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      Chelsea forced to shut famous academy due to Covid outbreak with U23 clashes postponed as youngsters and staff isolate

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      CHELSEA have been forced to shut their famous academy because of a coronavirus outbreak.
      The training centre which produced players like Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Reece James in recent years will be closed all week for a deep clean.

      Chelsea have been forced to shut their famous academy because of a coronavirus outbreakCredit: Alamy

      The training centre will be closed all week for a deep cleanCredit: Alamy

      The outbreak does not affect the Men’s Senior or Ladies’ teamsCredit: Alamy

      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
      There have been a number of positive test results and some players and staff must now isolate for ten days.
      The outbreak does not affect the Men’s Senior or Ladies’ teams as they operate in separate Covid ‘bubbles’ despite also being based at Chelsea’s training complex in Cobham, Surrey.
      The youth team centre will be closed for the rest of the week and development squad and under-23 games against West Ham and Brighton this week have been postponed.

      Players and staff at the academy will also have to undergo another round of testing.
      The news comes as the Premier League’s ordered clubs to enforce a new Covid clampdown – or face the consequences.
      League bosses wrote to all 20 clubs with the new rules, making clear sanctions will follow for breaches.
      Under the revised instructions, clubs were warned they will face action for Covidiocy by their players.

      That came after the outrageous breaches by players at Spurs, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Manchester City in recent weeks.

      And players were also informed they must not shake hands, hug each other in celebrations or swap shirts after games.
      In the email to clubs, League bosses laid down the law for the first time since the summer when the protocols were agreed with the Government and scientific experts.
      Those regulations demand players wear masks at ALL times on match-day other than when they are playing, engaged in warm-up sessions and giving socially-distanced post-match interviews.
      Clubs must now ensure they follow instructions to transport first-team players and staff to matches in three separate coaches.
      In addition, all external staff working for travel services or in hotels used for stays must have returned negative Covid tests, while each club must submit a risk-assessed travel plan to the League for every game.
      Amid suggestions that too many hangers-on have been accessing grounds on match days, clubs have again been ordered to ensure they each have a maximum of 10 representatives in directors’ boxes.
      At training ground, indoor meetings will be banned unless they are fully socially-distanced, with canteens banned other than on matchdays the previous day.
      And clinical passports will be required by players and staff at training ground, with Prem-appointed compliance officers having the right to ask for spot-checks of credentials.

      Piers Morgan slams football fans ‘crammed in like sardines’ at Tottenham game as police hit walkers with Covid fines More

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      Boxing to resume next month as BBBofC lift suspension with Josh Kelly vs David Avanesyan set to take place

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      BRITISH boxing lovers can get ready for their sport to return on Valentine’s weekend.
      The British Boxing Board of Control cancelled all bouts scheduled for January to help the NHS combat coronavirus.

      Josh Kelly, left, has moved a step closer to returning to actionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Kelly and Avanesyan nearly got it on in 2018Credit: PA:Press Association

      Josh Kelly’s bid for the European welterweight title on January 30 was the only major casualty.
      And the BBBofC have now confirmed that mid-Feb, with Saturday the 13th looking the most attractive date, is the target for the action to restart.
      Board secretary Robert Smith said: “The British Boxing Board of Control will be resuming Boxing tournaments under its jurisdiction in the middle of February, dates and venues to be confirmed in due course.”
      Eddie Hearn made excellent use of the family garden last summer and the Marshall Arena at Stadium MK, thanks to a hotel being attached to the ground to help their strict COVID-19 protocols.

      Matchroom also visited Peterborough and Wembley Arena for Sky Sports events.
      And Frank Warren kept his BT Sport shows running behind-closed-doors at their Stratford studios and York Hall.
      As well rearranging Kelly vs David Avanesyan for a FOURTH time, Hearn has Dillian Whyte champing at the bit to return after his shock August loss to Alexander Povetkin.

      Eddie Hearn used his back garden to help fight fans through the Covid hellCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      And in-form Conor Benn wants to continue his impressive learning under Tony Sims ASAP.
      Warren will resume trying to secure Welsh middleweight Liam Williams an overdue WBO world title shot and rematching Lyndon Arthur and light-heavy rival Anthony Yarde.
      That is as well as pushing along the young careers of prospects like Hamzah Sheeraz and Dennis McCann.

      Oscar De La Hoya says he has been inspired by Mike Tyson to box again and wants to pick his brain More

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      Man City star Benjamin Mendy flouted lockdown AGAIN by flying girl from Greece for four-day romp

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      COVIDIOT footballer Benjamin Mendy flouted rules again when he flew a girl from Greece for a four-day romp.
      We told last week how the Man City ace, 26, hosted a new year party for pals outside his bubble.

