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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic tests positive for coronavirus as AC Milan star challenges illness for having “courage” to infect him

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC says he is fine after coronavirus had “the courage” to infect him.
      Italian media reported on Thursday that the Swede had tested positive for the illness following team-mate Leo Duarte’s diagnosis.

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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be forced to sit out AC Milan’s upcoming games after the diagnosisCredit: AFP or licensors

      Milan players underwent extra tests on Wednesday, ahead of facing Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
      And the Rossoneri confirmed that Ibrahimovic, 38, had tested positively for the virus.
      A statement read: “Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tested positive for Covid-19 following a second round of swab tests ahead of tonight’s game against Bodø/Glimt.
      “The club has informed the relevant authorities and the player has been promptly placed in quarantine at home. All other team members and staff have tested negative.”

      But the player shrugged off the illness, stating he has no symptoms and calling his infection a “bad idea” on behalf of the virus.
      He tweeted: “I tested negative to Covid yesterday and positive today.
      “No symptoms what so ever. Covid had the courage to challenge me. Bad idea.”
      Brazilian centre-back Duarte was in the squad for Milan’s win over Bologna.

      Appearing for 18 minutes off the bench on Monday, he has since been placed in self-isolation and the club undertook extra testing as a result.
      An initial round of swabs confirmed no new cases in the squad.
      Ibrahimovic’s case then appeared during Wednesday’s testing, as part of the mandatory checks before the Europa League play-off tie.
      Scoring twice in the 2-0 win over Bologna, the veteran forward joked that he felt like Benjamin Button on his second stint at the San Siro.
      He told Sky Sports Italia: “I’m fine, I’m working, this is the second official match
      “We won, I could have scored more goals. If I was 20, I would have scored another two.

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      Leo Duarte has also tested positive in the AC Milan dressing roomCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “I’m like Benjamin Button, I was born old and I die young.”
      Milan host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night, kicking off the third-round qualifier at 7.30pm.
      Ibrahimovic bagged in the previous round’s 2-0 win over Irish side Shamrock Rovers.
      Both Duarte and the Swedish star will sit out the Bodo clash as well as Sunday’s trip to Crotone.

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic keeps himself fit with yacht workout on Sun soaked holiday More

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      Premier League clubs facing huge coronavirus row over international players being called up for World Cup qualifiers

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs could be facing an international Covid-19 row after the global players’ union raised fears over next month’s opening South American World Cup qualifiers.
      Jonas Baer-Hoffman, FIFPro’s general secretary, has demanded that players should be allowed to pull out of the games if they are concerned about their safety.

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      Roberto Firmino, along with fellow Liverpool stars Fabinho and Alisson, have all been called up by BrazilCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Everton striker Richarlison is also in the Brazil squad to take on Bolivia and PeruCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Colombia are all countries in the world top 10 of confirmed Covid cases.
      And that means a genuine worry for Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Everton and  and Spurs in particular.
      Liverpool’s trio of Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson were named in the provisional squad for Brazil’s games with Bolivia and Peru, alongside Gabriel Jesus, Everton striker Richarlison, Chelsea new recruit Thiago Silva and Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
      Jesus’ City team-mate Nicolas Otamendi is in the Argentina squad for their matches with Ecuador and Bolivia, joined by the Spurs pair of Juan Foyth and Giovani Lo Celso and Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.

      All ten South American nations are due to play two matches in  the delayed opening rounds of the 18-match qualifying competition.
      But the FifPro chief says the players must not be strong-armed into playing for their countries and risking issues with their club careers.
      Baer-Hoffman said: “The players need to be able to make free decisions.

      “It’s a region heavily infected by the pandemic and there are certain COVID-19 restrictions and travel warnings.

