SPORT SPORT | 07 SPORT | 11 SL captain Players need to Karunaratne be disciplined in praises Arthur, virus plan, says eyes top-four rank Bundesliga official

MONDAY 11 MAY 2020 Roland Ras Abu Aboud Stadium: Qatar 2022 venue Garros could is a blueprint for future sports competitions be behind closed doors: THE PENINSULA — DOHA More than 80% of the materials from the process before it was used for demolished buildings were reused or recycled, dust suppression on-site or dis- Guidicelli Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be including metals, electronics, wood and office/ charged into the sea, to adhere the first of its kind; a pioneering to Qatar’s strict environmental packaging waste. A view of under solution in stadium design and requirements.” construction AFP — PARIS a blueprint for future sports More than 80% of the mate- Almost 70,000 tonnes of concrete and asphalt Ras Abu Aboud events – but its sustainable rials from the demolished were crushed, tested and stockpiled to use Stadium. legacy began long before buildings were reused or French tennis chief construction even started. during the construction of the stadium. recycled, including metals, elec- Bernard Guidicelli The stadium is being made tronics, wood and office/pack- admitted yesterday that primarily from shipping con- aging waste. Almost 70,000 Roland Garros, already tainers and is set to host tonnes of concrete and asphalt controversially pushed matches up to the quarter-finals were crushed, tested and stock- back four months due to stage during the FIFA World piled to use during the con- the coronavirus, could be Cup Qatar 2022. struction of the stadium. staged behind closed After the tournament, the The land was also home to doors. 40,000-capacity stadium will trees and vegetation, some of Guidicelli, who said be completely dismantled, with which were more than 30 years that the French federation its parts transformed into old. More than 875 trees were (FFT) had “no regrets” over sporting facilities in Qatar and inspected and tagged, and its unilateral decision to overseas. where possible, excavated and move the clay court Grand And while the stadium’s decontaminated after years of – partly for their cultural and employed, taking exceptional removed to the SC Tree & Turf Slam from May 24-June 7 sustainable legacy is guar- industrial use, meaning a legacy architectural value but also to care during the demolition and Nursery, which provides the to September 20-October anteed, what most people for the site has been delivered ensure new facilities didn’t need site preparation phases. Over tree and turf for all Qatar 2022 4, insisted all options don’t know is what measures before the project has even to be created from scratch. 65 tonnes of asbestos con- venues. remain on the table. were taken to ensure its been completed. The SC’s Sustainability & taining material was removed So far, 923 containers have “We haven’t ruled out location – close to Doha Port Significant work has been Environment Senior Manager, from the site and safely been delivered to the stadium any option. Roland Garros and overlooking the spec- carried out by the Supreme Eng. Bodour Al Meer, said: “Due disposed.” site out of the 949 required for is first and foremost a story tacular West Bay skyline – Committee for Delivery & to the nature of construction at Al Meer continued: “Soil and its construction. The fabrication of matches and players,” became suitable to house the Legacy (SC) to remove the the time the buildings were groundwater contamination of steel for the structure is 94% he told the Journal du construction. existing buildings, laboratories, constructed, many had asbestos were also present in some loca- complete and the development Dimanche. The land where Ras Abou workshops and fuel tanks. Some within their structures. Asbestos tions. Water was run through a of the steel structure is now 33% “There is the tour- Aboud is being built had to be of the old buildings were kept removal specialists were specific waste treatment complete. nament taking place in the stadium, and the tour- nament on TV screens. “Millions of viewers Serie A TV rights around the world are Five players test positive waiting. Organising it holders freeze behind closed doors would allow part of the business payment amid model -- television rights (which account for more uncertainty for coronavirus: La Liga than a third of the tourna- ment’s revenues) -- to go ahead. This cannot be REUTERS — MILAN AFP — MADRID premises. At the end of training, overlooked.” This file photo taken on January 4, 2020, they take away a bag of fresh The spread of the coro- shows a general view of the match ball inside The companies holding the broad- Five players from Spain’s top kit for the next day and shower navirus has halted all casting rights to Italy’s top-flight Serie two leagues have tested positive the stadium before a match between Getafe at home. tennis since mid-March A soccer championship, including for coronavirus, La Liga and Real Madrid at Coliseum Alfonso Perez, The league have not offi- and will not resume until Comcast’s unit SKY, have not paid the confirmed yesterday. Getafe, Spain. cially announced the timing for July 13 at the earliest. last instalment of the 2019/2020 Players in Spain’s top-flight the resumption of competitive Close to 500,000 fans season, which has been halted due to and Segunda division were matches although Leganes regularly attend Roland the coronavirus outbreak, three allowed to carry out individual coach Javier Aguirre said last Garros every year. sources familiar with the matter said. work at training grounds last week the proposed date is June However, an indication Serie A was suspended on March 9 week. 20. as to the thinking around and the league and the Italian football The move was the That could correspond with the 2020 edition came on federation (FIGC) want the season to be beginning of a staggered the Spanish government’s de- Thursday when the FFT completed, playing matches without training programme, with the escalation programme, which decided to reimburse all spectators. aim to restart competitive includes outside events being tickets bought for the The Italian government has not yet games in the middle of June. allowed to go ahead in their original date of the tour- decided whether it will give its per- La Liga insist identifying fourth and final phase, as long nament rather than mission for the league to do