Guardiola, Messi and Federer’s millions to help fight
MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola and his former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi have each donated €1million (£920,000) towards the fight against coronavirus.
Argentina international Messi’s donation will be split between Hospital Clinic in Barcelona and another medical centre in his home country, according to a report in Marca.
“Leo Messi made a donation to the clinic to fight the coronavirus,” Hospital Clinic wrote on Twitter. “Thank you very much, Leo, for your commitment and your support.”
Former Barcelona player and manager Guardiola made his contribution to a campaign launched by the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation and Medical College of Barcelona.
“Pep Guardiola has made a donation of one million euros to the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation for the acquisition and supply of health equipment to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a college statement.
The donation campaign promoted by the Medical College of Barcelona and managed through the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation aims to collect medical materials and financial contributions from collegiate doctors and the general population, for the purchase of medical equipment and equipment that is currently lacking in health centres in Catalonia.
It will also help finance the alternative production, through 3D printing and other methods, of respirators and personal protection equipment for healthcare staff.
Before Guardiola made his donation, the campaign had raised €33,000 in three days.
Spain is the country worst affected by the disease in Europe outside of Italy, with 2,696 deaths and almost 40,000 positive cases.
The region of Catalonia, where Guardiola is from and where Messi has lived since joining Barca aged 13, is one of the worsthit parts of the country.
Elsewhere, Roger Federer (right) and his wife, Mirka, have donated 1million Swiss Francs (£858,645) for the most vulnerable families in Switzerland in the wake of the pandemic.
The 20-time Grand Slam singles winner expressed his hope that others might join in supporting those in need.
In a statement on Twitter, Federer said: “These are challenging times for everyone and nobody should be left behind.
“Mirka and I have personally decided to donate one million Swiss Francs for the most vulnerable families in Switzerland.
“Our contribution is just a start. We hope that others might join in supporting more families in need.
“Together we can overcome this crisis! Stay healthy!.”
Fellow tennis player Thiago Seyboth Wild, who won his first ATP Tour title in Santiago earlier this month, has contracted the virus and has been in self-isolation for a week.
The 20-year-old Brazilian, ranked 114 in the world, is the first professional to confirm he has caught Covid-19.
In a video message on Twitter, Seyboth Wild said: “I’ve been taking care of myself and following the doctor’s instructions.
“This is just a reminder for you all to stay at home, to take care of the people you love and help us to not spread this disease. Stay home and stay safe.”
British Swimming has confirmed the FINA Diving World Championship series set for London has been cancelled, along with all end-of-season domestic championships.
A statement read: “After further consultation with FINA and our key partners in London, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the London leg of the 2020 FINA Diving World Series.
“Initially postponed, all parties were working towards an alternative date, but this has not been possible given the escalation of Covid-19 worldwide.”
In Japan, the J.league has announced an extension to the suspension of matches across the top three divisions, as well as the cup competition. No fixtures will be played before May 9 following the latest decision to delay the return of football.