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      AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli tests positive for coronavirus and goes into quarantine as he looks set to miss Napoli clash

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      SERIE A leaders AC Milan have confirmed coach Stefano Pioli’s positive test for coronavirus.
      The Italian, 55, is showing no symptoms but could miss next weekend’s big clash with Napoli.

      Stefano Pioli’s diagnosis was confirmed on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A club statement on Saturday read: “AC Milan announces that Stefano Pioli has tested positive following a quick test carried out this morning.
      “The health authorities have been informed, and the coach, who is currently showing no symptoms, has gone into quarantine at home.
      “All other tests carried out by the squad and staff came back negative.
      “As a result, today’s training session has been cancelled. Training ahead of the match with Napoli will resume on Monday, subject to the checks set out in the federal protocol.”

      Milan have been on top form under Pioli since the turn of the year, dispelling the club’s plans to install Ralf Rangnick as coach.
      On November 22, the Rossoneri host third-placed Napoli with a three-point gap back to Gennaro Gattuso’s side.
      And Pioli’s diagnosis is not the first time coronavirus has threatened to derail Milan’s title bid.
      Last month, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jens Petter Hauge returned positive tests, along with three members of coaching staff.

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of a handful of AC Milan stars who have tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic tested positive for the illness in September following the infections of Daniel Maldini, Matteo Gabbia and Leo Duarte.
      The Swede missed a total of four games, including two in Serie A, and yet remains the division’s top scorer.
      Last Sunday’s clash with Hellas Verona saw Ibrahimovic continue his run of scoring in every league game he has played by netting a late equaliser at the San Siro.

      Liverpool star Mo Salah tests positive for coronavirus after linking up with Egypt national team More

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      in Soccer

      England vs Scotland WILL have fans, Government reckon thanks to coronavirus vaccine

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      THE Government are confident the Euro 2020 clash between England and Scotland WILL be played in front of fans, thanks to the Covid vaccine.
      The Auld Enemy face off in a group game at Wembley on June 18 — and under current restrictions supporters would not be allowed in.

      England manager Gareth Southgate salutes the fansCredit: AFP or licensors

      England and Scotland are expected to be able to play with fans in the delayed Euro 2020 tournamentCredit: Getty – Contributor

      But SunSport has been told the Pfizer vaccine breakthrough — with an AstraZeneca version to follow this month — has given ministers belief crowds will be able to attend games.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We want fans back in stadia as quickly as is safe to do so.
      “And the real progress we are making on testing and vaccines means that next year’s Euros are firmly in our sights.”
      Up until as recently as last month, there were real fears in Whitehall that Euro 2020 matches would be behind closed doors as the country battles to keep a lid on the virus.

      But the impending arrival of vaccines has changed the landscape.
      Uefa has confirmed the Scots will get 14,400 tickets for Wembley.
      But the Tartan Army is likely to be bolstered by thousands more who bagged seats in last year’s Uefa general ballot.
      Steve Clarke’s team won their spot after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win in Serbia.

      Keeper David Marshall was the hero saving Fulham ace Aleksandar Mitrovic’s effort.
      Mitrovic had to score after after all nine previous spot-kicks were converted successfully by both sides.
      And the Scottish players celebrated ending 22 years of hurt with a proper dressing room boogie.

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      Watch ecstatic Scotland heroes BOOGIE in dressing room as wild Euro 2020 party kicks off More

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      in Soccer

      Mo Salah tests positive for coronavirus just days after Liverpool star attended brother Nasr’s wedding in Egypt

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      MO SALAH has tested positive for coronavirus just days after he attended his brother’s wedding in Egypt.
      The Liverpool forward, 28, is not suffering from any symptoms after returning a positive swab test while on international duty, the Egyptian FA confirmed.

      Mo Salah, who has tested positive for coronavirus, dances with his brother Nasr at his wedding in Egypt Credit: Newsflash

      Mo Salah at his brother’s wedding in Cairo

      It is the latest blow for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp – who is already without several key players.
      Salah, the Premier League’s joint-top scorer this season with eight goals, will have to self-isolate for ten days, ruling him out of the clash with Leicester next Saturday.
      The Egyptian star attended his brother Nasr’s wedding in Cairo on Tuesday and footage appeared on social media of the football star dancing among a small crowd of guests.
      He was wearing a mask pulled down below his nose and around his chin in several images taken at the ceremony, which was also attended by international team-mate and Aston Villa star Mahmoud Trezeguet.

