Juventus Players Back Training Cristiano Ronaldo Begins Two Weeks’ Coronavirus Quarantine
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Established 1961 Sport THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 Surf’s up for poor kids seeking For Rennes coach, Champions League England’s Morgan goes to bat 18a better future in El Salvador 19 dream is not quite how he imagined it 19 for T10 format at Olympics Juventus players back training Cristiano Ronaldo begins two weeks’ coronavirus quarantine TURIN: A person (L) undergoes a body temperature scan at the entrance of Juventus’ so-called “J medical” medical center at the Juventus stadium in Turin on May 5, 2020, during the country’s lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. Juventus has recalled its 10 overseas players as Serie A clubs were given the green light to return to individual training. Players returning from abroad are to follow a health protocol and then begin training at Continassa. — AFP MILAN: Giorgio Chiellini led the way as Juventus “After a day of tests and exams carried out yes- Bologna and Udinese also got back to training on desire to evaluate a restart only if the health of the players returned to individual training at the team’s terday at J Medical, some of the Juventus players Tuesday, with Sassuolo and Lecce leading the way people within the team group will be safeguarded. sports centre on Tuesday, while Cristiano Ronaldo started training at the Continassa Training Centre, on Monday. But sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora “If the government is forced, and I hope not, to began two weeks’ coronavirus quarantine after re- where they officially began their recovery to regain warned training in groups must wait until May 18, admit that the conditions (needed to resume) are turning to Italy. competitive form,” Juve added. and it remains uncertain whether matches can not there, my commitment will be twofold — limit Captain Chiellini, 35, arrived early with Italy de- Ronaldo’s return is more uncertain after two restart as the country battles the COVID-19 pan- the financial damage to clubs and support the fender Leonardo Bonucci, wearing a black face months of confinement on his native island of demic which has killed more than 29,000 in Italy. whole world of sport. mask, just after midfielder Aaron Ramsey. Play- Madeira, having played in Juventus’ last match “A realistic prediction can be made in mid-May,” “Between ordinary and extraordinary resources, maker Miralem Pjanic showed up in the afternoon, against Inter Milan on March 8 behind closed doors. Spadafora said in an interview with newspaper we will invest about one billion euros ($1.08 billion) along with Juan Cuadrado, Mattia De Sciglio, Fed- The five-time Ballon d’Or winner returned with Corriere della Sera on Tuesday, denying he wanted for the sector as a whole.” A meeting has been erico Bernardeschi and Daniele Rugani. his family to Turin by private jet late on Monday, to call a halt to the season. “It would be surreal for scheduled for Thursday between the Italian Football Serie A champions Juve said the training ses- and is in quarantine awaiting tests. The interior min- a sports minister to demonise football,” he said after Federation (FIGC) and members of the government’s sions, which are allowed thanks to Sunday’s green istry’s go-ahead has allowed players to return to a newspaper created a front-page photo of him Technical Scientific Committee to discuss the med- light from the Italian interior ministry, “will take club training facilities two weeks ahead of schedule, with a dagger about to burst a ball, with the head- ical protocol for the resumption of group training. place on an individual basis and with staggered ar- offering a glimmer of hope that the 2019-20 season line “Attack on Football”. European federations have a deadline of May 25 rivals to allow full compliance with the regulations might yet be saved. “I hope to start again, but the government will to inform UEFA if their league will resume, and if so in force”. As well as Juventus, top-flight clubs Atalanta, decide ... There is no opposition from me, just the on what date and with what format. —AFP mined by a player’s ranking and previous prize money ATP “makes all the sense in the world” but that it Grand Slam tournaments. Tennis establishes earnings. would not take the form of “an acquisition”. Currently viewers need different pay-TV plat- The fund can also be donated to via initiatives in- The tennis season was suspended in March due to forms to watch tennis matches and a merger of the cluding auctions, player donations and virtual tennis the COVID-19 pandemic and the hiatus will continue Tours could simplify television contracts and spon- virus player fund, games, added the governing bodies, who last month at least until mid-July, depriving lower-level players sorship deals. The men’s and women’s players have a announced talks about creating the programme. who depend solely on tournament winnings of the separate ranking system while some rules, including raises $6 million The virus has caused havoc to the calendar, with chance to earn a living. on-court coaching, are also different. Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since World Roger Federer called for a merger between the “I’m not afraid of the full merger; I never have War II and the French Open postponed until the end two governing bodies last month, with both Simon been,” Simon said. “I would certainly be the first to PARIS: A fund for tennis players hardest hit by the of September. The United States Tennis Association and ATP Tour Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi welcoming support it, because I think then you truly have the coronavirus pandemic has been created, the sport’s will decide in mid-June whether or not the US Open the suggestion. business and the strategic principles all aligned, which governing bodies announced on Tuesday, adding that will take place in New York. But some top WTA players have said they want an is what you need to do. they had contributed more than $6 million (5.3 million However despite the financial difficulties facing equal standing for the women players in a combined “Obviously it’s a long and winding road to get euros). hundreds of players, the idea of a relief fund was dis- body. “It’s not an acquisition,” WTA Chief Executive there, but I think it makes all the sense in the world. In a joint statement, the ATP and WTA tours, the missed by world number three Dominic Thiem, who Simon told the New York Times. “This isn’t about ei- “This isn’t about trying to save the WTA. We’ll be International Tennis Federation and the four Grand said last month he would not give lower-ranked play- ther tour taking territory. fine, but look, if we’re going to do the right business Slam tournaments — the Australian Open, Roland- ers his money. “Right now we compete against ourselves as well thing and we’re finally going to bring the sport to- Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open — said the “Quite honestly I have to say that no tennis player as all the other leagues and entertainment properties. gether, I think the WTA would be very supportive of Player Relief Programme will support those “who are will be fighting to survive, even those who are much We compete for fans, partners, sponsorships as well this concept.” facing unprecedented challenges due to the global lower-ranked,” Thiem said, speaking of a separate as broadcast and data, so the alignment allows you to Simon said it was a “unique time” for tennis. “Crisis impact of COVID-19”. fund idea revealed by Novak Djokovic. “None of aggregate assets.” and challenges can sometimes provide opportunity With the tennis season suspended until at least them are going to starve ... I would rather give money As many as seven associations run different parts as well,” he added. “There’s going to be no shortage July 13, some “800 ATP/WTA singles and doubles to people or organisations that really need it.” of the sport in the world. Besides the ATP and the of accountants, tax attorneys, attorneys and every- players” are in need of financial support, the state- Meanwhile, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) WTA Tours, tennis is also controlled by the Interna- body else that is involved with it. It would take time, ment continued, with eligibility for the fund deter- chief Steve Simon has said a merger with the men’s tional Tennis Federation and the boards of the four but conceptually it may not take as long.—Agencies.