at at Kent’s Can- The ECB have indicated the Crawley to open with Sibley in South Players of the calibre of Stuart Law terbury ground so training and staying Twenty20 Blast will be the Africa and he has increased his highest could not establish themselves in the at Hampshire’s ‘bio-secure’ headquar- priority should the county Test score six times in a row to the 66 he Australia side of the late 1990s and ters is not as much a shock for him as season get going but Thursday’s made against the Proteas at Johannes- early 2000s, with Crawley saying: “All some other England squad members. announcement, which follows burg in January. Zak Crawley (right) and his Kent teammate Joe Denly (left) are fighting for the way through my career there’s been “I don’t have a young family which the news that London clubs And the 22-year-old Crawley was in England’s No 3 position. (Reuters) competition, right from when I was a other people do have in the squad, Surrey and Middlesex are set for good form when England’s tour of Sri 10-year-old, all the way up to now. which is maybe tough for them,” he a two-day friendly on July 26-27 Lanka was cut short before the Test se- Burns is fi t again and Crawley could though England’s top order could be “That’s always improved me as a said. “For me, it’s just great to be back at the Kia Oval, could mean that ries because of the coronavirus, signing now fi nd himself competing for the shaken up further if skipper Root misses player, to try to get better than the peo- with the squad, training and playing fi rst-class domestic cricket is off with an innings of 105. number three berth with Denly, al- the fi rst Test at Southampton on July 8 ple you’re competing against. Perhaps again.” played as well.

ATHLETICS Paris and Eugene Diamond League meetings cancelled AFP Eugene will host the world athletics creasing pressure over his ties to Farah’s Paris championships in 2022. The competi- former coach Alberto Salazar, who was tion was moved back a year to accom- given a four-year ban by the US Anti- modate the postponement of the To- Doping Agency (USADA) last year. iamond League events in Paris kyo Olympics. Four of the 15 Diamond Salazar was banned for “orchestrating and Eugene, Oregon, became League meetings have been cancelled, and facilitating prohibited doping con- Dthe latest on the coronavirus- with Rabat and London also binned. duct” as head coach of the Nike Oregon ravaged athletics calendar to The circuit is due to start August 14 Project, a camp designed mainly to de- be scrapped yesterday. The Paris meet- in Monaco followed by the Stockholm velop US endurance athletes. ing had originally been pushed back meeting nine days later. Fudge was the point of contact be- from June until September 6 but was The Gateshead event in northeast tween UK Athletics and the Nike Or- ultimately called off by organisers due England could now be held September egon Project. Farah and Fudge have not to doubts over global travel and a lack 12 but is still to be confi rmed, organis- been accused of any wrongdoing. “The of time to prepare a “world-class inter- ers said. “Final confi rmation cannot be time is right for me to move on, and I national event”. given at this time due to UK Govern- am looking forward to watching our The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, ment guidelines and restrictions,” the athletes progress and succeed at future scheduled for October 4, was also axed statement said. championships,” Fudge said in a state- from the programme, with restrictions ment. still in place to combat the Covid-19 FUDGE TO STEP DOWN “We’d like to thank Barry for his work pandemic in the west coast state. “The AS BRITISH ATHLETICS’ for the organisation over the years. The state of Oregon currently has a ban on HEAD OF ENDURANCE recruitment of the new head coach and large gatherings — including sporting Barry Fudge will step down from his performance director will now take the events — and that restriction will be in role as British Athletics’ Head of En- organisation in to a new era,” UKA chief place until at least the end of Septem- durance at the end of the month, the Joanna Coates said. ber,” Diamond League organisers said in governing body said yesterday. Fudge Fudge’s decision to step down comes a statement. “The ban, combined with was appointed to the role in Decem- a month after