Berlin, Germany | AFP | German Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders on Wednesday gave the Bundesliga the green light to restart behind closed doors from mid-May after weeks of shutdown imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus. The political blessing makes the German top-flight the first of Europe’s five …
Read More »Ramsey first back at Juve training, Ronaldo in quarantine
Milan, Italy | AFP | Welsh international Aaron Ramsey was the first Juventus player to return to individual training at the team’s sports centre in Turin on Tuesday as Cristiano Ronaldo began two weeks’ quarantine after returning to Italy. Ronaldo flew back to northern Italy by private jet on Monday night …
Read More »Virus could end Paralympic dream for British badminton player
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Multiple sclerosis sufferer Mary Wilson fears the coronavirus pandemic could have robbed her of her dream to play badminton at the Paralympics. Wilson, who hoped to qualify for Tokyo 2020, says if she does make it to Japan next year it will “be the biggest …
Read More »In ‘weird’ times, Freiburg’s Schmid prepares for football’s restart
Paris, France | AFP | Freiburg midfielder Jonathan Schmid said he is “not at all” afraid to return to the pitch but acknowledges that a second wave of coronavirus infections would put paid to German football’s plans to complete its interrupted season. “Germany wants to finish their championship,” the 29-year-old Frenchman …
Read More »Ronaldo awaited as Serie A gets back training amid doubts
Milan, Italy | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo has been recalled from Portugal as Serie A clubs get back to individual training on Monday after a two-month coronavirus lockdown, but doubts remain over whether the championship can return. The interior ministry’s go-ahead for players to return to club training facilities two weeks …
Read More »Players should be able to snub Premier League return: Sordell
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Players should be allowed to refuse to take part if the Premier League resumes amid the coronavirus crisis, former Watford forward Marvin Sordell said on Monday. Premier League chiefs hope the season can be finished over the summer, but their ‘Project Restart’ has come in …
Read More »Lloris wants Premier League title settled on the pitch
Paris, France | AFP | Hugo Lloris believes that ending the English Premier League season without declaring Liverpool champions would be “cruel”, but the Tottenham captain wants the final table decided on the field. The goalkeeper is following the English social isolation rules at home with his family in London, helping …
Read More »English FA bracing for long spell without fans
London, United Kingdom | AFP | English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke does not believe fans will be allowed into stadiums “any time soon” and has warned that the coronavirus crisis could cost the governing body £300 million ($373 million). Football across England has been indefinitely suspended, with the 2019/20 season in all leagues below …
Read More »Pogba using lockdown to prepare for return after injury woes
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is using the coronavirus lockdown to step up his return to fitness after an injury-plagued season. Pogba had made just eight appearances for United this season before the health crisis forced the suspension of the Premier League in March. The French World Cup winner …
Read More »Judge rules against US women’s soccer team in equal pay case
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | A federal judge dismissed the United States women’s soccer team’s bid for equal pay on Friday, rejecting claims the players had been underpaid in a crushing defeat for the reigning world champions. In a 32-page ruling, Judge Gary Klausner of the US District Court …
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