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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua says Covid lockdowns stopped him having a breakdown

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      ANTHONY Joshua says Covid lockdowns stopped him having a breakdown.The world heavyweight champ was grateful to take time off from training.
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      Boxing champ Anthony Joshua says Covid lockdowns stopped him having a breakdownCredit: Rex
      Joshua, who is closing in on a mega-fight with rival Tyson Fury, said: “I never want to say Covid has been a blessing as for 99 per cent of people it has been so life-changing and tough for people.
      “But if there is a positive we got out of this negative it’s I feel like I was going to crash.
      “There were times going into training camp I was thinking, ‘I don’t know if I am going to come out the other side of this. I am that ill, run-down’.
      “We’re spending a lot of time promoting boxing and it’s hard.
      “During the pandemic I was like, ‘Breathe. Take a second’ and I just looked around.”
      AJ, 31, looks after fighters with his 258 management firm as well as co-parenting son Joseph, four.
      The world heavyweight champ was grateful to take time off from training during lockdownCredit: PA

      The champ told footballer Troy Deeney’s podcast: “I try and make my son use his creativity. Whatever he wants to do I will always be there to catch him if he falls.
      “I will never force him into anything. He is not a trophy kid.
      “He will figure it out and if he doesn’t he has great people around him to ask advice from.”

      Eddie Hearn confirms Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight is done with announcement coming very soon More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Swedish football fans take over shopping mall in protest at rule which allows just EIGHT supporters to enter stadium

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      SWEDISH football fans took over a shopping mall in protest against the rule permitting just EIGHT supporters inside stadiums.Despite the incredibly limited capacity allowed at football matches, there is no limit on ‘public places’ where there is free access.
      AIK fans in Sweden gathered at an indoor shopping mall to support their team
      And that includes indoor shopping centres.
      So a group of AIK supporters took advantage of the restrictions by gathering in Stockholm.
      They came with drums, flags and even banners slamming the ‘absurd’ laws currently in place.
      Spread across two tiers with balconies overlooking the levels below, they created a decent atmosphere as some puzzled bargain hunters walked past.
      Across town at the 50,000-seater Friends Arena, the lucky eight were in place to watch AIK beat IF Elfsborg 1-0.
      Former Arsenal youngster Seb Larsson scored the only goal, a penalty four minutes into the second half, no doubt sending the watching few wild.
      The result left AIK second with three wins from four in the 2021 campaign as they look to win their first Allsvenskan title since 2018.
      Sweden currently has one of the highest coronavirus per capita rates in the world, with their latest seven-day figures revealing an average of 5,037 new cases per day.
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      Despite the country’s high infection rate, the public spaces can welcome huge numbers of people.
      Five thousand visitors were allowed to attend Skansen animal park in Stockholm on the same day AIK had just eight spectators for their win.
      And the government’s logic has baffled the general secretary of Swedish Elite Football, Mats Enqvist.
      He said: “We have a feeling that we are not being seen as the large operation we actually are.
      “It feels easier for the health authorities to find solutions for shopping centres and bars than for us. I don’t know why really.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Just eight fans were allowed in to watch the match between AIK and IF Elfsborg on SundayCredit: Getty
      The Friends Arena can usually fit in 50,000 supporters for football matchesCredit: Getty
      AIK ran out 1-0 winners as their supporters watched on from elsewhere protestingCredit: Getty
      Fans celebrate Inter Milan winning the title Serie A football championship More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League announce first clear round of coronavirus tests this season with ZERO in nod new protocols work

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      PREMIER LEAGUE covid testers have recorded their first clear week this season.And League bosses believe they are proving the game is close to winning the battle against the virus.
      There were just ZERO recorded coronavirus cases in the latest round of Premier League testing
      Over the past week, two rounds of testing, comprising 2,787 samples of players and staff across the 20 clubs, found no positives.
      Just over half of those – 1,472 – took place between Monday and Thursday, with a further 1,315 samples taken between Friday and Sunday.
      But will all of the tests coming back with negative results, Prem chiefs were delighted to be able to announce the outcome.
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      The latest results represent clear evidence of the success of the Prem’s medical steps as well as the declining numbers of Covid cases across the country.
      League chiefs feared serious problems around the turn of the year as a number of clubs recorded significant outbreaks.
      Manchester City, Fulham, Aston Villa and Newcastle were among clubs hit badly by dressing room outbreaks, forcing matches to be postponed including some just three hours or so before the scheduled kick-off.
      League chief executive Richard Masters was forced to law down the law to clubs and players following well-publicised lockdown breaches, including the Christmas party attended by players from Spurs and West Ham.
      At the peak of the problem over the Christmas period there were 110 positive results between December 21 and January 17, including a record 40 between December 28 and January 3.

      That saw the Prem introduce tougher “enhanced protocols” and testing twice each week, with the extra measures immediately taking effect.
      Since the start of February, there have been just 21 positives from nearly 30,000 tests.
      But last week was the first seven day spell since the final week of last season in July without a single positive in either testing period.