so, although infected players through pos- as they are attended by fewer transfer them. it lifted a ban on individual training last itive tests are part of that plan. than 400 people. Guidicelli is adamant week. Italy’s top pay-TV operator SKY, The five players, who have Football matches are that the FFT was right to sport digital firm DAZN and global sports not been officially named, will “One of the objectives of carrying out work individually expected to be staged behind shift the tournament back by agency IMG did not pay the 2019/2020 now be quarantined at home these medical tests, according before then expanding into closed doors for several months. four months with the death final instalment, totalling roughly €220m and tested again “in the next to the La Liga’s protocol for small groups and finally taking La Liga president Javier Tebas toll from the coronavirus in ($238m), the three sources said. few days”. returning to training, according part in larger team sessions. has said “it is not an option” to France standing at 26,310 by The installment is part of a €1.3bn They will be allowed to to recommendations of the Barcelona’s players were cancel the top flight given he Saturday night. annual fee which right holders pour into rejoin their club’s training pro- CSD (Supreme Sports Council) back for their first session on estimates the economic fallout “Roland Garros is the Serie A’s club coffers to screen matches gramme only after obtaining and the Ministry of Health, was Friday while Real Madrid’s will would cost clubs around driving force of tennis in under a three-year agreement expiring two consecutive negative test precisely to detect the denom- return today. $1.08bn. France, it is what feeds the next season. results. inated or asymptomatic, that The medical protocol for But the third and fourth tiers players in our ecosystem Sources previously said rights A La Liga statement read: is, those people who are training is strict and includes in Spain will not complete their (260 million euros in holders had each presented Serie A with “Among La Liga Santander and infected and that, without pre- players arriving already seasons, as confirmed by the revenue, or 80% of the separate proposals for postponing or La Liga SmartBank (Segunda) senting symptoms, they can changed and at specific times Spanish football federation turnover of the FFT),” reducing the amount of payments due clubs, five positive cases were infect other people,” the to avoid contact with others. (RFEF) on Wednesday. Instead, added Guidicelli, to clubs, in the light of the suspension of detected in players, all of them statement added. They wear masks and gloves, promotions will be decided describing himself as the matches, but such proposals were asymptomatic and in the final La Liga’s training plan and have their temperatures through play-offs and there will “good father”. rebuffed by the clubs. phase of the disease.” includes players initially taken before entering the be no relegations. F1 star Hamilton has only himself to beat online

LONDON REUTERS — stuff. It’s been frustrating as hell but Hamilton said he was “not have to kind of override youry completelypy different. “I don’t because my laps are pretty very interested”ted” in thatthat.. mindmind and I don’t really find it pepersonallyr any While Formula One rivals decent I think.” “I never ddriverive the simulatorsimulator,, likelike doing that, going benefit whatsoever compete in virtual Grands Prix I’ve been racing The Lewis Hamilton Time very rarely,”” he explained.explained. throughthrough that processprocess.. doing simulation and various esports series Trial Challenge also has a ‘ghost “I think wwithith simulators it’s ThenThen you get in things. But the actual during the COVID-19 lockdown, myself, trying to car’ to mimic racing against the very, very difficultdifficult becausebecause thethe real fun andan gaming side six-times world champion beat my own laps Mercedes driver as well as video the movementment iiss nneverever thing,t hing, of thithings,n when you Lewis Hamilton has been busy tutorials. perfect. andand it’sit’s get to play with racing against himself. and stuff. It’s been Hamilton said he had also “You’re at hhomeome ffriendsriends and people The Briton has been a keen frustrating as hell played the Call of Duty shooter with the simulator,mulator, online,online, that’st the fun gamer since boyhood and for because my laps are game with AlphaTauri’s Pierre so the seat doesn’tdoesn’t stage.”stage.” some years a brand ambassador Gasly and Ferrari’s Charles move. The mindmind FormulaForm One has for the Gran Turismo franchise pretty decent I think: Leclerc, who has won two of is telling youu notnot hadhad a racera since last on Sony’s PlayStation. Lewis Hamilton four official F1 virtual races so the car’s December butbu is hoping to “I’ve been working with far. moving but get the seseason going in them the last couple of years Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, a you’re not AustriaAustri without and I got to do this challenge, he had been up to in the absence four-times world champion getting spectatorssp in beat my time kind of thing,” the of real racing. with Red Bull, made his esports cueing of July. 35-year-old said in a Mercedes “So I’ve been racing myself, debut this month after being movements. Lewis Hamilton video interview discussing what trying to beat my own laps and sent a simulator to use at home “Youu MONDAY 11 MAY 2020 SPORT 09 UFC: Gaethje wins as Trump congratulates promoters

