NBA in ‘Exploratory’ Gaming Challenge Talks to Restart Season at Disney in Florida ‘OUR PRIORITY CONTINUES to BE the HEALTH and SAFETY of ALL INVOLVED’

NFL | Page 4 MLB | Page 3 Frederick lines Jeffress delivers up to take on 70 meals to his biggest hospital workers opponent yet in Phoenix

Monday, May 25, 2020 FOOTBALL Shawwal 2, 1441 AH La Liga faces GULF TIMES heated debate as it prepares to resume SPORT Page 2 FOOTBALL FOCUS Bournemouth player tests Werner bags hat-trick as positive for coronavirus

AFP Leipzig trounce Mainz London n unnamed Bournemouth player has HERRLICH MAKES BELATED TOUCHLINE DEBUT AS AUGSBURG THUMP SCHALKE tested positive for coronavirus, the Premier League club announced yes- AFP Aterday, becoming the eighth case in- Berlin volving an English top-flight side. Bournemouth added the player’s identity would not be disclosed due to “medical con- weet-toothed striker Timo fidentiality” and that he would self-isolate for Werner bagged a hat-trick as seven days. RB Leipzig thrashed Mainz “Following strict adherence to the Premier S5-0 yesterday to climb back to League’s return to training regulations, the third in the Bundesliga and keep their club’s training ground remains a safe working dwindling title hopes just about alive. environment for players and backroom staff, When asked how he would cel- who will continue to be tested for Covid-19 ebrate, Werner, 24, told reporters twice per week,” said Bournemouth in a state- “there will definitely be some sweets ment. The Premier League announced Satur- involved”. day that there were positive tests at two clubs Julian Nagelsmann’s side sit seven out of 996 tests conducted on Tuesday, Thurs- points behind leaders Bayern Mu- day and Friday. The other positive was at a dif- nich ahead of the reigning champi- ferent club which has not been named. ons’ top-of-the-table clash against That followed a first second-placed Borussia Dortmund round of testing that on Tuesday. produced six positive Leipzig bounced back from their findings announced on draw with Freiburg last weekend in May 19 at three Premier their first match since the coronavi- League clubs from a to- rus lockdown in style, with Werner tal of 748 players and moving to within three goals of Bay- staff. ern’s Robert Lewandowski at the top Those positives in- of the league scoring charts. cluded Watford’s Adrian Werner, who has been linked with Mariappa and Burnley several of Europe’s biggest clubs, has assistant manager Ian scored 24 Bundesliga goals this sea- Woan. For the second round, the number of son including two trebles. tests available to each club was increased from Lewandowski scored his 27th 40 to 50. league goal this term in Bayern’s 5-2 On Tuesday, squads started non-contact win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Sat- training for the first time since the Premier urday. Leipzig’s victory was the 10th League was suspended on March 13. win for a visiting team in 18 matches That an increased number of tests has pro- since the Bundesliga restarted in duced fewer positive findings may be a boost near-empty stadiums. to the Premier League’s ‘Project Restart’ plan “We could have scored a few more, to resume fixtures in June. but no complaints – we’re very hap- Clubs are expected to discuss moving to py,” Leipzig sporting director Markus contact training on Tuesday. Officials still Kroesche told Sky. Werner opened the plan to complete all 92 remaining fixtures, scoring in only the 11th minute, before Leipzig’s German forward Timo Werner (right) celebrates with Leipzig’s Slovenian midfielder Kevin Kampl after scoring a goal during their Bundesliga match with Premier League chief executive Richard Yussuf Poulsen marked his 250th ap- against Mainz 05 in Mainz yesterday. (AFP) Masters saying on Friday that they were “as pearance for Leipzig by heading home confident as we can be” about restarting next a Marcel Sabitzer cross on 23 minutes. Earlier, Augsburg also eased to a the relegation play-off place. December, Schalke are winless in off the bench to score in injury time, month. The pair reversed roles for the third comfortable away win with a 3-0 “I’m totally happy,” said Herrlich, their last nine league games, includ- latching onto a loose pass from Sane, Several players still have concerns about when Poulsen laid the ball off for romp at Schalke. whose side host bottom club Pader- ing last Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing at rounding goalkeeper Markus Schu- returning, among them Watford captain Troy Sabitzer to make it 3-0 at the break. Heiko Herrlich enjoyed a perfect born on Wednesday, after ending a Dortmund. bert and firing into an empty net. Deeney and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, Werner grabbed his second goal first Bundesliga game on the touch- run of four straight defeats. We’ll be “We were extremely stupid at the Later, mid-table Cologne scored who stayed away from training this week. three minutes into the second half line as Augsburg coach, a week af- celebrating quietly, because we don’t start,” said Wagner. late goals through strikers Anthony As well as Mariappa, two members of Wat- when Kevin Kampl played him into ter he missed their loss to Wolfsburg have much time. But we have man- Loewen gave the visitors the lead Modeste and Jhon Cordoba, who ford’s staff have tested positive, while Hornets the area. The visitors were attacking because he broke quarantine rules aged to turn things around.” after just five minutes with a superb equalised in added time, to fight back manager Nigel Pearson revealed on Friday that at will when Kampl had a goal ruled to buy toothpaste. David Wagner’s The 48-year-old Herrlich apolo- free-kick which flew into the top cor- for a 2-2 draw against strugglers For- several of his players were isolating at home out for offside soon after. Schalke continued their slide down gised to his squad after breaking a ner from 30 metres out at the Veltins tuna Duesseldorf. Visitors Fortuna, after family members contracted the virus. With 15 minutes left, Poulsen’s the table, falling to eighth following week-long coronavirus quarantine by Arena. Augsburg doubled their lead who are 16th which carries a two- Meanwhile, second-tier Hull City con- floated free-kick was met by Werner another poor defensive display. leaving the team hotel – to buy tooth- 14 minutes from time when Schalke legged relegation play-off at the end firmed unnamed individuals at their club were who volleyed past Mainz goalkeeper Eduard Loewen, Noah Sarenren paste and skin cream – before the defender Salif Sane was wrong-foot- of the season, had led with an hour the source of two positive results following Florian Mueller to wrap up his hat- Bazee and Sergio Cordova scored as Wolfsburg match last weekend. ed by a long ball and substitute wing- gone through goals by Kenan Kara- tests on 1,014 players and staff at all 24 Cham- trick. Augsburg moved seven points clear of Having been as high as third last er Bazee rifled home. Cordova came man and Erik Thommy. pionship teams over the past 72 hours.

