K-League set to kick off as soccer resumes in South Korea

SEOUL – South Korea’s soccer league will kick off the season Friday, three days after the first pitch was thrown in baseball, in yet another sign that life in the country is starting to return to normal after strenuous efforts to contain the coronavirus.

The K-League had been scheduled to start Feb. 29, but on that day there were 909 infections of the virus — the country’s highest daily total. After weeks of extensive testing and tracing, that number has fallen to single figures since mid-April.

Soccer authorities have regularly consulted with medical experts and were advised that if the number of new cases fell below 30 for two weeks, then the league season could start.

And so the action begins with defending champion Jeonbuk Motors facing Suwon Bluewings on Friday night in the southwestern city of Jeonju.

"Thanks to the hard work of the South Korean medical workers and the population’s active participation in social distancing, the league can start,” K-League President Kwon Oh-gap told the Associated Press. "Also, we appreciate that clubs and players have fully cooperated in the preparation process.”

There are restrictions, however. No fans will be allowed in stadiums, many of which were built for the 2002 World Cup and have capacities of over 40,000. Although K-League officials are hopeful that this will change within weeks rather than months.

Friday night’s curtain raiser will be followed by three games on Saturday as Ulsan Hyundai, runner-up in 2019, hosts Sangju Sangmu, Incheon United faces Daegu FC and Gwangju takes on Seongnam. The first round concludes Sunday with Pohang Steelers playing Busan I’Park and FC Seoul traveling to Gangwon FC.

For all South Korea’s success in containing the virus — the country has reported 10,810 cases of COVID-19 and 256 deaths — there is a recognition that new cases could surface at any time. The 12-team league, which paid for 1,100 tests on players and staff at the end of April that all came back negative, has already been shortened from 38 rounds to 27. That number could be reduced further to 22 games if necessary.

"Our goal is to keep a close eye on the situation and finish the season without a problem,” Kwon said. "If there is a case of the virus in a team during the season, that team and any team they played against will be suspended for at least two weeks.”

With soccer around the world virtually shuttered amid the pandemic, the K-League has sold international broadcasting rights to more than 10 countries.

Hong Jeong-ho, the South Korea and Jeonbuk defender, said it sets the stage for international and local fans to see the caliber of the K-League.

"We have the chance to let football fans from around the world know that there are many good players in out country if we perform to our best on the pitch," Hong said according to the Asian Football Confederation's website. "I feel even more grateful that I can play football and I realize the importance of the game and of the fans."

TV viewers will be able to see for themselves how new safety measures will work. Players will not shake hands with each other, and spitting and conversations at close quarters on the field are prohibited with the K-League ready to impose sanctions on repeat offenders.

South Korea President Moon Jae-in has welcomed the return of sport to the country.

"The world will learn, with a close look, how to enjoy sports while making quarantine and everyday life coexist,” the president posted on social media. "I expect sports to give hope to the people desiring the recovery of their daily lives.

"To that end, the opening of the sports season should be well established in harmony with quarantine.”

Vissel star Andres Iniesta holds court with young fans online

Vissel Kobe superstar Andres Iniesta shared some of his wisdom with young fans Tuesday during an online question-and-answer session.

The Barcelona great and 2010 World Cup winner with Spain fielded questions and gave advice to around 100 children in the live event hosted on Vissel's official YouTube channel.

Asked the secret to becoming a great passer, the 35-year-old playmaker said, "Even when I play a simple pass, I try to make it a good one."

"In order to play well, it's important to be able to repeat the same actions again and again," he added.

Iniesta also gave encouragement to people forced to stay home following the extension of the nationwide state of emergency aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus.

"I hope we can all endure this time patiently, so that we can once again come together and enjoy soccer in the city of Kobe," said the Spaniard, who captained Vissel to their first major trophy in the Emperor's Cup final on Jan. 1.

Having opened the season with their sights set on further silverware, Vissel was forced to put its ambitions on hold when the J. League suspended play due to the pandemic in late February just two days after the first division's opening weekend.

Unable to practice, Iniesta and his teammates have been keeping contact online. But with Japan extending its state of emergency until the end of the month, the outlook for the resumption of the J. League season remains unclear.

Bundesliga zieht fünf Auswechslungen pro Spiel in Erwägung

FÜNF AUSWECHSLUNGEN SIND LAUT DFL GRUNDSÄTZLICH DENKBAR (PHOTO BY PIXATHLON/PIXATHLON/SID/)

Der deutsche Profifußball hat in Zeiten der Coronakrise die Erhöhung der erlaubten Auswechslungen pro Spiel von drei auf fünf in Erwägung gezogen.

