SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

[b]Ighalo Ready To Take £6 Million Pay Cut To Remain At Manchester United




Odion Ighalo will be happy to take a £6million pay cut in order to make his loan move to Manchester Unitedpermanent, according to The Sun.[/b]

He is currently on loan at Old Trafford from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season.

However, he has impressed so far, and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to retain his services for next season. 

The striker currently earns £240,000-a-week from Shanghai, but reportedly wouldn't mind taking around a 50% pay cut to join United full-time. 

Ighalo's contract runs until the start of 2021, but United have an option to buy him in the summer transfer window.  

The 30-year-old has scored four goals in eight appearances so far, helping United put together a long unbeaten run. 

Solskjaer said: 'he will improve and get better but he has qualities we saw in him and we needed and we will still need those qualities for next season, so let's see what we will do.

'He knows his job and what his role in the team is, and he's very good with his back to goal, great link player, but maybe the best thing about him is his personality, so he's got the whole lot really.

'He had three touches before his fourth was the finish. All them touches were high quality but he had to make them to create space for himself. But the strike is on the half-volley, great timing, no one would have saved that one so anyone would have been proud of that finish.'

 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8108237/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-says-Man-United-try-sign-Odion-Ighalo-permanently-fourth-goal.html

[Edoman]

Spanish football coach Francisco Garcia dies from coronavirus at 21










A young football coach, Francisco García has died from coronavirus, after doctors also diagnosed him with leukaemia.
 
The 21-year-old who was the youth team coach at Malaga-based club Atletico Portada Alta, had an unknown pre-existing health condition that resulted in him being more vulnerable to the virus than usual for an individual of his age, though he was only informed of having cancer after going to the hospital with symptoms of coronavirus, according to Spanish newspaper Malaga Hoy.
 
While he was struggling to breathe, he was advised to seek further medical help which he did and was told that he had both coronavirus and pneumonia. Doctors later disclosed to him that he had leukaemia, which increased the level of risk that he was exposed to after contracting the virus.
 
A club statement read: "We want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and close friends of our coach Francisco Garcia who has left us, unfortunately.
 
"Now what do we do without you, Francis? How are we going to continue conquering ... in the league? We don't know how, but we will surely do it for you.
 
"We will not forget you, rest in peace, phenomenon. Until forever."
 
Club president, Pep Bueno also paid tribute to him.
 
Bueno said: "Francisco was a great guy and a very talented coach. We are all still shocked.
 
"The hospital rang me at 7pm on Sunday to say his condition had stabilised, but then an hour later because of the coronavirus and (cancer) ... I do not believe it. It seems impossible to me."

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Torreira gives update on Arteta’s recovery from coronavirus

 March 16, 2020


Arsenal midfielder, Lucas Torreira, has said manager Mikel Arteta is “better” and has been communicating with the players.



Arteta was forced into self-isolation after he was infected with the coronavirus.
The Gunners also shut down their London Colney training ground, even as the Premier League decided to suspend fixtures until at least April 4.



Torreira is currently out of action, after suffering an ankle injury which is set to keep him sidelined until late May.
The Uruguay international has now revealed Arteta is keeping in touch with the rest of the squad.
“The truth is that we didn’t expect this virus to reach the club, the locker room. Mikel Arteta is better. He was able to communicate with us and he is improving,” he told Sport 890.



“In recent days, many cases of coronavirus were discovered in London and people were nervous. In some supermarkets, you can no longer find toilet paper or gel alcohol,” he added.

[Edoman]

Flamengo manager Jorge Jesus tests positive for coronavirus







Brazilian football club, Flamengo have confirmed that manager Jorge Jesus has tested positive for coronavirus, while doctors perform a second confirmatory test.
 
The 65-year-old Portuguese and former Benfica coach underwent testing on Monday and was given a 'weak or inconclusive' positive result for COVID-19.

“It’s true that my test came up positive and it’s also true that I feel normal,” the Portuguese coach said on Instagram.
“I feel exactly the same today as I felt a month, a year, two, three years ago. I have no symptoms but the test was positive.”
“I am going to stay under quarantine. I think that in a week or two, God willing, I’ll be back to normal.”
 
A club statement read: 'Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that the tests to detect the presence of Covid-19 in athletes, coaching staff and employees of the football department were concluded this Monday afternoon (16). 

''The club reports that coach Jorge Jesus performed the first test for Covid-19 and the result was a weak or inconclusive positive. The result is being checked.

'The coach is under the care of Flamengo's medical department and is presently stable. The board reiterates its commitment to health and safety during the Coronavirus pandemic and has suspended all training for the first team and youth teams for at least a week.

'Athletes, members of the football department and coaching staff tested negative for Covid-19. It is worth mentioning that the football department will follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health during the Coronavirus pandemic.'
 