TENNIS Clijsters determined to press on with comeback AFP ter the US Open in 2012. She has since cancelled. The family stayed at their Brussels had two sons. home in New Jersey, where they don’t “I always felt I was fulfilled,” Cli- have a tennis court and the public jsters said in an earlier interview with courts soon shut. im Clijsters is looking forward the Tennis Hall of Fame. “After I had “We made a court with kitchen to returning to the US Open our third baby, Blake, I started travel- chairs,” she said. even though the coronavirus ling to tournaments. I did commentary. Clijsters and her husband Brian Kpandemic means that since her “But I still felt more like a player. A Lynch, a basketball coach, completed second comeback from retirement she little itch started.” Andy Murray’s 100 volleys couples has spent more time with her family. Returning to the tour poses a chal- challenge. “I’m still motivated,” the four-time lenge for a mother of three. “In the first few weeks when you’re Grand Slam winner told a Belgium “I’m away a little bit, which turned in quarantine and all these challenges newspaper yesterday. out to be not so much in the last few pop up...you’re trying everything,” she “I hope we can still play this season. months,” she said. said. “After a few weeks it’s ‘another But even if we don’t, I intend to keep She began her second comeback in challenge? I’m done!’” going,” the Belgian tennis star, who February in Dubai, where she lost to The family returned to Belgium and turns 37 in June, told Het Laatse Nieu- Garbine Muguruza in the first round. quarantined for two weeks. ws (HLN). She then lost to Johanna Konta in her Clijsters told HLN that the break had Clijsters had spells at number one opening match in Monterrey, the last allowed her to rest her body and allow before and after her first retirement, tournament before the women’s tour injuries in her knees to improve. from 2007-2009. She had her daughter shut down at the start of March. “If the US Open can happen, I want in 2008. She won the US Open before She was in the United States when to be ready,” she said in the Hall of that break and the Australian Open the tournament in Indian Wells, where Fame interview. “I would also be happy and two more US titles when she came she planned to play singles and partner if I had to play on court 18. I don’t have back. She retired for a second time af- Venus Williams in the doubles, was to be out on Arthur Ashe.” Four-time Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters. Gulf Times 2 Monday, May 25, 2020 FOOTBALL

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Liverpool-Atletico match linked to ‘41 La Liga faces additional’ virus deaths: report

