SPORT SPORT | 09 SPORT | 10 Three more England tour MotoGP races highly unlikely, called off due to says Aussie coronavirus batsman Warner

THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2020 UEFA official says season PSG will look at playing CL games restart 'definitely possible' abroad: Al Khelaifi

REUTERS — MANCHESTER Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino comes on REUTERS — PARIS is as a substitute to replace Roberto as UEFA’s chief medical official coach Jurgen Klopp (left) looks during Paris St Germain will look at says it is “definitely possible” to Champions League, Round of 16, match playing Champions League plan a restart of European against Atletico Madrid at Anfield, in this home matches in another soccer leagues despite the March 11, 2020 file photo. country after the French Dutch and French ending their government on Tuesday seasons and Italy’s sports decided to end the 2019-20 minister raising the prospect of domestic season, the Ligue 1 a similar fate for Serie A. club’s President Nasser Al The comments from UEFA’s Khelaifi (pictured) said. Tim Meyer contrast with FIFA’s French Prime Minister medical committee chairman Edouard Philippe earlier Michel D’Hooghe who on announced that professional Tuesday said football should soccer, rugby and other league not be played until at least Sep- sports would not be allowed tember to limit the spread of the to return before September expected to decide in May new coronavirus. due to the COVID-19 pan- exactly how to end the Ligue Meyer, who is chairman of demic that has hit the country 1 season but European gov- the Medical Committee at hard. erning body UEFA is consid- European soccer’s governing France has the world’s ering the possibilities for body, said yesterday that pro- fourth-highest death toll from resuming its Champions vided the right steps were the virus -- behind the United League and Europa League taken, the game could plan a States, Italy and Spain -- with competitions. resumption of the current nearly 23,300 deaths “We respect of course the season. reported. French government decision. “In discussing any return to The French football league We plan on competing in the playing competitive, elite level Champions League with UEFA football, the health of the suspended during the 2019/20 narrow path for the resumption September -- which is agreement, wherever and players, all those involved in season,” added Meyer, who also of the Serie A... If I were one of scheduled to be the start of next whenever it is held,” Al potential games and the public chairs the newly-established the presidents (of the clubs) I season for most countries. Khelaifi was quoted as saying at large is of paramount impor- UEFA medical sub-group which would focus on the next “This is the most dramatic sit- by French media. tance,” said the German. is examining health issues sur- season,” Spadafora told private uation we have lived in since the If it is not possible “If it is not possible to play “All football organisations rounding a return to football. TV broadcaster La7. Second World War. We should to play in France in France we will play our which are planning the restart The Dutch league has can- “These decisions (in France not underestimate it, we must be we will play our matches abroad, subject to the of their competitions will celled the season and on and in the Netherlands) could realistic,” he said regarding the best conditions for our players produce comprehensive pro- Tuesday French Prime Minister push Italy to follow this line, pandemic which has forced the matches abroad, and the safety of all our staff.” tocols dictating sanitary and Edouard Philippe said profes- which would become a game’s suspension in almost all subject to the best PSG beat German side operational conditions ensuring sional soccer and other league European line,” Spadafora said. countries. conditions for our Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on that the health of those involved sports will not be allowed to He added that he thought a The comments of the aggregate to reach the Cham- in the games is protected and return before September. majority of Serie A presidents veteran Belgian football players and the pions League quarter-finals the integrity of public policy is Italy’s Sports Minister Vin- may soon ask to suspend the administrator come as the safety of all our before the pandemic forced preserved. cenzo Spadafora said yesterday league and prepare for the next Bundesliga moves towards a the suspension of the season “Under these conditions and the country’s top-flight Serie A championship. The world possible re-start next month, staff: PSG President -- with the second leg in Paris in full respect of local legis- championship looks unlikely to soccer governing body’s while the Premier League is Nasser Al Khelaifi having been played without lation, it is definitely possible to resume this season. medical chief D’Hooghe said it hoping games could be played fans in the stadium. plan the restart of competitions “I see an increasingly was not realistic to play before behind closed doors in June. Coe: IOC can’t ‘go on forever Sports classes continue postponing’ Olympic Games

AP — LONDON “To have all that in one summer ... it’s a headache,” Coe World Athletics President said. Sebastian Coe (pictured) is A more immediate concern worried that the delayed Tokyo The ambition is to is finding a way for this year’s Olympics could still be in get the athletes back track season to get underway, jeopardy unless the coronavirus into competition as with Diamond League meets pandemic can be contained by postponed. next year. soon as we possibly “The ambition is to get the The Summer Games have can but only when athletes back into competition already been moved by a year as soon as we possibly can but to July 2021 as the world tries it is safe to do so. If only when it is safe to do so,” to limit the spread of COVID-19. it’s not safe you can’t Coe said. “If it’s not safe you “I think it’s pretty clear, put them at risk: can’t put them at risk. You Students, wearing face masks as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus, run though, that you couldn’t go on shouldn’t actually be putting during a