Sport

THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2020 Athletics:A New course, old rivals as KipchogeK and Bekele face off in London I respect the man (Kenenisa Bekele), the success and the men- tatality of being able to train with such discipline even after such hhuge success. We are rivals, we beat each other a few times and susuch a rivalry has helped keep us in the sport for so long.

World record holder Eliud Kipchoge Sport |09 AFC CHAMPIONSS LEAGUELEAGUE QQUARTER-FINALS:UARTER-FINALS: Al NNassrassr (KSA)(KSA) beat Al Ahli (KSA)(KKSA) 2-0, PersepolisPersepolis ((IRN)IRN) beat PakhtakorP (UZB) 2-0 Wawrinka FRENCH OPEN RAFAEL NADAL SERENA WILLIAMS RESULTS ready to Spanish superstar needs one more The US tennis queen, a three-time major to pull level with long-time rival winner at Roland Garros, suffers MEN'S SINGLES: SECOND ROUND Federer and owns an astonishing 95-2 another blow in her bid for a 24th Taylor Fritz (27), United States, def. Radu challenge Albot, Moldova, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. record in Paris going back to his Grand Slam title as her decision to pull out Stan Wawrinka (16), Switzerland, def. Dominik for title triumph on debut in 2005. hands Bulgaria’s Pironkova a walkover. Koepfer, Germany, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Sebastian Korda, United States, def. John REUTERS – PARIS Isner (21), United States, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Hugo Gaston, France, def. Yoshihito Nishioka, Three-time Grand Slam Japan, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-2. champion Stan Wawrinka Diego Schwartzman (12), Argentina, def. said he was ready to chal- Lorenzo Giustino, Italy, 6-1, 7-5, 6-0. lenge for his second French Rafael Nadal (2), Spain, def. Mackenzie Open title after a McDonald, United States, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, Pedro Martinez, Spain, def. Mikhail Kukushkin, 6-1 win over German Kazakhstan, 6-3, 6-1, 6-0. Dominik Koepfer to Dominic Thiem (3), Austria, def. Jack Sock, advance to the third round United States, 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (6). yesterday. Norbert Gombos, Slovakia, def. Jurij Rodionov, The 2015 Roland Garros Nadal, Halep Austria, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4. champion put his muscular Lorenzo Sonego, Italy, def. Alexander Bublik, build to good effect to hit Kazakhstan, 7-6 (8), 6-1, 7-5. 51 crunching winners Casper Ruud (28), Norway, def. Tommy Paul, despite the slow conditions United States, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. on Court Suzanne Lenglen cruise as injured Federico Coria, Argentina, def. Benoit Paire in his first career meeting (23), France, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. against the 61st-ranked Spain’s Rafael Nadal Stefano Travaglia, Italy, def. Kei Nishikori, German. returns the ball to Japan, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-2. The 16th seeded Swiss Mackenzie McDonald suffered his only service of the US. Serena withdraws WOMEN'S SINGLES: SECOND ROUND break in the third set, which Tsvetana Pironkova, Bulgaria, def. Serena he went on to lose, and Williams (6), United States, walkover. broke his opponent’s serve AFP – PARIS The Spaniard batted aside teenager who dumped Halep 3-6, 9-7 in a three-hour Elina Svitolina (3), Ukraine, def. Renata Zarazua, five times during the match McDonald 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in out in straight sets in last year’s 11-minute clash which left her Mexico, 6-3, 0-6, 6-2. to complete the victory in Serena Williams suffered exactly 100 minutes and will quarter-finals. in cramps and Italian Errani Ekaterina Alexandrova (27), Russia, def. Astra 2 hours and 8 minutes. another blow in her bid for a meet Japan’s Kei Nishikori or US Open champion Dominic screaming an obscenity as she Sharma, Australia, 6-3, 6-3. “I’m happy so far with 24th Grand Slam title as the Stefano Travaglia of Italy for a Thiem swept into the third left the court. Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova, Slovakia, def. my start at the French American withdrew from the spot in the last 16. round with a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) Ukrainian third seed Elina Victoria Azarenka (10), Belarus, 6-2, 6-2. Open,” Wawrinka told French Open yesterday with an “The aim was to play as well victory over American qualifier Svitolina overcame Mexican Nadia Podoroska, Argentina, def. Yulia reporters. Achilles injury, while 12-time as possible. I’m very happy. I Jack Sock, saving three set qualifier Renata Zarazua 6-3, Putintseva (23), Kazakhstan, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. “I’m ready for it. I’ve champion Rafael Nadal and have another difficult match points to close out the match. 0-6, 6-2. Amanda Anisimova (25), United States, def. been practising right. I’m women’s top seed Simona Halep next,” said Nadal. The Austrian third seed will Svitolina is coming off a title Bernarda Pera, United States, 6-2, 6-0. feeling good. I like the con- eased into the third round. The 34-year-old needs one play Norway’s Casper Ruud for at Strasbourg last week and will Barbora Krejcikova, Czech Republic, def. Barbora dition here. I enjoy being The 39-year-old Williams, more major to pull level with a place in the last 16. next play Russian 27th seed Strycova (32), Czech Republic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. back playing Grand Slam. a three-time winner at Roland long-time rival Federer and “I’m very happy with my Ekaterina Alexandrova, but was Kiki Bertens (5), Netherlands, def. Sara Errani, It’s great to be able and Garros, pulled out ahead of her owns an astonishing 95-2 game in the first two rounds. It briefly taken aback by a sonic Italy, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 9-7. have the chance to play this second round match against record in Paris going back to his was not an easy draw at all and boom over Roland Garros. Katerina Siniakova, Czech Republic, def. year French Open.” “Let’s Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova triumph on debut in 2005. I’m very happy not to drop a The thunderous noise that Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Russia, 6-3, 6-4. see what will happen in the citing the injury that prompted Women’s favourite and set,” said Thiem, who defeated panicked residents of Paris was Eugenie Bouchard, Canada, def. Daria Gavrilova, next two weeks,” he said. her to skip the Rome tune-up 2018 champion Simona Halep 2014 US Open winner Marin caused by a French fighter jet Australia, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. The Swiss gave a good event. beat compatriot Irina-Camelia Cilic in round one. that broke the sound barrier. Iga Swiatek, Poland, def. Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, account of his title chances “The Achilles didn’t have Begu 6-3, 6-4 to extend her Dutch fifth seed Kiki Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 by crushing multiple major enough time to heal after the US career-best winning streak to Bertens had to be taken off French Open winner, followed 6-1, 6-4. winner Andy Murray 6-1, Open,” said Williams, who 16 matches. court in a wheelchair after a up his demolition of Andy Elise Mertens (16), Belgium, def. Kaia Kanepi, 6-3, 6-2 in his opening admitted last week she was not However, her next fiery win over former finalist Murray with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 Estonia, 6-4, 7-5. round and will next face fully fit after her run to the semi- opponent is American 25th seed Sara Errani. defeat of Germany’s Dominik Simona Halep (1), Romania, def. Irina- French wild card Hugo finals in New York. Amanda Anisimova, the Bertens triumphed 7-6 (7/5), Koepfer. Camelia Begu, Romania, 6-3, 6-4. Gaston, who earlier beat “I’m struggling to walk, so Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka that’s kind of a telltale sign that TODAY'S ORDER OF PLAY 6-4, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2. I should try to recover.” It's never easy to play against a Romanian and against Irina (Play begins at 0900 GMT, prefix number “My conclusion is that The injury likely means she (Camelia Begu), we played so many times. It's never easy, she's denotes seeding): I’m ready,” said Wawrinka, will miss the rest of 2020, a very strong opponent and she's also powerful, the serve is COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER who spent most of the pro- leaving the Australian Open in Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) vs 2-Karolina Pliskova fessional tour’s lengthy 2021 as her next chance to equal really strong. Today I really felt it's very slippery at the back of (Czech Republic) shutdown in Switzerland Margaret Court’s all-time majors the court because there was no roof. It's different, I have to say Ana Bogdan (Romania) vs 4-Sofia Kenin (U.S.) with his daughter. record. it. But anyway it is nice here, every court is beautiful so I am 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Ricardas Berankis “It can be long two “I need four to six weeks of ready to face anything. (Lithuania) weeks. It’s match after sitting and doing nothing,” she French Open top seed Simona Halep after defeating Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) vs 5-Stefanos Tsitsipas match. You said. “It’s more than likely that I compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-4 (Greece) needneed to won’t play another tournament COURT SUZANNE LENGLEN stays t ay this year.” 9-Denis Shapovalov (Canada) vs Roberto intointo it.”it.” Her decision to pull out Carballes Baena (Spain) handed Pironkova a walkover Kristyna Pliskova (Czech Republic) vs 11-Garbine and left Williams searching for Muguruza (Spain) a first major since the last of her Lloyd Harris (South Africa) vs 7-Matteo Berrettini 23 titles at Melbourne in 2017. (Italy) “I always give 100 percent, 14-Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) vs Fiona everyone knows that. Maybe Ferro (France) even more than 100 if that’s pos- COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU sible. I take solace in that,” she 7-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) vs Jasmine told reporters. Paolini (Italy) Nadal looked in ominous Romania’s Simona Halep returns the ball Andrej Martin (Slovakia) vs 18-Grigor Dimitrov form as he stepped up his to compatriot Irina Begu during their (Bulgaria) pursuit of Roger Federer’s 20 women’s singles second round match on major titles with a crushing win Alize Cornet (France) vs Zhang Shuai (China) Day 4 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain) vs 13-Andrey over 236th-ranked American Open in Paris, yesterday. Mackenzie McDonald. Rublev (Russia) Qatar Olympic Academy announces 2021 agenda

QNA – DOHA sports field and sports psychologist Olympic sports institutions, accredited that focus on the benefit of the sports particular and the whole society in preparation, in addition to various by the International Olympic Com- community and those interested in the general. Qatar Olympic Academy (QOA) courses in many sports and Olympic mittee, as well as a number of Olympic field of rehabilitation and sports Dr. Al Bakri noted that the Academy announced the agenda of its courses fields. education workshops. science in its various fields, in addition started in recent years offering and programs for 2021, which will start The Academy is keen on diversi- The distance learning system has to the Academy’s interest and focus on intensive and specialised courses in on January 3 and continue till fying its agenda every year in order to been adopted in a number of agenda educating the community about the the sports field in cooperation with the December 16. reach the largest segment of those programs. The system achieved a great Olympic and sports culture, which is International Olympic Committee. The The 2021 agenda includes a variety interested and to achieve its goals success and an unparalleled turnout, one of the most important goals of the beginning was with the Arab Trainers of 21 programs, courses and work- aiming at spreading sports and therefore, the Academy decided to Academy. Program at the foundation level, and shops, accredited by a number of inter- Olympic culture in the State of Qatar adopt it for many courses in order to For his part, Head of the Sports then the advanced level, in addition to national and continental bodies, and abroad. Its agenda includes a mas- provide an opportunity for those Development Department and Director the sports psychologist preparation foremost among which is the Olympic ter’s program in sports law for the wishing to join the course but unable of the Sports Management Program program (in both theoretical and Solidarity Commission of the Interna- fourth year in a row, which is one of to attend. accredited to the International Olympic applied parts) in cooperation with tional Olympic Committee. the strongest programs in the region Executive Director of Qatar Committee, Dr. Ali Abdulrahman Al Qatar University. These programs con- The Academy’s programs will in general. Olympic Academy, Saif Mohammed Al Bakri, underlined that Qatar Olympic stituted a great and strong addition to include postgraduate programs, The agenda also includes the Nuaimi underlined the keenness of the Committee always strives to provide those working in the sports community Olympic education workshops, training launch of the tenth edition of the Academy on diversifying the agenda distinguished programs and sciences and to preparing professional sports and management programs in the advanced diploma for management of every year to contain many programs that benefit the sports system in cadres in all sports disciplines. THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2020 SPORT 11 Al Nassr blank Al Ahli SFC; Persepolis down Pakhtakor to reach semi-finals