AFP Sunday Times, that decision may London, United Kingdom have been linked to 37 additional heated debate as it deaths. More than 250,000 people he decision to let Liv- attended Cheltenham, with or- erpool’s Champions ganisers insisting they had intro- League match against duced special hygiene measures TAtletico Madrid go ahead for the event, including extra may have “led to 41 additional hand-washing stations for spec- deaths” due to the coronavirus, tators. prepares to resume the Sunday Times reported. But racing in Britain was sus- Jurgen Klopp’s side faced the pended on March 17 in response Liga president Tebas has been pushing for the league to resume on June 12 Spanish club in a second-leg last to the pandemic after the Brit- 16 tie at Anfield on March 11 in ish Horseracing Authority was AFP front of a crowd of some 52,000, widely criticised for allowing the Madrid, Spain with 3,000 visiting supporters in festival to go ahead. attendance. Last month one of the mayors The match was the last major for Liverpool called for an in- panish media rejoiced football fixture played in England vestigation into why the Atletico yesterday after the gov- before the coronavirus lock- match was allowed to proceed as ernment said La Liga down. scheduled. Scould resume, but re- According to the Sunday “If people have contracted starting in June presents many Times, Edge Health, which anal- coronavirus as a direct result of challenges including summer yses data for Britain’s National a sporting event that we believe heat, empty stadiums and health Health Service, estimated the shouldn’t have taken place, well rules. match was “linked to 41 addi- that is scandalous,” Steve Ro- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tional deaths” at nearby hospi- theram, Mayor of Liverpool City announced on Saturday that tals between 25 and 35 days later, Region, told the BBC. football could return from its compared with similar hospital “That needs to be investigated coronavirus lockdown in the trusts that were used as a control. to find out whether some of those week of June 8. Imperial College London and infections are due directly to the After closely observing as Oxford University have estimat- Atletico fans. There were coro- Bundesliga players acted as lab ed Spain had around 640,000 navirus hot cities, and Madrid rats when their league became positive coronavirus cases at the was one of those.” the first of the major Europe- time that the match went ahead Atletico won the game 3-2 af- an competitions to return last compared to 100,000 in Britain ter extra-time to knock out the weekend, Spain, hard hit by the at that stage. defending champions 4-2 on pandemic, will now take its turn. March also saw jump horse aggregate and reach the quarter- La Liga has not yet speci- racing’s four-day Cheltenham finals. fied when it will kick off or de- Festival in southwest England go An initial ban on spectators is tailed the health protocols it will ahead as scheduled, with officials expected when sport resumes in adopt, but is expected to do so citing British government guid- Britain, which has already seen within the next week, according ance that it was safe to proceed more than 36,000 deaths during to the Spanish press. with major sporting events. the pandemic — the worst tally “La Liga is back,” exclaimed According to the Edge Health in Europe and second only to the the front page of Spain’s best- research estimates cited by the United States. selling daily Marca, which adorned its front page with a heart formed by the badges of COMMENT the 20 Liga clubs. Madrid rival AS and Catalan newspaper Sport used the same headline. Liga president Javier Tebas Players missing games has been pushing for the league to resume on June 12, with the Seville derby between Real Betis over virus fears harms and Sevilla as the curtain-raiser. Tebas said on Saturday that he was “very happy” with the PL integrity, says announcement, but added “We can’t let our guard down”. Watford’s Cleverley The last 11 rounds of the season will be played behind closed doors at a time when most of the In this March 8, 2020, picture, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal during the La Liga match against Real Betis at country can expect scorching Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville, Spain. (Reuters) heat. At a meeting with La Liga over La Liga has eagerly announced ‘WEIRD TIMES’ The AFE demanded the play- about is what can happen physi- the weekend, the Spanish Football there would be “football every Tebas estimated at the begin- ers were given at least 15-20 days cally, injuries,” the Colombian Players’ Association (AFE), called day” of the week, but the AFE ning of April that if La Liga did to get match fit. told his club’s website on Friday. for cooling breaks during games has demanded that clubs be al- not resume broadcasting the “We want to return to the “These two months have in- when temperatures are between lowed a compulsory gap of at losses would amount to a bn eu- competition, but we have to creased the risk of injury.” 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82 to least 72 hours between matches ros ($1.09 bn), compared with go step by step to get back into “That’s what my team-mates 90 degrees Fahrenheit), and for and the Spanish Football Feder- 300 mn euros if it played with- shape,” Levante winger and cap- are worried about the most. We training and matches to be post- ation (RFEF) had already started out spectators. tain Jose Luis Morales told Marca need to regain muscle tone and poned when temperatures rise a legal action to prevent that. Between now and the restart, on Saturday. “We won’t have any function and reduce the risk, above 32 degrees, which is com- RFEF went to court at the start the players, who switched from games to test our fitness, we’ll go which has increased, not just mon in the height of summer in of the season and blocked La individual training to small straight into the competition.” because of the time we’ve been much of Spain. Liga, which wanted to maximise group sessions on 18 May while The sentiment was echoed by out of the game, but also be- Temperatures during training broadcast revenues, scheduling continuing to observe strict Espanyol central defender Ber- cause of the weird times we’ve in Valencia on Saturday reached games on Monday. A final judge- health measures, will have al- nardo Espinosa. been going through and the high 28 degrees. ment is yet to be handed down. most three weeks to prepare. “What we’re most concerned temperatures.” Agencies of your players through personal London, United Kingdom circumstances, it’s going to hit us hard and it does affect the integrity of the competition,” Clever- Lyon boss calls French League’s halt to Ligue 1 ‘stupid’ he Premier League’s in- ley told British media. tegrity could be affected Since players returned to lim- Reuters observing and working with ing, meaning that seventh- if players worried about ited group training on Tuesday, Paris, France UEFA,” Aulas told L’Equipe yes- placed Lyon were denied a their health amid the there have been eight positive terday, referring to European European spot through the T Covid-19 pandemic choose to tests for the virus at England’s soccer’s governing body. league standings. miss matches, according to Wat- top-flight clubs including Wat- lympique Lyonnais “What is paradoxical is that Lyon’s appeal before an ford midfielder Tom Cleverley. ford defender Adrian Mariappa. president Jean-Michel Javier Tebas, in particular, administrative tribunal was English soccer was halted in Watford are 17th in the league, OAulas again lashed out attended the same meetings rejected on Friday, but they mid-March due to the outbreak level on 27 points with Bourne- at the French League for end- than (French League director- are now expected to lodge but clubs can now train in small mouth, who also had a player test ing the Ligue 1 soccer season general) Didier Quillot, notably another appeal before the State groups as part of the league’s positive on Sunday. early amid the Covid-19, calling that of April 23.” Council, France’s highest court, “Project Restart” which envis- “You can’t really say ‘that’s the decision “stupid”. “In fact, what was said at that alongside relegated Amiens ages a return to play in June. bad luck, get on with it’ when so Aulas spoke after La Liga on meeting with UEFA is ‘patience’. and Toulouse. Watford captain Troy Deeney much is at stake. Hopefully, if the Saturday got the Spanish When we see that our officials Asked if he would have had the said he will not resume train- league does continue we’ll have government’s green light to attended this meeting and drew same reaction had Lyon been ing due to worry over his son’s all our best players and a full- resume play. Matches will likely different conclusions, one can in a position to qualify for the health while British media strength squad to pick from,” begin on June 12, according to feel that we are really too stupid.” Champions League when Ligue reported Chelsea midfielder Cleverley said. In this March 1, 2020, picture, Olympique Lyonnais’ Moussa League president Javier Tebas. The French League ended the 1 was suspended in March, Aulas N’Golo Kante is prepared to “If it’s not the case, then we’ll Dembele celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates “In the past two months, the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons last said, “I swear I would have, I miss their remaining games due have to deal with it. It’s got to be a during the Ligue 1 match against AS Saint-Etienne. (Reuters) Spanish officials have been month with 10 games remain- swear on my children’s lives.” to safety concerns. no-excuses mentality from now “If you’re missing five or six until the end of the season.”

BOTTOMLINE Former FA chief exec warns EFL clubs face virus ‘insolvency’

AFP governs the three divisions below at this point in time. Palios — whose club sit in the rel- Although points deductions “tsunami” for clubs north of the “I am very worried for lower- London, United Kingdom the Premier League, estimated “I personally believe we egation zone — calling for relega- can be appealed on the grounds border. league football, part-time clubs the cost of lockdown earlier this haven’t seen the worst of it yet, tion to be scrapped. of ‘Force Majeure’ events, Palios The Scottish season was cut and clubs particularly that rely month. and during the course of the “We don’t want to have a deci- also called for a clarification of short with Celtic declared Pre- on gate receipts,” Roy MacGregor ormer English Football But Palios, the chairman of summer you’ll see a lot more fi- sion foisted upon us that is going rules regarding clubs which en- miership champions and officials told BBC Radio Scotland’s Sport- Association chief ex- third-tier Tranmere, believes the nancial stress on the clubs as we to affect us financially,” said Pal- tered administration. now hope to start a new cam- sound. ecutive Mark Palios has financial damage could be worse. move onwards and continue to ios. “This is a consequence of a paign in August, subject to health “I think the worst is yet to Fwarned the cost of the “Whilst you may look at the pay wages. “Why would you.. in terms of pandemic, so I think they need guidance. come. I think we will have a coronavirus to lower-league ‘hole’ which has been articulated “I think what you’ll see is a lot certain clubs, foist on them an to be considering that clubs may But with the Scottish game tsunami of unemployment and clubs could be even larger than as £200 mn to September — I of clubs will stumble down the even worse position?” need to go to the protection of even more reliant on gate money mental issues and big things to the forecast £200mn ($244mn, think it’s bigger than that,” Palios road to insolvency.” Palios said the impact of the administration,” he said. than English football, the pros- deal with. And lack of disposable 223mn euros). told Sky News. Teams in third-division coronavirus meant EFL rules that Meanwhile the chairman of pect of behind- closed-doors income. Whether people can af- Rick Parry, the chairman of the “There is a real financial mael- League One have still to agree hit insolvent clubs with points Scottish Premiership side Ross matches could leave many clubs ford to see football is my con- English Football League, which strom coming towards the league on how to end their season, with penalties should be relaxed. County warned of an economic struggling to make ends meet. cern.” Gulf Times Monday, May 25, 2020 3 SPORT