„Falls diese Regel seitens der FIFA entschieden wird, werden die Klubs der Bundesliga und 2. Bundesliga kurzfristig über eine zeitlich befristete Übernahme dieser Regelung entscheiden“, sagte Geschäftsführer Christian Seifert von der Deutschen Fußball Liga (DFL) am Donnerstag auf einer virtuellen Pressekonferenz.

Der Weltverband FIFA hatte zuletzt den Vorschlag eingebracht, die Spieler bei einem zu erwartenden hohen Spielaufkommen nach der Wiederaufnahme des Spielbetriebs zu schützen. Eine Entscheidung über eine Regeländerung muss jedoch das International Football Association Board (IFAB) treffen.

Ander Herrera explains his Manchester United exit and reflects on 'sad' PSG title

Ander Herrera has revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tried to persuade him to stay at Manchester United last summer, but states his mind was made up after a disagreement with the board.

The Spaniard scored 20 goals in 189 appearances across a five-year spell at United, subsequently moving to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent after a breakdown in contract talks.

The midfielder admits it was never his intention to leave The Red Devils, and despite insisting he respects the United board, has revealed there were certain decisions made that ultimately pushed him out the door.

"When I look back a year ago, my intention was not to leave Manchester United," Herrera told ESPN.

"I had some different opinions with the board but I respect them. I respect them a lot.

"They do things for Manchester United and I disagree with the people who say they don't.

"They really suffer when things don't go well and they really fight to bring Manchester United back.

"I disagreed with some of the decisions they made but this happens in football. It happens in every company.

"Apart from that, I respect them. I had a great relationship with Ed Woodward and with the owners when they came so I have nothing to complain about with them.

"He [Solskjaer] did a lot for me to stay, but things did not happen, they [United] arrived late, and by then I had already made the decision to play in Paris."

With PSG crowned champions after the French government extended their suspension of sporting events until September, the 30-year-old has validated his decision to move on, although admitting it was a sad way to win his first league title.

"To be honest, I didn't celebrate it," Herrera said. "I love football but I love to play football and win trophies on the pitch.

"Of course, it's good to have one more title but it's not the same. I wanted to celebrate with our fans and my team-mates.

"I haven’t won a league title since I was a professional because in Manchester we had the possibility to win some trophies but not the Premier League, so I was looking forward to it but we couldn’t do it on the pitch.

"To be honest, it’s quite sad to win my first league title like this."

Rebosio y su caño a Zidane: "Me dijo 'otro más no' y me abrió los ojazos"

César Miguel Rebosio vistió la camiseta del Zaragoza desde el 2000, cuando llegó desde Sporting Cristal, hasta 2004, momento en que fichó por el Almería. En la Romareda vivió una de las mejores etapas del club ganando dos títulos de Copa del Rey aunque también un descenso en 2002 , aunque solventaron la caída con un rápido ascenso en 2003.

En esta intensa etapa le dio tiempo a jugar contra todos los grandes equipos de Primera División y ahora, en Uci Deportes, recordó uno de sus mejores momentos ante el Real Madrid y su actual entrenador, Zinedine Zidane. El Conejo le tiró un caño durante un Zaragoza-Real Madrid en la Romareda y al galo no le sentó demasiado bien, hasta pedirle, educadamente, que parara. "Nos enfrentamos en Zaragoza. Yo jugaba de lateral derecho. Entonces, me sumé al ataque y le hago una huacha y me miró. A la segunda, le intente hacer otro y no pude. Me miró otra vez. Yo mido 1,76 u el, 1,89. Diez centímetros más. Me dijo: "otro caño, no; otro caño, no" y me abrió los ojazos. 'No, maestro', le dije", explicó el peruano.

El peruano no especifica el partido pero en el único que coincidieron en la Romareda fue en la jornada 9 de Liga de la 03/04 en el que Zaragoza y Real Madrid empataron a cero.

Después de una trayectoria de 93 partidos en el fútbol español (56 en Primera) entre Zaragoza y Almería, el resto de su carrera dicurrió entre distintos conjuntos del fútbol peruano (Alianza Lima, Sport Boys, Sporting Cristal y César Vallejo) excepto una breve cesión en el PAOK griego en 2006.

