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      Pep Guardiola afraid international break will cause more coronavirus chaos in Prem – undoing recent progress

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      PEP GUARDIOLA fears next month’s international break could spark more Covid chaos in the Premier League.
      The top flight recorded just two positive results from the latest tests.

      Pep Guardiola has voiced his concerns over the upcoming internationals

      But Manchester City boss Guardiola is worried the progress made could be undone when players head off to their national teams.
      He said: “I think the Premier League should be concerned about this.
      “The people are going to travel, the players are going to the national teams and it’s difficult afterwards to control it.
      “So I think something is going to rise, unfortunately.”

      City — who have Kevin De Bruyne back from injury — visit Everton on Wednesday for a clash postponed because of a Covid outbreak at the Etihad.
      Guardiola added: “I would love to say it’s not going to happen but from experience it happened in two or three waves already worldwide.
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      “If you move, you take a risk to be contaminated, to get the virus again.

      “The reason why there were a lot of cases in the Premier League and now there are none is because people don’t move.
      “The moment you take planes and go places, everything can happen.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Leopoldo Luque dead at 71: Tributes paid to Argentinian World Cup winner after long battle with coronavirus

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      ARGENTINIAN World Cup winner Leopoldo Jacinto Luque has died in hospital after a long battle with coronavirus.
      The 71-year-old, whose four goals in the 1978 tournament including a spectacular long-distance volley against France helped his nation to become champions, first tested positive for Covid on December 30 after feeling ill over Christmas.

      Argentina legend Leopoldo Luque, who has died from coronavirus

      Leopoldo Luque scores for Argentina against Hungary in the 1978 World CupCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He was told to self-isolate at his home in the Argentinian city of Mendoza for ten days, but ended up being hospitalised after a drop in his oxygen levels.
      He had been in intensive care at Clinica del Cuyo in Mendoza since January 4 but before news of his death was confirmed on Monday.
      Local reports said medics were planning on bringing him out of a coma as he was getting stronger.
      He is understood to have gone into cardiac arrest after suffering heart arrhythmia.

      The man considered to be one of Argentina’s greatest ever centre forwards was a high-risk patient because of his age and the fact he suffered a heart attack in 2007 and had a lung disease.
      Luque said after being diagnosed with Covid-19: “I’m fine and am taking medication because of the lung obstruction I’ve got, but I haven’t got any symptoms.
      “I have to spend ten days self-isolating and what bothers me the most is that I can’t use the swimming pool I’ve got in my back garden.”
      The former footballer played for five Argentinian clubs including River Plate between 1972 and 1984.

      He scored 22 goals in 45 matches for his country. After retiring he went into management.
      His spectacular long-distance volley against France was his most memorable goal of the 1978 World Cup.

      Leopoldo Luque scored 22 goals in his 45 matches for Argentina

      Leopoldo Luque jumps over Erny Brandts in the 1978 World Cup final against HollandCredit: AFP or licensors
      During the tournament his younger brother Oscar died in a terrible car accident as he travelled to see him play.
      Alberto Tarantini, a defender in Argentina’s 1978 World Cup winning team along with the likes of former Spurs players Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa, tweeted after learning the news: “Rest in peace my dear friend.
      “We are all feeling a lot of pain. You’ll always be a champion. My condolences to your family.”
      Ossie Ardiles, getting his ex-teammate’s name wrong in the emotion of the moment, added: “Our dear Leonardo Jacinto Luque left us.
      “A key figure in our 1978 World Cup triumph. No one suffered more than him to achieve it.
      “A source of pride and great honour to have been his teammate. Impossible to have anyone better beside you.”

      Luque scored four goals as Argentina won the World Cup in 1978Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Leopoldo’s younger brother Oscar died during the 1978 World Cup tournament in a car crashCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Correcting the spellcheck gaffe, he said in a second tweet: “Sorry Leopoldo (spellcheck) of course.
      “With great sadness and tears in our eyes, we remember everything he did in that World Cup.
      “An exceptional player, a winner, with huge confidence in his own abilities. He enthused us all.”