AFP — MIAMI Ferguson with a fifth-round back, let’s play,” the president they were on top of things. technical knockout victory in said. “You do the social dis- Justin Gaethje of the “Obviously the system that we The Ultimate Fighting Champi- the lightweight division. tancing and whatever else you United States speaks set up works. We found out he onship became the first major Gaethje finished his have to do, but we need sports. to the media after his was positive and all the other American sporting event held opponent off three minutes We want our sports back,” he Interim lightweight tests were negative,” he said. since the US coronavirus and 39 seconds into the fifth said. title fight. “We have two more fights outbreak, with President to earn the interim lightweight The fights were staged in an this week. We will do over 1,100 Donald Trump congratulating crown. empty 15,000-seat VyStar Vet- tests.” the promoter. “It worked out great,” said erans Memorial arena in Jack- He has also announced The controversial card put promoter Dana White. sonville, Florida, after earlier cards for Wednesday and next the UFC in the spotlight like “I am happy with the way it attempts to hold it in New York Saturday in Jacksonville -- never before, but did not go off went tonight.” and California failed due to despite stating he expects to see without a hitch after middle- In a pre-recorded video pandemic restrictions on live more positive coronavirus tests weight Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza shown during the undercard sporting events. this week. was dropped when he and two fights, Trump -- who in The global outbreak has “When you are testing that of his cornermen tested positive November attended a UFC card largely shut down the American much I am sure we are going to for COVID-19 on Friday. -- congratulated White for the economy, but Florida author- find somebody else who is pos- The main event saw Justin sport’s return. ities have deemed professional martial arts -- essential busi- negative impact of Souza’s pos- itive,” White told ESPN in an Gaethje dominate Tony “Get the sports leagues sports -- including mixed nesses. White downplayed the itive test and insisted it showed interview. Players feel compensation is key when taking health risk

REUTERS — LOS ANGELES fans in the stands,” Iannetta told “We understand that this ESPN. year isn’t going to be as finan- As the possibility of a season “If there’s no fans in the cially rewarding for the own- start date increases, Major stands, there is an intrinsic risk ership groups (but) there is League Baseball (MLB) Players We understand that that players are going to higher risk this season,” Miller Association board members this year isn’t going undertake. There is an intrinsic said. Chris Iannetta and Andrew risk that support staff and “If it’s not safe to bring fans Miller are concerned about pay to be as financially coaches are going to undertake, into games, you’re still asking and health. rewarding for the and we should get fairly com- us to play, there’s certainly a Iannetta, a catcher with the ownership groups pensated for taking that risk for risk there.... Travel is limited to New York Yankees, and Miller, the betterment of the game and essential, and we’re traveling, a reliever with the St. Louis Car- (but) there is higher the betterment of the owners that means there is risk dinals, feel there is a lot of risk risk this season: who stand to make a huge profit involved.” Iannetta is willing to on the players’ end to play Andrew Miller off the game.” listen but doesn’t sound inter- games without fans in the As speculation increases ested in budging too much. stands. That is especially true that MLB will announce some “We’ll explore a lot of with the coronavirus outbreak don’t go back and ask for more plan involving the season options, but I think there will not under control and still a on our end. Ultimately this isn’t sometime next week, the be some things we’re going to major threat. about money. We need to find finances involved could become say no to,” Iannetta said. And in their eyes, baseball a way to safely get our players an intense discussion. “Just based on government players should be fairly com- on the field in a safe manner The two sides reached a regulations, the chances of pensated and not have to take and control that. I would hope salary agreement in late March having fans in the stands is a salary hit simply because the (finances) doesn’t turn into any- that included $170m in upfront going to be next to zero. With owners might sustain revenue thing regarding that stuff.” money for the players. But reports that in mind, there is some losses in the millions. Iannetta said not only are are now in circulation claiming inherent risk to this, and we’ll “The way our sport works players risking their health but the owners will seek further weed through the proposal and Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin is we are not tied to revenue in so are umpires, groundskeepers reductions if games are played I’m sure we’ll agree on some Verlander delivers a pitch against the any way,” Miller told ESPN. and any other support staff on without fans in the stands. things and some things we Los Angeles Angels in this file photo. “If the owners hit a home site. Miller doesn’t see another won’t because it’s implying too run and make more money, we “It goes back to not having cut as an option. much risk for everyone.” Yao Ming Coach Tomlin wants offers options for restart of ‘fairness’ in reopening Chinese of team facilities basketball REUTERS — NEW YORK released its regular-season schedule Thursday and plans AP — BEIJING As the NBA begins to allow to hold a full season with no practice facilities to reopen on delays. Yao Ming, the former Houston a team-by-team basis, with But team facilities remain Rockets star and now pres- Anaheim Ducks’ state and local rules regarding closed, and it is unknown ident of the Chinese Basketball Cam Fowler reopening dictate which what offseason workouts -- Association, says the league (left) celebrates teams can welcome players or even training camp -- has three options for resuming with team-mate back, one NFL coach wants could be delayed or even can- the season that has been on Bobby Ryan in his league to take a different celed due to COVID-19. hold since February 1 over the this file photo. approach when pro football In a memo sent to all coronavirus pandemic. gets back to work. teams recently, the NFL told Yao said the league might Speaking with reporters its teams to have coronavirus- play out the full schedule; play on a conference call, Pitts- related protocols for when a shortened season with some burgh Steelers coach Mike facilities reopen in place by games dropped; or end the Fowler sweeps Kane in NHL Tomlin said “the day is this coming Friday. According regular season and go straight coming” when team facilities to the memo, Phase 1, for to the playoffs based on teams’ will reopen, but added that all whenever teams reopen facil- current rankings. Player Gaming Challenge teams should open their doors ities, teams may bring in no Yao told state broadcaster at the same time, regardless more than half of their non- CCTV yesterday that he hopes of the difference in local playing employees, up to 75 as much as the season can be REUTERS — TORONTO The online NHL event is lead in