AFC — DOHA League and a place in the semi- AFC Champions League final for the third time in four Al Nassr reached the AFC years. Champions League semi-final Yesterday, Pakhtakor suf- for the first time in their history fered a huge blow just 15 after a convincing 2-0 win over minutes into the match when compatriots Al Ahli Saudi FC at talisman Jaloliddin Masharipov Gareth Bale Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium saw straight red following a yesterday. challenge on Kamal Both teams went into the Kamyabinia. quarter-final game with their Jordanian referee Adham strikers looking to extend per- Makhadmeh referred to VAR Injured Bale sonal scoring runs; Al Ahli’s before sending Masharipov off, Omar Al Soma had scored 10 making it the first VAR- to miss goals in his 10 league starts reviewed red card in the history against Al Nassr, while Abder- of the AFC Champions League Wales' azzak Hamdallah was level with after the introduction of the Shanghai SIPG’s Hulk in scoring technology at the quarter-final in nine consecutive AFC Cham- stage of the competition. forthcoming pions League matches, and was After the break, coach hoping to make the record his. Yahya Golmohammadi looked matches Al Nassr started on the front to take advantage of his side’s foot and within 60 seconds they numerical superiority, piling the AFP — LONDON had created their first big pressure on Pakhtakor and the chance as Khalid Al Ghannam plan yielded results within four Gareth Bale has been left out advanced down the left, minutes as Hossein Kanaani of the Wales squad for their exchanged passes with Pity Al Nassr’s players celebrate their opening goal against Al Ahli Saudi FC during their AFC Champions supplied a through pass for forthcoming matches as the Martinez, and chipped Al Owais League quarter-final at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, yesterday. Siamak Nemati down the right on-loan Tottenham forward from close range, but Abdel- and the number 88 squared for recovers from a knee injury, baset Al Hindi interfered at the Kasir who converted first time the Football Association of last moment, producing a goal Al Ghannam dribbling his way home his maiden goal in Al after the restart when Lucas past Eldorbek Suyunov to put Wales (FAW) announced line clearance to deny Al Nassr centrally and found Martinez Nassr colours. Lima bent a cross from a free- Persepolis in the lead. yesterday. an early opener. inside the box. The Argentinian The Riyadh-based side con- kick into the far post for Al Pakhtakor had a rare Bale is still waiting to make The two players combined midfielder showed nimble feet tinued their dominance and Hindi whose header missed the chance in the 63rd minute after his first appearance for Spurs again in the 13th minute, with to pass his marker and slot came close to doubling their target. After weathering the Dragan Ceran capitalised on since rejoining the Premier lead halfway through early storm, Al Nassr responded some sloppy passing at the League club on a season-long Persepolis’ defender the opening 45 minutes clinically with right-back Sultan back, snatching the ball and loan from Real Madrid earlier Saeid Aghaei when former Al Ahli Al Ghannam finding Asiri with squaring for OdiljonKham- this month. (right) is tackled player Abdulfattah Asiri a low cross and the winger con- robekov at the edge of the box The 31-year-old suffered by Pakhtakor’s cut inside from the right trolling expertly to evade his to send an effort that was a knee problem while playing and unleashed a pow- marker and fire in against his deflected off the defender and for Wales in their Nations defender Khojiakbar erful effort that narrowly former club to make it 2-0. behind for a corner. League matches last month. Alijonov during the missed the target. Al Ahli huffed and puffed Persepolis doubled their tally Bale will miss the friendly AFC Champions Hamdallah missed a but did not get a clear-cut in the 66th minute and again it against England at Wembley League quarter-final, golden opportunity at chance until two minutes from was Kasir on the scoresheet. The on October 8 and their Nations yesterday. the half-hour mark. The time when Al Soma got on the striker got on the end of an Aghaei League games against the Moroccan striker latched end of an Abdulrahman cross, beating goalkeeper Republic of Ireland and Bul- onto a defence-splitting Ghareeb cross, beating goal- Suyunov at the near post for his garia on October 11 and Asiri pass to go through keeper Brad Jones but hitting fourth goal of the 2020 AFC October 14 respectively. on goal before drilling the crossbar. Champions League. “We’ve had conversations an effort that crept Persepolis see off Pakhtakor The result means Persepolis with both Gareth and the inches wide of the post. to book semi-final spot face Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in medical team and he’s not Al Ahli came back Meanwhile, a second-half the semi-final on Saturday, quite right for this camp,” from the halftime break brace from Isa Al Kasir earned having faced their city rivals Al Wales coach Ryan Giggs said. with desire to find an Persepolis FC a 2-0 win over Hilal SFC at the same stage in “It’s nothing serious but it’s equaliser, and came Pakhtakor in the quarter-final 2018 and going on to reach the just one to keep an eye on. It close seven minutes of the 2020 AFC Champions final. has just taken a bit of time to settle down and he’s not quite right. “Of course Gareth always Koeman praises Messi keeps himself fit so he’s able Portugal limit fan numbers at to come back as soon as the injury is right. He will be back for making call for pretty soon I would imagine. Spain and Sweden friendlies “He was close but I think with the circumstances, with unity at Barcelona AFP — LISBON 7, with that percentage rising football league announced a him going to a new club, we to 10 percent for the match test match at the weekend in had to think seriously about A limited number of fans will with Sweden a week later. the Azores islands, which will not only the short term but the AP — MADRID forced to stay at Barcelona after be allowed to attend Portugal The Jose Alvalade stadium be the first game in front of long term. telling the club he wanted to friendlies with Spain and has a capacity of almost spectators since the corona- “We want to have Gareth Barcelona coach Ronald leave in the offseason. He Sweden, the country’s football 50,000 spectators and is the virus pandemic shut football back fit, get him playing at a Koeman praised Lionel Messi openly criticized the club and federation (FPF) said home of Sporting Lisbon. down in March. club he knows well. He will be (pictured) yesterday for its officials after having his yesterday. The two matches will The clash between Santa playing regularly and I look making a call for unity at the request to leave denied. The decision was taken serve as a test run to assess Clara and Gil Vicente in the forward to seeing him in the embattled club. Koeman said he will try to after consultations with the the possibility of fans third round of the 2020/21 Premier League.” Koeman’s comments came make Messi happy by making government and health attending domestic matches, Primeira Liga season, will be Bale has played just 235 after Messi told the daily Sport the team competitive. authorities the FPF said. with the FPF planning to played at the Sao Miguel minutes for club and country newspaper that he wanted to “We have to find the best Lisbon’s Jose Alvalade submit a report on the games stadium in the presence of since February. put his dispute with the club team for him, the best position Stadium will operate at five to the Portuguese health around 1,000 spectators, or Giggs’ decision to allow behind him and said “we must for him, so he can shine and percent of capacity for the authorities. 