SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 OlympicOl champion Mentality is key VVeith retires after to success in ‘achieving her empty stadiums, dream’ says Flick

MONDAY 25 MAY 2020 How sport around Werner bags hat-trick in the globe gunning for return to action Leipzig's 5-0 rout of Mainz AFP – PARIS The return of football in Germany and Saturday’s announcement that Spain’s La AFP – BERLIN since the Bundesliga restarted in Werner scores his 24th “We’ll be celebrating quietly, Liga can resume from June 8 shows there are near-empty stadiums. Bundesliga goals this season because we don’t have much time. some shoots of recovery as sports worldwide bagged a hat-trick as “We could have scored a few to move to within three But we have managed to turn things make tentative plans to return to action: RB Leipzig thrashed Mainz 5-0 more, but no complaints -- we’re goals of Bayern’s Robert around.” yesterday to climb back to third in very happy,” Leipzig sporting The 48-year-old Herrlich apol- CRICKET Lewandowski at the top of the Bundesliga and keep their director Markus Kroesche told Sky. ogised to his squad after breaking dwindling title hopes just about Werner opened the scoring in the league scoring charts. a week-long coronavirus quar- The English season will not start until July alive. only the 11th minute, before Yussuf antine by leaving the team hotel -- 1 at the earliest and likely behind closed doors. ’s side sit Poulsen marked his 250th Schalke slumps to a to buy toothpaste and skin cream The new Hundred tournament has been seven points behind leaders Bayern appearance for Leipzig by heading shock 3-0 home defeat -- before the Wolfsburg match last scrapped until 2021. However, England could Munich ahead of the reigning cham- home a cross on 23 by relegation-threatened weekend. begin their rescheduled three-Test series pions’ top-of-the-table clash against minutes. Augsburg. Having been as high as third last against the West Indies on July 8. second-placed The pair reversed roles for the December, Schalke are winless in on Tuesday. third when Poulsen laid the ball off their last nine league games, The series was originally due to start on Leipzig bounced back from their for Sabitzer to make it 3-0 at the including last Saturday’s 4-0 June 4. Australia and Pakistan are still due to draw with Freiburg last weekend break. touchline as Augsburg coach, a drubbing at Dortmund. tour later in the summer. in their first match since the coro- Werner grabbed his second goal week after he missed their loss to “We were extremely stupid at navirus lockdown in style, with three minutes into the second half Wolfsburg because he broke quar- the start,” said Wagner. The money-spinning IPL, which should Werner moving to within three when played him into antine rules to buy toothpaste. Loewen gave the visitors the have started on March 29, was postponed but goals of Bayern’s Robert Lewand- the area. David Wagner’s Schalke con- lead after just five minutes with a media reports said the BCCI may aim for a tour- owski at the top of the league The visitors were attacking at tinued their slide down the table, superb free-kick which flew into the nament in September-October, ahead of the scoring charts. will when Kampl had a goal ruled falling to eighth following another top corner from 30 metres out at T20 World Cup in Australia. The 24-year-old striker, linked out for offside soon after. poor defensive display. the Veltins Arena. with several of Europe’s biggest With 15 minutes left, Poulsen’s Eduard Loewen, Noah Sarenren Augsburg doubled their lead 14 TENNIS clubs, has scored 24 Bundesliga floated free-kick was met by Bazee and Sergio Cordova scored minutes from time when Schalke goals this season including two Werner who volleyed past Mainz as Augsburg moved seven points defender Salif Sane was wrong- The ATP said it will not resume tournament trebles. goalkeeper Florian Mueller to wrap clear of the relegation play-off footed by a long ball and substitute play until the first week of August in Lewandowski scored his 27th up his hat-trick. place. winger Bazee rifled home. Washington. Bundesliga goal this term in Bay- Earlier, Augsburg also eased to “I’m totally happy,” said Her- Cordova came off the bench to The WTA is still scheduling events in Palermo ern’s 5-2 win over Eintracht a comfortable away win with a 3-0 rlich, whose side host bottom club score in injury time, latching onto from July 20-26 and in Karlsruhe on July Frankfurt on Saturday. romp at Schalke. Paderborn on Wednesday, after a loose pass from Sane, rounding 28-August 2, for now at least. Leipzig’s victory was the 10th Heiko Herrlich enjoyed a perfect ending a run of four straight goalkeeper Markus Schubert and win for a visiting team in 17 matches first Bundesliga game on the defeats. firing into an empty net. The French Open has already been moved to Sept 20-Oct 4 although there are sugges- tions that it may be put back by a further week. Organisers say it could be played behind closed doors.