sports class at Dajia Elementary School in Taipei, yesterday. forever postponing an Olympic Sebastian Coe those communities that you Games,” Coe, who helped want to be enjoying the sport organise the 2012 London at risk as well. Olympics, said in an interview what most medical teams “So at the moment it’s really French rugby clubs meet to yesterday. inside governments are trying trying to create some structures “There comes a point where to grapple with at the moment.” that with best endeavors we’re you do have to start posing The Olympics being post- able to fulfil, but I don’t think decide whether to end season questions. I hope we’re a little ponedp led to the world track anyy of us reallyy know what the way off that yet.”” cchampionshipshampionships in next few months is reallyrea AFP — PARIS be ratified by the league’s exec- accept it or not. It’s not a sure IOC Presidentt ThomasThomas BBachach Eugene, Oregon goinggoing to look like. The oone utive board. thing.” and Japanese Primerime Minister beingbeing advantage we haveha French rugby clubs were poised Many of those involved If the season is abandoned, Shinzo Abe saidd lastlast monthmonth rerescheduledscheduled actually is at this ststagea to declare their season over as have said that rather than the issue of promotion and rel- when the delay wwasas announced forfor August being an individualindividu they met yesterday to discuss holding play-offs behind closed egation would be decided by a that the Tokyo GamesGames would 2022.2022. It willwill be sport.sport. WeWe canc their response to the country’s doors with disorganised squads league committee at a later not be held beyondnd the summer stagedstaged after organizeorganize thingsthin latest coronavirus restrictions. at the end of a truncated season, date. of 2021. thethe Common-Common- wherewhere you don’tdo On Tuesday, Prime Minister the league and the clubs were Even if games are allowed And Japan Medicaledical Associ-Associ- wwealthealth Games actuallyactually need 22 Edouard Philippe told the leaning towards ending the from September, the 2020- ation presidentnt Yoshitake in the English peoplepeople on a ppitch.”itc National Assembly: “no large season. 2021 season is already looking Yokokura said oonn Tuesday it ccityity ofof sports gathering, or any gath- That would leave the complicated for Top 14 clubs. would be difficultult to holdhold thethe ering, of 5,000 people or more, question of whether Bordeaux- “If we decide to embark on Olympics unless effective vavac-c- needing the permission of the Begles, eight points clear at the the new season, we need to be cines are developed.ped. local police and arrangements top, would be awarded the title, able to do so with a certain “I’m reallyy genuinely made a long time in advance, and whether they would be number of guarantees, partic- hoping that the ppandemicandemic will will be allowed before prepared to accept it, with nine ularly in terms of the staging of have been curtailed,”ailed,” Coe September.” matches and the playoffs left. matches and finance,” Thomas said.d . It is understood that the “Having only played 17 Lombard, general manager of “I don’t know enoughnough to league wants to discuss rounds, we won’t be asking for Paris-based Stade Francais, even speculate aboutabout declaring the season over in the anything,” the club’s president said. vaccines. ... Forgetget teleconference yesterday with Laurent Marti told French radio “The clubs are going to be the Olympicc the presidents of the 30 profes- a few weeks ago. in survival mode for the next Games at the sional clubs, including the Top “We won’t ask for it,” he four months, as we haven’t had moment, I’m 14 teams. said. “And if it’s offered to us, any income since March,” sure that’s Birmingham.Birmingghham. Any decision would have to we’ll think about whether to Lombard said. THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2020 SPORT 09

Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides his Amazon Honda during 2019 Three more Austrian Moto GP Grand Prix in set to stream Spielberg, in this file MotoGP races photo. exclusive NFL games called off BLOOMBERG – SEATTLE The National Football League is giving Amazon exclusive rights to live games for the first time, marking a deeper push by streaming services into sports. The league announced yesterday that it AFP – PARIS every year since the champi- International Motorcycling While the next race still would select a Saturday game in the coming onship began in 1949. Federation and promoter standing on the calendar is the season and give Amazon.com Inc. the sole The MotoGP races in Germany, The Finnish race was Dorna Sports announces GP of the Czech Republic at Brno rights to show it outside of the two teams’ the Netherlands and Finland in scheduled to be held for the first the cancellation of races in on August 9, Ezpeleta on Monday home markets. The NFL schedules a handful June and July have been time at the brand new KymiRing suggested trying to start the of Saturday games late in its season, when cancelled, the International from July 10-12. Germany, the Netherlands season at the end of July in college football’s regular season is over. Motorcycling Federation (FIM) All three countries have pro- and Finland in June and July. Europe, adding that the most Amazon will also have an exclusive game in and promoter Dorna Sports hibited large gatherings to likely scenario was a race 2021 and 2022. announced yesterday. combat the spread of French MotoGP, originally without spectators. It’s part of a new three-year extension of “The ongoing coronavirus coronavirus. scheduled for May 15-17 at He said “the most important the Thursday-night partnership between the outbreak has obliged the cancel- “It is with great sadness that Le Mans, 'is set announce a thing” was to “organise races and tech giant and the world’s richest sports league. lation of all three events,” they we announce the cancellation of broadcast them on television”. Amazon and its Twitch platform will continue possible new date' by May 15. said in a joint statement. these three important Grands Meanwhile, a Dorna to have nonexclusive rights to 11 Thursday- The German Grand Prix was Prix,” Dorna’s CEO Carmelo spokesman told AFP yesterday, night games a season through 2022. Those scheduled from June 19-21 at the Ezpeleta said in a statement. debut of the new KymiRing next that the French MotoGP, origi- games, which are also televised on Fox and Sachsenring and the Dutch “We very much look forward season.” nally scheduled for May 15-17 at the NFL Network, will be available to Amazon MotoGP from June 26-28 at to returning to the Sachsenring The first eight rounds of the Le Mans, “hopes to be able to Prime subscribers in more than 200 countries Assen, the only circuit to have and the TT Circuit Assen in 2021, 2020 season had already been make an announcement by May and territories. hosted a motorcycle grand prix and eagerly await the Grand Prix cancelled or postponed. 