      The Egyptian FA initially announced Salah was the only member of the Egyptian side to test positive before later revealing three other players were being sent for retests.
      A statement on their website read: “A second swab was conducted for Mohamed Salah and the result showed a positive case for the infection of coronavirus.
      “All measures are being taken for this and the necessary international medical protocol for the case is being followed.
      “The Egyptian star is in high spirits and none of the usual symptoms appear on him.

      “A special room has been prepared for isolation and another room for medical follow-up, while the team doctor, Dr Muhammad Abu Al-Ela, communicates with Liverpool club doctor Jim Moxon.”

      Mo Salah has tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty

      Salah could be seen enjoying himself at the celebrationsCredit: Newsflash
      He is now set to miss Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Togo on Saturday and the reverse fixture on Tuesday.
      Apparently, Salah went to an award ceremony in his honour on Wednesday.
      Amr El Ganainy, head of the normalisation committee that runs the Egyptian FA, made clear his organisation had done everything by the book in terms of looking after Salah.
      He said : “He got Covid because of our ceremony and honour?
      “Everything has been done with co-ordinating with his agent and Liverpool. We did everything that Liverpool asked.”

      Mo Salah and brother Nasr pose together at Nasr’s weddingCredit: Newsflash

      Salah and brother Nasr danced while being hoisted aloftCredit: Newsflash

      Salah looked sharp in a fitted black suit and skinny black tieCredit: Newsflash

      Salah appeared to be enjoying the celebration with other attendeesCredit: Newsflash
      The former Chelsea ace is not the first global star to contract the virus after Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive while away with his national side in October.
      Juventus forward Ronaldo chartered a private ambulance jet to escape back to Italy and continue self-isolating in his Turin home.
      Salah’s test result is the latest Covid drama to hit football after England’s Premier League stars learned the Republic of Ireland’s Alan Browne – who played 90 minutes at Wembley on Thursday night – tested positive for the virus after the game.
      The Three Lions won the friendly 3-0 thanks to goals from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty but despite the scare SunSport understands the FA are not worried about anyone catching the virus from him during the game.
      In September, Egypt allowed weddings to be held in open-air venues but with a limit of 300 guests and only in tourist and hotel facilities with health and safety certificates.
      Salah is the FIFTH Liverpool star to contract the virus after new boy Thiago, Sadio Mane, Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita all returned positive tests in recent months.
      The news will come as another blow to Reds boss Klopp, who also saw Joe Gomez pick up a significant injury while during this international break.

      Salah could be seen smiling behind a maskCredit: Newsflash

      Salah was in close contact with a number of individualsCredit: Newsflash

      Salah was snapped sitting down at a table without a maskCredit: Newsflash
      Gomez suffered a serious knee injury in England training on Wednesday and underwent ‘successful’ surgery on a tendon blow with Liverpool hopeful he will feature again this season.
      The Premier League champions are facing a mounting injury crisis after Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled out of Three Lions duty with a calf problem.
      The right-back sustained the injury during the 1-1 draw away at Manchester City and is expected to miss four weeks after being forced from the field.
      Talismanic Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk is still months away from fitness after picking up an ACL injury in a controversial collision with England No1 Jordan Pickford.
      Initial fears suggested Gomez might have sustained a similar injury.
      The Reds have only just welcomed back Joel Matip to their depleted backline, but makeshift centre-back Fabinho is also out.
      Midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also missing.
      Liverpool have been forced to play 19-year-old Rhys Williams and last year’s outcast Nat Phillips already this season.

      Mohamed Salah scores 94th minute penalty vs Congo to take Egypt to World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 More

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      in Soccer

      England vs Scotland WILL have fans, Govt reckon thanks to Covid vaccine

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      THE Government are confident the Euro 2020 clash between England and Scotland WILL be played in front of fans, thanks to the Covid vaccine.
      The Auld Enemy face off in a group game at Wembley on June 18 — and under current restrictions supporters would not be allowed in.

      England and Scotland are expected to be able to play with fans in the delayed Euro 2020 tournamentCredit: Getty – Contributor

      But SunSport has been told the Pfizer vaccine breakthrough — with an AstraZeneca version to follow this month — has given ministers belief crowds will be able to attend games.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We want fans back in stadia as quickly as is safe to do so.
      “And the real progress we are making on testing and vaccines means that next year’s Euros are firmly in our sights.”
      Up until as recently as last month, there were real fears in Whitehall that Euro 2020 matches would be behind closed doors as the country battles to keep a lid on the virus.

