Sport

WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2021 Sri Lanka aim to end long drought in Bangladesh Test series We will look to get pitches that do give our pacers some assistance for sure but I believe we have all bases covered and have the ability to have a balanced side with spin as well.

Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur Sport |11 IPL: Mumbai Indians 137/9 (R Sharma 44, I Kishan 26, A Mishra 4/24) lost to Delhi Capitals 138/4 in 19.1 overs (S( Dhawan 45,,) S Smith 33) Al Khelaifi re-elected to UEFA Executive Committeeommittee Football is for everyone: PSG Chairman

THE PENINSULA – MONTREUX, to represent them on the UEFA beginning. As a football club, we working to progress thee interestsinterests SWITZERLAND Executive Committee. European are a family and a community; of European football foror nearlynearly football is at a pivotal moment, in whose fabric is our fans - I believe 70 years - does not resolvesolve thethe Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman and which all stakeholders should we shouldn’t forget this. issues currently facing thehe ffootballootball CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, has work together; in good faith, with ‘’There is a clear need to community, but is insteadad drivendriven been re-elected yesterday to the dignity, and to protect the game advance the existing UEFA com- by self-interest. UEFA Executive Committee as we all love.” petition model, presented by "Paris Saint-Germainain wiwillll European Club Association (ECA) Commenting on the club’s UEFA yesterday and concluding continue to work with UUEFA,EFA, representative for an additional position regarding the latest 24 months’ of extensive and col- the European Club Associ-soci- three-year term of office. developments in European club laborative consultation across the ation and all stakeholdersers Speaking at the 45th Ordinary competitions Al Khelaïfi added: whole European football of the football family - UEFA Congress in Montreux, Swit- “Paris Saint-Germain holds the landscape. based on the principless zerland, Al Khelaïfi stated: “I am firm belief that football is a game "We believe that any proposal of good faith, dignity honoured by the trust placed in for everyone. I have been con- without the support of UEFA - an and respect for all,” Al Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman and CEO of Paris Saint-Germain me by my colleagues of the ECA sistent on this since the very organisation that has been Khelaifi said.

You (Paris Saint-Germain Chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi) are a real leader, Breakaway clubs must be a great man who respects football and its values: UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin

It is challenged by a purely ‘in or out’, warns Infantino profit-driven approach that ignores the... social values of sports and REUTERS – MANCHESTER was still time for reconciliation. real needs in the post-coronavirus FIFA President Gianni “I would like to address world: IOC President Thomas Bach Infantino said yesterday that We strongly disapprove ... if some the owners of some English breakaway Super League clubs. Gentlemen, you made We are keen to speak to everyone clubs cannot be “half in, half go their own way then they must a huge mistake,” he said. out” of the established soccer live with the consequences of their “What matters is that involved in this. We are fairly system while his UEFA coun- choice, either you are in, or you are there is still time to change unequivocal that we don't want terpart said it was not too late your mind, everyone makes for those involved to step out. You cannot be half in and half mistakes, English fans this to go ahead in the current form back from the brink. out: FIFA President Gianni Infantino deserve to have you correct so we would welcome any club European soccer’s gov- your mistake, they deserve that wants to step back from this erning body UEFA has respect.” threatened to ban the 12 Addressing UEFA’s con- approach: British PM's spokesman clubs, who include Man- gress Ceferin made a point of chester United and Real thanking Paris Saint-Germain I would like to address the owners Madrid, from domestic and Chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi of some English clubs. Gentlemen, international competition, whose club is not one of those with Infantino adding his involved in the breakaway. you made a huge mistake. Some voice to the backlash. “You are a real leader, a will say it is greed others disdain, “We strongly disapprove great man who respects FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 45th Ordinary arrogance or complete ignorance ... if some go their own way football and its values,” UEFA Congress held in Montreux, Switzerland, yesterday. then they must live with the Ceferin said. of England’s football culture but consequences of their choice, A statement issued by the actually it doesn’t matter. What either you are in, or you are Qatari Al Khelaifi said any matters is that there is still time to out. You cannot be half in and Chelsea, Man City leading SL exit proposal without the support half out,” Infantino told of UEFA would not resolve change your mind, everyone UEFA’s congress in Montreux, AP – LONDON the decision told The Associated Press. the issues currently facing the makes mistakes, fans deserve to Switzerland. The person spoke on condition of ano- football community. have you correct your mistake, However, a Madrid court Chelsea and Manchester City were nymity because Chelsea was yet to send PSG are not the only big later warned UEFA and FIFA preparing to dramatically abandon plans its decision to the organisers of the new, club to reject the Super they deserve respect: Ceferin against imposing sanctions on to join a breakaway Super League (SL) largely closed competition that would split League, as Bundesliga cham- club and players until it fully yesterday, threatening to implode the the teams away from UEFA’s existing pions Bayern Munich also The clubs and their youth teams considers the Super League project by a group of elite English, Spanish Champions League. condemned the breakaway. should be banned from all BBC Sky Sports case. and Italian clubs less than two days after The and also said City “Our members and fans reject competitions until they think of England’s big six - Man- it was announced. was withdrawing after being among six the Super League,” said chester United, Manchester Chelsea was preparing documents to English clubs along with three elite teams Bayern President Herbert their many supporters who have City, Liverpool, Chelsea, tell the Super League it wants out of the from both Spain and Italy who signed up Hainer in a statement. made them into top clubs in the Tottenham Hotspur and 12-team plan, a person with knowledge of to the Super League. The International Arsenal - came under attack Olympic Committee added its world in the first place, and not from their domestic rivals ously” rejected the plans. guarantee membership for 15 UEFA chief Aleksander voice to the throng, warning only of their purses: The German for their involvement with The Premier League said clubs in contrast to the Cham- Ceferin accused the that the existing structure of Football Association (DFB) the Super League, while the it was considering “all actions pions League which requires breakaway dozen of con- European sports is under English Premier League said available” to stop the new qualification via domestic tempt for smaller clubs. But threat by self-interest and President Fritz Keller it “unanimously and vigor- competition which will leagues. the Slovenian insisted there pure commercialism. Al Sadd power past Al Wehdat to revive ACL hopes

