Coronavirus: West Ham boss calls for English Premier League season to be scrapped, Liverpool title drought

West Ham United vice-chairman Karen Brady says hopes of re-starting the English Premier League in three weeks are “dreamland” and believes this season could be declared null and void.
England’s top-flight soccer league, like the rest of world sport, finds itself in unprecedented peace-time territory as it attempts to react to the coronavirus pandemic which has infected nearly 800 people so far in Britain.

The Premier League moved to shut down until at least April 4 on Friday, joining top leagues in Spain, Italy, Germany and France where fixtures have also been suspended.
With no certainty as to when things will return to normal, it has left the 20 clubs in limbo, with Liverpool tantalisingly close to a first title in 30 years and several clubs – including West Ham – in the thick of a relegation battle. “The Premier League hopes that an interlude of three weeks from today will enable it to restart but that may well be dreamland,” Brady said in her column in The Sun.
“There is no dodging the possibility that all levels in the English Football League (EFL) as well as the Premier League will have to be cancelled and this season declared null and void because if the players can’t play the games can’t go ahead.”

Brady says cancelling the Euro 2020 championships could allow more time for the Premier League season to be completed.
West Ham, like most teams in the Premier League, have nine games remaining, which even if the suspension is limited to three weeks presents a huge challenge with the season originally scheduled to finish on May 17. There are also FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League matches to factor in.
Premier League chiefs and the clubs will meet to discuss the options next week. They are not numerous, though.
Stopping the season and declaring the current standings as final would be hugely controversial. While few would begrudge Liverpool a first title in 30 years – they are 25 points ahead of their nearest rivals – the relegation places are too close to call.
Six points separate bottom club Norwich City from West Ham who are in 16th spot, two places above the drop zone.
Likewise, nothing is yet decided in the second-tier Championship’s promotion race.
“So what if the league cannot be finished?” Brady says.
“As games in both the Premier League and Football League are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void.

“Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?
“A huge blow to Liverpool who might be robbed of their first title in 30 years.”

Brighton and Hove Albino’s chief executive Paul Barber said the decision to suspend the league was the only option.
“Our priority is to play out the remainder of the season but we have to be realistic in that we do not know where this virus is heading,” he told BBC Sport. – REUTERS

EPL boss calls for season to be declared 'null and void'

Joe Barton

West Ham United vice-chairman Karen Brady says hopes of re-starting the English Premier League in three weeks are “dreamland” and believes this season could be declared null and void.
England’s top-flight soccer league, like the rest of world sport, finds itself in unprecedented peace-time territory as it attempts to react to the coronavirus pandemic which has infected nearly 800 people so far in Britain.

The Premier League moved to shut down until at least April 4 on Friday, joining top leagues in Spain, Italy, Germany and France where fixtures have also been suspended.
With no certainty as to when things will return to normal, it has left the 20 clubs in limbo, with Liverpool tantalisingly close to a first title in 30 years and several clubs – including West Ham – in the thick of a relegation battle. “The Premier League hopes that an interlude of three weeks from today will enable it to restart but that may well be dreamland,” Brady said in her column in The Sun.
“There is no dodging the possibility that all levels in the English Football League (EFL) as well as the Premier League will have to be cancelled and this season declared null and void because if the players can’t play the games can’t go ahead.”

Brady says cancelling the Euro 2020 championships could allow more time for the Premier League season to be completed.
West Ham, like most teams in the Premier League, have nine games remaining, which even if the suspension is limited to three weeks presents a huge challenge with the season originally scheduled to finish on May 17. There are also FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League matches to factor in.
Premier League chiefs and the clubs will meet to discuss the options next week. They are not numerous, though.
Stopping the season and declaring the current standings as final would be hugely controversial. While few would begrudge Liverpool a first title in 30 years – they are 25 points ahead of their nearest rivals – the relegation places are too close to call.
Six points separate bottom club Norwich City from West Ham who are in 16th spot, two places above the drop zone.
Likewise, nothing is yet decided in the second-tier Championship’s promotion race.
“So what if the league cannot be finished?” Brady says.
“As games in both the Premier League and Football League are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void.

“Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?
“A huge blow to Liverpool who might be robbed of their first title in 30 years.”

Brighton and Hove Albino’s chief executive Paul Barber said the decision to suspend the league was the only option.
“Our priority is to play out the remainder of the season but we have to be realistic in that we do not know where this virus is heading,” he told BBC Sport. – REUTERS

Russell Gould

The remaining two one-day games between Australia and New Zealand have been cancelled as well as the T20 series later this month as a result of the conoravirus pandemic.

Officials for the tourists were informed this afternoon that the New Zealand Government tightened its border restrictions and included Australia on the list of countries from which those entering their county would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.

The new border restriction comes in to effect tomorrow at 10pm Sydney time, forcing the Black Cap to rush home before the restriction was in place.

The bulk of the squad will fly out of Sydney tonight.

It means the three-match T20I series scheduled for New Zealand can’t proceed as the mandatory self-isolation period would also apply to the Australian squad as soon as it crossed the border into New Zealand.

The hope is the matches can be played in their entirety at a later and more appropriate date.

New Zealand officials were still awaiting test results after fast bowler Lachie Ferguson was put in isolation after reporting to medical staff with a sore throat following Friday’s game at the SCG, which was played without spectators.