      Benjamin Mendy flew out Claudia Marino from Athens to his home for a four-day romp

      Claudia should have been self-isolating on arrival but instead stayed at Mendy’s house

      Mendy told Claudia to delete an Instagram video showing her inside his homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it was not his first breach — last summer he wooed Claudia Marino online then flew her from Athens to his £5million Cheshire home from June 29.
      The Government had ordered UK arrivals from June 6 to self-isolate for 14 days or face a fine.
      When Claudia, 22, sent him a screenshot of the strict measures alongside a sad emoji, Mendy replied: “U stay in my house.
      “It’s ok they don’t gonna check.”

      Mendy was caught breaking Covid rules after having a new year doCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Claudia admitted she’d been up for fun and said they romped.
      She added: “I’m not naive and I know what footballers are like but I thought it would be an experience.
      “He was single so I wasn’t hurting anybody.
      “We had some drinks and had a laugh. One day he took me to Leeds where he saw his dentist.”

      Claudia flew back to Greece on July 2
      Claudia flew back on July 2 and got a message from Mendy telling her to delete an Instagram video showing her inside his house.
      Mendy has apologised for his new year do.
      Guardiola still decided to name Mendy as a substitute for last Sunday’s Premier League win at Chelsea and then launched a passionate defence, saying: “Benjamin already had Covid in the past, he has been tested every day like all the other players.
      “He has explained, he knows what he has done and he will learn in the future. He is part of the group, he is one of the guys who is much beloved in our group.

      The 22-year-old said Mendy even took her to Leeds during her visit

      Mendy was named as a substitute for last Sunday’s Premier League win at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “In the stands today he was the most active player. He is a special guy for us and has an incredible heart. I would like to see how many people will now judge him and see if they have the good intentions that he has.
      “But he has to understand some things. I would like to know how many people did this on New Year’s Eve, but normally in this society we judge others when first we should judge ourselves.
      “I’m not justifying it, he broke the rules. But don’t give too many lessons to others.”

      Pep Guardiola defends Benjamin Mendy over coronavirus breach insisting many people have maybe done the same
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      FA launch investigation as Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze appears to break coronavirus rules by attending QPR match

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      THE FA have launched a probe into why Crystal Palace ace Eberechi Eze was at QPR’s cup clash with Fulham on Saturday.
      SunSport previously revealed how the Eagles midfielder was facing the wrath of his boss Roy Hodgson and Prem chiefs after he breached coronavirus rules by attending his former Hoops third-round defeat at Loftus Road.

      Eberechi Eze attended QPR’s game despite a ban on fans

      The Crystal Palace star did not wear a face mask or socially distance from others during the FA Cup clash

      Palace refused to comment officially on the incident but club sources were eager to claim Eze had been invited to the game by QPR and that it had been approved by the FA.
      Rangers admit he was on their guest list but the FA insist they did not give approval for him to attend the match and will be looking into the matter.
      That is set to result in punishment for all three parties – QPR, Eze and Palace.
      The midfielder, who joined the Eagles from QPR for £16million in the summer, is already likely to be carpeted his club and the top-flight after he was spotted taking his seat in the Loftus Road directors box midway through the first half of the Rs derby against the Cottagers on Saturday.

      It was the visitors’ first match since Boxing Day following a Covid outbreak in their own camp.
      Yet England Under-21 cap Eze clearly ignored social-distancing guidelines as he chatted to pals in the stand while NOT wearing a face mask.
      It came just 24 hours after Prem bigwigs issued strict new Covid protocols in a bid to keep football in the top five Leagues going in the threat of the new strain of the virus which has forced a nationwide lockdown.
      Palace boss Hodgson last week vowed there would be “strong consequences” for further Covid breaches by his stars.

      It comes after skipper Luka Milivojevic was forced to apologise and pay a substantial donation to the NHS after he was snapped with his Serbian pal and Fulham frontman Aleksander Mitrovic at a New Year’s Eve party.
      QPR and Palace could also face action for Eze’s ludicrous Loftus Road return,
      The Eagles might be trying to claim the player was invited by his former club – but under current Covid rules no guests are allowed inside stadiums to watch matches.
      In addition to media and “required individuals” – those staff and workers whose jobs are essential to the match taking place, only 10 directors or club officials and six visiting scouts are permitted.
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      Not even injured players are allowed in to watch their team-mates – so Eze’s appearance was against the rules.
      Former Palace boss Alan Pardew was also seen at the match.
      But SunSport understands he was there in a scouting capacity in his new role as technical director of Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia.