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      Fans could attend FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals at Wembley with FA hoping to have 27k supporters at Euro 2020 games

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      FANS could be allowed in to watch the two domestic cup finals – in a trial to help ensure supporters for Euro 2020.
      The FA is determined to open up some of the Wembley turnstiles for the seven games due to be played in the stadium during the tournament in June and July.

      Scenes of fans spaced out across Wembley Stadium may be welcomed back in the springCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times

      And that could see up to 10,000 supporters in for the April 29 Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Spurs and the FA Cup final the following month.
      Both events would be staging posts towards the summer, with the FA hoping to be able to fill 30 per cent of Wembley’s 90,000 capacity by the Euros.
      FA chiefs are part of the Government’s Sports Technology Innovation Group, headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
      Discussions over the past year have included concepts such as digital Covid passports for spectators, with football bosses signalling their willingness to act as “guinea pigs” for the safe re-opening of the country.

      And even getting reduced numbers in to Wembley in the spring would be a huge staging post in the right direction.
      Expectations of a lifting of Covid restrictions in the coming weeks will make the possibility of reopening turnstiles more realistic, although there is no expectation of fans being back in Prem grounds before next season.
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      The FA is understood to have told Uefa it hopes to be able to allow in around 27,000 – representing 30 per cent of capacity – for the Euros, although Wembley will still be used to hold matches if no supporters are allowed in.

      That would be part of a gradual easing of crowd restrictions at other sporting events, including Test cricket, Wimbledon and summer horse racing events like the Derby.
      Government approval would be required for all such measures but trials for the two finals would also allow sports governing bodies to judge the ease and efficiency of entry regulations which could be rolled out across other events.

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      Premier League announce lowest positive coronavirus tests of season with just TWO with new strict measures working

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      PREMIER LEAGUE Covid positives fell to a new season low last week.
      Just two out of 2,915 tests across the 20 clubs gave positive results.

      Positive results for Covid fell to a new season low in the Premier League last weekCredit: Getty – Pool

      It is the lowest number this season and further indicates the success of the Prem’s enhanced Covid measures introduced last month.
      Premier League chiefs have confirmed there were no positives from the first round of 1,428 tests between Monday and Thursday.
      The two positives came from the second round of 1,487 tests of players and staff across the 20 clubs.
      Since the introduction of the new measures and two screening rounds per week, the drop-off in cases has been huge.

      After 40 and then 36 positives in the first two weeks of the year, there have been just 33 in total over the past month.
      Back in September there were just three positive samples in the first and third weeks of the season.
      But these latest result represent the best numbers since the final week of last term which had zero positives.
      Meanwhile, in Scotland, Rangers launched a probe on Sunday night over claims players were caught at a ten-strong Covid party.

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      Cops raced to reports of an illegal bash in Glasgow’s West End in the early hours.
      It’s alleged several stars were caught up in the banned do, sparking a frantic meeting among Ibrox powerbrokers.
      The club said on its official Twitter page: “Rangers are aware of an alleged incident which is subject to an internal investigation. We will make no further comment.”
      Police Scotland confirmed they’d dished out fines to those they caught up in the lockdown breach party at the gaff in the city’s trendy Hyndland area.

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      Rangers investigating claims players breached Covid rules by attending ten-strong illegal party

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      RANGERS launched a probe on Sunday night over claims players were caught at a ten-strong Covid party.
      Cops raced to reports of an illegal bash in Glasgow’s West End in the early hours of this morning.

      Rangers are looking into an alleged Covid rule breachCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow

      It’s alleged several stars were caught up in the banned do, sparking a frantic meeting among Ibrox powerbrokers, to take place on Monday morning.
      The club said on its official Twitter page: “Rangers are aware of an alleged incident which is subject to an internal investigation. We will make no further comment.”
      Police Scotland confirmed they’d dished out fines to those they caught up in the lockdown breach party at the gaff in the city’s trendy Hyndland area.
      A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a gathering at a property in Hayburn Lane, Glasgow, around 1.10am on Sunday, 14 February.