      “There are players who are concerned about this and we are concerned that players may be in a situation where the health protection of them and their families would come into a collision course with national team commitments.”
      Any players travelling to South America could also face quarantine requirements, ruling them out for up to 14 days after their return.
      Earlier this month, Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson and Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson pulled out of Iceland’s Nations League games with England and Belgium, sparking fury in their homeland. More

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      Premier League clubs ‘expected’ to help bail out smaller clubs as fans banned from stadiums until next year

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      MINISTERS “expect” Premier League clubs to help smaller clubs after fans were banned from stadiums until next year.
      Boris Johnson has scuppered plans to get supporters back on the terraces next month.

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

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      Football fans have been banned from stadiums until next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now the Government has asked the wealthier outfits to step in while it negotiates a wider bailout to the sports industry.
      Clubs in the lower ­leagues face a turbulent financial future as, unlike Premier League giants, they rely on ticket sales.
      Under the PM’s new Covid plans, pilots allowing 1,000 fans into EFL matches are ditched.

      Sports bodies want the Government to support the industry as it did with the arts, which was given access to a £1.57billion package.
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is said to be ­trying to “identify ways we can support sport”.
      Today the Premier League said they were “disappointed” fans would not be allowed in next month and said stadiums were safer than many other public spaces.

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      Boris Johnson has scuppered plans to get supporters back on the terraces next monthCredit: Sky News

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      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is said to be ­trying to ‘identify ways we can support sport’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Sun Says

      RICH Premier League clubs should bail out lower league outfits facing Covid oblivion.

      They are not just the lifeblood of their communities. They and their players are, in part, the lifeblood of the Prem too.
      Some have rich owners, who must dig deep now that they are facing a season without fans. But many teams don’t. 
      It would be a calamity to let them fail through no fault of their own.
      A few, admittedly, are badly run — and the Prem would need strict guarantees on how a £200million donation would be spent by the 72 EFL clubs. 
      Some people will say the Government should step in. But it cannot bail out every industry. That way lies ruin. In football’s case there’s another solution.
      It’s right for wealthy Prem giants to fund a rescue. It’s in the national interest and their own too.

      In a statement they said: “Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them.

      “Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700m in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100m per month.
      “This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.”

      Boris Johnson reveals new restrictions on sporting events
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      West Ham confirm boss David Moyes, 57, one of THREE to test positive for coronavirus less than an hour before Hull game

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      WEST HAM have confirmed David Moyes has contracted coronavirus.
      First-team players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen also returned positive tests ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Hull – but the game still went ahead despite the results coming back less than an hour before kick-off.

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      David Moyes was among three people at West Ham to test positive for coronavirusCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement

      None of the trio are showing symptoms but Moyes, 57, Diop, 23, and Cullen, 24, all immediately went home to self-isolate after their tests at the London Stadium.
      Hull City’s squad were offered the chance to be tested – but the Tigers declined.
      There was initially confusion ahead of kick-off when Diop and Cullen – due to start – were replaced in the starting line-up by Harrison Ashby and Jack Wilshere.
      A West Ham statement read: “The Club’s medical team were informed of the test results as the team were at London Stadium preparing for this evening’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Hull City.

      “The manager and both players immediately left the stadium and have returned home.
      “All three, who are asymptomatic, will now follow Public Health England and Premier League guidelines and protocols.
      “Everyone at West Ham United send their best wishes to David, Issa and Josh.
      “Tuesday’s match will go ahead as planned, with Assistant Manager Alan Irvine taking charge of the team.