15” on a possible new date. As tech companies like Amazon and Facebook Inc. dive deeper into streaming live sports, many believe it’s just a matter of time until those deep-pocketed companies start bidding on major exclusive sports rights. The new agreement is a major step in that Georgia’s Edwards tops list of NBA draft early entrants direction, and it gives the NFL a chance to further test whether streaming technology can AGENCIES – GEORGIA Anthony support a seamless, live global broadcast with Edwards Warriors treating season millions of viewers. Georgia freshman guard Anthony Edwards The NFL has been exploring digital heads the list of 163 US players who applied as if it’s done: Coach Kerr streaming partners as part of its Thursday- for early entry into the NBA draft. night package since 2016, when Twitter Inc. In addition, 42 international players made AGENCIES – SAN FRANCISCO paid $10m for a one-year deal. Amazon shelled themselves available for the draft. Both lists out $50m in 2017, then inked a two-year deal were released Tuesday by the NBA. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said at $65m a year. The total of 205 early entrants is down yesterday that his team is operating as if its season is The league has started early negotiations by 28 from last year and down by 31 from over. on its main TV contracts, which all expire in 2018. “It feels like the offseason,” Kerr said on a video the next few years. Those deals pay the NFL Edwards is ranked as the top available conference call coordinated by the University of San more than $6.5bn annually, and prior to the draft prospect by ESPN and NBAdraft.net. Francisco. “And in fact we had a Zoom call, (General coronavirus pandemic, some experts were The 6-foot-5 Atlanta native averaged 19.1 Manager) Bob Myers and I got on a Zoom with our predicting the league could double those fees. points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals players, our whole roster last week. And it was just a It’s unclear how the virus, which has stalled in 32 games for the Bulldogs. chance to check in, but it was also a chance for Bob to much of the entertainment business, will affect Also on the early-entry list is the con- update the players on his contact with the league and those final negotiations. sensus college player of the year, Obi Toppin. the latest news, but it also kind of felt like our annual It also remains to be seen if the NFL’s 2020 James Wiseman, a 7-foot-1 freshman team exit meeting. season will be disrupted by the pandemic. For centre who left Memphis midseason while “Our coaching staff and I have been undergoing now, all team facilities are closed, and the serving an NCAA-imposed suspension, also candidates include French guards Theo staff evaluations, offseason plans, so we are absolutely league has said they won’t reopen until all 32 is among the top early-entry prospects. Maledon and Killian Hayes. in offseason mode right now.” Kerr added that while teams are free from stay-at-home orders cur- Among the other notables on the list are Two potential first-round draft picks were teams in playoff contention are trying to keep their rently prevalent at the state and city level. The Auburn freshman forward Isaac Okoro, North not on either the list of US early entrants nor teams focused in the event of the season resuming, his league will unveil its schedule in May, and is Carolina freshman guard Cole Anthony, the list of international players, but LaMelo club -- last in the NBA at 15-50 and the only team offi- prepared to move next year’s Super Bowl, Southern California freshman forward Ball and RJ Hampton are both on a separate cially eliminated from contention -- has moved on. scrap the Pro Bowl all-star game and push Onyeka Okongwu, Washington freshman roster of draft-eligible players that NBA teams “It’s different for us because we were down to 17 back the start of the season if needed, forward Jaden McDaniels, Iowa State received, according to The Athletic’s Shams games, but we were out of the play-offs,” Kerr said. according to the Sports Business Journal. sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton and Charania and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “It feels like the end of the season for our team. It just This isn’t the first time the NFL has Arizona freshman guard Nico Mannion. Ball, 18, is listed as the No. 2 draft prospect does. awarded exclusive games to a streaming The list of available international pros- by NBAdraft.net and ESPN. There have been no indications whether the season service: Yahoo had rights to a pair of London pects is led by Israel’s Deni Avdija, a 6-9 The NBA draft is scheduled for June 25 at will resume at some point after it was suspended March games, in 2015 and 2017. Those games, like forward slotted at No. 5 overall by ESPN and Barclays Center in New York, but the site and 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic. the coming three for Amazon, were available No. 9 by NBAdraft.net. date could be altered due to the coronavirus Commissioner Adam Silver has said multiple times on free TV in the home teams’ markets. Other leading international draft pandemic. there is no timetable to make a decision. Coronavirus pandemic MLB opening options to include makes Olympic dream uncertain for Thai boxer 3 regional divisions: Report AP – NEW YORK REUTERS – BANGKOK Major League Baseball is Five days a week for four hours exploring various options that a day, Thai boxer Chatchai- could allow the season to start decha Butdee continues to train if the medical situation allows, as best he can for the Tokyo including a plan in which the Olympics, now postponed until 30 teams could be split into at least 2021 because of the new three regional divisions. coronavirus pandemic. Among the formats is one Chatchai-decha, a four-time is which teams could be Southeast Asia Games champion, restricted to playing within hopes his third Olympic Games their region, two people can bring a career-capping familiar with the discussions medal in the featherweight said yesterday. The people division, after he was defeated spoke to The Associated Press in early rounds in 2012 and 2016. on condition of anonymity But at age 35, he is afraid the because no public statements delayed Tokyo Olympics may were authorised. mean he could pass his prime That plan, if used, would fighting days before the Games Chatchai-decha Butdee break up the traditional align- can be held. ments of the American and “I originally planned to end National Leagues. It also A general view of the Yankee Stadium during the opening game of the MLB season between my career after this year’s Olympic Games as I’m getting older,” Chatchai- would cut travel during the the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in New York in this April 1, 2013 file photo. decha said. coronavirus pandemic. “If the Olympics have to be postponed for another two to three years, I MLB also has looked at would just give up my place in the Games.” For now, he remains on a strict configurations for all-Arizona, percentage of seats sold. told the union of their about 1,200 players plus staff training schedule with the 2021 event in sight. Arizona-and-Florida and Opening day had been thinking but have not made and broadcast personnel. With Bangkok’s boxing gyms closed for safety reasons, he has to make Arizona-plus-Texas-plus scheduled for March 26, but any formal proposals. Players most likely would do with what he has. He runs 5 kilometres, swings weights in a narrow alley Florida, the people said. The the new coronavirus caused Baseball also is consid- need three to four weeks of near his home and shadow boxes in car parks. latest plan was first reported MLB to delay the start to ering expanding the playoffs workouts before opening day. “I was a bit frustrated, because according to the plan laid out by the Thai by USA Today. mid-May at the earliest. beyond the current 10-team Baseball officials have Boxing Federation, I am supposed to be in France right now, gathering (boxing) Another variation would Any plan would be subject format. Officials have dis- been encouraged by state- experience and studying my opponents. But now that things have changed, have teams start in Arizona, to medical approval plus cussed extending the play- ments about the prospect of we’re back to square one,” said Chatchai-decha. Texas and Florida, playing in consent of federal, state and offs into November or pos- restarting the season from Chatchai-decha began boxing at the age of 8, his professional years since empty ballparks, and then if local authorities. Any sibly even December, using President Donald Trump, 2000. He won bronze in the flyweight division at the 2013 world champi- the health situation allows, schedule with games at domed ballparks and warm- Govs. Greg Abbott (Texas), onships in Almaty. The Olympic Games, originally set to start in July this year, switch later to their regular- neutral sites or without fans weather cities. Andrew Cuomo (New York) have been rescheduled for 2021, to be held from July 23 to August 8. season sites. If conditions would require an agreement Any plan would be con- and Tom Wolf (Pennsylvania) Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said in an interview published on improve later in the year, they between MLB and the players’ tingent on baseball gaining and Chicago Mayor Lori Tuesday that the Games would be “scrapped” if they could not take place in possibly could start playing association. access to test about 3,000 Lightfoot, one of the people the next year. before fans with only a Baseball officials have people on a regular basis: said. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2020 Players should not be rushed back to action: WPA

REUTERS - ATHENS Tuesday with its affiliated associations to update on the situation. Professional athletes across the world It is unclear what kind of influence should not be rushed back to action the players or the WPA as a whole can once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, yield with cash-strapped clubs and fed- and they must have a strong say in erations desperate for a return to determining the conditions for their action both on a national and interna- return, the World Players Association tional level. said yesterday. However, the athletes’ growing Sports competitions around the influence in global decision-making world have come to a screeching halt in sport was felt last month when their this year as the virus spreads across vocal opposition to competing in the the globe, starving clubs, leagues and Olympic Games in Tokyo this year con- federations of revenues and putting tributed to a postponement of the tens of thousands of professional ath- Games to 2021. letes on hold. The pandemic has infected almost “At the moment there is a lot of 3 million people worldwide and killed pressure from the leagues on all con- more than 200,000, raising expecta- tinents to resume,” WPA Executive tions of a prolonged battle to contain Director Brendan Schwab said in an it. interview. Every major sports event has been “The players can only agree to that postponed and seasons across all sports (return) if they know that their interests have been suspended creating a com- will be protected. The best approach petition backlog, with the Tokyo we are seeing is when the leagues... set Games’ move to 2021 further reshuf- up joint groups where players have an fling the sports calendar next year. equal say,... where they are not being Schwab said any return to action rushed.” would also need to clarify issues Several football leagues in Europe, including testing, any potential future This file photo taken on January 4, 