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      Dillian Whyte accuses Alexander Povetkin of FAKING coronavirus hell to delay rematch as he ‘took a lot of damage’

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      DILLIAN WHYTE has claimed that Alexander Povetkin did not have coronavirus after their heavyweight rematch was delayed.
      The Russian dramatically downed Whyte in August with a stunning uppercut KO.

      Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte are set to rematch after the Russian won in AugustCredit: Mark Robinson Ltd

      But any hopes of a 2020 rematch between the pair were ended when Povetkin, 41, was admitted to hospital in early November.
      Released this week, the heavyweight’s illness has been called into question by Whyte – who reckons he was simply recovering from the ‘damage’ of their first contest.
      The Brit told Sky Sports: “I personally don’t think he’s got Covid.
      “I think he just needed more time to get ready, because he took a lot of damage in the first fight.

      “After the first fight, he took a lot of time off.
      “Even though I got stopped, I went straight back to training and I got straight back on it.”
      Whyte, 32, had won his previous 11 fights before the defeat to Povektin.
      Ahead of the rematch, he has insisted he is happy to ‘keep improving’ in the training ring.

      Povetkin’s promoter Andrey Ryabinskiy hit back at Whyte’s comments and stated that he is willing to release official medical documents proving his man’s infection.
      He asserted: “There are so many different opinions. Let’s not listen to opinions, but be guided by facts and make decisions.
      “The facts are simple – [Alexander] got coronavirus, and we were forced to postpone the fight. This can happen to any athlete.
      “He was in the hospital, we have all the documents at hand. If Eddie Hearn has any question of this kind, I am ready to submit all these documents.
      “Obviously, it is more profitable for us to have a rematch with Whyte after his defeat as soon as possible.”
      Ryabinskiy has confirmed that Povetkin is being treated at home and may take a while to fully recover from coronavirus.
      He added: “He had a rather difficult form of coronavirus, but he passed this crisis period, the doctors put him back on his feet.
      “He is now feeling well, no complications have been identified.

      “At the moment, his main task is to restore health and return to the necessary physical shape.”
      Whyte’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has told the heavyweight to remain calm in the face of the delay – unless Tyson Fury comes calling.
      A preliminary date of January 30 has been set for the rematch although Povetkin’s camp are as yet unwilling to rubberstamp the schedule.
      Hearn told reporters last week: “I said to Dillian, ‘Unless we get asked to fight Tyson Fury, you’ve just got to wait until January 30’.”

      Dillion Whyte will ONLY let Tyson Fury step in for coronvirus stricken Povetkin More

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      Premier League hope to introduce Covid ‘passport’ to get fans back before end of season after vaccine breakthrough

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are hoping new technology and a Covid “passport” will get fans back in grounds before the end of the season.
      The announcement of successful vaccine trials and a ‘five-minute test’ has added to the belief that turnstiles can be reopened during the current campaign.

      Fans may be back in Premier League grounds early next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      A Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is nearing approval for public distributionCredit: Reuters

      That comes as Prem chairman Gary Hoffman works with the Government’s Sports Technology and Innovation Group, headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross, to find new solutions.
      Prem chiefs have volunteered to act as a ‘guinea pig’ for any trials, in the hope that success for football will lead to the reopening of all major sport to supporters.
      And there is already an outline deal with Government that will see Covid vaccine records added to a digital health passport carried on smartphones to potentially fast-track the return of crowds.
      The League is working on protocols that go beyond the requirements of the Sports Ground Safety Authority regulations.

      That has brought buy-in from Government scientists and the DCMS, while there have also been meetings with Cabinet Office Minister, and close ally to the PM, Michael Gove.
      League bosses have worked out a number of protocols to speed up the return of supporters and have vowed they are ready to bring them into operation ‘as soon as it is safe to go back’.
      Key to that will be the establishment of the smartphone app health passports for those who have received the vaccine and tested negative, seen as a potential standard setter for the entire sports industry.
      Clubs will ensure sanitisation ports at all entry points while it is anticipated that social distancing will be required in the initial stages of the return, reducing capacities but finally allowing clubs to start generating income through the gate.

      Prem chief executive Richard Masters has reiterated that clubs are losing £100million per month under the current arrangements, with the total bill now in excess of £1billion in lost revenue.
      The league is asking for a ‘roadmap’ out of the current restrictions and Masters told MPs: “By completing the season we were able to minimise the broadcast rebate but the losses were still significant.
      “We estimate there were between £650m and £700m revenue losses across the league, through the lack of matchday revenue, commercial opportunities and loss of sponsorship.”