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Blues’ duo tops Habs in NHL Player NBA in ‘exploratory’ Gaming Challenge talks to restart season at Disney in Florida ‘OUR PRIORITY CONTINUES TO BE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL INVOLVED’

Reuters tion’s Covid-19 relief efforts. Los Angeles Parayko and Thomas opened up a 2-0 lead in the first game Saturday, then took a 3-1 lead he St. Louis Blues’ early in the second period with duo of defenseman virtual David Perron’s second Colton Parayko and tally. They held the Montreal Tcenter Robert Thomas duo scoreless the rest of the dispatched the Montreal Ca- way to clinch the first win. nadiens’ pair of defenseman The second game featured a Victor Mete and center Nick flurry early, with three goals in Suzuki 2-1 in the NHL Player a span of just 1:26 on the vir- Gaming Challenge on Satur- tual clock. After the Blues took day. a 1-0 lead with 18:25 to play in Parayko and Thomas won the first, the Canadiens scored the first game 3-1 and the sec- exactly a minute later and ond 4-3, before the Canadiens again at 16:59. But the Blues got on the board with a 10-6 scored the next three goals, victory in 3-on-3 play to end with Vince Dunn’s tally with the day. 2:42 left in the second period The online video-game proving to be the winner. The event has been streaming ac- third game was played in the tion on Thursdays and Satur- “Threes” format, with 3-on-3 days. All 31 NHL teams have action and goals doubling and representation, and Seattle then tripling in value as time Seahawks tight end Luke Will- continues. Mete and Suzuki son represented the pending fired out to a 6-0 lead but let NHL Seattle expansion team. the Blues storm back to take No standings are being their own advantage. Montreal Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (right) in action during a regular NBA game. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports compiled, as the games are recovered, though, closing it designed strictly for enter- out with the final few goals. AFP government officials on a com- looking at using the facility at Bash’s buzzer-beater lifts tainment with the NHL season “‘Threes’ definitely wasn’t Los Angeles prehensive set of guidelines to the same time as the NBA. shut down due to the corona- our game, though, but we’ll ensure that appropriate medical ESPN said most club ex- virus pandemic. take the 5-on-5 wins,” Parayko protocols and protections are in ecutives believe commissioner Kings to NBA 2K sweep In connection with the said with a laugh afterward.” he National Basketball place.” Adam Silver will give the go- ookie Matthew to technical difficulties. No event, the National Hock- Matches are available for Association confirmed The NBA suspended its season ahead to a return to play in June, “Bash” Robles sank makeup date was announced. ey League Foundation and viewing on the NHL’s Twitch, Saturday that they are in indefinitely on March 11 in- re with games expected to start a buzzer-beating Originally due to begin its Electronic Arts are donating YouTube, Twitter and Face- “exploratory” talks with sponse to the coronavirus pan- sometime before the end of July. 3-pointer to seal season March 24, the NBA $100,000 to the CDC Founda- book platforms. T R 2K League postponed play The Walt Disney Co about a late- demic. Kings Guard Gaming’s two- July restart at one of their Florida ESPN reported that the NBA TWO-WEEK QUARANTINE game sweep of Grizz Gaming because of the coronavirus resorts. has a board of governors virtual The restart is expected to include in NBA 2K League action on pandemic. On April 27, the League spokesman Mike Bass meeting set for next Friday. a two-week quarantine for play- Friday. league announced an initial Canadian teams begin refund process confirmed earlier reports that The call is expected to provide ers in their home cities, one to After winning the opener 82-68, six-week, online-only schedule, for season ticketholders the league is having conversa- additional details for players and two weeks of workouts at team the Kings trailed 53-40 heading with all 23 teams playing eight tions with Disney officials about coaches on plans to proceed with facilities followed by two-week to the fourth quarter of the total matches from their home All seven Canadian NHL games being played this restarting the 2019-20 season in the restart. Las Vegas has also training camps. second game, but they rallied markets. Action finally began teams have begun the proc- season in front of fans at Bell Orlando, Florida. been mentioned as a potential The regular season was halted to trail by one point with 1.1 May 5. ess of refunding or offering MTS Place,” the Winnipeg “The NBA, in conjunction host. abruptly after Utah Jazz player seconds remaining. Yusuf “Yu- Each match is a best-of-three, rebates to their season tick- Jets said in an email to their with the National Basketball There are still plenty of issues Rudy Gobert tested positive. suf_Scarbz” Abdulla fired the with the outcome of each three- etholders, an acknowledg- season ticketholders. Players Association, is engaged to resolve before the season can Gobert, of France, was given the inbounds pass to Bash at the game series counting as one ment that hockey will not be The NHL remains on pause in exploratory conversations restart, including whether the all-clear about two weeks later. top of the key, and Bash hit the win or one loss in the standings. returning to the country for due to the coronavirus with The Walt Disney Com- league will play the rest of the So far, less than a dozen NBA decisive shot to give the Kings a The Kings won their opener the 2019-2020 season. pandemic, and a restart to pany about restarting the 2019- regular season or go straight into players have been confirmed as 60-58 win. In other matches as against the Grizz behind 20 In a four-day span in mid- the season is expected to be 20 NBA season in late July at playoffs. The 220-acre ESPN testing positive for the corona- Week 3 concluded, Knicks Gam- points apiece from Bash and May, every Canadian team played in hub cities to be de- Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Wide World of Sports Complex, virus although not all have been ing spoiled Celtics Crossover Waseem “Seemo” Talbert plus reached out with plans for termined in the United States. Sports Complex in Florida as a with three arenas and 24,000 identified. Gaming’s season debut, posting 15 points, 14 rebounds and eight refunds or discounted op- The NHL Players’ Association single site for an NBA campus for hotel rooms, would allow the In March, Silver said that be- a 2-1 series win, and Wizards assists from Connor “Dat Boy tions for next season, The executive board on Satur- games, practices and housing,” league to restart play in a closed- cause of their athletic condi- District Gaming dumped Hor- Shotz” Rodrigues. Zach “Vandi” Canadian Press reported day approved a proposal to Bass said. door environment. tioning and youth, NBA players nets Venom GT 2-0. Vandivier paced the Grizz with Saturday. resume the season with a “Our priority continues to The complex previously host- should be considered “super The scheduled match between 23 points and eight assists, and “It has become increasingly 24-team, conference-based be the health and safety of all ed the Jr. NBA World Champion- spreaders” because most will be Heat Check Gaming and Jazz Dayvon “GOOFY757” Curry had apparent, that any possibility playoff format in empty involved, and we are working ships. asymptomatic even if they have Gaming was postponed due 12 points and 12 boards. will not include any further arenas. Reuters with public health experts and Major League Soccer is also the disease.

