RB Salzburg win Austrian Uniqa OFB Cup page 11

Sunday, May 31, 2020

UK authorises F1 season to open in return of live sport

AFP Austria after government London The British government has approved the return of domestic competitive sport behind closed doors from June 1. backs Spielberg double act Major professional com- petitions have been shut down since March because of the coronavirus. But Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dow- den, issuing the govern- ment’s ‘phase three’ guid- ance, said Saturday: “The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully con- I’m delighted to One of the logistical trolled environments.” announce today that challenges is getting Horse racing is set to be the government has everyone tested and the first major sport back in published guidance cleared to enter the action at Newcastle on Mon- which allows racing environment. day, with the first Classic competitive sport to meeting of the season, fea- resume behind Ross Brawn, turing the 2,000 Guineas at closed doors from F1 managing director Newmarket, on June 6. Monday (June 1) at Premier League football the earliest is scheduled to restart on June 17. Oliver Dowden, The guidance, drawn up Culture, Media and Sport in consultation with public Secretary health officials and governing bodies, forms the third stage of British sport’s return from must be placed in isolation. lockdown. Movement channels will Stage two, which al- be established at grounds, lowed for close-contact and while social distancing must competitive training for be maintained “where pos- elite athletes, was published sible” -- even for substitutes last Monday. sitting on a bench, while Sport has now moved players have been warned closer to resuming, with against celebrations with Dowden telling a Downing their team-mates. Street press conference on Meanwhile dressing Saturday: “I’m delighted to room use is to be kept to a announce today that the gov- minimum, although com- ernment has published guid- petitors will still be allowed ance which allows competi- to use showers. tive sport to resume behind Premier League chief ex- closed doors from Monday ecutive Richard Masters said (June 1) at the earliest.” they “welcomed” Dowden’s It will now be up to in- statement, adding: “We have F1’s belated season-opener will be staged in Austria at the Spielberg circuit on July 5. (AFP) dividual sports to carry out provisionally planned to re- their own risk assessments, start the Premier League on AFP practice was due to begin. Its remote location made not too close to a metropolis.” month with Spain’s La Liga, with Dowden saying they 17 June, but there is still much Vienna Melbourne was one of 10 the Red Bull Ring circuit a The 2020 F1 season was Italy’s Serie A and England’s “know their sport best”. work to be done to ensure the races either cancelled or post- “logical” location to stage to have featured a record 22 Premier League kick-starting As well as ensuring no safety of everyone involved.” Formula One’s truncated poned, yet F1 boss Chase Car- the season’s first two races, races, now it is set to be one their interrupted seasons over spectators are present, sports But while accepting coronavirus-hit season will ey believes a 15-18 race season F1 managing director Ross of the shortest campaigns for the next few weeks. bodies must also fulfil sev- further consultations with finally get underway with the is still possible. Brawn said this month. over a decade. While there may have been eral other conditions if their clubs, players and manag- Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, But Silverstone’s hopes of With a local airport, the Carey outlined the blue- no racing up to now there has events are to go ahead. ers were still needed, Mas- the Austrian government an- also staging back-to-back rac- races can be held in an isolat- print for the rehashed season been plenty going on behind Everyone entering a ven- ters said: “If all goes well, we nounced on Saturday. es after Austria are in the bal- ed environment, essential in this month, involving addi- the scenes, with Carlos Sainz ue must be screened for the will be thrilled to resume the The Spielberg circuit has ance after the British govern- the fight against the pandemic tional European races through replacing Sebastian Vettel at coronavirus and anyone sus- 2019/20 season in just over also been given the green light ment insisted that all arrivals that has killed less than 700 the traditional August break. Ferrari for 2021 and Daniel pected of having COVID-19 two weeks’ time.” to stage a second race the fol- in the country undergo a two- people in Austria, and more “We will then plan to race Ricciardo joining McLaren. lowing weekend. week quarantine period. than 364,000 worldwide. in Asia and the Americas in Given the massive finan- “The two Formula One Anschober added a caveat September, October, Novem- cial hit teams have taken and races on July 5 and 12 at Spiel- to Saturday’s statement, in- ‘Austria