THE AFC – RIYADH a goal to show for it, the Jordanians deflected Mohammed Waad strike were this time blown away by an Al before slamming the ball beyond Al Sadd SC breathed life into their Sadd starting line-up featuring five Nawwas at his near post. 2021 AFC Champions League (ACL) AFC Asian Cup winners and four top There looked to be more pain campaign with a 3-1 win over Jordan class foreign players. ahead for Abdullah Abu Zema when debutants Al Wehdat at King Fahd It was three of the foreign con- Nawwas denied Cazorlaearly in the International Stadium in Riyadh tingent who combined for the first second half, but there were signs of yesterday. goal, scored within two minutes, life when Abdou N’Diaye forced Al Winless in two prior matches, the with the prolific Bounedjah poking Sadd goalkeeper Qatari champions clicked into gear ’s corner kick over the into a brilliant reflex save after the with a blistering three-goal burst in line from a few yards after a flick on Jordanians won the ball high up the the opening 26 minutes, with from Guilherme, and it proved to be pitch on the hour mark. , Boualem a mere warning for what was to It was N’Diaye who proved Khoukhi and Hassan Al Haydos all come. crucial to Al Wehdat’s goal two getting on the scoresheet before an The Qatari side doubled their minutes, winning a penalty when he Ahmad Sameer penalty sparked an lead seven minutes later, with was clumsily fouled by Tarek Al Wehdat revival late on. another in-swinging corner from Salman, with Ahmad Sameer dis- The result lifts ’s Al Sadd to Cazorla thundered in by Khouki’s patching the penalty kick to become an improved four points from three header, which left Al Wehdat goal- the club’s first ever ACL goal scorer matches – one behind group leaders keeper Ahmad Nawwas rooted to in the 63rd minute. Foolad Khouzestan and Al Nassr – the spot. Al Wehdat were denied a second while Al Wehdat remain bottom of The woodwork prevented when Barsham saved a low effort Al Sadd's Boualem Group D with one point at the half- Cazorla from making it 3-0 in the from Sameer, keeping Al Sadd’s Khoukhi celebrates with way point of their maiden group 12th minute, but Al Sadd’s relentless two-goal buffer intact, and setting team-mate Guilherme stage campaign. pressure meant the third goal arrived the scene for a Matchday Four after scoring their Having been competitive in their just before the half-hour mark, with rematch between the two clubs on second goal yesterday. first two matches without a win or Al Haydos racing to get onto a Friday. WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2021 SPORT 11 Qatar’s Cherif, Tijan clinch silver medal in Mexico Mason, 29, installed as Tottenham manager AP — LONDON Premier League on Wednesday, before the cup final against City at Ryan Mason will lead Tottenham into Wembley Stadium on Sunday. the English League Cup final against He will be the first manager under Manchester City on Sunday as the the age of 30 take charge of a team youngest manager in the club’s for a Premier League game. history after being installed as the Tottenham is in seventh place in replacement for the fired Jose the league, five points behind fourth- Mourinho until the end of the season. place West Ham in the race for Cham- The 29-year-old Mason retired pions League qualification. from playing in 2018 on medical That could be irrelevant, though, advice after failing to fully recover since Tottenham is one of the six English from a fractured skull following a teams who have agreed to join a clash of heads during a Premier breakaway Super League, which could League game the previous year. begin as early as next season. He has been working with Tot- “We have great belief in this tenham’s academy’s players but was squad of talented players,” Tottenham given the top job yesterday for the chairman Daniel Levy said. remaining month of the season fol- “We have a cup final and six lowing Mourinho’s departure on Premier League games ahead of us Qatar’s Cherif Samba (right) and Ahmed Tijan celebrate a point in this file photo. The duo played FIVB 4-star event final Monday. and we shall now focus all our against Norwegians Anders Mol and Christian Sorum at the Cancun Hub in Mexico, yesterday. The Norwegian duo won Mason’s first game in charge will energies on achieving a strong finish 2-0 (21-19, 22-20) after a thrilling match to clinch gold while the Qatari pair took silver medal in the event. be against Southampton in the to the season.”

IPL: Mishra’s 4-24 SL aim to end long drought earns Delhi 6-wicket in Bangladesh Test series win over Mumbai AP — CHENNAI Rahul Chahar’s (1-29) legspin. AP — PALLEKELE Although Pant (7) top edged Experienced legspinner Amit Jasprit Bumrah’s slower It’s been a long time between Mishra dismantled the Mumbai delivery in the 17th over, Lalit Test wins for Sri Lanka, a record Indians with a rich haul of 4-24 Yadav (22 not out) and West coach Mickey Arthur has as the Delhi Capitals beat the Indian Shirmon Hetmeyer (14 ensured the players are acutely reigning champion by six not out) took Delhi home in 19.1 aware of. wickets in the Indian Premier overs. Sri Lanka will start a two- League yesterday. Earlier, Mishra frustrated match series against Bang- Mumbai caved in for 137-9 Mumbai through some intel- ladesh today, aiming for its first against Mishra’s brilliant ligent bowling. His two wickets Test win since January 2020. bowling after skipper Rohit in the ninth over saw Sharma The run since then has Sharma won the toss and (44) and Hardik Pandya both included two losses in South elected to bat. offering catches at long-on to Africa, two losses at home to Opener Shikhar Dhawan Smith. England and two draws in the (45) and Steven Smith (33) Mishra then reduced the Caribbean against the West made useful contributions up defending champion to 6-84 Indies. front before Delhi reached when he had Kieron Pollard (2) In all six Tests, Sri Lanka 138-4 with five balls to spare. leg before wicket. had its chance but let the game The victory lifted Delhi to The 38-year-old Mishra slip away after some costly mis- six points from four games then returned in the death takes. A batting collapse, alongside league leader Royal overs to have Ishan Kishan (26) dropped catches, injuries and Challengers Bangalore, who played onto a delivery back poor use of the decision referral have won all three of their onto his stumps which helped system to review umpiring calls games. Delhi hold Mumbai to its lowest have been costly. Dhawan survived a close score this season. “We have spoken at length catch in Trent Boult’s first over Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians about taking that opportunity but kept Delhi’s chase on 137/9 in 20 overs (R Sharma when it presents itself and course by hitting five fours and 44, I Kishan 26, S Yadav 24, applying pressure for long a six in his 42-ball knock. A Mishra 4/24, A Khan 2/15) periods until the opposition Dhawan looked set for his lost to Delhi Capitals 138/4 Sri Lankan players during a training session. PIC COURTESY: SRI LANKA CRICKET inevitably breaks,” Arthur said. third half century this season in 19.1 overs (S Dhawan 45, S Smith 33, L Yadav 22 not out, “If you take the West Indies SRI LANKA VS BANGLADESH: SQUADS West Indies and a tough tour of before he holed out at deep series, we were in positions New Zealand, where Bang- square leg in the 15th over off S Hetmyer 14 not out) where we could have domi- Sri Lanka ladesh lost all six white ball nated but they managed to Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Lahiru Thirimanna, Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo games. wriggle out of the situations.” Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Ku- The absence of top all- Sri Lanka has won 16 of its mara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis and Praveen rounder Shakib Al-Hasan and 20 cricket Tests against Bang- Jayawickrama, Dinesh Chandimal, Asitha Fernando and Roshen Silva. left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur ladesh and lost only once - at Bangladesh Rahman - both unavailable Colombo in 2017 - although Mominul Haque (captain), Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Liton Das, Mohammad because of the Indian Premier three of the last eight matches Mithum, Mukidul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, Najmul Shanto, Nurul Hasan, Saif Has- League - will also be a Test of