      But the impending arrival of vaccines has changed the landscape.
      Uefa has confirmed the Scots will get 14,400 tickets for Wembley.
      But the Tartan Army is likely to be bolstered by thousands more who bagged seats in last year’s Uefa general ballot.
      Steve Clarke’s team won their spot after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win in Serbia.

      Keeper David Marshall was the hero saving Fulham ace Aleksandar Mitrovic’s effort.
      Mitrovic had to score after after all nine previous spot-kicks were converted successfully by both sides.
      And the Scottish players celebrated ending 22 years of hurt with a proper dressing room boogie.

      Watch ecstatic Scotland heroes BOOGIE in dressing room as wild Euro 2020 party kicks off More

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      in Soccer

      Mo Salah tests positive for coronavirus days after Liverpool star attended brother’s wedding in Egypt

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      LIVERPOOL’S Mo Salah has tested positive for coronavirus just days after he attended his brother’s wedding in Egypt.
      The forward, 28, is not suffering from any symptoms after returning a positive swab test while on international duty, the Egyptian FA confirmed.

      Mo Salah at his brother’s wedding in Cairo

      Mo Salah has tested positive for coronavirus

      Salah tested positive on international duty with Egypt but is not experiencing symptoms

      Salah attended his brother Nasr’s wedding in Cairo on Tuesday.
      Footage appeared on social media of the football star dancing among a small crowd of guests.
      He was wearing a mask pulled down below his nose and around his chin in images taken at the ceremony which was also attended by international team-mate and Aston Villa star Mahmoud Trezeguet.
      Salah was the only member of the Egyptian side to test positive in the African nation’s round of testing.

      Salah will now miss Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo on Saturday and the reverse fixture on Tuesday.
      Salah is the FIFTH Liverpool star to contract the virus after new boy Thiago, Sadio Mane, Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita all returned positive tests in recent months.
      The news will come as another blow to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp as the German manager is already sweating on the fitness of defender Joe Gomez.
      Gomez suffered a serious knee injury in England training and underwent ‘successful’ surgery on a tendon blow with Liverpool hopeful he will feature again this season.

      The Premier League champions are facing a mounting injury crisis after Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled out of Three Lions duty with a calf problem.
      The right-back sustained the injury during the 1-1 draw away at Manchester City and is expected to miss four weeks after being forced from the field.
      Talismanic Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk is still months away from fitness after picking up an ACL injury in a controversial collision with England No1 Jordan Pickford.
      Initial fears suggested Gomez might have sustained a similar injury.
      The Reds have only just welcomed back Joel Matip to their depleted backline, but makeshift centre-back Fabinho is also out.
      Midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also missing.
      Liverpool have been forced to play 19-year-old Rhys Williams and last year’s outcast Nat Phillips already this season.

      Mohamed Salah scores 94th minute penalty vs Congo to take Egypt to World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 More

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      in Soccer

      Will England stars have to isolate after Alan Browne’s positive coronavirus test and will Premier League be affected?

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      REPUBLIC OF IRELAND midfielder Alan Browne tested positive for coronavirus within hours of playing the entire 90 minutes against England at Wembley on Thursday.
      But FA chiefs are NOT concerned, while the FAI remain insistent their Nations League game with Wales in Cardiff on Sunday will go ahead as scheduled.

      Alan Browne tested positive for Covid after playing the full 90 minutes vs EnglandCredit: Reuters

      SunSport answers all the key questions surrounding Browne’s diagnosis – and why the response has been so restrained.
      What happened?
      Preston midfielder Browne and the rest of the Ireland squad were tested at their hotel on Thursday morning, before the Wembley game, with the results coming back today.
      Browne was the only player or staff member who tested positive.
      So Browne is sent home?
      Yes.

      And he will have to isolate for ten days.
      What about the rest of the Irish squad?
      The FAI say there was no ‘close contact’ with any other member of the Irish party, with the players all allotted their own rooms and not sharing.
      Indoor team meetings were kept to a minimum and other strict protocols were in place.
      There is no reason for anything to change ahead of Sunday’s game.