10 percent of the stadium’s Bale to rehabilitate with his the unite” to help Barcelona perform at his best,” Koeman match with Spain on October On Tuesday, the country’s capacity. north London side during the succeed again. said. international break has gone “It’s positive when the “You can tell that he lives Lisbon’s Jose Alvalade Stadium will operate at five percent of capacity for down well with Tottenham of the team calls for for football and is always trying manager Jose Mourinho. unity,” Koeman said. “It’s very to win, even in the practice ses- the match with Spain on October 7, with that percentage rising to 10 “It looks like Giggs cares positive. sions. The best way to make percent for the match with Sweden a week later. about the player and under- HopefullyHopefully LeoLeo hahappyppy is to win matches.” stands how important the things will be BarcelonaBarcelona visits Celta Vigo period is for Gareth,” calmercalmer now today for its second Spanish Mourinho said. than thetheyy were lleagueeague matcmatch.h. It routeroutedd ViVil-l- “He’s not ready to play, he recently.”recently.” larreal 4-0 on Sunday, with couldn’t play for them. But to MessiMessi MessiMessi scoringscoring one of the ggoals.oals. be there, and lose the work he waswas TheThe Argentina great told can do with us, would be very SportSport on Tuesday thatthat important for the player. thethe onlonlyy “The player belongs to Tot- tenham, the player belongs to wayway the Welsh national team, and fforor tthehe it looks like he’s going to have clubclub to reachreach itsits A view of Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon. this opportunity to work spe- goalsgoals was to keep “united and cifically and to be back in good rowingrowing in tthehe samesame ddirection.”irection.” conditions.” Kolkata bowlers set up thumping victory over Rajasthan

IANS — DUBAI overs, the KKR bowlers not only KuldeepYadav, who all settled (1) -- fell cheaply. (9), too, couldn’t do much while picked at regular with a each. Moreover, RR’s young Ankit Rajpoot remained Brief Scores (KKR) intervals but they were also Put into bat by RR, KKR batting sensation Rahul unbeaten on seven runs as RR bowlers set the Dubai Interna- quite economical as most of the scored 174 for six wickets in 20 Tewatia, who was one of the went down by 37 runs. KKR 174/6 in 20 overs tional Stadium on fire RR batsman faltered. overs and while Steve Smith’s architects of their previous win, Curran’s fighting innings as they came out all guns Barring Tom Curran, who Rajasthan team made 137/9 failed to replicate the show as was laced with two boundaries (Shubman Gill 47, Eoin blazing to help their team to a scored a 36-ball 54 not out, the wickets in 20 overs. he fell for 14. That left RR reeling and three sixes. Morgan 34 not out; Jofra thumping 37-run win over other RR batters succumbed Chasing the target, half of at 66/6. Earlier, KKR openers Archer 2/18) beat RR (RR) in the against the clinical KKR the RR side was back to the Curran tried his best to Subhman Gill (47) and Sunil 137/9 in 20 overs (Tom 12th IPL match in Dubai bowlers. pavilion with just 42 runs on avoid a humiliating defeat with Narine (15) started the pro- Curran 54 not out, Jos yesterday. For KKR, Shivam Mavi, board. some fireworks down the order, ceedings cautiously. Buttler 21; Kamlesh It was RR’s first defeat of the Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and Varun The RR side suffered a top- but lack of support from the However, the partnership tournament while KKR regis- Chakravarthy scalped two order collapse as all their other end couldn’t help RR cross couldn’t last long as Jaydev Nagarkoti 2/13) by 37 tered their second win in three batsmen each and the trio in-form batters -- Smith (3), the line. Unadkat trapped the latter in runs games. received good support from (8), (5), Jofra the fifth over with the scorecard While defending 174/6 in 20 Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, and (21), Robin Uthappa (2), and Archer (6) and reading 36/1. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2020 Holders Bayern, rivals await CL draw as virus impact remains AFP – PARIS know,” lamented Bayern coach Borussia Dortmund and both Man- Ceferin. He added: “Fans and Hansi Flick. chester clubs all in the second pot, players are the essential part of Less than six weeks Bayern Munich Today's draw is part of a cer- and Inter Milan, Atalanta, RB Leipzig football.” won last season’s delayed final emony which will also see the best and Marseille among the lower But with rules on large gath- behind closed doors, the draw for men’s and women’s player of last seeds. erings varying considerably from the group stage of the next Cham- season crowned. But the excitement of the draw country to country, UEFA must pions League takes place today with UEFA had to ditch plans to stage will be quickly tempered. decide how to approach the issue the threat of the coronavirus the event in Athens and instead First, there is the realisation that of crowds attending games in the pandemic again hanging over the moved it to its own headquarters almost all the leading clubs will Champions League and Europa competition. in Nyon, Switzerland, where the make it through to the last 16 League, the draw for which is on Bayern were crowned draw will go ahead without guests. anyway, as they always do, Friday. European champions for the sixth It is further evidence that, after removing much of the jeopardy UEFA’s current stance is that time after beating Paris Saint- the battle to get last season finished, from the early games. games will be behind closed doors Germain beating Paris Saint- things are not about to return to As the pandemic continues to “until further notice”. Germain at an empty Estadio da normal in Europe yet, and virus cast a shadow, it seems hard to The group stage starts on Luz in Lisbon in August. cases are exploding again. imagine the final going ahead as October 20, more than a month The surreal occasion repre- But this time the football, it scheduled in Istanbul next May in later than usual, and all six rounds sented a triumph of sorts for UEFA. seems, will go on. a full stadium. of games will be packed into eight European football’s governing Both Bayern and PSG will be in UEFA experimented with the weeks. body succeeded in playing its the first pot of seeds along with Liv- return of fans when around 15,500 However, in the event of more flagship competition to a conclusion erpool, Real Madrid, Juventus, attended last week’s Super Cup delays, UEFA has set January 28 as despite the long shutdown caused Porto, Zenit Saint-Petersburg and between Bayern and Sevilla in the deadline to complete the group by the health crisis, but the final Sevilla, the Europa League winners. Budapest. stage. Bayern Munich’s players celebrate with the trophy rounds were not the same. There is the prospect of plenty “Health is the number one pri- Pitfalls lie ahead, but the draw after winning the Champions League final against “A game like this without sup- of enticing match-ups, with Bar- ority but we want to bring hope,” offers a brief return to something PSG in Lisbon, in this August 24 file photo. porters is not the football that we celona, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, said UEFA President Aleksander like normality.

