Coronavirus in Sport LIVE: Premier League return ‘hopeless optimism’, WWE ‘with fans in June’, Bundesliga decision – The Sun
PREMIER LEAGUE football is awaiting the green light from government as players head back to training.
But while English football will be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, Florida's governor has raised hopes that WWE could return with fans.
And there could be further clarity on a potential Bundesliga restart as the government holds its conference call today.
Follow all the latest coronavirus in sport updates below…
PSG WIN LIGUE 1
Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned champions of Ligue 1, after the French football league decided to take the current standings as final.
It's PSG's seventh title in eight years.
BREAKING
The Premier League is planning to return on June 8, with clubs sent a proposed new timetable to finish the season despite the despite coronavirus pandemic.
As revealed by SunSport, the top-flight is aiming to return in just six weeks.
But now league chiefs have sent a games schedule around to all 20 clubs ahead of a crunch meeting on Friday.
READ MORE ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY HERE
GOV US A HAND
Rugby league chiefs hope to hear if their plea for a Government bailout – which could be worth as much as £20 million – has been successful by this weekend, reports GARY CARTER.
SunSport revealed the Department of Culture, Media and Sport may look in favour on the 13-a-side code because of the impact it has on its communities.
Now we have learned Rugby Football League chiefs are keen to know if their appeal has worked or not by Saturday.
Government sources told SunSport the DCMS recognises ‘the many benefits it brings to our communities.’
And the RFL is one of the sporting governing bodies it is engaging with directly to try and find out how they can be best supported.
RETURN OF THE MAC
Rory McIlroy shocked himself when he took to the driving range for the first time in almost two months and actually hit the ball straight.
The Northern Irishman expected to be rusty after letting his clubs gather dust since his Players Championship defence last month was cut short by the Covid-19 lockdown.
But dressed casually in shorts, T-shirt and back-to-front baseball cap, he struck a few shots — and was impressed enough to post a video of the session captioned: “First balls hit in nearly 7 weeks. Still got it thankfully.”
And the world No 1 was still beaming over his form when he joined Sky Sports earlier this week as an online guest for a re-run of his victory at Sawgrass last year.
McIlroy, 30, said: “I was pleasantly surprised! It was coming out of the middle of the club face and it was good! I’m feeling pretty good about it.
“I’m very lucky to have a gym at home and I’ve been in there every day.”
FRENCH PRES: CANCEL PREM
Following the decision to cancel French football until September, Emmanuel Macron is reportedly pushing for the UK, Spain, Germany and Italy to follow suit.
Earlier this week, Ligue 1 and 2 joined the Dutch Eredivisie in cancelling the 2019/20 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Football bosses in the country were planning a return to training in May before completing the season the following month, much like the agenda still in place across the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A.
However French president Macron is said by Le Parisien to be pushing for a Europe-wide cancellation of sport to help deal with the pandemic.
Sport minister Roxana Maracineanu reportedly contacted his counterparts in Italy and Germany after Tuesday’s announcement and is also set for talks with Spanish ministers.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
Captain Tom Moore has received his honorary England cricket cap from former captain Michael Vaughan on his 100th birthday.
The centurion has raised nearly £30million for the NHS.
The 2005 Ashes-winning skipper Vaughan said: “Captain Tom, the Nation’s heartbeat, on his birthday, we’ll make him an official member of the England cricket team.
“You’ve done so much for the country, you’ve raised so much money for the NHSand now I can officially call you an honorary member of the England cricket team.”
Captain Tom, who has been made a Colnel, said: “It’s marvellous isn’t it. Thank you, thank you very much.”
A national treasure.
'ZAT IS CLASSY
Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate feels “blessed” having helped starving families affected by COVID-19 in his native Colombia.
The Seagulls youngster has been sending cash to buy groceries for those who cannot work due to the lockdown in Villavicencio, the city where his father is from.
Alzate, 21, told SunSport: “It means a lot to help my people, especially now during lockdown as they will need it even more.
“I am blessed to be in a position where I can help others in need during such a hard time.
“The situation there is the same as here really but there are poorer areas with terrible living conditions – those are the people that will be affected most.
“My father and brother live in Villavicencio and they tell me how resources of food and drink are limited.”
CARRI ON AT CARRINGTON
Manchester United stars could be going back to basics and washing their own kit when returning to training on May 18.
Having not played since the Manchester derby on March 8, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team last trained together over six weeks ago.
And after clubs including Tottenham and Arsenal recently reopened their facilities for individuals to work under social distancing guidelines, measures are being put in place for United’s return.
According to Daily Mail, players must arrive alone and drive back in their dirty training gear, which they must wash at home.
Laundry facilities and showers are among the amenities off limits to the squad for the foreseeable future.
