SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 'Big Three' Player calls for join campaign Floyd justice should against racial be ‘applauded’: injustice Infantino

THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2020 Intense COVID-19 testing planned before training begins Strict safety protocols outlined as QSL gears up for July 24 restart THE PENINSULA – DOHA Q: What are the latest developmentsnts QATAR STARS LEAGUE on the extension of players’ contractscts Ensuring the health and safety of players 2019-20 with the clubs? as well as technical and administrative KEY DATES A: Work is currently underway to cco-o- staff is one of the most important prior- ordinate with competent authoritiess in ities as domestic football action plans to order to finalize the matter as early as resume step by step, a key official at June 8-9...... First COVID-19 Test possible. Coach Sanchez Qatar Stars League (QSL) has said. June 10 ...... Players enter team hotel Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Q: About the resumption of this sea- names squad Director of Competition and Football June10-24 ...... Training starts as per son’s Ooredoo Cup… Has it been Development at QSL said in an interview precautionary measures included in the general plan and for summer with the League's official web site that calendar? June 24-25 ...... Second COVID-19 Test officials are gearing up to prepare the A: The Ooredoo Cup is part of this sea- training camp final schedule of the domestic League June 25-July 23 ...... Team Training with son’s plan and its remaining schedule and it will be announced officially soon. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi limitations will be announced for completion at a With all sport action being affected laterlater time when approved. THE PENINSULA – DOHAD due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, July 24-25 ...... Game Week 18 football in Qatar also had to bow down the risk of the virus for the teamsams aandnd July 31 - August 1 ...... Game Week 19 Qatar coachcoach FelixFe Sanchez considering health concerns, but the players when they return to trainingining andnd August 7-8 ...... Game Week 20 yesterdayyesterday announcedannou a squad good news for the fans has finally matches while following all preventivereventivntive ofof 34 playersplayers for a summer arrived. and precautionary measures. August 14-15 ...... Game Week 21 trainingtraining camp, Qatar "Players will return to training on Also, according to the protocoltocol andannd August 21-22 ...... Game Week 22 FootballFootb Association June 10 following COVID-19 tests before general plan, there’ll be three phphases:ases: (QFA)(Q has undergoing another round of tests on The first phase is the beginninginning ooff confirmedc June 24-25," Abbasi said. training after being tested negativegativve oonn of matchesmatches toto ensureensure thethe safetysafety ofof eve-eve- The According to Abbasi, the players will COVID 19, as per the precautionaryutionary ryone.ryoone. PressPress conferencesconfferences forfor clubsclubsb SSpaniard has start training as a team from June 25 measures. Training will resumee onon JJuJunenee beforebbefore andandd afterafter the matchesmatches willwill be ininvited the onwards, a month ahead of the 10. cancelled,cancelled, anandd tthere’llhere’ll ononlyly bbee playersplaye for the June resumption of the QSL as Week 18 action The second phase is teamm ttrainingraininng statementsstatteements throughthrough thethe socialsocial 12-July12-July 3 camp after of the League kicks off on July 24. in groups after being tested negativegattive on mediammedia platformsplatformms of clubs and coorcoordinatingdinating wwith QFA, the Excerpts from the interview COVID 19 on the second examination,minaation, QSL.QSL. JournalistsJournnaliists won’twon’t be Qatar Stars LeagueLeague and the clubs. as per the precautionary measures.ssurres. allowedallowed to covercover QFA said the pplayers and the Q: The competitions will return after The third phase is the startt ofof com-com- matchesmatches at coachingcoaching staff will strictly adhere a long break. How do you view it? petitions and matches conformingming to medical protocolsprotoco outlined by A: It’s a positive step towards returning to the approved precautionaryy MinistryMinistry of PublicPu Health to normal life after a break. We should measures and protocol for (MOPH).