      Premier League clubs join four-day social media boycott to tackle racism and hate More

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      in Soccer

      Every Premier League team WILL have game in front of fans this season but away supporters BANNED amid Covid-19 pandemic

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      THE Premier League are pushing back their penultimate round of fixtures so every team can play a home game in front of 10,000 fans – but without away supporters.It is understood the 37th round of games will now take place on May 18-19.
      Manchester United and the rest of the Prem will have one opportunity to play in front of their own fans at the end of the seasonCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      The Premier League will welcome back crowds in mid-May, meaning, amongst other things, that fans will once again can see any VAR decisions first handCredit: AFP or licensors
      That is the day after the third stage of the government’s Covid-19 roadmap is planned to start.
      The Prem has told clubs of the decision to move the round of fixtures – but public confirmation of the plans are not expected until broadcast arrangements are in place.
      Lockdown restrictions are set to ease on May 17, allowing outdoor venues to hold 25 per cent of capacity or 10,000 people, whichever is smaller.
      There was concern that this would mean half the teams in the Premier League would be allowed to play in front of their fans for the final day of the season – while the other half would not.
      Pushing back the second-to-last round of games means every club will be afforded the chance to play at their own ground in front of 10,000 supporters.
      The Prem had also wanted away followers allowed back for the final two rounds of fixtures.
      But some clubs were worried about social distancing and long trips.
      And in the end the Prem put off the issue of away fans returning until next season.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      The hope then is that crowds will be back as normal for the 2021-22 kick-off in August.
      Police forces are understood to be anxious to know when that decision will be confirmed.
      But it is thought unlikely that any announcement will be made before the end of the current campaign.
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      in Soccer

      Premier League urges Boris Johnson to back Covid vaccine passports to pack out stadiums this summer

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      THE Premier League has written to Boris Johnson to back vaccine passports to pack out stadiums this summer.The footy body and other major sports groups including the England and Wales Cricket Board, Wimbledon and the RFU told the PM and other party leaders ‘Covid certificates’ are needed to ditch social distancing in stadiums.
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      The Premier League has written to Boris Johnson to back vaccine passports to pack out stadiums this summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The letter says all the sports “can see the benefit that a Covid certification process offers” in order to fill out stands.
      But they warn: “The final approach must not be discriminatory, should protect privacy, and have clear exit criteria.”
      The letter was sent to the PM, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer and the Westminster leaders of all the other parties.
      It said that if certificates fail and attendance are capped for the foreseeable it will “be insufficient to end sport’s Covid financial crisis.”
      From May 17 venues will be allowed to have limited numbers of fans back in grounds – up to 10,000 in bigger stadiums.
      The FA Cup final on May 15 is a pilot mass event and will see 20,000 spectators return to watch live action.
      Ministers announced ‘Covid-status certificates’ will be required later this year to stave off further waves of the virus.
      They are expected to be based on vaccinations, recent tests or natural immunity.
      Sports chiefs from the English Football League (EFL), the FA, the Lawn Tennis Association and Silverstone Circuit also back the proposals, saying in the letter: “It is important that we have certainty as soon as possible on the form this guidance will take so we can plan efficiently and effectively with many big sporting events scheduled for late June and onwards.
      “The return of fans will give a huge boost to millions who enjoy a day out at a sporting event with their friends and families and be of great benefit to the economy.
      “It is right that every possible action is considered to secure this outcome as soon as possible, but only for as long as an unrestricted return is considered unsafe to fans, matchday staff and the wider public.
      “This includes investigating how a Covid certification arrangement could reduce and then safely remove the requirement for social distancing.”
      Boris Johnson has been told that ‘Covid certificates’ are needed to ditch social distancing in stadiumsCredit: AFP

      They also reiterate that certificates should never be used for grassroots sports.
      A Government spokesperson said: “We welcome the constructive approach from major British sports as we explore how testing Covid certification and other steps can help get more fans back into stadiums and other large events safely.
      “We want as many fans as possible to be able to enjoy a great British summer of sport, safely.”
      Small Business minister Paul Scully says at the moment the review of COVID-status certification is looking at large ‘ticketed events’ More

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      in Soccer

      Real Madrid star Raphael Varane tests positive for coronavirus hours before Liverpool clash in Champions League

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      RAPHAEL VARANE has tested positive for coronavirus hours before Real Madrid face Liverpool.The Los Blancos players were checked on Tuesday morning ahead of tonight’s clash.
      Raphael Varane will miss the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool with coronavirusCredit: Getty
      And the club confirmed in a statement the result for their Frenchman.
      Varane – a transfer target for Manchester United – was named in Real Madrid’s 21-man matchday squad for the match on Monday afternoon.
      But he will now be forced to sit out of the first-leg quarter-final clash at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
      It also puts his availability to face Barcelona in a crunch El Clasico on Saturday night into major doubt.
      Zinedine Zidane is without both of his first-choice centre-backs against the six-time champions.
      Sergio Ramos was ruled out after picking up a calf injury during the international break.
      That meant he could not continue his rivalry with the Reds and specifically Mo Salah following the 2018 Champions League final.
      Dani Carvajal is also out meaning it is expected to be a back four of Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho and Ferland Mendy.

