Jurgen Klopp feared his Liverpool side would be denied the chance of winning the Premier League title when there were calls for the season to be voided because of the coronavirus pandemic. Play was halted in March with the Reds needing two wins from nine games to win a first top-flight title in 30 years.
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Leroy Sane wants to leave Manchester City, says manager Pep Guardiola. City have been trying to persuade the 24-year-old Germany winger to sign an extension to his contract, which expires in 2021. But Sane, who has been linked with Bayern Munich for the past 12 months, has rejected several offers.
Paris St-Germain forward Neymar must pay 6.7m euros to former club Barcelona, a Spanish court has ruled. The Brazil international claimed he was owed 43.6m euros in loyalty bonuses by Barcelona, who he left in August 2017. A judge ruled in favour of the La Liga side but 28-year-old Neymar, who filed the lawsuit shortly after the transfer, can appeal against the decision.
English Premier League Results – 19 June 2020
Tottenham 1:1 Manchester United
Norwich 0:3 Southampton
Chelsea have agreed to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. The forward, 24, has agreed personal terms with the Blues and, subject to passing a medical, will join in July after the German league season ends. Werner, who joined Leipzig from Stuttgart in 2016, has scored 32 goals in all competitions so far this season.
Anthony Joshua will not have a firm date imposed by the IBF for his mandatory defence against Kubrat Pulev as talks continue over a venue for the fight. Before Joshua can meet Tyson Fury in an undisputed heavyweight championship fight in 2021, with financial terms already agreed, he must make a mandatory defence against Pulev which has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
World 100m champion Christian Coleman has been provisionally suspended after missing a third doping test. The American, 24, has disputed the third whereabouts failure, on 9 December, which has been confirmed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). He claims he was Christmas shopping “five minutes away” from home and the tester made no effort to contact him.
Serena Williams says she intends to play at the behind-closed-doors US Open in August and bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam. The event will be held without fans in New York from 31 August, despite some players voicing concerns. But Williams, 38, said: “I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the US Open 2020.”
English Premier League Results – 17 June 2020
Aston Villa 0:0 Sheffield United
Manchester City 3:0 Arsenal
Napoli held their nerve to claim a first major trophy in six seasons by beating Juventus 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the Coppa Italia final. Arkadiusz Milik scored the winning spot-kick after Paulo Dybala had seen his first for Juve saved, before team-mate Danilo blazed the second over. This followed a hard-fought 0-0 over 90 minutes of few chances, played behind closed doors at the Stadio Olimpico.
The LPGA Tour will resume in July after being temporarily stopped by the coronavirus pandemic. The 2020 season will restart in Ohio on 31 July, with the three-day Drive On Championship at Inverness Club, Toledo.
Cyclist Niki Terpstra is in intensive care in hospital following a training crash in the Netherlands. The Team Total Direct Energie rider sustained multiple injuries, but they are not thought to be life-threatening.
The US Open will be held without fans from 31 August to 13 September, after plans were approved by governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. The Grand Slam will be held at Flushing Meadows, despite some players voicing concerns about travelling to New York. There have been no professional tennis events since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bayern Munich celebrated in a near-empty stadium after securing an outstanding eighth successive title. Robert Lewandowski chested down Jerome Boateng’s chipped pass to net the winner against Werder Bremen – and seal the league with two games to spare.
FC Nantes took up their option on Monday to sign Nigeria international Moses Simon on a four-year deal after he impressed while on loan at the French club. Simon, 24, scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 30 games for Nantes after joining on a year-long loan from Spanish side Levante.
Tottenham will give some of their supporters the chance to be part of a live video fan wall during Friday’s home game against Manchester United. The English Premier League resumes this week, with all matches behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Iker Casillas has withdrawn his application for the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation. The former Real Madrid goalkeeper said he was reconsidering his candidacy because of the “exceptional social, economic and health situation that our country is suffering”.
An International Olympic Committee (IOC) rule that bans competitors from kneeling in support of anti-racism protests breaches human rights, says an international athlete-led movement. Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states political, religious or racial propaganda is not permitted in Olympic sites and athletes could face bans.
Liverpool winger Taiwo Awoniyi was taken to hospital after suffering a concussion playing for German club Mainz, where he is on loan. Awoniyi, 22, was hurt after a clash of heads with Augsburg defender Felix Uduokhai in the first half.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to boycott the NFL and US Soccer if players do not stand for the national anthem before matches. On Thursday, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) voted to repeal its ban on players kneeling during the national anthem, admitting the policy was “wrong and detracted from the important message of Black Lives Matter”.
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