Summary

  • Latest updates on how coronavirus pandemic is affecting sport

  1. Uefa to discuss reschedulingpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Uefa will meet with representatives of its 55 member associations on Wednesday to discuss the rescheduling of matches across all Uefa national team and club competitions.

    Player contracts and the transfer system will also be on the agenda.

    The organisation could authorise one-legged knockout matches for some Champions League and Europa League ties after postponing the finals of all this season's major competitions.

    A sign saying Uefa Champions LeagueImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Paralympic AgitosImage source, Getty Images

    The Tokyo Paralympics will now take place from 24 August-5 September 2021 and International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons says: "When the Paralympic Games do take place in Tokyo next year, they will be an extra-special display of humanity uniting as one, a global celebration of human resilience and a sensational showcase of sport.

    "With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games 512 days away, the priority for all those involved in the Paralympic Movement must be to focus on staying safe with their friends and family during this unprecedented and difficult time."

  3. Emergency Wimbledon meetings to take placepublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent

    A series of emergency meetings will take place over the next 48 hours to decide whether Wimbledon can go ahead this summer.

    The All England Club says a final decision is yet to be made, but the expectation is they will be forced to cancel the Championships for the first time since the Second World War.

    The cub admitted last week that postponement would not be “without significant risk and difficulty.”

    A sign saying The All England Tennis ClubImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Tokyo 2020 organising committee president Yoshiro Mori explains the reasoning behind the decision to stage the Games from 23 July-8 August 2021 after this year's postponement of the event which was due to have taken place from 24 July- 9 August.

    "A certain amount of time is required for the selection and qualification of athletes and for their training and preparation, and the consensus was that staging the rescheduled Games during the summer vacation in Japan would be preferable," Mori says.

    "In terms of transport, arranging volunteers and the provision of tickets for those in Japan and overseas, as well as allowing for the Covid-19 situation, we think that it would be better to reschedule the Games to one year later than planned, in the summer of 2021."

  5. July 2021 start date for Tokyo Olympicspublished at 13:10 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    OlympicsImage source, Getty Images

    The Tokyo Olympic Games will start on 23 July next year and run to 8 August after it was postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Paralympics will take place from 24 August - 5 September 2021.

  6. British boxing suspension extendedpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The British Boxing Board of Control has extended its suspension of boxing tournaments under its jurisdiction in May.

    "We will continue to follow the government and medical authorities' advice and keep the situation under review and when possible explore all options available to find a way of lifting the suspension when conditions permit," it said in a statement.

    "We would like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by Covid-19. Please stay home and stay safe."

  7. Table tennis on the risepublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Table tennis tables are reportedly becoming the latest interest for home shoppers during the lockdown, with retailers reporting hundreds of sales in a single week alone.

    Table tennis also remains one of very few global sports still standing, with matches continuing to take place as scheduled this week in the Moscow Elite Pro League.

    Table tennis tableImage source, Getty Images
  8. Norris to shave off hair for coronavirus response fundpublished at 11:57 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Lando NorrisImage source, Getty Images

    McLaren driver Lando Norris is to shave off his hair after raising more than $12,000 (£9,600) for the coronavirus response fund.

    The 20-year-old took part in a virtual racing event on Saturday to raise money for the charity. Norris pledged to shave off his hair if fans watching his stream donated more than $10,000.

    "Thanks to all my viewers for raising over $12,000 by the end total for Twitch Stream Aid and the fight against Covid-19," Norris wrote on Instagram. "I do have to cut all my hair off now though..."

  9. Bolton staff on furlough or pay cutspublished at 11:40 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    BoltonImage source, Getty Images

    League One club Bolton have placed a number of staff on furlough, while senior management have taken a "significant pay reduction".

    Bolton were on the brink of liquidation last summer before a takeover, and started the new campaign with a 12-point deduction.

    An open letter from chairman Sharon Brittan and Michael James, of owners Football Ventures said: "We have spoken previously about our admiration for the employees of this business, whose loyalty in the face of adversity has been beyond commendable.

    "It is for this reason that we wish we could guarantee all jobs. However, as we move forward and the effects of the crisis become even more serious, difficult decisions may need to be taken in order to preserve both businesses."

    Leeds players, coaching staff and senior management have volunteered to take a wage deferral because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

  10. In isolation with... Sam Tomkinspublished at 11:39 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    We've been in lockdown for a couple of weeks now, living in a little village on the outskirts of Perpignan.

    French president Emmanuel Macron had already shut all of the shops, so - just like the UK since last Monday - the only things which are open now are takeaway food places, supermarkets and pharmacies.

    If you want to leave the house you have to download a form on the government website. There are three reasons to leave the house - solo exercise, medical emergency or food shopping.

    There are police everywhere pulling people over. If you've not got your form with you, you are fined. During the first two days of isolation they gave out 4,000 fines.

    Catalans Dragons' Sam Tomkins has shared his isolation story with BBC Sport, read it in full here.

    A photo of Sam Tomkins with the words: 'In isolation with Sam Tomkins'Image source, BBC Sport
  11. Whyte v Povetkin will be called off, says Hearnpublished at 11:29 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Briton Dillian Whyte's heavyweight fight against Russian Alexander Povetkin will be called off because of coronavirus, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

    Hearn is set to announce new details for the Manchester Arena event, scheduled for 2 May, which also includes Irish fighter Katie Taylor's world title bout against Cindy Serrano.

    "We will make an announcement, but basically yes [it is off]," said Hearn.

    The promoter added he hoped boxing would return in June.

    Dillian WhyteImage source, Getty Images
  12. Mercedes F1 help build breathing aidpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Mercedes Formula 1 has helped to build a breathing aid that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care.

    Mercedes worked with University College London engineers and clinicians at UCLH to build the device, which delivers oxygen to the lungs without needing a ventilator.

    Mercedes F1 carImage source, Getty Images
  13. Premier League needs to finish by end of June - Kanepublished at 11:12 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    England captain Harry Kane says the Premier League season should be scrapped if it cannot be completed by the end of June.

    All elite football in England issuspended until at least 30 Aprilbecause of the coronavirus pandemic.

    "I know the Premier League will do everything it can to finish the season," said Tottenham striker Kane.

    "There needs to be a point where enough is enough. Probably the limit for me is the end of June."

    Read more here.

    Harry Kane clapsImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'Fair' to award Premier League title to Liverpoolpublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    It would only be "fair" to award Liverpool the Premier League title if the season is not completed because of coronavirus, says Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

    With football in England suspended until at least 30 April, Liverpool have a 25-point lead over defending champions City and are two wins from a first top-flight title in 30 years.

    Asked if the Reds should be given the trophy if the season is cut short, Gudogan told German broadcaster ZDF:, external"For me, that would be OK, yes."

    "You have to be fair as a sportsperson," the 29-year-old Germany international added.

    A sign saying Liverpool Premier League Champions 2019/20Image source, PA Media
  15. Ireland and England games against Australia in doubtpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Ireland's game against the Wallabies in Australia this July is "highly unlikely" to go ahead, while England's home match against the same opponents in November is also under threat.

    Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said the side's home games against Ireland and Fiji in July were "highly unlikely" to happen.

    Castle added that November's fixtures, including those against England and Ireland may also be sacrificed to complete league competition Super Rugby and international competition, the Rugby Championship.

    "Delivering Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship might be something that we need to consider doing," she said.

    "(For) 2021, there's a high probability that the calendar won't look exactly like it looks at the moment.

    "I think there’s a lot of uncertainty over the cost of flights, how far players will want to travel."

    England v AustraliaImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'Olympics could start on 23 July, 2021'published at 10:57 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    .Image source, Getty Images

    The head of Italy's Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malago, believes the Tokyo Games will start on 23 July, 2021.

    The Olympics were postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic and were originally set to start on 24 July, 2020.

    "I have an idea, and maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so, because I've talked to so many friends, " said Malago, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

    "I think that within a short time the IOC will come out with the date of July 23, 2021, maintaining in fact, the same window foreseen this year."

    Malago said the late July start would avoid a clash with the men's European football championship, which has also been postponed for one year and will now run from 11 June to 11 July, 2021.

  17. 'Tokyo Olympics must reflect pandemic'published at 10:48 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    The Tokyo Olympic Games' opening ceremony should achknowledge the coronavirus pandemic says Italian executive producer Marco Balich.

    Balich, who has experience in producing Olympic ceremonies, said the Japanese had almost completed preparations for this year before announcing the event was postponed until 2021.

    "I think for sure the Olympic ceremony - which is a window of all humanity - will have to reflect somehow or reference somehow what has happened," Balich told Reuters.

    "We already had prototypes and started rehearsals. We were in very good shape.

    "I think given this difficult decision, what our ceremonies team can now do is refresh and have a unique opportunity to rethink and use them to make them the biggest celebration with Olympic values."

    .Image source, Getty Images
  18. 'The sun will shine again soon' - Norwich boss Farkepublished at 10:46 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Norwich boss Daniel Farke has urged fans to stick to the government's lockdown rules.

    "If we do this, the sun will shine again soon," he said in a video on Twitter.

    "We are living in crazy times and I want to thank all the people who are involved in the NHS - they are doing a fantastic job and this is more important than our jobs in football.

    "These people need all our support during this time. It is important to stay strong, to stick together, to stay united and especially to stay indoors and to stay safe.

    "It is not too demanding for a few weeks to calm everything down and to care for each other. And if we do this the sun will shine again soon."

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  19. 'Golf could be affected by visas' - Shane Lowrypublished at 10:40 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Open champion Shane Lowry says golf "differs" to other sports affected by coronavirus and players may struggle to get visas when the game returns.

    "The only issue I see with golf is that we all live in different countries," he told Sky Sports.

    "I think that's the big issue. When you look at the Premier League they all live in England. So when England is ready to open up again you can start back the Premier League.

    "It will be interesting to see what restrictions are in place when we get playing. I'd just be fearful that players might not get visas if they're from certain countries. We'll just have to wait and see."

    The first two golf majors of the season, the Masters and US PGA Championship, have been postponed and not yet rescheduled.

    June's US Open is a major doubt due to the proximity of Winged Foot to a coronavirus containment zone.

    .Image source, Getty Images
  20. 'Wimbledon will decide to cancel' - German Tennis vice-presidentpublished at 09:57 British Summer Time 30 March 2020

    Wimbledon organisers will announce the cancellation of the event this week because of the coronavirus pandemic, German Tennis Federation (DTB) vice-president Dirk Hordorff said.

    All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) officials said last week the event, due to start on 29 June would not be played behind closed doors and postponement was not without significant risk and difficulty.

    "Wimbledon has stated that they will have a board meeting next Wednesday and will make the final decision there," Hordorff told Sky Sports Germany.

    "I am also involved in the bodies of the ATP and WTA. The necessary decisions have already been made there and Wimbledon will decide to cancel next Wednesday. There is no doubt about it. This is necessary in the current situation.

    "It is completely unrealistic to imagine that with the travel restrictions that we currently have an international tennis tournament where hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world would travel. That is unthinkable."

    A sign reading 'The Championships Wimbledon'Image source, Getty Images