      Sir John Bell, professor at Oxford University and a member of the Government’s vaccine taskforce, said ‘life will return to normal by spring’ More

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      West Brom star Callum Robinson ruled out of Republic of Ireland squad against England after positive coronavirus test

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      CALLUM ROBINSON has been ruled out of the Ireland squad after testing positive for coronavirus.
      The FAI had confirmed that there had been a positive case in the camp and the West Brom ace has now been named as the player.

      Callum Robinson has been confirmed to have Covid-19

      The association confirmed that Robinson will withdraw from the squad and Aaron Connolly is also out due to injury.
      They said in a statement: “Republic of Ireland striker Aaron Connolly has been ruled out of the England, Wales and Bulgaria through injury.
      “The Brighton and Hove Albion forward will miss the three matches through an injury sustained in training yesterday and Preston North End striker Sean Maguire has been called up as a replacement.
      “Striker Callum Robinson has now been confirmed as the COVID-19 positive case in the Ireland camp and will also miss the three matches.

      “Swansea City’s Ryan Manning has been called up and will link up with the squad ahead of the Wales match on Sunday.”
      Ireland face England at Wembley on Thursday in a friendly clash.
      They then travel to Wales on Sunday in the Nations League before their final qualifier at home to Bulgaria.

      How the PL’s best transfer XI for this summer line up

      Meanwhile, Watford striker Ryan Cassidy has been added to the Ireland Under-21 squad after Jonathan Afolabi was forced to withdraw through injury. 

      Cassidy, currently on loan at Accrington Stanley, now joins up with the squad ahead of Sunday’s qualifier with Iceland in Tallaght and Wednesday’s visit to Luxembourg. 
      Ireland know that two wins from their final remaining games will secure them a first appearance at next year’s UEFA Under-21 Championships. 

      West Brom manager Slaven Bilic gets drenched in champagne after clinching promotion into the Premier League More

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      Alexander Povetkin released from hospital after recovering from coronavirus with Dillian Whyte rematch eyed for Jan 30

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      ALEXANDER POVETKIN has been released from hospital after contracting coronavirus. The Russian’s rematch against Dillian Whyte, planned for November 21, had to be postponed. Povetkin upset the odds to deliver a stunning once-punch KO win when the pair clashed back in August. The fight has now been pencilled in for January 30, with Povetkin now […] More

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      Man Utd BLOCK Victor Lindelof from playing for Sweden vs Denmark due to coronavirus travel ban

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      MANCHESTER UNITED blocked Victor Lindelof playing for Sweden against Denmark, his national team confirmed.
      A coronavirus outbreak from a new strain of Covid-19 found on mink farms in Denmark means a ban is in place for travel from the country to the UK.

      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Manchester United denied Victor Lindelof playing for Sweden in Denmark on WednesdayCredit: Getty – Pool
      The Premier League told clubs not to release Denmark, Sweden and Iceland internationals for the upcoming fixtures in Copenhagen.
      In an email to clubs on Saturday night, the top flight pointed out that if stars do travel, they will have to quarantine for 14 days on their return to the UK – with no exemptions.
      It means United denied their centre-back – who picked up a knock against Everton on Saturday – linking up with Sweden for Wednesday’s game.

      Lindelof, however, can fly directly to Stockholm for Saturday’s clash against Croatia.
      Sweden also play world champions France away next Tuesday.
      In a statement, the Swedish FA said: “Sweden’s five national team players from England and Scotland will not be available in the international training match against Denmark due to quarantine rules.
      “Instead, the players will join the national team gathering in Stockholm after the match against Denmark.

      “The five players affected are Robin Olsen, Emil Krafth, Filip Helander, Victor Lindelof and Ken Sema.

      Lindelof will be able to link up with his international team-mates to face World Cup finalists Croatia and FranceCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “Due to the United Kingdom’s quarantine rules against Denmark, the quintet will not be released by their clubs to take part in the international match against Denmark.
      “If the players need to be quarantined for more than five days after the national team gathering, there is no requirement for the clubs to release the players.
      “In this case, our players will not be released for the match against Denmark.
      “However, the clubs release the players for the other two matches, against Croatia and France, says national team manager Stefan Pettersson. Substitutes will be called in for the international match against Denmark.”
      England are due to face Iceland in the Nations League on November 18.
      But as revealed by SunSport, that game is in doubt due to Iceland’s game against Denmark on Sunday.