Workouts will also be carried out in small groups, possibly on a rota basis to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLNEL TOM
Captain Tom Moore, who walked laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS, turns 100 today and has been made a Colnel.
The inspirational World War II veteran has raised £29million for the efforts to fight Covid-19.
Rio Ferdinand has paid tribute to the super centurion, from Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, who is also being made an honorary England cricketer.
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Good Morning Everyone! Special Happy 100th Birthday To Colonel Tom ?? #Legend
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FAB NEWS
Cesc Fabregas posted an emotional tribute to his great-grandmother after the “super heroine” won her fight with coronavirus at the age of 95.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea star, 32, announced great-gran Flora had contracted the killer bug along with 70 per cent of her nursing home near Barcelona earlier this month.
But Fabregas has now revealed the incredible news that she has won her battle against coronavirus on Twitter.
Fabregas tweeted: “She has overcome coronavirus at 95 years of age. Yesterday the test came out negative!
“My great-grandmother is a super heroine but none of this would have been possible had it not been for the help of the nurses and doctors.
“[They] are giving their lives at each moment so that we can all be better and live a little bit better during these difficult times.”
BIG SPENDERS
Newcastle are set to be one of just FIVE Premier League clubs to spend big this summer.
And plenty of cash will be available to bolster the squad.
Due to the lockdown, most top-flight clubs will have little if any cash spare — even if the season is completed.
Agents have been made aware that Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and United will be in a position to bring in star signings, although transfers fees are expected to tumble.
And though the Toon will have money to invest, they are not expected to repeat last summer’s crazy £40m capture of Joelinton.
Everton could become the sixth club to spend but will only be in a position to buy big again if Financial Fair Play rules are relaxed.
DAVE KIDD ON PREM RETURN
Isn’t it all just pie in the sky? Aren’t we going to look back on all this when the coronavirus crisis is over and realise it was all based on desperate, hopeless, optimism?
And when the French government announced on Tuesday that it was banning all sport until at least September, the first of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues fell.
Fifa’s medical chief and Italy’s sports minister have also suggested that the 2019-20 season should be canned — and it seems as if the walls are closing in for England’s top flight too.
And there is a feeling that, at tomorrow’s tele-conference of top-flight clubs, many will express their awareness of a sharp turn in public opinion against football’s hasty return.
In Germany — a nation which has suffered far fewer fatalities than Britain, France, Italy or Spain — the Bundesliga is due to start as soon as May 9.
But even the Germans fear lockdown restrictions may need to be tightened again after shops, schools and churches reopened last week, causing a spike in coronavirus cases.
And so the resumption of the Bundesliga — being closely monitored by Premier League clubs — could well be pushed back today, making Uefa’s May 25 deadline for a decision on other domestic competitions even tighter.
READ THE REST OF DAVE KIDD'S LATEST COLUMN HERE
GOOD MORNING SPORTS FANS
Yesterday was a busy day as Paulo Dybala 'tested positive for coronavirus for the fourth time in six weeks' with Juventus close to return to training.
And Cristiano Ronaldo is set for two weeks of quarantine when he returns to Italy after lockdown.
Bundesliga’s May 9 return date could be OFF with Germany set to TIGHTEN coronavirus lockdown measures.
While LaLiga was handed a lifeline as the Spanish government announced players can return to training on May 4 as part of four-step plan.
Gary Neville asked: “How many people have to die playing football before it becomes unpalatable?” in a stark warning over any Premier League restart.
The Football League season's fate is also in the balance as 800 out-of-contract players will vote if they’ll play beyond June.
And footballers are worried about infecting their families with coronavirus if rushed back to action.
Uefa league supremo also slammed Fifa’s medical chief for insisting the season should be cancelled.
Brighton's Glenn Murray has also been teaching his seven-year-old daughter LATIN during lockdown.
In golf, John Daly was forced to apologise after telling fans to down a bottle of vodka a day to battle coronavirus.
And Rory McIlroy hit the driving range for the first time in TWO MONTHS and admitted he was surprised to hit ball straight.
In tennis, Novak Djokovic got a lockdown haircut from his wife Jelena at home… and she actually did an ace job on the tennis star.
Finally, it emerged footballers are worried about infecting their families with coronavirus if they are rushed back in to action.
And a Uefa league supremo slammed Fifa’s medical chief for insisting the season should be cancelled.
STEADY ON
Football's top stars fear a premature resumption could see them infect their families with Covid-19, according to the world players’ union.
Prem bosses are still pushing to return to action in June, although Italian clubs have been told to consider following France’s lead, in cancelling the season.
It comes as the head of the organisation representing Europe’s major leagues, including the Premier League, suggested it would be better to sacrifice this term to ensure next season can be run in full.
But most critical was FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann’s claim that players across Europe are SCARED of the consequences of playing too soon.
