Summary

  • Latest updates on how coronavirus pandemic is affecting sport

  1. Spurs stars back in trainingpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Defender Davinson Sanchez (top picture) and midfielder Steven Bergwijn (middle) arrive at Tottenham's training ground.

    A security guard wears a protective face mask at the entrance (bottom).

    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
  2. 'They have done everything to make it safe' - Steve Brucepublished at 12:58 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Today Programme
    BBC Radio 4

    Newcastle manager Steve Bruce, speaking to the Today Programme, on Premier League players set to begin non-contact training today:

    "They've done everything they possibly can to make sure that everything is safe. The attention to detail has been quite fantastic.

    "The vast majority of our squad have seen it and are satisfied. But everybody's personal circumstances are different. You could have a pregnant wife at home or you could have a sick mother in law or whatever. We'd have to respect them.

    "I can only speak of me personally and there we go, but I think all of us want to get the season started and finished. And when we see the Bundesliga - I mean, it looks strange, let's be fair with behind closed doors, but they're up and running, and determined to finish their season."

    .Image source, Getty Images
  3. No British GP without quarantine exemptionspublished at 12:23 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Formula 1 says it would be unable to hold a British Grand Prix if personnel are not given exemptions from plans to quarantine international travellers.

    The UK government will "soon" impose a requirement on all arrivals from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days.

    An F1 spokesman said: "A 14-day quarantine would make it impossible to have a British Grand Prix this year.

    "Additionally, it has a major impact on literally tens of thousands of jobs linked to F1 and supply chains."

    F1 has drawn up plans to ensure its races are coronavirus-safe as much as possible.

  4. Wolves train in isolationpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Wolves' players at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground took part in individual fitness sessions like this last Friday.

    They carried out sessions in separated areas of the training ground. Captain Conor Coady (top picture) and midfielder Ruben Neves (bottom) were among those involved.

    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Getty Images
  5. Football giants to host 'European Solidarity Cup - Football for Heroes'published at 11:52 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have announced a mini tournament called the 'European Solidarity Cup - Football for Heroes'.

    The matches will take place at each of their stadiums and will raise funds for health care resources in Italy and Spain - not Germany - which have been depleted by the coronavirus pandemic.

    Bayern will host Real at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Real will play against Inter at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium, while Inter would host Bayern at the San Siro.

    Healthcare professionals who have fought against the pandemic will be invited to the matches, which will take place when it is safe for supporters to return.

    "FC Bayern sees its contribution as a symbol of support for a united Europe, in which everyone takes responsibility for each other," said Bayern's statement.

    Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "Despite all the suffering and all the problems, we in Germany are perhaps fortunate that our healthcare system is proving resilient in this crisis.

    "But we have also seen horrifying images from Italy and Spain, both countries among those hardest hit in Europe by the pandemic."

  6. Juventus stars also returnpublished at 11:29 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Elsewhere in Europe, Italian giants Juventus have also returned to the Continassa training centre in Turin.

    Cristiano Ronaldo (top), Miralem Pjanic (second top), Paulo Dybala (second bottom) and Gianluigi Buffon (bottom) were among those pictured arriving.

    .Image source, EPA
    .Image source, AFP
    .Image source, Reuters
    .Image source, AFP
  7. Man Utd urge fans to stay homepublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Manchester United have urged fans not to travel to stadiums when the Premier League resumes after admitting remaining matches this season will be played behind closed doors.

    United have written to season ticket holders to confirm they will be offered a refund for their remaining four home league games.

    But within their correspondence, the club has also urged supporters not to turn up to grounds whenever they do take place.

    It has still to be decided whether games will take place at ‘home’ grounds or at neutral venues, although it is anticipated Old Trafford would be used in either situation.

    Given their fan base, it is accepted no matter where United played their games, there is a chance local supporters may turn up.

    "We ask for your co-operation not to travel to any stadiums at which we are playing on match-days," United told fans.

    "By supporting from home and following government guidance, you will be playing your part to keep your friends, your family and all United fans safe.

    "This united effort to stay at home will give us the best chance of protecting the health of everyone in our community."

  8. More on the return to trainingpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    On Monday, the Premier League's medical adviser Mark Gillett said that discussions will take place in the coming weeks over whether clubs would have to isolate in a hotel for 14 days before play resumes, as happened in Germany before the Bundesliga restart.