 
 
 

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[Edoman]

Chelsea remind player Mason Mount of his responsibilities after he broke club's coronavirus self-isolation rules to play football with another footballer






Chelsea have reminded player Mason Mount and the rest of their first-team squad of their responsibilities during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, after Mount broke his self-isolation.
 
Mount was pictured playing football at Trent Park Football Centre in Barnet on Sunday along with West Ham midfielder Declan Rice days after the club ordered its players and staff to self-isolate for 14 days  after winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for Covid-19 last Thursday.


West Ham's Rice, a childhood friend of Mount, was not subjected to self-isolation precautions by his club as there have been no reported cases of players or staff having tested positive for the coronavirus at West Ham so he didn't see anything wrong in playing football with Mount.


According to Goal, Chelsea warned Mount not to break self-isolation rules again and retold other players to avoid public spaces and meeting with friends, as advised by Government health authorities.
 
The Premier league has been suspended till April 3 following government orders to stop large gatherings of people to combat the virus.
 
Odoi, who tested positive to the virus last week, and was the premier league's first player to be diagnosed of the virus, released a video over the weekend, saying he had recovered from the virus.

"Hi guys, as you may be aware I had the virus for the last couple of days, which I've recovered from," he said in a video on social media.

"I'm following the health guidelines and self-isolating for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hopefully be back on the pitch very soon. Take care."
 
British authorities believe as much as 10,000 Brits could have been infected by the virus.
 

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Euro 2020 postponed until summer of 2021







UEFA have officially decided to postpone the Euro 2020 until the summer of 2021 to allow European leagues to complete their seasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.
 
The Norwegian FA confirmed the news on their social media accounts as they say the tournament which was to be held across 12 European cities and was scheduled to begin on June 12, will now be played between June 11 and July 11, 2021.
 
 "Uefa has decided that the Euros should be postponed until 2021. It will be played from 11 June to 11 July next year."
 

UEFA har bestemt at EM utsettes til 2021. Det skal spilles fra 11. juni til 11. juli neste år. Mer informasjon kommer.
— NorgesFotballforbund (@nff_info) March 17, 2020

 
The decision comes after UEFA held conference calls with its 55 member associations, the board of the European Club Association and the board of the European Leagues.
 
The postponement provides a chance for European leagues that have been suspended to now be completed.

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[Edoman]

Spanish club, Valencia confirms 35% of squad and backroom staff have tested positive for coronavirus






Spanish club, Valencia have confirmed that 35% of their squad and backroom staff have tested positive for the coronavirus but that all cases are currently asymptomatic.
 
The La Liga club had already reported five cases of coronavirus on Sunday, with Argentina's Ezequiel Garay and France's Eliaquim Mangala among those who had contracted the virus.
 
Addressing the coronavirus outbreak at the club, the La Liga side said in a statement: "Several further tests for the COVID-19 coronavirus amongst Valencia coaching staff and players have come back positive,"
 
"Despite the strict measures adopted by the club after their Champions League game ... these latest results show the exposure inherent to such matches has caused a positive test rate of around 35%," Valencia added.
 
"All cases are asymptomatic and those involved are currently isolated at home, receiving medical assessment and carrying out their scheduled training plan."
 
Globally, the coronavirus has infected almost 180,000 people and killed over 7,000.
 

[Edoman]

Basketball star, Kevin Durant and three other Brooklyn Nets players test positive for coronavirus







American Basketball star, Kevin Durant and three other Brooklyn Net players have tested positive for coronavirus. 
 
Recall that on Tuesday March 17,  the Nets announced that four of their players had tested positive for COVID-19 but did not reveal names. According to the team, all four Nets players are in quarantine with only one experiencing symptoms.
 

 
Shams Charania of The Athletic said Kevin confirmed the development and also revealed he is doing fine. Kevin said; 
 

 "Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this."

 
The team was reportedly tested after returning from their game at San Francisco's Chase Center, and the results came back on Tuesday. 
 

 
States are shutting down restaurants, bars, gyms and schools to try to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has now killed at least 110 people in the United States.
 
There are at least 6,300 confirmed cases in the U.S, with COVID-19 reaching all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
 
Globally, there are more than 197,490 coronavirus cases and more than 7,940 deaths, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
 

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[Edoman]

Mikel Obi’s contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor terminated by mutual consent








Turkish football club, Trabzonspor has announced the departure of former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent.
 
“The professional football player agreement between our company and John Obi Mikel on 30.06.2019 start date 31.05.2021 has been mutually terminated. With a mutual termination agreement, the football player gave up all his forward-looking receivables,” the club announced on Tuesday.
 