(MOPH). all adapt to and coexist with the current match-day operations. It mayy the ThisThis camp wwilli be the first situation, so that things will return to be noted that there will be an venuevenue and QSL will provide the one in a longlong whilewhile after sporting how they were before the coronavirus educational video for players mediammedia with all necessarynecessary details. As activityactivity was halthaltede around the pandemic (Covid-19), taking into account to explain the protocol and gegeneralneral farfaar as the Host Broadcaster is concerned, worldworld becausebecause of theth coronavirus safety and security measures for plan, and a workshop will be oorganizedrganizedd wew co-ordinatedco-ordinated with them to explain pandemicpandemic sweepingsweepi the globe. everyone. to explain each phase for technical,echnicall, thethe precautionaryprecautionary TThehe Qatar squadsqu will gather administrative, and medical staff.taff. measuresmmeasures and the need to prepare for theth 2022 FIFA Q: We noticed a lot of engagement toto reducereduce ththee WorldWorld Cup and 220230 AFC Asian from the players during the break, Q: Will the players, technicalical anandnd numbernumber of CupCup qualifiersqualifiers setset to be held in through the commitment to distance administrative staff undergo corona-coronna- workersworkers to September.September. Qatar hash three more training. How did you see that? virus (Covid-19) tests? a matchesmatches to qualifyqualify for the 2023 A: This period was very important for A: Yes, the coronavirus (Covid-19)d-19) tetestsests minimum.minimum. AFC Asian CupCup tot be held in players to maintain fitness, as we noticed will be carried out in the first pphasehase oonn China.China. a great commitment being shown by two occasions, the first on Junee 8 andandd 99,, them. The technical staff also developed and the second on 24th of thehe sasamemme Qatar Squad: Muhammad appropriate programmes for distance month. Al Bakri, Bassam Al Rawi training and they followed the players, Muhammad Ayyash, Sultan Al- either in person or via GPS devices. Q: When will the QNB Starss LeLeagueague Berik, Asim Madbo, Karim I want to take this opportunity to schedule be announced? Boudaif, Abdullah Abdel Salam, thank the clubs, coaches and players for A: Co-ordination is currentlyly takingtaking Q:Q: HowHoow wwiwillll Ismail Muhammad, Abd Al- the great co-operation from their side place between all authorities concernedonncerned thethe chchangesannges tththisis Rahman Muhammad, during this difficult period, which reflects to develop the final schedule andnd itit’ll’ll be seasonseaason aaffectfffecct ththehe startsttaarrt of Muhammad Montari, Almoez on the professionalism and discipline announced officially after its aapproval.pppror val. thethe 2202020-2120-21 seseasonaason aandndd Ali, Saad Al Sheeb, Meshal that we’ve achieved. thethe ccacalendarlendaar iinn gegeneral?neerraal? Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Khokhi Q: As the weather gets hotter,r, willwilll thethe A: FIFAFIFA hhasass ggivenivenn tthehe cconfed-oonfed- Boualam, Tariq Salman, Abdel Q: The QSL has taken many necessary air-conditioned stadiums be usedused forforo erationseratiions tthehe ooptionptioon to pplaylay oro Karim Hassan, Mohamed measures to ensure players’ safety matches? Q:Q: FIFAFIIFAF recrecentlyenntly approvapproveded fivfivee postponepoosstpone tthehhe nnationalaatioonal teteameama Waad, Hassan Al Haydos, when they return to training. What’re A: Yes, air-conditioned stadiumsumms wiwillll substitutionssubstituutit ons in a matchmatch forfor matchesmatches scheduledsschheduulled iinn thethe SepSSep-- Akram Afif, Youssef Hassan, the most prominent among them? be used after co-ordination and coco-oper--oper- thethe remainderremainded r of tthishis season.season. tembertember FFIFAIIFA WWiWindownndoww as Mahdi Ali, Hammam Al Amin, A: Ensuring the health and safety of ation with the Ministry of Culturelturre andand WillWWill it be implemented?implemem nted? scheduledscheduled on tthehee oofficialffficial FIFIFAFAF calcal-- Moayad Hassan, Ahmed Alaa, players as well as technical and admin- Sports and Supreme Committeemim tteee ffororo A: TheThe fivefive subsubstitutionsstitutions endar.eendar. FFurthermore,uurrthermmoree, tththee AFCA has Musab Khader, Ahmed Fathi, istrative staff is one of the most important and Legacy, and the venuesennueu s wwiwillll approvedapproved byby FIFAFIFA will be untiluntil nonoww nnonott anannouncednnouncced ititss calendarc Jassem Jaber, Youssef Abdel priorities of QSL. Accordingly, we’ve be announced along with the sschedule.chedulee. implemented,implemented, allowingallowing amendmentsamendmmeents fforoor vvariousaarrious cchampionchampion-h - Razzaq, Mohamed Salah, developed a protocol approved by the teteamseams to uusese a ships,shipps, bbee it forfor nationalnattionnal teteamsamsam