      Premier League managers express concern at the impact of Covid-19 More

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      Arsenal and Man City stars’ Dubai trip so disappointing… WSL fans have every right to feel frustrated by postponements

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      FANS are right to be frustrated at the Women’s Super League stars who jetted off to Dubai over the Christmas break.
      Arsenal and Manchester City both requested postponements of their weekend games after players tested positive for coronavirus following trips to the United Arab Emirates.

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      Arsenal ace Katie McCabe posted a snap of her Dubai trip on Instagram over Christmas before deleting it amid a backlash
      City had four players that were hit with the virus having all visited the Middle East.
      While three senior Gunners stars are said to have gone — with one of them since testing positive for Covid-19, forcing a lot of the squad into self-isolation.
      People fought extremely hard to get women’s football into the position it’s in now, so I feel disappointed that we’re in this situation.

      Every player, whether they’re representing the WSL or England, has a responsibility to push women’s football on and help it grow.
      And while there wouldn’t have been any bad intention from those involved, you must take your public responsibility seriously as a professional athlete.
      There are serious implications on not only these particular games, but the reputation of women’s football when our country is in the middle of a health crisis.
      The issue here is that none of the players broke “official” rules, so where does blame sit here and what was the thought process of those involved?

      The unnamed City quartet had the club’s permission to travel as Manchester was not under Tier 4 restrictions at the time.

      Katie McCabe’s partner Ruesha Littlejohn posted snaps online from Dubai with her sister

      And the Arsenal girls were given the green light to travel by the club as they were reportedly satisfied it was for “business reasons”.
      Players from other clubs have posted pictures of their luxury trips on social media.
      I understand the need to travel for business reasons — but there has to be work permits, clear guidance, and vigorous testing to ensure there is no impact upon the health of others and other external factors.
      NHS frontline workers are being overstretched in their fight against the coronavirus crisis. Hardworking binmen and women are going out every week to risk catching the virus for their livelihoods and to the benefit of our society.
      Teachers don’t feel safe to go back to work and I don’t blame them.

      So we asking for a postponement because we broke the rules??!!😕 Players have every right to be upset but why should Villa be punished? Play the game. https://t.co/EWVfdTsl2o
      — Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 6, 2021

      Arsenal and Manchester City both requested postponements of their weekend games after players tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      People haven’t seen their loved ones for months but footballers are in a privileged position of continuing to get paid to play sport and do what they love.
      The other issue to highlight is – why should other teams be punished with postponements when it’s the other club’s problem?
      Second-placed Arsenal were due to play second-from-bottom Aston Villa and City called off their game with tenth-placed West Ham.
      The FA were shown evidence that neither club had 14 players available, but the other team should not be punished after opposition stars took trips to Dubai.
      It’s not right and now it’s too late. Arsenal legend Ian Wright wrote on Twitter: “So we are asking for a postponement because we broke the rules??!
      “Players have every right to be upset but why should Villa be punished? Play the game.”
      Reading star Emma Mitchell said: “We see you @BarclaysFAWSL @FA different rules for different teams.”

      West Ham star Alisha Lehmann posted videos of her in the Maldives over Christmas
      And Hammers skipper Gilly Flaherty said: “Hopefully the girls who are involved will do the decent thing & come out & apologise.”
      Bristol City were forced to field a team of academy players against City in November after FIVE of their senior players were self-isolating.
      The players share a house and one of them had developed coronavirus symptoms — but none tested positive.
      The club requested a postponement of the game but the FA were satisfied they had “followed Covid-19 protocols and had enough players available”.
      But you can’t have one rule for one club and one for another. It needs to be consistent because, right now, it seems unfair.
      Let’s see if guidance and apologies will come in the following days — but I for one am so disappointed to see women’s football in the news for the wrong reasons.

      Christine McGuinness slams celebrities ‘p***ing off to Dubai during lockdown’ More

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      in Soccer

      Sam Allardyce calls for new football coronavirus shutdown as West Brom suffer another humiliating loss vs Blackpool

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      SAM ALLARDYCE suffered another humiliating defeat — then called for a football lockdown.
      His West Brom side were dumped out of the FA Cup by League One Blackpool.

      Sam Allardyce watched his West Brom side crash out of the FA Cup at League One Blackpool – and has now called for a shutdownCredit: AFP or licensors

      But Allardyce claims the season should be suspended if coronavirus cases continue to soar.
      He warned: “We’re out to entertain and if we’re to continue to do that then we’re fearful of someone catching a virus they’re not going to recover from?
      “I don’t know how long we can carry on.
      “The big help is the vaccinations happening as quickly as possible but we may need a lockdown if cases outside of football continue to rise.