Tottenham optimistic The number of minutes played is dangerous. What I did with Eric Dier about bringing in new today is very dangerous. I told the players they should only think about this game, but I have to striker: Mourinho think about three games. I cannot believe in 48 hours we are playing a European game. The boys were absolutely phenomenal. REUTERS – LONDON Jose Mourinho believes players are being put in danger by the authorities and the fixture pile up gave him no choice but to prioritise today’s Europa League tie Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful that they can sign a against Maccabi Haifa given the financial incentive on offer for the club. striker as a backup for Harry Kane before the transfer window closes on Oct. 5, manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday. Kane, who struggled with a hamstring injury last season, was on the bench and came on late in Tues- day’s penalty shootout win over Chelsea that earned Tottenham a spot in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. Spurs are already without winger Son Heung-min after the South Korean injured his hamstring in their 1-1 Premier League draw with Newcastle United while new loan signing Gareth Bale will not be match-fit before the October international break. Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane scoring his penalty past Chelsea’s French goalkeeper Edouard Mendy during the English League “I’m optimistic (of signing a new striker) but more Cup fourth-round match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Tuesday. than that I like the feeling that we’re trying everything to do it,” Mourinho told reporters before Thursday’s Europa League play-off against Israel’s Maccabi Haifa. “My club and structure is trying everything to do it. Mourinho bemoans ‘dangerous’ City sign Dias If we succeed, great, I believe so and if we don’t, that’s football. Sonny of course is not playing tomorrow. He’s from Benfica a doubt for Sunday (in the league against Manchester schedule as Spurs see off Chelsea United), a big doubt. I don’t want to say he doesn’t play REUTERS – MANCHESTER and then he does because my position is in doubt.” AFP – LONDON Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Harry Reguilon was twice at fault in the Bale’s return to his former club from Real Madrid has Kane scoring from the spot. build up as he gifted possession to Manchester City have cast doubts on the future of midfielder Dele Alli, who Jose Mourinho believes players are Tammy Abraham, Cesar Azpilicueta and then dived in trying completed the signing of has lost his place in Mourinho’s side. being put in danger by the football Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Emerson to block the Spaniard’s cross, which Portugal defender Ruben Dias “I cannot confirm if Dele is playing or not. The only authorities after Tottenham beat also converted their penalties as allowed the Chelsea captain to pick on a six-year deal from thing I can say is that he’s being very professional,” Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to the first nine of the shootout were out Werner at the edge of the box Benfica, the Premier League Mourinho added. progress to the quarter-finals of the successful. to arrow a shot into the bottom club said on Tuesday as they “I have respect for him. Even yesterday he trained League Cup after a 1-1 draw. But Mason Mount’s effort corner. moved to strengthen their well and hard. He has the respect of his team mates.” Mourinho’s men were playing clipped the post to the delight of Lampard had won his previous defence two days after a 5-2 the second of four games in eight the watching Gareth Bale, who three meetings against his former home defeat by Leicester City. days in three different could be fit to feature in the last manager Mourinho and the ten- Argentine defender competitions. eight with the quarter-finals not sions between the two flared Nicolas Otamendi moved the FA Cup trophy fetches Eric Dier was the only outfield till late December. during the first-half as they other way as part of the deal, player retained in the Tottenham Mourinho claimed the fixture exchanged angry words on the ending a five-year spell with £760,000 at auction team that started Sunday’s 1-1 draw pile up gave him no choice but to touchline. City. in the Premier League against prioritise today’s Europa League On the field, Spurs were the Benfica announced earlier REUTERS – LONDON Newcastle and the England tie against Maccabi Haifa given the better side as Mendy made that 23-year-old Dias, who defender had to dash from the field financial incentive on offer for the important saves from Lamela and has played 19 times for Por- West Ham United co-owner David Gold has sold the for a comfort break in the club. Reguilon either side of tugal, had moved for a oldest surviving FA Cup trophy for £760,000 ($978,044) second-half. “I told the players they should half-time. transfer fee of €68m at an auction. “The number of minutes played only think about this game, but I Mourinho showed his intent by ($79.83m) plus 3.6 million in Gold bought the trophy, which was the second is dangerous. What I did with Eric have to think about three games,” introducing Kane from the bench variables while they agreed version of the FA Cup presented to winners of the com- Dier today is very dangerous,” said added Mourinho, who faces with 20 minutes to go. to pay 15 million euros for petition between 1896-1910, 15 years ago for 478,000 Mourinho, suggesting that dehy- another of his former clubs Man- Moments later the Portuguese Otamendi. pounds during his time as chairman of Birmingham City. dration could have led to the chester United in the Premier was marching down the tunnel City will hope Dias can The original version of the trophy was stolen in 1895. defender’s problem. League on Sunday. after Dier as the defender made a help solve their problems at “The trophy charts the transformation of the game “It should be forbidden to play “I cannot believe in 48 hours dash to the dressing room before the back with six goals con- from one dominated by public school players to the two matches in 48 hours. What Eric we are playing a European game. quickly returning. ceded in their first two games popular mass participation sport that it became and Dier did is not human.” The boys were absolutely Chelsea did not make the most of the Premier League cam- remains,” auction house Bonhams said. Timo Werner’s first goal for phenomenal.” of a brief period with an extra man paign, having conceded 35 The cup had been on display in the National Football Chelsea compounded Mourinho’s Lampard made eight changes, as Callum Hudson-Odoi fired over last season which was their Museum in Manchester. woes in a dominant start from but Werner was one of those and Werner’s fierce effort was worst defensive record in the Sheffield United were the first winners of the new Frank Lampard’s men. retained from the 3-3 draw at West saved by Lloris. last three years. trophy in 1896, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers But Erik Lamela deservedly Brom on Saturday and he took the Chelsea were punished when “Ruben is a player we 2-1 in the final. levelled for Spurs seven minutes opportunity to get his first goal for Lamela slotted home at the far post have admired for some time Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham from time and new Chelsea goal- the club after a big money move from Reguilon’s cross to send the and we have been impressed Hotspur were among the other first-time winners of the keeper Edouard Mendy was unable from RB Leipzig. game to a shootout and ultimately with how he has progressed trophy. to stop Dier, Lamela, Pierre-Emile Tottenham debutant Sergio Spurs into the last eight. at Benfica. He has developed into a real leader and as a defender, he has all the Ole Gunnar attributes we are looking for,” Solskjaer director of football Txiki Solskjaer calls for clarity on handball rule Begiristain said in City’s statement. REUTERS – LONDON no fans, it’s a different game.e. “He is strong in the air, Pre-season we were at differentent good in one-v-one situations Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says managers need stages, the new handball rule…e… you and technically he is very more clarity on the Premier League’s never know what’s going to happen,"appen," good, so we are confident he handball rule following a series of contro- Solskjaer