The United States Tennis Association will decide in mid-June on the US Open and has said it is “aggressively” drafting alternative plans if the tournament has to be moved from New York, which is struggling to recover from a wave of COVID-19 deaths. The possibility of playing in Indian Wells in California or Orlando is being considered.

MOTOR SPORT

After 10 races were either cancelled or post- poned, Formula One hopes to open its season in Austria with back-to-back races on July 5 and 12.

NASCAR returned behind closed doors last Sunday at Darlington Raceway, South Carolina.

MotoGP hopes to start with back-to-back RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner (second left) scores their fourth goal during the Bundesliga match against FSV Mainz at the Opel Arena in Mainz, Germany races at Jerez, Spain, on July 19 and 26. yesterday. Indian govt to decide Clijsters determined to fate of IPL, not cricket press on with comeback board, says minister AFP – BRUSSELS out to be not so much in the last few REUTERS – MUMBAI months,” she said. Kim Clijsters is looking forward to She began her second comeback in India’s Sports Minister yesterday said any decision to allow returning to the US Open even though February in Dubai, where she lost to the Indian to go ahead this year would be the coronavirus pandemic means that Garbine Muguruza in the first round. She taken by the government, not the Indian cricket board, and since her second comeback from then lost to Johanna Konta in her would be based on how well the country has contained the retirement she has spent more time with opening match in Monterrey, the last novel coronavirus. her family. tournament before the women’s tour Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said the IPL would go ahead “I’m still motivated,” the four-time shut down at the start of March. only if there was no risk to public health. Grand Slam winner told a Belgian news- She was in the United States when the “In India the government has to take a call and it will be paper yesterday. tournament in Indian Wells, where she depending on the situation of the pandemic, how we progress “I hope we can still play this season. planned to play singles and partner Venus as a nation,” Rijiju told the India Today television channel. But even if we don’t, I intend to keep Williams in the doubles, was cancelled. “We can’t put health of the nation at risk just because we going,” the Belgian tennis star, who The family stayed at their home in New want sporting events to be held. Our focus is fighting turns 37 in June, told Het Laatse Nieuws Jersey, where they don’t have a tennis COVID-19.” (HLN). court and the public courts soon shut. The BCCI, the richest cricket body in the world, had said it Clijsters had spells at number one “We made a court with kitchen would consider staging the lucrative IPL in October/November before and after her first retirement, chairs,” she said. if the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Aus- from 2007-2009. She had her daughter Clijsters and her husband Brian tralia during those months, did not go ahead. in 2008. She won the US Open before Lynch, a basketball coach, completed The IPL is worth almost $530m to the BCCI and attracts that break and the Australian Open and Andy Murray’s 100 volleys couples the best international and Indian cricketers. It was scheduled two more US titles when she came back. challenge. to start at the end of March but was indefinitely postponed She retired for a second time after the “In the first few weeks when you’re because of the pandemic. US Open in 2012. She has since had two in quarantine and all these challenges India has reported 131,868 infections from the new coro- sons. pop up...you’re trying everything,” she navirus, with 3,867 deaths. “I always felt I was fulfilled,” Clijsters said. “After a few weeks it’s ‘another said in an earlier interview with the challenge? I’m done!’” The family In India the government has to take a call Tennis Hall of Fame. returned to Belgium and quarantined and it will be depending on the situation “After I had our third baby, Blake, I for two weeks. of the pandemic, how we progress as a started travelling to tournaments. I did Clijsters told HLN that the break had nation. We can’t put health of the nation commentary. allowed her to rest her body and allow at risk just because we want sporting “But I still felt more like a player. A injuries in her knees to improve. events to be held. Our focus is fighting COVID-19: little itch started.” Returning to the tour “If the US Open can happen, I want Indian Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju Kim Clijsters poses a challenge for a mother of three. to be ready,” she said in the Hall of Fame “I’m away a little bit, which turned interview. 