fits the bill’ ber before finishing in the Gulf the worry that some might go berg will be staged without sisting the season’s belated re- “One of the logistical chal- in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi in bust, the proposed all-new spectators,” announced Aus- start would only go ahead if all lenges is getting everyone December,” he said. technical landscape due to be trian Health Minister Rudolf the health assurances made by tested and cleared to enter the He added: “We expect the implemented next season has Anschober. F1 were fulfilled. racing environment,” Brawn early part of the calendar to been pushed back to 2022. He said that the two races “In addition to strict hy- explained in an F1 Nation be races without fans, but we And a spending cap of had been approved after F1 giene measures the plan also podcast. hope to be able to allow fans $145 million has been intro- organisers “had presented a involves regular testing and “Once we do that, it’s very to attend in the latter part of duced for next year in an at- complete and professional health check-ups for teams attractive to keep everyone in the year.” tempt to stem the bleeding, plan” to combat the spread of and all the other employees,” that environment, within that F1’s tentative emergence with teams like McLaren mak- COVID-19. he said. biosphere that we want to cre- from coronavirus lockdown ing significant job cuts. The F1 season was thrown “The crucial element will ate, for another race. follows the path trodden cau- One man itching for the into chaos with the cancella- be the close coordination be- “Austria fits that bill very tiously by other sports. season to begin is Lewis Ham- British horse racing will be the first major sport to resume its tion of the traditional curtain- tween the organisers and the well. It has a local airport right Germany’s be- ilton, who is hoping to equal season after the UK government paved the way for the return of raising Australian Grand Prix regional and local health au- next to the circuit, where peo- came the first ofE urope’s top Michael Schumacher’s record competitive action. (AFP) in March only hours before thorities”,” he added. ple can charter planes into. It’s football leagues to return this of seven world titles. Havertz fires Leverkusen third with Freiburg winner German becomes first player in the history of the league to reach 35 goals before turning 21

AFP under intense pressure from They are also three points And chasing an equaliser is staying quiet Berlin Dominique Heintz. ahead of Borussia Moe- late on, Nils Petersen forced about his future out of respect The dynamic German was nchengladbach in fifth ahead Hradecky to save the three to his current side. Exciting youngster Kai already the youngest player of their match with Union points for Leverkusen with Leverkusen, mean- Havertz broke another Bun- to reach 50 and 100 appear- Berlin on Sunday. a fine first time strike that while, have made clear they desliga record on Friday af- ances in the German top flight Havertz’s goal was the the goalkeeper did well to will not be selling for any- ter scoring the winner in a and became the youngest ever first shot on target in a large- tip away. thing less than €100 million 1-0 victory at Freiburg which player to score a league goal ly drab encounter in which The Germany interna- (£90m/$111m). moved Bayer Leverkusen for Leverkusen in 2017. Freiburg could have snatched tional is expected to be near- Havertz has been with into third place. Havertz’s goal was his at least a point. ing the end of his career with Leverkusen since the age of 11 Havertz, 20, became the fifth in his four appearance Lucas Hoeler missed a Leverkusen, as Europe’s top and is contracted to the club first player in the history of since the Bundesliga returned glaring opportunity for the teams have been linked in re- until 2022. the league to reach 35 goals from its coronavirus-enforced hosts two minutes before cent months. Leverkusen moved up before turning 21 years old break and puts Leverkusen a the break, pushing wide Bayern Munich, Liver- to third in the table with Leverkusen’s German midfielder Kai Havertz (right) and Freiburg’s eight minutes after the break, point ahead of fourth-placed when sent through one-on- pool, Barcelona and Juven- the win on Friday, overtak- German defender Dominique Heintz vie for the ball during their when he combined with Leon RB Leipzig, who travel to Co- one with Leverkusen stopper tus are all said to be chasing ing RB Leipzig, who face Koln Bundesliga match in Freiburg on Friday. (AFP) Bailey before squeezing home logne on Monday night. Lukas Hradecky. Havertz, but the attacking on Monday. Sports Sunday, May 31, 2020 11 Salzburg win Austrian Uniqa OFB Cup at a special premiere BeIN SPORTS beams final live & exclusively