MLB Jeffress delivers 70 meals to hospital workers in Phoenix By Paul Sullivan during the coronavirus pandemic. On parks to host ballgames and for players Chicago Tribune Wednesday, he cooked enough food to to get back on the field. serve 70 doctors and nurses at Banner Jeffress said he has kept his arm loose Health Medical Center in Phoenix, giv- by throwing at a nearby facility and be- ike every other fan, Chicago ing back to the hospital that treated him lieves he’ll be able to ramp up his arm Cubs reliever Jeremy Jeffress is for epilepsy in 2013. strength quickly with a three-week crossing his fingers and hoping Jeffress, who signed with the Cubs in spring training. The players keep in Lfor an agreement between Ma- the offseason after spending most of his touch with Zoom meetings, and he said jor League Baseball and the players un- 10-year career with the Brewers, owns Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy ion to restart the season in July. his own food truck business, fulfilling calls all the pitchers to check on their But if baseball strikes out, he knows a passion to cook and sell seafood. He workloads. the ramifications could be far-reach- donated 70 individual plates that in- “I know we cut spring training off at ing. cluded a fish fillet, four jumbo shrimp, a vital date,” Jeffress said. “We were all “It’s going to impact, the game, the scallops and a couple of sides, includ- pretty much ready to go. They just want city, a lot of stuff,” Jeffress said Thurs- ing his own mac and cheese. He spent to make sure we stay at that level.” day from his Phoenix home. “I would about three hours serving and convers- Jeffress wouldn’t hazard a guess as to say (to fans) just be patient, like we ing with the hospital employees. what will happen during talks between are. Something is going to happen, “I thought giving away food, some- MLB and the players union. Cubs play- and understand that the wait for us to thing people need, can just bring a er representative Kris Bryant is keeping play baseball, if we do happen to play smile to your face while going through his teammates informed on the latest baseball, is going to be well worth it, all this bad stuff that’s going on right developments, but has not been made because everyone is going to come out now,” he said. “Anything I can do to available to reporters. and give you a great show. It’s going to help, I want to do it. I know the hospi- Jeffress said all the players can do is be fun.” tal, saw a couple of new faces. But just listen to the information provided and The MLB Players Association said in to go and show support felt awesome.” hope it all works out. a statement Thursday they have stud- One rewarding aspect of the sports “We’re just hoping to play baseball,” ied the health and safety proposal from shutdown has been seeing players such he said. “We’re just like little puppets MLB and would respond later. Even if as Jeffress, Ian Happ, Anthony Rizzo, right now. Are you going to play with that proposal is approved, the two sides Eloy Jimenez and others help people us, or not?” must then negotiate on player compen- working on the front lines of the fight If baseball does resume, look for Jef- sation for a shortened season. against the coronavirus, along with fress to bring his food truck to Chicago While Jeffress awaits word on wheth- teams such as the Cubs and White Sox so Cubs fans can sample his scallops, er spring training 2.0 can begin in June, opening up their ballparks for blood mac and cheese and other dishes. Chicago Cubs reliever Jeremy Jeffress.(TNS) he’s working out on his own and doing drives or food pantries. “I would definitely want it in Wrig- what he can to help out his community But everyone is anxious for those leyville,” he said. Gulf Times 4 Monday, May 25, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Players’ union mulls protocols for starting MLB season: report

Mixon, Brown dominate in Madden event AFP including testing frequency, Los Angeles player compensation, pro- Reuters disservice. I threw, like, four interceptions. tections for family mem- Los Angeles I went Baker Mayfield.... bers and social distancing “In terms of having self-respect and ajor League guidelines. thinking that I am something like a gamer, Baseball play- Baseball is seeking to begin incinnati Bengals running back Joe it clearly has been awhile since I’ve taken ers have con- the season around July 4. Mixon and Baltimore Ravens wide Madden seriously.” cerns about Before that there is a mini- receiver Marquise “Hollywood” In the other half of the bracket, Charles, Mcoronavirus testing proto- spring training planned which Brown displayed impressive skills playing as his former team, the Chiefs, cols that the owners have would start in mid-June. C MLB hopes to open play on the Madden NFL 20 video game on Fri- produced a 49-9 win over retired offensive proposed in an exhaustive day. lineman Kyle Long, playing as his former new 67-page health and without spectators, but in Both earned ridiculously one-sided vic- team, the Chicago Bears. safety plan, The Wash- as many of the teams’ home tories in the opening round of the Madden The last game was the only close contest, ington Post reported on stadiums as possible. NFL 20 Invitational 2.0 charity event, and with Murray, playing as his own Cardinals, Thursday. Under the new safety plan, they will face off next week in the tourna- emerging with a 21-14 win over Caro- The draft of the safety players would be banned ment’s semi-finals. lina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson, protocols was delivered to from spitting or exchanging The second semifinal will feature the playing as the Philadelphia Eagles. the 30 teams and the Major high-fives, taking show- other two Friday winners, Arizona Car- Murray led 13-0 at halftime, but League Baseball’s Players ers after games, and not dinals quarterback Kyler Murray and free Thompson took a 14-13 lead in the third Association on May 15. allowed to move around agent running back Jamaal Charles. The quarter. “The union has spent the outside their hotels while tournament’s semifinals and final will air Murray retook the lead with a 28-yard past several days carefully on the road. They would May 29 on FS1. touchdown pass from his virtual self to reviewing the manual and also have to arrive at the In the first game, Mixon, playing as the virtual tight end Charles Clay with 1:56 gathering feedback from its stadium in uniform. Kansas City Chiefs, produced an 84-0 left. The two-point conversion run made medical experts and players MLB has modified one of its blowout of Jacksonville Jaguars wide re- it 21-14. across the league, including drug testing labs in Utah to ceiver D.J. Chark, playing as the Minnesota Murray sealed the decision with a Chan- a 3.5-hour video conference be used as a Covid-19 test- Vikings. Brown followed by utilising the dler Jones sack of Carson Wentz. with 100-plus player leaders ing facility. Ravens in a 94-28 beatdown of defensive The event is raising money to support on Monday,” a spokesman Testing is a big issue with end Cam Jordan, who also played as his Feeding America’s efforts to feed Ameri- for the union told the Post. the players. MLB said they own team, the New Orleans Saints. cans most impacted by Covid-19. Before the planned start of would be tested several Jordan told Fox’s Rachel Bonnetta that Charles said, “This is a tragic moment the delayed season due to times a week but some play- the 20-plus Madden games he played over we’re going through right now. Being a part the coronavirus outbreak, ers, like Los Angeles Angels the past two weeks didn’t help. of this tournament for charity, it’s amazing the union is seeking an- Mike Trout, are asking to be “Apparently I haven’t put in enough to be able to give back to people that are swers on several key issues tested every day. Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon. time,” he said. “I feel like I did my squad a having a lot of effects from this pandemic.”

