Virtual online tickets, cut-out portraits and mannequins – one Belarusian football club have come up with a new way to fill empty stands during the coronavirus crisis. The Belarusian Premier League is the only country in Europe where football is still being played, with the decision to carry on described as “not compehendible” by FIFPRO, the world players’ union.
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Restarting football too early would be “irresponsible”, says FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Most domestic leagues around the world are on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic while major tournaments such as Euro 2020 and the Copa America have been postponed for one year. “No match, no competition, no league is worth risking a single human life,” Infantino said. “It’s better to wait a little bit longer than to take risks.” Football is continuing in a handful of countries, including Belarus, Burundi, Nicaragua and Tajikistan.
Six Barcelona board members have resigned and told president Josep Maria Bartomeu they are unhappy at how the club is being managed. In a joint letter, the six expressed concern over the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis for the club. They also criticised the handling of a scandal in February when the club were forced to deny hiring a firm to attack its own players on social media. And they called for Barca to call new presidential elections.
Real Madrid’s players, coaches and “main directors” will take a pay cut of 10-20% this year as the club deals with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Football in Spain has been suspended indefinitely since March, when the country declared a state of emergency.
Former Brazil forward Ronaldinho has been released from prison and placed under house arrest in Paraguay. The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner had spent time in jail along with his brother after being arrested on 6 March, accused of using fake passports. The pair had previously been denied bail but posted $800,000 each and must now stay in a four-star hotel in Asuncion while awaiting trial.
Mauritius has become the first African country to prematurely end its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Burundi’s football federation (FFB) says domestic competition will continue until coronavirus spreads, after introducing fresh measures in a bid to finish the season amidst the pandemic. The FFB decided to continue the season after a meeting with clubs on Sunday, whereupon players were told not to celebrate goals together and to keep their distance from referees. In addition, players have been instructed to wash their hands before a match and to not shake hands with officials or other players.
The goalkeeper for Nigerian top-flight side Abia Warriors, Charles Tambe, is making a “good recovery” after being shot in the arm by robbers in Ibadan on Friday.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s mother, Dolors Sala Carrio, has died aged 82 in Barcelona after contracting coronavirus. “Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends,” said Manchester City on social media.
Kenya’s former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang has been released on bail after being charged for breaking a nationwide curfew imposed to control the spread of coronavirus. Kipsang, who claimed the world record during the 2013 Berlin marathon, is a police officer. He pleaded guilty in a court on Friday after a night in police cells and was released on bail of 5,000 shillings.
FIFA could raise the age limit for the men’s football tournament at next summer’s rearranged Olympic Games in Tokyo to 24 from 23. The sport’s governing body has recommended moving the limit to accommodate players eligible for this year’s Games, which were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kobe Bryant will be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The five-time NBA champion died, aged 41, in a helicopter crash in January alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others. Los Angeles Lakers great Bryant retired in 2016; he was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008, was Finals MVP twice and earned 18 All-Star selections.
Stephen Kenny is to succeed Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland manager with immediate effect, the Football Association of Ireland has announced. Kenny, 48, was already set to replace McCarthy, 61, after Euro 2020 but the postponement of the play-offs and the tournament itself until 2021 because of Covid-19 has accelerated the FAI plan. McCarthy was appointed for a second spell in charge in November 2018.
British heavyweight Anthony Joshua’s defence of his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO world titles against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev has been postponed. The fight was scheduled to take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 20 June. A statement from Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing said a new date for the fight “was being worked on”. Matchroom added it was “continuing to explore the possibility” of hosting the bout at the same venue at a later date.
Barcelona hope to strike a part-exchange deal for Neymar that would see Antoine Griezmann join Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The Catalan club are prepared to let Griezmann go after just one season to help fund the priority signings of Neymar and Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, as the financial crisis brought on by coronavirus bites at the Nou Camp. They are said to value the France star at €100m and will look to sell him elsewhere if neither the player nor PSG, who reportedly value Neymar at €150m, have any interest in such a deal.
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been using his company Zo Properties to help temporarily house health workers who are battling the Coronavirus outbreak. Along with business partner Obi Williams, the Ivorian forward put out a tweet to NHS workers in England offering free accommodation.
Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting coronavirus, the club have announced. The Senegalese was president between 2005 and 2009 when Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 twice and reached two French Cup finals. They went on to win a first French league title in 18 years in 2010.
All Champions League and Europa League matches have been suspended “until further notice” by Uefa because of the global coronavirus pandemic. All national team games in June have also been postponed, including play-off matches for Euro 2020 – already postponed to 2021 – and qualifying matches for the Women’s Euro 2021. The European governing body’s 55 member associations met on Wednesday. The Premier League is suspended until at least 30 April.
Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since World War Two because of the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament was due to be played between 29 June and 12 July. The entire grass-court season has been abandoned, and there will be no professional tennis anywhere in the world until at least 13 July. Wimbledon is the latest major summer sporting event to be called off, with Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics postponed for 12 months.
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