2020, shows a general view of the ball before a match between Getafe and Real Madrid including Germany’s Bundesliga, have interruption if the virus flares up again at Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Getafe, Spain. drawn up their plans to be ready to and that the infection of a player will resume play without spectators if it be treated as a workplace injury by the adapted to the various sports with many months before they become “The situation is still fluid and inter- means finishing the season and clubs. some, such as tennis or cricket, widely available due to the need for ruptions need to be considered,” remaining contractually in order with Career-ending or fatal illness due requiring fewer tests than contact exhaustive clinical trials of their effec- Schwab said. broadcasters and sponsors. to the virus should have the full pro- sports such as basketball or football tiveness and safety. “What is critical is that all player The WPA, an association repre- tection “of this being a workplace that would require extensive pre- and “Any return to play scenario would associations have the strongest pos- senting some 85,000 athletes around injury,” Schwab said. post-game testing, he said. also need to have a strong plan B,” said sible position at the bargaining table the world through more than 100 “This is not clear yet in a lot of the Several nations’ laboratories are Schwab as were no guarantees the so they can get the balance right player associations in over 60 coun- leagues.” working to find protective vaccines and seasons would finish once they between economic viability and public tries, held a conference call earlier on Testing would also need to be drugs for the disease, but it could be restarted. and player health.” ICC slaps corruption ban on England tour highly unlikely, Indian owner of T10 franchise says Aussie batsman Warner AFP - DUBAI game from October 27, 2021 if he does not commit further offences. AFP - SYDNEY Australia have already cancelled handed Australia opener also rejected Indian businessman Deepak Agarwal, “There were a number of examples a two-Test tour of Bangladesh in June, the idea of resuming sport in empty who owned a team in the 2018 T10 of Mr Agarwal obstructing and delaying Veteran batsman David Warner and a limited-overs home series stadiums. league, has been banned for two years our investigations and it was not just a (pictured) believes Australia’s against Zimbabwe is also in doubt. “No doubt at all, you want crowds on corruption charges, the International one-off occurrence,” ICC’s General upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia are due to host the no matter where you go and where Cricket Council said yesterday. Manager for integrity, Alex Marshall, said England will be scrapped because of Twenty2020 WorldWorld yoyyouu pplay.lay. I lloveove pplayinglaying iinn England, As a co-owner of the discontinued in a statement. the coronavirus pandemic. Cup in OOctober-ctober- iit’st’s awesomeawesome.. Sindhis franchise, Agarwal was charged “However, he made a prompt The Australians were scheduled November,ber, for “You’ve alwaysalways gotgot sosomeonem they with “obstructing or delaying an inves- admission of his breach of the ICC Anti- to play three one-dayers and three which the aalwayslways trytry andand rev up, andand fortunately tigation”, including concealing, tam- Corruption Code and continues to Twenty20 matches against England Internationalonal fforor tthehe team it’s prettprettyy mumuch just me, pering or destroying documents and provide substantial assistance to the in July. Cricketket anandd ththatat ttakesakes a llotot ooff ththee hheat off the other information. ACU in relation to several investigations But last week the England and Council has saidsaid ootherther gguys.uys. He accepted breaching the ICC anti- involving other participants. Wales Cricket Board delayed the start it is “exploringoring allall “We’re therethere to put bbumsum on seats corruption code in the event held in the “This cooperation is reflected in his of their season until July 1 at the ear- options”.. andand hopefullyhopefully we can entertainen the United Arab Emirates, in lieu of an anti- sanction.” liest and players may need some Cricketket Aus-Aus- crowdcrowd byby playingplaying a goodg brand corruption tribunal hearing. Six months The league, which was first held in warm-up cricket before returning to tralia is paparticu-rticu- ofof criccricket,”ket,” hhee added.ad of the ban is suspended. 2017, has been under scrutiny from the the international arena. larly keenen to AAustraliaustralia have also Agarwal will be free to rejoin the ICC and Sri Lankan players Nuwan There has been speculation the go aheadead called off theirth tour of Zoysa and Avishka Gunawardene were tour could be delayed until Sep- with a Testest BangladeshBanglade where last year suspended on corruption tember, but Warner was doubtful if it seriese s thetheyy were charges. would go ahead. againstst scheduledschedu to play Zoysa had been charged with four “At the moment it’s highly unlikely India duee to two Tests in counts and Gunawardene with two we’re going to go over there given be playedyed June.Jun The IPL counts. what’s happened in England,” Warner after the T20 20202 told cricket.com.au. tournament,ment, alreadya He said the fact British Prime Min- warningg thisthis standss ister Boris Johnson had been hospi- month itt could indefinitelyin talised with COVID-19 showed the lose hundredsndreds postponedp gravity of the problem in the host of millionsons wwhilehi there nation. “He’s back up on his feet now of dollarsrs ifif areare doubts eveven on the and that’s fantastic news, but there’s it wereere TT2020 World CupC slated a lot more to this than just sport being scrapped.d. toto bbee playedp in played,” Warner added. The leleft-ft- October-November.October-N Latham, Southee win PCB's official Steve Smith is ‘strange’ launches NZ cricket awards but a ‘genius’, says Stokes defamation AP - WELLINGTON proceedings AFP - NEW DELHI level with something to be like those guys when Opener Tom Latham has won the Redpath Cup as New Zealand’s it comes to batting.” against Akhtar best batsman, breaking a seven-year streak in which the trophy