Yahoo News Sport's return from lockdown: WSL and Women's Championship end seasons
Brian Moore column: It will be a pre-season like no other — but we need to play
Premier League given green light from Government to move to phase two of training
02:27 PMSome reaction to WSL season ending
Some reaction to WSL season ending
Manchester United's statement:
Manchester United understands and accepts the decision made today by The FA to terminate the 2019/20 Women’s Super League season.
The club remains fully committed to the women’s team and looks forward to returning for the 2020/21 season when it is safe and viable to do so.
Casey Stoney said: “It’s obviously disappointing not to be able to complete the season, but it is the right decision for the safety of everyone involved. “Our focus now moves to our development for next season, which we have been continuously planning for throughout the year, and we can’t wait to be back on the pitch again when it is safe.
"I’m so proud of how hard my players and staff have worked throughout the season and how they have adapted to the last 10 weeks of training away from the club, their determination and drive have been incredible to witness. We’ve enjoyed our first season in this league, exceeding expectations whilst staying true to our values, but we still have big ambitions for how we want to move forward as a club.
“I’d also like to thank the fans for their incredible support this season and for sticking by us through these uncertain times. We can’t wait to see you again, whenever that may be, but for now, stay safe and continue looking out for each other.”
02:15 PMFull story: WSL and Championship seasons ended with immediate effect
Full story: WSL and Championship seasons ended with immediate effect
Katie Whyatt writes
The FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship Board have ended the 2019/20 season for the WSL and Championship with immediate effect, the Football Association has said in a statement.
The FA board will now receive recommendations from the FA WSL and Championship board to determine the most appropriate sporting outcome for the season.
02:13 PMWomen's Super League season is ended
Women's Super League season is ended
As is the Women's Championship. But no decision has been taken on the title, European places and promotion/relegation. Full story from Katie Whyatt to follow ...
02:12 PMSilverstone's MD on developments re British Grand(s) Prix
Silverstone's MD on developments re British Grand(s) Prix
Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle says talks with the Government about a quarantine rules exemption will "take a few weeks" but he remains optimistic about the outcome.
Pringle is hoping Silverstone will be able to stage back-to-back races at the circuit on two weekends in July or August. But, in order to do so, there would need to be an exemption to Government rules on a strict quarantine designed to limit imported cases of Covid-19.
Sports personnel travelling from abroad will be required to isolate for 14 days on arrival from June 8 onwards, unless any exemptions are granted.
"We are still liaising with Government but I am encouraged that there is progress," Pringle told Sky Sports.
"It will take a few weeks for the way to become clear but it definitely feels we are moving in the right direction."
Formula One chiefs are hoping that the 2020 season can begin with two double-headers - starting with two races on successive weekends at Spielberg in Austria in early July and followed by two more held at Silverstone.
Pringle says there is flexibility on the dates for staging the Silverstone races.
"We have got our original dates in mid to late July but we have got a degree of flexibility in August. I don't think it will be a problem finding dates for two races.
"What we need is the green light from Government and that will take time. Formula One as a championship needs that (quarantine) exemption.
"For Silverstone we can probably move into August with our dates but it is essential there is clarity on the quarantine situation ahead of that."
Press Association
01:30 PMBasketball's EuroLeague has been cancelled
Basketball's EuroLeague has been cancelled
Agence France-Presse writes
[NB There are no British teams in the elite continental league]
This season's EuroLeague has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Europe's top basketball competition announced on Monday.
"Having explored every possible option, the executive board has made the decision to cancel the 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague," the organisation said in a statement.
The EuroLeague said that no team would be declared winners of the 2019-20 competition.
It cited "local authorities imposing differing restrictions on the movements of their citizens" and medical protocols that require self-isolation for any player, coach or referee who catches Covid-19 as some of the reasons for cancelling the season.
"Without a doubt, this is the most difficult decision we have had to take in our 20-year history. Due to reasons beyond our control, we have been forced to cut short the most successful and exciting season in European basketball history," said EuroLeague President and CEO Jordi Bertomeu.
There were six rounds of regular season matches still to play when the season was suspended in March.
EuroLeague initially planned to finish the competition in July but the body said that "during the past two and a half months the necessary guarantee that the competitions could be completed regularly in July has not been obtained".
With 28 matches played, Efes Istanbul were leading the league with 24 wins and four defeats, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who had both won 22 matches.
EuroLeague said the 2020-21 season would begin on October 1 and feature the same 18 teams who took part in the curtailed competition
01:16 PMLa Liga could return with Seville derby
La Liga could return with Seville derby
By PA
The Seville derby between Sevilla and Real Betis could be the opening fixture as LaLiga gears up to restart as early as June 11.
Spanish sides are now involved in group training as they build towards a resumption, with the season having been suspended since March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
League president Javier Tebas told Movistar's £BackToWin programme on Sunday: "What's for certain is that it will start the weekend of June 12, or even on Thursday June 11.
"It's not decided yet - we need to align the phases, meet with the Spanish football federation and the Spanish High Sports Council to finalise everything."
Tebas suggested the game could kick off at 9pm UK time (10pm local).
