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THURSDAY 6 MAY 2021 A Women’s Club World Cup 'coming soon', says Infantino WhatW I’m sure is that this new competition will eventually become tthe best club event in the world, and help develop football on all continents.c It will offer a real possibility for clubs from all regions tto reach the highest level while giving the big clubs, especially EEuropean ones, a unique playing field in which to compete.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Sport | 19

EUROPA LEAGUE: SEMI-FINALS TODAY'S FIXTURES: AS Roma vs Manchester United (10:00pm), Arsenal vs Villarreal CF (10:00pm)

Chelsea’s Mason Mount scores their second .

Voting process begins for QFA Award

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

The Board of Trustees of the Qatar Football Asso- Chelsea outclass Real, to meet ciation (QFA) Award yesterday announced the start of the final voting process for nominating the Best Awards for the City in Champions League final 2020-2021 football season. AGENCIES – LONDON second best for much last commentator Jim Beglin yes- The Awards will be on week’s first leg which ended terday apologised for making offer for the best player of Goals by Timo Werner and 1-1. “culturally insensitive the QNB Stars League Mason Mount sent Chelsea Even with talisman Sergio remarks” about Paris Saint- (QSL), best under-23 into a Champions League final Ramos back after missing the Germain midfielder Angel Di player and the best coach, showdown with Manchester home leg they were outplayed Maria during the broadcast of selected via a voting City as they claimed a 2-0 win by ’s side again Manchester City’s semi-final process. over Real for a 3-1 as the German coach con- 2-0 victory. A total of 55 voting aggregate triumph at tinued his stunning impact in Di Maria was sent off for forms, in addition to Stamford Bridge yesterday. west London. kicking Fernandinho, and as indicative lists, have been German striker Werner, Chelsea should have the Argentina international sent to the parties partic- who has endured a stuttering killed the game as they walked off the field, Beglin ipating in the vote, first season at Chelsea, put created, and wasted, a said “it’s that Latino namely: coaches of QSL, them in control when he sackload of chances in a daz- temperament.” coach of the senior nodded in one of the easiest zling second-half display. He made an on-air national team, Under-23 goals of his career in the 28th But Mount’s close-range apology on Tuesday and later national coach, heads of minute after fellow German finish in the 86th minute expressed remorse on social agencies in the clubs, Kai Havertz had struck the meant the party could start in media. media agencies, a repre- bar. earnest. “I apologise for my cul- sentative of the QFA, a Thirteen-times European The final in Istanbul will turally insensitive remarks representative of the QSL, champions Real, who had be the second all-English during the Champions League Chelsea’s Timo Werner celebrates Chairman and members come through each of their champions League final in tie between Manchester City after scoring their first goal as Real of the Board of Trustees last three Champions League three seasons. and Paris Saint-Germain,” he Madrid’s Casemiro looks on. of the QFA Award as well semi-final ties, had been Meanwhile, CBS Sports wrote on Twitter. as a number of other bodies, including Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Players Association, United-Liverpool game rescheduled for May 13 Aspire and Old Players Committee. Sunday, May 9 will be AP – LONDON They face Aston Villa away Sunday’s high-profile game announced that only home fans restrictions as planned, and the final date for receiving on Sunday and now have a against arch-rival Liverpool was will be allowed into games when the has rear- the forms, after which the Manchester United’s game home game against Leicester on postponed after a fan protest the Premier League welcomes ranged its schedule to ensure final nomination forms against Liverpool will be played Tuesday followed by the Liv- against the Glazer family - back spectators to stadiums for each of its 20 teams plays at will be sorted, and the on May 13 after being postponed erpool game two days later. United’s American owners - the final two rounds of the least one game at home in names nominated for the because of protests by home fans The Leicester game had turned violent with some sup- season. front of fans. best prizes in each cat- at Old Trafford on Sunday. originally been scheduled for porters clashing with police and Supporters will return in a The next-to-last round of egory will be approved, It means United will play yesterday but was moved others invading the pitch inside reduced capacity from May 17, games will take place on May and then the winners will three Premier League games in forward. United are second in Old Trafford. subject to the British gov- 18-19. The final round is on be announced. five days. the Premier League. Meanwhile, it was yesterday ernment easing lockdown May 23. Tokyo organisers delivered on COVID-19 protocols: Coe