said. can thrive in our system.” versial decisions in the opening weeks of “You can discuss it all dayy long but we Dias added: “To have the the season. need some clarity on what’ss a foul and mmakingaking opportunity to join a club like Tottenham Hotspur were denied a what’s a penalty. Now it looks llikeike you cacann tthehe bbodyody Manchester City is a fantastic victory on Sunday after Newcastle United chip the ball into someone’s hand,and, likelike wwhathat bigger.bigger. TThehe pre-pre- opportunity for me and one I were awarded a penalty in stoppage time happened to us against Palace,e, and Victor vious,vious, established law for handball by Eric Dier, who was facing got a penalty against him. reliedrelied on refereesreferees makingmaking a couldn’t turn down. in the opposite direction to the ball when “Then the header against Tottenham,Tottenham, judgment as to whether a handball waswas Otamendi returns to Por- he jumped. Manchester United defender he’s got no idea the ball hits hhim.im. You see intentionalintentional or notnot.. tugal after spending four Victor Lindelof was also on the receiving the goal scored against West Brom at the “We neeneedd to get tthathat cclarity.larity. It’s a years at Benfica’s rivals Porto. end of a harsh penalty decision during their end by Chelsea, is that not handball?ndball? Much whole spectrum of things that aren’taren’t He made 210 appearances for 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace in their of the controversy focuses on hhandballsandballs bbyy normal.normal. TTherehere hhaveave beenbeen so many cchangeshanges City, scoring 11 goals and season-opener. players where the referee rulesles their arm andand nuances to different rules,” Solskjaer winning two Premier League “I think football has changed. There are or hand is an “unnatural pposition”osition” or added. titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups. THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2020 SPORT 09 Athletics: New course, old rivals as Kipchoge and Bekele face off in London

REUTERS - LONDON as the sport’s greatest-ever over Berlin last year to miss Kip- the 26.2 mile distance. choge’s mark by two seconds. An unfamiliar course, poor Ethiopia’s Bekele had his That made the East African duo weather and the absence of own “GOAT” claim after the only men to have broken 750,000 cheering fans suggest winning multiple world and two hours, two minutes for the a world record is distance. unlikely in Sunday’s It is remarkable London Marathon but that both won dis- long-standing rivals tance world titles on Eliud Kipchoge and the track in 2003 Kenenisa Bekele and now, 17 years could still produce a on, are still top of the race for the ages. pile and breaking After the cancel- new ground. lation of the original Bekele, who still race in April due to holds the 10,000m COVID-19, organisers world record having have pulled together lost his 5,000m A handout picture an elite-only event, mark last month, is released by the London featuring almost 20 38 to Kipchoge’s Marathon shows laps of St James’s In this file photo released last year in October by official 35 - though Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Park, behind high Nike shows Eliud Kipchoge holding a pair of shoes. many believe the Bekele (right) training fences and watched Kipchoge will be using the latest version of Nike’s Kenyan to be several with his Dutch coach only by a handful of carbon-plated Alphafly Next% (pictured below). years older. Peter Eemers within the journalists, coaches “It should be a grounds of the official and event officials. great race and I’m marathon hotel. This For Kenya’s Kip- really looking year’s London Marathon choge, this will feel forward to it after will be an elite-athlete familiar after he almost a year since I only event run in an became the first man last competed,” Kip- enclosed looped course in to break two hours on choge, seeking a St James’s Park. a similar multi-lap record fifth London course in Vienna last title, told a remote year, his one hour, news conference 59.40 minutes time yesterday. thought his podium days were “Of course I respect him as which comply with World Ath- ruled unofficial due to Asked what he over after a series of poor runs an athlete and for his discipline letics’ new restrictions on cush- pacemaker and drink thought of his chief and failed finishes in the two to stay in the sport for such a ioning height but are still widely station anomalies. rival, he said: “I years before his Berlin renais- long time. We have the same perceived to give a considerable There is no getting around Olympic track titles and setting respect the man, the success sance, repaid the compliment. management and share many advantage over traditional his official record, however, long-standing world records. and the mentality of being able “We are rivals, we beat each things but we will race.” shoes. posted 2:01.39 in Berlin in 2018 His marathon best seemed to train with such discipline other a few times and such a Kipchoge will wear the Bekele has opted for the to destroy the existing mark by to be behind him until he even after such huge success.” rivalry has helped keep us in the latest version of Nike’s carbon- older Vaporfly version that 78 seconds and seal his position somehow found a 2:01.41 in Bekele, who must have sport for so long,” he said. plated Alphafly Next% shoe, served him so well last year. South Africa pull teams from Super Rugby to play in Europe

AP - CAPE TOWN

The South African Rugby Union has decided to withdraw its top club teams from Super Rugby in favour of playing in Europe’s PRO14 league, and blamed New Zealand for the sudden breakup of the southern hemisphere competition. The decision was made after a vote of SARU’s provincial unions and the defection could come into effect as soon as next year if an agreement is reached with PRO Rugby Championship, which runs the PRO14. It would mean the top four teams in South Africa - the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions - will now play their domestic rugby against clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy instead of their traditional rivals in New Zealand and Australia. NASCAR Cup Series driver Kurt Busch (1) leads the restart during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in this September South Africa’s top teams have only ever played club rugby 27, 2020, file photo taken in Las Vegas, Nevada. against fellow southern hemisphere opposition and have been part of Super Rugby since the tournament’s informal inception in the early 1990s, when rugby was still an amateur sport. The world champion Springboks would still play tests against NASCAR championship-winning New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the four-nation Rugby Championship, SARU said. Realistically, however, South Africa’s participation in that crew chief Knaus gets VP job championship might also be reconsidered once its top domestic teams’ seasons align with the northern hemisphere. SARU said the decision to abandon Super Rugby in favour of AP - CHARLOTTE, NC playing European teams was forced by New Zealand’s “unilateral” decision to organize its own domestic competition, or possibly a Chad Knaus will move into a management Kentucky Speedway says trans-Tasman competition involving Australian and other teams role with Hendrick Motorsports after the for next year. That decision appeared to be made because of season, ending his crew chief career after uncertainty over if a traditional Super Rugby tournament could a record-tying seven NASCAR champion- it’s off NASCAR’s schedule go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic. ships. Still, SARU said it considered it a slight to not be consulted. Hendrick yesterday announced Knaus AP - SPARTA, KY “Our members are excited about the prospect of closer will become vice president of competition. alignment with PRO Rugby Championship and seeking a northern He will replace Jeff Andrews, who has been Kentucky Speedway has lost its spot on NASCAR’s schedule, the racetrack said yesterday hemisphere future, but we would not have been taking this decision in the role since 2017 but was elevated to night ahead of NASCAR’s announcement of venues and dates for next year. but for actions elsewhere,” SARU chief executive Jurie Roux said. executive vice president and general Kentucky held its first Cup Series race in 2011 and has hosted a tripleheader in “We will advise our SANZAAR partners of the general meet- manager. recent years with races in NASCAR’s Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series. Its last NASCAR ing’s decision.” Knaus will oversee the technical devel- race was this past July. Despite Roux’s comments blaming New Zealand, there have opment of Hendrick’s entire Chevrolet “We’re disappointed the Bluegrass State is not on NASCAR’s schedule,” Kentucky been strong rumours for years that South Africa was seeking to stable of race cars and lead the implemen- Speedway executive vice president and general manager Mark Semindinger said yes- leave its southern hemisphere partnership and play club rugby tation of the “Next Gen” car set to debut in terday night. “There are still wild adventures ahead.” against European teams. 