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WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2020 Euro 2020 Championship postponed REUTERS – NYON

The Euro 2020 soccer Championship, Copa America trumpeted as a continent-wide feast of football from Dublin to Baku to joins list of mark UEFA’s 60th anniversary, was postponed for a year yesterday as the coronavirus pandemic claimed its affected events biggest sporting casualty yet. The fate of the 24-nation, month- REUTERS – LUQUE, PARAGUAY long showpiece due to start in June had hung in the balance ever since This year’s Copa America has been postponed Europe’s domestic leagues began until 2021 due to fears over the spread of the shutting down in the wake of the coronavirus, the South American Football sweeping health crisis, which has Confederation (CONMEBOL) said yesterday. killed around 7,000 people The 12-team tournament, which had orig- worldwide. inally been scheduled to take place from June UEFA eventually relayed the news A model of the UEFA European football 12 to July 12 in Colombia and Argentina, after an emergency video conference championship trophy surrounded with the follows the Euro 2020 championship in being with all 55 of its affiliated national fed- names of host cities is on display during pushed back by a year with global sport being erations and representatives from an event to launch the ’s logo for brought to a virtual standstill by the corona- clubs and leagues. the 2020 UEFA European Championship virus outbreak. “We are at the helm of a sport that tournament in this file photo. “This is an extraordinary measure for an vast numbers of people live and unexpected situation and responds to the fun- breathe that has been laid low by this damental need to avoid the exponential evo- invisible and fast-moving opponent,” decide the full line-up of nations for The fate of the 24-nation, The women’s European Cham- lution of the virus,” said CONMEBOL Pres- UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin the tournament. They will now be month-long showpiece pionship is due to be held in ident Alejandro Dominguez. said in a statement confirming what played in the international window England in the summer, and FIFA’s Dominguez said the rescheduled tour- the Norwegian and Swedish FAs had at the start of June, subject to a review due to start in June had revamped Club World Cup in China, nament would be played between June 11 and already leaked earlier in the day. of the situation. hung in the balance ever featuring eight European club sides, July 11, 2021. “It is at times like these, that the The new coronavirus has infected since Europe’s domestic is pencilled in from June 17-July 4. “It wasn’t easy to take this decision but we football community needs to show almost 180,000 people worldwide leagues began shutting The European Championship must safeguard at all times the health of our responsibility, unity, solidarity and since emerging in China, and most of down in the wake of the was first held in 1960 with four players and all those who form part of the big altruism.” Even as the video con- Europe now finds itself in virtual sweeping health crisis. nations reaching the finals in South American football family. Have no ference was ongoing, Norway’s FA lockdown as governments desperately France and the former Soviet Union doubts that the oldest international tour- broke ranks to confirm via Twitter try to stop the spread of the disease. beating then Yugoslavia 2-1 to the nament in the world will be back stronger than that the tournament had been post- The sporting calendar has been Europe’s flagship trophy. ever in 2021.” The Copa America is one of the poned for the first time in its history. shredded, with a host of blue-riband tournament, staged every It evolved into an eight-nation biggest draws on the football calendar, with Swedish FA Chairman Karl-Erik events cancelled and competitions four years and second tournament in 1980 and in 1996, players such as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Sergio Nilsson also sent a message to Reuters suspended, and the fate of the only to FIFA’s World Cup when it was held in England, it grew Aguero, Luis Suarez, and James Rodriguez all during the video conference. “Post- Olympics this year now hangs in the in terms of prestige in to 16 teams. expected to take part. poned until 11/6- 11/7 2021,” he said. balance. soccer, will now be staged The most recent edition in 2016, The Euro 2020 finals, which was due to It was a widely expected move, All five of Europe’s top domestic again in France, included 24 nations take place over the same dates across 12 coun- with pressure ramping up from soccer leagues -- England, Spain, Italy, from June 11 to July 12, for the first time. The final, in which tries in Europe, was also postponed for a year. Europe’s big domestic soccer leagues. France and Germany -- are sus- 2021. Portugal beat the hosts, was This year’s Copa was due to be held in two Earlier, Reuters learned that UEFA