England’s Ben Stokes has said his Australian rival The flamboyant all-rounder also threw his was won by either Kane Williamson or Ross Taylor. and IPL teammate Steve Smith is a “genius” as backing behind Test cricket, saying the five-day IANS - LAHORE Latham won the annual award for the first time after scoring well as “strange” as he hailed the number one Test format is the “pinnacle” for him and there is no 608 runs in nine Tests at an average of 40.53. batsman. room to tinker with it. The International Cricket Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) His best innings was his 154 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in “He’s still strange to play against and he’s still Council has floated the idea of four-day Tests to legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi has August which helped New Zealand win the second Test and level strange to play with. And the best thing about it is deal with the cluttered cricket calendar, but the filed a criminal and defa- the two-match series. that he admits it,” Stokes said in a podcast plan met with intense criticism from many within mation suit against former fast Latham was selected as an opener in the International Cricket broadcast by their Indian Premier League side the game. bowler Shoaib Akhtar for his Council’s world Test team of 2019. Rajasthan Royals. “For me, Test cricket is the pinnacle. There’s inappropriate comments on “This season we faced some of the very best bowling attacks “But I feel to be a genius you have to be a bit been a lot of talk recently about Test cricket dying, his Youtube channel. in the world and Tom was an absolute rock at the top for us,” New strange and you know he’s certainly both,” Stokes but I don’t know where that comes from. I know The PCB in a statement Zealand coach Gary Stead said. said from Britain. the likes of Virat Kohli and Joe Root have spoken said that it is disappointed Tim Southee won the Windsor Cup as New Zealand’s best “Personally, I could not think about cricket in about how Test cricket is where you really get with Akhtar's "poor choice of bowler for the first time since 2014. the way that he does when it comes to batting. I tested,” Stokes said. “It’s where you find out what words" and that Rizvi has ini- The trophy has been won by either Trent Boult or Neil Wagner could never be like that. Obviously, he’s on all the you're really about as a cricketer and for me it is tiated the proceedings at his own over the previous five seasons. time but that’s why he averages 60-plus in Test the purest form of the sport. It has to stay around, discretion. Southee took 40 wickets at an average of 21.47 in the awards cricket.” it would be a sad, sad day if Test cricket was "The PCB is disappointed periods, contributing to test match wins over Sri Lanka in Colombo, The 30-year-old Smith averages over 62 in changed. If they are going to change the rules, I with Shoaib Akhtar's poor choice England in Mount Maunganui and India in Wellington and 73 Tests and improves to 65.11 when playing think they should call it, ‘Easy cricket’.” of words while publically com- Christchurch. against arch-rivals England. menting about the PCB's legal "It's a great honour," Southee said during the awards which are Smith was the leading scorer department and its legal advi- being presented virtually throughout the week due to the corona- in the 2019 Ashes in England, sor," said the PCB in its statement. virus pandemic. "When you see the great players who have won retained by Australia after the "The language used by the award in the past it's pretty humbling to see my name on it." series finished 2-2, with a Shoaib Akhtar was highly inap- “The way we played our Test cricket at home this summer whopping 774 runs in four propriate and disrespectful, and was especially pleasing,” Stead said. “To beat England first up was matches. cannot be condoned in any civ- a great effort and then to perform so well against a very good “Even though he plays for ilised society. Indian side was immensely satisfying.” Australia, biggest rivals England "The PCB's legal advisor, The trophy winners were unveiled yesterday on the second and Australia, you’ve just got to Taffazul Rizvi, in his own dis- day of New Zealand Cricket’s virtual awards ceremony, with organ- hold your hands up sometimes cretion, has initiated defamation izers going digital for the first time. to players like that and go ‘yeah and criminal proceedings against New Zealand finished off its home schedule for 2019-20 with you’re on a different level when Shoaib Akhtar, while the PCB back-to-back test wins over India in February, then had its lim- it comes to batting,’” said Stokes, too reserves its rights." ited-overs series in Australia disrupted because of border clo- who scored 441 runs in five Akhtar was talking about the sures and travel restrictions implemented because of the coro- matches during the series. three-year ban that batsman navirus pandemic. “You have to be on a different Umar Akmal recently received. THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2020 SPORT 11 SC organises virtual tournament to boost spirits during pandemic THE PENINSULA – DOHA ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of the May 10 with 33 different community More than 200 people have final of the Ramadan groups – to take part in the The Supreme Committee for signed up for the tournament, Online Community Cup, tournament. Delivery & Legacy (SC) is which got underway last week. an exhibition match Mead Al Emadi, the SC’s currently hosting an online The final will be held on May involving SC ambassador Community Engagement gaming tournament to keep its 10, with the winner receiving and Australia legend Tim Manager, said: “It makes me feel employees and members of the signed shirts from SC ambas- Cahill, who participated in proud that we are able to community connected while sadors and a range of special four World Cups, will take engage with our community everyone is at home. gifts. place and be shown live on members, even in times like People involved with the Ahead of the final, an exhi- social media. this. We received a lot of SC’s Community Engagement bition match involving SC interest for the tournament