      “There’s talk about extra restrictions that we are going to come under in the next few weeks.
      “We’ve got to do things at the training ground in smaller groups, we’ve got to spread ourselves out further and meetings have to be done in smaller groups.
      “We cannot let players sit down.”
      West Brom’s loss on penalties highlighted their shortage up front.

      Striker Charlie Austin is off on loan to QPR and Allardyce admitted a replacement is a priority.
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      He added: “There’s no point in beating around the bush, we need to move players on and bring players in.
      “We played up front with nobody because we’ve not got anybody.
      “We need one, if not two, frontmen because we need to score goals.”

      Sam Allardyce says he will be fully backed as West Brom’s new manager More

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      Eberechi Eze appears to break coronavirus rules by attending QPR clash despite fan ban and NOT wearing face mask

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      COVIDIOT Eberechi Eze faces the wrath of Prem chiefs and Crystal Palace for breaching coronavirus rules.
      The midfielder, 22, was snapped in the stands watching his old club QPR’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Fulham — despite a lockdown ban on fans.

      Eberechi Eze attended QPR’s game despite a ban on fansCredit: Rex Features

      The Crystal Palace star did not wear a face mask or socially distance from others during the FA Cup clashCredit: PA:Press Association

      Eagles star Eze also appeared to ignore social-distancing guidelines and chatted to pals while NOT wearing a face mask.
      His Loftus Road appearance came just 24 hours after Prem bigwigs issued strict new Covid protocols and two days after Palace boss Roy Hodgson vowed there would be “strong consequences” for Covid breaches by his players.
      QPR manager Mark Warburton declared: “I’ve no idea whether he broke protocols or not.
      “You’d have to ask our health-and-safety officer because that’s above my pay grade.

      “What other players do in their own time, I can’t comment on that.”
      SunSport understands Eze was invited as a guest of QPR.
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      Hodgson will be furious Eze put himself at risk by going to watch QPR against a Fulham squad playing their first match since Boxing Day following their own Covid outbreak.

      Under Covid protocols, only required individuals are allowed inside stad­iums to watch matches.
      It comes after Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic broke rules on New Year’s Eve by attending a party.
      Hodgson warned further lapses would be met with even stronger punishment as he added: “The consequence would be harsher.”

      Premier League managers express concern at the impact of Covid-19 More

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      Man City ace Benjamin Mendy flouted lockdown AGAIN by flying girl from Greece for four-day romp

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      COVIDIOT footballer Benjamin Mendy flouted rules again when he flew a girl from Greece for a four-day romp.
      We told last week how the Man City ace, 26, hosted a new year party for pals outside his bubble.

      Benjamin Mendy flew out Claudia Marino from Athens to his home for a four-day romp

      Claudia should have been self-isolating on arrival but instead stayed at Mendy’s house

      Mendy told Claudia to delete an Instagram video showing her inside his homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it was not his first breach — last summer he wooed Claudia Marino online then flew her from Athens to his £5million Cheshire home from June 29.
      The Government had ordered UK arrivals from June 6 to self-isolate for 14 days or face a fine.
      When Claudia, 22, sent him a screenshot of the strict measures alongside a sad emoji, Mendy replied: “U stay in my house.
      “It’s ok they don’t gonna check.”

      Mendy was caught breaking Covid rules after having a new year doCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Claudia admitted she’d been up for fun and said they romped.
      She added: “I’m not naive and I know what footballers are like but I thought it would be an experience.
      “He was single so I wasn’t hurting anybody.
      “We had some drinks and had a laugh. One day he took me to Leeds where he saw his dentist.”

      Claudia flew back to Greece on July 2
      Claudia flew back on July 2 and got a message from Mendy telling her to delete an Instagram video showing her inside his house.
      Mendy has apologised for his new year do.
      Guardiola still decided to name Mendy as a substitute for last Sunday’s Premier League win at Chelsea and then launched a passionate defence, saying: “Benjamin already had Covid in the past, he has been tested every day like all the other players.
      “He has explained, he knows what he has done and he will learn in the future. He is part of the group, he is one of the guys who is much beloved in our group.

      The 22-year-old said Mendy even took her to Leeds during her visit

      Mendy was named as a substitute for last Sunday’s Premier League win at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “In the stands today he was the most active player. He is a special guy for us and has an incredible heart. I would like to see how many people will now judge him and see if they have the good intentions that he has.
      “But he has to understand some things. I would like to know how many people did this on New Year’s Eve, but normally in this society we judge others when first we should judge ourselves.
      “I’m not justifying it, he broke the rules. But don’t give too many lessons to others.”

      Pep Guardiola defends Benjamin Mendy over coronavirus breach insisting many people have maybe done the same
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More