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| Premier League and British football shuts down until April due to coronavirus – live | Premier League and British football shuts down until April due to coronavirus – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Join Stuart Goodwin for the latest updates as coronavirus looks set to to result in football stopping for the time being | |
| Paul Pogba has some sage health advice … | |
| Hey, who’s running in the Boston Marathon on 20 April? | |
| Nobody, that’s who – it’s now postponed to 14 September. Lots of focus will now be put on the London Marathon, but before then there are other mass participation events still pencilled in as going ahead, not least the 13,000-capacity London Landmarks Half Marathon on 29 March. | |
| I was supposed to be running a half in Limassol next weekend. Not so much now – that was pulled on Tuesday, and my flight was cancelled this morning. It’s also a really interesting year to be race director of my first ever event – the Sandy 10 in Bedfordshire (not a plug – we’re nearly sold out). We’re holding firm at the moment, but getting nervy every time the PM goes near a microphone. I’ve just had a nice mail querying how I’m going to transport some gazebos from Moggerhanger to race HQ. | |
| You will absolutely never guess what the main theme of today’s Fiver is … | |
| I’m sure I’m not alone in giving Uefa a bit of side-eye, wondering quite how bad the situation has to get across European domestic leagues before they just have a quick conference call between the various FAs and pull this summer’s Euros. A meeting is due on Tuesday, and it’s surely a case of when rather than if they postpone the tournament. | |
| That’s enough fun for you. Here’s more details from Germany … | |
| The German Football League (DFL) has called off all weekend matches in the Bundesliga and second tier Bundesliga 2 and recommended that both leagues be suspended until 2 April, it said in a statement on Friday. | |
| The decision was taken “in view of the dynamics of today’s events with new coronavirus infections and corresponding suspected cases directly related to the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2,” the statement said. | |
| It said a general assembly would be held on Monday where it would recommend to the clubs the both leagues be put on hold until 2 April. | |
| Many thanks to Ben for keeping his pluck during a grim day for lovers of live sport. Stuart here again to try and work out what’s left. | |
| I’m going to throw you a bone – something fun before I give you stuff about things being cancelled. Here’s this week’s Sports Quiz of the Week … | |
| This weekend’s games in the top two leagues of German football have been postponed, after initially being scheduled to be played behind closed doors, the DFL have confirmed. All games have been suspended until 2 April. It seems the DFL have, belatedly, listened to Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcântara. | This weekend’s games in the top two leagues of German football have been postponed, after initially being scheduled to be played behind closed doors, the DFL have confirmed. All games have been suspended until 2 April. It seems the DFL have, belatedly, listened to Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcântara. |
| Liverpool have also temporarily suspended first-team activities, joining Barcelona in halting squad training in the wake of matches being postponed. And it is difficult to envisage Liverpool being the last team to do so given they will not play until 4 April – at the earliest. “Players have been given individual programmes to follow during this period and first-team training took place as normal today,” said a statement on Friday. “Liverpool will work with the club’s medical team and other relevant authorities to monitor the situation and decide upon a date to return to Melwood to give the squad the best chance of preparing for their next fixture.” | Liverpool have also temporarily suspended first-team activities, joining Barcelona in halting squad training in the wake of matches being postponed. And it is difficult to envisage Liverpool being the last team to do so given they will not play until 4 April – at the earliest. “Players have been given individual programmes to follow during this period and first-team training took place as normal today,” said a statement on Friday. “Liverpool will work with the club’s medical team and other relevant authorities to monitor the situation and decide upon a date to return to Melwood to give the squad the best chance of preparing for their next fixture.” |
| Away from the football, the Gold Cup is about to get under way: | Away from the football, the Gold Cup is about to get under way: |
| More cycling has been postponed following news of Giro d’Italia being canned, with the 2020 Women’s Tour, scheduled for 8-13 June, delayed along with the domestic Tour Series circuit race series, which was due to take place across May. | More cycling has been postponed following news of Giro d’Italia being canned, with the 2020 Women’s Tour, scheduled for 8-13 June, delayed along with the domestic Tour Series circuit race series, which was due to take place across May. |