Mertens, ora spunta anche il Psg

L'attaccante del Napoli nei piani del club parigino che deve sbarazzarsi di Cavani

Un giro del mondo, ma questa volta di mercato. A Dries Mertens non mancano le offerte, anzi aumentano di giorno in giorno. La duttilità del giocatore del Napoli incuriosisce tanti club che sono alla finestra per lui visto che è in scadenza di contratto. Ora, secondo il sito Voetbalkrant.com, ci sarebbe anche il Psg che cerca un sostituto per Cavani. Ora si tratterà di attendere con pazienza perché per Ciro (com'è soprannominato) c'è anche l'Inter.


Mertens, 33 anni compiuti il 6 maggio, è tra i giocatori più contesi in questo finale di stagione. Da tempo sul folletto dei partenopei c'è l'Inter con Conte che lo considera importante nello scacchiere tattico dei nerazzurri. 
Ma l'Inter non è l'unica soietà che si è mossa per averlo. In Premier League è spietata la corte del Chelsea, mentre sono state sempre molto forti le sirene cinesi (qui il contratto sarebbe ben più remonerativo).
Il Psg, invece, è lì alla finestra perché ha una gran voglia di rinnovare. Cavani, anche lui in scadenza di contratto, è tentato dal Cholo Simeone che lo vorrebbe al suo Atletico Madrid. 
In casa Psg, poi, c'è timore per un eventuale addio di Mbappè e Icardi non è certo sicuro di essere riscattato. In questa ottica ecco l'arrivo di Mertens che per Tuchel sarebbe vera a propria manna dal cielo.

Moses Simon définitivement Nantais ? Ça se précise

Le FC Nantes va lever l'option d'achat de son attaquant nigérian Moses Simon, prêté cette saison par Levante.


Arrivé l'été dernier de Levante sous forme de prêt, Moses Simon n'a pas tardé à faire l'unanimité au FC Nantes. A l'aise sur un côté, son poste préférentiel, comme en faux numéro 9, dans un registre plus axial, l'international nigérian s'est attiré les louanges de son entraîneur. « Moses Simon, on s’est rapidement aperçu que c’était une bonne pioche. C’est un très, très bon recrutement, a déclaré Christian Gourcuff, invité de RMC Sport mardi soir. Je ne le connaissais pas. Son parcours est étonnant quand on voit les qualités qu’il a démontrées. » Il ne fait dès lors guère de doute que le FC Nantes lèvera l'option d'achat du joueur de 24 ans, auteur de 9 buts et 8 passes décisives en 30 matchs toute compétitions confondues avant l'interruption de la saison.

Une option à 5 millions d'euros ?

« A partir du moment où il y avait une option, la question ne s’est pas posée, d’autant plus qu’il a manifesté l’envie de rester à Nantes. Ça fait très longtemps que c’est dans l’air du temps, a poursuivi le coach des Canaris, avant de conclure. Après, je ne suis pas dans les détails pour savoir si l’option est levée, mais je n’en n’ai jamais douté. » Selon L'Equipe, le club du président Kita devrait débourser la somme de 5 millions d'euros pour s'attacher définitivement les services du Super Eagle, encore sous contrat avec Levante jusqu'en juin 2023.

Vice do Náutico revela que clube ainda aguarda resposta por auxílio solicitado à CBF

Timbu, junto com outros 19 clubes da Série B, solicitou à CBF liberação de R$ 60 milhões do Fundo do Legado da Copa de 2014

Vivendo dificuldades financeiras para manter as contas em dia por causa da suspensão das atividades, causada pela pandemia do coronavírus, o Náutico vive a expectativa de receber, juntamente aos outros 19 clubes da Série B, uma resposta positiva da Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) para a solicitação de auxílio financeiro que foi feita através de carta entregue à entidade no final do mês de abril. Entre os pedidos presentes no documento, estaria o pagamento de R$ 60 milhões do Fundo do Legado da Copa aos clubes, que seriam repartidos igualmente entre as agremiações (R$ 3 milhões para cada). 

De acordo com o vice-presidente do Náutico, Diógenes Braga, os clubes além de solicitarem o aporte financeiro à entidade máxima do futebol nacional ainda tornaram público o desejo da manutenção do calendário com 38 rodadas do Campeonato Brasileiro e do pagamento integral das cotas. 