or clubs. Abdulaziz Hatem, Fahd Younis, Ministry of Public Health, taking into Q: Are there arrangementss ffororo thethe maximummmaximum of ffiveive Therefore,Therrefore, wwee ararere awawaitingaiting the decisions Ahmed Moeen and Ahmed account the examples and protocols for media and Host Broadcaster?r? substitutessubstituutes onon threethree on thosethosee datesdatess toto ffifinalizenalize the plan for the Suhail leagues that have resumed again, as this A: There’re many media measuressures tthathah t occasionsoccasionns duringduring 2020-2120200-21 season,seeaassoon, in aalignmentli with the Coach: Felix Sanchez protocol aims to minimize and control will be followed during the resumptionsumsumption a game.gaamem . AsianAsian anandnd ininternationalternattionalio calendars. QFA to participate in video conference ACL getting ‘closer’ to return: Official AFP – KUALA LUMPUR and the second-tier AFC Cup have Asked if there were any pro- for AFC General-Secretaries both been on hold since March, posals to change the tournaments’ Asia’s Champions League is getting along with World Cup and Olympic home-and-away format to avoid QNA – DOHA partnership within the closer to a return but it will have qualifiers. potential infections, John said talks Asian football family. to wait until domestic competitions Of the 12 countries involved in were ongoing. Qatar Football Association QFA Secretary-General are back in action, a senior football the Champions League, South John said it was a “positive (QFA) will today participate will give a special presen- official told AFP yesterday. Korea is the only league back in sign” that sport was beginning to in the conference of the tation during the two-day Football is gradually resuming action, with four more restarting return around the world, adding General Secretaries of the conference, on most around the world after closing in June or July and Thailand that the AFC had several contin- National Federations, important achievements of down because of the coronavirus, scheduled for September. gency plans to cope with travel which is organised by the the Qatar Football Associ- although most leagues are still yet John said the AFC was “still in restrictions. Asian Football Confeder- ation and the special to return. discussion” about when its com- “We know that all our stake- ation (AFC), with the partic- member and regional fed- strategy through which it Asian Football Confederation petitions will restart, declining to holders, including our passionate ipation of all five regions of erations have the oppor- works to be one of the most (AFC) General-Secretary Windsor reveal a possible date. fans and loyal sponsors are eager the Asian continent. tunity to benefit from the important Associations in John said: “We are approaching Time is tight for both club tour- for the AFC’s competitions to QFA will be represented resources, experience and the Asian continent. closer to the return of football.” naments, with the 32-team Cham- resume. Our players too are equally at the conference by its Sec- programs established by The latest develop- “We have to wait for all the pions League needing to complete motivated to return to the pitch to retary-General Mansour Al the Asian Football Confed- ments of the COVID-19 domestic leagues to start first,” four rounds of group-stage entertain and excite fans. Ansari. eration (AFC) besides pandemic and its impact on added John, when asked about the matches before reaching the “But as the AFC has reiterated The meeting to be held further enhancing partici- Asian competitions and return of the AFC’s club knock-out phase. from the start of this pandemic, the via video conferencing, pation as part of efforts to football management will tournaments. The Champions League and health and wellbeing of everyone aims to ensure that all boost the spirit of also be discussed. The AFC Champions League AFC Cup finals are both scheduled continues to remain our absolute (ACL), Asia’s top club competition, to take place in November. priority.” 06 SPORT THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2020