2022. The 1.5-mile track opened in 2000. Semindinger said it would look to host other There are seemingly two clear advantages for South African Knaus will also oversee all crew chiefs, racing series, special events and music festivals. rugby: Similar time zones that would lessen the impact of traveling pit crews, engineering, fabrication, and, perhaps crucially, access to a much richer television market. assembly and other team-related staff. South Africa may still have one team in a reduced future Super He guided Jimmie Johnson to seven Cup Rugby tournament, it said. SARU would negotiate with SANZAAR, Series championships and won 82 races, the No. 24 team, which is where Knaus “After all these years, my competitive the body that runs Super Rugby, to put the Bloemfontein-based most recently the August regular-season began his career under Ray Evernham in desire has not changed at all, but now I have Cheetahs in any new version of the tournament. The Cheetahs finale at Daytona with William Byron. 1993. Knaus has taken a driver to the play- a family that deserves my attention,” Knaus have been part of the PRO14 since 2017 after being cut from Super Knaus built the No. 48 team around offs 17 times and is the all-time leader said. Rugby but will go the other way and rejoin Super Rugby if an Johnson in 2002 and the duo was paired playoff race wins with 29. Knaus will report to Andrews, who has agreement is reached between SARU and SANZAAR. through the 2018 season. Earlier this month, Knaus called his been with Hendrick Motorsports since 1992. The departure of the top four South African teams is a body They won a record five consecutive 700th career Cup-level race. He previously held a variety of leadership blow for Super Rugby and SANZAAR. South Africa, with a popu- titles from 2006 to 2010, and only Hall of “Starting at a young age, I wanted to positions in the team’s engine department, lation of 58 million, is by far the biggest television audience for Fame crew chiefs Dale Inman and Leonard win every race we entered and battle for including director of engine operations. Super Rugby, leading some to conclude it is the most important Wood have more race victories than every championship. Mr. Hendrick has Andrews will now oversee all compe- member of the southern hemisphere partnership despite the fact Knaus. given me the chance to do exactly that, and tition-related departments, including pow- that New Zealand teams have dominated on the field. “In life, it’s rare to witness true excel- I could not be more thankful to him,” Knaus ertrain, manufacturing and racing In recent years, Super Rugby has added teams from Argentina lence first-hand, but that’s precisely what said. operations. and Japan in an attempt to increase its reach, with very limited we’ve been treated to with Chad,” team A father of two young children, the He is Hendrick’s primary liaison with success. The Japanese team was dropped this year. owner Rick Hendrick said. 49-year-old Knaus said the move will grant NASCAR’s competition group. Andrews and This news also means there will likely be a frosty atmosphere Hendrick split Knaus and Johnson at him family time for the first time in his life. Knaus have more than 50 years of com- between the countries when - or rather if - this year’s virus-delayed the end of 2018 and Knaus has spent the Johnson is retiring from full-time compe- bined experience with Hendrick Rugby Championship is held in November and December in last two years as crew chief for Byron and tition at the end of the season. Motorsports. Australia. Sport THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2020 08 Bairstow loses Test deal as England look to future

AFP — LONDON Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Chris Woakes -- appearing England wicketkeeper-batsman England Contracts For 2020/21 in both. Jonny Bairstow has lost his Test Pay cuts? central contract but Ollie Pope, Test and white-ball: Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben On the 2019/2020 terms, Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley Stokes, Chris Woakes red-ball deals were understood have been added to the red-ball to be worth around £650,000 retainer list announced by Test only: James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak ($835,000) before bonuses, cricket chiefs yesterday. Crawley, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Sam Curran with white-ball contracts worth The move by the England White-ball only: Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Curran, Eoin about £275,000, but the Tampa Bay Lightning fans celebrate as the winning side arrives and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Morgan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Mark Wood financial impact of the corona- at Amalie Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas was not unexpected as virus means there is uncertainty Stars four games to two to win the 2020 Stanley Cup. Bairstow, 31, has played just one over this year’s payments. of the past 12 Test matches since The ECB estimates the pan- the 2019 Ashes. demic has already cost £100m, The World Cup winner has aims was to have a bigger group thought to be a key part of Eng- with further losses likely, and is Tampa Bay Lightning been handed a specialist lim- of players capable of playing at land’s plans to retain the Ashes, currently undergoing a round of ited-overs deal, with Pope, the highest level and I guess this has also been named in the redundancies. Crawley and Sibley all pro- is a demonstration of that -- white-ball only list. There are Giles was asked during a to celebrate Cup win moted after scoring their three fine players,” he said. a dozen names in each group, press conference whether it was maiden Test centuries over the Fast bowler Mark Wood, with just five -- Joe Root, Ben inevitable that players would with boat parade past year. have to tatake a pay cut. Englandd managing ddirectorirector “If“If ouro revenues are Ashley Gilesles saidsaid hehe hopedhoped decreasing,decreasin if pay was to stay the REUTERS — TAMPA for working hard, playing Bairstow, whowho hashas playedplayed 70 same,same, thenth clearly it would hard, and giving our com- Tests, scoringring six centuries, squeeze oother areas so it’s about The Tampa Bay Lightning are munity something to cele- would stay hungryhungry to playplay a rolerole all ooff us ddoing our part across not going to let the COVID-19 brate. We cannot wait for in English TestTest criccricket.ket. thethe bbusiness,”usine he said. outbreak get in the way of Stanley to get that tan.” “It’s a kknocknock fforor hhim,im, I’m GilesGiles added: “Although the celebrating their Stanley Cup The Tampa Bay Lightning sure,” he said.aid. players haveh been in a bubble triumph as the team clinched the Stanley Cup on “Jonny’sy’s pplayedlayed one Test forfor thethe mmajoritya of the summer, announced plans on Tuesday Monday with a win over the match in a year. We onlyonly havehave theythey are nnot blind to the reality for a socially-distanced boat Dallas Stars in Edmonton, so many contracts tthathat we of what’swhat’s going on out in the parade and fan rally. which was the site for the award andd it’s a toughtough callcall to world andan I think they under- Unlike typical Stanley whole series and one of two make becauseause Jonny’s been a standstand theythey have to play a part in Cup parades where players cities used for the entire NHL very good servantservant for the team.” that.”that.” pile into vehicles that slowly postseason to help limit Giles said thehe contractscontracts forfor thethe EnglandEngla are due to travel to wind through streets lined spread of COVID-19. three youngung batsmen SouthSouth Africa,Afri Sri Lanka and India with hundreds of thousands Meanwhile, the New showed England’sngland’s top- in the comingcom months. of people, the Lightning will York Rangers have bought order was “starting“starting to GilesGiles said he was confident instead have a boat parade out the contract of star goal- function”. “When“When I the tourtourss would take place but on the Hillsborough River on tender Henrik Lundqvist. came intoo post that it wwasa important to remain Wednesday. The Rangers parted with about 18 momonthsnths Jonny Bairstow “flexible“flexible and agile” due to the Fans of the Lightning are one of the greatest net- ago, one of my globalglobal uncertainty.u encouraged to safely gather minders in franchise history along the Tampa Riverwalk, yesterday when they paid off following proper social dis- the final year of his tancing guidelines, including contract. Quarantine rules delay SL's Premier League the wearing of face Since joining the team in coverings. 