      The match could now be moved to a neutral venue as the headache of international football during a global pandemic continues.
      The Danish FA have stated Prem stars including Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas Christensen of Chelsea and Jannik Vestergaard of Southampton will not be involved in Wednesday’s friendly against Sweden.
      Coach Kasper Hjulmand has already called up replacements as a result.
      Leicester stopper Schmeichel remains hopeful of playing for his country this month and criticised the decision as ‘political’.
      Schmeichel said: “I mean it is obviously politics, I don’t think it has a lot to do with science.
      “The politics of it is the Government has made a decision for now. I hope they come to their senses and see we are very protected and in a bubble.”

      Denmark off UK travel list as country culls millions of mink over new coronavirus strain More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi ‘flouted lockdown rules’ for night out in London with teammate Fikayo Tomori

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      CHELSEA footballer Callum Hudson-Odoi allegedly breached strict coronavirus guidelines during a night out with teammate Fikayo Tomori in London, according to reports.
      The 20-year-old winger previously “flouted” lockdown restrictions in May after sneaking a model he met online into his apartment.

      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      Callum Hudson-Odoi flouted coronavirus guidelines as enjoyed a night out with a fellow Chelsea defender in London, according to reportsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fikayo Tomori was reportedly with his teammate during the meal at the swanky London restaurantCredit: Reuters

      The Chelsea winger urged Brits to stay home after testing positive for Covid-19 in MarchCredit: Instagram
      Hudson-Odoi, who tested positive for Covid-19 in March, allegedly flouted the rules for the second time as he dined with friends including defender Tomori, 22, at a swanky restaurant in Mayfair, The Daily Star reports.
      It is alleged that they breached coronavirus guidelines for the get-together in October – a week before England was plunged into a four-week national shutdown.
      Last month, London was placed under tier two coronavirus restrictions which meant that people were not allowed to mix with other households indoors.

      Hudson-Odoi filmed Tomori dancing in his seat during the night out, according to reports.
      A source close to the player told the Daily Star: “The club will no doubt be furious.
      “This is really not on, especially given that Callum has had coronavirus himself so he should be taking the rules more seriously.
      “The rest of the country was doing their bit and meeting friends and family that they don’t live with outside. It’s infuriating they think they’re above the law.”

      The pair are joined by at least one other person inside the venue, according to the clip.
      The 20-year-old then zooms in on his fellow Chelsea defender, who starts dancing in his seat as loud music plays in the background, the footage shows.

      The winger is then heard singing and tagged Tomori in the post, which was captioned “my guy”.
      He then laughs at his team mate, who asks him for his PIN number as waiters ask him to settle the bill, the clip shows.
      A Chelsea source told The Daily Star that the club had “spoken” to the players about their off-field behaviour.
      When approached by The Sun, Chelsea FC refused to comment.

      It’s the second time Hudson-Odoi ‘broke’ coronavirus rules after he sneaked a woman into his apartment in MayCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi shows off amazing ball control with Christian Pulisic More

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      Football’s coronavirus crisis is bad news for ticket touts… and not many hearts will bleed for them

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      HARD times for ticket touts  — and not many hearts will be bleeding on their account.
      They have long been a plague. It is ironic that, at the time of coronavirus, they’ve caught a very nasty cold themselves.

      The Competition and Markets Authority believe ticket touts are flocking to ViagogoCredit: Alamy

      Touts will rise from their beds in time, you can be sure of that.
      But the absence of big events — like Premier League football — has hit them badly and Viagogo have now inadvertently made it worse.
       Viagogo is the leading company touts use. That’s according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) who secured a court order to force the service to  publish details of its most prolific sellers.

      Touts are turning to other means of making cash with Prem games currently played behind closed doorsCredit: Alamy
      It proved to be a haven for touts rather than a service for fans who find they can’t use a ticket and want to recoup their money.

      Business was so good that just before the last lockdown Viagogo bought rival StubHub for £3billion.
      Yes, that’s the kind of money that reselling makes a company worth.
      Now in classic fashion, the biter has bitten its own bottom.
      Have no sympathy for Viagogo on this count or, in passing, any other.

      Previously they had been warned by the CMA not to go ahead with the proposed buyout and, instead of listening, put up two fingers.
      They might well be able to do this to dissatisfied punters but this time they took on a heavyweight.
      And the CMA told them they would have to unpick the deal and sell StubHub.
      That pair-up would have created a 90 per cent  monopoly of the  business in the United Kingdom, and probably meant  a further screwing of fans desperate to see and hear their heroes in real life.
      Touts are an infestation on football.  There are reams of legislation to outlaw them but the trade is so lucrative that outlets were bound to cash in.