hockey,” Alex Faust, restrictions. on any day, fewer if required played as possible, but that in the middle of a who is announcing the “I prescribe to the by local regulations. Also, public health and fairness The Battle for California wasn’t four-week run, with streaming games, joked with approach of competitive employees will be required to were the key considerations. much of a battle at all. games streamed on Kane after Fowler scored the fairness within our game, and wear facemasks, and the A tournament to restart the A late add to the schedule, Thursdays and Saturdays. insurance goal. that is everybody gets an workers as well as visitors to season was also being con- San Jose winger Evander Kane “It is,” Kane joked. opportunity,” Tomlin said, team facilities will have their sidered if not all scheduled faced off against Anaheim All 31 NHL teams will “We got complacent. We according to ESPN. temperature taken daily while games could be played. defenceman Cam Fowler on Sat- have representation, and relaxed. We relaxed out there,” “Our game is extremely answering health-related Teams would also be iso- urday to conclude Week 2 of the Seattle Seahawks tight he said. competitive. It’s one of the questions. lated in hotels and fans barred NHL Player Gaming Challenge. end Luke Willson will Game 2 was all Fowler, things that make football at But the memo reportedly from stadiums, he said. But the best-of-three contest represent the pending who scored twice in the first this level so attractive to our made no mention with respect In formulating a restart never saw a Game 3, as Fowler NHL Seattle expansion eight minutes and four times fans. I’m committed to pre- to whether teams could plan, the CBA received advice swept the battle of 28-year-olds, team. in the second period in never serving and protecting that, reopen facilities according to from a unique source, Yao winning 5-3 and 8-3. trailing. and so all teams getting an local rules, or whether all 32 said. Zhong Nanshan, who The online event is in the Saturday’s originally opportunity to start on the teams had to reopen at the heads a national virus control middle of a four-week run, with tion’s COVID-19 relief efforts. scheduled game -- Washing- same footing is a core element same time. team and is married to a games streamed on Thursdays The Kane-Fowler contest ton’s Evgeny Kuznetsov vs. of that.” “There’s a couple of things former national player, pro- and Saturdays. All 31 NHL began much closer than the Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau With sports league around that we’re committed to vided “many useful sugges- teams will have representation, final results would indicate, as -- was bumped up to Thursday. the world on hiatus during the adhering to, and that’s the tions,” Yao said. and Seattle Seahawks tight end Kane scored the day’s first goal The shortened prep time didn’t coronavirus pandemic, the global approach of the “With their help, we are Luke Willson will represent the 10 minutes into Game 1 and seem to impact Huberdeau NBA began allowing some National Football League in more confident of the CBA’s pending NHL Seattle expansion maintained the lead until less much, however, as he swept his teams to reopen facilities on regards to football ops and return.” team. than three minutes remained. opponent 7-3 and 5-2. a limited basis on Friday. Thus how important competitive As in most countries, pro- No standings are being But Fowler tied with game with The matchup’s first high- far, only the Cleveland Cava- fairness is in our game,” fessional sports in China has compiled, as the games are virtual Adam Henrique with light was likely its biggest, as liers and Portland Trail Tomlin said. been largely put on hold designed strictly for enter- 2:46 to play, then scored the Huberdeau scored as himself Blazers have taken advantage The Steelers began their during the pandemic. tainment with the NHL season winner with Ryan Getzlaf with on his first shot in the NHL of the opportunity. virtual rookie minicamp this The national football shut down due to the corona- 12.6 seconds left. Player Gaming Challenge. While the NFL canceled weekend, with draft picks and association said last week it virus pandemic. He added another goal That matched the 26-year- all in-person pre-draft undrafted free agents going would be mandating a tem- In connection with the (though not an empty-netter) old forward’s real-life career, workouts and held its draft through online instruction porary 30 to 50% pay cut for event, the National Hockey with 6.9 seconds to go for good as he scored on his first career online rather than hosting its beginning Friday. all players and hoped to League Foundation and Elec- measure. NHL shot -- beating Carolina’s planned extravaganza on the The NFL ordered all team restart competition on a tronic Arts are donating “Evander, you said it earlier Cam Ward as a 19-year-old Las Vegas Strip, the league facilities shut down March 25. staggered schedule. $100,000 to the CDC Founda- -- a two-goal lead is the worst back on Jan. 19, 2013. 10 SPORT MONDAY 11 MAY 2020 Players must play, crowd Sport-On this day... May 11 May 11, 1991 SOCCER - Arsenal manager George Graham celebrated with his players after they clinched their second League Cham- or no crowd: Pietersen pionship in three years, finishing above holders Liverpool. Graham, who had his captain Tony Adams jailed for drink- driving offences and his team penalised two points for a mass REUTERS- MUMBAI pitch brawl at Manchester United, praised his side for their spirit in the face of adversity. The resumption of sport will lift morale for “Sometimes we could play more attacking football with people around the world during the more flair, but to win championships you have got to have a COVID-19 crisis and cricketers owe it to lot more than flair. We’ve got those qualities in abundance,” fans to play behind closed doors if that Graham, whose side lost only one game all season, said. hastens the process, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has said. May 11, 1994 The spread of novel coronavirus has SOCCER - Inter Milan striker Dennis Bergkamp held aloft brought sport across the world to a stand- the UEFA Cup following his team’s 1-0 victory over Austria’s still over the last two months and Pietersen Casino Salzburg in the second leg of the final at Milan’s San thinks every effort should be made to Siro. resume professional cricket as soon as it is