06 SPORT MONDAY 25 MAY 2020 No fans, no saliva, NBA in ‘exploratory’ talks hand sanitisers on boundary: Welcome to to restart season at Disney new-look T10 cricket AFP – LOS ANGELES Fireworks go off around The 220-acre ESPN AFP – KINGSTOWN, SAINT VINCENT AND THE Cinderella's castle at Walt Disney Wide World of GRENADINES The National Basketball World's Fantasyland in Lake Sports Complex, Association confirmed Buena Vista, Florida. with three arenas No fans allowed, no saliva on the ball and hand yesterday that they are in and 24,000 hotel sanitisers on the boundary ropes. “exploratory” talks with The rooms, would allow Welcome to cricket during coronavirus as it’s Walt Disney Co. about a being played out in the Caribbean this week. the league to restart late-July restart at one of Six teams are taking part in the Vincy T10 their Florida resorts. play in a closed-door Premier League at the picturesque Arnos Vale League spokesman environment. venue near Kingstown, the main city on St Mike Bass confirmed The complex Vincent. earlier reports that the previously hosted Although very low key in the global affairs of league is having conversa- the Jr. NBA World international cricket, it’s the first tournament to tions with Disney officials Championships. be staged in a Test-playing region since the advent about restarting the of the coronavirus pandemic. 2019-20 season in At first it was hoped that spectators would be Orlando, Florida. weeks of workouts at team allowed to attend as the risk of infection was con- “The NBA, in con- facilities followed by two- sidered to be extremely low in a country with just junction with the National week training camps. 18 recorded cases. Basketball Players Associ- The regular season was “The St Vincent and Grenadines Cricket Asso- ation, is engaged in explor- halted abruptly after Utah ciation (SVGCA) would have preferred an option atory conversations with Jazz player Rudy Gobert of a limited number of spectators, maybe 300 or The Walt Disney Company guidelines to ensure that been mentioned as a hosted the Jr. NBA World tested positive. Gobert, of 500 max in the stadium,” admitted SVGCA Pres- about restarting the appropriate medical pro- potential host. Championships. France, was given the all- ident Kishore Shallow. 2019-20 NBA season in tocols and protections are There are still plenty of Major League Soccer is clear about two weeks later. Local fans had hoped to see home star Sunil late July at Disney’s ESPN in place.” issues to resolve before the also looking at using the So far, less than a dozen Ambris, one of six so-called “marquee players” Wide World of Sports The NBA suspended its season can restart, including facility at the same time as NBA players have been con- in the tournament which runs until May 31. Complex in Florida as a season indefinitely on whether the league will play the NBA. firmed as testing positive for Ambris must be thinking he is cursed in his single site for an NBA March 11 in response to the the rest of the regular ESPN said most club the coronavirus although career. campus for games, prac- coronavirus pandemic. season or go straight into executives believe commis- not all have been When he made his Test debut for the West tices and housing,” Bass ESPN reported that the play-offs. sioner Adam Silver will give identified. Indies in a series in New Zealand in 2017, he said. NBA has a board of gov- The 220-acre ESPN the go-ahead to a return to In March, Silver said that became the first player in the long history of the “Our priority continues ernors virtual meeting set Wide World of Sports play in June, with games because of their athletic game to be dismissed ‘hit wicket’ in two consec- to be the health and safety for next Friday. Complex, with three arenas expected to start sometime conditioning and youth, utive innings. of all involved, and we are The call is expected to and 24,000 hotel rooms, before the end of July. NBA players should be con- On Friday, playing for the Salt Pond Breakers, working with public provide additional details would allow the league to The restart is expected sidered “super spreaders” at least the 27-year-old had the satisfaction of health experts and gov- for players and coaches on restart play in a closed-door to include a two-week because most will be claiming two wickets in a three-wicket win ernment officials on a plans to proceed with the environment. quarantine for players in asymptomatic even if they against Grenadines Divers. comprehensive set of restart. Las Vegas has also The complex previously their home cities, one to two have the disease. The performance of the day, however, was by Desron Maloney whose 19-ball 41 helped La Soufriere Hikers to a nine-wicket win over Pensacola Blue Wahoos stadium. Botanical Garden Rangers. Formula E PIC: TWITTER / @BLUEWAHOOSBBALL The tournament is also the first to take place with bowlers banned from applying saliva to the ball, a long-standing tool in helping achieve swing. driver fined The game’s rulers are outlawing the practice as part of the battle against the spread of coronavirus. Other safety measures see hand sanitisers sit- for getting uated on the boundary as well as