      Viagogo were warned not to press ahead with their £3billion purchase of rival StubhubCredit: Alamy
      Viagogo took a cut of the profit and so further put up prices already boosted by the sale of the original tickets. 
      Which means the price to you or me has been triple-whammied — once to the first seller, once for the tout’s margin and once to Viagogo as agents.
      The law rarely caught up with touts yet you couldn’t miss them at major matches.
      They hung around outside grounds offering to buy or sell and, if you were lucky, you got one cheap and if they were lucky they made enough to buy the boys a round or three.
      Today they are a rarer public species. The police usually moved the spivs along and occasionally charged them.

      Viagogo made £350 million from selling 750,000 tickets
      Now they are safely locked into Viagogo and others.
      The company pretend, in their own  language, that among the original sellers are “a range of businesses such as event organisers, hospitality agents, and tier 1 football clubs.”
      They should name names — but in their grubby, secretive world they dare not.
      Known offenders would soon be subjects of contempt, or the courts.
      Rogue employees are a much more certain source.

      Viagogo spent £5 million on advertising listings on GoogleCredit: Alamy
      No question, there is a need for businesses which link ticket-hunting fans with sellers.
      But not like Viagogo, who last year sold 750,000 tickets in a market valued at around  £350million.
      The company had spent £5m to appear at the head of Google advertising listings.
      It was this tool that made  big-timers out of touts until the firm were temporarily banned over treatment of consumers.
      That Google ban told us all we really needed to know.

      Wimbledon Tennis fans have been warned to steer clear at tournamentsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Their trade thrived in the underbelly of the entertainment industry.
      Thanks to their wholesale  arrogance, a good marketing idea had gone rotten.
      And, by the way, I’ve never seen a female tout. More

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      Premier League set to SCRAP controversial PPV games and broadcast every match for no extra cost until 2021

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      PREM clubs are set to scrap Pay Per View games for the rest of 2020.
      And the experiment could be abandoned altogether as League chiefs react to a huge public backlash.

      Football fans were left fuming as they had to fork out MORE money to watch their teamsCredit: EPA

      SunSport revealed yesterday how the 20 clubs were to be asked to consider a PPV U-turn in the wake of the Government’s latest Covid-19 clampdown.
      No formal vote was taken by today’s virtual meeting of the ‘shareholder’ clubs.
      But it is expected they will announce the end of PPV games until at least after the Christmas period
      The proposals could see every game after this weekend until the New Year screened across Sky, BT, Amazon and the BBC – just like they were during Project Restart.

      However, clubs could still decide to stick with PPV games, but slash the price from £14.95 match down to either £9.95 or even £7.50.
      League chiefs, though, are aware that asking fans to pay even more money to watch their teams during a potentially extended period when they are expected to stay in at home would be highly unpopular.
      And while there will be a review of the situation in early January, clubs are on the brink of agreeing that the experiment has simply proved too unpopular to be resurrected.
      This weekend’s scheduled PPV games, including Spurs’ trip to West Brom and Arsenal’s home game with Aston Villa, will still be shown on Box Office channels.

      However, it is now likely that all Prem matches taking place for at least six weeks after next week’s international break will be available on non-PPV channels.

      Premier League PPV games announcement

      THE Premier League has announced the latest round of fixtures shown on pay per view – costing fans £14.95.

      Friday November 6 – Brighton vs Burnley, 5.30pm on Sky Sports Box Office
      Saturday November 7 – Crystal Palace vs Leeds, 3pm on BT Sport Box Office
      Saturday November 7 – West Ham vs Fulham, 8pm on BT Sport Box Office
      Sunday November 8 – West Brom vs Spurs, 12pm on Sky Sports Box Office
      Sunday November 8 – Arsenal vs Aston Villa, 8pm on Sky Sports Box Office

      During Project Restart, all the remaining 92 games of last season were screened by the Prem’s domestic broadcast partners, Sky, BT, Amazon Prime and the BBC.
      Prem chiefs will now sit down with the broadcasters to try to thrash out an agreement covering upcoming games.
      There are a total of eight rounds of fixtures between November 21 and the end of the year plus 10 further games scheduled for January 2.

      Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani prepared for Marcelo Bielsa exit in summer More