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Ex-Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf dies of coronavirus Marseille (AFP) – Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting the new coronavirus, a family source told AFP on Tuesday. Diouf, who was born in Chad but had French and Senegalese citizenship, led the club between 2005-2009 and helped build the side who lifted the Ligue 1 title in 2010. He was hospitalised in Senegal after contracting the virus there and became the country’s first COVID-19 fatality. Diouf had been due to leave for Nice earlier on Tuesday to be treated in France, but a sharp deterioration in his health — which saw him placed on a respirator — prevented him from boarding the plane. Diouf was also a journalist and football agent before taking over at the Stade Velodrome. Moving to Marseille aged 18, he was set on a career in the military, but soon switched paths. After studying at the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris, he worked at the La Marseillaise newspaper before becoming a football agent, most notably for Didier Drogba, who enthralled the Velodrome in 2003-04. He later became president at Marseille, “a difficult post, where there were very few men from diverse backgrounds,” said Jacques-Henri Eyraud, the club’s current president. “But he fought tooth and nail, and won the hearts of thousands of supporters.” Diouf himself was acutely aware of the lack of diversity at the management level, telling an interviewer in 2008 that the fact he was the only black president of a top-tier European club was “a painful observation.” “Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club’s history,” Marseilles said in a statement. Senegal President Macky Sall also paid tribute to “a great figure of sport” on Twitter. “To his family, I offer, on behalf of the nation, my deepest condolences.”

Marseille (AFP) – Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting the new coronavirus, a family source told AFP on Tuesday. Diouf, who was born in Chad but had French and Senegalese citizenship, led the club between 2005-2009 and helped build the side who lifted the Ligue 1 title in 2010. He was hospitalised in Senegal after contracting the virus there and became the country’s first COVID-19 fatality. Diouf had been due to leave for Nice earlier on Tuesday to be treated in France, but a sharp deterioration in his health — which saw him placed on a respirator — prevented him from boarding the plane. Diouf was also a journalist and football agent before taking over at the Stade Velodrome. Moving to Marseille aged 18, he was set on a career in the military, but soon switched paths. After studying at the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris, he worked at the La Marseillaise newspaper before becoming a football agent, most notably for Didier Drogba, who enthralle

Pape Diouf, who led Marseille to Ligue 1 title, dies from coronavirus Marseille (AFP) – Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting the new coronavirus, a family source told AFP on Tuesday. Diouf, who was born in Chad but had French and Senegalese citizenship, led the club between 2005-2009 and helped build the side who lifted the Ligue 1 title in 2010. He was hospitalised in Senegal after contracting the virus there and became the country’s first COVID-19 fatality. Diouf had been due to leave for Nice earlier on Tuesday to be treated in France, but a sharp deterioration in his health — which saw him placed on a respirator — prevented him from boarding the plane. Diouf was also a journalist and football agent before taking over at the Stade Velodrome. Moving to Marseille aged 18, he was set on a career in the military, but soon switched paths. After studying at the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris, he worked at the La Marseillaise newspaper before becoming a football agent, most notably for Didier Drogba, who enthralled the Velodrome in 2003-04. He later became president at Marseille, “a difficult post, where there were very few men from diverse backgrounds,” said Jacques-Henri Eyraud, the club’s current president. “But he fought tooth and nail, and won the hearts of thousands of supporters.” Diouf himself was acutely aware of the lack of diversity at the management level, telling an interviewer in 2008 that the fact he was the only black president of a top-tier European club was “a painful observation.” “Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club’s history,” Marseilles said in a statement. Senegal President Macky Sall also paid tribute to “a great figure of sport” on Twitter. “To his family, I offer, on behalf of the nation, my deepest condolences.”

Ex-Asian champions Western Sydney lay off squad, staff: reports Sydney (AFP) – Former Asian football champions Western Sydney Wanderers have joined other A-League clubs by temporarily laying off their squad and staff, reports said on Wednesday, as the coronavirus shutdown takes a heavy toll on sport. The Wanderers, who won the AFC Champions League in 2014, follow the lead of fellow top-flight clubs Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners, with Brisbane Roar expected to follow suit, Australian media said. Fairfax and News Corp newspapers both said the Wanderers had put their entire squad and staff on unpaid leave until April 22, when the A-League is to examine when or if the season can continue. The 11-team A-League was one of the last football competitions still standing worldwide until it was finally suspended last week as Australia tightened its measures against the coronavirus. On Friday, Football Federation Australia sent home 70 percent of its staff as it wrestles with the sudden loss of income. And on Saturday, Australia’s footballers’ union threatened legal action against Perth Glory after their players’ pay was stopped. The Wanderers and the A-League were not immediately available to comment.

Sydney (AFP) – Former Asian football champions Western Sydney Wanderers have joined other A-League clubs by temporarily laying off their squad and staff, reports said on Wednesday, as the coronavirus shutdown takes a heavy toll on sport. The Wanderers, who won the AFC Champions League in 2014, follow the lead of fellow top-flight clubs Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners, with Brisbane Roar expected to follow suit, Australian media said. Fairfax and News Corp newspapers both said the Wanderers had put their entire squad and staff on unpaid leave until April 22, when the A-League is to examine when or if the season can continue. The 11-team A-League was one of the last football competitions still standing worldwide until it was finally suspended last week as Australia tightened its measures against the coronavirus. On Friday, Football Federation Australia sent home 70 percent of its staff as it wrestles with the sudden loss of income. And on Saturday, Australia’s footballers’ u

Could coronavirus kill off German football fan power? Berlin (AFP) – German football is famed for its vibrant fan culture and member-owned clubs, but as the Bundesliga braces itself for a major financial hit in the coming months, could the coronavirus put an end to fan power? Many clubs are fearing for their financial futures in the crisis, prompting fresh calls to reform the long disputed “50+1” rule, which guarantees supporter influence and limits the power of wealthy investors. “Other leagues are more flexible because they are more open to investors…which could put German football at a disadvantage,” sports economist Christoph Breuer told DPA news agency. The “50+1” rule is fiercely defended by German football fans, who see it as a bulwark against the commercialisation of football. The rule ensures that a club’s members — usually its supporters — hold majority voting rights, meaning that no individual person or company can gain full control. Its detractors claim that it scares away potential investors, whose spending power would provide a lifeline for clubs starved of matchday and TV revenues in the current crisis. “Of course I can look for investors even with the 50+1 rule…but there would be many more possibilities without it,” said Breuer. – ‘Crisis as opportunity’ – As iconic clubs such as Schalke and Werder Bremen warn of an “existential” threat to their financial security, calls for reform are growing louder. “I think it’s sensible to learn and to question the entire system in a crisis like this,” Cologne sporting director Horst Heldt told Sport1. Hanover president Martin Kind, who has long campaigned for the rule to be revoked, took a similar view in a talk show last Sunday. “Football will change dramatically. It is always important to see a crisis as an opportunity and develop structures which facilitate sporting success with economic stability,” he said. Clubs like Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig would emerge unscathed from the crisis due to their major financial backers, he argued. Unlike Kind, who has repeatedly failed in his attempts to gain full control of Hanover, those clubs have managed to circumvent the 50+1 rule. Red Bull-backed Leipzig have bent the rule by admitting only 17 club members since their founding a decade ago, while the other three have been granted an exception due to the longstanding involvement of a single, local investor. All four clubs are widely despised by other German fans, and ultra groups across the country hold regular protests against both Red Bull and Hoffenheim investor Dietmar Hopp.