and initiatives, along with SC staff, ambassador and Australia it’s really refreshing to see that legacy programme represent- legend Tim Cahill, who partic- SC’s Assistant Director of even when we feel so discon- atives and players from the ipated in four World Cups, will Business Analysis & Planning, nected, football is what keeps Qatar Community Football take place and be shown live on said: “We wanted to allow the us united.” League (QCFL), are all com- social media. players unable to play physical Players will be encouraged peting in the Ramadan Online In the spirit of giving during football to have fun through an to take part in a host of compe- Community Cup. Ramadan, the SC will donate online competition. It led to a titions via their social media The FIFA 20 tournament QR10 to Qatar Charity for every larger SC initiative taking place channels during the tour- was organised by the SC in col- goal scored, with the money in Ramadan. The organisation nament. Further details can be laboration with the QCFL, helping those who have been has been a team effort across during lockdown, stay con- Engagement team invited found of SC’s social medis plat- which has been forced to impacted by COVID-19. departments. The main point is nected and stay safe.” people from its vast database – forms on @roadto2022 and postpone its matches due to the Organiser Zaid Mosawy, the for the community to have fun The SC’s Community which includes relationships #ROCC. ‘How many have to die?’: Neville Sports must first resume safely voices fears over PL restart plans at lower levels,

AFP – LONDON French Prime Minister says WHO expert Edouard Philippe said (pictured) Gary Neville fears football would not return in REUTERS – LONDON Premier League players’ lives his country until at least will be put at risk if football (A total of) 1,400 September. is rushed back too soon after players are out of In the Premier League, It will be easier to bring back community the coronavirus-enforced contract in three full training is reportedly level sport such as Parkruns as the coro- lockdown in Britain. months so they’ll need slated for mid-May, with the navirus lockdowns are eased than bigger Premier League chiefs football to resume so plan to be discussed at a events due to the risk of travel from larger are aiming for a return to their livelihoods can meeting of stakeholders gatherings, a member of a World Health action in June and several tomorrow. Organisation expert group said. continue. There’s huge clubs opened their training However, Neville is con- However, the lessons learned on mar- grounds to players this week economic loss. It clouds cerned that the Premier shalling and enforcing social distancing at as they work on “Project people’s minds in terms League’s desire to conclude such local races or a small-scale soccer Restart”. of the risk that they’re the campaign is being driven match could help with the management of The English top flight is willing to take: Neville by financial motives, with the elite gatherings such as major marathons understood to be aiming to English top flight facing a when they are possible, Brian McCloskey run a huge testing operation huge hit if the 92 remaining said. to keep footballers safe, with fixtures are not played. “The bigger the competition the more reports of 26,000 tests being Neville told the Sky Sports The former England complicated mitigating actions will have lined up for players and staff. Football Show oyesterday. international said if it were a to be and therefore the less likely it is that But FIFA’s medical chief “People are now non-economic decision there they can be done safely,” McCloskey, a Michel D’Hooghe said on assessing risk. How many would be no football for member of the World Health Organization Tuesday that football should people have to die playing there is only one outcome at lockdown until at least May months but he acknowledged Novel Coronavirus-19 Mass Gatherings not be played until Sep- football in the Premier this moment in time. How 7, but government officials that players at lower levels Expert Group, told the BBC. tember and former Man- League before it becomes many players have got have spoken in positive would want to play because “So an event that involves lots of travel chester United defender unpalatable? One? One asthma? How many players terms about a potential the alternative was “bad”. across the country or between countries ... Neville is worried that player? One member of staff have diabetes? return for football if the virus “(A total of) 1,400 players (it is) much more complicated to see how Premier League stars will be goes into intensive care? “Have they assessed all is under control. are out of contract in three that happens. A local event, community put in danger by the rush to What risk do we have to of these things and are they Germany’s sports min- months so they’ll need football, running ... much easier to see how return. take? The discussion is willing to put those people at isters have said the Bun- football to resume so their that happens.” “The FIFA medical officer purely economic.” Neville risk?” The UK is among the desliga could return next livelihoods can continue,” he McCloskey said community events, in said that football should not voiced his particular con- worst-hit countries in the month but Dutch football said. which a limited number of people join in take place before September. cerns over the risk to players global COVID-19 pandemic, chiefs have called an end to “There’s huge economic near their homes, could then provide pro- I think if it was a non-eco- with existing medical with more than 21,000 the Eredivisie season and the loss. It clouds people’s minds fessional contests with information to help nomic decision there would conditions. deaths so far. Belgian campaign is in the in terms of the risk that organisers scale back up to events drawing be no football for months,” “If health comes first, The country is on balance. they’re willing to take.” athletes from all over the world. “If you look at something like road running, if we go back to Parkruns, you could start those because they don’t involve United to trial Premier League: Options for restarting season a lot of