NFL REPORT Jets listening but not Cowboys’ Frederick shopping Adams lines up to take on his biggest opponent yet ‘I DON’T LIFT THE HEAVY WEIGHTS TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF STRENGTH’

The New York Jets’ safety Jamal Adams. (TNS)

Reuters first- and third-round picks, Los Angeles but that isn’t necessarily the price now. The report adds that Ad- he New York Jets will ams would prefer, if traded, to listen to any trade of- land with his hometown Dallas fers but are “not going Cowboys, but he would play Tto shop” safety Jamal for other teams. The report Adams despite the All-Pro’s also suggests Adams’ father, potential interest in being former NFL running back dealt, Yahoo Sports reported George Adams, is encouraging early Saturday. a trade. Per the report, Adams wants Multiple outlets reported to be traded if his contract is Friday that the Jets and Adams not extended before the 2020 had reached an impasse in ex- season, but the Jets would tension talks, prompting the prefer to keep Adams and sign increased trade speculation. him to an extension in 2021. The Cowboys and other In the meantime, the Jets will teams reportedly discussed not shop Adams, and his agent a deal for Adams before the does not have permission to trade deadline last Octo- seek a deal, but they’ll listen to ber, but the Jets’ asking price teams that call. wasn’t met. New York general Adams, 24, is coming off his manager Joe Douglas has been second Pro Bowl appearance open his obligation to listen and first first-team All-Pro to offers on any player, but he selection in three seasons, but has said he wants to keep Ad- he is under contract through ams long-term. Adams had 75 2021 after the Jets picked up tackles (10 for loss), seven pass his fifth-year option. He will breakups and an interception make $3.6mn between salary last year while also tallying 6.5 and bonuses in 2020, with a sacks in 14 games. That figure $9.9mn salary in 2021. was 1.5 sacks shy of the sin- According to Yahoo, the gle-season record for a safety Jets aren’t ready to make Ad- (Adrian Wilson, 2015). ams the league’s highest-paid In three seasons since being safety at this point but could drafted sixth overall, Adams in 2021. Their asking price for has 273 tackles (28 for loss), 25 Adams when the possibility of pass breakups, two intercep- Dallas Cowboys centre Travis Frederick walks off the field after a 47-16 win against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 29, 2019.(TNS) a trade emerged last fall was tions and 12 sacks.

By Mac Engel any more of a surprise than Fre- out of school and they lost ac- down that means those kids who job of getting people in place,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram derick’s decision to retire. He is cess to free meals,” Frederick were not receiving food before he said. “On paper, it looks like 29, with plenty of quality NFL said. “We have seen an increase were not going to get food now, a really, really solid team. They Chargers’ Henry not worried about years remaining. in demand. It’s difficult because and that’s not an option for us,” have a chance to go far. playing under franchise tag ravis Frederick retired The decision was about qual- people have less money to help Frederick said. “I’m excited to see them and from football, and unlike ity years. out. We are doing our best.” What he aspires to do is to watch them, and hopefully pro- Los Angeles Chargers tight new deal, however. so many ex-NFL players Although he is optimistic From May 18 to July 29, or 72 eventually expand this founda- vide some outside guidance. I end Hunter Henry is looking “There were (talks) a while who eventually return, about the Cowboys without him, days, the foundation has set the tion to Wisconsin, and possibly know whoever takes over at cen- for a long-term contract, how- back, but we haven’t really T ever he said he has no issue done much since,” Henry said. do not expect him to follow that they are a point of interest but no modest goal of raising $22,500. enter the tech world. tre will be well cared for.” same tired path most recently longer his concern. He’s on to his Frederick estimates a kid can eat What he aspires to not do is to The only item Frederick has playing under the franchise “Hopefully we can get some- taken by Rob Gronkowski. new life, which includes a career for about $2 a day. return to play football, and now not been able to take care of is tag this season if he and the thing going this summer and The quarantine-style beard change, moving back to his na- “You can potentially feed football is over so are the days of the ball. team don’t real a deal. “I think get it going that way.” that is distinctly Travis Freder- tive Wisconsin, and continuing 10,000 people with that money,” the beard. After he called Jerry Jones it’s fine,” Henry told SiriusXM Henry recorded career ick is actually gone, and now the a foundation that is needed now he said. “I had the responsibility to in late March to inform him of NFL Radio. “Obviously, I think highs in receptions (55) and weight is coming off, too. more than ever. You can learn more about his grow the beard because I could,” his decision to retire, Freder- I would like to get something receiving yards (652) to go “That’s the dream: To get Frederick’s charity, “The foundation at blockinghunger. he said. “Once you step into the ick’s next call was to the equip- done; just security, and long along with five touchdowns skinny. I’ve started to make my Blocking Hunger Foundation,” org, and you can donate at Mov- business world, it’s less sup- ment managers. Throughout his term and just with the team while playing in 12 games last moves. I was at 315 or 320, now focuses on providing food and ing The Chains To Block Hunger. portive of the crazy beard.” seven-year career he warmed and the franchise. It’s another season. He missed four games I’m at 285. I’m on my way,” Fre- meals for kids of lower-income Although Frederick and his Warren Buffett with a Travis up with the same football. The year of playing football, man, due to a knee injury. derick said on a call with me and families. wife are building a home in Wis- Frederick beard isn’t taken quite exact same ball. He would like that’s how I look at it.” July 15 is He missed all of the 2018 Todd Archer of ESPN on Fri- In light of the current pan- consin, and they plan to eventu- as seriously. Although Freder- to have it as a keepsake. The the deadline for franchise tag season with a torn ACL. day afternoon. “I do more car- demic crisis, which is caus- ally locate there full-time to be ick’s sudden retirement creates problem, of course, is the build- players to sign long-term con- Overall, Henry has 136 recep- dio now. I don’t lift the heavy ing more families to go without closer to their respective fami- a hole in the Cowboys’ offensive ing has been closed because of tract extensions. In April, he tions for 1,709 yards and 17 weights to maintain the level of food, and food banks on low lies, he said maintaining this line, Frederick, ever the opti- Covid-19. signed the one-year franchise touchdowns in 41 games (35 strength. I am down a shirt size, supply, donations are essential foundation to help families in mist, doesn’t see the setback. No Frederick will likely be able tag offer and will earn $10.6mn starts) since being selected and down two ring sizes.” for millions of people. the Dallas-Fort Worth area will issue with the line, or the team. to get his hands on that football this season. Henry, 25, admit- by the Chargers in the second Of the many offseason moves “People are out of work, and remain a priority. “The team is set up extremely one day, but don’t expect him to ted that talks have slowed on a round of the 2016 NFL Draft. made by the Cowboys, none is more important, children are “If the foundation was to spin well. The front office did a great return to use it.