Berlin (AFP) – German football is famed for its vibrant fan culture and member-owned clubs, but as the Bundesliga braces itself for a major financial hit in the coming months, could the coronavirus put an end to fan power? Many clubs are fearing for their financial futures in the crisis, prompting fresh calls to reform the long disputed “50+1” rule, which guarantees supporter influence and limits the power of wealthy investors. “Other leagues are more flexible because they are more open to investors…which could put German football at a disadvantage,” sports economist Christoph Breuer told DPA news agency. The “50+1” rule is fiercely defended by German football fans, who see it as a bulwark against the commercialisation of football. The rule ensures that a club’s members — usually its supporters — hold majority voting rights, meaning that no individual person or company can gain full control. Its detractors claim that it scares away potential investors, whose spending power wou

Cooler tone in new US Soccer women’s equal pay filings Los Angeles (AFP) – Women players suing US Soccer say in court documents filed Tuesday that the federation has acknowledged the jobs of men and women footballers require equal skill. The language seemed to signal a decrease in tension between the parties after language in documents filed by federation lawyers earlier in March provoked widespread outrage in saying that playing on the men’s national team required a higher level of skill based on speed and strength and carried greater responsibility. The fierce backlash, not only from the women players but from sponsors such as Coca-Cola, ultimately forced Carlos Cordeiro to resign as president of the federation, to be replaced by vice president Cindy Parlow Cone — a former US international. US Soccer brought in new legal counsel, which has focused in court filings on refuting the plaintiffs’ claims that the federation violated the US Equal Pay Act and other anti-discrimination legislation. “The parties have significantly narrowed the issues to be tried by way of discovery and briefing,” Tuesday’s filing from the players’ lawyers said. “USSF no longer disputes that the jobs of the WNT and MNT players require equal skill, effort and responsibility — and therefore have necessarily conceded that they perform equal work.” The documents filed by the federation outlining the case they plan to make said the women players had not identified comparable male counterparts under the law — which requires equal payment for men and women working “in the same establishment.” “The undisputed facts show that the WNT and MNT are both geographically and operationally distinct,” the US Soccer filing said. “The WNT and MNT play in different venues in different cities (and often different countries), and participate in separate competitions against completely different pools of opponents.” The federation again stated that apparent pay discrepancies are due to a different pay structure negotiated by the women’s union. The case is set to go to trial May 5. Parlow Cone told reporters in a conference call last week that she would like to settle the case sooner. “I don’t think a trial is good for either party or for soccer, both in this country or internationally,” she said. “Obviously our women’s team is the best team in the world, and I am hopeful that we can find a resolution before this goes to trial.” Tuesday’s filings also included potential witnesses for both sides. The lists included all four class representatives in the lawsuit: Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn.

Los Angeles (AFP) – Women players suing US Soccer say in court documents filed Tuesday that the federation has acknowledged the jobs of men and women footballers require equal skill. The language seemed to signal a decrease in tension between the parties after language in documents filed by federation lawyers earlier in March provoked widespread outrage in saying that playing on the men’s national team required a higher level of skill based on speed and strength and carried greater responsibility. The fierce backlash, not only from the women players but from sponsors such as Coca-Cola, ultimately forced Carlos Cordeiro to resign as president of the federation, to be replaced by vice president Cindy Parlow Cone — a former US international. US Soccer brought in new legal counsel, which has focused in court filings on refuting the plaintiffs’ claims that the federation violated the US Equal Pay Act and other anti-discrimination legislation. “The parties have significantly narrowed th

US judge grants early release to Brazilian in FIFA corruption scandal New York (AFP) – A federal judge in New York on Monday granted the release from prison on humanitarian grounds of an 87-year-old former senior Brazilian football official tarnished by the FIFA corruption scandal. Judge Pamela Chen authorized the release of Jose Maria Marin, a former Brazilian Football Confederation president, who was serving a four-year prison sentence for accepting millions of dollars in bribes as part of the global FIFA corruption scandal. Marin was scheduled for release in early December 2020, according the US Federal Bureau of Prisons. But following a request from the Brazilian’s lawyers Chen granted a “compassionate release,” for reasons “including his advanced age, significantly deteriorating health, elevated risk of dire health consequences due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, status as a non-violent offender, and service of 80% of his original sentence,” a court document seen by AFP read. Marin was the first major football official found guilty and sent to prison in the United States as part of the “FIFA gate” scandal of kickbacks and bribes that smeared the reputation of the global sports organization. He was being held in FCI Allenwood, a minimum security facility in the state of Pennsylvania. In August of 2018, a New York jury found Marin guilty of accepting $6.6 million in bribes — along with his deputy, Marco Polo del Nero — in exchange for contracts to broadcast major tournaments. Upon hearing his sentence Marin, who had already served 13 months behind bars, broke down in the courtroom and burst out crying. “I could die in prison!” he wailed. “My wife and my family — don’t take away their means of survival!”

New York (AFP) – A federal judge in New York on Monday granted the release from prison on humanitarian grounds of an 87-year-old former senior Brazilian football official tarnished by the FIFA corruption scandal. Judge Pamela Chen authorized the release of Jose Maria Marin, a former Brazilian Football Confederation president, who was serving a four-year prison sentence for accepting millions of dollars in bribes as part of the global FIFA corruption scandal. Marin was scheduled for release in early December 2020, according the US Federal Bureau of Prisons. But following a request from the Brazilian’s lawyers Chen granted a “compassionate release,” for reasons “including his advanced age, significantly deteriorating health, elevated risk of dire health consequences due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, status as a non-violent offender, and service of 80% of his original sentence,” a court document seen by AFP read. Marin was the first major football official found guilty and sent t

Scenarios for a potential return of the Premier League London (AFP) – English football’s major stakeholders will meet on Friday to discuss their options to rescue a season derailed by the coronavirus outbreak. The Premier League campaign has been postponed until at least April 30 because of the pandemic, but the chances of a return in May look bleak. AFP Sport takes a closer look at the various scenarios that are likely to be considered in the talks over if and how to finish the season: Go behind closed doors One option is for clubs to converge on a neutral location in which all remaining games are played behind closed doors, with only essential personnel and broadcasters allowed to attend. There is believed to be growing support among clubs for this plan, with nine rounds of matches potentially in line to be staged in June and July. Fixtures would reportedly be played in one or two locations in the Midlands and London. That could mean players and coaches being quarantined away from their families in World Cup-style camps to avoid infection, with stadiums, hotels and training facilities undergoing a deep clean. A radical upturn in testing for the virus in the United Kingdom over the next two months is the key to this plan for a number of reasons. Firstly, to ease players’ concerns of contracting COVID-19 while playing, but also to avoid criticism of privileged professional players being tested with mild or no symptoms if that is not available to the general public and in particular frontline workers. If the curve of cases is not significantly flattened come the summer the optics for the Premier League to have medical officials at non-essential events would also not be good. Play the waiting game Given the massive impact of the virus on society in general, it is seen in some quarters as morally inappropriate for football to return too soon. Instead of rushing back to action, waiting until the virus is completely under control before play resumes is the preferred strategy in this scenario. With the virus reportedly set to peak in the UK in June, that could mean remaining in sporting lockdown until August or September. Waiting would allow the current season to be completed in full, ensuring the Premier League does not have to repay an estimated £750 million ($930 million, 842 million euros) to television companies for breach of contract. But it would have a huge knock-on effect for next season, potentially leading to a shortened schedule in 2020-21 in a bid to be ready for the delayed European Championship.