      “Officers attended and those in attendance left.
      “Ten people were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus regulations.”
      The claims come months after two Gers players  Jordan Jones, 26 and George Edmundson, 23, were given fixed penalties for a similar offence and shipped out of Ibrox on loan.
      The Gers’ club doctor hit them with a two week quarantine order after the shocking breach in November.

      In August, Celtic stopper Boli Bolingoli sneaked off to Spain for an overnight stay without telling anyone at the club.
      Raging boss Neil Lennon tore into the wayward 25-year-old for putting his team-mates and Kilmarnock players at risk after playing a game after returning. He’s also been sent on loan.
      Lennon said: “It is one of the worst behaviours from an individual I have come across. I just can’t fathom it. 
      “Following this First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, issued a warning to footballers.
      At her daily briefing in August she said “Consider today the yellow card. The next time will be the red card.”

      Celtic chief Peter Lawwell then had to apologise for a controversial winter break for the team to Dubai where two players were caught the bug and half the squad had to isolate.
      Eight Aberdeen stars were also caught breaking rules by going to a bar last August.

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      Premier League confirm just TWO positive cases of coronavirus among 2,970 tested – the lowest return this season

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      THE Premier League have announced their latest round of Covid-19 testing yielded just TWO positive results – despite administering nearly 3000 tests.
      A whopping 2,970 tests were given to players and staff members from all 20 clubs during the week of Monday, February 1 to Sunday, February 7.

      The Premier League administered a whopping 2,970 Covid-19 tests last weekCredit: Rex Features

      Only two of the 2,970 tests came back positiveCredit: PA

      And in a potentially stunning development, only two positive tests came back.
      An official statement read: “The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 1 February and Sunday 7 February, across two rounds of testing, 2,970 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.
      “Of these, there were two new positive tests.
      “Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.

      “The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
      “No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public on a weekly basis.”

      The two positives from the latest round of testing is the lowest since the Premier League began testing late last August.
      The first week of testing also yielded the fewest positive results – with three of 1,605 tests coming back positive.

      Round 20 of testing, which took place between January 4 and January 10, returned the most positive tests – with 36 of 2,593 discovering traces of covid.
      Previous test results

      Round 1: 31 Aug-6 Sep – 1,605 tested, with three testing positive
      Round 2: 7-13 Sep – 2,131 tested, with four testing positive
      Round 3: 14-20 Sep – 1,574 tested, with three testing positive
      Round 4: 21-27 Sep – 1,595 tested, with 10 testing positive
      Round 5: 28 Sep-4 Oct – 1,587 tested, with nine testing positive
      Round 6: 5-11 Oct – 1,128 tested, with five testing positive
      Round 7: 12-18 Oct – 1,575 tested, with eight testing positive
      Round 8: 19-25 Oct – 1,609 tested, with two testing positive
      Round 9: 26 Oct-1 Nov – 1,446 tested, with four testing positive
      Round 10: 2-8 Nov – 1,646 tested, with four testing positive
      Round 11: 9-15 Nov – 1,207 tested, with 16 testing positive
      Round 12: 16-22 Nov – 1,530 tested, with eight testing positive

      Round 13: 23-29 Nov – 1,381 tested, with 10 testing positive
      Round 14: 30 Nov-6 Dec – 1,483 tested, with 14 testing positive
      Round 15: 7-13 Dec – 1,549 tested, with six testing positive
      Round 16: 14-20 Dec – 1,569 tested, with seven testing positive
      Round 17: 21-27 Dec – 1,479 tested, with 18 being positive
      Round 18: 28-31 Dec – 1,311 tested, with 28 being positive
      Round 19: 1-3 Jan – 984 tested, with 12 being positive
      Round 20: 4-10 Jan – 2,593 tested, with 36 being positive
      Round 21: 11-17 Jan – 3,115 tested, with 16 being positive
      Round 22: 18-24 Jan – 2,518 tested, with eight being positive
      Round 23: 25-31 Jan – 2,957 tested, with seven being positive