pended, along with the Champions watched by a television audience countries for the first time in its 104-year had cancelled its hotel bookings in League, Europa League and World of 284 million. history, with a northern group set for Colombia Copenhagen, one of the 12 host cities Cup qualifiers. Leagues had urged UEFA to give The 2020 edition was supposed and a southern group due to be played in staging the tournament. This year’s 12-nation Copa priority to completing domestic com- to be the first staged across the con- Argentina. The CPH Hotel said UEFA had America was also postponed until petitions, as clubs throughout Europe tinent, rather than by a single or In addition to the 10 South American booked 80 of its 102 rooms but can- 2021 yesterday, the South American feared they would lose significant joint host nations. The new format nations, Australia and Qatar were also invited. celled them a little over a week ago. Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) ticket and associated match-day was the brainchild of former UEFA The northern group comprised Colombia, Europe’s flagship tournament, said. revenue by not completing the season president Michel Platini. , Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Qatar. staged every four years and second With the Euros and Copa now while still having to pay player The host cities were Glasgow, The southern group featured Argentina, only to FIFA’s World Cup in terms of postponed for a year, it could provide salaries. Dublin, Bilbao, , Copen- Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and prestige in soccer, will now be staged some flexibility for domestic compe- \While the domestic leagues will hagen, Munich, , St Australia. from June 11 to July 12, 2021. titions, all left in various states of welcome the news, next year’s inter- Petersburg, Bucharest, Budapest The tournament was scheduled to kick off Sixteen play-off matches were due limbo by the stoppage, to be con- national soccer calendar already looks and Baku, with the climax set for in Buenos Aires on June 12, with the final in to be held on March 26 and 31 to cluded once the pandemic eases. crammed. London’s Wembley Stadium. Barranquilla, Colombia on July 12.

Athletes run next to trophies during Horse racing: ‘No need for any the Zurich Diamond League event in this August 29, 2019 file photo. Kentucky drastic decisions’ Derby moved on Tokyo 2020: IOC to September 5

AFP – LAUSANNE summer’s Euro 2020 and REUTERS - CHURCHILL DOWNS Copa America were to be The International postponed by one year to The Kentucky Derby, the first Olympic Committee said 2021. jewel in North American horse yesterday it was not the “The situation around racing's Triple Crown, has been time for “drastic deci- the COVID-19 virus is also postponed to September 5 from sions” over the staging of impacting the prepara- May due to the coronavirus the Tokyo Olympics, tions for the Olympic outbreak, Churchill Downs said which has not yet been Games Tokyo 2020, and on yesterday. postponed because of the is changing day by day.” It marks only the second time deadly coronavirus The IOC encouraged all Coronavirus hits Diamond League in the race's 146-year history that pandemic. athletes to continue to the 'Run for the Roses' has been “The IOC remains prepare for the Tokyo postponed and not contested on its REUTERS – LONDON First three athletics fully committed to the Games “as best they can”. the Shanghai event on August traditional first Saturday in May Olympic Games Tokyo “The IOC has confi- meetings of the 2020 13. New dates for and the slot at Churchill Downs. 2020, and with more than dence that the many The Diamond League has post- season due to be held in second meeting in China remain The race was delayed a four months to go before measures being taken by poned its first three athletics April and May in Qatar to be announced,” the Diamond month in 1945 because of World the Games there is no many authorities around meetings of the 2020 season and China postponed League said. War II. need for any drastic deci- the world will help due to be held in April and May due to the coronavirus It said although the number "Throughout the rapid devel- sions at this stage; and contain the situation of in Qatar and China because of outbreak. of new infections was opment of the COVID-19 pandemic, any speculation at this the COVID-19 virus.” One the coronavirus outbreak, it said decreasing in China, prepara- our first priority has been how to moment would be of the results of the virus yesterday. tions for the meetings there best protect the safety and health counter-productive,” the outbreak has been the The announcement came “Due to the growing number were set back by “several of our guests, team members and IOC said in a statement cancellation of qualifiers, after Qatar banned inbound of countries affected by the weeks” due to travel community," said Churchill Downs after its executive board in a number of sports, for passenger flights and prevented COVID-19 virus, the first three restrictions. Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen met in Lausanne. the Tokyo Olympics. the entry of foreign nationals on meetings of the 2020 Diamond The organisers said there in a statement. The Tokyo Olympics But the IOC insisted it Sunday, making the Diamond League season, scheduled for was a possibility the events in "As the situation evolved, we are scheduled to run would work to surmount League the latest high-profile April 17 in Qatar, May 9 and 16 China and Qatar could be held reached the difficult conclusion between July 24-August any difficulties that threw competition to postpone events in China, cannot be held as after the Diamond League that we needed to reschedule. 9, but the year’s biggest up. as the pandemic shuts down planned,” it said in a statement. Final in Zurich on September "At no point did we ever con- sporting event is as yet “To date, 57 percent world sport. “The current plan is to stage 9-11. sider canceling the Kentucky one of the sole sporting of the athletes are Derby." competitions to have sur- already qualified for the The Centers for Disease Control vived a postponement in Games. For the recommended on Sunday that the wake of the COVID-19 remaining 43 percent of UK athletes told to avoid overseas training events of 50 or more people be outbreak that places, the cancelled for the next eight weeks has caused IOC will work REUTERS – LONDON considering the global situation, challenges. We’re mindful of qual- throughout the United States. more than with the IFs the newspaper said. ification and classification issues The race regularly draws close 7,400 deaths (international UK Athletics has advised its “British Athletics strongly rec- and the performance team are to 150,000 spectators. and infected federations) athletes preparing for the Tokyo ommends that athletes do not keeping under constant review The Preakness Stakes, the more than to make any Olympics not to go abroad for travel abroad from the UK at this the preparation plans for each second leg of the Triple Crown run 180,000 necessary training camps due to concerns time,” The Times quoted Coward individual athlete, against this at Pimlico on May 16, could also be around the and practical about the coronavirus outbreak, as saying in the email. complex, fast-moving back- in jeopardy with the third leg, the world. adaptations The Times has reported. “We understand that for some ground.” Coward said coaches as Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New The IOC to their Interim UK Athletics chief this will mean a compromise or well as support staff would not York, set for June 6. statement fell respective executive Nic Coward told ath- change on what you feel your best travel outside the country until Churchill Downs said talks shortly after qualification letes and staff on Friday that the preparation should look like. further notice. were underway to run those races news that systems for recommendation would mean However, it is important to reflect UK Athletics did not immedi- as well in September and early both this Tokyo 2020.” preparations were “compro- this is a global situation and other ately respond to a Reuters request October to keep the Triple Crown mised” but it had been made nations will be facing the same for comment. in place. 14 SPORT WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2020 Torch relay goes on; Tokyo seeks crowd ‘restraint’

AP — TOKYO “This is packed,” he said, “but not Toshiro Muto (left), the Chief Executive Officer of the overpacked.” Tokyo Olympic organisers are pushing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, speaks during a press The torch relay in Greece last week ahead with the Japanese leg of the conference in Tokyo, yesterday. was called off on the second day because torch relay despite the threat of the We don’t want to talk crowds were too large. spreading coronavirus. Muto was also pressed again about The Olympic flame, which is due about the definition the chance of the Olympics being can- to arrive on Friday from Greece, is of refraining. But we celed or postponed. scheduled to navigate the country for “In many ways and many forms four months from March 26 until the don’t want people to people are asking us the same question,” planned opening of the Olympics on feel there is an all- Muto said. July 24 at the national stadium in out blanket request “Our stance is, as scheduled, the Tokyo. Olympics are going to take place in a safe Organising committee CEO Toshiro for refraining. So and secure manner.” Muto said yesterday that crowds will basically it depends The torch relay is heavily spon- be allowed to gather on the roadside sored by Coca-Cola and Japanese car to watch the relay. The first leg begins on your interpretation: maker Toyota, which pay millions of in northern Fukushima prefecture, Organising Committee dollars as some of the International which was devastated in 2011 by an CEO Toshiro Muto Olympic Committee’s top sponsors. earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown They are sure to lose exposure during of three nuclear reactors. the relay, and Muto was asked if Muto asked for restraint and through an interpreter. “We would also Muto was pushed several times about basically it depends on your interpre- sponsors were concerned about eco- warned the relay could be stopped or like to ask people to avoid crowds what crowd behavior he was asking for. tation,” the CEO added. nomic damage. delayed. when cheering along the road. In the “We don’t want to talk about the def- He said it was difficult to define what “We have not talked about the topic “We’d like to ask people who are event of overcrowding, we may have inition of refraining,” he said. “But we constitutes too many people. Speaking with sponsor partners,” Muto said, “and feeling unwell to refrain from being on to change the way we carry out the don’t want people to feel there is an in a room with about 100 reporters, Muto our partners have not approached us the roadside,” Muto said, speaking relay.” all-out blanket request for refraining. So was asked if this was too many. about the topic, either.” 's team prepares Japan Olympic Committee deputy for Games in self-isolation head says he has coronavirus AP — LONDON AFP — TOKYO The Kosovo judo team has been self-isolating as it Japan Olympic Committee prepares for the Tokyo deputy chief Kozo Tashima said Olympics. yesterday he had contracted Olympic champion coronavirus, as doubts increase Majlinda , four other over whether Tokyo can safely judokas and five staff host the Summer Games. members have closed them- “Today, my test result selves in at a training center in showed positive for the new , 85 kilometers (50 miles) coronavirus,” Tashima said in west of Pristina. a statement, issued via the Kelmendi is the first Japan Football Association, athlete from Kosovo to win an which he also heads. Olympic gold medal. “I have a mild fever. Exam- Coach Driton Kuka is inations showed a symptom of among the group. None of pneumonia, but I’m fine. I will them has been infected by the concentrate on treatment fol- virus. lowing doctors’ advice,” he said. Kosovo has had 16 corona- Japanese officials insist that virus cases. All sports and other the summer Games -- due to entertainment or cultural start in July -- will take place as activities have been suspended scheduled despite rising spec- in the country and schools, ulation that it might be post- cafes, restaurants, gyms and poned or even cancelled due to pools have been closed. the virus. Meanwhile, the men’s and Tashima said he had been women’s European gymnastics on a business trip since Feb- championships have been ruary 28, first heading to Belfast cancelled. European Gym- to attend the annual general nastics Union says it tried to meeting of the International The Olympic rings are pictured in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday. INSET: Japan find ways to keep its events Football Association Board Football Association chairman and Japan’s Olympic Committee deputy head Kozo Tashima holds a press conference in Tokyo, yesterday. going despite the spread of (IFAB). virus but found it impossible From March 2, he visited presentation on Japan’s bid for Japanese women’s team in experienced a mild fever from world,” he said, adding that he because of government Amsterdam for a Union of the 2023 women’s World Cup. action and to lobby for the Sunday. He went to a local hoped his decision would help restrictions and travel bans. European Football Associations And On March 3, he women’s World Cup, before public health centre on Monday eradicate the stigma attached The events offered (UEFA) meeting to give a attended a general meeting of returning home on March 8. and told them about his travel to the infection. Olympic qualifying spots. the same body. “In the United States, too, history. His announcement came as The women’s champion- Japanese officials “In Amsterdam and in the sense of crisis about the During the UEFA gatherings, the Tokyo 2020 organising ships were due to be held in insist that the summer Europe in early March, the level novel coronavirus was not as Tashima said he saw Swiss and committee said it would scale from April 30-May 3, and Games -- due to start of nervousness against the serious as now,” he said. Serbian football chiefs, who down festivities related to the the men’s championships in novel coronavirus was not the Staff at the Japan FA have have tested positive for the Olympic torch relay to prevent Baku, Azerbaijan, from May in July -- will take place same as now,” he said in the been working from home as a virus, although he added it was further spread of the virus. 