London (AFP) – English football’s major stakeholders will meet on Friday to discuss their options to rescue a season derailed by the coronavirus outbreak. The Premier League campaign has been postponed until at least April 30 because of the pandemic, but the chances of a return in May look bleak. AFP Sport takes a closer look at the various scenarios that are likely to be considered in the talks over if and how to finish the season: Go behind closed doors One option is for clubs to converge on a neutral location in which all remaining games are played behind closed doors, with only essential personnel and broadcasters allowed to attend. There is believed to be growing support among clubs for this plan, with nine rounds of matches potentially in line to be staged in June and July. Fixtures would reportedly be played in one or two locations in the Midlands and London. That could mean players and coaches being quarantined away from their families in World Cup-style camps to avoid

Paulinho among footballers stranded by China’s coronavirus lock-out Shanghai (AFP) – Oscar and Hulk jetted in just in time but fellow Brazilian Paulinho reportedly heads a long list of foreign stars locked out of China as the country attempts to stop imported coronavirus cases. There are no suggestions that former Barcelona midfielder Paulinho has the deadly disease, but China closed its borders at the weekend to returning foreigners, even those with work and residence permits. Former West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic is also among the more than 30 overseas players and coaches still abroad, reports say, dealing another blow to hopes that the Chinese Super League (CSL) season could begin any time soon. Arnautovic’s Shanghai SIPG had more luck with Oscar, Hulk and new signing Ricardo Lopes, hastily chartering a small aircraft to fly them back from Brazil. They landed in Shanghai on Friday night along with their families, according to local media, having departed Sao Paulo and making a brief stop in Malta to refuel. The trio will now spend 14 days in isolation as required by the Chinese government for all arriving foreigners, which should also prevent any potential spread of coronavirus to the rest of the SIPG squad. But Brazilian international Paulinho, 31, and compatriot Anderson Talisca failed to make it back to CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande, the Guangzhou Daily said. Shanghai Shenhua’s Colombian international Gio Moreno is another stranded at home after many international air routes were suspended because of the virus outbreak. Marouane Fellaini, Shandong Luneng’s former Manchester United midfielder, is the only known coronavirus case in the CSL, having recently returned to China. It is unclear when China will lift its restrictions on the entry of foreigners, having announced the “temporary” measure on Thursday. It also slashed the number of international flights serving the country. Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian World Cup-winning captain and Evergrande coach, is in China and posted pictures of himself riding his bike at the weekend having completed a period of quarantine. The CSL season was supposed to begin on February 22 but was indefinitely postponed after the coronavirus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December. It has since developed into a pandemic, killing or infecting hundreds of thousands of people across the world, although the number of locally transmitted cases in China has supposedly dwindled.

Shanghai (AFP) – Oscar and Hulk jetted in just in time but fellow Brazilian Paulinho reportedly heads a long list of foreign stars locked out of China as the country attempts to stop imported coronavirus cases. There are no suggestions that former Barcelona midfielder Paulinho has the deadly disease, but China closed its borders at the weekend to returning foreigners, even those with work and residence permits. Former West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic is also among the more than 30 overseas players and coaches still abroad, reports say, dealing another blow to hopes that the Chinese Super League (CSL) season could begin any time soon. Arnautovic’s Shanghai SIPG had more luck with Oscar, Hulk and new signing Ricardo Lopes, hastily chartering a small aircraft to fly them back from Brazil. They landed in Shanghai on Friday night along with their families, according to local media, having departed Sao Paulo and making a brief stop in Malta to refuel. The trio will now spend 14

Vela’s potential loan to Barcelona vetoed by LAFC: report Los Angeles (AFP) – Reigning MLS Most Valuable Player Carlos Vela says he had a chance to join FC Barcelona earlier this year but his current side Los Angeles FC vetoed the deal. Mexico’s Vela said while it would have been a great opportunity for him in January he doesn’t hold a grudge against his MLS employer. “LAFC did not give me facilities to leave, although it is understandable. In the end, they seek the best for themselves and each for himself. I tried and it did not happen, and nothing happens because I am more than happy here,” the forward told GQ Mexico magazine. Vela, 31, said Barcelona offered him a four-month contract. Vela has emerged as an MLS superstar with LAFC since arriving on a transfer from Spain’s Real Sociedad in 2018. Last year, Vela scored a MLS-record 34 goals in 31 games, with 15 assists.

Los Angeles (AFP) – Reigning MLS Most Valuable Player Carlos Vela says he had a chance to join FC Barcelona earlier this year but his current side Los Angeles FC vetoed the deal. Mexico’s Vela said while it would have been a great opportunity for him in January he doesn’t hold a grudge against his MLS employer. “LAFC did not give me facilities to leave, although it is understandable. In the end, they seek the best for themselves and each for himself. I tried and it did not happen, and nothing happens because I am more than happy here,” the forward told GQ Mexico magazine. Vela, 31, said Barcelona offered him a four-month contract. Vela has emerged as an MLS superstar with LAFC since arriving on a transfer from Spain’s Real Sociedad in 2018. Last year, Vela scored a MLS-record 34 goals in 31 games, with 15 assists. from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2QLDIDt

Belarus ploughs lone furrow over coronavirus as football league plays on Minsk (AFP) – As the rest of Europe shuts up shop to combat the new coronavirus, Belarus remains resolutely open for business. Restaurants in the former Soviet Republic continue to serve food, and the country’s football league plays on. Despite being at the door of a Europe grappling with the deadly COVID-19, life goes on here more or less unchecked. The Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed the global health crisis as a “psychosis”, and refuses to follow the example of much of the globe by imposing a lockdown. With less than 100 positive cases and no deaths in Belarus, Lukashenko this week suggested “there shouldn’t be any panic” over the virus. He encouraged his citizens to work on the land. “There, the tractor will heal everyone. The fields heal everyone,” suggested the straight-talking former collective farm director who assumed power in 1994. Vodka and saunas also figure on his list of miracle cures. And so, in stark contrast to leagues elsewhere on the European continent, the Belarus championship like the country’s tractors, ploughs on, undeterred. Special measures have been put in place nonetheless including thermal cameras to check the temperature of fans as they enter stadia which are disinfected twice a day. As a result, a rare spotlight has been shone on the humble “Vysshaya Liga”, the Belarus first division. Russian public television channel Match TV has bought the rights to screen its matches. And former Belarus star Alexander Hleb suggested in the German press that it could be lit up by the arrivals of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “We’ve taken all the measures recommended by the Sports Ministry. All those who are in contact with fans…are supplied with gloves,” Belarus football federation spokesman Alexsandr Aleinik told AFP. Crowds are well down though, by half last week compared to the week before, “enabling fans to distance themselves in the stands” said Aleinik. Since Tuesday however, there has been a shift in tone from the top. In a meeting with the Chinese ambassador Lukashenko asserted that his country was “controlling very seriously” the situation. And newspapers and state television began to talk about the pandemic which has now killed more than 25,000 people. But they stick to the line that a general lockdown is not the solution. Minsk, the capital, has become quieter over the past few days, over 65s are encouraged to stay indoors, pupils are authorised not to attend school.

Minsk (AFP) – As the rest of Europe shuts up shop to combat the new coronavirus, Belarus remains resolutely open for business. Restaurants in the former Soviet Republic continue to serve food, and the country’s football league plays on. Despite being at the door of a Europe grappling with the deadly COVID-19, life goes on here more or less unchecked. The Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed the global health crisis as a “psychosis”, and refuses to follow the example of much of the globe by imposing a lockdown. With less than 100 positive cases and no deaths in Belarus, Lukashenko this week suggested “there shouldn’t be any panic” over the virus. He encouraged his citizens to work on the land. “There, the tractor will heal everyone. The fields heal everyone,” suggested the straight-talking former collective farm director who assumed power in 1994. Vodka and saunas also figure on his list of miracle cures. And so, in stark contrast to leagues elsewhere on the Eur