Agencies ensured clear conditions ear- Klagenfurt (Austria) ly (21st). Noah Okafor (53.), Majeed Ashimeru (65.) and Defending champions our screens, which will bring Sekou Koita (79.) increased Red Bull Salzburg won the much needed joy and excite- tally after the break. Uniqa OFB Cup 2019/20 fi- ment to households all across While the Vorarlberg- nal against second division the world.” ers also lost their second Austria Lustenau 5-0 (HT In the first official soccer cup final, Salzburg not only 2-0) on Friday. game on Austrian soil after defended the title, but were beIN Media Group had a 78-day break due to the crowned the cup winners secured exclusive rights coronavirus pandemic, and for the seventh time and across multiple internation- in front of empty stands, at equalled with FC Tirol - only al territories for final of the the Worthersee Stadium in Rapid (14 ) and Austria (27) OFB Cup. Klagenfurt, Salzburg made are leading. In the past six Richard Verow, Chief the preliminary decision in years, the series master have Sports Officer at beIN Me- the first half. not won the title since 2018. dia Group, said: “After an Dominik Szoboszlai gave incredibly challenging few the big favourite a free kick in Red Bull Salzburg’s players cel- Red Bull Salzburg’s coach Jesse months for everyone, we’re the special premiere (19th), ebrate winning the Austrian Cup Marsch holds the trophy in Kla- absolutely delighted that live and two minutes later an own final against Austria Lustenau in genfurt, Austria, on Friday. (AFP) sport is returning safely to goal by Dominik Stumberger Klagenfurt, Austria, on Friday. (AFP) La Liga clubs to resume full training Lewandowski hits brace from Monday AFP divisions began training in as Bayern Munich go 10 Madrid groups of up to 10 from May 18 and then 14 shortly after, hav- La Liga have confirmed play- ing initially begun working in- ers will be allowed to return to dividually at training grounds full training on Monday, giving from May 4. La Liga suspended points clear them 10 days to work together fixtures due to the coronavirus before the season restarts in pandemic on March 12, mean- Spain on June 11. ing the break between games AFP After some high pressing, “We have to stand up for This is the final phase of stopping and restarting will be Berlin the Canadian teen won the ball what we believe in and I believe La Liga’s staggered training almost exactly three months. in the Duesseldorf area, barged that it is time that we are heard.” programme as teams get set Matches will be held behind Bayern Munich opened a past a succession of defenders George Floyd died in Min- to complete the remaining 11 closed doors, with the Seville 10-point lead at the top of the and fired home to make it 5-0 neapolis in an arrest by a police rounds of the season, which will derby between Sevilla and Real Bundesliga on Saturday with on 52 minutes. officer who pinned him to the finish on July 19. Betis expected to be the first a 5-0 drubbing of relegation- Werder Bremen boosted ground for several minutes by European competitions, in- game back on June 11. threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf their survival hopes with a 1-0 kneeling on his neck. cluding the Champions League, Barcelona, who are two behind closed doors with the win at Schalke, who are win- could then resume in August. points clear at the top of the league’s top-scorer Robert Le- less in 11 games and continue to Hertha on the rise “La Liga clubs will start table, will resume away at Real wandowski scoring twice. plummet. Hertha remain unbeaten collective training on Monday, Mallorca while their closest Duesseldorf defender Midfielder Leonardo Bitten- with three wins and a draw June 1,” the league said in a challengers Real Madrid are at Mathias Joergensen scored an court scored a first-half winner. since Bruno Labbadia took statement on Saturday. home against Eibar. early own goal before Benjamin “This is a very, very impor- charge during the lockdown “The fourth phase, which Madrid have the approval Pavard, Lewandowski (2) and tant away win,” said Bremen after their 2-0 win at home to starts next Monday, is the last of La Liga to stage their remain- Alphonso Davies hit the target. coach Florian Kohfeldt. Augsburg thanks for goals by step in this protocol that will ing home games at their Valde- With five games left,Bay - “We have taken seven points Javairo Dilrosun and Krzysztof lead to clubs starting competi- bebas training ground to allow ern, who have won their last from the last three games, but if Piatek. tion on June 11.” construction work to go ahead eight league games, are com- you look at the table, we are still Having routed Leverkusen La Liga president Javier at the Santiago Bernabeu. fortably on course for an eighth behind.” Bremen have spent 4-1 away on Tuesday, Wolfs- Tebas has said the plan is for All games will be played ac- straight league title. more seasons in the Bundesliga burg crashed to a 2-1 defeat games to be played every day. cording to strict medical pro- However, second-placed than any other club, but cur- at home to 10-man Eintracht The Spanish football federation tocol, with