have ended in a draw. san, Shadman Islam, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Khaled Ahmed, Taijul Islam, depth. There is a nice grass cover Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed and Yasir Ali. “Sri Lanka are a great team on the pitch and, while most at home,” Bangladesh skipper expect the curator to shave it Mominul Haque said. off before the Test starts today, assistance for sure but I believe Mathews are expected to return “We have to take up this Sri Lanka seem to have changed we have all bases covered and to the lineup after missing the challenge and get a good result. Delhi Capitals players their strategies to bank on their have the ability to have a bal- West Indies series. “It will be a competitive celebrate a wicket fast bowlers more than an inex- anced side with spin as well,” Bangladesh, meanwhile, has series. Both teams have good yesterday. perienced spin department. Arthur said. struggled in recent months. pace bowlers (so) batting is PIC COURTESY: “We will look to get pitches Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara There was intense criticism fol- going to be very important,” he DELHI CAPITALS that do give our pacers some and former captain Angelo lowing a home series loss to the added. Bajin not to blame for poor Former World No.1 Halep targets start to 2021, says Pliskova Stuttgart success on return to clay REUTERS — LONDON after experiencing soreness fol- remain in her corner REUTERS — LONDON “Of course, I didn’t play that following year and has also pre- lowing practice sessions. throughout the claycourt swing. great but nothing is his viously worked with 23-times Former world number one “I had more than two “He’ll be with me because he Karolina Pliskova (pictured) mistake,” said Pliskova, who Grand Slam champion Serena Simona Halep (pictured) said weeks’ break and some can’t get back home... he’s stuck has yet to taste much success topped the world rankings in Williams. she has recovered from a right treatment on my shoulder. I feel with me. He’s been in Romania under Sascha Bajin since hiring 2017. Pliskova’s last title came in shoulder injury that forced her much better,” the world for a week,” Halep said. the German coach at the end of “Sometimes yyou don’t even Brisbane in January 2020 and out of the Miami Open last number three told reporters at “We trained very well back last season butut tthehe CCzechzech knowknk ow the reason whywhy thingsthin are the Czech has since made just month and is determined to the WTA 500 event. home.home. Now,Now, he’she’s hhereere former world numberumber oonene happening.hah ppening. one final, losing to Simona kick off her European claycourt “I didn’t have pain in the llastast forfor thethe firstfirst ttimeime aandnd said they are workinworkingg “But“But he’s tryingtryin his Halep in Rome last season with a long-awaited win few days that I practised at it’sit’s nicenice to hhaveave well together. best,beb st, I’m trtryingying mmyy best. September. at the Stuttgart Open. home and also here. Hope-e- himhim tthehe whwholeole Pliskova, who is Hopefully we’re going The Czech acknowledged The Romanian pulled out of fully, I can stay like thatt clayclay seasoseasonn ranked ninth in thethe to hhaveave moremore succsuccess in she has not had the best start to Miami, her first tournament during matches becausee becausebecause iit’st’s world, split withh Daniel thethe future. But eevery- 2021. since a quarter-final exit at the matches are different fromm my Vallverdu at thee endend of tthinghing is “For many years, I was Australian Open in February, practice.” favourite.favourite her 2020 campaignmpaign and wworkingo r super consistent. So, maybe this Former French Openpen To havehave added Naomimi OsOsaka’saka’s well.”well.” year is going to be a bit dif- champion Halep has won everyery himh i m former coach Bajin BajinBa ferent,” she said. major European clay title on tthehe meansmeans a for the 202121 helpedhel “I’m trying to do my best to I didn’t have pain in the WTA calendar except Stuttgart.art. lot.lot. I hhaveave season. OsakaOsak to be back at the level where I’ve last few days that I “I want it badly. It’s a niceice confidenceconfidence The 29-year-r- back-to-bac been or where I finished like tournament, nice conditions,ns, whenwhen hhe’se’s old has not gonene backba last year in Australia, but I’m practised at home and also the people are nice to me here,”re,” around,around,”” past the quarter-er- majorm practising well. I feel maybe it’s here. Hopefully, I can stay she said. sheshe said.said. final stage at aanyny titlesti at going to need more time. like that during matches “It’s one of my goals to of her six eventsnts theth US “Of course, it’s not the best because matches are win this tournament as this year but ttoldold OpenO feeling about my year so far, different from practice. well. I want to win all the reporters at the ini but I think I’m doing many claycourt tournaments if WTA 500 eventt in 22018 things right. So, hopefully, the possible.” Halep said Aus- Stuttgart that shehe aandn the year is still long, there is still Simona Halep tralia’s strict COVID-19 is “working well”l” AuAustralianstra plenty of tournaments to go,” restrictions means her with her coach.. OpeOpOpenen the she added. coach Darren Cahill will 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2021 PM Johnson vows to stop SL as Guardiola speaks out

AP – LONDON Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp season’s Premier League placing. Britain’s Prime Minister has also expressed concerns “Sport is not a sport when the Boris Johnson holds a The six clubs, driven by the English opposition to the Super about the actions of his club’s relationship between the effort news conference at 10, American owners of Manchester League (SL) intensified yesterday owners. and the success, the effort and Downing Street yesterday. United, Liverpool and Arsenal, when the Premier League The Premier League has reward doesn’t exist,” said Guar- threatened action against the six already threatened the six Super diola, whose Manchester City side have teamed up with three elite rebel clubs and Prime Minister League clubs with expulsion if leads the Premier League. teams from both Spain and Italy Boris Johnson considered intro- they go it alone in Europe. The “It’s not a sport. It’s not a to rip up the structures of the ducing laws to stop them other 14 clubs met yesterday and sport when success is already European game. forming the new European “unanimously and vigorously” guaranteed. It’s not a sport when competition. rejected the Super League plans. it doesn’t matter when you lose.” Divisions within the Super “The Premier League is con- Premier League officials League clubs also grew with sidering all actions available to were also part of a meeting top division, and the club from Manchester City manager Pep prevent it from progressing, as alongside representatives of fan Merseyside was considered part Guardiola saying joining a well as holding those share- groups led from Downing Street of the country’s elite in the 1980s largely closed competition away holders involved to account by Johnson, who called the Super and early 1990s. from UEFA’s existing Champions under its rules,” the English top League “anti-competitive” and Everton’s majority owner, League could damage the division said in a statement. pledged to “drop a legislative British-Iranian businessman integrity and values of sport. The six clubs, driven by the bomb” on it if necessary. should have the chance to play of owners create a closed shop,” Farhad Moshiri, has spent American owners of Manchester The government could adopt and win against the biggest Downing Street said. heavily in recent years in an United, Liverpool and Arsenal, the 50-plus-1 rule from players in the game,” Johnson’s “He was clear that no action effort to push the team, which is The Premier League has already have teamed up with three elite Germany that gives fans the Downing Street office said in a is off the table and the gov- managed by Carlo Ancelotti, into threatened the six Super League teams from both Spain and Italy majority of voting rights, nomi- statement. ernment is exploring every pos- the group stage of the Cham- to rip up the structures of the nally to protect clubs from being The Super League aims for sibility, including legislative pions League for the first time. clubs with expulsion if they go it European game. controlled by private investors. 