Summary

  • The latest updates on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting sport

  • Government confirms talks are ongoing into restart of sport

  1. Farewell friends...published at 17:32 BST 20 April 2020

    And that ladies, gents, boys and girls is our lot for today on this live page.

    We will of course be back tomorrow to house all things related to sport and coronavirus in one single page.

    We hope you have a peaceful evening and keep checking the BBC Sport homepage tonight if you can't wait that long for your sporting fill.

    Good evening.

  2. Leyton Orient chief rejects cancellation callspublished at 17:30 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Leyton Orient chief executive Danny Macklin thinks cancelling the remainder of the League Two season would be a “knee-jerk reaction”.

    Football League clubs are scheduled to hold a conference call on Tuesday and plans for the resolution of the season are expected to be discussed, with reports suggesting some League Two clubs are ready to finish the campaign.

    "It is not something we as a club would support at the moment," Macklin told the PA news agency.

    "For me a decision on that doesn’t need to be made at this stage and the financial repercussions of the games not taking place. Potential legal challenges have got to be at the forefront of the mind and right now our focus is looking at scenarios and not making a potential knee-jerk decision.

    "For us, we’re not going to go up, we’re not going to go down this season, for other clubs it could have a bigger impact and no doubt they will have a louder voice one way or the other."

  3. 'Board have got it right'published at 17:28 BST 20 April 2020

    Steve Bunce
    BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit

    I spoke to a couple of people this week and they had been told they may get fights rearranged for behind closed doors in June but they were both realistic enough to know that was wildly optimistic.

    The idea things get lifted in May and we could have a fight the next day is woefully misguided. One thing that is also being overlooked is that these boxers will need a good bit of time to get back fit and spar. Even if things were lifted in May you'd be looking at the middle of July at the earliest. I agree completely with the board.

  4. 'A striking statement'published at 17:18 BST 20 April 2020

    Mike Costello
    BBC Sport boxing correspondent

    As we have said during lock down it might be that boxing takes longer to get going again than other sports because of the reliance on medical support. What struck me was the last sentence in the British Boxing Board of Control's statement on recognising how NHS staff would need tome to rest and recuperate.

  5. Boxing will not return quicklypublished at 17:07 BST 20 April 2020

    Josh WarringtonImage source, Getty Images

    British Boxing chiefs have moved to warn the sport will not be returning to action as soon as restrictions on movement are lifted by the government.

    In a statement, the British Boxing Board of Control said the fact ambulances are needed at fight nights and that a neurosurgical unit must be on hand nearby would add to the strain on the NHS.

    "The British Boxing Board of Control will not place this pressure on the NHS and professional boxing cannot happen until normal NHS services have resumed," a statement read.

    "Furthermore, NHS staff will have come through one of the biggest challenges faced by the NHS, in its history. All involved will be physically and mentally fatigued. They will justifiably want to take rest and recuperation time. Therefore, due consideration has to be given to the medical personnel before any appointments to tournaments can take place."

    Boxing is already suspended until the end of May.

  6. Wilder agrees wages deferralpublished at 16:53 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has agreed a deferral in wages and bonus payments, joining Blades chief executive Stephen Bettis and senior members of the coaching staff.

    In a move designed to ease financial pressures on the club during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Wilder has taken the lead with a gesture that will help the Blades retain the remainder of its staff on full pay.

    The deferrals are set to last for six months.

    Sheffield United manager Chris WilderImage source, Getty Images
  7. Clubs amend season ticket planspublished at 16:37 BST 20 April 2020

    The 2019-20 Premier League season is still to be completed but thoughts are switching to next season.

    Clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United have already amend their season ticket plans.

    Find out more here.

  8. Fans at football unlikely 'any time soon' - Sturgeonpublished at 15:57 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Scottish football should not expect to hold matches in front of fans "any time soon", says Nicola Sturgeon.

    Scotland's First Minister said at her daily briefing she could not put a timescale on when the sport might resume.