Inter, who won the first leg by the same scoreline thanks safe to do so. to a Nicola Berti goal, sealed a 2-0 aggregate win over surprise “Fans, the public, need a morale boost. finalists Salzburg when Wim Jonk struck in the 62nd minute. Their morale at the moment is so negative, Bergkamp was the top-scorer in the competition with eight so down in the dumps,” the 39-year-old goals, alongside Germany’s Edgar Schmitt. said in an interview. “Sport is so uplifting and so positive for May 11, 1996 so many people. New sport will have to be SOCCER - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson lift- played behind closed doors until we find a edthe English FA Cup trophy following his team’s 1-0 win over vaccination for coronavirus. Sportsmen bitter rivals Liverpool in the final at London’s Wembley Stadium. have got to deal with it.” Former England cricket Kevin Pietersen talks to the media in London, Britain, in this May Frenchman Eric Cantona, United’s top-scorer that season With golfer Rory McIlroy preparing to 29, 2019, file photo. with 19 goals, sealed his team’s ninth title in the competition play a charity event on May 17 and English with the winner in the 85th minute. soccer’s Premier League plotting a return Pietersen said. “Virat Kohli is in the same closely associated with the conservation of United also won the Premier League to become the first for mid-June, Pietersen finds in unfath- position as Kane Williamson as Joe Root to endangered animals in the country. English team to twice win the league and FA Cup double. omable that any top athlete would not want Steve Smith as Quinton de Kock... we’re all He is particularly identified with the to be plying their trade as soon as possible. in this together. battle to preserve the rhinoceros and the May 11, 2002 “Some sportsmen are in the prime of “So we’ve all got to come together, charity he founded, SORAI or Save our ICE HOCKEY - The Slovakian team linked arms while their life. Why would they not want to be understand what’s important to us, work Rhino Africa/India, rescues abandoned, singing the national anthem as dejected Russian players stand playing?” he added. together, get through this together and injured or orphaned rhinos. by, after the final at the IIHF World Ice Hockey Champion- “So what if the crowds are not there? make good decisions together.” “When we come out of this global crisis, ships in Gothenburg’s Scandinavium arena. The crowds may not be there in person but Always a big favourite with fans, Pie- as humans we have to play a bigger and Peter Bondra scored the winning goal for Slovakia with the broadcasting numbers will be massive.” tersen hit 23 centuries and scored more more significant role in making sure we less than two minutes remaining in the final to secure a 4-3 Looking more broadly at a possible than 8,000 runs in 104 Tests for England protect the planet and protect all the win and his team’s first gold medal in the competition. silver lining to the crisis, Pietersen said it before finally hanging up his bat in 2018 species,” said Pietersen, who will relaunch was an opportunity for his sport to have a after a few years playing for club teams the brand at the end of June. May 11, 2006 serious look at solutions to problems shared across the world. “There’s no way we can afford to let SOCCER - Inter Milan’s Luis Figo kissed the Italian Cup by the entire cricketing world. South Africa, where he was born and animals like the rhino go extinct, the pan- trophy as team mates Kily Gonzalez, Sebastian Veron and Julio “The nice thing, if you can have a look raised, remains close to Pietersen’s heart golin go extinct. It’s just incomprehensible Cesar celebrated with the entire team following a 3-1 second- at something that’s nice about this corona- and along with his work as a cricket pundit to even think that something like that can leg victory that gave them a 4-2 aggregate win over AS Roma. virus, is it’s affecting absolutely everybody,” and business interests, he has become happen.” The team finished third in the league but were later awarded the 2005-06 title after Juventus were stripped of it following a match-fixing scandal. Roma gained revenge the following year with a 7-4 Choose aggregate win in the final, including a 6-2 hammering in the Cummins eager to carry first leg, denying Inter a second successive league and cup rest over double. May 11, 2006 on shining and swinging GOLF - Australian golfer Greg Norman watched the progress county of an imaginary golf ball from the back of a luxury yacht on Sydney Harbour. Twice major winner Norman was promoting cricket: REUTERS - SYDNEY “Obviously, health is the the Australian Open championship scheduled for Nov. 13-19 absolute, the number one pri- that year. Australia fast bowler Pat ority but I’m kind of thinking John Senden clinched the championship at Royal Sydney Akram to Cummins (pictured) believes that if we are in a position with a final round of seven-under-par 65 for a 72-hole total Test cricket will be much the where we are worried about of eight-under 280. Five-times winner Norman signed off with Bumrah poorer if using spit and sweat passing on the coronavirus... a 74 and a share of 26th place. to help shine the ball is banned I don’t think we would be May 11, 2008 IANS - NEW DELHI without some form of playing in the first place,” he replacement in the wake of the added. FORMULA ONE - Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy COVID-19 pandemic. Australian ball manufac- slammed his car into the Williams of Japan’s Kazuki Nakajima Former Pakistan fast Cricketers have long used turer Kookaburra this week at the first corner after the start of the Turkish Grand Prix in bowler Wasim Akram saliva and sweat to shine one said it had developed a wax Istanbul. Both drivers did not finish the race. might have learnt a lot by side of the ball, altering the aer- applicator that would enable Ferrari’s Felipe Massa won the race from pole position for playing County cricket, but odynamics in an attempt to cricketers to shine balls without the third year in a row, finishing 3.7 seconds ahead of McLaren he feels that someone like generate movement in the air using sweat or saliva. driver Lewis Hamilton. It was the Brazilian’s seventh Formula Jasprit Bumrah should give as it flies towards the batsman. Cummins believes some One win and his second success in five races that season. his body ample rest, The Australian Institute of sort of alternative