temperature checks. Umpires are wearing face masks. The ESPNcricinfo website reported that the impostor to fall of wickets was greeted by the shaking of legs and punching of the ground rather than a series race for him of high fives. REUTERS – Canadian teams Audi Sport’s Daniel Abt was fined and disqualified from a Formula E virtual race yesterday for sporting misconduct offer refunds for after letting a professional gamer race Stadium closed? No problem, as a “ringer” for him. ticket holders The German was also stripped of all points won to date in the Race at Home AGENCIES – TORONTO Challenge and will make a compulsory rent a baseball field on Airbnb donation of 10,000 euros to a charity All seven Canadian NHL teams have begun the of his choice, a Formula E spokesman REUTERS – FLORIDA been due to begin in April. your sports dream,” which process of refunding or offering rebates to their said. This is the first time a pro- recalls “Field of Dreams,” the season ticket holders, an acknowledgment that Abt apologised to the sport, fans, his US professional sports may be fessional US sports stadium has 1989 Oscar-winning baseball hockey will not be returning to the country for the team and fellow drivers “for having on hold during the pandemic, been listed on the lodging fantasy movie starring Kevin 2019-2020 season. called in outside help” and accepted the but anybody with $1,500 can website, thanks to the corona- Costner. In a four-day span in mid-May, every Canadian punishment. rent a minor league baseball virus pandemic, according to Up to 10 guests can stay in team reached out with plans for refunds or dis- “I did not take it as seriously as I stadium in Florida on Airbnb to the ad by the Wahoos, a minor one bedroom with three counted options for next season, The Canadian should have,” he said. create their own experience. league affiliate of MLB’s Min- bathrooms. Press reported yesterday. “I am especially sorry about this The waterfront home of the nesota Twins. Since the season was put on “It has become increasingly apparent, that any because I know how much work has Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a team “Guests are welcome to hit hold, the Blue Wahoos have used possibility will not include any further games being gone into this project on the part of the co-owned by two-time Masters from home plate, play catch in their stadium to set up a Watson- played this season in front of fans at Bell MTS Formula E organisation. I am aware that golf champion Bubba Watson, the outfield, run the bases, designed disc golf course on the Place,” the Winnipeg Jets said in an email to their my offence has a bitter aftertaste but it has been mostly empty after enjoy a picnic in the outfield, field for fans. Next week it will season ticket holders. The NHL remains on pause was never meant with any bad coronavirus lockdowns forced or find other creative uses for host a movie and fireworks night due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a restart to intention.” Lorenz Hoerzing, a pro Minor League Baseball to the field!” Would-be renters during which guests can sit on the season is expected to be played in hub cities to gamer who competes in a separate Chal- suspend its season, which had are urged to imagine “living the field. be determined in the United States. lenge Grid competition and who stood in for Abt, was disqualified from all future rounds for sporting misconduct. Olympic champion Veith retires after ‘achieving her dream’ Saturday’s 15-lap race around a virtual Berlin Tempelhof track was won AP – Austria's team physicians working by Britain’s Oliver Rowland for Nissan Anna Veith exclusively for her. Veith even e.dams with Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne Olympic ski champion Anna competing in threatened to leave the fed- second for Mercedes. Veith has twice returned to the women's eration and she provokingly “Really not happy here because that the top from serious knee giant slalom appeared in an advertising was not Daniel driving the car himself, injuries. race at campaign for Mercedes, a and he messed up everything. Really A year after blowing out the 2017 rival brand of the federation’s ridiculous,” Vandoorne said on his her knee for the third time, FIS Alpine car sponsor, Audi. But Veith Twitch stream after an incident. the 2014 super-G gold World Ski broke with her manager and “I’m questioning if it was really medalist from Austria is Championships was back on speaking terms Daniel in the car.” leaving the sport. in this with the federation before the Jean-Eric Vergne, a two-times Veith announced her February start of the new season. champion in the real-life all-electric retirement live on Austrian 16, 2017 file However, she badly series, backed up Vandoorne. TV on Saturday, ending a photo. damaged her right knee in a “Please ask Daniel Abt to put his career marred by injuries training crash in Soelden, Zoom next time he’s driving, because since she won her second Austria, three days before the like Stoffel said I’m pretty sure he wasn’t overall World Cup title in opening race in October 2015. in,” the Frenchman said. 2015. Veith returned to the Abt, who had not featured on the “It was not a difficult slopes in December 2016, virtual podium in any of the previous decision. For me it feels 100% only to cut her season short races, did not appear for online post- right,” said Veith, who turns province, and the two spent emotional day of my career,” had dreamed of that since I two months later with left race interviews. 