an independent review the expected long term restrictions on ber 2013 and was part of the team that into UKA identifi ed a “general culture international travel, make it impossi- guided Mo Farah to four Olympic gold of mistrust” within the organisation ble to host a world class track and fi eld medals. and concluded that the sport was not in meet... on October 4th.” However, he had come under in- a good position. The Paris meeting had originally been pushed back from June until September 6 but has been ultimately called off . (Reuters) Saturday, June 27, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS QATAR ONLINE RACING CHAMPIONSHIP Al-Sulaiti storms to victory as QMMF Davis Cup, Fed Cup riders dominate By Sports Reporter Doha

aeed al-Sulaiti was back fi nals postponed to winning ways as he Sromped to victory in the third round of the Qatar Online Racing Championship (QORC) on Thursday. Soud al- Thani fi nished behind al-Sulaiti to make it one-two for the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- until 2021 tion (QMMF) team at the virtual Mugello track in Italy. After three of the six races, The rearranged Davis Cup finals will comprise the 18 teams which qualified for the QMMF opened up a comfortable 53-point lead over Leopard Rac- this year’s edition. It will instead begin the week starting November 22, 2021 ing. With second-round winner Danny Kent missing in action, only three riders from each team took part in the race. Al-Sulaiti, who had fi nished second on Wednesday, started on pole and never looked like relinquishing his lead as he took the chequered fl ag in the 15-lap race. Soud al-Thani fi nished 21 seconds behind his teammate, while Leopard’s Marcos Ramirez was third. the week. Abdulla al-Qubaisi looked good to fi nish third and make it RACE THREE RESULTS a podium 1. Saeed al- sweep for Sulaiti, Time: QMMF, but 27:18.948 sec- the Qa- onds; 2. Soud al- tari rider Thani +21.398; crashed on 3. Marcos the 13th lap and had to Ramirez, 4. Ab- settle for fourth place. Leopard dulla al-Qubaisi; Racing’s Xavi Artigas and Jaume 5. Xavi Artigas; 6. Jaume Masia Masia were fi fth and sixth re- RIDER STANDINGS spectively. 1. Saeed al-Sulaiti 116 points; 2. After a day’s rest, the series Soud al-Thani 103; 3. Xavi Artigas will resume today at the simu- 96; 4. Jaume Masia 86; 5. Marcos lated track of Phillip Island in Ramirez 63; 6. Hamad al-Sahouti Australia. The fi fth round will be 59; 7. Danny Kent 40; 8. Abdulla held at Jerez in Spain, while the al-Qubaisi 31; 9. Jassim al-Thani last one is set at Qatar’s Losail 29 International Circuit. The series TEAM STANDINGS winner will be decided on the collective tally of points the two 1. QMMF 338 points, 2. Leopard teams muster over the course of Racing 285

FOCUS Spain’s Rafael Nadal (second right) bites the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Davis Cup in Madrid, Spain, on November 24, 2019. (Reuters)

AFP year’s edition. It will instead begin the March were played behind closed doors “In these extraordinary times, we be- Keys outlasts Dolehide Paris week starting November 22, 2021. “This at the onset of the global health crisis. lieve that the best way forward in order is a tough decision to have to make, but World Group I and II ties scheduled for both to protect the health and safety of all delivering an international team event on September will be pushed back until next involved and to best respect the integrity in Charleston return he men’s Davis Cup and women’s this scale while guaranteeing the health year. The revised 12-team Fed Cup fi nals of the competition is to extend this year’s AFP set lead slip before pulling off a Fed Cup tennis fi nals have both and safety of all involved ultimately poses were initially due to take place on indoor Fed Cup into 2021, with the event return- Washington 6-1, 6-7 (6/8), 10-4 victory over Tbeen rescheduled for next year too great a risk,” said ITF president David clay in Budapest from April 14-19 but ing to an annual basis the following year.” 134th-ranked Caroline Dolehide. due to complications posed by Haggerty. were shelved in response to the virus out- The move to reform the Fed Cup fol- Keys fi nally fi red a forehand the coronavirus pandemic, the ITF an- Spain has one of the worst aff ected break. They have been reprogrammed for lowed a similar overhaul of the Davis