REUTERS – SAPPORO, JAPAN ability to stage an event on the decide by June how many local field of play, it also demon- spectators they would allow World Athletics chief Sebastian strated the ability to deliver into venues, if any. Coe yesterday gave Tokyo across other complexities Coe, who was the chief Olympic organisers high marks including, of course, the organiser of the 2012 London for a marathon test event they COVID-19 protocols,” Coe told Games, said it was important staged in Sapporo, saying they a news conference. that the Olympics were were able to deliver both on the All participants, including delivered successfully and operation of the race and on staff and media, had to log their safely. their COVID-19 counter- temperature and answer a “I know that each and every measures. health questionnaire daily in the international sports federation The Sapporo Challenge Half week leading up to the event, are absolutely committed to Marathon 2021 was held yes- either through a mobile app or adhering to the protocols and terday as a dress rehearsal for on paper. the processes with rigour,” the the marquee Olympic event Organisers urged spectators Briton added. with less than three months not to come and watch the race, A spectator (right) raises a sign reading ‘It The Olympic marathon and before the Summer Games with event staff holding signs is impossible to hold the Olympics, face up race walk events are scheduled begin. reading: “To prevent infection, to reality’ along the race route during the to be held from August 5 to 8 in Six international athletes please refrain from watching.” half-marathon as part of Hokkaido-Sapporo Sapporo. participated in the event in the Nevertheless, a handful of Marathon Festival 2021, a testing event for the They were originally northern city and had to go observers turned out for a Tokyo 2020 Olympics marathon, yesterday. scheduled to be held in Tokyo through stringent testing pro- glimpse of the action. but the International Olympic tocols before and after entering Staff wore masks and some- Committee (IOC) decided in Japan. times face shields and plastic resurgence in coronavirus world’s biggest multi-sporting They have already decided not October 2019 to move the “The organising committee gloves. infections, and organisers are event safely with about 15,000 to let in international spectators, events to Sapporo to avoid the here not only demonstrated the Japan is battling a wrestling with how to hold the athletes expected to participate. and have said they would worst of Tokyo’s summer heat. THURSDAY 6 MAY 2021 SPORT 19 A Women’s Club World Cup 'coming soon', says Infantino ITF seeks new REUTERS – MANCHESTER have invested heavily in their eventually become the best club host city for women’s sides in recent years. event in the world, and help develop FIFA President FIFA President Gianni Infantino says Infantino has previously floated football on all continents. It will offer a new Women’s Club World Cup is the idea of the Women’s World Cup, a real possibility for clubs from all Billie Jean being planned as part of a plan to for national sides, being played every regions to reach the highest level gets legal win “revolutionise” the female game. two years rather than the current while giving the big clubs, especially King Cup finals In an interview with French four year cycle. European ones, a unique playing AP – GENEVA sports newspaper L’Equipe, The Club World Cupup is beinbeingg field in which to Infantino said he was looking expanded from a relativelyely low-klow-keyey compete,”compete,” In a big legal wwin for FIFA president Gianni AP – LONDON forward to the first edition of the tournament involving seveneven teams,teams, hehe said.said. Infantino, a spespecialc prosecutor investigating his already agreed new 24-team men’s including just one from EEurope,urope, to a meetings withwith Switzerland’sS former attorney The International Tennis Federation Club World Cup but said a women’s 24-team event includingg eight sidesidess general has beenbee removed from the case, a is seeking a new host city for the version was in the pipeline too. from Europe which FIFAA hohopespes wilwilll federalfederal court saidsai yesterday. finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, “My dream is also to see the birth be a major revenue ggenerator,enerator, TheThe