is essential if whenever he can, rather Sport (AIS)’s protocols for the the tried and tested methods of May 11, 2008 than playing County cricket return of sport in the country, these different aspects that generating swing are SOCCER - Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani if such an opportunity does however, specifically rules out make test cricket what it is. outlawed. lifted the Premier League trophy following their 2-0 victory arise in the future. the practice because of the “I think if you can’t shine “I want them to come up over Wigan Athletic in the final match of the campaign. Speaking with former danger of transmitting the ball, that takes away swing with another option. Whether Victory was secured thanks to Ronaldo’s 33rd-minute India opener Aakash COVID-19. bowling, that takes away it’s saliva or any another sub- penalty -- his 31st league goal of the season -- and a late strike Chopra on AakashVani, Cummins, the world’s top- reverse swing bowling and I just stance, we need to able to shine from Ryan Giggs. Akram spoke about his ranked Test bowler, thinks that don’t want to give batsmen the ball and make sure it keeps Portugal winger Ronaldo, who top-scored with 42 goals in journey in the County such a radical change to the another reason to score runs,” swinging,” he said. all competitions that season, also helped United capture their circuit and also said that longest form of game would be he said. Cummins became the third European Cup crown later that month following a penalty times have changed and the unacceptable. Cricket boards are des- most expensive overseas buy shootout win over Chelsea in the final in Moscow. Indian team plays round “As a fast bowler, I think perate to get players back on ever in the IPL when the the year and it is important you’ve got to be able to shine the field after social exclusion Knight Riders paid a stag- May 11, 2013 that someone like Bumrah the ball,” he said in an interview restrictions are eased to get gering $2.18m for him in last VOLLEYBALL - Britain’s Prince Harry hit the ball to former rests his body so that he can on the website of his Indian revenue flowing once more. year’s auction. US Olympic beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor during return to action fresh. Premier League team, the Cummins, though, believes The money-spinning a game of ‘sitting volleyball’ with members of the British Warrior “Indian players play Kolkata Knight Riders (kkr.in). that the game at the top level Twenty20 competition was Games team in a gymnasium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. cricket round the year. “Why everyone loves Test will probably not resume while originally scheduled to start on Prince Harry was opening the 2013 edition of the Warrior Bumrah is currently India’s cricket is because it has so there are still major concerns March 29 but has been post- Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured or ill service top bowler and one of the much art to it. You have swing about the transmission of the poned indefinitely because of personnel or veterans, on the third day of his US tour. best in the world. I would bowlers, spinners, you have all virus. the coronavirus outbreak. also have advised him to May 11, 2019 take rest (when there is no RUGBY - Saracens celebrated with the European Cham- international cricket). Sri Lanka captain Karunaratne pions Cup trophy following their victory over Leinster Rugby “As far as I am con- in the title clash at St James’ Park, Newcastle. cerned, I used to play six Saracens were crowned champions of Europe for the third months for Pakistan and six praises Arthur, eyes top-4 rank time in four years as they surged back from 10-0 down to over- months for Lancashire. But whelm the holders 20-10 in a ferocious final. due to time constraints it Both sides defended stoutly in a brutal third quarter but becomes difficult in today’s REUTERS - MUMBAI planning and role clarity is a mean semi-finalists to say the Saracens took advantage of a yellow card for Scott Fardy as era,” he explained. norm. What is very important least and you are perhaps two an Owen Farrell penalty and a try by Billy Vunipola settled it. Akram, who holds the Sri Lanka cricket captain is the belief he has instilled games away from the plum. record for most Test Dimuth Karunaratne lauded the among us in his own and subtle There onwards, it’s anybody’s wickets for Pakistan, also impact of new coach Mickey way. It sure helped and the guess and if you do well on your stated he doesn’t rate Arthur yesterday and said his results always speak for itself.” day you could end up being bowlers on their T20 side must target a top-four spot Since Arthur’s appointment, World Champs.” performances. in the world rankings for both Sri Lanka lost a two-Test series Test captain Karunaratne “In order to hone their the test and 50-over formats. in Pakistan before defeating was himself handed an olive skills further, young South African Mickey Zimbabwe at home. The are branch to resurrect his limited- bowlers should play more Arthur was appointed as Sri currently ranked fifth in the overs career and lead the side first-class cricket,” Akram Lanka’s head coach on a two- format. in ODIs when he was brought said. “T20 is amazing, good year contract in December. The team languish at eighth back last year ahead of the entertainment, fun and Former first class cricketer in one-day internationals but 50-over World Cup in England there is money and I’m all Arthur has previously been managed to defeat a dangerous for the first time since 2015. for the importance of head coach with the national West Indies side 3-0 in their last “The boys and the money in a sport and for teams of South Africa, Australia series before the COVID-19 respective squads are enjoying the players. But I don’t and Pakistan. shutdown. their cricket and that makes my judge bowlers on the basis “Mickey is a no nonsense “Rankings is the key word. job that much easier,” he said. of their T20 performance. cool bloke with loads of expe- I’d say Sri Lanka needs to be in “If you like what you are doing I do that on the basis of rience to back him and his the top four of not just ODI and the environment to do so Arsenal manager George Graham celebrates with players after seeing how they fare in brand,” Karunaratne told Sri cricket, but Test cricket as well,” is conducive, the balance at this they clinched their second League Championship in three years, longer formats,” he added. Lanka Cricket. Karunaratne, 32, said. level of sport becomes that finishing above holders Liverpool in this May 11, 1991, file photo. “At the international level, “That would indirectly much more beneficial.” MONDAY 11 MAY 2020 SPORT 11

