Threat of clubs going bust because of coronavirus not gone away - EFL
The back pages
Probably the biggest headline in town was England boss Gareth Southgate suggesting it could be a "moment for change" and an opening for black coaches, managers and executives in football.
Image source, GuardianThe back pages
By the way that story about the Stoke manager Michael O'Neill's positive Covid-19 test, resonated with the national newspapers.
A practice match against Manchester United was abandoned at the last minute eating up plenty of space on the back pages.
Image source, Daily Mirror
Image source, Daily ExpressChelsea Women have donated the £100,000 they received in prize money for winning the WSL title to the domestic abuse charity Refuge.
The Blues were were named WSL champions on a points-per-game ratio after the season was cut short due to coronavirus while they were a point behind Manchester City with one game in hand.
Emma Hayes, whose side are unbeaten since January 2019, said: "It’s a campaign that’s really dear to us and the best way we can demonstrate our support further is by committing our prize money towards it and helping those in need."
Image source, Getty ImagesNow Manchester United and Stoke City's preparations for the restart of Premier League and Championship hit a snag on Tuesday...
A planned practice match between the clubs was cancelled after the Potters manager Michael O'Neill tested positive for Covid-19.
Stoke had arrived at United's Carrington training base and were in the academy building when they found out.
O'Neill, 50, had tested negative in the previous five rounds of testing.
Stoke said the former Northern Ireland boss will now follow the relevant guidance and have a period of isolation.
You can read more on that here
Now a bit more about that news from earlier that the Merseyside derby has been given the go-ahead to be held at Everton's home ground Goodison Park on 21 June.
Liverpool will also be able to play home games at Anfield when the season restarts but of course that match at their local rivals has added significance.
The match against Everton on 21 June could be the Reds' first chance to clinch the Premier League title, their first top-flight title for 30 years.
It had been one of the games considered a risk due to fears fans could congregate at the ground and there was a possibility of it being played at a neutral venue, with Southampton's St Mary's earmarked.
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Zealand rugby league international Benji Marshall did not have a great start to the week and it has got even worse after he kissed a reporter at training.
The veteran halfback was dropped by his club side West Tigers on Tuesday for this weekend's match against Canberra.
But greeting a television reporter with a peck on the cheek at training at St Luke's Park in Sydney means he will now have to go into quarantine after falling foul of the National Rugby League's strict safety rules.
In a statement Wests said: "Marshall was involved in a social distancing incident with an accredited reporter, which was immediately reported to the NRL as per guidelines."
The NRL resumed towards the end of May with teams and players banned from mixing with people outside their clubs, households and families to reduce the risk of infections.
Right some news just reaching me that may have ramifications in the Premier League...well at the top of it.
It looks like the remaining Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool will take place behind closed doors at Goodison Park on June 21.
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Image source, Getty ImagesIf you missed exactly what happened in League One and Two...
Both divisions had their seasons ended early after a formal vote by clubs on Tuesday.
Both tables will be settled on points per game, while promotion, relegation and the play-offs all remain.
Coventry and Rotherham go up from League One, while Wycombe replace Peterborough in the play-off places.
Swindon are League Two champions, but "ongoing disciplinary matters" mean it is not yet certain who will drop out of the EFL and into the National League.
Stevenage are bottom, but they could yet be reprieved after Macclesfield Town were handed a fresh EFL misconduct charge on 1 June.
Read more on all that here.
Of course it is not exactly all sunshine and light in sport particularly in the lower reaches of English football, where the financial impact of Covid-19 has not gone away.
While Leagues One and Two have now reached a conclusion, after weeks of argument the threat of clubs going bust is still a major issue according to EFL chairman Rick Parry.
"There is a major problem still facing us," said Parry, who has forecast that their will be a "£200m hole" in the finances of EFL clubs by September,
"The aim is to make sure all the clubs survive and and we will be working 24 hours a day to make sure they do."
Image source, GettyWe mentioned La Liga a moment ago...
Spain's top flight resumes on Thursday and there is plenty at stake with the title race, European places and the battle to avoid relegation all wide open.
Games will be played behind closed doors every single day so the pace will be frantic, and with a host of compelling stories emerging.
Anyway if that sounds like your cup of tea or large latte, here is our guide to the remainder of the Spanish season.
Good morning all.
It's not long now until the Premier League returns on 17 June.
But before then La Liga in Spain will be up and running as more live sport slowly starts to return.
Here we will bring you the very latest on coronavirus and sport.