      Jurgen Klopp has plenty of defensive woes of his own with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip long-term absentees.
      Ben Davies is yet to feature for the club with on-loan Ozan Kabak expected to partner Nat Phillips in defence – although Fabinho could be dropped deeper to fill in.
      Kick-off in Madrid is at 8pm – 9pm local time – with the game live on BT Sport 2.
      Real Madrid vs Liverpool – Watch LIVE for FREE, channel info and kick-off time More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd will be without Eric Bailly in coming weeks after Solskjaer confirms defender tested positive for coronavirus

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      MANCHESTER UNITED defender Eric Bailly will be out of action after testing positive for coronavirus.The 26-year-old has not returned to the UK after contracting Covid while on international duty with Ivory Coast.
      Man Utd defender Eric Bailly will be out in the coming weeks after he contracted coronavirus while on international dutyCredit: Getty
      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was speaking after seeing his side snatch a 2-1 victory against Brighton thanks to Mason Greenwood’s headed winner.
      The Norwegian gaffer said: “He won’t be with us for a little while.
      “He went away with the Ivory Coast and tested positive for Covid.
      “He’s not back in the country yet.”
      It is just the latest setback for Bailly after failing to nail down a regular starting spot at United.
      The defender joined United in 2016 from Villareal, but a combination of injury and poor form have seen him regularly on the sidelines.
      And losing Bailly isn’t the only bit of bad news for Solskjaer.
      The former Molde boss fears forward Anthony Martial could be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
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      Solskjaer will be without Eric Bailly for a whileCredit: Getty

      The 25-year-old was forced off with the problem while playing in a World Cup qualifier for France against Kazakhstan last week.
      And while national team boss Didier Deschamps played down the severity of the injury, Solskjaer has now confirmed it is in fact much more serious than was first reported.
      The Man Utd boss told MUTV: “Unfortunately, he sprained his knee with France.
      “It’s always when they go away on internationals… you can keep your fingers crossed and hope they come back fit.
      “Paul has played in all three games, 30, 60, 90 minutes, so that was a boost for us.
      “Losing Anthony for what might be the rest of the season is very disappointing, especially when reports from there [France] was that it wasn’t anything serious but it looks a bad one.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has a plan on which players will stay and go at Man Utd More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid’s Marcelo under investigation and faces fine after appearing to break Covid rules on four-hour Valencia trip

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      REAL MADRID star Marcelo is under investigation after appearing to breach Covid-19 travel restrictions by leaving the Spanish capital to travel to the beach with his family.The Brazilian left-back left himself facing a four-figure fine by publicising a photo showing him relaxing in the sun at Malvarrosa beach in Valencia, a four-hour drive from his home.
      Real Madrid star Marcelo shared a picture on his Instagram page showing him relaxing under the sun with his familyCredit: Instagram
      He was pictured relaxing with his actress wife Clarice Alves and their two children Enzo, 11, and Liam, five.
      The Real veteran, who signed for the Spanish giants from Fluminense in 2006, captioned the holiday snap: “Sunny Sunday in Valencia”, prompting an immediate like from team-mate Casemiro.
      One of the footballer’s 46 million followers reacted to the photo, which showed Marcelo and his family with no facemasks on and in apparent breach of restrictions preventing travel outside of Madrid without a justified cause: “It angers me that famous people like you rub our faces in it.
      “You can leave Madrid but poor people like us can’t.”
      Another added: “Rules and regulations are put in place for something, not so that people with money can do what the hell they want.”
      A third raged at Marcelo: “Do you think you’re better than the rest and lockdown shouldn’t apply to you?”

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      There was no immediate comment from the footballer to the criticism he received.
      Regional government health chiefs in Valencia confirmed they had initiated proceedings which could lead to fines for breaching Covid-19 travel restrictions.
      Local reports said the total fine could be up to €2,800 (ÂŁ2,392) – consisting of four fines of €600 (ÂŁ513) for any travel breach and four fines of €100 (ÂŁ85) for going without facemasks.
      Marcelo, who reportedly earns over £20,000 a day, shouldn’t have too many problems paying up if he and his family are hit with a fine.
      The footballer was given time off during the international break and is expected back for training at the start of this week along with other players that haven’t been called up.
      The Covid-19 restrictions currently in place in Spain prevent travel outside of peoples’ home regions. The few exceptions include travel for work or humanitarian reasons.
      Facemasks are mandatory in public places. In the Valencian region, which covers the city of Valencia as well as towns and cities further south like Benidorm and Alicante, bars and restaurants have to close at 6pm.
      More than 75,000 people have died from coronavirus in Spain since the start of the pandemic. The total number of Covid-19 cases currently stands at more than 3.2 million.
      In the Madrid region nearly 15,000 people have died.
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