Mohammed Shami PGA Tour Three West Indies players coronavirus testing turn down England tour convoy AFP — ST. JOHN’S ready to roll Veteran batsman Darren Bravo was among three West Indies REUTERS — NEW YORK Reverse-swing cricketers to turn down a place in the squad for next month’s The PGA Tour will roll out possible three-Test tour of England, three mobile laboratories West Indies (CWI) that will conduct on site without saliva, announced yesterday. testing at all tournaments Also missing out are fellow as the sport returns from a batsman and nearly three-month coro- says Shami fast-bowling all-rounder navirus hiatus next week Keemo Paul. with the Charles Schwab AFP — NEW DELHI “Darren Bravo, Shimron Challenge in Texas. Hetmyer and Keemo Paul all The mobile testing India fast bowler Mohammed declined the invitation to travel units, each manned by a Shami says he will be able to to England for the tour and CWI driver and three techni- reverse-swing the ball even if fully respects their decision to cians, will arrive the Sat- saliva is banned during the coro- choose to do so,” CWI said in a urday before the tour- navirus pandemic. statement. nament and test all The International Cricket “As previously stated, CWI players, caddies and Council (ICC) is expected to next will not hold this decision essential personnel. week order a temporary ban on against these players when con- Each swab collection using saliva, as part of measures sidering future selection.” will take less than five to get the sport started again will skipper a minutes and test results while reducing the risk of 14-man squad that features two England’s Alastair Cook (left) shakes hands with West Indies’ Darren Bravo after the match at the returned in between two spreading the virus. newcomers in fast bowler Kensington Oval Stadium in Bridgetown, in this file photo. and four hours. Bowlers traditionally get the (no relation) The PGA Tour said ball to move in the air, deceiving and middle-order batsman batsman to score hundreds in seven weeks of the tour, as part new environment,” he added. that approximately 400 the batsman, by shining one side . both innings of a first-class of the comprehensive medical Harper, himself a former individuals will be tested using sweat or saliva. The squad also includes match at Yorkshire’s plan to ensure player and staff Test off-spinner, added: “I think on-site each week. “There will be difficulties. We , who during the West headquarters. safety, CWI said. we have a squad that will be “Not only will Sanford have been accustomed to using Indies’ 2017 Test match win at This year’s three back-to- As the health protocols will very competitive. Health’s mobile labora- saliva since childhood,” Shami Headingley became the first back Tests, rescheduled restrict movement in and out “More than half of the tories enable us to deliver said in an online discussion. because of the coronavirus out- of the venues, the selectors have squad were involved in the vic- test results in a matter of “If you are a fast bowler, WEST INDIES SQUAD break, which the UK gov- also named 11 reserve players torious Test series against hours so that our athletes instinctively you apply saliva to ernment says has claimed at who will travel to train and help England in the Caribbean last can properly prepare for shine the ball. But yes, if you can Jason Holder (capt), Jermaine Blackwood, least 39,000 lives in Britain, will prepare the Test squad, while year so they will bring that competition, but they will maintain the shine of the dry ball, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, be played behind closed doors. ensuring injury replacements experience, that knowledge and also allow us to it will definitely reverse.” Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston But a series that will span are readily available. belief with them and marry it implement our testing The 29-year-old, renowned Chase, , Shane Dowrich, just 21 days remains subject to “The new cricketing envi- to the enthusiasm and vitality program without utilizing for his reverse swing, offered no Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, final approval from the UK ronment will take some getting of the newcomers.” critical resources from the alternative but insisted that , government. used to,” said CWI chief selector Going ahead with major communities in which we sweat is not a viable replacement. Fixtures The touring party, who will Roger Harper. matches is seen as vital in play,” Andy Levinson, PGA “Sweat and saliva work dif- July 8-12: 1st Test at Ageas Bowl, all be tested for COVID-19 this “However, being in England reducing the virus’s financial Tour Senior Vice Pres- ferently. I don’t think it will help. Southampton week, are scheduled to fly to and working together for four impact upon cricket, with the ident Tournament Admin- I never tried bowling without July 16-20: 2nd Test at Emirates Old England on private charters on weeks before the first Test will England and Wales Cricket istration, said in a saliva,” he said. Trafford, Manchester June 8. give the squad the opportunity Board estimating it could lose statement yesterday.