| National League matches will go ahead as scheduled this weekend. A reminder that Harrogate have appealed to the league to postpone their match against Solihull because they have four players self-isolating but, that aside, some clubs could be on for a record attendance given the dearth of games. “Following a board meeting held today, the National League has decided to allow matches in its three divisions to proceed as planned this weekend,” read a statement on Friday afternoon. “The National League will keep the operation of its competition under constant and diligent review, and will remain in compliance with government advice at all times. The Football Association has offered its guidance, and made it clear the decision to continue or to suspend a competition is a matter for each league to make. The National League places the welfare and well-being of all those involved in and connected to its competition as the highest priority.” | National League matches will go ahead as scheduled this weekend. A reminder that Harrogate have appealed to the league to postpone their match against Solihull because they have four players self-isolating but, that aside, some clubs could be on for a record attendance given the dearth of games. “Following a board meeting held today, the National League has decided to allow matches in its three divisions to proceed as planned this weekend,” read a statement on Friday afternoon. “The National League will keep the operation of its competition under constant and diligent review, and will remain in compliance with government advice at all times. The Football Association has offered its guidance, and made it clear the decision to continue or to suspend a competition is a matter for each league to make. The National League places the welfare and well-being of all those involved in and connected to its competition as the highest priority.” |
| Barcelona have suspended all first-team activity until further notice on medical advice. “In the coming days, the players will follow a personalised and specific physical workout plan from their homes, supervised by the team’s trainers,” the club says. The La Liga side say the decision was made following a meeting this morning between president Josep Bartomeu, Dr Jaume Padrós, the president of the Barcelona Medical Association and the head of occupational healthcare at the club, and Dr Antoni Trilla, the head of epidemiology at Hospital Clínic. | Barcelona have suspended all first-team activity until further notice on medical advice. “In the coming days, the players will follow a personalised and specific physical workout plan from their homes, supervised by the team’s trainers,” the club says. The La Liga side say the decision was made following a meeting this morning between president Josep Bartomeu, Dr Jaume Padrós, the president of the Barcelona Medical Association and the head of occupational healthcare at the club, and Dr Antoni Trilla, the head of epidemiology at Hospital Clínic. |
| Hull City are the latest club to donate food ordered for matchday following the suspension of games, with Aston Villa confirming 850 staff packed lunches are being donated to support homeless charities. “With food having already been delivered to the Kcom Stadium for tomorrow’s game, the club was keen to ensure it didn’t go to waste,” read a club statement. “Fresh fruit, vegetables and sandwiches have now been passed over to FareShare Hull & Humber, a charity that redistributes surplus food to over 120 organisations throughout the region. The club are pleased that this surplus food will go to people who really need it.” | Hull City are the latest club to donate food ordered for matchday following the suspension of games, with Aston Villa confirming 850 staff packed lunches are being donated to support homeless charities. “With food having already been delivered to the Kcom Stadium for tomorrow’s game, the club was keen to ensure it didn’t go to waste,” read a club statement. “Fresh fruit, vegetables and sandwiches have now been passed over to FareShare Hull & Humber, a charity that redistributes surplus food to over 120 organisations throughout the region. The club are pleased that this surplus food will go to people who really need it.” |
| The National League rumbles on ... or does it? Harrogate Town have appealed to the league to postpone Friday’s match with Solihull Moors, because they have four employees in self-isolation. “We have a duty of care for the health and wellbeing of players, staff and supporters,” they said in a statement. Harrogate are second in the league. Solihull, who this afternoon confirmed the signing of striker Adam Rooney, are seventh. | The National League rumbles on ... or does it? Harrogate Town have appealed to the league to postpone Friday’s match with Solihull Moors, because they have four employees in self-isolation. “We have a duty of care for the health and wellbeing of players, staff and supporters,” they said in a statement. Harrogate are second in the league. Solihull, who this afternoon confirmed the signing of striker Adam Rooney, are seventh. |
| Some League One reaction, courtesy of the Bristol Rovers manager Ben Garner. “Ultimately the health and welfare of everyone is more important than football,” he says. “All we can do is follow the advice of the experts and hope for the most important win in beating coronavirus. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.” In the Championship, Fulham were due to host Brentford on Friday evening but every EFL match has been postponed. | Some League One reaction, courtesy of the Bristol Rovers manager Ben Garner. “Ultimately the health and welfare of everyone is more important than football,” he says. “All we can do is follow the advice of the experts and hope for the most important win in beating coronavirus. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.” In the Championship, Fulham were due to host Brentford on Friday evening but every EFL match has been postponed. |