    No games have been played in Scotland since 13 March and the SPFL have since ended the lower-league seasons.

    Ms Sturgeon also said the idea of playing behind closed doors needed to be "very carefully considered".

    Read more here.

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, Getty Images
  9. Uefa update due on Tuesdaypublished at 15:36 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Uefa will provide an update on plans to finish the 2019-20 season to all its 55 national associations at a video conference on Tuesday.

    European football's governing body hopes to end the campaign in August, although with every league bar Belarus still suspended there are doubts over whether that deadline can be met.

    Read more here

  10. Blackstock says he can provide 'next day delivery' on PPEpublished at 14:59 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Former Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock says he can provide "next day delivery" on personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers.

    Blackstock's pharmaceutical company MediConnect is appealing for donations to buy more PPE for staff dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

    The 33-year-old says he wants to bring "happiness" to those most in need.

    "I have supplied adult care homes with over a million masks and I can continue to do so," he told BBC Sport.

    "We already had a relationship with the Chinese manufactures and wholesalers before the outbreak, and I have stocks available."

    With new data adding to growing evidence that the number of deaths linked to the virus in UK care homes is higher than those recorded so far, Blackstock says he wants to help institutions who do not have a "limitless cheque book".

    "The need for PPE is huge at the moment and when the NHS is struggling to get it, just imagine the problems that are being seen lower in the chain," he said.

    "I want to help people who are lower down the food chain. I have been supplying councils, who supply adult care homes in their district.

    You can visit his website and donate here., external

    Dexter BlackstockImage source, Getty Images
  11. get involved

    Have YOUR say - Premier League youngsterspublished at 14:20 BST 20 April 2020

    Premier League

    BBC Sport has selected an XI of fresh faced youngsters that have had a breakthrough season in the Premier League so far this season.

    Established stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dwight McNeil were among those ineligible but which one of the players, aged 21 or under at the start of the campaign, has had the biggest impact?

    You can rank our XI from 1-11 here.

    Premier League youngstersImage source, Getty Images
  12. Ryan backs Brighton pay cutspublished at 13:56 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Brighton goalkeeper Maty Ryan has told BBC 5 Live that he and his team-mates are happy to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus crisis and they are just "figuring out the figures."

    "There’s a lot of discussions at the minute between the playing group. Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray are the ones in the middle there communicating between us players and Tony Bloom and Paul Barber and Dan Ashworth, the Directors," he said.

    "So all us as a playing group have accepted that we’re happy to take a cut and I guess we’re just figuring out the figures and what’s actually going to be needed. Us players we’re just waiting to hear, playing it by ear really.

    "The community always gets behind us when we’re playing and we’re trying to do the same at the minute by raising some funds for people affected down our way and stick together at times like this."

  13. Referee Marteel goes into actionpublished at 13:35 BST 20 April 2020

    Snooker

    Snooker referee Olivier Marteel has swapped black tie for scrubs to work as an A&E nurse at a hospital in his native Belgium.

    Marteel, 50, who refereed the 2015 World Championship final and who would have been officiating at this year's event before it was postponed, normally works as a radiologist but has changed roles to help in the fight against coronavirus.

    "I have never worked in an A&E situation like this before," he told World Snooker.

    "When I was asked to take on this role, I didn’t even have one second of doubt. Ever since I was a young child I wanted to work in medicine. I trained for three years and I have been working for 28 years. So when this came up, I jumped at it, even if there are some risks.

    "I have always said that refereeing is a piece of cake compared to my main job," he added. "I treat snooker like a job as well of course, but for me it is a holiday. And that will never feel more true than when I’m back at a tournament – before long I hope."

    Olivier MarteelImage source, Getty Images
  14. ICC to discuss coronavirus impactpublished at 12:56 BST 20 April 2020

    Cricket

    A meeting of the International Cricket Council’s chief executives’ committee will be held via conference call on Thursday to discuss the likely impact of coronavirus on the global game.