New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson has been placed into isolation after suffering a sore throat following Friday’s one-day international against Australia.

Ferguson has undergone tests on the ailment following the 71-run loss, given his international travel from New Zealand in the past week.

It comes with the series played under the cloud of the coronavirus pandemic, with crowds banned from attending matches in a bid to limit its spread.

“In accordance with recommended health protocols, Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24 hours after reporting a sore throat at the end of the first ODI,” a New Zealand Cricket spokesman said.

Kiwis rush home to beat travel restrictions

Russell Gould

The remaining two one-day games between Australia and New Zealand have been cancelled as well as the T20 series later this month as a result of the conoravirus pandemic.

Officials for the tourists were informed this afternoon that the New Zealand Government tightened its border restrictions and included Australia on the list of countries from which those entering their county would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.

The new border restriction comes in to effect tomorrow at 10pm Sydney time, forcing the Black Cap to rush home before the restriction was in place.

The bulk of the squad will fly out of Sydney tonight.

It means the three-match T20I series scheduled for New Zealand can’t proceed as the mandatory self-isolation period would also apply to the Australian squad as soon as it crossed the border into New Zealand.

The hope is the matches can be played in their entirety at a later and more appropriate date.

New Zealand officials were still awaiting test results after fast bowler Lachie Ferguson was put in isolation after reporting to medical staff with a sore throat following Friday’s game at the SCG, which was played without spectators.

Major League Baseball is allowing players to go home, making the decision a day after cancelling the rest of the spring training schedule and postponing opening day by at least two weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

After a meeting in Arizona that included baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, union head Tony Clark and their top aides, players were told they could remain at spring training, report to the team’s home city or go to their own home. The league also announced it was suspending spring training camps.

New York Yankees players decided as a group to remain in Tampa, Florida.

MLB announced earlier this week that the season will be delayed at least two weeks from its scheduled start on March 26, while teams speculated the season might not start until sometime in May, necessitating a reduced schedule.

MLB and the union discussed the need for likely two-to-four weeks of workouts ahead of openers once the date for the season’s start has been set.

MLB players allowed to go home

Martin Gibbes

Major League Baseball is allowing players to go home, making the decision a day after cancelling the rest of the spring training schedule and postponing opening day by at least two weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

After a meeting in Arizona that included baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, union head Tony Clark and their top aides, players were told they could remain at spring training, report to the team’s home city or go to their own home. The league also announced it was suspending spring training camps.

New York Yankees players decided as a group to remain in Tampa, Florida.

MLB announced earlier this week that the season will be delayed at least two weeks from its scheduled start on March 26, while teams speculated the season might not start until sometime in May, necessitating a reduced schedule.

MLB and the union discussed the need for likely two-to-four weeks of workouts ahead of openers once the date for the season’s start has been set.

Matildas Tokyo warmups scrapped

Martin Gibbes

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has confirmed that the international friendly between the Matildas and world No.8 Canada, scheduled for April 14 in Vancouver, BC, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

FFA and Canada Soccer have been in regular discussions regarding the fixture, and in light of developments in both Australia and Canada over the past days, the decision has been made to cancel the game.

It’s another blow for Ante Milicic’s Tokyo Olympics preparations after the match against the reigning, and four-time, world champion USA on April 10 in Sandy, Utah was scrapped earlier this week.

Major cycling event called off

Martin Gibbes

A marquee Brisbane Cycling Festival event has been shelved because of coronavirus fears.

The Track Nationals, scheduled to have started at Chandler’s Anna Meares Velodrome on March 25, have been postponed, while the Australian junior titles that were due to begin Wednesday, have been cancelled.

“For our riders who have put in so much time and effort to prepare we know this decision will be greatly disappointing,” Cycling Australia chairman Duncan Murray said.

“However, we are currently in unprecedented times and the welfare of everyone including riders, coaches, officials and their families and other supporters is paramount in coming to this decision.”

Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake said his organisation had acted on government advice regarding mass gatherings.

Race meetings go ahead with caution

Martin Gibbes

Spectators will be barred from the feature race meeting at Caulfield in Melbourne today but the public will be allowed into racecourses in other jurisdictions over the weekend.

Racing NSW will wait until Monday to reassess the coronavirus situation as per government guidelines with Queensland and South Australia also holding meetings on Saturday and Sunday with spectators.

The federal government has advised non-essential organised mass gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled from Monday.

Racing in Hong Kong and Japan has been operating for several weeks in the absence of the public but racing in England has gone ahead as usual including this week’s Cheltenham Festival.

Saturday’s Caulfield meeting features the $5 million All-Star Mile and a huge crowd had been expected.

The public were also locked out of the meeting at The Valley on Friday night. The coronavirus crisis threatens the rich Sydney autumn carnival which officially begins today at Rosehill with the Group One Coolmore Classic and the final lead-up races to the Golden Slipper a week later. The Rosehill carnival goes for three weeks before attention switches to Randwick and The Championships.

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Coronavirus: West Ham boss calls for Premier League season to be declared 'null and void'

Updates

EPL boss calls for season to be declared 'null and void'

Kiwis rush home to beat travel restrictions

MLB players allowed to go home

Matildas Tokyo warmups scrapped

Major cycling event called off

Race meetings go ahead with caution

Coronavirus: West Ham boss calls for Premier League season to be declared 'null and void'

Updates

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