"O documento que foi entregue é uma solicitação dos 20 clubes da Série B e não apenas do Náutico. Fizemos esse pedido (aporte financeiro de R$ 60 milhões) e até agora não obtivemos respostas. Estamos aguardando, mas até agora nada. Além disso, os clubes não abrem mão de cumprir as 38 datas do campeonato e da cota integral dos direitos de transmissão", explicou. 

Com a diminuição drástica de receitas após a paralisação das partidas, encolhimento do quadro social e suspensão do pagamento de parte dos patrocinadores, o Náutico luta para pagar a sua folha salarial. A primeira com a redução de 25% para quem ganha mais de R$ 5 mil vence no próximo dia 10. 

Fundo de Legado da Copa

País-sede da Copa do Mundo em 2014, o Brasil, através de sua confederação de futebol - a CBF - passou a ser beneficiário de um fundo monetário disponibilizado pela Fifa para investimos na melhoria da infraestrutura da modalidade no país que tem o valor total de US$ 100 milhões (aproximadamente R$ 559 milhões, na atual cotação). Segundo informações divulgadas no site da CBF, deste valor, US$ 9 milhões foram investidos até 2015 e o ano passado houve um segundo repasse de US$ 25 milhões.

Why Leeds winger Jack Harrison saw NYCFC as his best bet to get back home to England

Even as Jack Harrison left England and the Manchester United youth system to go to high school and then a year of college in the United States, he always hoped to get back to Europe.

As he told New York City FC broadcaster Ian Joy in a recent interview with the club's local broadcaster YES Network, turning pro with NYCFC — a club under the City Football Group umbrella — was an important step.

"It’s just something in the back of my mind I always wanted to come back," Harrison recalled. "I knew once I went to New York, I knew with the affiliation, it could be a possibility that way."

That came to fruition after two MLS seasons, when Harrison signed a contract directly with the parent club.

"To sign up with Man City always just kind of seemed a bit weird to me, coming from the MLS signing with Man City just seemed a bit strange," he admitted. "But it all happened in the end and now I'm at a stage now I'm looking for the next thing. Just trying to keep pushing myself really."

After signing Harrison, City loaned him to the League Championship, first to Middlesbrough for the end of the 2017-18 campaign and then to Leeds the past two seasons. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic halting the current season, Harrison had started all 37 matches for first-place Leeds, who currently hold a one-point lead over West Bromwich Albion and a seven-point edge over Fulham in third. If the season can resume, the top two finishers will earn promotion to the Premier League, with the third through sixth teams entering the promotion playoffs.

Having begun in the red half of Manchester, Harrison credits his affiliation with City on both sides of the Atlantic for helping his progress, beginning with his relationship in New York with longtime experienced Premiership player turned NYCFC manager Patrick Vieira.

"I think, in New York I was really lucky getting in with Patrick [Viera]," Harrison said. "He was so approachable, and I was able to talk with him about anything."

Once in England, Harrison the club's support staff have been crucial in helping him through some early tough times in his first season with Leeds.

"They have a team of people that work with on loan players. So there's someone that overlooks everything and you have a psychologist, a video analysis, like a coach, and you have a physio there if you need it," Harrison said. "And so for me having that behind me, it was incredible. I can just use those resources to get through some difficult times in my career that I never really experienced before and I think working with a psychologist, they've really, really helped me in ways that I never really thought that were possible either."

Watch more of Ian Joy's chat with Jack Harrison for more on what it's like to play under legendary Leeds manager Marco Bielsa, and his relationship with former NYCFC teammates Frank Lampard and David Villa.

Русский футбол – социальная приживалка. Что будет после ковидизации?

Пандемия ставит вопрос о революционных изменениях в нашем футболе: он либо умрет, либо изменит статус в обществе. Наш обозреватель сравнивает и негодует.

«Людям нужны тяжелые времена и трудные испытания, чтобы развить мускулы души». Слова большой величины для мировой поэзии Эмили Дикинсон. Тут ни прибавить, ни отнять. Пандемия продолжает проверять всех нас на психическое здоровье и на «мускулы души», конечно.

Последние пару недель в этом смысле были совершенно замечательными и переливались всеми цветами шизофренической радуги. Поиграть своими мускулами решились многие. Иные, правда, сдюжили только на камеру, в условиях стерильной студии, и хватило их на пару устрашающих пасов в духе сомнительных боевичков а ля Брюс Ли из 80-х…

Думаю, никто спорить не будет, что футбол – всегда и почти везде на первом месте в плане народных спортивных предпочтений. Та самая беспроигрышная составляющая дуэта «хлеба и зрелищ». И во многих странах футбол не только помогает людям настроение поднимать, но и отдельным группам еще и деньги хорошие зарабатывать. Именно футболом, именно как бизнесом, а не откатами и освоением бюджетов.