31 in June. time at school together. Veith said. “It was important was five years old”), Veith knee problems. The series features regular Formula Veith’s announcement in Veith won 15 World Cup during my recovery from claimed the sport’s biggest She successfully worked E drivers competing on simulators from a prime-time TV show races from 2011 to 2017, and injury that I could dream of prize, the overall World Cup, her way back to the circuit their homes and aims to provide some resembled the way Marcel collected eight medals from something. That gave me for a second straight year and again, triumphing for the final action for fans with racing on hold in real Hirscher said farewell to ski major events, including four motivation for training. In left the world championships time in a World Cup in life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. racing almost nine months golds. Her most recent medal Korea I felt I achieved that in Vail and Beaver Creek, December 2017 and winning The Challenge Grid is made up ago. was silver in super-G at the dream.” She competed under Colorado, with two golds and her third Olympic medal two “gamers and influencers” competing for Veith was the last active 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, her maiden name, Fenninger, a silver. months later. a prize of real-life track time in a overall World Cup champion where she was famously until she married former In the offseason, Veith Veith staged another Formula E car at a race weekend. from Austria since Hirscher’s beaten to the title by Ester snowboarder Manuel Veith fought out a bitter dispute comeback after tearing the The disqualification meant series retirement. The record eight- Ledecka, the Czech athlete four years ago and was at the with the Austrian ski feder- ACL in her right knee again leader and compatriot Pascal Wehrlein time men’s overall champion who later also won gold in peak of her career in 2015. ation about her then in January 2019, but she moved up from fourth to third. grew up in the same region snowboarding. After winning the manager, and about her wish managed just two top-10 as Veith in the Salzburg “It was the most Olympic super-G in 2014 (“I to have one of the results from 11 starts. MONDAY 25 MAY 2020 SPORT 07 La Liga faces heated debate ahead of restart AFP – MADRID has been pushing for the league In April it was estimated that sessions on May 18 while con- to resume on June 12, with the if La Liga did not resume tinuing to observe strict health Spanish media rejoiced yesterday Seville derby between Real Betis broadcasting the losses would measures, will have almost three after the government said La Liga and Sevilla as the curtain-raiser. amount to €1bn ($1.09bn), weeks to prepare. could resume, but restarting in Tebas said on Saturday that compared with €300m if it The AFE demanded the June presents many challenges he was “very happy” with the played without spectators. players were given at least 15 to including summer heat, empty announcement, but added “We 20 days to get match fit. stadiums and health rules. can’t let our guard down”. “We want to return to the Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez The last 11 rounds of the The players, who switched competition, but we have to go announced on Saturday that season will be played behind from individual training to step by step to get back into football could return from its closed doors at a time when most small group sessions on shape,” Levante winger and coronavirus lockdown in the of the country can expect May 18 while continuing captain Jose Luis Morales told week of June 8. scorching heat. to observe strict health Marca on Saturday. After closely observing as At a meeting with La Liga over measures, will have almost “We won’t have any games to Bundesliga players acted as lab the weekend, the Spanish Football three weeks to prepare. test our fitness, we’ll go straight rats when their league became the Players’ Association (AFE), called into the competition.” The sen- first of the major European com- for cooling breaks during games timent was echoed by Espanyol petitions to return last weekend, when temperatures are between (RFEF) had already started a legal central defender Bernardo Spain, hard hit by the pandemic, 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82 to action to prevent that. Espinosa. will now take its turn. 90 degrees Fahrenheit), and for RFEF went to court at