| If – and it’s a big if – the Scottish Premiership season cannot be completed, Celtic should be crowned champions, so-says Neil Lennon. The SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster confirmed on Friday said it was “neither realistic nor possible” to continue amid the coronavirus outbreak. Lennon, whose side are 13 points clear at the top of the league, described the situation as a “nightmare” and added: “If it was to stop now I would doubt very much that they would say it was null and void. It could be death by a thousand cuts. We have played over 30 games, that’s well over two thirds of the season so we should be declared champions.” | If – and it’s a big if – the Scottish Premiership season cannot be completed, Celtic should be crowned champions, so-says Neil Lennon. The SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster confirmed on Friday said it was “neither realistic nor possible” to continue amid the coronavirus outbreak. Lennon, whose side are 13 points clear at the top of the league, described the situation as a “nightmare” and added: “If it was to stop now I would doubt very much that they would say it was null and void. It could be death by a thousand cuts. We have played over 30 games, that’s well over two thirds of the season so we should be declared champions.” |
| David Moyes is among the West Ham personnel self-isolating after coming into contact with Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager who has tested positive for coronavirus. West Ham, one of eight clubs to have at least one employee in self-isolation, has “already taken a number of precautionary measures”, including deep cleans at the club’s training grounds as well as the London Stadium. Moyes came into contact with Arteta during a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on 7 March. Meanwhile, an Inverness Caledonian Thistle player is currently in self-isolation after showing symptoms associated with coronavirus. The Scottish Championship club are awaiting the results of tests on the unnamed player. | David Moyes is among the West Ham personnel self-isolating after coming into contact with Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager who has tested positive for coronavirus. West Ham, one of eight clubs to have at least one employee in self-isolation, has “already taken a number of precautionary measures”, including deep cleans at the club’s training grounds as well as the London Stadium. Moyes came into contact with Arteta during a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on 7 March. Meanwhile, an Inverness Caledonian Thistle player is currently in self-isolation after showing symptoms associated with coronavirus. The Scottish Championship club are awaiting the results of tests on the unnamed player. |
| Twenty-four hours notice for rugby-goers: | Twenty-four hours notice for rugby-goers: |
| The Masters has been held every year since 1945 – but this year’s tournament has been postponed owing to the coronavirus. Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, said: “The health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision.” | The Masters has been held every year since 1945 – but this year’s tournament has been postponed owing to the coronavirus. Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, said: “The health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision.” |
| The football calendar has been decimated but a few sporting nuggets appear to have survived – for now at least. “The British Basketball League is currently continuing to play a full set of fixtures this weekend,” emails Shaun Thorpe. “All broadcast live on youtube for free. As things stand, the Bath Half Marathon is also set to go ahead.” The Netball Superleague is also set to continue. | The football calendar has been decimated but a few sporting nuggets appear to have survived – for now at least. “The British Basketball League is currently continuing to play a full set of fixtures this weekend,” emails Shaun Thorpe. “All broadcast live on youtube for free. As things stand, the Bath Half Marathon is also set to go ahead.” The Netball Superleague is also set to continue. |
| Word from the Channel Islands ... Guernsey FC say that Saturday’s Isthmian League game at Sevenoaks Town has been postponed on the advice of the States of Guernsey, who say that “islanders should avoid travelling into and out of the Bailiwick for non-essential reasons with immediate effect”. Meanwhile the Guernsey marathon has been postponed until October. | Word from the Channel Islands ... Guernsey FC say that Saturday’s Isthmian League game at Sevenoaks Town has been postponed on the advice of the States of Guernsey, who say that “islanders should avoid travelling into and out of the Bailiwick for non-essential reasons with immediate effect”. Meanwhile the Guernsey marathon has been postponed until October. |
| Again, in case you missed this story among everything else: | Again, in case you missed this story among everything else: |