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      How Premier League stars are using lockdown loophole to get haircuts despite UK being shut down due to coronavirus

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      A LOCKDOWN loophole is reportedly allowing footballers to secure a haircut during the pandemic.
      While viewers are sat at home with unusually long mops or questionable home cuts of their own, many Premier League stars have been able to keep their pristine barnets intact.

      Newcastle star Joelinton was fined £200 when breaching lockdown for his haircut

      According to the Mail, clubs have spotted a ruling which allows make-up artists and hairdressers to work on those about to head out on camera.
      The loophole was created to allow TV presenters and models to be pruned before heading onto set.
      But, with top-flight games the subject of wall-to-wall coverage while fans remain out of grounds, footballers and staff have been able to get it on the act.
      It is said that the cuts must not take place inside barber shops, which must remain closed.

      Instead, hairdressers have reportedly been regular fixtures at training grounds to ensure players are looking sharp before heading out under the floodlights.
      Newcastle striker Joelinton was an example of how footballers are not allowed to get a haircut last month, when venturing to the barbers for a trim.

      Northumbria Police investigated the lockdown-breaking cut that the Brazilian posted onto Instagram.
      Joelinton was fined £200 for the breach with barber Tom Baxter issued a prohibition notice by North Tyneside council.

      In the United States, Kansas City Chiefs were handed a pre-Super Bowl scare when a number of players went for a haircut.
      A session was arranged within the NFL side’s camp but the barber’s coronavirus test came back positive MID-CUT.
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      Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was among a 20-strong troop of staff and players having their hair cut last week, according to ESPN.
      The barber was halfway through trimming backup center Daniel Kilgore’s hair when the test came back.
      Kilgore was deemed to have already been a close contact by that stage and, with both men wearing masks throughout, the cut was finished. More

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      Team GB athletes face being kicked out of Tokyo Olympics if they catch Covid in Japan as chiefs try to avoid outbreak

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      TEAM GB stars who catch Covid-19 in Tokyo will be kicked out of the Olympics.
      In the newly-published IOC and IPC Playbook for Athletes and Officials – available to read on the insidethegames website – there will be a number of counter-measures in place to avoid any potential coronavirus outbreaks this summer.

      Tokyo 2020 officials are setting out strict measures for the summer’s GamesCredit: EPA

      If anyone provides a confirmed positive test during the Games, they should ‘immediately begin isolating’ and inform their designated Covid-19 Liaison Officer.
      Infected individuals will ‘either be required to continue isolating or be hospitalised’ and more significantly, they ‘will not be allowed to compete’.
      Depending on the symptoms displayed, the location of any isolation period could be a ‘government-approved isolation facility’ not the Athletes’ Village.
      Anyone deemed to be a ‘close contact’ of a positive case will be retested.

      All the athletes will be tested at least every four days during their stay at the Games.
      They must monitor their daily health and record their temperature for 14 days before travelling to Japan this summer.
      They must also prepare a list of all the people they expect to have close contact with – for example, room-mates, coaches, physiotherapists or immediate team members.
      Contact with others must be kept to a minimum and using public transport is forbidden.

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      As reported earlier this week, Olympians must ‘avoid shouting, cheering and singing’ and will be encouraged to clap their compatriots instead.
      This would suggest that singing the national anthem would be banned but the organising committee refused to answer questions on this at a media briefing on Wednesday.
      Questions also need to be asked whether any athlete would be stripped of their accreditation if they celebrate against the rules in the venues.
      Gyms, tourist areas, shops, restaurants or bars are all banned to avoid the spread of the killer virus.

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