Australia football body slashes staff as virus shutdown bites Sydney (AFP) – Football Federation Australia sent home 70 percent of its staff Friday in a bid to survive the coronavirus pandemic, as other sports were locked in crisis talks on how best to weather the storm. Despite holding out to be one of the last competitions in the world still playing, the plug was finally pulled on the A-League this week with soccer countrywide now at a standstill. FFA chief executive James Johnson said the shutdown would inevitably hit revenue streams hard, including national registration fees, broadcast money, sponsorship, and ticket sales. “So we have needed to adjust our operations to ensure that we can remain operational, forcing us to take the unfortunate decision to stand down approximately 70 percent of our workforce,” he said. FFA employs around 100 people and while some were switched to part-time, others are going on paid leave when possible and “a number of staff members” were forced to take time off without pay. There was no mention of players taking pay cuts. Football is not Australia’s most popular spectator sport, but more than two million people play the game and Johnson insisted it was only a “temporary stoppage”. “We need a strong national governing body in place and a team ready and able to get back to work as soon as possible, as football will play an essential role in the recovery of our nation post COVID-19,” he added. While soccer was closing in on the end of its season, rugby league and Aussie Rules had just started theirs, and the financial fallout is likely to be worse. National Rugby League bosses had previously said it would be “catastrophic” to suspend the season and they have been huddled in talks this week with the Rugby League Players’ Association to work out how to share the burden. Reports have said the game’s 480 contracted players, some earning in excess of Aus$1 million (US$600,000) a season, were facing 50 percent pay cuts. Another suggestion, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, would see all players receiving a basic stipend of less than $10,000 per month for the next three months in a bid to ensure those most financially vulnerable are not left behind. Australian Rules Football (AFL), Australia’s biggest spectator sport, is in similar crisis talks with savage cost-cutting already underway at most clubs and hundreds of staff temporarily suspended or let go. Rugby Australia, already facing tough financial times after a lacklustre season by the Wallabies and a hefty payout to sacked player Israel Folau, is set to unveil its cost-savings next week.

Sydney (AFP) – Football Federation Australia sent home 70 percent of its staff Friday in a bid to survive the coronavirus pandemic, as other sports were locked in crisis talks on how best to weather the storm. Despite holding out to be one of the last competitions in the world still playing, the plug was finally pulled on the A-League this week with soccer countrywide now at a standstill. FFA chief executive James Johnson said the shutdown would inevitably hit revenue streams hard, including national registration fees, broadcast money, sponsorship, and ticket sales. “So we have needed to adjust our operations to ensure that we can remain operational, forcing us to take the unfortunate decision to stand down approximately 70 percent of our workforce,” he said. FFA employs around 100 people and while some were switched to part-time, others are going on paid leave when possible and “a number of staff members” were forced to take time off without pay. There was no mention of players

Lessons from China as coronavirus-hit football faces difficult return Shanghai (AFP) – With nagging concerns about coronavirus sweeping through teams and players scattered across the world, unable or hesitant to return, China is finding that restarting football is no simple matter. The problems faced by China, one of the first countries to suspend football and the epicentre of the pandemic, could be a glimpse into the future for other leagues called off around the world. The Chinese Super League (CSL) was a harbinger of the collapse of global sport when officials announced in January that the February 22 start date had been indefinitely postponed. Last week there were claims that with the peak of coronavirus — which emerged in China in December — seemingly over in the country, the CSL could start on April 18. May 2 was also mentioned. But then came the first confirmed coronavirus case in Chinese football, a Brazilian in the second tier, one of a wave of imported cases that has put China on alert for a second virus emergency. And on Sunday former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, now with Shandong Luneng, said he had tested positive, becoming the first known case in the CSL. On Thursday the respected Soccer News said the season has now been pushed back to late May or early June. However, tough government restrictions announced later Thursday that partially seal off China, reducing international flights and barring foreigners, throw even those dates into question. Suggestions that basketball, the other major sport in China, could restart in early April have also fizzled out, dealing a blow to government attempts to portray China as getting back to normal. “If more cases occur in the future, the date of the Chinese Super League restart will be postponed again,” Soccer News warned. Both Fellaini — one of the biggest names in Chinese football — and Brazilian forward Dorielton tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from abroad. – Bakambu’s baby dilemma – Foreign leagues suspended by coronavirus will be watching how the CSL fares in getting off the ground, but the lingering threat of infections is not the only barrier. Chinese teams are training for the new campaign but numerous foreign players and coaches are still in their home nations and face being locked out the country. Late Thursday, China slashed the number of international flights and said that even foreigners with valid visas and resident permits will be blocked from entering after midnight Saturday.

Shanghai (AFP) – With nagging concerns about coronavirus sweeping through teams and players scattered across the world, unable or hesitant to return, China is finding that restarting football is no simple matter. The problems faced by China, one of the first countries to suspend football and the epicentre of the pandemic, could be a glimpse into the future for other leagues called off around the world. The Chinese Super League (CSL) was a harbinger of the collapse of global sport when officials announced in January that the February 22 start date had been indefinitely postponed. Last week there were claims that with the peak of coronavirus — which emerged in China in December — seemingly over in the country, the CSL could start on April 18. May 2 was also mentioned. But then came the first confirmed coronavirus case in Chinese football, a Brazilian in the second tier, one of a wave of imported cases that has put China on alert for a second virus emergency. And on Sunday former M

The dilemma of playing behind closed doors: World Soccer Talk Podcast World Soccer Talk is a weekly podcast about watching soccer on TV, online and apps. In the NEW episode, number 164, Christopher Harris and co-host Kartik Krishnaiyer cover a range of topics including: • A FOX analyst says goodbye to the broadcaster • The English Game comes to Netflix just in time • How much of an appetite is there for classic matches on demand • A new season of a hit soccer documentary is coming to Netflix • Plus letters from you, the listeners, in our mailbag section. Listen to the show via the player above or via this link. Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook. We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Here are the different ways you can download the World Soccer Talk Podcast stream: • Listen to all of our episodes of the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Spotify, • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Pandora app and website, • Subscribe to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Stitcher, • Subscribe to the podcast via Google Play, • Listen via the World Soccer Talk website, or visit the World Soccer Talk Podcasts page• Subscribe to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on iTunes,• Add the World Soccer Talk Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader, • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on TuneIn, Overcast, Soundcloud, Spreaker, YouTube and Audioboom.

World Soccer Talk is a weekly podcast about watching soccer on TV, online and apps. In the NEW episode, number 164, Christopher Harris and co-host Kartik Krishnaiyer cover a range of topics including: • A FOX analyst says goodbye to the broadcaster • The English Game comes to Netflix just in time • How much of an appetite is there for classic matches on demand • A new season of a hit soccer documentary is coming to Netflix • Plus letters from you, the listeners, in our mailbag section. Listen to the show via the player above or via this link . Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook . We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Here are the different ways you can download the World Soccer Talk Podcast stream: • Listen to all of our episodes of the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Spotify , • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Pandora app and website , • Subscribe to the World Socc

A-League footballer breaks quarantine in golf buggy joyride Wellington (AFP) – Wellington Phoenix midfielder Tim Payne tearfully apologised Thursday for breaking COVID-19 quarantine in Australia when he drunkenly drove a golf buggy along a Sydney street. Payne and his passenger in the buggy, teammate Oliver Sail, face the prospect of a heavy fine or suspension over the escapade in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “I’m incredibly sorry and incredibly embarrassed,” Payne told New Zealand’s Radio Sport. “I take full responsiblity for my actions and what unfolded on that night… I 100-percent fully expect there to be repercussions.” The New Zealand-based Phoenix were in isolation in Sydney in the hope that they could play in the A-League if the Australian competition continued behind closed doors. But the plan proved fruitless when the season was cancelled and the team returned home on Tuesday. New Zealand international Payne, 26, said his teammates were drinking at their remote accommodation in northern Sydney on Monday night when he and Sail decided to take a golf buggy for a ride. He said the pair were stopped by police, although he denied reports they were arrested and members of the public intervened to stop them. The reports said the buggy was stopped about five kilometres (3.1 miles) from the players’ accommodation and Payne blew positive on a roadside breath test. “Definitely a mistake on my behalf, it’s just one of those things you wish you could take back,” he said. Football Federation Australia said it was investigating and taking the matter very seriously. “If any misconduct is found to have occurred, FFA will be swift in taking action under the FFA national code of conduct,” it said. Wellington Phoenix confirmed an incident involving Payne and Sail had taken place, saying it too was investigating.