Да, есть такие волшебные места. А еще футбол в этих райских уголках дает цель и мечты подрастающему поколению, чтобы на лишнее не отвлекались. Об этом и решились поговорить два наших молодых футболиста, не синхронно по времени, но синхронно по ощущению действительности. Одного за его сугубо личную позицию и эмоциональность клуб попытался оштрафовать, второго просто проигнорировали. Все равно в его родном Владивостоке приоритеты уже расставлены, во времена пандемии не пристало думать о футболе. А парни думают, и не только они, судя по количеству комментариев под интервью. Ведь мы же ратуем за здоровую нацию, за то, чтобы «у нас» было ничуть не хуже, чем «у них». Мы хотим гордиться своими, хотим своих Месси и Роналду, и сейчас, и в будущем. Ведь будущее все равно наступит. Оно неизбежно.

А пока COVID-19 активно тычет нас лицом в то самое, в то, что давно очевидно. Российскому футболу пора менять амплуа, выходить из роли социальной приживалки и вечно просящей бюджетницы. Футбол, особенно в регионах, требует иного внимания, иначе, скоро, уделять внимание будет уже нечему. Футболу нужны неравнодушные люди, влюбленные. И тогда ему, футболу, будет вполне по силам сплотить нацию, в любые тяжелые времена. Ведь спорт – это не скрытая угроза и не средство, спорт – это курс в сторону оптимизма.

Ну а пока у нас продолжается мышиная возня, пока многие футболисты действующие и футболисты бывшие, а ныне тренеры, отвлекают себя от злых реалий кто во что горазд. А горазды они, оказывается, на многое. Могут еще удивить. И пока одни путаются в своих показаниях и никак не могут определиться, по любви ли сократили зарплату своим футболистам или нет, другие сравнивают своих потенциальных болельщиков с бомжами и, испугавшись собственной креативности, вообще самоудаляются из инстаграмной реальности. На фоне всей этой нездоровой «движухи» в нашем футболе, смелых попыток и дальше не замечать надвигающийся коллапс, как-то особенно нереально и «нарнически» воспринимаются новости оттуда: про английского тренера, который в силу обстоятельств поработал в доставке овощей и фруктов, про бывшего тренера сборной Коста-Рики, который вкалывает на апельсиновой плантации, про испанских футболистов и футболисток, которые ушли на передовую, в больницы, помогать медперсоналу. Да, кстати, и про болельщиков, которые собирают посредством различных акций деньги, чтобы поддержать свои местные футбольные клубы. Потому что там понимают, что их объединяет. Потому что там живут футболом.

Países Bajos no permitirá partidos con público hasta que haya una vacuna

El ministro de Sanidad de Países Bajos, Hugo de Jonge, descartó este jueves permitir partidos de fútbol con presencia de público en las gradas antes de que se descubra una vacuna contra el coronavirus.

“Nadie sabe cuánto tiempo llevará esto. Esperamos que pronto por supuesto, pero lo realista es pensar que (existirá una vacuna) dentro de un año o incluso más tarde”, dijo De Jonge en una carta remitida al Parlamento.

El ministro hizo esta mención en el apartado de “eventos de masas”, entre los que se incluyen los partidos en grandes estadios con público y los festivales de música, y dijo que su vuelta será “el último paso” de la desescalada en Países Bajos.

Fútbol, el 1 de septiembre

El primer ministro Mark Rutte confirmó este miércoles en rueda de prensa que el fútbol profesional podrá reanudarse a partir del 1 de septiembre, siempre y cuando los encuentros se jueguen a puerta cerrada.

La temporada 2020/21 comenzará con un mes de retraso, pues la Eredivisie suele iniciarse a principios de agosto, por lo que la Real Federación Neerlandesa de Fútbol está obligada a ajustar el calendario y se baraja, entre otras posibilidades, que haya partidos durante las vacaciones de Navidad.

El máximo organismo del balompié holandés suspendió la temporada 2019/20 a falta de ocho jornadas para el final, declaró desierto el campeonato y anuló los ascensos y descensos.

