A six-year-old boy in Italy is celebrating after his football shirt design was adopted by the professional team Pescara. Luigi D’Agostino beat other children in a competition, run by the club for young fans, aimed at easing the boredom of being stuck indoors during the country’s coronavirus lockdown.
Barcelona are to give a sponsor naming rights to the Nou Camp for the first time and donate all the revenue to fighting coronavirus. Barca’s stadium – which is known as Camp Nou in Catalan – has never had another name since opening in 1957.
The Dutch Football Association “intends not to continue” the Eredivisie season after the national government extended a ban on major events until 1 September because of coronavirus. Ajax and AZ Alkmaar are leading the Dutch top flight level on points after 26 games, with Ajax ahead on goal difference. Dutch football’s governing body KNVB said in a statement it “intends not to continue playing the 2019/20 competition” but will consult UEFA before making a final decision.
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min has commenced his three-week mandatory national service in South Korea. The 27-year-old is serving with the Marine Corps on the island of Jeju where he will undergo basic training. Son, who has completed a two-week quarantine following his return to South Korea, is required by law to carry out national service by his 28th birthday.
Ghana’s most successful club, Asante Kotoko are appealing for fans to help with paying a $240,000 fine – one that, if not paid, puts them at risk of relegation. The Porcupine Warriors have been told they have until 10 May to hand over the money for the fine, which followed FIFA’s final verdict on a legal battle with Tunisian giants Esperance over the transfer of striker Emmanuel Clottey in 2015 and midfielder Kwame Bonsu in 2019.
Chinese Super League team Wuhan Zall made an emotional homecoming after being unable to return for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Players had initially stayed at their winter training camp in Spain when the virus peaked in Wuhan in January. After a prolonged transit in Germany, they landed in Shenzhen on 16 March and underwent three weeks’ quarantine. They were greeted by fans when they arrived in Wuhan by train on Saturday evening.
Roma chief executive Guido Fienga has praised his players’ “superb gesture” after they volunteered to forgo four months’ salary to help the club during the coronavirus pandemic. The players, manager Paulo Fonseca and his staff will also pay the difference to ensure all club staff placed on furlough receive their full salary. Led by captain Edin Dzeko, the team and Fonseca approached Roma’s hierarchy. “We always talk about unity at Roma,” said Fienga.
New York Liberty have selected Sabrina Ionescu with the first pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. Ionescu, 22, became the first collegiate player – male or female – to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists earlier this year. The draft was held virtually because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The WNBA also honoured Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, who all died in a helicopter crash in January with NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
An inquiry has been requested into the death of a local footballer in Sierra Leone, Edmond Bangura – aged 24 – with concerns that he may have been the victim of coronavirus. Goalkeeper Bangura, who played for FC Johansen, died in the early hours on Friday in a Freetown hospital. “A close relative of Edmond informed me that our player passed away in hospital and died of asthma and hypertension,” said club president Isha Johansen, who also heads the local FA (SLFA).
Record eight-time African champions Al Ahly of Egypt are in talks with their playing staff over possible salary cuts. Egyptian football is financially suffering after the sport was suspended in mid-March on account of the coronavirus pandemic. The lack of games has reduced the income for teams, so sparking calls that staff take salary cuts in order to help clubs at this difficult time.
Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has said he will distribute supplies to 100,000 people to help support efforts to combat coronavirus in his home country. Eto’o runs a foundation in the country and has promised that it will be used to “share soaps, sanitisers and several food items to fifty thousand households in four cities – Douala, Buea, Yaoundé and Bafoussam.”
UEFA is working to plans that would see the Champions League final end the 2019-20 season on 29 August. European football’s governing body will meet on 23 April for more discussions about how to complete a campaign which has been disrupted by coronavirus. It is likely one decision will be to agree that leagues could finish early, although only with UEFA’s approval.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says the longer he is away from his players, the more it hurts during the coronavirus shutdown. Liverpool have utilised modern-day technology as they train remotely, with a variety of workouts hosted via video link bringing the squad and staff together.
Kenyan Daniel Wanjiru, winner of the 2017 London Marathon, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit.
Shandong Luneng midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who tested positive for coronavirus, has left hospital and said the “hardest part is behind me”. The Belgium international, 32, has had three weeks of treatment in China after being diagnosed on 22 March.
A Newcastle United takeover has taken a step closer after new documents show that owner Mike Ashley has entered into a charge agreement with potential buyer Amanda Staveley. Financier Staveley is leading a bid which involves Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers. It is understood to be worth £300m.
The mother of Minnesota Timberwolves centre Karl-Anthony Towns has died of complications from the coronavirus. Last month, Towns posted a video on social media urging people to take the virus seriously after his mother, Jacqueline, was put into a medically-induced coma.
The French Grand Prix is set to be the next Formula 1 event to be postponed as a result of the coronavirus crisis. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address to the nation on Monday that restrictions on public events would continue until mid-July.
The Italian Football Federation hopes that players can be tested for coronavirus at the start of May in preparation for the season to restart. Serie A has been suspended since 9 March because of the global pandemic. There is no set date for when the campaign can resume in Italy, with 12 full rounds and four outstanding fixtures still to play. “As soon as the conditions are right, we’ll finish the championship,” said federation president Gabriele Gravina.
Former Chelsea striker and manager Gianluca Vialli has been given the all-clear from pancreatic cancer. The 55-year-old ex-Italy forward said in 2018 he had recovered from cancer before announcing last year that he was dealing with the disease again. “Gianluca Vialli has been given the all-clear following a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer,” said Chelsea. “Amazing news.”
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