Wellington (AFP) – Wellington Phoenix midfielder Tim Payne tearfully apologised Thursday for breaking COVID-19 quarantine in Australia when he drunkenly drove a golf buggy along a Sydney street. Payne and his passenger in the buggy, teammate Oliver Sail, face the prospect of a heavy fine or suspension over the escapade in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “I’m incredibly sorry and incredibly embarrassed,” Payne told New Zealand’s Radio Sport. “I take full responsiblity for my actions and what unfolded on that night… I 100-percent fully expect there to be repercussions.” The New Zealand-based Phoenix were in isolation in Sydney in the hope that they could play in the A-League if the Australian competition continued behind closed doors. But the plan proved fruitless when the season was cancelled and the team returned home on Tuesday. New Zealand international Payne, 26, said his teammates were drinking at their remote accommodation in northern Sydney on Monday night when he and

Australia calls for higher age limit at 2021 Olympics football Sydney (AFP) – Australia called Thursday for men’s football at the postponed Tokyo Olympics to be changed from an Under-23 tournament to Under-24 so all players who helped their teams qualify can compete. “We would like to open up discussion with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to consider adjusting the men’s football tournament so that it becomes an U24 tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Football Federation of Australia CEO James Johnson said. The decision to move the Tokyo Games from this July to July 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns across the sporting world that some Olympic hopefuls might not be able to participate due to age restrictions, or simply because they lose form or fitness. Shifting football to an U24 format “would ensure the players who helped their nation qualify for the Games this year… have an opportunity to fulfil their dreams of representing their country and becoming Olympians”, Johnson said in a statement. Australia, like many countries, have been building up to the Olympics for years, with national team coach Graham Arnold also put in charge of the U23s when he was appointed in 2018.

Sydney (AFP) – Australia called Thursday for men’s football at the postponed Tokyo Olympics to be changed from an Under-23 tournament to Under-24 so all players who helped their teams qualify can compete. “We would like to open up discussion with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to consider adjusting the men’s football tournament so that it becomes an U24 tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Football Federation of Australia CEO James Johnson said. The decision to move the Tokyo Games from this July to July 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns across the sporting world that some Olympic hopefuls might not be able to participate due to age restrictions, or simply because they lose form or fitness. Shifting football to an U24 format “would ensure the players who helped their nation qualify for the Games this year… have an opportunity to fulfil their dreams of representing their country and becoming Olympians”, Johnson said in a statement. Austra

Italian football chief ready to finish season in August Milan (AFP) – Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said Wednesday he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics. “We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August,” Gravina told Radio Marte. “It’s premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible.” The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2. A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players’ union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future. “There are many issues,” said Gravina. As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted. “This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options.”

Milan (AFP) – Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said Wednesday he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics. “We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August,” Gravina told Radio Marte. “It’s premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible.” The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2. A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players’ union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future. “There are many issues,” said Grav

Ian Joy interview: The Heart Of The Game Podcast The Heart of The Game is a brand-new weekly podcast featuring interviews with the studio talent, commentators, players and coaches that bring us the beautiful game. Hosted by Nate Abaurrea, the latest episode features an interview with soccer analyst, presenter and co-commentator Ian Joy. During the interview, Ian discusses: • Opening himself up into new cultures through soccer • Which commentator at FOX Sports deserves a bigger chance • What FC St Pauli means to him • What drives him to strive to be the best that he can • How he got into sports broadcasting, • and the influence his father had on him. Listen to the show via the player above or via this link. Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook. We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Here are the different ways you can download The Heart of The Game from the World Soccer Talk Podcast stream: • Listen to all of our episodes of the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Spotify, • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Pandora app and website, • Subscribe to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Stitcher, • Subscribe to the podcast via Google Play, • Listen via the World Soccer Talk website, or visit the World Soccer Talk Podcasts page• Subscribe to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on iTunes,• Add the World Soccer Talk Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader, • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on TuneIn, Overcast, Soundcloud, Spreaker, YouTube and Audioboom.

The Heart of The Game is a brand-new weekly podcast featuring interviews with the studio talent, commentators, players and coaches that bring us the beautiful game. Hosted by Nate Abaurrea, the latest episode features an interview with soccer analyst, presenter and co-commentator Ian Joy. During the interview, Ian discusses: • Opening himself up into new cultures through soccer • Which commentator at FOX Sports deserves a bigger chance • What FC St Pauli means to him • What drives him to strive to be the best that he can • How he got into sports broadcasting, • and the influence his father had on him. Listen to the show via the player above or via this link . Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook . We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Here are the different ways you can download The Heart of The Game from the World Soccer Talk Podcast stream: • Listen to all of our episodes of

Nico Cantor interview: The Heart Of The Game Podcast The Heart of The Game is a brand-new weekly podcast featuring interviews with the studio talent, commentators, players and coaches that bring us the beautiful game. Hosted by Nate Abaurrea, the latest episode features an interview with bilingual soccer commentator Nico Cantor. During the interview, Nico discusses: • what it is about the Argentine accent that adds so much flavor to commentaries, • why accents are so important for soccer commentaries in Spanish-language, • if he feels more pressure because his father is a broadcasting legend, • why Argentina is synonymous with classic football commentaries, • the story of Arlo White and Leonardo Ulloa and the importance of proper pronunciations. Listen to the show via the player above or via this link. Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook. We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Here are the different ways you can download The Heart of The Game from the World Soccer Talk Podcast stream: • Listen to all of our episodes of the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Spotify, • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Pandora app and website, • Subscribe to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on Stitcher, • Subscribe to the podcast via Google Play, • Listen via the World Soccer Talk website, or visit the World Soccer Talk Podcasts page• Subscribe to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on iTunes,• Add the World Soccer Talk Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader, • Listen to the World Soccer Talk Podcast on TuneIn, Overcast, Soundcloud, Spreaker, YouTube and Audioboom.

The Heart of The Game is a brand-new weekly podcast featuring interviews with the studio talent, commentators, players and coaches that bring us the beautiful game. Hosted by Nate Abaurrea, the latest episode features an interview with bilingual soccer commentator Nico Cantor. During the interview, Nico discusses: • what it is about the Argentine accent that adds so much flavor to commentaries, • why accents are so important for soccer commentaries in Spanish-language, • if he feels more pressure because his father is a broadcasting legend, • why Argentina is synonymous with classic football commentaries, • the story of Arlo White and Leonardo Ulloa and the importance of proper pronunciations. Listen to the show via the player above or via this link . Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook . We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Here are the different ways you can download The Hear

‘Mission impossible’: A-League football, Australia’s last active sport, pulls plug Sydney (AFP) – Australia’s last active sport, the A-League soccer, pulled the plug on its season Tuesday to curb the spread of coronavirus, with bosses saying it had become “mission impossible”. The decision follows the National Rugby League and the country’s most popular spectator sport, Aussie Rules, making similar decisions over the past two days. Rugby union, cricket, basketball and other sports had already shut down. The 11-team A-League, which played to empty stadiums last weekend, only had five rounds left to complete the season. But tightened government restrictions, including state border shutdowns, made it too difficult to continue. “The decision taken was the result of the increased state and national requirements, in particular border controls that the states, and New Zealand have implemented,” said Football Federation Australia chief James Johnson. “As a national competition that is played in almost all parts of Australia, also in New Zealand, mission complicated became mission impossible.” FFA will review the situation over the coming weeks with a further status assessment scheduled for April 22, with the goal being to reschedule the remaining games. Two A-League teams, Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory, were already serving mandatory 14-day quarantines after playing in New Zealand last week and failing to get back to Australia before tough new entry rules took effect. “To get so close to completing the competition, only to pull up a few weeks short, has been heartbreaking for the players, clubs and fans,” added Johnson. “That said, the health and safety of our fans, players, volunteers and staff has always been the overriding consideration for us.” Australia has recorded more than 1,800 cases of COVID-19 with seven deaths. Although football is set to take a significant financial hit from the suspension, Johnson insisted it would survive, in contrast to doom and gloom predictions that rugby league faces a fight for its life. “The game will survive this, of that I’m absolutely sure,” he said. “But will we need to make changes, will things look different, I’d say yes.”

