Sport shorts: Liverpool-Atletico Madrid tie to be investigated by health authorities

1. Anfield tie under investigation

The Guardian reports that the Uefa Champions League tie between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on 11 March will be investigated by public health authorities over a potential coronavirus rise in the city.

Anfield was at a 52,000 capacity for the match, including 3,000 fans from Spain which was already on partial lockdown.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: “I have asked [the city’s public health director] Matt Ashton and his team to conduct a full investigation into any potential link between that match and the situation with coronavirus in the city.

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“We want to come to a view as to whether that decision had an impact on the people of this city and I’ve asked Matt to work with the universities to see if the data can give us an indication of that.”

2. Werner and Willian in Reds’s sights

Liverpool could be on the verge of two major signings this summer. According to Sky Sports RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner is ready to sign for the Anfield club if they pay his £52m release clause before it expires on 15 June. Meanwhile, Sport Witness reports that Chelsea winger Willian is in “favourable” negotiations over a free transfer.

3. Are we the champions?

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp adorns the back page of The Daily Telegraph after Uefa’s decision that qualification for next season’s European competitions has to be based on “sporting merit”.

The Daily Mirror says that in making its decision, Uefa has “effectively taken the possibility of a null and void Premier League season off the table”, which it believes is good news for Liverpool.

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4. London Marathon could be elite-only

London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher has not ruled out the rescheduled 4 October event only featuring elite runners. He told The Guardian: “We are trying to stay really agile and to keep scenario planning. And at the moment, I don’t want to discount anything until it becomes really impossible.”

5. Rugby player banned after signing for two clubs

South African rugby union player Rohan Janse Van Rensburg has been fined and banned for two weeks after it was revealed he had signed contracts with two Premiership clubs, Sale and Gloucester. The Daily Telegraph reports that Sale have also been given a suspended five-point deduction for their role in the saga.

6. England vs. West Indies postponed

England’s Test series against the West Indies, which was scheduled to start in June, has been postponed after cricket’s shutdown was extended until at least 1 July.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison said: “As much as we remain hopeful that we can deliver some cricket this summer, we are in the midst of a worldwide crisis and our priority - over and above the playing of professional sport - will be to protect the vulnerable, key workers and society as a whole.

“That’s why, simply put, there will be no cricket unless it’s safe to play. Our schedule will only go ahead if government guidance permits.”

7. British sport faces bankruptcy

Sport in the UK could find itself locked down until 2021 in a warning that will send a chill through clubs, organisations and governing bodies.

The Daily Telegraph says that sports are “desperate for clarification over both that timeframe and how social distancing measures may specifically apply to participants and crowds”, given that it’s the loss of gate revenue that threatens to devastate sport.

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8. Dier in the dock

The Football Association (FA) has charged Spurs and England international Eric Dier with misconduct after he climbed into the stand to confront a fan following the FA Cup defeat to Norwich in March.

The FA said: “Eric Dier has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3. It is alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder’s actions were improper and/or threatening.”

Dier, who was led away by stewards before he could get close to the fan, has until 8 May to respond.

9. Neville confirms departure in July 2021

England women’s head coach Phil Neville has today confirmed that he will leave the role in the summer of 2021. Neville said: “I am looking forward to getting back to work with the team as soon as possible. We have a fantastic squad of players and there is plenty to work on as we look to progress as a team going into 2021.”

10. Burrow picked by Bengals in NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals last night selected 23-year-old quarterback Joe Burrow as the No.1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Heisman Trophy winner Burrow, who played college American football at Louisiana State, said: “I knew I was going to have a really good season because I knew we had good players coming back, great coaches and we were going to work really hard. But to jump up to number one overall is crazy to me. It’s a dream come true.”

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