    Chief executive Richard Masters suggested that any proposal of a new date could hinge upon when teams begin contact training, with further talks expected to take place, "in the next week to 10 days".

    It took the Bundesliga nearly five weeks from starting non-contact training to playing matches. After Monday's announcement by the Premier League, that would leave them looking at either 19 or 26 June.

    Official protocols sent to players and managers last week and obtained by the BBC revealed corner flags, balls, cones, goalposts and even playing surfaces will be disinfected after each training session.

    Ongoing measures included in further guidance, involve twice-weekly testing and a daily pre-training questionnaire and temperature check.

  9. Liverpool stars return to trainingpublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Liverpool stars, including captain Jordan Henderson (top picture), defender Virgil van Dijk (middle) and England international Joe Gomez (bottom) have returned to training.

    The Reds currently sit 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

    .Image source, AFP
    .Image source, EPA
    .Image source, PA Media
  10. Wednesday start for Man Utdpublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Manchester United are amongst a number of clubs who won't return to training until Wednesday.

    The paperwork involved in the medical and training protocols is extensive and - for obvious reasons - clubs want to get it right.

    Odion Ighalo is due to be at Carrington at some stage, although his loan deal runs out in a fortnight.

    As it stands, he is due to return to Shanghai Shenhua. United would like him to stay for the remainder of the season.

  11. RFL postpones Wembley showpiecepublished at 10:08 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    This season's Challenge Cup final has been postponed after the Rugby Football League conceded it will not take place at Wembley on 18 July.

    However, the RFL remains hopeful of staging the competition this year and playing the final at the national stadium, even behind closed doors.

    The sixth-round draw was made only days before rugby league was stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell expects it to be July before the sport resumes.

    More here.

    .Image source, Getty Images
  12. 'I'm not going in' - Troy Deeneypublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Watford captain Troy Deeney speaking to Eddie Hearn and Tony Bellew on YouTube: "We’re due back in this week - I’ve said I’m not going in.

    "It’s nothing to do with financial gain, hand on heart if I was to go into full detail about my personal situation, everyone here would go no problem, I completely understand what you’re saying.

    "My problem was in the meeting, I asked very simple questions, for black, Asian and mixed ethnicities - they’re four times more likely to get the illness, they’re twice as likely to have long lasting illnesses - is there anything extra? Additional screening, heart stuff, to see if people have got problems with that? No? Well I feel that should be addressed.

    "My son is only five, he had breathing difficulties, so I don’t want to come home to put him in more danger.

    "I can’t get a haircut until mid-July but I can go and get in a box with 19 people and go and jump for a header and nobody could answer the questions, not because they didn’t want to, just because they don’t know the information so I said if you don’t know the information, why would I put myself at risk?"

  13. How Premier League stars will return to trainingpublished at 09:23 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Surprise inspections, GPS tracking and video analysis are methods that could be used to ensure clubs adhere to new safety guidance as they prepare for the resumption of the Premier League.

    Teams agreed to start non-contact training in small groups from Tuesday. All clubs carried out coronavirus tests on Sunday and Monday and the Premier League will announce on today how many, if any, positive tests were recorded.

    After Monday's 'Project Restart' meeting with clubs, Richard Masters, Premier League's chief executive, also revealed that a trophy presentation for the title winners, likely to be Liverpool, remains part of the plans.

    He said: "We would try to do it unless it wasn't possible because of safety concerns."

    At the meeting, Premier League clubs agreed to stage one of the return-to-training protocols. As well as training in small groups of no more than five, sessions must last no longer than 75 minutes for each player. Social distancing must be adhered to.

    .Image source, Getty Images
  14. What is ramadan like in lockdown?published at 09:05 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, when they fast during daylight hours - but how are sport's big names getting on with it during lockdown?

    The global lockdown has touched everyone in some capacity, and Muslims in the UK have had to deal with both staying away from food and drink for 18 hours, and mosques closing their doors.

    BBC Sport hosted a Zoom call with Toronto Wolfpack forward Sonny Bill Williams, England cricketer Adil Rashid and Sheffield United midfielder Muhamed Besic - on loan from Everton - to find out how they have been managing.

    Media caption,

    What is Ramadan like for athletes during lockdown?

  15. Good morningpublished at 09:01 British Summer Time 19 May 2020

    Throughout the day we will be bringing you the latest updates on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting sport.