London, United Kingdom | AFP | Bookmakers at an “emergency summit” this month will be trying to find a way to “survive the slump” triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Racing and football, bookmakers’ two key sources of revenue, have come to a standstill across Europe since mid-March with betting shops also …
Read More »Juventus duo Matuidi, Rugani cleared of coronavirus
Rome, Italy | AFP | Juventus said Wednesday that French midfielder Blaise Matuidi and Italian defender Daniele Rugani had recovered from coronavirus after testing positive for it last month. Rugani was the first Italian top-flight footballer diagnosed with the virus on March 11. World Cup winner Matuidi also tested positive for COVID-19 a few days …
Read More »‘They miss me’, Pogba puzzled by critics like Souness
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is bemused as to why he remains a constant source of criticism despite missing most of the campaign through injury. The 27-year-old has been restricted to just eight appearances this season due to a persistent ankle injury. Former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness …
Read More »A month into lockdown, football forced to play waiting game
Paris, France | AFP | A month has now passed since the last football matches were played before packed stadiums in Europe, and the havoc wrought by the coronavirus pandemic means that nobody can say with any certainty when the sport might return. A crowd of 50,000 filled Ibrox Stadium in …
Read More »Premier League transfer embargo could follow wage cuts: Neville
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the Premier League may force clubs who are looking to cut player wages during the coronavirus crisis to accept transfer embargoes. Clubs in England’s top-flight have requested players take up to a 30 percent pay hit in cuts …
Read More »Out of hospital Dalglish thanks fans after positive coronavirus test
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish thanked fans for their support on Sunday after leaving hospital following a positive test for the coronavirus. Dalglish, 69, found he had the virus after being admitted to hospital on Wednesday for treatment for a separate infection which required intravenous antibiotics. …
Read More »‘No match worth risking a life’, says FIFA boss Infantino
Zurich, Switzerland | AFP | FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday said that “no match” is worth “risking a single human life” and that world football’s governing body would be able to help financially national federations during the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of top football leagues and international competitions have been suspended due to the …
Read More »Man Utd must be ready for return to ‘normality’, says Solskjaer
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking at transfer targets during the lockdown and believes Manchester United are well-placed to exploit any knock-on effects of the coronavirus suspension. With training and matches halted in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Norwegian has used some of this unexpected free …
Read More »Mane would ‘understand’ if Liverpool were denied Premier League title
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Sadio Mane says he would understand if Liverpool were denied the Premier League title even though they were on the brink of glory when coronavirus forced a shutdown. Jurgen Klopp’s men were 25 points clear of Manchester City when football came to a halt last month, agonisingly close to …
Read More »FIFA urges clubs and players to reach agreement over wages: sources
Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | FIFA on Monday urged clubs and players to reach agreement on wage reductions to protect clubs suffering financial damage due to the coronavirus crisis, sources said. The call from world football’s governing body comes as Premier League clubs are locked in talks with players and their …
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