15 founding Super League clubs options, to ensure these pro- West Ham is also pursuing a alone in Europe. The other 14 Chelsea and Tottenham are “All attendees agreed that - three places are yet to be filled posals are stopped.” top-four finish to qualify for the clubs met yesterday and also part of the breakaway that action was necessary to protect - and only five spots with more Everton decried the “prepos- Champions League for the first “unanimously and vigorously” would see them guaranteed the fairness and open compe- open access. terous arrogance” of Super time. The east London club said rejected the Super League plans. entry each year into the Super tition we expect to see in “The Prime Minister con- League clubs. Everton’s nine the Super League was an “attack League rather than having to football, and to uphold the fun- firmed the government will not titles are the fourth most by a on sporting integrity, under- qualify through the previous damental principle that any club stand by while a small handful team in the history of the English mines competition.” PL ready to take Premier League clubs hit out at ‘all actions’ to halt Big Six for Super League plans REUTERS – LONDON Leeds United players during the warm up before their Premier League match against the clubs that have drafted this plan,” Liverpool on Monday, wearing UEFA Champions League T- Shirts with messages. Everton said. SL plans Several Premier League clubs yesterday Fellow Premier League side denounced the plans for a breakaway Brighton & Hove Albion opposed the REUTERS – LONDON competition after England’s ‘Big Six’ plans too, saying it would “destroy the announced they are founding members dreams” of clubs at various levels and The Premier League yersterday of the Super League, with Everton accused the breakaway teams of a said it has “unanimously and leading the way by blasting their “clear lack of respect”. vigorously” rejected plans for “preposterous arrogance”. “These plans are the latest in an a European Super League and The proposals from 12 of Europe’s alarming and growing list of clandestine is planning to take action major clubs - including Manchester City, attempts from a small group of clubs against the six English top- Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, whose actions would be wiping out flight sides that have signed up Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur - were close to 150 years of football’s tradition, for the competition. met with widespread criticism. competition, and sporting progress Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, The other 14 Premier League clubs through merit,” it said. Manchester City, Manchester met yesterday along with the English Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said: United and Tottenham Hotspur Football Association where they “unan- “The concept will not serve the game announced on Sunday they imously and vigorously rejected” the or our most important stakeholders - intend to form part of a new plans and are considering action to the generations of fans in England and breakaway midweek compe- bring the six clubs to account under its throughout Europe who have been as tition -- a move triggering rules. loyal to their domestic leagues, and the widespread criticism. “Everton is saddened and disap- opportunities they offer, as they are “The Premier League is pointed to see proposals of a breakaway faithful to their favourite team.” considering all actions league pushed forward by six clubs,” Burnley chairman Alan Pace said available to prevent it from the Merseyside club said in a statement. the Super League is an example of why progressing, as well as holding “Six clubs acting entirely in their football governance in Europe needs to those Shareholders involved to own interests. Six clubs tarnishing the be reformed. account under its rules,” the reputation of our league and the game. “At this time of national and inter- members of the Football League who “Weak governance has led us to this league said after a shareholders Six clubs choosing to disrespect every national crisis - and a defining period also helped form the Premier League, point,” Pace said. meeting to discuss the Super other club with whom they sit around for our game - clubs should be working said the plans of the appeared intent on “I’m calling on Boris Johnson and League proposal. the Premier League table. Six clubs together collaboratively with the ideals disenfranchising supporters across the Oliver Dowden to follow their welcome “The League will continue taking for granted and even betraying of our game and its supporters game. intervention and now appoint an inde- to work with key stakeholders the majority of football supporters uppermost.” “This preposterous arrogance is not pendent regulator to protect English including fan groups, Gov- across our country and beyond. Everton, one of the founding wanted anywhere in football outside of football with legislation.” ernment, UEFA, The FA, EFL (English Football League), PFA (Professional Footballers’ Asso- ciation) and LMA (League Man- agers Association) to protect the best interests of the game and call on those clubs involved in the proposed competition to cease their involvement immediately. “The Premier League would like to thank fans and all stakeholders for the support they have shown this week on this significant issue. “The reaction proves just how much our open pyramid and football community means to people.” In a separate statement, Everton’s board of directors slammed the ‘Big Six’ Premier League clubs for dis- playing “preposterous arro- Chelsea fans protest the planned European Super League gance” and tarnishing the rep- outside the stadium before the match between Chelsea and utation of England’s Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday. top-flight. Bayern reject Super League, praise CL as world’s best