The reason for his termination wasn't revealed, but this comes days after Mikel, 33, criticised Turkish football authorities for not suspending the Super Lig season despite the spread of the coronavirus across Europe.
 
The former Chelsea midfielder joined the club on a two-year deal last summer after leaving Championship club Middlesbrough.
 

[Edoman]

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz hospitalised with coronavirus symptoms









Former Real Madrid president, Lorenzo Sanz has been hospitalised with coronavirus symptoms.  
 
The news was confirmed by his son, Fernando Sanz, who played for Real Madrid during his father's time as club president.
 
He reportedly told Marca: 'We are quite worried and little can be done. He had been feverish for eight days, they called the phone and told him to take paracetamol.
 
'He did not want to go to the hospital until he was short of air and he was getting worse.
 
'They put him inside and told him that he was bad, with little oxygen in his blood. He said he had a low fever and did not want to collapse the system.
 
'We do not know if it is coronavirus or not.
 
'My mother is there because we have not been able to go. They have said that they would call and that, as long as they do not call, it is good news.'
 
Lorenzo Sanz, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000 and Real won six trophies during his time in charge, including the 1998 and 2000 Champions League titles.
 
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: English Premier League suspended indefinitely







 

The English premier league has indefinitely suspended the football season after holding an emergency meeting on Thursday due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through the UK.

Football fixtures were put on hold until April 4th due to concerns from the UK Government about the spread of the virus in public places, but that delay has now been extended until April 30th at the earliest.

The one-year postponement of Euro 2020 has opened up the possibility for the campaign to be concluded in the summer even though the Premier League has not announced a definitive date for when the season will resume.
 
        
 
A joint statement by the Premier League, EFL and FA on Thursday said; "The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.

"We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
"We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.

"Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.

"The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.
 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Coronavirus: Barcelona to cut the salaries of Messi, others

 
 March 21, 2020


Barcelona are set to make a decision on if the club will cut the wages of some first-team players, in a bid to counteract the economic impact of the Coronavirus, ESPN reports.



It is understood the players are aware of the discussions.

However, they would need to give the green light, before the club temporarily cut their salaries.



During a conference call on Friday, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted to board members, that the financial situation is “complicated”.

Bartomeu, however, said it is still “reversible” if certain measures are taken.

Global Sports Salary Survey claims Barcelona is the first team in history, to have an average individual salary in excess of €11million per annum.

[Edoman]

COVID-19: Mourinho suspends Tottenham’s training as EPL postpones resumption date again

 March 20, 2020


Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, has decided to suspend Spurs’ first-team training until next month at the earliest, according to Football London.



The Portuguese also instructed his players to keep on top fitness work at home with individual programmes drafted by the coaching staff.

Mourinho made the decision after officials from all 20 English top-flight clubs spoke over a conference call on Thursday and decided that the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL, and Women’s football will continue to be suspended due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak until April 30 “at the earliest.”



DAILY POST recalls that England had earlier this month suspended their domestic football leagues till April 4.

Tottenham had been the only London Premier League team still training, as recently as Thursday morning.
But with the Premier League announcement that football will not return until the end of April, Mourinho and the club have now adjusted their current plans.



Tottenham is currently in the eighth position on the Premier League table.
Mourinho’s men have 41 points from 29 matches.

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Willian begs Chelsea to allow him leave

 March 21, 2020

Chelsea winger, Willian, has asked the club for permission to return to his native Brazil, so he can be with his family amid the coronavirus outbreak.



The 31-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of June, but he has insisted he would be willing to play for the Blues beyond that time.

However, his immediate concern is to be reunited with his family, with Willian worried about his wife and daughters.



“At the moment, I’m alone. My wife and daughters are in Brazil.

“I had made a schedule before that. They went first, I was going to have a break and I was going too. Now, I’m checking here, if I have authorisation from the club,” Willian told Globo SporTV.

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Juventus to cut Ronaldo’s wages

 March 20, 2020


Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, could be set for a 20-30% slash in his wages at the club, due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Mundo Deportivo.



Italy is officially the worst-hit country by COVID-19, with over 4,000 people dead.

Earlier this month, the Serie A season was suspended, with clubs expected to hugely suffer financial losses.



It is believed Ronaldo could miss out on up to £8.4m in future wages, with Juve expected to reduce the wages of all players by at least 20%.

Ronaldo moved to Juve from Real Madrid in 2018.
Since his arrival, he has netted 53 times in 75 games, helping the Turin club win the Serie A title last season.



The 35-year-old is currently self-isolating in his native Madeira in Portugal.

[Edoman]

EPL: Arsenal to accept £50m offer from Man Utd for Aubameyang

 March 20, 2020


Manchester United will offer £50million for Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the UK Sun reports.