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      Defender Issa Diop also returned a positive test and therefore returned home to self-isolateCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Like the other two, Josh Cullen showed no symptoms of Covid-19Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “The Club’s measures and protocols around COVID-19 remain stringent.
      “This included offering to test the Hull City team ahead of tonight’s fixture – an offer which they opted not to accept.”
      The EFL issued a statement of their own in relation to the positive tests.
      It read: “The League was made aware of a number of positive test results at West Ham United shortly before tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against Hull City.
      “That guidance permitted the match to go ahead as planned but not before the two Clubs medical teams, in conjunction with the EFL’s medical advisors, agreed all relevant protocols had been followed and both teams were comfortable in continuing.”
      Hull City said: “We are satisfied that West Ham followed all guidelines and protocols upon receiving the positive results and, after consulting with the EFL, were comfortable with the game going ahead.
      “The Club will continue to stringently monitor the wellbeing of our players and staff as per Public Health England and EFL guidelines – as we have done since they were put in place – and we wish the West Ham manager and players the very best.”
      HAMMER BLOW
      Moyes was among the first in the Premier League to fear he caught the virus during the March outbreak.
      He shook hands with Mikel Arteta, just a few days before the Arsenal boss tested positive.
      It was the Spaniard’s result which sparked the Premier League to suspend the season.
      The Carabao Cup was earlier rocked by Leyton Orient’s game against Tottenham being postponed.
      That was due to the O’s squad being decimated by positive tests – with a resolution to determine how the tie will be decided yet to be confirmed.

      West Ham postpone Sunday’s pre-season friendly vs Ipswich after positive coronavirus test among backroom staff More

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      Premier League release scathing statement after Boris Johnson’s ban on fans with clubs losing £100m a month due to Covid

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have voiced their frustration at the Government’s push-back that will mean fans cannot return to grounds next month.
      The 20 clubs are losing up to £25m in collective income from every round of games without supporters, with a total of £700m going absent last season alone.

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      Premier League chiefs have reacted angrily to the Government’s decision on fan trialsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Boris Johnson has confirmed a delay in letting supporters return to stadiumsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      League bosses calculated the local and national economy is missing out on £200m in spending each Prem match round that fans remain locked out, with clubs losing £100m a month.
      And while the League conceded that “the health of the nation must remain everyone’s priority”, there is a growing sense of unhappiness with the Government’s stance.
      A Premier League spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the safe return of supporters to matches has been postponed.
      “The Premier League is certain that, through League-wide guidelines and a code of conduct developed with scientific experts and agreed by the Government’s Sports Ground Safety Authority, fans in stadiums will be as safe or even safer than at any other public activity currently permitted.

      “This is already evident in other European leagues.”
      The statement also warned the consequences of the continued lock-out could be huge.

      It continued: “Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them.
      “Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700m in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100m per month.

      “This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.”
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters has pushed the Government to listen to the league and its willingness to act as a “guinea pig” for technological tests that will facilitate fans returning swiftly.

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      So far those approaches appear to have been rebuffed, adding to the Prem annoyance.
      The spokesperson pointed out: “We are confident that Premier League clubs, using innovative ways to get supporters safely back into grounds, will enable revenues to return to all levels of the game, as well as maintain solidarity arrangements, current tax contributions and financial support for local and national economies.
      “While there is a current pause in a date for fans returning to sports venues, the Premier League and our clubs will not slow down in our preparations for providing safe, bio-secure environments.
      “We will continue to work with Government to bring supporters safely back into grounds as soon as possible.”

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      Premier League games have been forced behind closed doors since MarchCredit: PA:Press Association

      Boris Johnson explains why pubs and restaurants will close after 10pm More

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      Football League facing financial apocalypse with £20m lost per MONTH after Boris Johnson’s latest Covid-19 ban on fans

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      LOWER division clubs are facing financial apocalypse after Prime Minister Boris Johnson signalled fans may not be back in grounds all season.
      The PM told the House of Commons that plans to re-open turnstiles from October 1 have been put on hold in the battle to hold back a deadly second wave of Covid-19.

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      Lower league football teams have been left facing an uncertain future Credit: PA:Press Association

      But his warning that the new measures are likely to be in place for “six months” or more leaves football on the brink of a catastrophic crisis.
      EFL chairman Rick Parry has already stated that the 72 clubs anticipate a £200m black hole if crowds do not return.
      That means £20m in lost income per month.
      Championship clubs are slightly bolstered by receiving £7m per season in television and “solidarity” payments from the Premier League.