REUTERS – BERLIN together with UEFA. Bayern say ‘No’ Liverpool fans to the Super League.” protest the planned Bayern Munich yesterday rejected The renegade clubs - six from the European Super Our members and fans reject the Super plans for a Super League, throwing English Premier League plus three each League outside the League. It is our wish as Bayern and our their weight behind the Champions from Spain and Italy - will be guar- stadium before their aim that European clubs live this League and calling it the world’s best anteed places in the new competition match against Leeds club competition. in contrast to the Champions League, United. wonderfully emotional competition - Twelve of Europe’s top clubs which requires teams to qualify via the Champions League -- and develop it launched the breakaway Super League their domestic leagues. together with UEFA. Bayern say ‘No’ to on Sunday, kicking off what is set to No German or French club is the Super League: Bayern President be a bitter battle for control of the game involved in the initiative which is Herbert Hainer and its revenue with European soc- backed by US investment bank JP cer’s governing body UEFA and world Morgan, providing a €3.5bn ($4.22bn) soccer’s FIFA. grant to the founding clubs to spend “Our members and fans reject the on infrastructure and recovery from with the Bundesliga,” Rummenigge Super League,” said Bayern President the impact of the pandemic. said. Herbert Hainer in a statement. Germany’s Football Association has “It was and always is a great joy to “It is our wish as Bayern and our demanded a ban of all 12 clubs, confirm that Bayern will not be taking successful and richest club, won the be able to play in the Champions aim that European clubs live this won- including their youth teams, from all part in the Super League,” Bayern CEO Champions League title in 2020 en League as representatives for Germany. derfully emotional competition - the competitions until they reconsider. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. route to a six-title haul last season. For Bayern the Champions League is Champions League -- and develop it “In the name of the board I can The Bavarians, Germany’s most “Bayern stands in solidarity the world’s best club competition.” WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2021 SPORT 09 Jokic-led Nuggets rally past Previous breakaway attempts in world of Grizzlies; Pistons beat Cavs sports and how they

REUTERS — NEW YORK Nikola Jokic Goran Dragic added 19 points turned out (15) drives each for the Heat, who played Nikola Jokic had 47 points, 15 to the net without Bam Adebayo, Jimmy rebounds and eight assists, Will against Butler, Victor Oladipo and Tyler Barton scored 28 points and the Memphis Herro. In the wake of 12 of Europe’s major soccer clubs planning an independent Super League, host Denver Nuggets rallied to Grizzlies in Christian Wood and Kevin we look at a selection of previous sporting breakaways and how they turned out. beat the Memphis Grizzlies Porter had 18 points each to the fourth WORLD SERIES CRICKET 139-137 in double overtime on lead the Rockets. John Wall had quarter at Late Australian media mogul Kerry Packer changed the face of world cricket in 1977 Monday night. 14 points but just one after the Ball Arena. when he secretly recruited top players for a series of day-night matches for his Channel Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 first quarter. points for the Nuggets, who Wizards 119, Thunder 107 Nine trailed 114-102 with 3:52 left in Bradley Beal scored 30 Australian TV network. regulation. points and Russell Westbrook Cricket authorities were horrified and players banned, but overwhelming public support Denver built a five-point recorded yet another triple- eventually forced them to accommodate the new cricket order. One-day cricket remains lead late in the second OT double to lift Washington to a essentially the game forged by Packer with the shorter Twenty20 game building on that thanks in part to three-pointers home win over Oklahoma City success. from Jokic and Porter. in Washington, D.C., as the INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE Ja Morant finished with 36 Wizards equaled their season The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formed the Indian Premier League in 2007 points and 12 assists, Grayson high with their fifth consecutive in response to the Indian Cricket League (ICL) promoted by owners of media firm Zee Allen scored 24 and Xavier win while the Thunder dropped Entertainment Enterprises and not recognised by the board or International Cricket Tillman had 18 points and 14 their 11th consecutive game. Council. rebounds for Memphis. Westbrook had 13 points, 11 After issuing life bans on several international players who joined the ICL, the BCCI De’Anthony Melton came off the rebounds and 17 assists for his Grizzlies’ bench to score 25 26th triple-double of the season launched the first edition of its own franchise-based Twenty20 cricket competition in points after missing eight games and his eighth in nine games. 2008. due to a leg injury. Westbrook is now nine behind The IPL, contested by eight teams based in eight Indian cities, has developed into the Pistons 109, Cavaliers 105 Oscar Robertson’s NBA record richest arm of the sport and is currently into its 14th edition. Frank Jackson scored 20 of 181 career triple-doubles. TENNIS points, including the go-ahead Darius Bazley had a career- Billie Jean King was one of nine professional women players who launched a campaign basket in the final minute, and high 26 points to lead the for equal prize money after the sport’s Open Era began in 1968. Detroit edged visiting Thunder. Bazley was just 7 of The “Original 9” fought with the tennis establishment and broke away to join promoter Cleveland. 19 from the floor and 1 of 6 from Gladys Heldman in forming the Virginia Slims circuit, signing $1 contracts in 1970 despite Detroit’s Saddiq Bey also behind the arc but was 11 of 13 the threat of being banned from Grand Slams. scored 20 points, all but two at the free-throw line. Their actions paved the way for the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) coming in the first quarter. Spurs 109, Pacers 94 Isaiah Stewart had 18 points and Derrick White poured in 25 in 1973. 16 rebounds, three blocks and quarter to propel visiting as Chicago remained without points, 16 of them in the first The men’s tennis body ATP was formed in 1972 but it did not split with the International three steals, and Josh Jackson Golden State to victory over top scorer Zach LaVine for a quarter, and all five San Antonio Tennis Federation until 1988, when top players dissatisfied with how the sport was man- contributed 16 points. Philadelphia as Curry drained third straight game due to starters scored in double figures aged and marketed decided to launch an entirely new structure. Jazz 111, Lakers 97 10 3-pointers on his way to health and safety protocol. as the visitors cruised past host FORMULA ONE With frontline players Rudy recording his NBA-best eighth Suns 128, Bucks 127 (OT) Indiana. Formula One has faced regular breakaway threats over the years, mostly as a bargaining Gobert, Derrick Favors and 40-point performance of the Devin Booker made a free The Spurs led by 15 points chip in commercial negotiations between teams, governing body and rights holders. Mike Conley Jr. back in the season and his 11th straight throw with 0.3 seconds after one quarter and never let In 2009, eight teams including Ferrari said they planned to set up their own champion- lineup, Utah made quick work game of at least 30 points. remaining in overtime to lift off the gas, pushing the margin ship but the threat ended in a new agreement. of host Los Angeles in the The Western Conference visiting Phoenix to a win over to as many as 23 in the fourth More recently the risk has been of teams leaving rather than setting up any rival series. second straight matchup Player of the Week initially Milwaukee. quarter while dominating RUGBY between the teams. received a spirited challenge Four Suns players scored at throughout. San Antonio has The first major sporting breakaway was probably that of 1895 when 21 rugby clubs Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz from a familiar foe: his younger least 20 points, led by Booker won two straight on the road with 22 points off the bench. Joe brother. Philadelphia’s Seth with 24. The star guard added and are now 16-10 away from based in the north of England left the sport’s governing body to set up the professional Ingles finished with 21 points. Curry scored all 15 of his points seven points and seven the Alamo City this season. rugby league code after being refused permission to pay their players. Bojan Bogdanovic totaled 19 