Monday, May 25, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

CRICKET RUGBY Should have quit as Australia coach Probably not viable before 2019 World Cup, says Cheika

Reuters Melbourne, Australia were suggestions Cheika would to have WT20 in be sacked. The former Leinster and New ormer Wallabies coach South Wales Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has added while he did not agree said he should have quit with the decision to appoint Fthe job in early 2019 after Johnson, he had felt he could get Rugby Australia (RA) brought in the team to perform well enough Scott Johnson as director of rug- to clinch their third World Cup Oct or Nov: Taylor by and introduced a three-man title in Japan. selection panel. “I loved Australian rugby and ‘The world game should take precedence over a local competition’ Cheika stayed in the job until I thought I could do it, I believed the World Cup in Japan later in I could get the players together IANS the year and quit after the Wal- and I didn’t want to let the play- Sydney, Australia labies were thrashed 40-16 by ers and the supporters down,” Indian govt to decide fate of IPL, not cricket board: minister England in the quarter-finals. Cheika said. The 53-year-old, however, “I tried to manage it the best ricket Australia Direc- told Britain’s The Times news- way I could without being out of tor and former Austral- paper yesterday he should have order. ia captain Mark Taylor stood down earlier, because he “If you cause turbulence at Curged the International felt that Rugby Australia’s man- that point, everyone feels it and Cricket Council (ICC) to take agement had lost confidence in I didn’t need everyone to feel the a decision on the men’s T20 him. turbulence in the team. World Cup. The tournament is “In a footy team there can “You have to deal with it inter- scheduled to be held from Oc- only be one boss, that’s all there nally.” tober 19 to November 15 in Aus- is to it,” Cheika told the Times. Cheika, however, ended his tralia, but is under a cloud of un- “I should have left because that tenure as coach with a parting certainty due to the coronavirus shows they didn’t trust me any- shot at RA management, saying pandemic. more.” he had virtually no relationship “It would probably be good (if RA appointed Johnson follow- with then Chief Executive Rae- a decision is made this week),” ing a review into the Wallabies’ lene Castle and Chairman Cam- Taylor told the Nine Network. 2018 season when they lost nine eron Clyne, who have both since “Because then everyone can of their 13 test matches and there stepped down. start planning and we can stop sitting here and saying ‘well ifs, buts or maybes’.” The window of October to November is also a period that the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking at as a potential period to hold the In- dian Premier League (IPL). But they have made it clear that is only if the ICC decides to postpone the showpiece event. The cash-rich T20 league was scheduled to start on March 29 but was postponed due to the outbreak of the pandemic in In- dia. In this May 12, 2019, picture, Mumbai Indians celebrate their victory in the Indian Premier League. (AFP) “My feeling is the World T20 won’t go ahead in Australia in Reuters how well the country has con- Today television channel. Australia during those months, October as planned. Is it going to Mumbai, India tained the novel coronavirus. “We can’t put health of the na- did not go ahead. be viable to have a world tourna- Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said tion at risk just because we want The IPL is worth almost $530 mn ment in October or November? the IPL would go ahead only sporting events to be held. Our to the BCCI and attracts the best The answer to that is probably ndia’s sports minister if there was no risk to public focus is fighting Covid-19.” international and Indian cricket- no,” said Taylor. yesterday said any decision health. The BCCI, the richest cricket ers. It was scheduled to start at While many of the current Ito allow the Indian Premier “In India the government has body in the world, had said it the end of March but was indefi- SPOTLIGHT and former Australian players League to go ahead this year to take a call and it will be de- would consider staging the lu- nitely postponed because of the have themselves said that they would be taken by the govern- pending on the situation of the crative IPL in October/Novem- pandemic. India has reported don’t see the likelihood of the ment, not the Indian cricket pandemic, how we progress as ber if the T20 World Cup, which 131,868 infections from the new World T20 happening in Oc- board, and would be based on a nation,” Rijiju told the India is scheduled to take place in coronavirus, with 3,867 deaths. Bored of shadow tober-November as per initial schedule due to the restrictions that have come in due to the dian Premier League shouldn’t the world game should take IPL can go ahead,” Border said sion (to replace it) — it’s just a batting in backyard, coronavirus pandemic, former be given priority over the show- precedence over a local compe- on ABC’s Grandstand Cafe radio money grab, isn’t it, that one? Australia skipper Allan Border piece event. tition. So, the World T20, if that programme. The World T20 should take has made it clear that the In- “(I’m) not happy with that, can’t go ahead, I don’t think the “I would question that deci- precedence, for sure.” says Warner