27-31. Also called off are as scheduled despite statement. precaution against the virus, but not clear how he contracted the The flame, which has European rhythmic gym- rising speculation that “Everyone was still doing Tashima said he went to the infection. His positive test came already been lit in Greece, will nastics championships in it might be postponed hugs, handshakes and bises association building several out on Tuesday. arrive in northern Japan on Ukraine and the European or even cancelled due (cheek kissing).” times last week and attended “I have chosen to face the Friday, with the torch relay trampoline championship in to the virus. He then travelled to the meetings. illness as so many people are slated to start on March 26 from Sweden, both in May. United States to watch the He began feeling chills and doing in Japan and around the Fukushima. Australia PCB postpones cancels end of AP — LAHORE tional between Pakistan and Bang- ladesh was postponed. season, awards title The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Several Pakistan cricketers Twenty20 cricket tournament was endorsed the PCB’s decision to to New South Wales postponed hours before the play-offs postpone the event. were set to begin yesterday because Pakistan allrounder Mohammad AP — MELBOURNE a foreign player showed symptoms Hafeez, who plays for Lahore, said it of the new coronavirus. was a wise decision under the circum- All professional cricket has been cancelled “We made the decision ... after we stances. “Sad but Health & Safety in Australia in response to the coronavirus came to know this morning that the comes 1st, we all need to observe pre- pandemic, and national organisers are player, who has already flown back cautions carefully,” he posted on “strongly recommending” that the home, has shown symptoms of Twitter. remainder of the season be called off at COVID-19 in the last 24 hours,” Multan all-rounder every level right down to children’s Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief said the PCB should have taken the community games. Crew members of Tower executive Wasim Khan said. decision earlier, and hinted that his Cricket Australia announced the can- Sports pack up their “When we knew there’s a sus- franchise could be declared winners. cellation yesterday, and declared New pected case, we showed the respon- equipment at the Gaddafi “Sad to see the PSL end, but health South Wales state the winner of the Shef- sibility and took the decision in col- cricket Stadium in Lahore, and safety of all concerned is the key, field Shield, the national firsts-class laboration with the franchises.” yesterday. especially those who are travelling competition. Organisers didn’t identify the back to their homes. Perhaps the The last round of the regular season in player because of privacy fourth-place and and -- decision could have been taken the Sheffield Shield had already been considerations. Karachi Kings against Lahore flew home last Friday and didn’t play earlier, with regards to the trophy ... scrapped and there was no prospect of the “The PCB has closely monitored Qalandars. The final had been in the last league match. Multan was well the table-topper should be final going ahead as scheduled on March the situation and had taken precau- scheduled for today. without and Rilee handed the trophy?” Afridi posted. 27. New South Wales won six games, lost tionary measures including consul- The local Punjab provincial gov- Roussow. But Khan said the PCB will two and drew one in the Shield, finishing tation with relevant authorities and ernment had given special permission Lahore, playing its first playoffs reschedule the semi-finals and final 12 points clear of Victoria state. temperature screening of players, to the PCB to go ahead with the PSL in five years, was without Chris Lynn, before the next edition of PSL next Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin officials and media on match and in the empty stadium because of con- Seekkuge Prasanna and David Wiese. year. Roberts said the measures are aimed at non-match days,” Wasim Khan said. cerns over the virus outbreak. Karachi Kings Alex Hales left last In Pakistan, there are 189 con- slowing the spread of the virus. “The PCB also took the team A number of foreign players con- week. firmed cases of coronavirus. “By effectively cancelling remainder owners of franchises into confidence tracted to the franchises had already The PCB brought forward the Health officials say five more of our season, Cricket Australia is playing yesterday morning before deciding left Pakistan. finals by four days and barred fans people who returned from Iran its part in protecting fans, players, staff, to postpone the event.” Peshawar was the team most from the stadiums at Karachi and recently have been tested positive. volunteers and match officials during this Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium was due affected by the pandemic after its five Lahore for the last six matches. Pakistan’s border with Iran and unprecedented global health issue,” to host the semi-finals between top- foreign cricketers -- Liam Dawson, The PSL decision came a day after Afghanistan remained closed Roberts said. “These are difficult decisions ranked Multan Sultans and Lewis Greogry, , a test match and a one-day interna- yesterday. but the right ones in the circumstances.”