in the first half, while teammate rebounds. Chris Paul produced DeMar DeRozan added 18 For the next century the two codes existed in parallel worlds, with any union player so points, and Gobert finished with Joel Embiid finished with 28 22 points and 13 assists, Bridges points for the Spurs. Jakob much as mixing with the professional side of the game facing often spiteful bans from 14 points and 10 rebounds. points and 13 rebounds. scored 21, and Deandre Ayton Poeltl scored 16 points before any connection with the amateur game. Talen Horton-Tucker Bulls 102, Celtics 96 finished with 20 points and 13 fouling out with 7:26 to play, In 1995, rugby union went professional and, with its greater international footprint, the topped the Lakers with a Nikola Vucevic scored 29 rebounds. Keldon Johnson hit for 14 and boot was on the other foot as League players suddenly found they could earn a living career-high 24 points. Kyle points to carry visiting Chicago Heat 113, Rockets 91 Dejounte Murray finished with playing union and started moving the other way. Kuzma totaled 17 points, and past short-handed Boston. Kendrick Nunn had a 11 points while Drew Eubanks The two codes now happily co-exist, both fully professional but with League still restrict- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Vucevic added nine season-high 30 points and pulled down a game-high 13 ed to a small geographical area in the north of England and hot spots in Australia, New Dennis Schroder added 15 rebounds as the Bulls won their added eight assists and seven rebounds for San Antonio. Caris Zealand and France. Players, coaches and training methods cross-fertilize but there is no points apiece. second straight since a five- rebounds, leading short-handed LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon Warriors 107, 76ers 96 game losing streak. Coby White Miami to a win over visiting scored 18 points each to lead the talk of any sort of merger into one sport. Stephen Curry scored 20 of scored 19 and Thaddeus Young Houston. Pacers, with Oshae Brissett BASKETBALL his 49 points in the fourth and Garrett Temple 13 apiece Duncan Robinson and adding 13. Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are among the founding members of soccer’s new Su- per League, were also the key players in the formation of the EuroLeague Basketball -- a competition launched in 2000 in a bid to take control over the elite club basketball in Eu- Mahomes San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau rope. (12) attempts a shot on Vegas Golden FIBA responded by launching their own SuproLeague but failed to entice the leading Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90). clubs, who chose to join the EuroLeague instead. ahead of In 2015, FIBA attempted to take back the control of Europe’s first-tier club competition, proposing the Basketball Champions League -- a new tournament with 16 teams. schedule But it had no impact whatsoever on the EuroLeague, which went on to sign a 10-year marketing venture with IMG. Both EuroLeague and Champions League continue to co-ex- ist, with the former enjoying more success on and off the court. after toe SWIMMING The International Swimming League (ISL), a team-based professional swimming series surgery with a budget of $20 million, was founded in 2017 by Ukrainian billionaire Konstantin Grigorishin. REUTERS — NEW YORK In response, the sport’s global governing body FINA urged all national federations to refuse to cooperate with the new competition and threatened to ban swimmers who Kansas City Chiefs quar- took part in such independently organised events. terback Patrick Mahomes Top professional swimmers, including Adam Peaty, were already unhappy with FINA’s (pictured below) said he is handling of their sport and threatened to form an independent swimmers’ union in ahead of schedule in his rehab 2018. after undergoing offseason This forced FINA to clear athletes to participate in non-FINA sanctioned competitions in surgery to repair a turf toe injury. the future, including the inaugural season of the ISL in 2019. Mahomes had the pro- DARTS cedure days after guiding the The game’s dwindling viewership numbers in the early 1990s forced the 16 top ranked Chiefs to a second consecutive players to break away from British Darts Organisation and form their own organisation -- Super Bowl appearance, in the World Darts Council (WDC). which they fell to the Tampa The BDO responded by banning all 16 players from all BDO-sanctioned events but, after Bay Buccaneers. NHL: Sharks fall on Patrick a long-running legal battle, the British body in 1997 recognised the right of the players “Obviously, we’re trying to to choose which organisation they played for. be cautious and not push me out In return, the WDC recognised the World Darts Federation (WDF) as the sport’s global there too soon, but I’m doing governing body, the BDO as the governing body of UK darts, and renamed itself the Pro- what I can,” Mahomes said. Marleau’s historic night fessional Darts Corporation (PDC). “I’ve gotten out of the boot LAS VEGAS finally. It took forever. Now REUTERS — NHL RESULTS video acknowledgement of Having enjoyed a long and lucrative broadcasting deal with Sky television, the PDC I’m trying to get back on the Golden Knights 3, San Jose 2 the record by NHL commis- launched several competitions - including the annual Premier League, Grand Slam and field and get that stuff working. Robin Lehner made 29 saves Wild 5, Coyotes 2 sioner Gary Bettman. World Grand Prix. “I’m sure they’ll keep me and stopped all three shootout Oilers 4, Canadiens 1 Meanwhile, Kirill Kaprizov Meanwhile, the BDO folded into administration in Oct. 2020, with the World Darts Feder- along that same pathway and attempts as the Vegas Golden Panthers 4, Blue Jackets 2 broke the single-season fran- ation taking over control of BDO events. Both WDC and WDF hold their own versions of that hopefully I can do some Knights, on a night that San Lightning 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT) chise record for points by a world championships. stuff by the end of the Jose’s Patrick Marleau played rookie to help Minnesota earn Stars 3, Red Wings 2 (SO) CYCLING offseason.” in his 1,768th game to pass a win at Glendale, Ariz. The Hammer Series, featuring a new team-based format, was launched in 2017 by Velon Mahomes played through Gordie Howe and etch his Senators 4, Flames 2 Kevin Fiala had a goal and Predators 5, Blackhawks 2 -- a media organisation created by 11 World Tour teams. the injury, sustained in the name in the NHL record book an assist while Cam Talbot The series enjoyed great success over the first three editions before Velon made a splash playoffs during Kansas City’s for most games played, won made 22 saves for the Wild, in 2019 when they filed an anti-trust complaint to the European Commission against victory over the Cleveland their seventh straight contest, Noah Gregor scored goals who have won four in a row. sport’s world governing body the UCI claiming it had hampered the development of the Browns in the divisional round 3-2 on Monday night in Las while Martin Jones finished Kaprizov, Jordan Greenway, in January. Vegas. with 38 saves for the Sharks. Marcus Johansson and Jonas Hammer Series. Alex Tuch scored the The 41-year-old Marleau, Brodin also scored for Min- Amidst their legal battle with UCI, Velon decided to suspend the 2020 and 2021 races game-winner in the first who also was playing in his nesota, and Nick Bonino and but still hope to expand the series next year. round of the shootout and 899th consecutive game, Matt Dumba added two assists MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Mark Stone scored two goals moved past Howe, who had apiece. Scott Coker set up the Strikeforce promotion in 1985 to showcase kickboxing, and it for Vegas. The seven-game held the record since Nov. 26, In other match, Connor started producing MMA shows in March 2006. winning streak is just one shy 1961, when he played his McDavid had two assists and Five years later it was purchased by the owners of the UFC, with several ex-Strikeforce of the team record, set in 1,000th game. Marleau, who a spectacular game-winning fighters going on to become champions in the UFC, including Ronda Rousey. 2017-18 and matched just made his NHL debut on Oct. 1, goal as Edmonton recorded a Coker stayed on for a few years and then left to join UFC rival Bellator, which started out prior to the pandemic pause 1997, started the contest, and victory over visiting Montreal. in 2008. He remains in charge of Bellator but they have failed to threaten the UFC’s dom- last season. the game was paused at the Oilers goalie Mike Smith inance on the MMA landscape. Nikolai Knyzhov and first stoppage in play for a stopped 22 shots. Sport WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2021 08 Olympics: Gabba to be centrepiece of 2032 Games if Brisbane bid is successful