It is believed the Gunners could cash in on their captain, with his contract set to expire next summer.
There is a feeling around the Emirates, that the 30-year-old will not sign an extension and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to take advantage.



Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from Arsenal with the club crashing out of the Europa League and currently ninth in the Premier League table.

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the Gabon striker, who arrived in England for a club record fee of £56million in January 2018.

United brought in Odion Ighalo on loan in January, but it is unclear how long he will stay at the club.

[Edoman]

[b] It Will Be 'Really Unjust' To Not Award Liverpool The EPL Title - Brighton Boss[/b]


Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has said it would be "really unjust" if runaway Premier League leaders Liverpoolwere not awarded the title for 2019-20.

The English top flight has been suspended until April 4 becuase of the coronavirus outbreak, raising doubts over whether the season can be completed.

Barber told the BBC's Football Focus that ending the league as it stands would be unfair for teams at the top and bottom, but he is hopeful the season can be completed:

"Every league starts with an expectation of completing all 38 fixtures, as it is in the Premier League, and we want to be able to do that.

"Our intention must be to play the fixtures, but it's really hard to imagine putting on a football game in the Premier League in two or three weeks' time given the scenario we are in.

"If we were to freeze the league it would be incredibly unjust for Liverpool to not be awarded the title, because everybody in the game appreciates what a fantastic season they have had. Equally it would be unjust for teams to be relegated with nine or 10 games to go in the Premier League."

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Liverpool "are still likely to be crowned Premier League champions" even if the 2019-20 season is cancelled.

The Brighton chief also said it was "difficult to think about" the Premier League resuming on April 4 because a number of teams now have players in self-isolation.

Arsenal have announced the full first-team squad is in self-isolation after manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for the coronavirus, while Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi has also been diagnosed with the virus.

Leicester City, Everton and Bournemouth have also confirmed they are taking precautionary measures and have players in self-isolation.

The Premier League is due to hold an "emergency meeting" on Thursday with clubs to discuss plans for the rest of the season, according to Sky Sports.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2880894-brighton-chief-says-it-would-be-really-unjust-not-to-give-liverpool-title.amp.html

[Edoman]

AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel test positive for coronavirus




 



AC Milan legend, Paolo Maldini, who is currently the club's technical director has tested positive for coronavirus alongside his 18-year-old son, Daniel Maldini.
 
The former Italian defender and his son who plays as a midfielder for the club were both diagnosed with the disease after experiencing symptoms. 

The Serie A club announced that Paolo and Daniel Maldini are both well and have already been in self-isolation for two weeks.

A statement on Milan's website read: 'AC Milan confirms that Paolo Maldini, the club's technical director, became aware of contact with a person who subsequently tested positive for coronavirus and began to display symptoms of the virus himself.

'He was administered with a swab test yesterday, the result of which was positive. His son Daniel, a forward in AC Milan's youth team who had previously been training with the first team, also tested positive.

'Paolo and Daniel are both well and have already completed two weeks at home without contact with others. They will now remain in quarantine until clinically recovered, as per the medical protocols outlined by the health authorities.'

[Edoman]

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz dies at 76 after contracting coronavirus








Former Real Madrid president, Lorenzo Sanz has died at the age of 76 days after he was hospitalized with coronavirus symptoms. 
 
His son, Lorenzo Sans Duran, confirmed the death on Twitter saying in Spanish: 'My father has just died. He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard-working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion.' 
 
According to CBS Sport, Sanz had initially chosen to stay home while feeling sick so as not to further overwhelm Spain's medical service, but ultimately went to the hospital on Tuesday when his fever had lasted for eight days. After testing positive for COVID-19, the infection gave him kidney failure and he died on Saturday night.
 
Sanz was a director at Real from 1985 to 1995 before taking over as President, a position he held until 2000. 
 
While he was president of Real Madrid, the club won two European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup, a league title, a Spanish Super Cup, a basketball league title and the Saporta Cup.
 
 

[Edoman]

Former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini hospitalized after testing positive to Coronavirus







Former Manchester United and Everton footballer Marouane Fellaini has tested positive to Coronavirus and is currently being hospitalized in China where he plays football in the Chinese Super League.

Fellaini, who joined Shandong Luneng FC last January from Manchester United, returned to China on Friday to join up with his club and has now contracted the virus.

Fellaini took to his Instagram page on Sunday afternoon to reveal he had been diagnosed with the deadly disease.

Posting on Instagram, he wrote; ''Dear friends, I have been tested for coronavirus and my test result is positive. Currently, I am back in China and being treated in the hospital. I can assure you that everything is fine for me now. Thanks to the fans, medical staff and the club for their care and attention. I will follow the treatment and hope to return to the game as soon as possible. Please everyone stay safe??????''



Fellaini is the first player in the country's top flight to have tested positive for the virus.