South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, which was suspended on 16 March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has been given the green light by government to resume subject to the clubs meeting stringent protocols. This follows a statement by country’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that it has approved the PSL’s proposed safety regulations which include testing and playing in a safe, sanitized environment.
English Premier League Results – 24 June, 2020
Manchester United 3:0 Sheffield United
Newcastle 1:1 Aston Villa
Norwich 0:1 Everton
Wolves 1:0 Bournemouth
Liverpool 4:0 Crystal Palace
World number one Novak Djokovic said he is “so sorry” after becoming the latest tennis player to test positive for Covid-19. Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all revealed they had coronavirus after playing at Djokovic’s Adria Tour competition. Djokovic, 33, played fellow Serb Troicki in the first event in Belgrade.
Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to move back to the top of La Liga. The substitute latched onto Lionel Messi’s pass before slotting home with 19 minutes to go. It was a 15th La Liga assist of the season for Messi, who remains on 699 career goals despite going close himself on two separate occasions in the closing stages.
English Premier League Results – 23 June, 2020
Leicester 0:0 Brighton
Tottenham 2:0 West Ham
Nigerian striker Bright Enobakhare has moved to Greek side AEK Athens from English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer. Enobakhare had been on the books at Molineux for six years, but much of his playing time had been on loan at Kilmarnock, Coventry City and Wigan.
The Japanese Football Association (JFA) has withdrawn its 2023 Women’s World Cup bid, three days before a Fifa vote to determine the hosts. The two candidates left are Colombia and a joint Australia and New Zealand bid, which the JFA will now support in Thursday’s vote.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has been accused by prosecutors in Spain of not paying 1m euros in taxes. The charge relates to tax due for image rights earnings during the Italian’s time as Real Madrid boss in 2014-15.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says having Phil Foden in his squad means he does not need to buy a replacement for David Silva this summer. Spanish playmaker Silva, 34, will leave City at the end of the season after a stellar decade at the club.
Orlando Pride have withdrawn from the NWSL Challenge Cup after six of their players tested positive for Covid-19. Pride, whose squad includes six-time world player of the year Marta and a host of US internationals, were due to compete in the nine-team tournament, starting on 27 July in Utah.
Burnley are “ashamed and embarrassed” by a banner reading ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ that was towed by an aeroplane over Etihad Stadium during Monday’s match against Manchester City. The aircraft circled over the stadium just after kick-off in City’s 5-0 win. Burnley and City players and staff had taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement moments earlier. “Fans like that don’t deserve to be around football,” Clarets skipper Ben Mee said.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Juventus resumed their Serie A title defence with victory at mid-table Bologna. Juve, who have won the past eight titles, are four points clear of Lazio, who visit Atalanta on Wednesday. Ronaldo gave Juve the lead with a penalty after Matthijs de Ligt was fouled by Stefano Denswil.
English Premier League Result – 22 June, 2020
Manchester City 5:0 Burnley
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has written to major sports bodies acknowledging it has a “responsibility” to help fight broadcasting piracy. In what could be a highly significant attempt to reassure its critics and break the deadlock over the country’s controversial takeover of Newcastle United, the governing body insists it “understands the need to protect and respect intellectual property rights”.
Spanish top-flight side Real Betis have sacked coach Joan Francesc “Rubi” Ferrer just three matches into the resumption of La Liga.
Romelu Lukaku scored his 18th league goal of the season as Inter Milan marked their return to Serie A action with a 2-1 win against Sampdoria.
Real Madrid went to the top of La Liga thanks to a hard-fought victory at Real Sociedad. Zinedine Zidane’s side are level on points with Barca, who drew 0-0 with Sevilla on Friday, but go top because of their superior head-to-head record.
English Premier League Results – 21 June, 2020
Newcastle 3:0 Sheffield United
Aston Villa 1:2 Chelsea
Everton 0:0 Liverpool
German Bundesliga Results – 20 June, 2020
Bayern Munich 3:1 Freiburg
RB Leipzig 0:2 Borussia Dortmund
Koln 1:1 Frankfurt
Mainz 3:1 Werder Bremen
Shalke 1:4 Wolfsburg
Dusseldorf 1:1 Augsburg
Hertha Berlin 2:0 Bayer Leverkusen
Paderborn 1:3 Borussia Monchengladbach
Hoffenheim 4:0 Union Berlin
English Premier League Results – 20 June, 2020
Watford 1:1 Leicester
Brighton 2:1 Arsenal
West Ham 0:2 Wolves
Bournemouth 0:2 Crystal Palace
Naija Sports Crib 