players and officials could trim rently sit second from bottom. Frankfurt. (RFEF) gave its permission last undergoing tests for coronavi- their lead on Sunday at bottom However, Saturday’s victory Japan midfielder Daichi week for matches to be staged rus the day before games and side Paderborn. leaves them just three points Kamada scored the winner 10 on all days of the week. having their temperatures tak- Lewandowski, who had from guaranteed safety with six minutes from time while Frank- Players in Spain’s top two en before entering stadiums. never previously scored in six games left. furt had replacement midfielder games against Duesseldorf, They are two points behind Lucas Torro sent off in the dying made amends with goals either Duesseldorf in 16th, which car- stages for a second yellow card. side of half-time. ries a relegation play-off at the Frankfurt took the lead Quick read Fortuna, who were unbeat- end of the season. when striker Andre Silva con- en in their three games since Werder could climb out of verted a penalty on 27 minutes, Italy’s Fognini has surgery on both ankles the league resumed after a two- the relegation places for the Bayern Munich’s Polish forward (right) is now the but Wolfsburg equalised when month coronavirus-enforced first time since December on league’s top-scorer with 28 goals to his name. (AFP) right-back Kevin Mbabu head- MILAN: Italy’s Fabio Fognini an- hiatus, were humbled at the Wednesday if they beat Eintra- ed home on 58 minutes. nounced on Saturday he will take Allianz Arena where they last cht Frankfurt at home. Sunday Fixtures Hoffenheim are seventh advantage of the coronavirus- poached a 3-3 draw in Novem- Bittencourt hit a stunning Borussia Moenchengladbach v Union Berlin (4.30pm Qatar time) after their 1-0 win at Mainz enforced break from tennis to un- ber 2018. strike from just outside the box Paderborn v Borussia Dortmund (7pm) thanks to Ihlas Bebou who dart- dergo surgery on both his ankles. They fell behind on 15 min- which beat Schalke’s Bayern- ed into the area, swept past two “After a medical examination utes when Joergensen turned bound goalkeeper Alexander Bundesliga Points Tally defenders, and fired home on and a long discussion with my the ball into his own net after Nuebel on 32 minutes. 43 minutes. team, I decided to have arthrosco- Pavard mishit his shot. Schalke succumbed to their Team P W D L GF GA Pts py surgery on both ankles,” Fognini Right-back Pavard then fourth straight defeat, piling Bayern Munich 29 21 4 4 86 28 67 Results said on Twitter. grabbed the second with a pow- pressure on head coach David Borussia Dortmund 28 17 6 5 74 34 57 “I will undergo surgery in Italy erful header on 29 minutes be- Wagner. In the same game, Bayer Leverkusen 29 17 5 7 54 36 56 Hertha Berlin 2 (Dilrosun 23, today (Saturday). Italy’s Fabio Fognini won the fore Lewandowski made it 3-0 Schalke’s American midfielder RB Leipzig 28 15 10 3 70 29 55 Piatek 90+3) bt Augsburg 0 “I believe it’s the right thing 2019 Monte Carlo Masters. (AFP) just before the break after be- Weston McKennie wore a ‘Jus- Bor. Moenchengladbach 28 16 5 7 53 34 53 Mainz 0 lost to Hoffenheim 1 to do while the Tour is on this ing presented with a tap-in by tice for George’ armband as part VfL Wolfsburg 29 11 9 9 41 36 42 (Bebou 43) enforced break,” continued Fognini, with the season on hold since Thomas Mueller. of the growing protests over the Hoffenheim 29 12 6 11 40 48 42 Schalke 0 lost to Werder Bremen March, and not set to return before August. Duesseldorf were floored death of an unarmed black man Freiburg 29 10 8 11 38 41 38 1 (Bittencourt 32) The 11th-ranked Fognini, who won the Monte Carlo Masters last with two goals in as many min- during a police arrest in the Hertha Berlin 29 10 8 11 43 50 38 Wolfsburg 1 (Mbabu 58) lost to year, said he has been suffering with ankle problems for years. utes as Lewandowski profited United States. Schalke 29 9 10 10 34 46 37 2 (Silva 27- “I’ve been having a problem with my left ankle for three and a half again with another poacher’s “To be able to use my plat- Cologne 28 10 4 14 44 52 34 pen, Kamada 85) years now, it’s an issue I’ve learned to cope with,” he explained. “Then goal after ’s good form to bring attention to a Eintracht Frankfurt 28 9 5 14 46 53 32 Bayern Munich 5 (Joergensen my right ankle started playing up in the last two years as well. “I had work. problem that has been going on Union Berlin 28 9 4 15 33 48 31 15-og, Pavard 29, Lewandowski hoped that the various problems would go away during my two-month Davies then scored the too long feels good!!!,” tweeted Augsburg 29 8 7 14 40 56 31 43, 50, Davies 52) bt Fortuna break because of the lockdown, but when I resumed training, they game’s best goal. 21-year-old McKennie. Duesseldorf 0. were still there,” he said. “I can’t wait to be back playing again.” (AFP)

Bayern Munich players accept salary cuts until the end of season Thiem, Kyrgios to play July grass, hard-court events in Berlin