“Now because of COVID-19 July 24-28: 3rd Test at Emirates Old The West Indies squad will to get acclimatised and hope- £252m ($316m) if there are no The PGA Tour, forced pandemic, it’s very important to Trafford, Manchester live, train and play in a “bio- fully, mentally and technically international fixtures at all into a COVID-19 hiatus stop using saliva.” secure” environment during the adjusted to the demands of the this summer. mid-March, released a Australian ball manufacturer revised schedule in April Kookaburra is developing a wax with the first four events applicator to shine the ball, but to be played without spec- the world body is reluctant to SLC says 3 former tators, starting with the allow artificial aids. Players must retrain brain June 11-14 Charles Schwab Cricket, like nearly all sport, cricketers in ICC Challenge in Fort Worth, was halted in March when India Texas. and many other nations ordered to adopt measures: Hussain The other tourna- lockdowns. graft probe ments slated to be held With the ICC due to make a REUTERS — LONDON Several pace bowlers have voiced con- without fans are the RBC call next week on whether the cerns about the potential ban, which they AFP — COLOMBO Heritage (June 18-21) in World Cup will go Playing in empty stadiums is not ideal but fear would restrict their ability to generate Hilton Head, SC, the ahead in Australia in October- a bigger challenge for players during swing, but England Joe Root said it Cricket’s world body is investigating three Travelers Championship November, Shami said players England’s home series against West Indies could make his bowlers even more accurate. former Sri Lankan players over alleged (June 25-28) in Cromwell, would need at least two weeks will be changing the way they shine the “It could work in our favour and up corruption, officials said yesterday, in the latest Conn., and the Rocket to prepare. ball and keeping a lid on celebrations, skill levels,” he told Sky Sports. scandal to hit the sport in the country. Mortgage Classic (July 2-5) “We are not machines, can’t former England captain Nasser Hussain “Not having the assistance that you Sri Lanka Cricket did not name the targets in Detroit. just switch on and off. As a (pictured) has said. might normally have means your of the probe by the International Cricket sportsman, your body needs to Subject to government approval, the accuracy has to improve. Council Anti-Corruption Unit, but insisted no The mobile testing get into rhythm,” he said. three-Test series will take place in July “Guys will have to find another way current national players were involved. units, each manned “No one has touched bat and behind closed doors, with the use of saliva to get something out of the surface, The board was responding to media reports by a driver and three ball in this period. So a 10-15 to shine the ball likely to be banned as whether that’sthat s a bit more effort,effort, changing on comments made by Sports Minister Dullas technicians, will arrive days camp or a couple of series part of measures to prevent spread of the anglesangles on thethe Alahapperuma on Tuesday. The reports said before the World Cup will be new coronavirus. crease,crease, usingusing Alahapperuma had hinted current players were the Saturday before helpful to get back the Hussain, 52, told Sky Sports News the thethe wobblewobble being investigated by the ICC for the tournament momentum.” teams would have no choice but to create seamseam theythey match-fixing. and test all players, their own atmosphere in the empty mmightight nonott “What the honourable minister actually caddies and essential venues, though other aspects of post- havehave inin mentioned was about an investigation launched personnel. shutdown cricket would be harder to get theirt h e i r by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit against three used to. locker.ocker. former Sri Lanka players and not the current Each swab collection If you can maintain the “Some of the stuff they have trained “It“It couldcould national players,” the board said in a statement. will take less than their brain for 10 years to do, shining a developdevelop our The ICC said it would not comment on any shine of the dry ball, it five minutes and ball, celebrating a , will be bbowlersowlers in a active investigation. Betting on sports events in results returned in will definitely reverse: the difficult thing for them,” he added. fourfour oror five-five- Sri Lanka was already illegal, but the new rules “They are used to putting saliva on a weekweek period.”period.” ban Sri Lankans from gambling on overseas con- between two and four Mohammed Shami cricket ball and can’t do that anymore, so tests. They face up to 10 years in jail and fines of hours. they will have to re-train the brain.” up to $555,000 for match-fixing. ‘Big Three’ join campaign against racial injustice