      But the majority of clubs in Leagues One and Two shut down in March and have had no gate income since.
      Parry fears that the fight to keep all 72 clubs going is reaching a critical stage and the latest announcement will make that even more stark.
      The EFL chairman explained last week: “We do need rescue packages and we’re hoping that by securing rescue packages, we can secure the future of our clubs.
      “Our aim is to keep every single one of them alive.”

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      EFL’s plans for fans to return to stadiums from October 1 have been called offCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The wait goes on for football fans that are desperate to watch their team playCredit: PA:Press Association
      Parry conceded in May that “cost controls” were necessary throughout the football pyramid, especially in the EFL.
      He revealed to MPs that Championship wages represented 106 per cent of aggregate turnover, with the figures in Leagues One and Two “80 to 90 per cent” and that “tough, big decisions” were required.
      Since then, clubs the two lower tiers have agreed salary caps of £2.5m in League One and £1.5m in League Two, although these have been challenged by the PFA.
      But clubs were anticipating and relying on the return of fans to help them pay their way.
      Last weekend saw seven pilot tests allowing up to 1,000 spectators at grounds across the three divisions.
      With the extension of that scheme now stopped dead and the likelihood of the gates being barred for the rest of the season, the real danger of clubs going bust and folding has intensified.
      Tranmere chairman Mark Palios admitted: “It’s not entirely a surprise, but it is going to be a devastating blow for an industry that’s already been really struggling.
      “There were a lot of things that made the football industry unique and a lot of clubs were already having financial difficulties before this pandemic started and this may sadly tip some of them over the edge.”

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      The Prime Minister announced this afternoon

      Premier League chiefs have voiced their frustration at the Government’s push-back that will mean fans cannot return to grounds next month.
      The 20 clubs are losing up to £25m in collective income from every round of games without supporters, with a total of £700m going absent last season alone.
      League bosses calculated the local and national economy is missing out on £200m in spending each Prem match round that fans remain locked out, with clubs losing £100m a month.
      A Prem spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the safe return of supporters to matches has been postponed.
      “The Premier League is certain that, through League-wide guidelines and a code of conduct developed with scientific experts and agreed by the Government’s Sports Ground Safety Authority, fans in stadiums will be as safe or even safer than at any other public activity currently permitted.
      “This is already evident in other European leagues.”
      It continued: “Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them.
      “Last season, Premier League clubs suffered £700m in losses and at present, our national game is losing more than £100m per month.
      “This is starting to have a devastating impact on clubs and their communities.”

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      Fans had hoped to return to stadiums from October 1 onwardsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Michael Gove says govt is postponing return of fans to stadiums as he suggests it may have been wrong to stage events in early days of coronavirus More

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      Fans face missing last ten minutes of Liverpool vs Arsenal if they watch in pubs after new 10pm lockdown curfew

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      FOOTBALL fans watching Liverpool’s home clash against Arsenal on Monday in the pub will miss the last ten minutes of the crunch clash.
      That’s because Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce new Covid-19 restrictions that will see boozers close at 10pm.

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      Fans visiting the pub for Liverpool, versus Arsenal will miss the last ten minutes of the gameCredit: Reuters

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      The Premier League clash is set to kick-off at 8.15pm. That means the first half will finish comfortably past 9pm.
      With a 15-minute half-time, the second half and then VAR delays and injury time, it’s likely the clock will have ticked to 10.10pm before the whistle is blown.
      And that fixture isn’t likely to be the only one beer-loving footie fans will miss the end of when they are shunted out the pub.
      The times for October’s games haven’t been set yet.

      And the sport isn’t called The Beautiful Game for no reason – with late drama being a key component of that.
      Over the years titles have been won as the clock ticks into the last few minutes, or even seconds.
      Back in 1989 Arsenal needed to beat nearest rivals Liverpool 2-0 away from home to win the top flight.
      Alan Smith’s 52nd minute strike looked to be in vain – that was until Michael Thomas fired past Bruce Grobbelaar in the 91st minute to seal the silverware.