BERLIN: Bayern Munich players have accepted salary cuts until the AFP “I am curious to see The matches will be end of the season because of the coronavirus outbreak, club presi- Berlin where I stand with my ten- broadcast with prize money dent Herbert Hainer told Saturday’s edition of the Bild paper. nis,” said Germany’s Al- of €200,000 ($222,000) at It was so far only known that the players had agreed to earn 20 Dominic Thiem, Nick Kyr- exander Zverev, who joins stake -- 100,000 each for the per cent less in April, after the league was suspended in mid-March. gios, Elina Svitolina and Kiki Austria’s Thiem, the highest men’s and women’s events. “It is very gratifying that our team has complete understanding Bertens will compete in grass ranked at third in the world, The ATP and WTA tours of the situation and will continue to forego salary until the end of and hard-court events in and Australia’s Kyrgios in are both suspended until late the season,” Hainer said. Berlin in July featuring both the men’s event. July due to the global health The president did not say how much money the players will men’s and women’s fields. “I’ve been practising crisis. forego and it is also not clear when their season will end. The behind-closed-doors hard, but it’s going to be my The Steffi Graf Stadium The Bundesliga which resumed on May 16 runs until June 27 competition will be held on first time playing a competi- was due to host the first but Bayern could be in the German cup final which is set for July grass at the Steffi Graf Sta- tive event in a long time. WTA event of the grass sea- 4, and they are also still in the Champions League which the ruling dium from July 13-15 and “It’s going to exciting to son from June 13-20, but body UEFA aims to complete by the end of August. then switch to hard court in a play on two different surfac- this year’s tournament was While the players are helping the club, Bayern have also donat- hangar at Berlin’s Tempelhof es in seven days.” cancelled following the virus ed more than €800,000 ($888,000) to football clubs and sports in Airport from July 17-19. In the women’s field, outbreak. general in their home state of Bavaria, money from fans who waived With Wimbledon can- Germany’s Julia Goerges Historic Tempelhof Air- refunds for tickets for matches now played behind closed doors. celled for the first time since and Andrea Petkovic will Australia’s Nick Kyrgios will be playing next month in Berlin, which port has been closed since And together with the other three Champions League teams World War II due to the cor- join Svitolina of Ukraine and will host men’s and women’s events on grass and hard court behind 2008, but the grounds re- Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern have onavirus pandemic, this will Bertens of the Netherlands, closed doors. (AFP) main open as a public park also created a solidarity fund of €20 million to help professional be the first grass-court ten- who are both in the top 10. and was where planes landed teams affected by the outbreak. (DPA) nis of 2020. Six men and six There will be no live spec- be used instead of judges and over two sets with a possible during the Berlin Airlift in women are set to take part. tators, electric line-calling will the matches will be played third as a tie-breaker. 1948-49. 12 Sunday, May 31, 2020 Sports

NBA targets July 31 for possible restart West Indies approve of season QMMF’s 3rd online racing ‘bio-secure’ Test DPA Washington tour of England NBA Commissioner Adam Sil- challenge next week ver told owners on Friday that AFP players are already back in July 31 is the target date for re- St. John’s (Antigua and Barbuda) training, with fast bowler Ke- suming the season, according to mar Roach saying he was look- sports broadcaster The Athletic. Entries open on West Indies cricket chiefs ing forward to the tour. The owners did not reach have given their approval to a But CWI Chief Executive an unanimous agreement on Tuesday for Test tour of England where the Johnny Grave admitted some how the league will return as WRC 8 racing team will stay in a “bio-secure players may be more reluc- they voted on four possible environment”. tant, especially from countries scenarios. championship The Windies were due to such as Antigua and Barbuda, In a survey, sports broad- play three Tests in England in which has not reported a new caster ESPN reported 16 of the Tribune News Network June but the threat of the cor- coronavirus case since April. NBA’s 30 general managers DOHA onavirus has pushed the visit “There has been some voted to move directly to the back to July at the earliest. nervousness from the players playoffs with just 16 teams. The Qatar Motor and Motor- “The Cricket West Indies and certainly here in Antigua,” Another scenario was for cycle Federation (QMMF) has (CWI) board gave approval in he told BBC Radio. “We’ve 20 teams in a group stage to planned a third online racing principle for the proposed up- been very open and honest determine playoff teams