      The FA and FAI aren’t overly worried as they claim Browne was never in ‘close contact’ with anyoneCredit: PA:Press Association

      But they will be tested again before Sunday?
      Certainly. As will the Welsh players, under Uefa conditions to prevent the spread of the virus.
      But unless there is an outbreak in the Irish camp over the next 48 hours, the game will go ahead as planned.
      What about England? Haven’t they already had one Covid case this week?
      Not quite.
      But Wolves centre half Conor Coady was sent home on Thursday aftre the NHS Test and Trace service revealed he had come into contact with a person who contracted the virus.
      Coady is now self-isolating and may have to to miss Wolves’ post-break game against Southampton on November 21.

      Browne has been forced to self-isolate for ten days after his positive testCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      And the England players who shared the Wembley pitch with Browne?
      Southgate and his England squad will be tested again before they fly to Belgium for Sunday’s Nations League game.
      But medical advice is that the virus is only likely to spread if you are in ‘close contact’ with an infected person, normally indoors, for 15 minutes or more.
      That did not happen on the Wembley pitch as any close contact with the Preston man was fleeting.
      Given that he stayed on the pitch all match, he was not able to infect anybody on the bench.
      What happens if there is an outbreak?
      If England are unable to fulfil the match because of a clutch of Covid cases, it would be awarded to Belgium.
      As would Wednesday’s match with Iceland, now confirmed to stay at Wembley, under Uefa regulations.
      But that is not a worry at this stage.
      Won’t PL clubs be concerned?
      Probably, because the Irish players did share a dressing room.
      Those who were closest to Browne in the large Wembley changing rooms may be most worried but the FAI-run tests should sweep aside any concerns.

      England coronavirus scare as Ireland ace Alan Browne tests positive after playing full 90 mins against them at Wembley More

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      in Soccer

      England coronavirus scare as Ireland ace Alan Browne tests positive after playing full 90 mins against them at Wembley

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      IRELAND midfielder Alan Browne tested positive for coronavirus after playing in the friendly defeat to England.
      The Preston star, 25, featured for the full 90 minutes at Wembley last night as the Republic of Ireland fell to a 3-0 defeat.

      Alan Browne, right, tested positive for coronavirus after Ireland’s defeat to EnglandCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      The Irish FA tweeted: “The Football Association of Ireland can confirm Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for Covid-19.
      “There are no close contacts of the player and the rest of the staff & squad tested negative ahead of Sunday’s Uefa Nations League against Wales in Cardiff.”
      Browne was one of five Ireland players to complete the entire match as both sides made the most of the extra substitutions.
      He was tested on the morning of the game, with the positive result coming back today.

      Goals from Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho set the Three Lions on their way before Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty 11 minutes after the break.
      Inevitably, Browne was in close contact with a number of England stars including Manchester United captain Maguire, Chelsea’s Reece James and Tottenham ace Harry Winks.
      Despite the concerns sparked as a result of Browne’s confirmed coronavirus case, SunSport understands the FA are not worried about anyone catching the virus from him during the game.
      And this news does not alter their plans for the remainder of the international break as they remain in a bio-secure bubble for travel, accommodation and training.

      The Football Association of Ireland can confirm Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for COVID-19There are no close contacts of the player and the rest of the staff & squad tested negative ahead of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League against Wales in Cardiff#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Llpde9apHo
      — FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 13, 2020

      The Preston midfielder has left the Irish camp ahead of their clash with WalesCredit: PA:Press Association
      To limit the possible spread of the killer virus, England squad meetings and meals together are no longer than 15 minutes.
      Players are also bunking in separate rooms.
      Players will not need to self-isolate because they’ve not been in close contact with Browne for more than 15 minutes and – while a match covers 90 minutes – the quick contact between players mean the time spent together is seen as minimal
      England head to face Belgium on Sunday before welcoming Euro 2016 conquerors Iceland to Wembley on Wednesday.
      That game was under threat or may have been played in another country before the Icelandic squad were given special dispensation to avoid quarantining after arriving from Denmark.
      Southgate and his squad will be tested again before they fly to Belgium for the game over the weekend.
      Earlier in the Nations League campaign, Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden were sent home from Iceland in disgrace after breaking the strict coronavirus rules.
      The youngsters sneaked a pair of local women into their hotel and were slammed with a four-game ban for England.