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      Michael Thomas was Arsenal’s hero in 1989Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Steve Bruce started the ‘Fergie Time’ phrase with a late winnerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The legendary Sir Alex Ferguson became well-known for tapping his watch to the officials and asking for ‘Fergie Time’.
      And that phrase started in 1993 when United were trailing 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday with just five minutes to go.
      But Steve Bruce headed the equaliser in the 86th minute and then notched another in the sixth minute of injury-time to set United on their way to winning the first ever Premier League.
      Many consider Liverpool’s stunning 4-3 win against Newcastle in 1996 as one of the Premier League’s greatest games.
      Stan Collymore’s 92nd-minute winner settled a stunning back-and-forth game at Anfield.

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      Stan Collymore settled what many consider to be one of the greatest Prem games ever back in 1996Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Ruud van Nistelrooy missed an injury time penalty in the Battle of Old Trafford back in 2003/04Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Sergio Aguero’s 95th-minute goal won Manchester City their first ever Prem titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arsenal went the 2003/04 season undefeated, coining the now-famous phrase ‘invincibles’.
      But if Ruud Van Nistelrooy hadn’t have missed an injury-time penalty in the ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ that wouldn’t have happened.
      And no one will forget how Manchester City won their first Premier League title in 2012.
      It appeared the dream was over as Roberto Mancini’s side were 2-1 down as the game ticked into injury-time.
      But Edin Dzeko levelled things up in the 92nd minute and then Sergio Aguero smashed home a 95th-minute winner to snatch the title from the jaws of bitter rivals United.
      Fans enjoying a few drinks in the boozer for Liverpool versus Arsenal will be hoping they don’t miss any such drama of these momentous clashes.

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      Boris Johnson confirms Premier League fans will NOT return in October amid fears of empty stadiums for ‘SEVERAL MONTHS’

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      BORIS JOHNSON confirmed Premier League fans will NOT return in October – amid fears football will remain behind closed doors for ‘several months’.
      The Government is now not able to move forward with the proposed return of fans to sporting events – initially set for October 1.

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      The Premier League is set to be played without fans for ‘several months’

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      Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the plans

      Don’t think this is a short term ‘pause’ either. I’m hearing sports are to be asked by govt what impact will be of no fans for SEVERAL MONTHS.All signs are that action will continue behind closed doors well into next year. Prem League says £100m / month will be lost across game https://t.co/Yvm5O2RYqN
      — Dan Roan (@danroan) September 22, 2020

      Prime Minister Johnson said: “We have to acknowledge that the spread of the virus is now affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibitions and large sporting events.
      “So we will not be able to do this from October 1 and I recognise the implications for our sports clubs which are the life and soul of our communities, and my right honourable friends the Chancellor and the Culture Secretary are working urgently on what we can do now to support them.”
      According to the BBC, Premier League fixtures are likely to remain behind closed doors well into next year.
      Dan Roan tweeted: “Don’t think this is a short term ‘pause’ either.

      “I’m hearing sports are to be asked by govt what impact will be of no fans for SEVERAL MONTHS.
      “All signs are that action will continue behind closed doors well into next year.”
      BBC Sport editor Dan Roan then went on to say the Premier League will be hit to the tune of £100MILLION per month with no fans.
      He continued: “Premier League says £100m / month will be lost across game.”

      Throughout the summer, the Government used various sporting events – including snooker, cricket, horse racing and even Chelsea’s pre-season clash at Brighton – as ‘pilot’ events to welcome fans back to grounds.
      They too could now be a thing of the past as officials fear a ‘second lockdown’.

      The Government have also confirmed pubs and restaurants MUST now shut at 10pm from Tuesday in a bid to halt the rise in cases of coronavirus.
      There has also been a U-turn on the ‘return to work’ scheme, with people urged to work from home wherever possible.
      Meanwhile, Leyton Orient’s Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham is in jeopardy after 18 PLAYERS tested positive for Covid-19.

      Pub-goers will go from pubs back home to booze after 10pm curfew, ministers warned More