and treat - the WRC 8, the FIA coming West Indies Test tour with them and sharing plans seeding. The third possibility World Rally Championship of England,” said a CWI state- from the day we got them from was for 22 teams to play to de- 2019 official video game which QMMF Executive Director ment on Friday. the ECB. termine seeding, with a play-in will begin next week. Amro al Hamad “The decision comes only “I think that’s helped play- tournament for the final berth According to QMMF Exec- after CWI medical ers understand or berths. utive Director Amro al Ham- Soud bin Jassim al Thani and and cricket-related what this tour The fourth was all 30 teams ad, the federation is pleased to Rashid al Lebdah following representatives and might look like, and completing a 72-game schedule, mount the third virtual racing him in the fourth and fifth advisors have been from all the players followed by a play-in tourney, challenge on PS4, by using the spots, respectively. involved in detailed that I’ve spoken to, the article by ESPN said. COVID-19-enforced situation Saeed al Sulaiti then put discussions with the there’s an eagerness Appearing on ESPN’s The and having the auto and moto up a dominant display and England and Wales to go to England Jump, Dallas Mavericks owner sports-loving community en- clean-swept all the races Cricket Board (ECB), and their and get some live cricket back Mark Cuban said the unique gaged. he participated in the moto own medical and public health on. circumstances was a chance to While the actual sporting event. Sheikh Soud proved he advisers.” “Certainly we won’t be co- experiment and learn. activities are slowly returning is a force to reckon with in the It added: “CWI has also re- ercing anyone to go and play. “I’m confident we’ll take ad- to action under certain social- eSports as he finished runner- ceived and reviewed detailed Safety is the number one pri- vantage of it and do something distance restrictions in some up. Khalid al Maraghi edged plans for players and staff to ority for us and we fully re- differently. I just think that’s parts of the world, it would Kuwait’s Mohamad al Zaidan be kept in a bio-secure en- spect any individual player smart from a business perspec- take some time before sports in a battle for the third spot, vironment for the duration who may not be comfortable tive and think the players want events begin taking place in event and it is going to be a encouraging response. This while Hade Patel grabbed the of the tour, with all matches to travel.” that as well,” Cuban said. Qatar. Due to heat, Qatar usu- quite exciting experience for drove us to come up with the fifth place. being played behind closed Meanwhile, the CWI said “The only certainty I have ally has a break from sports in the participants. We expect third event and we hope the There will be three quali- doors.” the touring party will use pri- is that it’s gonna be safety June. Since, the travel of any some of our regular car rally new competition will be ex- fying races and then three The ECB has proposed the vate charter planes while med- first.” Milwaukee Bucksown - kind is not fully open now, drivers in this event as well,” tremely pulsating,” he added. finals will determine the win- Tests start on July 8, 16 and ical screenings and individual er Marc Lasry said the own- people are mostly at home Hamad said while talking It may be recalled that Ah- ners of the top five places. The 24 at the Ageas Bowl in South- COVID-19 testing will take ers would use the weekend and following the government about the new digital game. mad Kholy emerged the cham- number of participants in one ampton and Manchester’s Old place for all players and staff. to consider the proposals and guidelines to curb the spread “We recently hosted the pion in the auto eCompetition group is less than the previous Trafford. England are also sched- a decision could be made as of the coronavirus here. Qatar Online Racing Champi- by beating Hamad al Sulaiti two events. Only seven drivers Both those venues have uled to host matches against early as next week, he said on “Most of the ground work onship Auto and Moto. Both (100) by six points. Khalid al can be hosted in one group at on-site hotels. Pakistan, Ireland and Austral- CNBC on Thursday. has been done for the new events were thrilling and drew Kuwari was third with Sheikh a time. A number of West Indies ia this year. Ticket for 1st Jordan Bulls One option is to cancel T20 World Cup this year: Sangakkara game auctioned for $25,000 Agencies “Everyday, there are new for a few years until a vaccine LONDON learnings, new things being is found or until there’s enough TCA/DPA Heritage Auction fetched an NBA- found out, so we will have to immunity globally among the Chicago record 33,600 dollars for a sea- Sri Lankan batting great Ku- wait and see, but the options people to withstand this. So, son ticket from Jordan’s debut, mar Sangakkara feels that one may be to cancel it this year, those are really