Cricket saliva ban an ‘interim measure’ for pandemic: Kumble AFP recommended the measure, transmission. New Delhi, India said saliva could not be perma- Current laws forbid the use of nently banned. artificial substances to alter the “This is only an interim meas- ball, but there is a long history recommended ban on ure and as long as we have, of tampering that goes well the use of saliva to shine hopefully, control over Covid beyond bowlers spitting on A cricket balls will be a in a few months or a year’s the ball and rubbing it on their temporary measure during the time then I think things will go clothing. coronavirus pandemic, a senior back to as normal as it can be,” “We have been very critical and official at the sport’s governing Kumble told the Star Sports we have been very focused on body insisted yesterday. television channel. eliminating any external sub- The International Cricket The former Indian Test spinner stances coming into the game,” Council (ICC) said last week it suggested saliva could not Kumble said. will vote in June on whether be permanently ruled out as The ICC panel said sweat to prohibit the use of saliva to cricket regulators did not want should still be allowed to shine prevent the transmission of to open the door to alternative a ball as it has not been shown Covid-19. substances. to transmit the virus. Bowlers traditionally get the Australian cricket ball manufac- The ICC chief executives’ meet- ball to move in the air by apply- turer Kookaburra is develop- ing will also vote on whether IANS tion resumes. ing shine to one side via sweat ing a wax applicator that to suspend a rule guaranteeing Sydney, Australia Meanwhile, Australia pacer In this April 3, 2018, picture, England’s Joe Root (front) shines the or saliva. allows players to shine the ball neutral umpires in Test cricket Pat Cummins has said his team is ball for teammate bowler Ben Stokes on Day Five of the second Anil Kumble, chairman of the without using saliva or sweat, in a bid to minimise travel amid far better prepared to face Team Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. (AFP) ICC cricket committee that minimising the risk of Covid-19 quarantine demands. ustralia opener David India than last time when Virat Warner’s social media Kohli and men travel Down Un- antics continued una- der later in the year. Abated but this time the India, under Kohli in the BOTTOMLINE destructive southpaw posted a 2018/19 series, became the first message saying he is bored of Asian side to beat Australia in a shadow batting in his backyard Test series in their own den. The and cannot wait to get back on series featured stellar perform- No fans, no saliva, hand sanitisers on the field playing competitive ances from batsmen Cheteshwar cricket. Pujara and Kohli and the pace “Ok, I am over it now, when battery featuring Jasprit Bum- can we start again please. Bored rah, Mohamed Shami and Ishant boundary: Welcome to a new-look T10 cricket of shadow batting in the back- Sharma. yard!!” Warner said in an Insta- “I think we’ll be ready for them AFP cricket, it’s the first tournament and advised that we attempt to cursed in his career. Garden Rangers. gram post with a video of him this time,” Cummins told cricket. Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the to be staged in a Test-playing regularise the management of When he made his Test debut The tournament is also the shadow practising with the Aus- com.au Grenadines region since the advent of the players before we consider hav- for the West Indies in a series in first to take place with bowlers tralia limited overs jersey on. Australia were without the coronavirus pandemic. ing spectators.” New Zealand in 2017, he became banned from applying saliva to The video was originally up- services of Steve Smith and At first it was hoped that Local fans had hoped to see the first player in the long- his the ball, a long-standing tool in loaded on Warner’s TikTok page, Warner in the last series as both o fans allowed, no sa- spectators would be allowed to home star Sunil Ambris, one of tory of the game to be dismissed helping achieve swing. a social media platform that the were serving their respective liva on the ball and attend as the risk of infection six so-called “marquee players” ‘hit wicket’ in two consecutive The game’s rulers are out- fiery Sunrisers Hyderabad skip- bans for their involvement in the hand sanitisers on the was considered to be extremely in the tournament which runs innings. lawing the practice as part of per has taken by storm since Sandpaper Gate controversy. The Nboundary ropes. low in a country with just 18 re- until May 31. On Friday, playing for the the battle against the spread of the time cricket activities were duo would, in all likelihood, be Welcome to cricket during corded cases. “Yes, I could understand the Salt Pond Breakers, at least the coronavirus. Other safety meas- frozen in mid-March due to the part of the series against India, coronavirus as it’s being played “The St Vincent and Gren- frustration, but similarly, I ap- 27-year-old had the satisfac- ures see hand sanitisers situated coronavirus pandemic. thus providing strength to the out in the Caribbean this week. adines Cricket Association preciate the preference of (the tion of claiming two wickets in a on the boundary as well as tem- All cricket is currently on hold batting unit of Australia. Six teams are taking part in (SVGCA) would have preferred health authority) that they do three-wicket win against Gren- perature checks. Umpires are due to the Covid-19 pandemic “Everyone’s a little more expe- the Vincy T10 Premier League an option of a limited number not want to encourage social adines Divers. wearing face masks. but there are talks of resuming rienced this time because obvi- at the picturesque Arnos Vale of spectators, maybe 300 or 500 gatherings,” added Shallow. The performance of the The Cricinfo website report- the game behind closed doors. ously we’ve got a couple of class venue near Kingstown, the main max in the stadium,” said SVG- “At the end of the day, our day, however, was by Desron ed that the fall of wickets was The International Cricket batters back in the side and some- city on St Vincent. CA president Kishore Shallow. safety and well-being are of par- Maloney whose 19-ball 41 greeted by the shaking of legs Council (ICC) recently put for- one like Marnus (Labuschagne) Although very low key in the “However, the experts ex- amount importance.” helped La Soufriere Hikers to a and punching of the ground ward protocols that will have to has played a bit more and done global affairs of international pressed some initial concerns Ambris must be thinking he is nine-wicket win over Botanical rather than a series of high fives. be followed when cricketing ac- brilliantly,” Cummins said.