Esta decisión ha sido llevada a los tribunales por el Cambuur y el De Graafschap, los dos equipos que encabezaban la segunda división, y este viernes se celebrará una vista oral al respecto.

Abandon du projet Yellopark : le FC Nantes réclame 12 millions d'euros de réparation

Les cana-rient jaune.

Selon des informations de L'Équipe, le FC Nantes réclame environ douze millions d’euros de préjudice à la Métropole de Nantes à cause de l’abandon du projet YelloPark. Ce projet version football moderne prévoyait la construction d'un stade au financement 100% privé, à la place de la Beaujoire, en plus d'un ensemble immobilier à proximité.

C'était le Nantes Poker Tour

Initialement soutenu par la Métropole nantaise, le projet avait progressivement perdu ce soutien. Finalement, la collectivité avait décidé d'annuler la vente du terrain, ce qui avait fini d'enterrer le projet en février 2019. « Nous avons saisi le tribunal administratif pour le préjudice des douze millions d'euros investis dans le travail préparatoire au stade qui devait voir le jour en 2022, alors que la mairie et la Métropole s'étaient engagées », justifie Waldemar Kita, lequel entend bien obtenir réparation pour l'engagement des premières études.

L'ambiance entre le club et la Métropole a dû connaître des jours meilleurs.

Premier League players scared of resuming season, says psychologist helping footballers with coronavirus crisis

A psychologist who has been helping players cope with the impact of the coronavirus crisis has warned many are scared of returning ahead of the resumption of the Premier League season.

Stephen Sylvester, a chartered psychologist working in sport and business, has been kept busy throughout the lockdown trying to help players through their mental health problems caused by the halting of all football activity.

“I’m fielding a lot of calls from players who have lost their physical and mental balance because they aren’t training, let alone playing games,” Sylvester told Telegraph Sport.

“But they haven’t lost a sense of perspective. They understand that people are dying because of this virus and if you look at the comments from Sergio Aguero (last week), fear is a major, major concern. The fear of passing this on to someone.

“With Aguero, he talked about passing this on to someone with kids back home and the fear this return to football could end up hurting a child. He doesn’t even have children himself, but what he has is empathy and compassion. He is worried about his teammates who do.

“The reality with this situation is we are all human and this pandemic has made us feel our vulnerability. There is so much uncertainty in all our lives and for a footballer not to know when they are going to be able to play again is pretty stressful.

“But at the same time, that does not mean they are immune from other fears and concerns. Some will be scared about being made to return to the training ground and to start playing again when they know there could be a risk of infection. It can cause all sorts of what we might call ‘unwanted thinking’.”

Sylvester added that although many are desperate to get back and will feel a huge sense of relief when they are able to train properly again, others are far less happy.

He continued: “It is perfectly understandable that there are footballers who cannot wait to get back. They love playing football, they miss the games, they miss their mates and their colleagues and they miss the social interaction, the banter.

“But even those who can’t wait to get back can also have big concerns. There is fear, there is no doubt about that because I’m hearing that fear.  What if they are carrying the virus and pass it on to someone else is the main one.

“The only way they can work through this is to identify their fears and concerns. I encourage them to go and seek the answers they need from their clubs. The clubs I have been working with have been very good at answering those questions because it’s important everyone is on the same page.”

Spadafora: "Campionato? Valutiamo la curva dei contagi al 18 maggio"

Vincenzo Spadafora è intervenuto sulla questione della ripresa del campionato, ancora una volta senza sbilanciarsi: "Non mi espongo in previsioni, dobbiamo stare attenti e sperare che da qui al 18 maggio i dati sul contagio siano positivi, così potremo riaprire pian piano - ha detto il ministro dello sport ai cronisti al termine di un'interrogazione in Commissione Cultura - Restrizione delle partite a porte chiuse? Questa ci sarà al 100%".

Alle 15 è partita anche l'audizione della Figc presso il Comitato Tecnico Scientifico per la valutazione del protocollo sanitario per la ripresa, la cui approvazione rappresenta uno snodo cruciale per la ripartenza della Serie A: "Attendiamo tra qualche ora i risultati di questo incontro", ha detto Spadafora.

Il ministro ha parlato anche del mondo dello sport di base: "Anche il mondo dello sport è in agonia. Nel nuovo decreto, che speriamo di approvare presto, ci saranno certamente delle risorse a fondo perduto per lo sport di base. Già nel decreto di marzo abbiamo inserito un contributo per i collaboratori sportivi e abbiamo poi istituito un fondo di 100 milioni presso l'Istituto per il credito sportivo, anche se non a fondo perduto, ma con una precisa direttiva che per almeno il 70% sia destinato alle società e alle associazioni sportive dilettantistiche".