questions that I A game ticket from Michael Jor- which is harder to come by than of the options is to cancel the postpone it to another year, don’t think anyone can answer dan’s 1984 NBA debut for the a box-office-issued ticket like the T20 World Cup this year as but to have in place anticipa- at the moment. We will get Chicago Bulls sold for nearly one sold Friday. Last year, another many questions around the tory procedures that take into more clarity as time goes by.” 25,000 dollars, a record for a season ticket went for 28,800 COVID-19 pandemic remain account health and safety of Sangakkara said he can ticket of its kind but not the over- dollars through Goldin Auctions. ‘unanswered. both the players and the spec- imagine sitting for a meeting all record for the Hall of Famer’s Townsend said he was sur- Sangakkara, who is the tators, and make sure that’s around the ICC table and try- first game. prised Friday’s general-admission President of the prestigious iron clad,” he said. ing to find answers to all such The Huggins and Scott Auc- ticket sold for such a high price Marylebone Cricket Club Sangakkara said there questions. tions sale, which ended in the with a “Good 2” grade on a scale (MCC), feels the situation are many unanswered ques- “So, I can imagine sitting wee hours Friday morning, drew of 10. needs to be monitored. tions around the pandemic, around a table for the ICC, 62 bids and closed at 24,907.50 “That’s on the bottom scale,” In its meeting on Thursday, which has brought sporting MCC President Kumar Sangakkara. trying to understand, consult- dollars, including the buyer’s pre- Townsend said. “Two is just good. the ICC deferred a decision on activity across the world to a ing with experts to understand mium. It could have creases in it, it could the fate of the showpiece in grinding halt. back seasonally? “Will we have show Cricket Connected. what’s going on. And more so, “The Jordan stuff right now is (have) a staple hole maybe. It Australia till June 10, while “The real thing is what’s to live with this particular virus The former Sri Lanka cap- the questions that a lot of us just through the ceiling on every- could be a ticket that looks like continuing to explore contin- going to happen with the vi- or different strains of it from tain added, “If that’s the case, have in our minds have still thing,” said Mark Townsend, own- it’s been to the game.” But it’s a gency plans amid a ranging rus. Is it going to disappear time to time or do we have to then some of the changes that not been answered by the top er of Columbia, Maryland-based seller’s market, and tickets from pandemic that has derailed like SARS and MERS, or is this live with it long term?” San- we have seen in our lives now, most experts in the world,” he TicketsFromThePast.com. “It’s basketball stadiums, which are calenders worldwide. something that’s going to come gakkara asked on Star Sports may be the new normal for us signed off. just crazy.” The ticket stub, one of smaller than their football and only 11 graded by sports memo- baseball counterparts, have few- rabilia authentication service er inventory. PSA, was from the Bulls season And it’s Jordan. AFP three-Test series against both will be present, with everyone Root could leave to attend the opener against the Washington His memorabilia in general England London the West Indies and Pakistan, subjected to testing. birth of his second child, due Bullets on October 26, 1984, at has skyrocketed before, during in addition to limited-overs Meanwhile another in July, if that happened when Chicago Stadium. and after the airing of “The Last England cricketers can internationals with Ireland ground will be made available he was on international duty. Jordan had 16 points, six Dance,” the ESPN documentary bubble look forward to a “bridge to and Australia, as they try to for training. “This is what they’re call- rebounds, seven assists, two on the 1990s Bulls dynasty. the outside” if their home avoid a £380 million ($463 There had been sugges- ing, I think, the bridge to the steals and four blocked shots in “I just saw on eBay for his international season goes million) financial black hole. tions players might be cooped outside,” the ECB’s director of a 109-93 Bulls victory in front of (1994) Major League Baseball to have ahead. Matches will be played be- up together for more than two special projects, Steve Elwor- 13,913 fans. debut (ticket when Jordan played Despite the coronavirus hind closed doors at two ‘bio- months in a secure ‘bubble’ to thy, told a conference call on According to a Huggins and for the White Sox), they’re asking pandemic cutting short the secure’ venues, likely to be stop the spread of COVID-19. Friday. Scott spokesman, the sale set a for 19,999 dollars,” Townsend ‘bridge to start of their season by sev- grounds with hotels such as But it looks as if they will “That protocol of moving record for a box-office ticket from said. “Another one, they’re asking eral months, the England Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and be allowed to spend some in and out through that bridge Jordan’s debut. In August 2018, 15,000 dollars.” and Wales Cricket Board re- Lancashire’s Old Trafford. time with their families too, is currently being worked at outside’ main confident they can stage No more than 250 people meaning England captain Joe with the doctor. Free ride to Chargers puts extra heat on Rams coach McVay