REUTERS — LONDON Men’s world No. 1 mother is Japanese, said people people for only posting the black Djokovic posted black should be doing more than square this entire week... or Cincinnati ‘exploring Roger Federer (pictured), Rafa screenshots on his Twitter posting “the black square”. accepting that they could’ve Nadal and Novak Djokovic were and Instagram pages with “I’mIm torn between posted nothinothingng at all so I should among the tennis players who the message “Black Lives rroastingoasting dealdeal withwith tthishis babare minimum multiple scenarios’ for joined the #BlackOutTuesday Matter”, and was joined breadbread crumb thetheyy have given,” campaign against racial she posted on TTwitter.w by Federer and Nadal, summer tournament injustice, as protests continue TheThe UnitedUnited StatesS Tennis over the death of George Floyd, the other members of Association ((USTA)UST posted a an unarmed black man who the “Big Three” of men’s blackblack screenscreen shotsho as well as a REUTERS — NEW YORK died in police custody. tennis. statement againsagainstt racism on its Floyd died after a white socialsocial mediamedia handles.hand Cincinnati Masters organisers are exploring options for hosting policeman pinned his neck under TheThe USTA, ororganisersg of the the tournament as the New York Times reported that it could a knee for nearly nine minutes in phenomenonnomenon Coco Gauff and USUS OpenOpen Grand Slam,Sla said it was be moved to Flushing Meadows this year as part of a double- Minneapolis on May 25. Japan’san’s Naomi Osaka have also “extremely“extremely disappointed,disapp angry, header with the US Open. Men’s world No. 1 Djokovic expressedressed their anger over andand hheartbroken”eartbroken at the hard- “The health and safety of the players, fans, volunteers and posted black screenshots on his Floyd’syd’s death.death. ships faced by ccommunitieso of staff will be our greatest concern,” tournament organisers Twitter and Instagram pages ReplyingReplying to Federer’s colourcolour in thethe UnitedUnit States. said in a written statement. with the message “Black Lives Instagramagram post, the 16-year-old “The“The African- “According to the Times report, under a proposal by the US Matter”, and was joined by Gauffuff commented:commented: ““ClickClick thethe AmericanAmeri com- Tennis Association (USTA), both competitions would be played Federer and Nadal, the other linkk in my bio to gegett munitymun is an in New York’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center back to members of the “Big Three” of resourcesources onon HOWHOW integralinteg part of our back. men’s tennis. YOUU CANCAN HELP!HELP! tennistenn family and The intention behind the plan is to minimise travel and Grand Slam winners Maria THANKANK YYOU.”OU.” thethe USTA stands the risk for participants after the novel coronavirus outbreak Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and Osaka,O saka, unwaveringlyunw wreaked havoc on the professional sports calendar. Stan Wawrinka were among whoseh ose againstaga racism Cincinnati, also known as the Western & Southern Open, other players who signalled fatherher iiss andand injustice of is set to run until August 23 and the US Open’s main draw is their support for the campaign. Haitianiti a n anyany kind,” it expected to begin on August 31. African-American teenage andnd added.add THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07

Repsol Honda Team’s Zvonko Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides his to coach bike during the first free practice session Al Rayyan of the Austrian Moto GP Grand Prix in this handball team August 9, 2019 file photo. QNA – DOHA

Al Rayyan have reached an agreement with coach Sundovski Zvonko to train the club’s handball team during the next stage, according to the club’s official website. Al Rayyan board of directors, headed by Sheikh Ali bin Saud Al Thani, seeks to improve its results and fight for trophies. The team occupies seventh place in the league’s ranking with eight MotoGP sets deadline QMMF gears up for points. Al Rayyan are looking forward to competing for top spots after the return of league third edition of QORC competition. for non-European races Al Rayyan will complete the contract procedures after QNA – DOHA the coach arrives in Doha to REUTERS – LONDON lead the team officially when Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has the competitions resume, MotoGP has set an end of July announced the organization of the third edition of the according to the decision of deadline to decide whether this Qatar Online Racing Championship, which will be dedi- the Qatar Handball year’s coronavirus-hit champi- Races outside of Europe cated to the “WRC8” rally category, and will officially Association onship will be confined to Europe is something we need to launch its competitions next Sunday. or expand to Asia and the decide, still. There will QMMF has set the deadline for Friday for registration, Americas, CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta be a number of races as the organizing committee targets between 21-28 Maradona said yesterday. presented - the four participants. The only long-haul races yet The championship competitions will take place over to be cancelled due to the pan- non-European races that two weeks, as the first week includes the qualifying stage, extends demic are ones in Thailand, have not been cancelled... which includes three races that take place on Sunday, Malaysia, the United States for which we will search Tuesday and Thursday, during which competitors contract with (Texas) and