EPL clubs discuss ending season early

Abandoning the English Premier League season prematurely was discussed by clubs as a potential option even as the government cleared a path to resuming the competition in June if there is no spike in coronavirus infections.

Although spectators will not be allowed into stadiums for some time, the British government embraced the return of professional sports in contrast to rulings by French and Dutch authorities who have banned events until September.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that restoring sports “could provide a muchneeded boost to national morale” after Britain went into lockdown.

But the Premier League has contingencies if games cannot resume, with clubs divided over the use of neutral stadiums, or if it is not safe and the season has to be stopped.

Baseball: The World Baseball Classic will be postponed from 2021 to 2023 because of the new coronavirus, a person familiar with the planning tells the Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The decision, first reported by ESPN Deportes, must be approved by the WBC board of directors. The board includes representatives of Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization.

The fifth edition of the tournament was scheduled for next March 923 in Taiwan, Tokyo, Phoenix and Miami.

Hockey: Jack Dugan, the NCAA’s leading scorer, agreed to turn pro and join the Vegas Golden Knights. The forward had 10 goals and 42 assists for 52 points in his sophomore season at Providence College.