Reunión de la ACE para valorar los escenarios de la Champions

Suspendida definitivamente la Primera Iberdrola, Atlético y Barcelona continúan en vilo por la resolución de la Champions. La competición europea se encontraba a punto de jugarse los cuartos de final, donde los dos equipos españoles se tenían que medir. Sin embargo, la crisis sanitaria paralizó la competición que a día de hoy no se sabe qué será de su futuro.

La Asociación de Clubes Europes (ACE) se reunió para valorar los posibles escenarios en la competición continental. Xavier Vilajoana, nuevo director del fútbol femenino azulgrana, fue uno de los representantes en dicha reunión, como informó el club barcelonés. En esta reunión se expusieron diferentes escenarios para acabar la competición, pero no se tomó una decisión definitiva y se emplazaron a una nueva reunión para decidir el futuro de la competición en el que la UEFA tendrá la última palabra.

Steve Blackmore dies aged 58 from brain tumour as tributes are paid to ex-Wales prop

Former Wales prop Steve Blackmore has died aged 58 after suffering from a brain tumour.

Blackmore featured four times for his country, including three appearances at the 1987 World Cup where he lined up in Wales' win over Australia in the bronze-medal match.

At club level, he played 169 times for Cardiff between 1982 and 1996.

Mark Ring, Blackmore's teammate for club and country, led the tributes to 'a brilliant player' and 'a real fun-loving character'.

Mark Ring@MarkRing10

Absolutely devastated to lose a life long friend. We met at Cardiff School Trials when very young. Steve ‘Wally’ Blackmore was a brilliant player, (ironically, one of the fittest forwards in Cardiff’s squad) a real fun loving character who will be sadly missed by all. RIP Wally.

166

04:37 - 7 May 2020

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"Absolutely devastated to lose a life long friend," he write on Twitter. "We met at Cardiff School Trials when very young.

"Steve ‘Wally’ Blackmore was a brilliant player, (ironically, one of the fittest forwards in Cardiff’s squad) a real fun loving character who will be sadly missed by all. RIP Wally."

Blackmore had been battling illness since first being diagnosed with a grade-four brain tumour in December 2018.

Cardiff Rugby Life@CardiffRugbyWeb

Sad news this morning as Steve Blackmore passes away aged 58.

‘Wally’ as he was affectionately known was Cardiff born and bred, and spent his entire career at the Blue and Blacks making 169 appearances at prop between 1982 and 1996.

Thoughts with his friends and family.

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05:21 - 7 May 2020

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Cardiff chairman Chris Norman said: "Steve was Cardiff through and through and everyone who played with him admired him for the way he made the most of himself.

"He always stepped up regardless of the challenge put in front of him.

"He took his on-field attitude into his recent battle against the tumour. He never complained, always fought against his illness and lived life to the full right to the end.

"We are all devastated at having lost such a loyal and committed friend and Cardiff clubman. Our thoughts and love got out at this difficult time to his family and friends. He will never be forgotten at the Arms Park."

BREAKING: Deutsche Bundesliga wird ab Mitte Mai fortgesetzt!

Großes Aufatmen im deutschen Profifußball: So wurde in der heutigen "Corona-Konferenz" zwischen Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel und den 16 Ministerpräsidenten der Bundesländer beschlossen, dass der Spielbetrieb der ersten und zweiten deutschen Bundesliga fortgesetzt werden kann. Demnach soll die Saison 2019/20 ab Mitte Mai weitergespielt werden. Das hat Kanzlerin Angela Merkel vor wenigen Augenblicken bei einer Pressekonferenz bestätigt. 

© Bereitgestellt von Ligaportal

DFL entscheidet über Starttermin

Über den genauen Startzeitpunkt der ersten und zweiten Bundesliga muss die DFL entscheiden. Als mögliche Starttermine stehen der 15. sowie der 22. Mai im Raum. 

Eine Taskforce unter der Leitung von DFB-Teamarzt Tim Meyer hat für die DFL ein Sicherheits- und Hygienekonzept erstellt. Unter strengen Rahmenbedingungen wird die Bundesliga-Saison in Form von Geisterspielen fortgesetzt.