Cup, adison Keys re- winner up the line on her fourth nounced yesterday. countries by the pandemic, suff ering April 13-18, 2021. with Madrid hosting the inaugural fi nals turned to the scene match point to claim the match, This year’s Davis Cup fi nals in Madrid, more than 28,000 deaths, but started reo- “Due to the ongoing challenges pre- won by Rafael Nadal’s Spain in Madrid Mof her 2019 Charle- scoring a point for her Team the second instalment of a new-look pening its borders at the end of last week. sented by the Covid-19 pandemic, it last November. ston WTA triumph Kindness, which is going up competition, were due to run November The announcement capped a bad week has not been possible to reschedule the The previous format, which saw the on Thursday with a hard-fought against Team Peace captained by 23-29 while the revamped Fed Cup had for tennis after world number one Novak postponed Finals in 2020,” the ITF said. eight-team World Group decided over win over Carline Dolehide in the Bethanie Mattek-Sands. been postponed indefi nitely after April’s Djokovic’s exhibition tournament in the “In addition to the Laszlo Papp Arena three ties separated over the course of the Credit One Bank Invitational. “That was up and down,” Keys fi nals were called off . “It’s a huge disap- Balkans led to him and other top players being unavailable over the latter part of season, was criticised for being too pro- The 16-player team event, staged said after tapping racquets with pointment for all of us that the Davis Cup Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor the year, there remain signifi cant logisti- tracted and for not protecting player wel- with strict social distancing pro- Dolehide at the net. “That was — Finals will not be held in 2020,” said Bar- Troicki testing positive for Covid-19. cal and regulatory challenges that mean fare which led many top players to stop tocols as players prep for the re- I haven’t played a match in a re- celona football star Gerard Pique, whose All professional tennis has been in cold hosting an indoor mass gathering while representing their countries. turn of WTA action in August ally long time. I was defi nitely re- Kosmos investment group fi nances the storage since mid-March with Wimble- guaranteeing the health and safety of all The new-look tournament will off er a after a coronavirus shutdown, ally nervous, and that obviously competition. don cancelled for the fi rst time since the involved will not be feasible.” total prize pot of $18mn with $12mn go- is a far cry from the full-fl edged showed. But I was really happy to “We don’t know how the situation will World War II and Roland Garros moved Eight Fed Cup play-off ties to be held ing to players and $6mn to national tennis WTA Tournament on the green get a win and a point for my team. develop in each qualifi ed nation, or if re- back to September and October. The US at various venues around the world were associations. The fi nals will feature four clay courts in South Carolina. All in all, things to work on, but strictions in Spain will remain suffi cient- Open is going ahead as scheduled in New also put on hold in March. They will be groups of three teams, with the winners But Keys, ranked 13th in the not too bad for a fi rst match.” ly eased, as such it is impossible to predict York from August 31, although the rash played next February. “While it is regret- progressing to the semi-fi nals and fi nal. world, admitted she was nervous Keys is one of three top-10 the situation in November and guarantee of positive tests at Djokovic’s event has table that the Finals will not be able to All matches will consist of two singles in her fi rst match since a third- players taking part in the tour- the safety of those travelling to Madrid.” raised questions about the resumption of take place this year, we are confi dent that and one doubles. France won last year’s round exit at the Australian Open nament, along fourth-ranked The rearranged fi nals will comprise the season. we will be able to host a superb event in competition after beating Australia 3-2 in in January. Those butterfl ies Australian Open champion Sofi a the 18 teams which qualifi ed for the this A number of Davis Cup qualifi ers in Budapest in April 2021,” said Haggerty. the fi nal in Perth. showed as she let a 3-0 second- Kenin, and No 19 Alison Riske.

MOTORSPORT SPOTLIGHT Indy 500 plans 50% No more hugs for ‘hugger’ Ricciardo when F1 returns

Reuters Ricciardo this season despite the Austral- capacity for August London ian’s decision to join McLaren at the end of the year. The Frenchman added there would be no favouritism for Ricciardo’s 23 oval classic aniel Ricciardo accepts he will team-mate Esteban Ocon, who is staying have to be a lot less tactile with for 2021. AFP ance to approximately 50% of Dhis teammates when the For- Under normal circumstances, a de- Washington venue capacity and we are also mula One season starts in Aus- parting driver would be sidelined from fi nalizing a number of additional tria next week under strict health meas- discussions about the next year’s car but carefully considered health and ures to counter Covid-19. the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the ndianapolis 500 offi cials safety measures.” “I’m a hugger. I like hugging people. So introduction of new technical rules to vowed yesterday to safe- Boles did not get into specifi cs that’s going to change,” the enthusiastic 2022. That means next year’s cars will not Ily stage the postponed about how the speedway would Australian told reporters in a Renault F1 now be radically diff erent. motorsport classic with follow such rules as social dis- video call yesterday. “I’ve got to keep my “There won’t be any preferential treat- 50% spectator capacity at the tancing and masks with more distance. We’re going to fi nd some new ment between Esteban and Daniel on the 250,000-seat Indianapolis Mo- than 100,000 fans. ways to embrace each other, especially back of his decision, because it’s not the tor Speedway. Typically, Indy 500 capacity after a good result. But obviously we’re policy of the team,” said Abiteboul. “It’s But there were no exact details can rise to near 400,000 with going to do what we can to keep this thing not also a necessity, let’s be honest, I’m on how they planned to handle spectators able to drive in and away and keep it out of the paddock. So not fi ghting for any championship as we more than 100,000 people with park on parts of the infi eld area, no hugging. No hugging for now.” stand right now so it would make abso- coronavirus safety protocols. which also include garages, seat- Formula One has been stalled since lutely no sense, and Daniel will be fully The 104th Indy 500 was origi- ing areas, a museum and part of a testing in February, with the March 15 involved in the development process of nally set for May 24 at the famed golf course. season-opener cancelled before fi rst products at home. “I’m changing everything. There’s not the car.” 2 1/2-mile (4km) oval but the “We’ll unveil the specifi c de- practice in Melbourne when a McLaren “Coming back from the supermarket one single thing that I do the same in my Renault were fi fth last year, with Covid-19 pandemic forced a tails of our comprehensive plan employee tested positive for the new and actually cleaning the packages that life nowadays, when I travel or as soon as McLaren using the same engines to fi nish postponement and shut down in the coming weeks. We still coronavirus. The last race, esports ex- are bought before putting them away. It’s I go out to get some food in the supermar- fourth. McLaren are switching to Mer- the IndyCar season until earlier have to delibrate on a compre- cepted, was in Abu Dhabi in December. just taking those extra steps that seem ket or anything.It would be crazy to have cedes power units for 2021, which means this month in Texas. hensive plan,” Boles said, say- Ricciardo, who will be leaving Renault certainly necessary for now,” he said. waited so long and prepared that much they will have to use their permitted ‘to- “We’re committed to running ing the speedway would remain for McLaren at the end of the year, said he French teammate Esteban Ocon, who and arrive and be positive at the test... so kens’ on integrating the new engine rath- the Indy 500 on Sunday, August in touch with public health of- was raring to race but had embraced the spent a year on the sidelines last year I’m defi nitely massively careful.” er than chassis development. “That will 23 and will welcome fans to the fi cials. An announcement from ‘new normal’ that will involve Covid-19 and last raced in 2018, was also taking no give us the opportunity to work extreme- world’s greatest racing venue,” the speedway said individuals in tests every fi ve days from Austria on- chances. “We’ve been waiting so long to NO FAVOURITISM AT RENAULT ly normally with Daniel,” said Abiteboul. Speedway president J. Douglas high-risk groups are “encour- wards and operating inside a ‘bubble’. The get back, it would be a shame and danger- DESPITE RICCIARDO’S EXIT “The only thing is obviously he won’t be Boles said. aged to consider staying home lifestyle changes include wearing face ous also for all of us to risk anything,” said Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul exposed to (the) 2022 (car). But frankly he “We will be limiting attend- and returning in 2021.” masks and going through lots of cleaning the 23-year-old. said team will work as closely as ever with would not be anyway.”