SwSwississ federalf criminal court said it formerly the Fed Cup, after of the very first Women’s Club World similar to the World Cupp itself. upheld a complaintcompla by Infantino to have pros- Budapest backed out because of Cup. It’s coming very soon. And it The first version of thehe new toutour-r- ecutor StefanStefan KKellere recused from his investi- COVID-19 concerns. will really revolutionize women’s nament was due to be heldeld in CChinahina gation forfor bbiasediased conduct. It did not shut down The Hungarian capital was due football,” he said. in June and July this yearear butbut waswas thethe investigation.investigation to host the 12-nation tournament Such a tournament would allow postponed after the COVID-19VID-19 ppan-an- “(Keller) not only violated the presumption but the event has twice been post- for the top European teams from demic forced the 2020 EuropeEuropeanan of innocence, bbutut also communicated misleading poned because of the pandemic, UEFA’s Women’s Champions League Championship to be delayedayed bbyy 12 andand ffactuallyactua incorrect information,” the and the country’s tennis association to face off with clubs from the United months. courtcour said in a 27-page document. has informed the ITF that it won’t States’ National Women’s Soccer FIFA’s current positionition is TheTh prosecutor’s personal office be able to host in 2021. League as well as sides from coun- that the Club World Cupp is an didd not immediately respond to “After working together in good tries where the women’s game is still event to be held everyy ffourour a request for comment. faith for the past year, we were sur- developing. years, but previously therere hhasas The court cited a series of prised and disappointed to be The US women’s national team been talk of it being an annualnnual ffour news releases issued by informed that the HTA no longer are the current world champions and one. KKeller’s office between considers it possible to hold the the dominant force in the game. “What I’m sure is thatt this DecemberD and March that jus- event in Budapest,” ITF president However, top European men’s clubs new competition wwillill FIFA President Gianni Infantino tifiedt removing him. Dave Haggerty said. The indoor tournament was originally scheduled in April 2020 but was initially delayed 12 months. Qatar 2022 In February, a decision was made Guardiola’s City finally crack to postpone the tournament again with the the goal of finding a new African date later this year. qualifiers The ITF had been working with the Champions League code the Hungarian government and the HTA to explore “all feasible options” could be to reschedule this year’s finals. REUTERS – MANCHESTER Manchester City’s gave Liverpool the solidity “Given the timing, the ITF has postponed to Fernandinho, Ruben they were lacking before their been left with no other option than Manchester City finally Dias and John Stones Champions League triumph to end the hosting agreement with September cracked the Champions celebrate after the two years ago. Hungary and explore an alternative League code with an match on Tuesday. Teenager Phil Foden, cau- solution,” Haggerty said. REUTERS – JOHANNESBURG impressive 2-0 win over Paris tiously introduced into the “The ITF will do everything in Saint Germain on Tuesday, the side by Guardiola, has come its power - for the sport, the players, The start of the group stages of 4-1 aggregate triumph earning of age during this campaign, nations, and the fans - to ensure this the African qualifiers for the them a first ever spot in the effectively replacing Raheem landmark competition in tennis and 2022 World Cup could be post- final of Europe’s elite club Sterling in the attack. women’s sports will be held as soon poned for a second time to competition. Riyad Mahrez, who scored as it is reasonably practicable.” September, a special advisor to After stumbling in the both goals on Tuesday, has Confederation of African latter stages of the Champions flourished, while Ilkay Gun- Football (CAF) president Patrice League in his four previous dogan has come out of his Motsepe said yesterday. campaigns with the club, shell to become an all-round The qualifiers are Guardiola dropped his usual midfielder. scheduled to begin in early focus on the tasks ahead to City’s exits in Europe have June, having already been post- reflect on banishing the one all featured moments when poned from October last year major question mark over his they have let the game get due to the COVID-19 pandemic. stewardship of the club. away from them -- losing their But a clampdown by CAF on “To reach the final of this cool, their shape and their poor stadium facilities across competition is so difficult,” he focus. the