travel around the country,” he said. “Involve local communities, you can safe standing REUTERS – MANCHESTER resume and for the league’s own players for the virus before games to manage how it’s done and in doing that you medical advice to give the go-ahead. avoid infected players being on the can learn how marshalling can help with at Old Trafford The Premier League has not played Those remain big question marks. field and possibly spreading it. social distancing in a run. any matches since March 9 due to “That helps you work out ‘how can I do AP – MANCHESTER the COVID-19 pandemic but with The indications are that if the go-  If the season cannot be com- a city marathon?’, and ultimately ‘how can UEFA having set a deadline of May ahead was given on May 7, teams pleted, UEFA says the issues of qual- I get the London Marathon and Boston Mar- Manchester United will trial safe 25 for leagues to inform them of their would immediately return to training ification for the Champions League athon back up again?’.” standing at Old Trafford after re-start plans, the clubs are actively and undertake a minimum three and Europa League competitions The World Players Association, an asso- being given approval to install seeking a way to resume the 2019-20 weeks preparation to get back up to must be decided by sporting merit. ciation representing some 85,000 athletes 1,500 barrier seats at the stadium. season and finish the remaining nine speed. The league would then resume In practice, that would mean around the world through more than 100 All-seater stadiums have been games. in June - but it would be a very dif- either the season is declared finished player associations in over 60 countries, mandatory in the top two tiers of Doing so would ensure they ferent kind of football. and the current league positions are said on Tuesday professional athletes English soccer since 1994-95, fol- avoid potential financial penalties While no final decisions have used for deciding the outcomes, should not be rushed back to action. lowing safety recommendations from broadcasters, crown the cham- been made on what exactly will including promotion and relegation, The coronavirus has infected more than made after the crush at pions and decide the questions of happen if the league does resume in or some calculation is used, probably 3.11 million people globally, causing more Hillsborough Stadium in 1989 that European qualification and rele- June, the assumption is that games based on points per game played. than 216,600 deaths, prompting a shutdown killed 96 people. gation. The league will hold a meeting would take place without fans in of business, education and world sport. That legislation is being with all 20 clubs tomorrow and say attendance.  The other possibility that has reviewed and Premier League they are evaluating a number of sce- There has been talk of creating been floated is for the season to be clubs Tottenham and Wolver- narios - so what are the options? so-called bio-secure venues for sport, declared null and void. The 38-game hampton have already installed where players are based in nearby season could not be completed so it Vuelta organisers rail seating. The British government has said venues to avoid long trips and they is written off. There are no cham- United made a proposal to a it will review the current lockdown arrive for matches dressed in kit and pions and no teams are relegated or local authority in December, restrictions on May 7. The cabinet ready to play in order to avoid using promoted. The game simply moves cut tour to 18 requesting a trial, and it has been minister responsible for sport, changing rooms. on to next season, like the previous approved. The club intends to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, has There are concerns about fans months of play never happened. stages, scrap have the barrier seating in place been in talks with the Premier League gathering outside grounds, so that Perhaps the league could allow for next season and would con- and wants to see competition return may require neutral venues, with sta- promotion but not relegation, sider installing it in other areas of as soon as possible. diums out of town and easily secured expanding to 22 clubs for next season Netherlands plan Old Trafford if the trial is But ASAP involves the restrictions the most likely to be used. and it could simply award Liverpool successful. being modified to allow sport to They would also need to test the title. REUTERS – MADRID “Our belief is that the intro- duction of barrier seats will enhance spectator safety in areas This year’s Tour of Spain will not start in of the stadium where - as with the Netherlands as planned because of the other clubs - we have seen coronavirus crisis but from the Basque examples of persistent standing,” Country and will be reduced from 21 to 18 United managing director Richard stages, organisers said yesterday. Arnold said. The race was due to start from Utrecht “It also allows us to future- on Aug. 14 but the International Cycling proof the stadium in the event of Union (UCI) suspended competitive racing any changes to the current all- until Aug. 1 and said the Tour de France, seater stadium policy.” initially due to be held in July, had been Arnold said it was “strange to postponed to August 29-September 20. talk about stadium plans” at a This decision has left no room for the time when soccer in Britain and Tour of Spain on its scheduled dates. The most other countries is shut down UCI is due to unveil a revised calendar next during the coronavirus week. outbreak. Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho makes his “Unipublic has decided not to replace “But football and our fans will weekly delivery of fresh produce from the Kitchen Garden the first three stages and informed the return when it is safe,” he said, at the club's Training Centre to the food distribution International Cycling Union,” the organ- “and our preparations for that hub at the stadium. Tottenham Hotspur will distribute isers said in a statement. must continue in the the vegetables to those most in-need within their local The first stage will be from Irun to background.” community. PICTURE: TWITTER / @SPURSOFFICIAL Arrate-Eibar.