Sydney (AFP) – Australia’s last active sport, the A-League soccer, pulled the plug on its season Tuesday to curb the spread of coronavirus, with bosses saying it had become “mission impossible”. The decision follows the National Rugby League and the country’s most popular spectator sport, Aussie Rules, making similar decisions over the past two days. Rugby union, cricket, basketball and other sports had already shut down. The 11-team A-League, which played to empty stadiums last weekend, only had five rounds left to complete the season. But tightened government restrictions, including state border shutdowns, made it too difficult to continue. “The decision taken was the result of the increased state and national requirements, in particular border controls that the states, and New Zealand have implemented,” said Football Federation Australia chief James Johnson. “As a national competition that is played in almost all parts of Australia, also in New Zealand, mission complicated be

“Really scared” says Kilian, Bundesliga’s first coronavirus case Berlin (AFP) – The first Bundesliga player to test positive for coronavirus said on Monday he had been “really scared” as he suffered from the illness. Paderborn’s Luca Kilian, 20, was the first case of COVID-19 in the German top-flight which has been postponed until at least April 2 due to the pandemic. The Germany Under-21 international had missed seven matches since suffering a muscle injury in late-January but his club’s last match was the March 6 loss to Cologne. “It started on March 10 with a little bit of irritation in the throat. The day after I had a headache but I kept training” he told newspaper Westfalen-Blatt “On March 12 I had the first of my hot flushes and a day later they were really strong. Fever and strong shivers. It was then I started being really scared for the first time. “It took four days for the fever to drop, and after that I felt better every day,” he added. Defender Kilian, who joined the league’s bottom club from home town side Borussia Dortmund at the start of the season, was able to return home to his family to be taken care of by his mother, a nurse. “If I had stayed alone in Paderborn I would have gone to hospital,” “I can now talk from experience. I’m a sportsman and in form, but I had to fight a lot against the virus. For the people who already have health issues, it could put their life in danger.” As of late Sunday, 55 people in Germany have died of the disease with 18,610 recorded cases and Chancellor Angela Merkel was in quarantine after meeting a doctor who tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Earlier in the day Merkel announced a ban on public gatherings of more than two people and further infection control measures.

Berlin (AFP) – The first Bundesliga player to test positive for coronavirus said on Monday he had been “really scared” as he suffered from the illness. Paderborn’s Luca Kilian, 20, was the first case of COVID-19 in the German top-flight which has been postponed until at least April 2 due to the pandemic. The Germany Under-21 international had missed seven matches since suffering a muscle injury in late-January but his club’s last match was the March 6 loss to Cologne. “It started on March 10 with a little bit of irritation in the throat. The day after I had a headache but I kept training” he told newspaper Westfalen-Blatt “On March 12 I had the first of my hot flushes and a day later they were really strong. Fever and strong shivers. It was then I started being really scared for the first time. “It took four days for the fever to drop, and after that I felt better every day,” he added. Defender Kilian, who joined the league’s bottom club from home town side Borussia Dortmund at

Fellaini is first coronavirus case in Chinese Super League Shanghai (AFP) – Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for the coronavirus, his club Shandong Luneng said Sunday, the former Manchester United player becoming the first known case in the Chinese Super League (CSL). The 32-year-old Belgian international midfielder has a normal temperature and is feeling fine, Shandong said, but “is under observation and having treatment at a designated medical facility”. “The club will do its best… to help in the treatment and recovery of the player.” Fellaini is just the latest high-profile name in football to catch the disease, joining the likes of Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. But he is the first confirmed case in the CSL, dealing a blow to the league’s hopes of starting the season as early as next month. The campaign was supposed to begin last month but has been indefinitely postponed by the outbreak. Fellaini, also formerly of Everton, joined Shandong Luneng from English giants United in February last year for a reported 7.2 million euros. On Saturday, the Chinese Football Association said that the country’s best-known player, forward Wu Lei, had also tested positive for the coronavirus. Wu, who plays for Spanish strugglers Espanyol, is in self-isolation at home in Barcelona and has only mild symptoms. The coronavirus emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December and has since spread across the world and become a pandemic, killing 13,000 people and infecting more than 300,000.

Shanghai (AFP) – Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for the coronavirus, his club Shandong Luneng said Sunday, the former Manchester United player becoming the first known case in the Chinese Super League (CSL). The 32-year-old Belgian international midfielder has a normal temperature and is feeling fine, Shandong said, but “is under observation and having treatment at a designated medical facility”. “The club will do its best… to help in the treatment and recovery of the player.” Fellaini is just the latest high-profile name in football to catch the disease, joining the likes of Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. But he is the first confirmed case in the CSL, dealing a blow to the league’s hopes of starting the season as early as next month. The campaign was supposed to begin last month but has been indefinitely postponed by the outbreak. Fellaini, also formerly of Everton, joined Shandong Luneng from English g

Football grinds to a halt, but not in Australia Sydney (AFP) – Football might have ground to a halt across the world, but not in Australia where they are soldiering on, with a handful of fans turning up to cheer on their teams outside shuttered grounds this weekend. The domestic A-League has six rounds to go and Football Federation Australia decided to press ahead without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite two of the 11 teams undergoing mandatory quarantine. Like rugby league and Australian Rules, which are also pushing on with their seasons, it has lucrative broadcast commitments with the fear of financial repercussions part of the thinking. In opting to keep going, Football Federation Australia head of leagues Greg O’Rourke said they were adhering to government directives and expert medical advice. “We understand that these are difficult times for everyone,” he said. “We will always put the health, welfare and safety of our players, coaches, match officials, volunteers, administrators and fans at the centre of our decision-making process.” Australia is far from immune to the virus, and has sealed its borders, banning entry to anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident from Friday evening, with more than 1,000 cases confirmed. While the action continued, there were only four fixtures. That’s because Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory are serving mandatory 14-day quarantine stints after playing in New Zealand last weekend and failing to get back to Australia before tough new entry rules took effect. New Zealand-based Phoenix are making the biggest sacrifice, relocating to Australia so the season can be finished, separating them from friends and family for weeks, if not months. “The decision to travel to Sydney in an attempt to complete this season, was made as a club,” said Phoenix general manager David Dome. – Weird trip – Despite being in quarantine since last week, health officials have allowed them to train at a remote facility. With both teams unable to play, their opponents this weekend, Brisbane Roar and the Newcastle Jets, faced each other instead with Roar winning 1-0, thanks to veteran forward Scott McDonald’s first-half strike. Despite the lockout, a handful of fans chanted and banged drums outside the ground during the game. “Incredible effort from this pair of Roar supporters #RoarAsOne,” the team tweeted afterwards, showing a video clip of players walking to the turnstiles to applaud them at the end of the game. Not everyone approved, despite the players keeping their distance.

