Pandemic wreaks havoc on calendar
SPORTING fixtures around the world continue to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with many cancelled, including Champions League games, rugby’s PRO14 fixtures, ATP tennis events and most major American sport. The season-opening Australian Grand Prix has also been called off.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, will give major consideration to delaying this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament until next year. The body has a meeting of their 55 member associations next week to discuss options for all their competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League and Euros. It is understood all possibilities, including moving the Euros or changing the format, will be considered.
Already next week’s Manchester City v Real Madrid and Juventus v Lyon Champions League matches have been postponed, as has “at least” the next two rounds of matches in Spain’s LaLiga. Real’s players had been quarantined as a precautionary measure after a member of the club’s basketball team tested positive for coronavirus.
On Wednesday, Juventus announced their player Daniele Rugani had contracted the virus.
Leicester City have confirmed three of their players are in self-isolation after showing “symptoms consistent with common seasonal illness”, while Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is self-isolating after a family member was admitted to hospital displaying symptoms of the virus.
In rugby, the next round of PRO14 games were to start next Friday, but the competition has been suspended indefinitely, with the resumption of the season “a matter of constant review”.
Tournament director David Jordan said: “We have made this decision with everyone’s welfare foremost in our minds. With an evolving situation in the five countries that take part, it is important to make a clear decision in keeping with the advice of the various governments involved.”
The men’s world curling championships in Glasgow, due to begin this month, now look likely to be cancelled after the women’s tournament was called off last night on the eve of the event in Canada.
Former champion Eve Muirhead was due to lead Scotland’s challenge when the championships began tomorrow in Prince George, British Columbia, but World Curling Federation president Kate Caithness said: “It’s with regret we’re announcing it is no longer possible to run this world championship.
“However, the safety of athletes, officials, staff our and supporters is paramount which we cannot guarantee with the fast-evolving nature of this worldwide situation.”
The governing body confirmed a decision will be made next week on the men’s worlds which are due to start at the Emirates Arena on March 28.
The Australian Grand Prix, due to take place in Melbourne on Sunday, has also fallen victim in the wake of British team McLaren withdrawing from the event after a team member tested positive for the virus.
There has been no official confirmation but it is understood the decision was taken following a crisis two-hour summit involving F1’s hierarchy, their governing body, the FIA, and a number of the sport’s team principals in Melbourne.
After the Irish government directed that all outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled, the Football Association of Ireland announced all football activity under their jurisdiction had been suspended until March 29 and Horse Racing Ireland said all their events will take place behind closed doors.
Musselburgh,meanwhile, have said they are consulting with industry bodies and stakeholders regarding next Friday’s race meeting.
America has also been hit with Major League Soccer suspended for 30 days, the NBA halted indefinitely and the NHL also paused. The Miami Open tennis tournament has been cancelled as the men’s ATP Tour has announced a six-week suspension of activity.
Also in Florida, the PGA’s Players Championship will continue without spectators from today as will future tournaments until the Masters.
Hogg (capt); Maitland, Harris, Johnson, Kinghorn; Hastings, Price; Sutherland, McInally, Fagerson, Skinner, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Watson, Bradbury.
Brown, Dell, Nel, Cummings, Fagerson, Horne, Weir, Steyn.