continent could force told reporters. But this season there has another delay. “It is the toughest one, the been a solidity and maturity “We are waiting on final quality of the opponent and that is so vital at the highest confirmation from CAF, but the composure you have to level and both in Paris and at that is the thinking at the have to suffer the toughest home, City were firmly in moment, that the qualification moments.” Those moments control. will start in September and not had proved too tough for City “In big occasions there are in June,” Motsepe’s advisor in each of the past four going to be nerves. We have Danny Jordaan, who is also seasons. to control that. You put the president of the South African Last season’s 3-1 quarter- pressure on yourself,” said Football Association, told final loss to a very beatable right-back Kyle Walker, reporters. Olympique Lyonnaise fol- reflecting on the earlier exits. A final decision is expected lowed defeats to Tottenham, “You go back to Anfield Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in action to be made at the next CAF Liverpool and Monaco in the and throwing it away in the during his round of 32 match of Executive Committee meeting, Champions League knockout first leg. The second year we the ATP Masters 1000 - Madrid which is scheduled for May 15 stages. are at Tottenham and lost in Open against Spain’s Alejandro in Kigali. A CAF spokesperson “It remained in my head marched to Istanbul by This year, though, they the first leg before chasing it Davidovich Fokina yesterday. declined to comment when for weeks and it was painful, winning every knockout game have combined the flair in the here. contacted by Reuters. I cannot deny,” Guardiola said -- home and away. final third with a rock solid “Last year, it was different, CAF this week issued a list recently. Indeed, they are unbeaten defence that has conceded just over one leg - a proper cup of approved stadiums for the Many had wondered throughout their entire Cham- four goals in the Champions game. To finally get the victory Medvedev first two rounds of qualifiers, whether the Spaniard’s pions League campaign this League so far. over there and then come here which left a quarter of the 40 obsession with the compe- season, winning 11 games and The addition of Ruben and win is full credit to this breaks teams competing for places in tition had led him to overthink drawing just once. Dias, the Portugal central squad.” Qatar 2022 without a venue to games or transmitted nerves Throughout the Guardiola defender signed from Benfica, Chelsea or Real Madrid play their home matches. to his players, but this season years, City have produced has proven to be a await but whether it is an all- claycourt The shift in calendar would was different. some glorious attacking masterstroke. English final or a clash with mean there would be two City have not sneaked into football but also, especially in The arrival of the 23-year- the 13-times winners, City will hoodoo to rounds of qualifiers in each of the final or battled through Europe, some shaky defensive old has transformed City in the start as favourites -- and jus- the FIFA international windows against the odds, they have displays. same way that Virgil van Dijk tifiably so. advance in September, October and November this year. REUTERS – MADRID The 10 group winners will then advance to the final World number three Daniil playoff stage in March, which PSG players claim referee swore at them Medvedev’s love-hate relationship is contested on a home and with claycourts continued yesterday away basis, where the five REUTERS – MANCHESTER Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino and as he took out his frustration on the victors will earn their place in with referee Bjorn Kuipers after the match. court before overcoming Spain’s Qatar. Paris St Germain’s was Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for his verbally abused by Dutch referee Bjorn first career win at the Madrid Open. Kuipers during Tuesday’s Champions Medvedev, who has received an League semi-final second leg loss to opening-round bye in Madrid, said South Africa Manchester City, his team-mate Ander last month clay was his least pre- Herrera has claimed. ferred surface and once again made name Broos City reached the final of Europe’s elite his feelings clear during the second club competition for the first time thanks round match. as new coach to a 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium to “I don’t want to play here on this secure a 4-1 aggregate win. surface!” exclaimed Medvedev at a REUTERS – JOHANNESBURG French champions PSG were left change of ends. angered by the referee, who sent off PSG’s Medvedev, however, recovered Former Belgian