EXCLUSIVE
Tom Hateley is looking forward to a belated return to football next month – and become one of the first Englishmen to play after sporting lockdown.
Hateley, who plays for Poland league champions Piast Gliwice, has been left in limbo over the past month, observing isolation abroad with his wife and two children.
However, Polish officials have announced plans to restart their league on May 29 following government advice, becoming one of the first countries in Europe to confirm a resumption date.
The 30-year-old – the son of England and Rangers great Mark – has continued to train and keep fit with GPS and heart-rate monitors with football across Europe temporarily suspended.
…
Belgian D’Hooghe warned an early return could lead to a second spike of coronavirus deaths. He stressed: “It’s a matter of life or death. Football is not ready for a competitive return.”
But ex-Uefa chief executive Olsson — now president of the Association of European Leagues — added: “He must understand his words are perceived not as the opinion of a private person, but as a representative of Fifa.
“In Europe most want to finish the season if it’s possible.
“There are leagues where they are about to end the season and there are opportunities where clubs can enter competitions according to sporting principle not by a decision taken in someone’s office.”
EUR WRONG
European leagues boss Lars-Christer Olsson slammed Michel D’Hooghe for insisting the season must be cancelled.
Fifa medical chief D’Hooghe said football should not return before September — even behind closed doors.
But Swede Olsson told him to shut up, while Uefa’s own medical professor believes it is “definitely possible” to restart the season.
Olsson said: “The head of the Fifa medical committee needs to keep his advice to himself.
“He has no idea what’s happening in each country — he does not have the complete data…
REAL DEAL
THE fate of the Football League season could hinge on a key vote by players about whether they work beyond their contract dates.
Around 800 players whose deals end on June 30 are being asked by the PFA if they would turn out in July to complete the campaign.
But with the players’ union confirming our story on Tuesday that there is only severance money on offer and no extra wages, it is unlikely many will agree to carry on.
In that situation, several sides could be forced to field weakened teams — something EFL chairman Rick Parry wants to avoid.
The Government are set to give football the green light to return should it ease lockdown restrictions on May 7.
But with the result of the ballot set to influence the EFL’s biggest decision in years, Parry wants to assess what state his three divisions are in before making further plans.
JOHNNIE CASH
Forget Johnny Cash – Charlton Athletic have their own country blues star in Johnnie Jackson.
The Addicks legend and assistant boss has swapped his tracksuit and a football for an acoustic guitar to help rid fans of the Covid-19 Blues and raise money for a good cause.
Jackson, 37, was due to run the London Marathon this Sunday for his favourite charity, Children with Cancer UK.
But, with that postponed until October, he decided to strut his guitar and belt out a song on social media every time a target figure is raised.
So far he has coined in more than £2,200 and released three songs with more promised throughout the lockdown as that amount increases.
On Tuesday evening, he released Covid19 Blues – which is a brilliant reworking of the Johnny Cash classic Folsom Prison Blues.
ROR TALENT
Rory McIlroy shocked himself when he took to the driving range for the first time in almost two months and actually hit the ball straight.
The Northern Irishman expected to be rusty after letting his clubs gather dust since his Players Championship defence last month was cut short by the Covid-19 lockdown.
But dressed casually in shorts, T-shirt and back-to-front baseball cap, he struck a few shots — and was impressed enough to post a video of the session captioned: “First balls hit in nearly 7 weeks. Still got it thankfully.”
CARPE DI-GLENN
Glenn Murray has been seizing the day on lockdown by teaching LATIN to his daughter.
Asked if he had picked up any new hobbies during the current hiatus, Murray replied: “Apart from becoming a science, English, maths, Latin and PE teacher? Not much!
“The Latin isn’t too bad at the minute, we’re on very basic stuff like animal names. She’s seven, so I can just about manage.
“We’re on ‘Felis’ which is a cat and ‘Canis’ which is a dog. The ending changes if it is feminine or masculine.
“English has been the most challenging subject.”MOUR HELP
Jose Mourinho helped Tottenham deliver freshly-grown food to needy families during the coronavirus crisis.
Spurs uploaded images on Instagram showing their manager, wearing PPE, carrying boxes of spinach and rhubarb away from their training ground Hotspur Way, where the first-team's food is produced.
'WON'T SOLVE ANYTHING'
TalkSPORT host Adrian Durham does not think scrapping the season will solve anything.
TO BE HEARNEST
Eddie Hearn has snubbed Piers Morgan's invite to appear on Good Morning Britain…
'FROM CAVEMAN TO MY MAN'
It's lockdown, locks off for the world's top tennis player – with a short 'Vak and sides from his pleased-looking wife.
The proud couple both posted Instagram pictures, Novak Djokovic rating his new haircut “not bad!” while Jelena went for the more dramatic “from caveman to my man”.
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