Swiss Players need to be disciplined League prepares in virus plan: Bundesliga official for training REUTERS - MANCHESTER management of that case,” said Meyer. “Usually, and this will despite Each individual player’s be exactly the same with behaviour will be “crucial until football, the affected person is the end of the season”, the put into quarantine and then the restart row medical head of the Bundesliga local health authority starts to and UEFA’s efforts to restart the check contact persons... fortu- AFP - LAUSANNE game across the continent nately in professional football warned yesterday. we have footage of training ses- Tim Meyer, the head of the sions and each match,” he Swiss top-flight sides are Bundesliga’s new coronavirus added, noting that tracking preparing to return to task force and chairman of the systems would be able to training from today, despite UEFA medical committee, said provide quick and detailed the possible resumption of that while the German league information. matches on June 20 being had produced the safest pos- Meyer has been in regular clouded by total uncer- sible system for resuming com- contact with medical staff at the tainty and debate. petition, it was vital that players Premier League and the English The Super League has showed discipline and kept to Football Association. He said been suspended since Feb- the new rules. the situations in the two coun- ruary 23, with 13 rounds The Bundesliga will become tries were very different given remaining, due to the coro- the first major league in Europe the lower impact of the pan- navirus pandemic. to resume action, on May 16, demic in Germany and in par- But clubs cannot agree with games held without spec- ticular the higher capacity for on whether to restart the tators and with strict restric- testing for the virus. season, with some, tions due to the COVID-19 Many of the Premier including two-time league pandemic. League’s evolving ‘Project champions FC Sion, “Football has to give some- Restart’ plans are similar to the believing they have far thing back to the people now,” The match ball on display before the kick-off ahead of a La Liga clash between FC Barcelona and Bundesliga’s approach and more to lose than to gain. he said in an interview. Real Betis at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain, in this November 11, 2018 file photo. Meyer said it would be difficult When the league was “That also means to be dis- to produce a more stringent halted, Saint Gallen and ciplined as a player. Keeping system. Young Boys were level on themselves away from the virus moment, as long as you deal scale testing procedure. There That came into the spotlight “You cannot easily be points at the top of the and the virus from them is the with other human beings. will also be an impact for those on Saturday when Bundesliga stricter than we are. You can put table, five points clear of target. They need to be Sometimes there are people living with players. 2 team Dynamo Dresden were everyone into a complete quar- third-placed Basel. responsible. who say, ‘there is still a little The co-habitants, wives or told by their local health body antine, that is a scenario that Sion were languishing “They are very public and risk’. Yes there is. We will not partners of all Bundesliga to put the entire squad into 14 has been debated in several eighth in the 10-team need to show how to behave -- be able to eliminate any small players will be required to days quarantine after two of countries,” he said. “You can do division, only four points on the pitch, play football as risk - we did a lot, we put a lot choose from three options -- their players tested positive for that, but you need to be aware above the relegation play- always but as soon as you leave of measures in place, to make either to undergo two tests, the virus. what you are doing then iso- off spot and are refusing to the pitch, you are a citizen again sure that infections from agree to document each contact The decision means lating a number of young men, restart training, having can- and need to behave as a citizen football are highly unlikely,” he outside the house or they have Dynamo will not be able to play completely, from the outside celled several players’ con- in times of Corona,” he added. said. to live separately. their scheduled first game after world for several weeks is not tracts, including those of Meyer said his task was to The Bundesliga has pro- However, the decision on the restart on May 17. easy. We do not know how that former Arsenal pair Alex create the highest possible level duced a detailed set of strict how to respond to any positive “We cannot change German would work, if it works at all, Song and Johan Djourou. of safety, based on what was guidelines for the restart which tests amongst players -- and law and German law says that or what the consequences of it “Ninety-three percent “medically justifiable”. include three separate zones at who in a squad might need to in the case of, whoever is tested are not just on a medical but of our resources come from “We do not think that any stadiums to limit human contact be quarantined as a result -- positive from the population, it also a psychological level, we ticket office sales, members job, any profession in the and reduce the chances of viral will remain with the local health is the local health authorities don’t know if it is feasible at all. and sponsors, and only country is 100% safe at this transmission along with a large authorities in Germany. who take responsibility for the Being stricter is difficult.” seven percent from tele- vision rights,” Sion Pres- ident Christian Constantin said. Brighton player has got “Resuming the season behind closed doors would coronavirus, says club make us lose a lot of money,” Constantin said. AP - LONDON “Bringing back our players would deprive us A Brighton player tested positive for the coronavirus as Premier furloughing measures, League clubs prepare for talks today about how to resume the which has allowed us to competition during the pandemic. reduce our expenses by The southern England club said there is no need for other about 65 percent during