Sydney (AFP) – Football might have ground to a halt across the world, but not in Australia where they are soldiering on, with a handful of fans turning up to cheer on their teams outside shuttered grounds this weekend. The domestic A-League has six rounds to go and Football Federation Australia decided to press ahead without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite two of the 11 teams undergoing mandatory quarantine. Like rugby league and Australian Rules, which are also pushing on with their seasons, it has lucrative broadcast commitments with the fear of financial repercussions part of the thinking. In opting to keep going, Football Federation Australia head of leagues Greg O’Rourke said they were adhering to government directives and expert medical advice. “We understand that these are difficult times for everyone,” he said. “We will always put the health, welfare and safety of our players, coaches, match officials, volunteers, administrators and fans at the centre of

Virus chaos leaves English clubs fearing for their future London (AFP) – Forced into lockdown by the coronavirus, English teams outside the lucrative Premier League are facing an unprecedented period of financial uncertainty. Championship, League One and League Two matches will not resume until April 30 at the earliest and even that date looks optimistic given the chaos caused by the pandemic. A grim reality is taking hold in boardrooms around the country and some teams fear they could be forced out of business if football doesn’t return until after the summer. Aware of the growing panic, the Football League agreed a £50 million ($58 million) relief package, based on an early payment of bonuses, television money and an interest-free loan, to assist financially stricken clubs. But reports this week claimed that will only be enough to tide clubs over for the next four weeks. Cambridge chief executive officer Ian Mather admits the rescue package may not be enough, with the nightmare prospect of having to lay off staff a possibility. “These are unprecedented times for all of us in so many different ways,” Mather said. “One of the most concerning features of the situation for everyone is that there is no clarity as to when it will end. “This (rescue package) is welcome news but the amount we can access is relatively small and it is far from a complete answer to the financial problem we are facing. “We are looking at ways of reducing our cost base and this will include making some extremely difficult decisions when it comes to our staff.” Without matchday revenue, it is likely that some clubs will ask their players to accept wage cuts if the lockdown continues into the summer. In Scotland, top-flight outfit Hearts have already told their players and staff to take a 50 percent wage cut in a bid to stay afloat. – ‘Hit hard’ – There could be aid on the horizon if television broadcaster Sky Sports are willing to release some of the £119 million they are due to play the Football League next season. But that remains uncertain and, for now, fear is the over-riding mood across the English game. Steve Thompson, managing director of Dagenham, believes the fifth tier National League will need a bailout from the British government to survive. Thompson said clubs in the National League will, between them, require between £15 million and £20 million to keep running and revealed talks are ongoing with the Football Association.

London (AFP) – Forced into lockdown by the coronavirus, English teams outside the lucrative Premier League are facing an unprecedented period of financial uncertainty. Championship, League One and League Two matches will not resume until April 30 at the earliest and even that date looks optimistic given the chaos caused by the pandemic. A grim reality is taking hold in boardrooms around the country and some teams fear they could be forced out of business if football doesn’t return until after the summer. Aware of the growing panic, the Football League agreed a £50 million ($58 million) relief package, based on an early payment of bonuses, television money and an interest-free loan, to assist financially stricken clubs. But reports this week claimed that will only be enough to tide clubs over for the next four weeks. Cambridge chief executive officer Ian Mather admits the rescue package may not be enough, with the nightmare prospect of having to lay off staff a possibility. “Thes

Schedule of soccer games and programming on TV and streaming this weekend Friday, March 20 Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne City (A-League), 2:30am, ESPN+ Netflix premieres the brand-new soccer film entitled The English Game América vs. Necaxa (rerun), 9am, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Toluca vs. Cruz Azul (rerun), Noon, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Tigres UANL vs. Guadalajara (rerun), 3pm, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Chelsea vs. Arsenal (rerun), 4pm, Universo and AT&T TV Now (free trial) USA vs. Netherlands (rerun from 2019 Women’s World Cup), 8pm, FS1, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Saturday, March 21 Melbourne City vs. Sydney FC (W-League Grand Final), 12:30am, ESPN+ Western Sydney Warriors vs. Sydney FC (A-League), 4:30am, ESPN+ Soccerbox with Thierry Henry, 6am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Soccerbox with Paul Scholes, 6:30am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Perth Glory vs. Western United (A-League), 6:45am, ESPN+ Premier League Goals of the Season 2010-11, 7am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Premier League Goals of the Season 2011-12, 8am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Premier League Goals of the Season 2012-13, 9am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Canada vs. United States (rerun from Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship), 9:30am, FS1, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Premier League Goals of the Season 2013-14, 10am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Premier League Goals of the Season 2014-15, 11am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) USA vs. Netherlands (rerun from 2019 Women’s World Cup), 11:30am, FS1, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Premier League Goals of the Season 2015-16, Noon, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Premier League Goals of the Season 2016-17, 1pm, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Klopp’s Promise, 2pm, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Sunday, March 22 Man City vs. Man United (Rerun from 11/18/18), 6am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Man United vs. Man City (Rerun from 12/10/17), 8am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Man City vs. Man United (Rerun from 4/7/18), 10am, NBCSN, fuboTV, Hulu Live, Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Toluca vs. Cruz Azul (rerun), 6pm, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial)

Friday, March 20 Central Coast Mariners vs. Melbourne City (A-League), 2:30am, ESPN+ Netflix premieres the brand-new soccer film entitled The English Game América vs. Necaxa (rerun), 9am, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Toluca vs. Cruz Azul (rerun), Noon, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Tigres UANL vs. Guadalajara (rerun), 3pm, TUDN and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Chelsea vs. Arsenal (rerun), 4pm, Universo and AT&T TV Now (free trial) USA vs. Netherlands (rerun from 2019 Women’s World Cup), 8pm, FS1, fuboTV , Hulu Live , Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Saturday, March 21 Melbourne City vs. Sydney FC (W-League Grand Final), 12:30am, ESPN+ Western Sydney Warriors vs. Sydney FC (A-League), 4:30am, ESPN+ Soccerbox with Thierry Henry, 6am, NBCSN, fuboTV , Hulu Live , Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Soccerbox with Paul Scholes, 6:30am, NBCSN, fuboTV , Hulu Live , Sling Blue and AT&T TV Now (free trial) Perth Glory vs. We

Football clubs step up help for communities as virus bites London (AFP) – Prevented from plying their usual trade by the coronavirus pandemic, English football clubs are turning to their attentions to helping local communities cope with huge disruption to daily life. Liverpool’s cruise towards a first league title in 30 years has been put on hold, with the Premier League suspended for the foreseeable future. But the loss of four home games for the Reds and five for neighbours Everton could have had much more severe consequences for those dependent on the North Liverpool Foodbank. Around a quarter of food donations are collected at Liverpool and Everton home games by an organisation called Fans Supporting Foodbanks. Liverpool’s players and the club’s foundation have contributed £40,000 ($46,000) towards ensuring the foodbank does not run dry at a time of crisis. “If people are having to use a foodbank week in, week out anyway, the most disadvantaged in our community will be the hardest-hit during this period of time,” LFC Foundation director Matt Parish told AFP. “They can’t stockpile, they can’t build up reserves of food in the house. They will need that ongoing support during this time.” Liverpool staff will take an active role in the collection and distribution of food due to the added complication that many of the foodbank’s volunteers are older people, who are more at risk from the virus. The foundation’s range of programmes in the community, including football coaching, sessions for disabled children and activities for the elderly have been cancelled. However, provisions are being made by providing fitness videos available at home and keeping in touch with people who are isolated. “We are very conscious that physical activity is important, but also that people don’t feel like they are just stuck at home,” said Parish. “We have the ability to call people to maintain that contact. It’s going to be challenging for all of us to isolate, but if you are older or living alone that is probably even more stark.” ‘Wartime spirit’ At the other end of the Football League pyramid, at the bottom of League Two, Stevenage are doing all they can to help provide for and protect those at risk. Owner Phil Wallace has provided the resources for a community care line that will go live on Monday. Local residents over 70 will be able to call to have food delivered, prescriptions collected or even just to chat at a time when they may be forced to self-isolate.