Playing in the heat of a Spanish summer is something which administrators need to factor in, and Tebas said: "Our plan for kick-off times during the week would be to play in the afternoon or evening, between 7.30-8pm or 9.30-10pm. Over the weekend, there would be three slots: 5pm, 7.30pm, 9.30 or 10pm."
There are 11 rounds of matches still to be played for all clubs.
12:56 PMDecision on how the English Football League finishes its season to be made next week
A final decision on how the English Football League completes its season will not be taken until next week, with clubs given until Tuesday to feedback on a proposed new framework that will provide two options for each league.
Decision on how the English Football League finishes its season to be made next week
A final decision on how the English Football League completes its season will not be taken until next week, with clubs given until Tuesday to feedback on a proposed new framework that will provide two options for each league.
You can read more on the latest news on how the rest of the season (if there is one...) will pan out in the EFL from Jeremy Wilson here.
12:29 PMGerman FA chief calls for salary cap to help win over fans
German FA chief calls for salary cap to help win over fans
By Reuters
Football must learn long-term lessons from the coronavirus crisis, with better financial controls and player salary caps, to keep fans on board, German Football Association President Fritz Keller said.
Germany's Bundesliga was shut for more than two months in response to the coronavirus pandemic before becoming the first major football league to resume action last week.
"We have to learn from our mistakes, because the crisis is an opportunity to restructure football," Keller said in a virtual address to the DFB's extraordinary meeting on Monday.
"We need to bring professional football to the people, to their everyday world. So we need an improved financial control system and, yes, a salary cap," he added.
Some German clubs were close to financial collapse after the first month of suspension, the league had warned as it pushed for a restart, which has been criticised by some as too early.
Germany has reported some 178,570, positive coronavirus cases, while the death toll rose by 10 on Monday to 8,257.
Keller said that football needs to think long-term.
"Commissions for agents and immense transfer figure irritate society and estrange them from our beloved sport. Football has to offer satisfactory answers to these issues."
"We do not only need new rules but also an new attitude," Keller said, adding: "Not to think just from season to season as we painfully found out. Football as a whole has to live on long-term perspectives."
12:16 PMUpdate on Spanish football's resumption
Update on Spanish football's resumption
Spanish league clubs are now allowed to train with groups of up to 14 players as the league stays on track to restart in less than three weeks.
11:28 AMBrian Moore: It will be a pre-season like no other — but we need to play
Brian Moore: It will be a pre-season like no other — but we need to play
Our columnist Brian Moore has thoughts on the resumption of professional rugby — which might not be for a while.
It is going to be a strange experience for players returning to their clubs after lockdown. Normally you all turn up together and the first day back is a happy experience, even if you are not looking forward to the amount of work you know is coming. The mickey-taking starts immediately and you all pile into whatever exercises you are given.
11:04 AMGovernment guidelines block some para-athletes from returning to their sport
"I think it's just not quite as simple for the para guys as it is for other paddlers necessarily, and that's not wanting to say a sob story, it's just a few extra things we need to consider," Wiggs, who is a wheelchair user, says. "We want to be back training like we were as soon as possible with the [Tokyo] Games next year, and the government advice is now that people can paddle, but it is problematic.
Government guidelines block some para-athletes from returning to their sport
"I think it's just not quite as simple for the para guys as it is for other paddlers necessarily, and that's not wanting to say a sob story, it's just a few extra things we need to consider," Wiggs, who is a wheelchair user, says. "We want to be back training like we were as soon as possible with the [Tokyo] Games next year, and the government advice is now that people can paddle, but it is problematic.
Paralympic champion canoeist Emma Wiggs and England Deaf footballer Claire Stancliffe open up to Molly McElwee about the challenges lockdown has presented. Read more here.
10:36 AMExclusive interview: Champion trainer John Gosden - 'Racing can go ahead. We are ready to get back'
Exclusive interview: Champion trainer John Gosden - 'Racing can go ahead. We are ready to get back'
Racing could be one of the first sports to return in the coming weeks with the date of June 1 being an optimistic but realistic target for a resumption. Our racing correspondent Marcus Armytage spoke to John Gosden about the sport's return.
“There are 2,500 horses in Newmarket Heath, all exercising, and there’s not been a sign of this horrible illness. In most respects it’s been reasonably normal – except for no racing in the afternoon. We’ve been ready to race behind closed doors for some time.
“Initially we were training them for a May 1 resumption, then May 15 and now June 1. That’s when it becomes dangerous, physically and mentally you are building the horses up but it’s not like you can sit down a football squad and say, ‘We’re not going for another fortnight’.
Read the whole interview here.
09:53 AMCombat and team sports receive the go-ahead for full-contact training
Combat and team sports receive the go-ahead for full-contact training
Good news for elite sports, though there may be some variation in what each individual sport does.
Elite combat and team sports have been given permission to resume full-contact training for the first time since March, even if they do not have a coronavirus testing process in place.
While Premier League footballers have already begun twice-weekly tests for their players and staff, at a cost of £4 million, a similar programme is not a requirement in the new government guidance for elite sports.
