NHS given use of Etihad in battle against coronavirus

Manchester City are making facilities at the Etihad Stadium available to the NHS in the frontline battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of contingency planning for the ongoing crisis, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff is set to be converted into a temporary hospital providing around 2,000 additional beds.

Three ‘Nightingale Hospitals’ are also being constructed, in London, Birmingham and Manchester, to help boost critical care capacity ahead of the expected peak. It is understood City have opened up the use of the stadium’s executive boxes and conference rooms to help the NHS with training of doctors and nurses during the crisis.

Professional football in England will not resume until April 30 at the earliest.

However, with the country currently in lockdown, that appears a very optimistic target date.

Nevertheless, there remains a consensus to try to complete the current campaign, with the possibility of matches being played initially behind closed doors when it is deemed safe to do so.

● West Ham have eight players in self-isolation showing mild symptoms of coronavirus.

Hammers vice-chairwoman Karren Brady revealed the number in her column in The Sun as the pandemic continues to cause major disruption to the sporting calendar.

Brady wrote: “I am relieved to say they are all showing mild symptoms and, along with their families, seem to be well.

“But it is no more than a handshake, sneeze or cough away from any of us, so no one should be complacent.”

● Juventus players have agreed to waive four months’ wages to help the club’s finances amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates, along with manager Maurizio Sarri, have agreed to a reduction in pay “equal to the monthly payments of March, April, May and June 2020”, the club said.

The agreement is set to be worth around €90m (£80m) to the reigning champions.

Facilities at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium will be available to the NHS.