international Angel Di Maria in the 69th minute for an from a mid-match blip to defeat Hugo Broos has been named off-the-ball stamp on Fernandinho. Davidovich Fokina 4-6 6-4 6-2 in new coach of South Africa, “We talk about respect towards ref- little over two hours. signing a five-year contract to erees,” midfielder Herrera told French At the end of the day, it was all the 2026 World Cup, it was multimedia outlet RMC Sport, while love for the Russian, who signed off announced yesterday. revealing that the official had sworn at with “Love clay :)” on the TV camera The 69-year-old, who was Paredes. following his first win on the surface part of the Belgium team that “If we say that, we get a three or four- since April 2019. reached the World Cup semi- match ban.” Herrera’s team-mate Marco Medvedev has a slim chance to finals in 1986, coached Cam- Verratti said in his post-match interview tigate the situation,” Pochettino said. “I apologise for my culturally insen- rise to the top of the world rankings eroon to the African Cup of that he too was abused by the official. “But now that’s not an excuse I can sitive remarks... I wrongly used a racial this month if he captures the Madrid Nations title in 2017. But he PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino put in front of you... the most important stereotype. This was inappropriate and title, reaches at least the semi-finals stayed less than two years in told reporters he believed his players and thing is we’re not in the final and that’s unacceptable,” Beglin tweeted. in Rome and other results go his the job. Broos replaces Molefi that European soccer’s governing body why we feel really sad.” “Words have a strong impact and I way. Ntseki who was fired last UEFA could investigate the incident. Meanwhile, CBS colour commentator fully understand the severity of what I But the 25-year-old still has month after South Africa failed “I didn’t hear anything from the Jim Beglin apologised for attributing said when Di Maria was sent off. I’ll winless records at both Rome and to reach the next Cup of Nations touchline, if something is there and is how Argentine Di Maria’s dismissal during the learn from this and be better moving the French Open, which begins in in Cameroon in January. they explained, maybe UEFA will inves- game to his “Latino temperament.” forward.” Paris on May 30. Sport THURSDAY 6 MAY 2021 18 Formula 1: Verstappen hopes his 100th ends up like the first REUTERS – normal and Barcelona is He and Hamilton have settling into that,” he said. two Spanishish driversdrivers to cheercheer always a good benchmark for been in a league of their own Hamilton’s team mate on. Max Verstappen’s first Formula a car’s strengths and this season, the Dutch driver Valtteri Bottas, who finished Carloss SainzSainz wwillill be One win at the Circuit de weaknesses. winning once with two second third from pole position in making his first homhomee Catalunya on his Red Bull “Barcelona will always places to Hamilton’s two vic- Portugal, is already 37 points appearancence as a FerrariFerrari Racing debut in 2016 was hold special memories for me. tories and one runner-up. behind the Briton and fourth driver whwhileile double simply sensational but another Your first F1 win is pretty emo- Hamilton has won in Spain overall. world championampion andand success on Sunday, in his 100th tional, especially when it is a five times, and for the past With his position at the two timestim es start for the team, would bit of a shock to everyone as it four years, and another team uncertain for next year, Spanish GP surprise nobody. was my debut for the team,” victory would equal Michael and Mercedes-backed Wil- winnerer The 23-year-old Dutch said Verstappen. Schumacher’s six with Ben- liams driver George Russell Fernandodo driver returns to the Spanish “I think it can be a good etton and Ferrari. favourite to replace him, the Alonsoo Grand Prix track outside Bar- track for us, but I do expect Pole position would also Finn needs a strong showing. returnss celona as a title contender Mercedes to be very quick too make him the first Formula Behind the podium reg- withh fighting wheel-to-wheel with so it’s going to be very close One driver to reach 100 but ulars, expect McLaren’s Lando Renault-t- Mercedes’ seven times world again and it’s just going to Mercedes’ director of Norris to continue the fine run owned Alpinelpine champion Lewis Hamilton. depend on who finds the best trackside engineering Andrew of form that has sent him third after two yearsyears out.out. Eight points behind his set-up,” he added. Shovlin said the weekend was overall. Formulaula One did British rival after three races, Verstappen started 23 looking too close to call. Only 1,000 