Argentina. for approval: Dorna CEO, compete on the “WRC” car through three or four groups Ezpeleta told the MotoGP Carmelo Ezpeleta with seven competitors in each group, according to the Gimnasia website www.motogp.com that final number of registrants. commercial rights holders Dorna Amr Al Hamad, QMMF Executive Director confirmed REUTERS – BUENOS AIRES hoped to present an initial cal- been cancelled... for which we Valencia are expected to be on that electronic racing competitions are receiving a great endar next week to start the will search for approval. the initial calendar with some deal of attention from the International Federation in Diego Maradona will remain season at the Jerez circuit in “We have a deadline of the end having more than one race. the recent period, noting that there is a program that as coach of Argentine side southern Spain on July 19. of July to tell everybody if we con- Paddocks will be isolated, with aims to transform the contestants from competing via Gimnasia y Esgrima until the “The latest race on that cal- tinue with them or stop. After the around 1,300 people from teams the Internet to take the opportunity to participate actively end of the 2020-2021 season endar will be at the beginning of first two races we will see if the cal- in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3. through their racing simulations, in the event that they after extending his contract, November, with 12 or 13 rounds,” endar will be 12, 14 or a maximum Moto2 and Moto3 were able to are able to that. the club said yesterday. he said. of 16 rounds,” added the Spaniard. start their season in Qatar in March Al Hamad added, in a press statement, that the spread Although it gave no details, “Races outside of Europe is Races in Japan, Germany, the because they were already there of the new coronavirus (Covid 19) all over the world had the club whose fans are known something we need to decide, Netherlands, Finland, Britain and for testing but MotoGP was unable accelerated the application of online races in many local as Triperos, tweeted: “For us, still. There will be a number of Australia have been cancelled so far. to race due to quarantine restric- and international tournaments and under the super- you are one more Tripero and races presented - the four non- The four Spanish circuits of tions. Many of the teams and vision of the International Federation in the official your heart is as blue and white European races that have not Jerez, Aragon, Catalunya and riders are Spanish or Italian. tournaments. as ours. GIMNASIA 2021 MARADONA.” The 1986 World Cup winner took charge at Gimnasia in September 2019 beIN SPORTS acquires exclusive when they were bottom of the Mercedes to first division. Although their results wait on new broadcast rights for NTT IndyCar Series improved, they were still heading for relegation when the Argentine season was can- The Peninsula – DOHA Hamilton deal The NTT IndyCar Series 2020 celled in April. will be broadcast live and However, the Argentine AFP – LONDON beIN MEDIA GROUP, the exclusive on beIN SPORTS football association subse- global sports and enter- starting on June 7. quently voted to suspend rel- Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will wait until the tainment group, and IndyCar egation, saving Maradona’s new season starts before discussing the have today announced a be at the heart of all the action, charges from the drop. renewal of a contract for six-time world multi-year media rights having secured the media rights champion Lewis Hamilton. agreement which will see to the NTT IndyCar Series for But Wolff said talks with Hamilton would beIN SPORTS exclusively the next two seasons in 24 ter- Spurs report not preclude a move for Sebastian Vettel, who broadcast the NTT IndyCar ritories across MENA. beIN is set to leave Ferrari at the end of the Series 2020 and 2021 across SPORTS will exclusively one positive campaign. 24 territories in the Middle broadcast these thrilling races A Formula One season delayed by the East and North Africa to its fans and subscribers in COVID-19 case coronavirus is due to start in Austria in July (MENA). the region, demonstrating and Wolff told a conference call yesterday he Founded in 1994, our commitment to REUTERS – LONDON hoped to have an agreement in place “pretty IndyCar serves as the sanc- becoming the leading global soon” with Hamilton. The 35-year-old British tioning body for the NTT sport and entertainment Tottenham Hotspur driver is expected to agree a new contract, IndyCar Series and offers its network with such a diverse confirmed a person from the but Wolff said no talks had yet taken place. international line-up of portfolio of premium global club had tested positive for “We didn’t see each other over lockdown, drivers such as Scott Dixon events.” COVID-19, the only positive we were in different parts of the world but in (five-time championship The series joins beIN result in the latest round of regular contact,” said Wolff. winner) and Josef New- SPORTS’ long list of testing ahead of the Premier “We didn’t work on any agreement garden (reigning series premium sports rights, from League’s restart which is set between us but there is a lot of trust, we’ve champion) the