Sport shorts: Liverpool-Atletico Madrid tie to be investigated by health authorities
Ten things from the world of sport on Friday 24 April
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“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.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrand
In the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated