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      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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      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.”

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      in Boxing

      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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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      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.

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      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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      in Boxing

      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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      in Soccer

      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.”

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      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

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