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      Covid-hit Man Utd in talks over delaying Brentford clash after closing training ground and will not travel to London

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have closed their training ground after a recent Covid-19 outbreak. United had positive lateral flow tests returned on a number of players and staff and the Premier League have been informed.
      Interim Man Utd manager Ralf Rangnick in trainingCredit: Getty
      And now the club confirmed they have shut Carrington for 24 hours and cancelled training.
      As a result, United are in talks with the Premier League about whether they will play Brentford tomorrow.
      It will also see them hold off travelling to London while awaiting a decision.
      A statement read: “Manchester United can confirm that following PCR test confirmation of yesterday’s positive LFT Covid-19 cases among the first team staff and players, the decision has been taken to close down first team operations at the Carrington Training Complex for 24 hours, to minimise risk of any further infection.
      “Individuals who tested positive are isolating per Premier League protocols.
      “Given cancellation of training and disruption to the squad, and with the health of players and staff the priority, the Club is in discussion with the Premier League whether it is safe for Tuesday’s fixture against Brentford to continue, both from a Covid infection and player preparation perspective.”
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      Team and staff travel to London will be deferred pending the result of that discussion.
      Tottenham had to postpone both their UEFA Conference League fixture against Rennes last week and yesterday’s trip to Brighton.
      Covid ripped through the Spurs camp following their 3-0 victory over Norwich.
      Norwich boss Dean Smith then feared there would be cases in his own camp, but tests came back negative.
      United’s whole group that travelled to Norwich had tested negative beforehand.
      SunSport received subsequently there were positive tests among a small number of players and staff who had to be sent home from Carrington today.
      The rest trained outdoors and training had to be adjusted to individual and non-contact sessions.
      Man Utd beat Norwich but had players return positive tests afterwardsCredit: MatchDay Images Limited More

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      in Soccer

      Football clubs won’t have to scan every fan’s vaccine passport when new Covid rules come in next week

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      FOOTBALL clubs will be able to use spot checks rather than scanning every fan’s vaccine passport when new rules come into force next week.All supporters heading to games with an attendance of more than 10,000 will have to show Covid papers to get in at the turnstiles from Wednesday.
      Fans will have to have a Covid pass to get into football matches in EnglandCredit: PA
      The new restrictions are being brought in amid fears over the Omicron variantCredit: Reuters
      People will be able to provide proof of either full vaccination or a negative Lateral Flow test taken within the last 24 hours.
      Clubs will be responsible for policing the new rules and turning away any fans who can’t provide the right information.
      But under the new rules they won’t have to check every fan, according to MailOnline.
      It said the loophole is necessary to avoid crushes at the turnstiles and build up of crowds outside stadiums where Covid could spread.
      The Premier League said it’s still haggling over the fine print with Government and “further details will be confirmed shortly”.
      It added: “Clubs have been working hard to prepare for the introduction of the Government’s Plan B.”
      Burnley have already announced all adult fans attending Turf Moor “will need to pre-register their Covid-19 status” from now on.
      The club said: “Supporters should continue to expect to be subject to spot-checks on the perimeter and/or turnstiles of the stadium.”
      ‘Risk-based’ approach
      Premier League sides have already been trialling the use of spot checks at games this season in anticipation of vaccine passports.
      But until now it has been up to individual clubs whether or not to turn away supporters without Covid papers.
      Footy chiefs will be encouraged to check as many fans as possible to ensure people aren’t sneaking in under the radar.
      Some clubs may opt to scan everyone’s NHS app, but for others that likely won’t be possible due to safety considerations.
      That’s particularly true of older grounds surrounded by narrow terraced streets where large crowds could quickly build up.
      Bosses will be urged to take a “risk-based” approach to checks whilst making sure high compliance with the new restrictions.
      It’s likely many clubs will check a high proportion of fans to demonstrate that use of vaccine passports can keep stadiums open.
      Terraces were shut completely to supporters for most of last year’s lockdown to help stop the spread of Covid.
      The new curbs are being introduced amid growing concern about the rapid spread of the Omicron variant across Britain.
      Today a minister admitted the UK is facing a “difficult few weeks” after Boris Johnson triggered his Plan B.
      As well as vaccine passports for major events like the footy Brits also have to wear masks in most indoor settings and work from home.
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      And there are reports that Whitehall is already working on more stringent ‘Plan C’ measures for January.
      They could include making people scan in and pubs and restaurants and making venues table service only.
      Vaccine passports may also be extended to smaller venues in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham vs Rennes OFF as Uefa confirm Europa Conference League clash will be rearranged after Spurs’ Covid outbreak

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      TOTTENHAM’S Conference league clash with Rennes tonight IS off – despite the French side threatening to embarrass the North Londoners.Uefa decided this morning that it had no alternative but to follow the advice of Public health England.
      Antonio Conte revealed Spurs have 13 positive Covid casesCredit: Getty
      That means the match will not take place although Uefa will now have to make a ruling on a revised date.
      Under Uefa regulations, all group stage matches must be completed by December 31.
      But with Spurs having a full fixture list between now and the end of the month – although it is likely both Sunday’s Prem clash at Brighton and next Thursday’s home game against Leicester will now be postponed – there is no obvious space in the calendar for those provisions to be met.
      And even if a date can be found, there is now hugely bad blood between the sides.
      Spurs announced last night that the game would not go ahead as a result of the Covid outbreak that has ripped through the club.
      In a statement, Spurs said: “We can confirm that our UEFA Europa Conference League Group G home fixture against Stade Rennais will not take place tomorrow (Thursday 9 December at 8pm UK) after a number of positive COVID-19 cases at the Club.
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      “Discussions are ongoing with UEFA and we shall provide a further update on this fixture in due course.
      “Additionally, following discussions with the Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) and DCMS advisers, the Club has been advised to close the First Team area of its Training Centre at this time, in the interests of the health and safety of players and staff.
      “All other areas of the Training Centre remain operational.”
      That was a unilateral action by Spurs, on the advice of the health authorities and after boss Antonio Conte had publicly spoken of the fears and anxieties caused by the rapid outbreak.
      Rennes, though, accused the Prem giants of putting up a “London fog” to stop the game taking place.
      In a bizarre attack, the Ligue 1 side accused spurs director of football operations Rebecca Caplehorn of springing the cancellation on Rennes – and Uefa – in a video conference call.
      Rennes said: “In a video conference at 7.45 p.m. between representatives of UEFA, Tottenham and Rennes, the Spurs director of football announced her intention not to play the UEFA Europa Conference League game on Thursday evening.

      “This was a unilateral decision which has not been confirmed by UEFA in any way.
      “The Tottenham representative did not want to announce the number of her players affected by the Covid when the rule states that a match must be played as long as the team has 13 outfielders and a keeper.
      “She argued for a decision by the English authorities without advancing any official document.
      “As the match was not officially cancelled by UEFA, Stade Rennais FC upheld their decision to play.
      “Faced with this “London fog”, we reserve the right to approach UEFA.
      “This lack of fair play is all the more glaring as Tottenham had confirmed by email that the match would be held at the start of the afternoon before warning Rennes of their intention not to play just after their landing at London City Airport.”
      But Uefa sources have now confirmed to SunSport that the match will not take place on health grounds.
      According to Ouest France, Spurs are proposing the match be moved to next Wednesday, December 15.
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      But Rennes have hit back, and said: “Rules stipulate that a match must be played as long as a team has 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper.
      “This lack of fair play is all the more flagrant given that Tottenham confirmed early this afternoon that the match would be held, before informing Rennes of their intention not to play right after landing at London City Airport.”
      Tottenham boss Antonio ConteCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea become strong favourites to win Club World Championship after getting easier draw for tournament next year

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      CHELSEA have become even stronger favourites to become Club World Champions for the first time after the tournament draw in Zurich.Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will face a semi-final against Asian champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia or the winners of the preliminary tie between Auckland City and Al Jazeera of the UAE.
      Chelsea have been given the easiest route possible to become the Club World Champions next yearCredit: Getty
      They are then on course for a showdown with Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras of Brazil in the Final, although the South Americans first have to get past Mexico’s Monterrey or Egypt’s African champs Al Ahly.
      It represents the easiest possible route for the Stamford Bridge outfit after months of uncertainty.
      Chelsea had been due to travel to Japan for the tournament this month.
      But Covid issues forced the planned hosts to give up the tournament and it was only in October that Fifa confirmed the matches will now be played in the UAE in February.
      It means that Chelsea’s scheduled Prem game at Brighton on February 8 and the London derby against Arsenal due for February 12 will be postponed and rescheduled.
      Chelsea are aiming to become the third Prem side to win the title since it was launched in 2000, following Manchester United in 2008 and Liverpool in 2019.

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      The Stamford Bridge outfit, then under the hand of Rafa Benitez, lost in the 2013 Final to Brazil’s Corinthians, with Gary Cahill sent off as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Yokohama.
      Former Chelsea skipper John Terry was supposed to be part of the draw ceremony but the forced 10-day quarantine for UK visitors to Switzerland, imposed over the weekend, prevented him from travelling.
      The Swiss nation took the drastic measure in a bid to contain the new deadly  strain of coronavirus – Omicron.
      As it stands this morning, The Sun reported there are currently 14 cases of Omicron across Britain, with the figure set to steadily increase throughout the day.
      Scotland have reported nine cases so far, with others popping up in Australia, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, Czech Republic and Israel.
      Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Man Utd More

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      Benfica game stopped after Belenenses forced to field nine players including two goalkeepers due to outbreak

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      BENFICA’S Portuguese League game with Covid-ravaged Belenenses ended in a farcical abandonment with only 17 fit players on the pitch.Belenenses started the game with only NINE men after 17 of their squad were struck down with the virus.
      Benfica’s clash with Belenenses descended into a farceCredit: Reuters
      The game was called off when Joao Monteiro went down claiming to be injured with his team 7-0 behindCredit: AFP
      But although club president Rui Pedro Soares refused to postpone the game, he was in tears at half-time as Benfica led 7-0.
      It sparked Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, who came through the Benfica academy, to tweet: “What is this? Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why the game hasn’t been postponed?”
      Only seven Belenenses players started the second half – the minimum required – before keeper Joao Monteiro – playing as an outfield player – booted the ball out and sat down, claiming he was injured.
      At that point ref Manuel Mota abandoned the match.
      The Belenenses players released a joint statement which read: “Today, football lost its heart.”
      Belenenses midfielder Cafu Phete recently returned from international duty in South Africa, sparking fears the infections were related to the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.
      Europe is on alert over the new mutant strain – and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new crackdown measures on Saturday.
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      Mask-wearing will again be compulsory in shops and buses, trains and taxis in England.
      Overseas travel and self-isolation rules have been tightened after the first two cases of the super-strain were detected in Britain.
      Johnson also urged people to get booster jabs, saying: “It’s more vital than ever.”
      Omicron — discovered only days ago in southern Africa — has been declared the worst variant yet by one expert, while there are fears it might reduce vaccine protection over time.
      The first reported cases in Europe of the new variant were found in Belgium earlier this week. More

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      Novak Djokovic at risk of being banned from Australian Open as anti-vaxxer world No.1 warned ‘get jabbed or else’

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      NOVAK DJOKOVIC is at risk of being banned from the Australian Open as a result of his anti-vaxxer status.The Serbian is openly opposed to getting vaccinated but has been warned getting jabbed will give him ‘the best opportunity to play’.
      Novak Djokovic’s anti-vax status means he could be banned from playing in the Australian OpenCredit: Getty
      Players were forced to quarantine ahead of this year’s tournament in Melbourne but have been relatively free to travel elsewhere in the world since.
      And Victoria’s sports minister Martin Pakula has warned tennis stars they face being blocked from playing in January’s grand slam if they haven’t had a jab.
      He said: “If I was an ATP or WTA player, I’d be getting vaccinated.
      “That will give them the best opportunity to play in the Australian Open with the more minimal restrictions that might be in place for those people.
      “Whether or not unvaccinated people are allowed in (to Australia) at all, I don’t know the answer to that yet.
      “That’s going to be the subject, I suspect, of discussion at national cabinet and among the federal cabinet.

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      “As for the rules that might apply around the Australian Open, specifically, we’re in discussions with Tennis Australia and the department of health about that.”
      Victoria’s government has introduced a vaccine requirement for authorised workers – including sport stars.
      Tennis Australia is yet to reveal plans and restrictions for the 2022 Open.
      But Djokovic has previously stated his opposition to being forced to get vaccinated.
      In April 2020, the world No 1 said: “I’m opposed to vaccination, and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.”
      Djokovic is tied on 20 grand slams with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

      And while it remains unclear how the Aussie authorities will deal with overseas players, Djokovic risks not being able to break the record and get to 21.
      The Serb would likely be hot favourite if he is able to play.
      Ahead of August’s US Open approximately 50 per cent of ATP and WTA tour players had been fully vaccinated.

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      Watch Andy Murray hit underarm ACE serve against Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, 18, at Indian Wells.. but fans question tactic More

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      Up to QUARTER of EFL players have NO intention of getting Covid vaccine with fears season could be disrupted by outbreak

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      A QUARTER of players in the Football League are reportedly snubbing Covid-19 injections, despite the Government advising them not to do so.The news comes as the latest figures show the percentages of double-jabbed EFL footballers has risen from roughly 18 per cent to 49 per cent. 
      This month it has been reported that roughly 75 per cent of EFL players have been vaccinatedCredit: Rex
      However, the number of those who have been inoculated or intend to get injections has increased by JUST five per cent over the past month, according to the Mail on Sunday. 
      And this information comes in the same month as SunSport exclusively revealing at least five England players are refusing to get vaccinated. 
      It is thought the resistance of the unnamed Three Lions aces has thrown the national team’s World Cup qualification plans into disarray. 
      The Mail on Sunday says a source has informed them that ‘approximately 75 per cent’ of EFL players this month are fully vaccinated, have had one jab or intend to be vaccinated.
      It is thought some players are refusing to get injected due to their young age, fitness levels and the belief they are less likely to get the virus. 
      It is also reported that fears relating to stories of individuals experiencing heart inflammations after being vaccinated are influencing some players’ decisions. 

      This is despite there being limited medical evidence to back up this argument. 
      The latest statistics have come to light despite Football League chiefs ramping up efforts to smash conspiracies and myths concerning vaccine safety. 
      It has even been speculated some players believe Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 was Covid jab-related despite there being no scientific proof of this.
      The EFL has been working on teaching players about the pros of coronavirus jabs for individuals and wider society. 
      There’s no doubt the vaccination programme is our best route out of this problemGareth Southgate
      Their efforts include educational leaflets and posters being circulated with the aim of them being shown at club grounds and stadiums. 
      It is thought league officials are also collaborating with the National Health Service to boost the number of mobile vaccination centre visits to clubs. 
      The Mail on Sunday’s source added: “Vaccinations will preserve the integrity of our competitions and we’re continuing to educate players and staff.”
      The Goverment’s chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van Tam recorded a video with EFL and Prem chiefs in a bid to discredit conspiracy theories. 
      Professor Van Tam has featured in a Government video circulated to professional players in a bid to debunk Covid jab conspiracy theoriesCredit: PA
      It is claimed the footage has been circulated within footballers’ WhatsApp groups. 
      And it is hoped see players getting Covid vaccines will encourage more individuals in the wider population, particularly young people, to get jabbed. 
      Last week just 55 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds were reported to have had at least a single dose of the vaccine. 
      This is despite jabs being provided for this age group since August. 
      Gareth Southgate revealed he ‘received abuse’ following his involvement in a Covid-19 vaccination campaignCredit: Getty
      In July England boss Gareth Southgate front a vaccination campaign. 
      In a video message, Southgate said:  “There’s no doubt the vaccination programme is our best route out of this problem.”
      The Three Lions chief, who was keen to lend the camp his support, later revealed: “Of all the things I’ve received abuse for over the summer — of which there’s been several — that’s the one I’ve received the most abuse over.”

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      England’s World Cup hopes thrown into disarray after it emerges at least five players are refusing to be vaccinated More

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      Premier League anti-vax stars ­likened to drink-drivers as they’re urged to get jabbed

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      PREMIER League anti-vax stars have been ­likened to drink-drivers as they were urged to get jabbed.The top-flight footballers were told by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to help protect the public after concerns about their slow vaccine take-up.
      Premier League footballers were told by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to help protect the public after concerns about their slow vaccine take-upCredit: PA
      Dressing rooms have been hit by disinformation, with at least five of the England squad refusing to have the jab.
      And now ministers want the stubborn sportsmen to take note of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who sent out a stern warning to those who refuse to get protection from the virus.
      Former vaccines minister Mr Zahawi said: “I urge all footballers to listen to Jurgen Klopp. He says we all have a duty to protect one another.
      “He compared it to being drunk behind the wheel because of the harm to others. 
      “So get yourself protected. Protect your community, protect people that might come into contact with you.”
      Health Secretary Sajid Javid said of those refusing the jab: “It is disappointing. They are role models in society.”

      Fans may have to show Premier League Covid passport to gain entry into stadiums this season More