spectators -- not test aatt ththee cicircuitrcuit Verstappen will find round races for Red Bull-owned Toro “To be honest, I think it circuit members drawn by pre-season,on, for the firstfirst four much more to his liking Rosso, now AlphaTauri, before will be a bit more of the same. ballot -- will be allowed into time sincee 2014,2014, and the than Portugal last weekend. his promotion to Red Bull You won’t be able to split the grandstands as a result of La Caixa turnturn 10 has been Grip levels, after the Racing at the age of 18 made them, you won’t be able to restrictions on mass gath- radically re-profiledre-profiled with the Algarve circuit’s slippery him the youngest ever grand read the race and I think it will erings due to the COVID-19 lap distancence extendedextended byby 2020 surface, should be more prix winner. just be a bit tight and we are pandemic but they will have metres. Max Verstappen England players A general view of the Narendra return home, Modi Stadium in during the Indian Australians to Premier League. Pic: Twitter/@IPL wait in Maldives or Sri Lanka

REUTERS – NEW DELHI

Eight England players returned to London yesterday after the abrupt suspension of After suspending the IPL, can the (IPL), with tour- nament organisers planning an airlift to Maldives or Sri Lanka for the stranded Australian cohort. Hours after the lucrative league host the T20 World Cup? was suspended on Tuesday because of India’s COVID-19 crisis, the English members of the squad rushed AP – NEW DELHI the competition was to Delhi from Ahmedabad to catch a flight designed to move the teams BCCI faces $270m hit IPL players to Heathrow. The postponement of into two cities in phases. But , , , cricket’s richest league the cracks started to appear and teams Chris Woakes, , and because of surging corona- in the bio-secure bubble from IPL suspension Curran brothers Sam and Tom landed on virus cases has raised ques- once the franchises were Wednesday morning, an England tions about India’s ability to shifted to Ahmedabad and REUTERS – NEW DELHI affected by spokesman told Reuters. host the World Delhi - two cities experi- “They will now quarantine in gov- Cup later this year. encing surges of coronavirus The Indian cricket board faces losing about $270m in revenue COVID-19 ernment-approved hotels,” he said. The Board of Control for cases - after the first phase after its lucrative and star-studded Indian Premier League England’s limited-overs Eoin Cricket in India last month of the tournament was com- (IPL) was halted by the COVID-19 crisis in the country, a senior Reuters – NEW DELHI Morgan, batsman Dawid Malan and all- gambled on going ahead with pleted at and official told Reuters yesterday. rounder would leave India in its marquee IPL tournament . The world’s richest Twenty20 league was approaching Following are the Indian Premier the next 48 hours, he added. during the pandemic. On Monday, two players its halfway stage before it was suspended indefinitely on League players and teams that have The 38-strong contingent of Australian But as COVID-19 cases from Tuesday following bubble breaches in two venues. been affected by COVID-19. The players, coaches, umpires and media increased closer toward tested positive at Ahmedabad “The ballpark figure for revenue loss would be to the tune Twenty20 tournament has been pundits will have to wait longer, though, to 400,000 a day across India, and Game 30 was postponed of 2000 crore rupees (20billion),” Arun Singh Dhumal, suspended indefinitely due to the get home, in the face of a ban on arrivals the tournament’s so-called - the first major delay of the treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), novel coronavirus crisis in the country. from India until at least May 15. bio-secure bubble was tournament that started on told Reuters. That equates to about $270m. Cricket Australia said there was a plan breached this week when April 9. The eight-team IPL, featuring celebrity owners including KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS - Varun to get them out of the pandemic-ravaged players and team staff started On Tuesday, it was the great and the good of business and Bollywood, attracts Chakaravarthy and country by chartered flight “in the next two returning positive tests for revealed that Chennai Super the biggest names in world cricket to a nation devoted to the tested positive on May 3, prompting or three days”. the coronavirus. Kings’ coach Laksh- sport. their match with Royal Challengers “What the BCCI are working to do is to The IPL was postponed mipathy Balaji and one of its Players include the likes of India captain Virat Kohli, Bangalore to be postponed hours move the entire cohort out of India where indefinitely on Tuesday, support