REUTERS - MELBOURNE

The Gabba stadium is slated for a A$1bn ($777m) rebuild before hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as part of Brisbane’s bid for the 2032 Olympics, officials said yesterday. Queensland state capital Brisbane was named preferred bidder for the 2032 Games in February and could be confirmed as host as early as July. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Gabba, formally named the Brisbane Cricket Ground, would likely have its capacity boosted from 42,000 to 50,000 as part of a reno- vation to cost “around the A$1 billion mark”. “Every Games needs a home,” she said in a statement. “The Gabba has been home to our sport since 1895. A home for the 2032 Olympic Games could be its crowning glory.” Located in Brisbane’s inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba, the refurbished stadium would be linked to a new railway station under construction via a pedestrian plaza. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison endorsed Brisbane’s bid last month and told the International Olympic Committee all levels of government in the country were firmly behind it. Palaszczuk said on Monday the bid was still “contingent on National Stadium, the main stadium of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, is pictured in Tokyo, Japan, in this March 18, 2021, file guarantees” from the federal government. photo. The Olympics are set to open on July 23. Though Brisbane is the frontrunner for 2032, South Korea’s Seoul said this month it had sent the IOC a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Games with North Korea’s capital Pyongyang. Decision on domestic spectators for The postponed Tokyo Olympics start on July 23. Paris will host the 2024 Games, with Los Angeles hosting the 2028 event. Meanwhile Belgian Belgian Olympians travelling to Japan for the Tokyo Games were promised priority treatment for COVID-19 Tokyo Olympics 'may come in June' vaccines yesterday. Belgian Olympic Committee said its 177 Olympic and 55 Par- alympic athletes will get vaccine shots while most of the adult REUTERS - TOKYO the medical system has come under strain that the Olympics will proceed as scheduled population of their age must still wait. in some areas. despite any state of emergency. The Olympics are set to open on July 23. A decision on limits for domestic spectators "Looking at the situation, I think we "There will be no impact on the “Because of the small group of athletes, the decision will have for the Tokyo Olympics may not be made need to take action as soon as possible,” Olympics. The government will do its best as good as no impact on the overall vaccination campaign,” the until June, a month before the scheduled she said. The city is expected to make the to host the Games safely,” he told reporters. committee said in a statement. start of the Games, the Mainichi newspaper final decision after a virus panel meeting There is no law that prohibits the reported yesterday. tomorrow. Covid-19 cases in the city have Olympics from taking place under an emer- A decision that foreign spectators would in recent days surged to levels not seen gency, but it will likely impact the number not be allowed was made in March, and a since late January, when the capital was of domestic spectators allowed. Overseas decision on the number of domestic spec- under its second state of emergency. fans are already banned from the event. tators to be allowed had been widely Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s gov- The surge in cases has further soured expected in April. ernment stepped up restrictions this month Japanese public support for the Olympics, The Games were put off for a year due in Tokyo, Osaka and other regions to slow which would be one the biggest global to the coronavirus pandemic which is the spread, imposing measures that call on events of the pandemic era, with more than surging again in Japan. bars and restaurants to close by 8:00pm, 70% surveyed by broadcaster ANN over the Organisers for the 2020 Games said in and those that fail to comply face fines. weekend saying they were against holding a statement that, at a meeting of all the Tokyo may be looking to ratchet up the Games in July. Japan’s vaccine rollout parties involved last month. restrictions even more by asking restau- will be far from complete before the “It was agreed that a general decision rants to close if a state of emergency is Olympics, which will draw more than on spectator capacity in venues will be declared, TV network TBS reported, without 60,000 athletes, coaches, national team made in April, with the understanding that saying where it obtained the information. staff, media and other essential workers COVID-19 circumstances may necessitate This would be the strictest measure under from more than 200 countries. a flexible approach.” an emergency so far in Japan, but such a Immunizations of people aged over 65, The statement said organisers were still move could raise the risk of a double dip which began this month, might not be fin- discussing the matter with the International recession and deal a heavy blow to thou- ished until next year due to insufficient Olympic Committee and International Par- sands of eateries struggling to survive. cooperation from medical personnel in alympic Committee. Civil liberties enshrined in the Japanese some regions, the Nikkei newspaper cited Meanwhile, Tokyo will seek the Jap- Constitution prevent imposing a lockdown ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker anese government to declare a state of backed by police action, as has been seen as saying. Despite the rising numbers in emergency, as authorities step up restric- in other nations. Japan, the country has by far the fewest tions to contain a surge in coronavirus Tokyo’s single-day virus cases jumped recorded Covid-19 cases of any Group of Tokyo Govenor Yuriko Koike, stands next to the statue of Miraitowa infections ahead of an Olympics just three by 70% in just two weeks to 759 on Sat- Seven country. Its death tally has also been one or the official mascots forthe Tokyo 2020 Olympics and months away. urday, a sign the capital is following Osaka, among the lowest in the group at about Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told the second largest metropolitan area where 9,650, well below the some 128,000 in the Paralympics, at an unveiling event, marking 100 days before the reporters virus cases were spreading in the daily cases have hit record highs this month. UK, which has a population about the half start of the Olympic Games, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government capital and a swift action was needed as Suga reiterated the government’s stance the size of Japan’s. building, in Tokyo, Japan, in this April 14, 2021, file photo.