| Is there anything left to be postponed? OK, so the National League is still going ahead and the Bundesliga are going to give behind-closed-doors games another crack on Saturday but, apart from that, it’s slim pickings in the world of sport. | Is there anything left to be postponed? OK, so the National League is still going ahead and the Bundesliga are going to give behind-closed-doors games another crack on Saturday but, apart from that, it’s slim pickings in the world of sport. |
| Ben’s back for more of this mental punishment. I don’t envy him. Chins up all. | Ben’s back for more of this mental punishment. I don’t envy him. Chins up all. |
| … while in golf, The Masters, the first major of the year due to start on 9 April … not so much. | … while in golf, The Masters, the first major of the year due to start on 9 April … not so much. |
| Full story here … | Full story here … |
| Over on the rugby beat, and in no way not inevitably … | Over on the rugby beat, and in no way not inevitably … |
| The pilot of the plane carrying the professional footballer Emiliano Sala was not licensed to fly the aircraft when it plunged into the sea, killing both of them, an official report has concluded. | The pilot of the plane carrying the professional footballer Emiliano Sala was not licensed to fly the aircraft when it plunged into the sea, killing both of them, an official report has concluded. |
| David Ibbotson had not completed night flying training and his private pilot’s licence did not permit him to be paid for carrying passengers, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found. | David Ibbotson had not completed night flying training and his private pilot’s licence did not permit him to be paid for carrying passengers, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found. |
| The regulations under which the Piper Malibu light aircraft was operated also meant it should have not been flown commercially. Investigators found such unlicensed flights frequently took place in the world of sport, business and leisure. | The regulations under which the Piper Malibu light aircraft was operated also meant it should have not been flown commercially. Investigators found such unlicensed flights frequently took place in the world of sport, business and leisure. |
| Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcântra has taken unkindly to the German Bundesliga’s decision to go ahead with the weekend’s fixtures. | Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcântra has taken unkindly to the German Bundesliga’s decision to go ahead with the weekend’s fixtures. |
| His side are due to play Union Berlin behind closed doors on Saturday, part of a full programme of games, but he responded to a tweet from the German Football League (DFL) saying: “This is crazy. Please stop fooling around and land on reality. Let’s be honest, there are much more important priorities than sport.” | His side are due to play Union Berlin behind closed doors on Saturday, part of a full programme of games, but he responded to a tweet from the German Football League (DFL) saying: “This is crazy. Please stop fooling around and land on reality. Let’s be honest, there are much more important priorities than sport.” |
| At odds with other European leagues, the DFL has said the top two divisions will play this weekend, but then matches would be suspended from next Tuesday until 2 April. | At odds with other European leagues, the DFL has said the top two divisions will play this weekend, but then matches would be suspended from next Tuesday until 2 April. |
| Afternoon all. Stuart here allowing Ben some respite. | Afternoon all. Stuart here allowing Ben some respite. |
| Oh but there’s no respite, as proper journalism’s David Conn reports … | Oh but there’s no respite, as proper journalism’s David Conn reports … |
| BT Sport are not offering refunds to subscribers for the lack of live Premier League, Champions League, Bundesliga and other competitions to which they have TV rights, as broadcasters grapple with the mass postponement of sports due to the coronavirus pandemic. | BT Sport are not offering refunds to subscribers for the lack of live Premier League, Champions League, Bundesliga and other competitions to which they have TV rights, as broadcasters grapple with the mass postponement of sports due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The company is planning to fill its schedules with any live sport which carries on, reruns of matches already played this season, WWE films and documentaries. Its current position is that as, so far, only two rounds of Premier League matches have been postponed – until 4 April – and Uefa has postponed only next week’s Champions and Europa League matches, it hopes to resume broadcasting live sport before too long. | The company is planning to fill its schedules with any live sport which carries on, reruns of matches already played this season, WWE films and documentaries. Its current position is that as, so far, only two rounds of Premier League matches have been postponed – until 4 April – and Uefa has postponed only next week’s Champions and Europa League matches, it hopes to resume broadcasting live sport before too long. |