the start “What we’re most concerned La Liga has not yet specified training and matches to be post- of the season and blocked La Liga, about is what can happen physi- when it will kick off or detailed poned when temperatures rise which wanted to maximise cally, injuries,” the Colombian told the health protocols it will adopt, above 32 degrees, which is broadcast revenues, scheduling his club’s website on Friday. but is expected to do so within the common in the height of summer games on Monday. A final “These two months have next week, according to the in much of Spain. judgement is yet to be handed increased the risk of injury.” Spanish press. Temperatures during training down. “That’s what my team-mates “La Liga is back,” exclaimed in Valencia on Saturday reached Tebas estimated at the are worried about the most. We the front page of Spain’s best- 28 degrees. beginning of April that if La Liga need to regain muscle tone and selling daily Marca, which La Liga has eagerly announced did not resume broadcasting the function and reduce the risk, adorned its front page with a heart there would be “football every losses would amount to €1bn which has increased, not just formed by the badges of the 20 day” of the week, but the AFE has ($1.09bn), compared with €300m because of the time we’ve been Liga clubs. Madrid rival AS and demanded that clubs be allowed if it played without spectators. out of the game, but also because Barcelona's Gerard Pique in Catalan newspaper Sport used the a compulsory gap of at least 72 Between now and the restart, of the weird times we’ve been action during a training session same headline. hours between matches and the the players, who switched from going through and the high on Saturday. Liga President Javier Tebas Spanish Football Federation individual training to small group temperatures.” PIC: TWITTER / @FCBARCELONA Premier League Economic woes taking reports two more toll on Chinese coronavirus cases football clubs AP – BEIJING REUTERS – LONDON No matches have been played in the Premier Economic woes are taking Two people from two Premier League since March. The a toll on China’s profes- League clubs have tested Premier League’s “Project sional football clubs, with positive for the coronavirus Restart” hopes to resume 11 being disqualified for after a second batch of testing, action in June, although no failing to pay wages and the Premier League said. date has been fixed. five closing shop on their Since the players returned own terms, including last to limited group training on season’s Chinese Super Tuesday, eight positive tests for government has given the green League side Tianjin the virus have been confirmed light for elite sport to resume Tianhai. from England’s top-flight clubs. from June 1, including the top- Low attendance and “The Premier League can flight football. gaudy contracts for today confirm that on Tuesday The Premier League’s Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt players in action at the overseas signings were Mat 19 to Friday, May 22, 996 “Project Restart” hopes to empty Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on Saturday. already weighing heavily players and club staff were resume action in June, although on the industry, even tested for COVID-19. Of these, no date has been fixed. before the coronavirus two have tested positive from Another round of tests are Mentality is key to success in outbreak forced it into two clubs,” the statement said scheduled to take place on total shutdown. on Saturday. Monday and Tuesday. All 20 The suspended clubs “The Premier League is pro- clubs will hold a meeting on include four from the viding this aggregated infor- Wednesday to decide whether empty stadiums, says Flick second-division and mation for the purposes of com- they can move to phase two of seven from the third- petition integrity and the restart and allow full- REUTERS – BERLIN record-extending eighth con- division. The five others transparency. contact training. secutive Bundesliga title and have been struggling with “Players or club staff who Chief Executive Richard Bayern Munich players must are four points ahead of financial woes and have tested positive will now Masters said on Friday the work harder to motivate each second-placed Borussia decided to disband on self-isolate for a period of seven Premier League is “as confident other to maintain a winning Dortmund. their own. days.” The Premier League said as we can be” about a mentality while playing in They played their first game Tianjin Tianhai it would not be providing details resumption of the top flight and empty stadiums, coach Hansi behind closed doors, beating withdrew May 12 amid of the identities of the two new that the remaining 92 games Flick (pictured) said. Union Berlin 2-0. heavy debts, only three positive tests. would be completed. The Bundesliga became the “Everyone of us has now seasons after former A total of 748 tests of players “We wouldn’t have taken first major sports