staff members England all-rounder and Australian batsman Steve before its scheduled start in they will wait until it’s possible to return to leaving the BCCI and the returned positive tests in Smith. Ahmedabad. Australia,” CA interim Chief Executive Nick International Cricket Council Delhi and Sunrisers STAR Sports bagged the IPL’s television and digital rights Hockley told reporters in Sydney. pondering how or if India Hyderabad wicketkeeper for 2018-2022 for 163.48 billion rupees, agreeing to pay about - Bowling “That’s now narrowed down to the Mal- can host the 16-team T20 Wriddhiman Saha also tested 545 million rupees per game in a 60-match season. coach and a dives and Sri Lanka. The BCCI are com- World Cup in October and positive and was isolated. With only 29 games of 60 completed before the pandemic member of their travel support staff mitted not only to the first move, but also November. Organizers made the halted this year’s IPL, the BCCI could lose a chunk of that pot. tested positive. Local media reported to putting on a charter to bring them back Many of the world’s star decision to suspend compe- Indian cricket bosses are hoping to resume the league in that coach to Australia.” players who compete in the tition indefinitely. The BCCI late September, but that appears a tough challenge given the had also contracted the virus. The CA official refused to speculate if IPL were scrambling to is adamant that the IPL will COVID-19 infection risks involved in a country being hit hard the league could resume this year. depart. The BCCI assured resume once the pandemic by the pandemic. SUNRISERS HYDERABAD - “I think it’s premature to speculate on players it would do every- situation improves, but According to financial consultancy firm Duff & Phelps, Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman that,” he said. thing possible to help them windows for the tournament the IPL’s brand value had already shrunk 3.6% to $6.19b last Saha tested positive. “At the moment, the BCCI are very get home but there’ll be dif- are limited. year because of the pandemic, which forced the BCCI to stage focused on getting all the players, not just ficulties for some. Australia, It remains to be seen the league in the United Arab Emirates. DELHI CAPITALS - Spinner Amit the Australians, home safe.” for example, has temporarily whether India tries to move The BCCI distributes half of its central pool of revenue, Mishra tested positive. Chennai Super Kings’ Australian batting barred travellers from India. the IPL to the UAE. The BCCI from broadcasting and the main IPL sponsors, among the * Some other players, including coach Mike Hussey, who has tested pos- There are 38 Australians has already suggested the eight team franchises. Daniel Sams (Royal Challengers itive for COVID-19, will stay back to com- either playing, working as UAE as the alternative venue Bangalore), (Delhi Capitals), plete his quarantine period in India. coaches or as commentators for the T20 World Cup if (Kolkata Knight Riders), Players’ union boss Todd Greenberg said in the IPL. things don’t improve enough Shukla told the IPL’s official cities to host the T20 World tested positive inside bio-secure the cricketers were under an “enormous Last year, the BCCI for India to stage the broadcasters. Cup. But coordinating a bubbles ahead of the tournament. amount of stress” in India. staged the IPL in the United tournament. “The remainder of the World Cup featuring 16 “The public will see our best Australian * Mumbai Indians scout and Arab Emirates because of the “One thing I want to IPL will happen but in due teams will be a harder cricketers as almost superheroes... but they wicketkeeping consultant Kiran pandemic. But this year India make very clear, it (IPL) has course.” assignment again. are human beings,” the chief executive of More also contracted the virus. wanted to bring the tour- not been cancelled. It has India successfully hosted India has already the Australian Cricketers’ Association said. * Devdutt Padikkal (Royal Challengers nament back home, at least been suspended, it has been matches against England reported more than 20 India’s coronavirus deaths rose by a Bangalore) tested positive before he in part to use it as a rehearsal postponed, it has been during the pandemic in million COVID-19 cases, and record 3,780 during the last 24 hours, a day joined up with the squad. for the World Cup. deferred. So it will happen,” Chennai and Ahmedabad thousands of people are after it became the second country to cross To cut down on travel, BCCI vice-president Rajiv and has also shortlisted eight dying every day. 20 million infections, after the United states.

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