most diverse the UEFA Champions League for on June 17. been together for a long time and never in challenges in motorsports. to the English Premier The club said in a this time did we have to take the contract out The series is considered League and other world- statement yesterday that the and actually read what was written because to race faster and closer than renowned competitions, person was asymptomatic and it comes so naturally. Once racing resumes any other form of motor- with many re-starting this would now self-isolate for we will spend some time together, take the sports – featuring a margin is the Aeroscreen, a safety HD7, the Genesys 300, is set to summer after the corona- seven days. contract out of the cupboard, look at the of victory less than one innovation for enhanced take place on Sunday June 7 at virus crisis. “Due to medical confiden- timings, the numbers, the rights, and hope- second and speeds of up to driver cockpit protection. the Texas Motor Speedway at beIN entertains and tiality, the individual’s name fully have something pretty soon.” 240 MPH. Mandated by IndyCar, the 3:00 Mecca Time (GMT +3) live operates in 43 countries glo- will not be disclosed,” the club As for the prospect of Vettel joining Mer- IndyCar drivers drive safety feature is a ballistic, and with Arabic and English bally, including 24 countries said. cedes, Wolff said: “We owe it to a four-time single-seat cars that feature canopy-like windscreen commentary. across the MENA region. The Premier League con- world champion not to come out and say a 2.2-liter, twin turbo- anchored by titanium Commenting on beIN With broadcast on satellite firmed in a separate statement straightaway ‘no’. You need to think about it. charged, direct-injected V-6 framework encompassing SPORTS’ latest thrilling acqui- in 4K and Full HD, the beIN that there had been only one “On the other side we have a fantastic engine optimized to run at the cockpit. sition, Jonathan Whitehead, experience is also available positive result in the latest line-up and I am very happy with both our 12,000 RPM with an esti- The first NTT IndyCar Head of Sports for beIN MENA, on mobile, tablet, computer round of testing when 1,197 pilots and George (Russell, the Williams driver mated 500-700 horsepower Series 2020 race broadcast said: “As live sport return across and other home devices players and club staff were who is part of Mercedes’ programme).” engine. New for this season exclusively on beIN SPORTS the world, beIN is delighted to through beIN CONNECT. checked. Player calls for Floyd justice should be ‘applauded’: Infantino AFP – PARIS neck for several minutes. The “FIFA fully understands the Association Board (IFAB), the although Presidentesident Fritz KelleKellerr incident has sparked days of depth of sentiment and concerns sport’s lawmakers, bans players said he understoodnderstood ttheirheir FIFA President Gianni Infantino violent protests across the United expressed by many footballers from showing “any political, reli- actions. said that footballers in Germany States. in light of the tragic circum- gious or personal slogans, state- “If peoplee are dis-dis- calling for justice for George “For the avoidance of doubt, stances of the George Floyd ments or images”. criminated aagainstgainst Floyd during matches deserve in a FIFA competition the recent case,” world football’s governing However, pointing to its own because of thee ccolourolour applause rather than sanctions. demonstrations of players in body said in a statement. anti-racism campaigns, FIFA of their skin,n, it is The German Football Asso- Bundesliga matches would After scoring in Dortmund’s intimated that no action should unbearable,”” saisaidd ciation (DFB) is investigating deserve an applause and not a win at Paderborn on Sunday necessarily be taken against Keller. Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon punishment,” Infantino said in a England winger Sancho lifted his Sancho, Hakimi or McKennie. “If they die Sancho and Achraf Hakimi, FIFA statement. shirt to reveal the message “The application of the as a result ooff Schalke’s American midfielder “We all must say no to racism “Justice for George Floyd”. laws of the game approved by the colour ofof Weston McKennie and Borussia and any form of discrimination. His team-mate Hakimi and the IFAB is left for the compe- their skin,n, Moenchengladbach’s French We all must say no to violence. McKennie expressed similar calls titions organisers which should then I amm forward Marcus Thuram for Any form of violence.” Earlier for justice, while Frenchman use common sense and have deeply dis-- their tributes to Floyd at the FIFA called on football leagues Thuram, the son of World Cup in consideration the context turbed. The weekend. to use “common sense” when winner Lilian Thuram, took a surrounding the events,” FIFA victims of Floyd died last week after a deciding whether to discipline knee after scoring for Gladbach said. racism need white policeman in Minneapolis footballers for displaying in memory of Floyd. The DFB is investigating the all of our Gianni Infantino kneeled on the handcuffed man’s political messages. The International Football players in line with IFAB’s laws, solidarity.”