    The meeting, comprising each of the 12 full members nations as well as three representatives from associate cricket, will discuss a series of matters including restructuring the current future tours programme and rescheduling the inaugural World Test Championship and its one-day equivalent.

    The future of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, which is due to start in October, is also in doubt.

  15. Twickenham to be used as coronavirus testing centrepublished at 12:20 BST 20 April 2020

    Rugby Union

    We told you earlier about Brighton's Amex Stadium being used as a drive-in testing centre for coronavirus and now comes news that the home of English rugby, Twickenham, has been converted for the same purpose.

    "The RFU is pleased to be able to support the Covid-19 drive-through testing programme at Twickenham Stadium for NHS and other key workers," said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.

    "We receive tremendous support from frontline services during match days at Twickenham and we are grateful for the opportunity to be able to support key workers during this severe national crisis with the use of our site and staff to support operationally."

    Twickenham testing centreImage source, England Rugby
  16. Son starts national servicepublished at 11:51 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    Tottenham forward Son Heung-min has commenced his three-week mandatory national service in South Korea.

    The 27-year-old is serving with the Marine Corps on the island of Jeju where he will undergo basic training.

    Son, who has completed a two-week quarantine following his return to South Korea, is required by law to carry out national service by his 28th birthday.

    He was due to serve 21 months, but earned an exemption after being part of his national team to win the Asian Games in 2018 and only has to complete three weeks before returning to London in the middle of May.

    Son Heung-MinImage source, Getty Images
  17. Wage cut of 25% is 'fair' - Hopleypublished at 11:24 BST 20 April 2020

    Rugby Union

    Rugby Players Association chief executive Damian Hopley has told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that players taking a 25% wage cut is a fair number.

    Hopley also said that there were 55 players across the league who won’t have a job at the end of the current contract cycle.

    "In an ideal world, a collective approach is undoubtedly the way forward," he said. "And in talking to a number of owners, chief executives, leading players and our members, it's been accepted that 25% is a fair number based on the fact there's no discernible income coming into the clubs.

    "I think it's what happens at the other end of this current situation, and where we'd go to from here is probably the number one question on all players lips going forward."

    Damian HopleyImage source, Getty Images
  18. Government working with sports over action restartingpublished at 10:59 BST 20 April 2020

    The Government is working with competition organisers such as the Premier League on their plans to restart action amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Professional football in England has been suspended since 13 March, with no date fixed for it to return and when it does, it will almost certainly be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

    Culture secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that discussions were taking place but stressed again that scientific advice would be key to any resumption.

    “In response to future events, we are working with the relevant sporting organisations to understand their plans,” he said.

    “They have to do it consistent with the scientific evidence and we are helping them to understand whether it is possible for events to go ahead.

    “For example, I’ve had conversations with the Premier League and others. But we have been clear throughout all of it that the Government will not consent to events taking place unless we can be sure it is safe to do so.”

    Manchester City's Etihad StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  19. South Africa tour of Sri Lanka postponedpublished at 10:35 BST 20 April 2020

    Cricket

    South Africa’s limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in June has been postponed due to coronavirus.

    The Proteas were due to visit the island for three Twenty20s and three one-day internationals, the latter series forming part of the International Cricket Council’s new one-day league.

  20. Brighton's Amex Stadium converted into testing centrepublished at 10:18 BST 20 April 2020

    Football

    The Premier League might be on hold but Brighton are helping the fight against coronavirus by converting their Amex Stadium into the south coast’s biggest drive-in testing centre.

    The club say testing is strictly by appointment only, and those experiencing symptoms of the virus must follow the government and NHS advice.

    “It is hugely impressive, and a great triumph of both teamwork and hard work. The Amex will be the biggest testing site anywhere on the south coast, and will be used for self-testing and assisted testing," chief executive Paul Barber said.

    Amex StadiumImage source, Getty Images