| In a statement, a BT spokesman said: “We apologise to customers about the changes to the BT Sport schedule this month due to the impact of Covid-19. The situation is evolving rapidly and we are working with the leagues to continue to broadcast live sport wherever possible and broadcast games when they are rescheduled over the coming months. We will continue to broadcast a wide range of BT Sport content including films and documentaries and we will update our customers as we have a clearer view of the remainder of the season.” | In a statement, a BT spokesman said: “We apologise to customers about the changes to the BT Sport schedule this month due to the impact of Covid-19. The situation is evolving rapidly and we are working with the leagues to continue to broadcast live sport wherever possible and broadcast games when they are rescheduled over the coming months. We will continue to broadcast a wide range of BT Sport content including films and documentaries and we will update our customers as we have a clearer view of the remainder of the season.” |
| Story in full below … | Story in full below … |
| Jürgen Klopp has penned an open letter to supporters: | Jürgen Klopp has penned an open letter to supporters: |
| It’s not football ... but the Giro d’Italia has been postponed. The cycling event was due to take place between 9-31 May. In response to the spread of the coronavirus, the Hungarian government has declared a state of emergency. This means the Giro’s start in Budapest cannot take place in Hungary as planned. | It’s not football ... but the Giro d’Italia has been postponed. The cycling event was due to take place between 9-31 May. In response to the spread of the coronavirus, the Hungarian government has declared a state of emergency. This means the Giro’s start in Budapest cannot take place in Hungary as planned. |
| As it stands, National League matches remain on, though there is a board meeting taking place this afternoon. The Chesterfield manager, John Pemberton, has described the situation as “crazy”. The Bundesliga will play behind closed doors on Saturday, while there are matches planned in Turkey and Russia. | As it stands, National League matches remain on, though there is a board meeting taking place this afternoon. The Chesterfield manager, John Pemberton, has described the situation as “crazy”. The Bundesliga will play behind closed doors on Saturday, while there are matches planned in Turkey and Russia. |
| Manchester United react to the suspension of Premier League matches, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær thanking supporters for their backing. “I would like to thank our fans for their tremendous support so far this season and we look forward to welcoming them back to Old Trafford as soon as is safely possible,” he says. Ed Woodward adds: “While it is disappointing to see the season paused, we recognise there are bigger considerations as part of the need to help slow the spread of coronavirus.” | Manchester United react to the suspension of Premier League matches, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær thanking supporters for their backing. “I would like to thank our fans for their tremendous support so far this season and we look forward to welcoming them back to Old Trafford as soon as is safely possible,” he says. Ed Woodward adds: “While it is disappointing to see the season paused, we recognise there are bigger considerations as part of the need to help slow the spread of coronavirus.” |
| Meanwhile at Cheltenham, the first race is moments away: | Meanwhile at Cheltenham, the first race is moments away: |
| Southampton sent their players home earlier and, at the moment, the plan is for training to resume on Monday. The players will be given a weekend off after the postponement of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Norwich City. No Southampton players are showing any symptoms of coronavirus. | Southampton sent their players home earlier and, at the moment, the plan is for training to resume on Monday. The players will be given a weekend off after the postponement of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Norwich City. No Southampton players are showing any symptoms of coronavirus. |
| The Irish FA have also suspended all matches at domestic and grassroots levels following a meeting this morning, copying the steps taking by the Premier League and co. “We expect games to restart on Saturday 4 April 2020. The matter will be kept under constant review,” they say. | The Irish FA have also suspended all matches at domestic and grassroots levels following a meeting this morning, copying the steps taking by the Premier League and co. “We expect games to restart on Saturday 4 April 2020. The matter will be kept under constant review,” they say. |
| Anyone know when Premier League Years next airs? The Premier League, the Football League, the Football Association and the Women’s Super League have suspended all matches until the weekend of 3-5 April in response to the coronavirus pandemic. | Anyone know when Premier League Years next airs? The Premier League, the Football League, the Football Association and the Women’s Super League have suspended all matches until the weekend of 3-5 April in response to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Liverpool have a released a statement saying they “welcome” the Premier League’s decision to postpone all matches and confirm they have implemented precautions across its sites to “minimise the spread of the coronavirus”. | Liverpool have a released a statement saying they “welcome” the Premier League’s decision to postpone all matches and confirm they have implemented precautions across its sites to “minimise the spread of the coronavirus”. |