Read more from Jeremy Wilson on the ramping up of training here.
09:24 AMStevenage chairman speaks out over points-per-game scenario
Stevenage chairman speaks out over points-per-game scenario
Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace insists there is "absolutely no integrity whatsoever" in deciding to finish the League Two season on a points per game basis.
League Two clubs voted to end the campaign earlier this month without clubs being relegated to the National League but the EFL has included demotion in its framework. Stevenage are currently bottom of League Two.
Wallace said on Stevenage's website: "There is absolutely no integrity whatsoever in using a mathematical formula to expel a club from the EFL. That is unjust and wholly wrong. As the rules stand, we should play it or void it.
"We can introduce a rule change for PPG for promotion and play-offs, I have no problem with that but it's wholly wrong if that artificial formula is then used to relegate a club that has a reasonable chance of surviving by playing.
"Since the National League season wasn't completed in the way it was intended, one option is to leave League Two as it is, with no relegation, and promote one club from the NL this season instead of two, to bring the EFL back to 72 teams, but with 3U3D [three promoted, three relegated] established and in place for next season.
"No lawsuits, no clubs bankrupted and something created for the National League that appears to be impossible to achieve."
PA
09:01 AMHamilton airs doubts about F1
Lewis Hamilton has admitted to questioning his future in Formula One during the coronavirus lockdown, saying he has even considered quitting the sport.
Hamilton airs doubts about F1
Lewis Hamilton has admitted to questioning his future in Formula One during the coronavirus lockdown, saying he has even considered quitting the sport.
Read more from Sam Dean here.
08:44 AMGary Neville concerned for EFL clubs
Gary Neville concerned for EFL clubs
Gary Neville is concerned about a "looming nightmare" for a number of clubs in the English Football League due to the financial impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Huddersfield owner Phil Hodgkinson said over the weekend he was worried "50 or 60" clubs could go bust if they do not properly prepare beyond the end of this season.
While Neville disputes that figure, the former Manchester United and England full-back said on The Football Show on Sky Sports: "It will be July, August, September, October where the real pressure comes.
"I do think there will be clubs considering going into administration in the next three to four months, basically just to save themselves.
"Everybody's looking down at their own feet and they're not seeing the carnage that's coming economically in the next three to four months.
"I do think there is a looming nightmare economically for the EFL clubs, quite a few of them. Whether it's up to 60 I'm not sure."
PA
08:20 AMPremier League given green light from Government to move to phase two of restricted contact training
Premier League clubs, managers and players will ask for clarity on what will happen if a player tests positive for Covid-19 after taking part in limited contact training before voting on a move to phase two of ‘project restart’.
The Premier League have received the green light from the Government to move to phase two of restricted contact training at the start of a big week of meetings.
Premier League given green light from Government to move to phase two of restricted contact training
Premier League clubs, managers and players will ask for clarity on what will happen if a player tests positive for Covid-19 after taking part in limited contact training before voting on a move to phase two of ‘project restart’.
The Premier League have received the green light from the Government to move to phase two of restricted contact training at the start of a big week of meetings.
Read more from Matt Law's report here.
08:03 AMMore on Hull from John Percy
Hull City have sent a second letter to the EFL & the 23 Championship clubs reiterating their opposition to the season restarting. Rival clubs understood to be growing increasingly frustrated with their stance #hcafc https://t.co/mvT2fXWNKj
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) May 23, 2020
07:16 AMFOOTBALL: Two Hull personnel test positive
More on Hull from John Percy
Hull City have sent a second letter to the EFL & the 23 Championship clubs reiterating their opposition to the season restarting. Rival clubs understood to be growing increasingly frustrated with their stance #hcafc https://t.co/mvT2fXWNKj
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) May 23, 2020
07:16 AMFOOTBALL: Two Hull personnel test positive
FOOTBALL: Two Hull personnel test positive
Hull have announced they are the Championship club that has two members of personnel with confirmed cases of coronavirus.
A total of 1,014 players and staff from all 24 Championship clubs were tested over the past 72 hours, and the results reflect an almost identical ratio to those reported in the Premier League's second wave of testing.
It was announced that the two people were from the same club and Hull have now revealed that is them.
"Medical confidentiality means the names will not be disclosed, and the club asks for this to be respected," a statement read.
"The duo, who are both asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, will now self-isolate for seven days - in line with the protocols set out in EFL guidelines - before being tested again at a later date.
"The Club will continue to liaise closely with the affected personnel and will make no further comment."
The EFL had earlier released the results of the tests as the Sky Bet Championship looks to resume the season.
In a statement the EFL said: "The EFL can confirm that 1014 players and Club staff from all 24 Championship Clubs have been tested for COVID-19 over the course of the last 72 hours, with two individuals testing positive from one club.
"Those players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.
"The EFL will continue to make regular and relevant announcements as appropriate in respect of the testing programme to support competition integrity and transparency.
"No specific details as to Clubs or individuals will be provided by the League."
The results will encourage those who wish to see a resumption of the Championship season next month, with talks ongoing between officials in both the second tier and League One.
PA