members of the squad or coaches to self-isolate because players this period without have only worked in isolation when at the training base. revenue.” Brighton said three players have now had the coronavirus, But the clubs could having announced the first diagnosis in March when the league decide at a Swiss football was suspended. league (SFL) on May 29 to The players have not been named. resume the campaign as “Despite all of the measures that we’ve been taking over the early as June 20. past few weeks, where the players haven’t been involved in any Young Boys, chasing a significant training at all, we’ve still suffered another player testing third successive league title, positive for the virus,” Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told are unsurprisingly one of broadcaster Sky Sports yesterday. the clubs keen to complete Clubs are yet to resume group training as they abide by gov- the season, with Champions ernment social distancing regulations. League qualification also up The Premier League has government support for “Project for grabs. Restart” and it will be trying to secure agreement among the 20 “(We) want to continue clubs on the plans during a conference call with them on Monday. the season, to determine a Managua FC’s players receive sanitizing gel before their match against Real Esteli at the Nacional “The safety of players and staff is top of that list, everyone’s champion, the clubs qual- Stadium, Managua, Nicaragua. The match took place despite most sport being cancelled around the working hard to minimise risk for those groups,” Brighton tech- ified in European cups, and world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. nical director Dan Ashworth said. relegation,” said Wanja Greuel, the capital side’s general manager. He added that not fin- Top-flight football returns, in the Faroe Islands ishing the season would be “disastrous for the entire AFP - TÓRSHAVN, DENMARK has made 59 appearance for the Faroes’ But despite not being allowed inside players dream of playing full-time inter- football family”. national team, said that he hopes sup- the grounds, several fans gathered nationally. Now, all eyes are on them,” Other leagues across The first official football to be played in porters can return to the grounds as soon outside to be close to the action. said Trondur Arge, a sports journalist at Europe are starting to edge western Europe since March took place as possible. “I really, really missed it. I play Sosialurin, the largest Faroese news- closer to resuming, with the to little fanfare yesterday, behind closed “We play for the fans, so it’s very hard football myself, I played it every day, but paper. The only European league to carry German Bundesliga set to doors in the Faroe Islands. to play a game without spectators,” the since the virus, there is nothing left,” AB on playing since the COVID-19 outbreak return next weekend. Originally scheduled to start two 37-year-old said. supporter Sverri Petersen said. hit Europe has been Belarus, although However, the top-flight months ago, the Faroese top flight “But with a little luck, it will soon be Faroese domestic football, semi-pro- the German Bundesliga is planning on seasons in France and the belatedly kicked off its 2020 season this over and we can have our fans back fessional and affiliated to FIFA since resuming next weekend. Netherlands have been weekend after being delayed due to the again.” 1988, has never garnered so much The Faroes has recorded 187 cases ended early, with Paris coronavirus pandemic. Under normal circumstances, around attention. Norwegian television has even of the coronavirus, but no deaths. Saint-Germain named In the last of yesterday’s five games, 10 percent of the 52,000 inhabitants of bought the rights to show the first 12 The territory closed its borders in Ligue 1 champions and the three-time national champions Vikingur the islands, situated between Iceland and rounds of matches, which has given the March and, like much of Europe, Dutch Eredivisie campaign were held to a goalless draw by AB. Scotland, can congregate in the region’s clubs a significant financial windfall. imposed strict lockdown measures declared null and void. Vikingur captain Atli Gregersen, who largest stadium. “This is a great opportunity... Some which it started to lift on April 20. Lengthy delay expected if ‘Project Restart’ fails REUTERS - LONDON “They may prove insurmountable, but Palace are among the teams opposed to A handout the concern for us is that if they prove insur- the proposal. picture released The Premier League’s plans to resume its mountable now then we may be in for a very, “... If we can play in our own stadiums shows Real Betis’ season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic very extended period of not being able to that would be preferable for everybody, Portuguese will be guided by the progress in Germany play and that has huge ramifications for the but for the moment that situation is with midfielder but “insurmountable” problems could result game. government and the authorities,” Parish William Carvalho in a long delay, Crystal Palace chairman “We would be derelict in our duty if we said. controlling a ball Steve Parish has said. didn’t find a way to try and bring the game “The police have made it clear that they during a training Germany’s plans to restart competitive back. It may prove beyond us.” don’t think they can police every ground. I session at the Luis soccer on May 16 suffered an early setback Premier League clubs are set to meet have enormous sympathy with Duxbury’s del Sol training after the entire team of second tier Dynamo today to discuss plans to resume matches in position. ground in Sevilla Dresden were placed in a two-week quar- June at neutral venues and with no spec- "Having said that, I think it may well yesterday. antine following two positive coronavirus tators present, provided there is government prove to be the least worst option,” he tests. clearance. added. “The German example could provide a Scott Duxbury, the chief executive of rel- “There are no easy answers,” Parish said. blueprint for us and clearly we can see some egation-threatened Watford, said on Sat- “We have to work through it as a col- of the early challenges,” Parish told the BBC urday that neutral venues were not fair and lective and we will come out with a con- yesterday. that at least six clubs were against the idea. sensus in the end,” he said.