WORLD GOLF RANKINGS California allows fans for US PGA Tour encourages players and caddies to 1. Dustin Johnson USA 10.57 Opens if vaccinated or tested 2. Justin Thomas USA 8.95 3. Jon Rahm ESP 8.84 get COVID-19 vaccine NEW YORK 4. Collin Morikawa USA 7.27 AP - least 14 days before the tournament or that NEW YORK 5. X Schauffele USA 7.22 they have tested negative. Still to be deter- REUTERS - 6. B DeChambeau USA 7.15 A limited number of spectators will be mined is when the test results are returned. 7. Patrick Reed USA 6.24 allowed at the US Women’s Open in San Those fans from outside California The PGA Tour encouraged its players and caddies to receive the Francisco and the US Open in San Diego must have been vaccinated 14 days ahead COVID-19 vaccine “as soon as possible,” according to a memo from 8. Tyrrell Hatton ENG 5.95 in June provided they are vaccinated or of time. the tour obtained by Golfweek. 9. Webb Simpson USA 5.76 can show proof of a negative test for the Neither the US Open at Winged Foot “While we encourage everyone to get vac- 10. Patrick Cantlay USA 5.51 coronavirus. in New York last September nor the US cinated as soon as possible, the Tour 11. Brooks Koepka USA 5.47 The USGA announced the policy Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club endeavours to make vaccine as accessible as pos- 12. Tony Finau USA 5.41 Monday after consulting with California in Houston in December were allowed sible once supply becomes available for private allo- 13. Rory McIlroy NIR 5.40 health officials. spectators. cation,” the memo read in part. 14. H Matsuyama JPN 5.30 While the US Opens will not be the first “Last year, we missed the energy that The Tour stopped short of mandating that players 15. Viktor Hovland NOR 5.14 majors to allow fans, they will be the first fans bring to our US Open champion- and caddies get inoculated. That falls in line with how 16. M Fitzpatrick ENG 4.66 to hold spectators to a standard of health ships,” said John Bodenhamer, senior several other North American sports leagues, the NFL and 17. Daniel Berger USA 4.64 through the COVID-19 vaccine or testing. managing director of championship for NBA chief among them, have decided to 18. Billy Horschel USA 4.41 The USGA did not indicate how many the USGA. approach the topic of 19. Sungjae Im KOR 4.18 fans would be allowed at either “We are grateful to our local and state vaccines. Last week, 20. Paul Casey ENG 4.12 championship. health and safety officials in California to the Tour sent its 21. Scottie Scheffler USA 4.07 The Masters did not require its spec- be in a position to welcome some fans back players initial 22. Harris English USA 4.04 tators, believed to be about 8,000, to be this year.” guidance that said tested two weeks ago at Augusta National. Olympic Club has hosted the US Open they would not have to 23. Lee Westwood ENG 3.97 The PGA Championship on May 20-23 at five times, most recently in 2012 when continue to take 24. T Fleetwood ENG 3.73 Kiawah Island in South Carolina is Webb Simpson won. This will be the first COVID-19 tests if they 25. Cameron Smith AUS 3.69 allowing 10,000 fans a day who will not time the course will be used for the get fully vaccinated, Golf 26. Matthew Wolff USA 3.69 need to show proof of a negative test or Women’s Open. Digest reported. 27. Ryan Palmer USA 3.52 vaccination. Torrey Pines is hosting the US Open “There are common mis- 28. Will Zalatoris USA 3.52 On the LPGA Tour, the ANA Inspiration for the second time. Tiger Woods won in conceptions and con- 29. Jordan Spieth USA 3.46 earlier this month in the California desert 2008 in a playoff over Rocco Mediate. The cerns about infer- 30. Abraham Ancer MEX 3.46 did not allow spectators. municipal course also hosts a PGA Tour tility, altering DNA, 31. Victor Perez FRA 3.43 The US Women’s Open is June 3-6 at event year. Fans were not allowed at microchipping, 32. J Niemann CHI 3.43 Olympic Club. Torrey Pines in January when Patrick Reed becoming infected 33. Louis Oosthuizen SAF 3.41 The US Open is at Torrey Pines on June won. with COVID as a 34. Kevin Na USA 3.31 17-20. This is the first time since 1971 the US result of the 35. Adam Scott AUS 3.28 According to the policy the USGA Open and US Women’s Open have been COVID-19 vaccine. 36. Jason Kokrak USA 3.26 announced, face coverings and social dis- held on different courses in the same state. These misconcep- tancing will be required for fans, staff and Lee Trevino won the US Open at Merion tions and concerns are 37. Marc Leishman USA 3.09 volunteers even if they have been outside Philadelphia, and a week later, false.” 38. Corey Conners 2.99 vaccinated. JoAnne Carner won the US Women’s Open 39. C Bezuidenhout SAF 2.96 Spectators who live in California must at The Kahkwa Club in Erie, Tom Hoge hits from the bunker during the second round of the RBC 40. Justin Rose ENG 2.95 show proof they have been vaccinated at Pennsylvania. Heritage tournament in South Carolina, USA, in this April 16, 2021 file photo.