league to played at least one time in front World Cup winner Fabio and club staff made up the initial the first step to get back to restart last week after more of empty stands,” Flick said. Cannavaro guided it into round of testing on May 17-18. training if we weren’t convinced than two months following an “We know what to expect. the Asian Champions Watford’s Adrian Mariappa and we had created a very safe envi- easing of COVID-19 pandemic Before our game last week we League. two members of the club’s non- ronment for our players,” he restrictions in Germany, but had also trained at the Aliianz That came after owner playing staff and Burnley said. games are played without fans Arena (and not at the training and founder of the assistant manager Ian Woan Britain’s death toll from the for health safety reasons. centre) so we know what to Quanjian group, Shu were among six positive tests. coronavirus pandemic is the “What is decisive is men- expect in terms of Yuhui, was arrested on They are all still in their highest in Europe with an tality. Obviously it is an atmosphere.” corruption charges. seven-day isolation period. official figure of 36,675 as of advantage if you have higher Under the league’s health The official Xinhua Two other Watford players Saturday. quality on the pitch but this is regulations only some 200 News Agency quoted are also self-isolating after Germany’s Bundesliga a situation which is not very people are allowed on, around Chinese Football Associ- coming into close contact with returned to action last week easy,” Flick, speaking in a the pitch and in the stands ation head Chen Xuyuan people who tested positive, with matches in empty stadiums virtual news conference, said during the game. as saying “clubs can according to manager Nigel and strict safety protocols. of the empty stadiums. motivation that has gone Another 100 mainly barely achieve sustainable Pearson. Spain’s government on Sat- “It is key that you bring that missing with the empty stands.” security staff are outside the development. The owners No matches have been urday gave the go-ahead for La mentality to the pitch. It is Bayern, who host Eintracht stadium to keep any fans have invested a lot but played in the Premier League Liga to resume from June 8. important that the team pushes Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena wanting to celebrate with the earn little back.” since March, but the itself so as to cover the level of on Saturday, are chasing a team away. In an announcement Saturday, the CFA said it hoped clubs could “pay attention to long-term Cologne score late goals to earn planning and rational management” and protect the interests of players, 2-2 home draw with Fortuna coaches and staff. The Chinese Super REUTERS – COLOGNE Karaman fired them ahead in Energie stadium were dec- League will continue to the 41st minute with a orated with Cologne fan comprise 16 teams, with Late headers by substitute deflected shot from inside the merchandise and the team formerly relegated Anthony Modeste and Jhon penalty area. shirts finally seemed to Shenzhen FC promoted to Cordoba allowed Cologne to Uth twice hit the post in inspire the hosts late in the take Tiajin’s place. It still salvage a 2-2 home draw quick succession and was game. remains unclear when the against Fortuna Duessledorf bundled over in the ensuing Modeste pulled one back postponed 2020 season in the Bundesliga after Mark goalmouth scramble in the in the 88th minute when he will restart. Uth had missed a penalty for 57th minute, but Fortuna rose above his marker to head Chinese President and the hosts yesterday. keeper Florian Kastenmeier a cross by substitute Dominick head of the ruling Com- The result put Cologne saved his poor spot kick. Drexler from the right into the munist Party has called 10th on 34 points from 27 Cologne were punished far corner, rekindling their for turning China into a games while Fortuna stayed soon after as Erik Thommy hopes of coming away with football superpower, but 16th on 24 points, three adrift capped a sweeping move with something from a drab with few results. of the safety zone after 15th- a sweet first-time shot from performance. The national team is placed Mainz had earlier suf- 13 metres, threading the ball With time running out, currently ranked 76 by fered a 5-0 home drubbing by into the far corner beyond Drexler floated in another FIFA among all countries, RB Leipzig. keeper Timo Horn. superb cross from the right sandwiched between the The home side had more With the match played and Cordoba steered a much smaller and poorer possession in the first half but behind closed doors in line downward header into the countries of Bolivia and Cologne’s French forward Anthony Modeste (left) scoring against Fortuna always looked more with COVID-19 precautions, ground and up into the roof Uganda. Fortuna Dusseldorf in Cologne, Germany, yesterday. likely to score and Kenan the front rows in the Rhein of the net in stoppage time.