2005-06, Lundqvist has won AFP — COLOMBO meet quarantine requirements Five teams -- named after Hasan, would be available for Following the parade, the Vezina Trophy (2011-12), as per the government’s health thehe SrSrii LankanLankan ccitiesities of ththee LPLPL.L. there will be a free fan rally led the Rangers to the Stanley Sri Lanka’s cricket Premier regulations”. Colombo,olombo, Kandy,Kandy, GaGalle,lle, InternationalInternational ccricketr came at the 65,000-seat home of Cup Finals (2014), and been League tournament has been Sri Lanka’s insistence on Dambullaambulla andand JaJaffnaffna toto a hhaltalt in SrSrii Lanka on the National Football selected to the All-Star game put off a second time due to two weeks’ quarantine for any -- are duedue to taketake MarchMarch 1313.. League’s Tampa Bay Bucca- five times. He also helped strict quarantine rules for visitor to the country forced the partart in the TheThe visitingvisiti England neers where socially distant Sweden win gold at the 2006 foreign players, the game’s Bangladesh national team to tournament.urnament. teamteam ppulledulled out on the pod seating will apply, with Turin Olympics. national governing body said call off its three-Test tour of the SSLCLC sasaidid 30 secondsecond day of a groups available for up to six The 38-year-old Lun- yesterday. island due to start next month. foreigners,o reigners, practicepractice matchm ahead people. dqvist played in 887 games, The 23-match Lanka The Tests in October- includingcluding CChrishris of ttheirheir two-Test “Despite every challenge posting a 459-310-96 record Premier League (LPL), origi- November were meant to mark Gayle,ayle, Darren series as ttheh corona- this past year, Tampa con- with a 2.43 goals against nally due to start in August, was the two nations’ return to inter- Sammy,ammy, Darren virusvirus panpandemicde spread. tinues to ensure that our average. The man referred rescheduled for November 14, national cricket after a months- Bravo,ravo, SShahidhahid Since then,t South comeback is even greater to as "The King” was limited but has now been delayed by long lockdown halted profes- Afridifridi and AfricaAfric has also than any setback,” Tampa to 30 games in this past one more week, Sri Lanka sional sports worldwide. Shakibhakib ccancelleda a Mayor Jane Castor said in a season and had a 10-12-3 Cricket (SLC) said. SLC said the auction of All scheduleds news release. record with a career-worst It said the shift was to players for the LPL, which was Shahid tourt of Sri “Thank you to our team 3.16 goals-against average. “ensure that participating due today, had also been post- Afridi Lanka. players have adequate time to poned, to October 9. Titans home Bagnaia to join game versus BinckBank Tour sees Dutch stages Miller at works Steelers scrapped over coronavirus rules Ducati, Zarco postponed to Pramac AFP — THE HAGUE REUTERS — LONDON AP — NASHVILLE Organisers of the 2020 Italian Francesco Bagnaia will The Pittsburgh-Tennessee NFL BinckBank Tour have called off join Australian Jack Miller at game will be played either all Dutch stages of the interna- Ducati’s factory MotoGP team Monday or Tuesday due to tional road cycling race next season with Frenchman positive coronavirus test following new measures taken Johann Zarco moving to results among the Titans. by the Dutch government to Pramac Ducati as a fully- The NFL announced the fight Covid-19. supported works rider, the switch yesterday. The previous The decision by event Italian manufacturer day the NFL said that three organisers Golazo came late on announced yesterday. Titans and five other team per- Tuesday after three Dutch Andrea Dovizioso, runner- sonnel had tested positive for municipalities blocked access up in the championship for the COVID-19. for the peloton in the wake of past three seasons, announced The Titans have closed new measures announced by in August that he would not be their facility at least through top Dutch officials to fight a staying at the main Ducati tomorrow and will not be able renewed surge of the corona- team beyond the end of the to practice in any fashion virus pandemic. season. together until Saturday at the “BinckBank Tour organisers The Italian has yet to detail earliest. learnt shortly after 10 pm on his plans for next year. Both the Titans and Tuesday evening that three Bagnaia and Miller, whose Steelers are 3-0 and among municipalities where the tour move was announced in May, the NFL’s seven undefeated would start or finish, have made are currently team mates at teams. a combined decision not to Pramac. Tennessee beat Min- allow a cycle race on their ter- Double Moto2 champion nesota 31-30 on Sunday, and ritories,” Golazo said in a Zarco, 30, will leave Avintia the Vikings’ team facility is statement. Riders at the end of first stage of the UCI World Tour 2019 Binckbank Tour cycling race, 132,1km from Ducati to team up with pro- closed at least through “The decision follows extra Blankenberge to Ardooie, on Tuesday. moted Spanish Moto2 rider yesterday. and stricter measures in the Jorge Martin, 22, in a fresh “The Steelers-Titans game, Netherlands announced on decision, and announced an Limburg province, also will not taken, especially given the late pairing. originally scheduled for Monday,” it said. unscheduled rest day go ahead. hour,” Golazo spokesman Gert Martin, the 2018 Moto3 Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, will be The Dutch government on Wednesday for cyclists, who “Alternatives are rapidly Van Goolen said. champion, was a strong con- rescheduled to allow addi- Monday tightened some of were supposed to ride a time- being worked out,” the organ- “We are convinced that we tender for the Moto2 title until tional time for further daily Europe’s most relaxed anti- trial in the southern Dutch isers said, adding “for the sake have found a safe and respon- he contracted COVID-19 and COVID-19 testing and to virus measures as the country harbour city of Vlissingen. of clarity, the BinckBank Tour sible solution to organise a good had to miss two races. ensure the health and safety reported almost 20,000 new “It is impossible to come up will continue until Saturday. BinckBank Tour, but unfortu- Avintia are expected to of players, coaches and game infections in one week. with an alternative at such short After yesterday’s rest day, nately this has not been heard,” announce Italian Enea Bas- day personnel,” the NFL said Measures included recom- notice and therefore rides will take place for three Van Goolen said. tianini as Zarco’s in a statement. mending that people wear Wednesday is an inevitable rest consecutive days from Tuesday’s first stage replacement. “Details on the new game masks in shops, closing all day.” Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve to between the Belgian towns of Ducati said all four official date and time on either sports canteens and holding There also will be no start Geraardsbergen, the organisers Blankenberge and Aardoie was riders will ride the latest Monday or Tuesday will be outdoor sporting matches in the Dutch border town of said. won by Belgian rider Jasper version of the Desmosedici announced as soon as without spectators. Philippine and the ride to Sit- “We are of course very dis- Philipsen of UAE Team bike with the same technical possible.” Golazo said it regretted the tard-Geleen, in the southern appointed that this decision was Emirates. specifications.