TCA/DPA 9-7 season and an active offsea- the Chargers moved north, the the Rams to build their Super The pass-catching group led both at tackle and guard. dive study of last season turned San Diego (California) son, the NFC West’s top team is Rams aren’t the most talent- Bowl roster - as the Seahawks by Robert Woods and Cooper It’s a good sign that McVay up, McVay cited the offence’s clearly the San Francisco 49ers, ed NFL team in Los Angeles. had with Wilson and the Chiefs Kupp is long on versatility and isn’t content with merely being poor results on first down. Partnering with the San whose lines are still A loaded defence makes the did with Patrick Mahomes - the toughness, but the whole unit competitive this year. When Too often, a first-down run Diego Chargers on a stadium both the division’s Chargers equal in overall tal- four-year 134-million-dollar would benefit from McVay de- asked Tuesday if the Rams are play produced no gain or a loss. isn’t going well for the Los best and whose ent. extension Goff got last Septem- veloping or finding a speedster in retooling or reloading mode, Using an advanced stat - ex- Angeles Rams, who must bear head coach, Don’t bet against ber reduced the club’s ability who can put deep safeties on he dropped a verbal hammer. pected points added - Yahoo all cost overruns, now esti- Kyle Shana- McVay doing good work, load up on talent. their heels. “I would never refer to it Sports found that the Rams mated at $2.5 billion, and saw han, is more but it’ll take a great year If McVay can’t get Goff to Squeezing every drop of as that,” he said in a video chat tied with the Miami Dolphins the Chargers undercut them renowned than to lead the Rams to the perform at a top-15 level, not productivity from the offensive with reporters. “That’s mak- for worst results on first-down on ticket prices. The strain McVay for his West title. his 20-25 range of last year, line ranks near first among ing excuses and running away runs. puts more stress on the Rams playcalling. In For starters, the Goff’s contract will become a McVay’s challenges. from the expectations we have, Two more flashing red to win games. Seattle, Russell coach needs to get net negative. And the terms After enjoying rare con- which we’ll never do. We expect lights: Where the Rams aver- In other words, can coach Wilson still gives quarterback Jared don’t allow the Rams a low- tinuity in 2017 and 2018, the to win, we expect to prepare to aged 4.2 and 5.1 yards on first- Sean McVay come to the rescue the Seahawks the Goff back on track after a pain escape before 2023. unit had a bad 2019 season. A win, we’ve got great people in down runs in 2017 and 2018, once again? The Rams had no top quarterback below-average 2019 flag-filledyear from previously this building - coaches, players respectively, they fell to 3.7 winning seasons in the 13 years in the division, season. Raw running backs stellar left tackle Andrew Whit- alike. yards last year. before McVay, as a rookie head if not also the Follow the dol- With Todd Gurley having worth, now 38, was part of the No less troubling, Goff’s coach, led the 2017 team to the whole NFC. lars. Where Goff’s moved on, McVay is charged decline. While the line won’t be Prime objective passing rate on first down NFC West title. A year later he An improved team-friendly with getting two inexperienced as talented as in 2017-18, when “Our goal and expectation plummeted from 106.4 in the became the NFL’s youngest team, the Car- rookie con- running backs, sophomore Goff could count on a firm pock- is to prepare and win every sin- team’s Super Bowl season to head coach, at 33, to reach a dinals could tract Darrell Henderson and impor- et and a robust ground game, gle game,” he said. “I believe we 80.4 last year. Super Bowl. challenge for helped tant rookie Cam Akers, up to McVay said that right tackle go into it that way. We didn’t do “When you’re inefficient, McVay’s challenge this time .500. enable speed this year. Rob Havenstein has rebounded what we needed to do last year. now you’re putting yourself in is harder, believe it or not. Get a load from injuries that he played I own that, take full responsibil- a situation that the defense is While the Rams aren’t with- of this, too: For Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay: Facing through last year and that Bob- ity for it, but I couldn’t be more in essence playing two third out strengths coming out of a the first time since harder challenges. by Evans, 23, shows promise excited.” Asked what his deep- downs,” McVay said.