London (AFP) – Prevented from plying their usual trade by the coronavirus pandemic, English football clubs are turning to their attentions to helping local communities cope with huge disruption to daily life. Liverpool’s cruise towards a first league title in 30 years has been put on hold, with the Premier League suspended for the foreseeable future. But the loss of four home games for the Reds and five for neighbours Everton could have had much more severe consequences for those dependent on the North Liverpool Foodbank. Around a quarter of food donations are collected at Liverpool and Everton home games by an organisation called Fans Supporting Foodbanks. Liverpool’s players and the club’s foundation have contributed £40,000 ($46,000) towards ensuring the foodbank does not run dry at a time of crisis. “If people are having to use a foodbank week in, week out anyway, the most disadvantaged in our community will be the hardest-hit during this period of time,” LFC Foundation direc

Brazilian hospitalised with coronavirus in China football ‘first’ Shanghai (AFP) – Hopes that the postponed Chinese football season could start as early as April took a hit Wednesday after a Brazilian tested positive for the coronavirus, reportedly a first in Chinese football. A 30-year-old Brazilian player living in the southern city of Meizhou is in hospital in nearby Guangzhou, health authorities said. They did not name him but Chinese media said it was the Meizhou Hakka striker Dorielton, and that he is the first reported case in elite Chinese football. His condition is unknown. Meizhou Hakka are in China League One, the second tier of Chinese football. The player landed at Guangzhou airport from Bangkok on Monday and was taken to hospital, health officials said. The Oriental Sports Daily said that the whole Meizhou squad is now in quarantine and that the new season could now be delayed further. All football in China, where the coronavirus emerged in December, is indefinitely suspended because of the pandemic. There had been suggestions that the top-tier Chinese Super League could begin next month. It was originally scheduled to start on February 22. Dorielton began his itinerant career at Brazilian giants Fluminense but has spent much of his career in Chinese football. Meizhou Hakka are yet to comment.

Shanghai (AFP) – Hopes that the postponed Chinese football season could start as early as April took a hit Wednesday after a Brazilian tested positive for the coronavirus, reportedly a first in Chinese football. A 30-year-old Brazilian player living in the southern city of Meizhou is in hospital in nearby Guangzhou, health authorities said. They did not name him but Chinese media said it was the Meizhou Hakka striker Dorielton, and that he is the first reported case in elite Chinese football. His condition is unknown. Meizhou Hakka are in China League One, the second tier of Chinese football. The player landed at Guangzhou airport from Bangkok on Monday and was taken to hospital, health officials said. The Oriental Sports Daily said that the whole Meizhou squad is now in quarantine and that the new season could now be delayed further. All football in China, where the coronavirus emerged in December, is indefinitely suspended because of the pandemic. There had been suggestions t

What sports channels are broadcasting now that most soccer leagues have been suspended In less than one week, our lives have been turned upside down by the coronavirus spreading around the globe. The threat of the virus spreading has meant the suspension of the vast majority of soccer leagues around the world. But with no live sports to broadcast, what are the leading soccer-related sports networks broadcasting instead? Here’s the low-down of what you can expect on your favorite TV and streaming channels: NBCSN One of the benefits of NBC Sports having a partnership with Sky Sports is their ability to simulcast live coverage of sports news from the United Kingdom. Earlier this week, NBCSN began extending their live coverage of Sky Sports News on weekdays to between four and six hours as a direct result of needing to fill their programming schedule. With many of the leagues and sporting competitions suspended, NBCSN has a lot more time to fill with live or on-demand programming. And Sky Sports News, being simulcast from the UK, is an ideal fit. Whether Sky Sports News will have much news to talk about with the leagues and competitions being suspended is another matter entirely. When NBCSN first started broadcasting Sky Sports News in 2019, the live UK news show was only on for one hour per day. In addition to Sky Sports News expanding on NBCSN, the network has also lined up a lot of classic matches and other soccer-related programming every weekend. beIN SPORTS Starting Friday, watch live soccer from Turkish SüperLig all weekend long beginning with Fenerbahçe versus Kayserispor followed by Besiktas versus Antalyaspor on Saturday, March 21 and closing out the weekend on Sunday, March 22 with Rizespor versus Galatasaray and Goztepe versus Trabzonspor. Also, beginning earlier this week, beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español will recap some of the most memorable moments of the 2019-20 season. Relive the action from the first two Copa Libertadores group stage matchdays and LaLiga’s most exciting matches of the season to date. The action continues with replays from the recent women’s soccer tournament, Tournoi de France, and LaLiga documentaries, among others. LaLiga documentaries highlight some of the stars and stories that have made it one of the best soccer leagues in the world. Also catch live airings of studio show The Locker Room on beIN SPORTS en Español and beIN SPORTS digital show, Sports Burst, on Facebook Live and beIN SPORTS XTRA, the network’s free 24/7 English-language LIVE sports, news, analysis and highlights channel. ESPN While ESPN continues to broadcast endless coverage of talking heads on SportsCenter, the ESPN+ arm of the self-proclaimed worldwide leader in sports has three appealing points for soccer fans. First is their daily ESPN FC show that airs nightly on ESPN+ featuring discussion and analysis of the latest soccer news from around the world (and there’s plenty of it based on recent developments). Second, ESPN+ will continue to stream games from the Australian A-League which will be played behind closed doors beginning this weekend. Third and finally, ESPN+ will stream the 2020 Grand Final from the W-League in Australia featuring Melbourne against Sydney. Fanatiz Fanatiz continues to broadcast live coverage of Real Madrid TV, Sevilla TV as well as live coverage from beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, TyC Sports and other channels. At $7.99 per month, the legal streaming service still has a lot to offer including live matches from the Turkish Super Lig this weekend as well as an archive of many games available on-demand. FOX Sports Last week, a FOX Sports PR spokesperson announced, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to suspend production of our live FS1 daily studio shows through at least Friday, March 20.” That caution has led to both FS1 and FS2 running nothing but reruns since last week. Plus, even with the rights the broadcaster has had for matches that were played, including home games for Club Tijuana and Santos Laguna in Liga MX, the broadcaster didn’t air those games and decided to show reruns instead. So far for the past week and the coming days, FS1 and FS2 have been showing a variety of reruns including U20 CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying, 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between USA and Japan, Daytona 500, 2019 Women’s World Cup, the documentary about David Beckham as well as reruns of XFL, WWE, NASCAR and boxing. FOX SOCCER MATCH PASS FOX Soccer Match Pass has nothing listed on their live schedule of upcoming programming. Absolutely nothing. B/R LIVE Surprisingly, B/R Live has a lot of live and on-demand content to keep soccer fans entertained. In addition to having live feeds of LFC TV, MUTV, Arsenal TV and Spurs TV, the streaming platform also has classic Champions League matches available on-demand including a full replay of Liverpool’s incredible comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 UEFA Champions League semifinals. TUDN and Telemundo Deportes Both TUDN and Telemundo are producing original content from their studios including news, sports and analysis shows — as well as reruns.

In less than one week, our lives have been turned upside down by the coronavirus spreading around the globe. The threat of the virus spreading has meant the suspension of the vast majority of soccer leagues around the world. But with no live sports to broadcast, what are the leading soccer-related sports networks broadcasting instead? Here’s the low-down of what you can expect on your favorite TV and streaming channels: NBCSN One of the benefits of NBC Sports having a partnership with Sky Sports is their ability to simulcast live coverage of sports news from the United Kingdom. Earlier this week, NBCSN began extending their live coverage of Sky Sports News on weekdays to between four and six hours as a direct result of needing to fill their programming schedule. With many of the leagues and sporting competitions suspended, NBCSN has a lot more time to fill with live or on-demand programming. And Sky Sports News, being simulcast from the UK, is an ideal fit. Whether Sky Sports