      Browne was one of five Ireland players to play the full 90 minutesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Phil Foden, pictured, and Mason Greenwood were sent home from England camp for breaking coronavirus protocolsCredit: Snapchat

      One of the girls, model Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir, 20, revealed she had been chatting with Greenwood before his trip to Iceland

      Jadon Sancho, Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham missed the friendly win over Wales after being filmed attending a packed party last month.
      The trio were in a gathering of about 20 friends and family, clearly flouting strict Covid-19 laws, for the Chelsea striker’s 23rd birthday.
      Meanwhile, Wolves centre-half Conor Coady was sent home on Thursday after the NHS Test and Trace service revealed he had come into contact with a person who contracted the virus. Coady is now self-isolating.
      Browne’s positive result is the latest in the Irish camp.
      West Brom forward Callum Robinson was ruled out of the clash at Wembley due to his case, confirmed just days before the match.
      In the previous international break, duo Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah missed the Euro 2020 play-off loss in Slovakia after a staff member they had come in close contact with contracted Covid-19.
      A further five players missed the Nations League tie against Wales after one of them tested positive, with the other four all deemed close contacts.

      Tammy Abraham, left, and Ben Chilwell flouted lockdown rules by attending a party alongside Jadon Sancho for the Chelsea striker’s 23rd birthday

      England defender Reece James celebrates his side’s 3-0 win over Ireland at Wembley More

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      in Boxing

      Frank Warren still battling away against coronavirus attack on boxing but promoter insists getting SHOT was worse

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      FRANK WARREN is still slugging away against Covid-19’s attack on boxing and jokes it’s still not as bad for business as getting shot.
      England’s Hall of Fame promoter has lost three fights from his Friday night card to the virus.

      Frank Warren is battling back against Covid – but insists being shot was tougher to deal withCredit: PA:Press Association

      Frank Warren, right, was shot in Barking in 1989Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      But Warren is biting down on his gumshield and marching on with the show.
      The main event middleweight clash for the British title between Denzel Bentley and Mark Heffron is safe – as is the return of Tyson Fury’s heartthrob little brother Tommy.
      And 68-year-old Warren concedes this is the biggest challenge he has ever faced in the sport – aside from the bullet he couldn’t dodge during back in 1989.
      Just over 30 years ago, Warren lost half a lung after being shot by an ‘incompetent lunatic’.

      On his 2020 crisis, Warren claimed: “These are unprecedented times and it is a huge shame to lose three great fights. 
      “I’m obviously gutted for the boys who have worked so hard for this week.
      “But I am pleased to see the excellent safety measures implemented by my team and the board are working so effectively.
      “I am thankful to our partners at BT for working with us to ensure the event can continue safely.

      FRANK WARREN ON BEING SHOT IN 1989

      It hurt! It made me jump! It was a surreal moment, it’s not something you were expecting to happen.
      I was just getting out of my car in Barking, Colin McMillan was fighting there. I was getting out the car and I heard a bang. I thought it was a car backfiring.
      I looked around and I’ve seen somebody standing there holding a gun.
      First of all I thought it was a joke, I was looking around and I thought, ‘What’s all this about?’
      I could see him shaking a bit, then there was a click and I realised there was another bang and I felt pain in my side.
      “What had happened, it had gone in my chest and I was standing at an angle and thankfully it went through my lung – and I lost half a lung – and came out.
      A friend of mine, a barrister called John Buttress, he went, ‘What the f*** are you doing?’ And he jumped on him.
      I didn’t realise, I suddenly felt this gurgling in my throat and because obviously the blood through my lungs had got into my throat.
      And then I was losing my breath, I went down on one knee and then I remember my late uncle Bob coming out and my brother Robert.
      They were standing over me, they were helping me and they said, ‘Get a doctor, get a doctor.’
      At every show we have doctors and the Boxing Board of Control’s doctor came out. I remember him saying, ‘Have you got a hankerchief?’
      I said, ‘Yeah,’ and he said, ‘Hold it on.’
      At the time the ambulances were all on strike so the next minute they bundled me into the back of a police van.
      They done like a 16-point turn up the curbs and everything.
      And they drove me off to the hospital and that was it.
      *Warren was speaking to talkSPORT…

      “Fans can look forward to a cracking main event between Mark and Denzel.
      “We wish those affected a speedy recovery.
      “It’s almost the most difficult time of my career.
      “But getting shot was probably a bit more painful for me personally.”

      Frank Warren says that Tyson Fury clash with Anthony Joshua to be 50-50 purse split More