Germany captain Manuel Neuer says Bundesliga footballers have an "enormous responsibility" after the league announced it will restart from May 15, having been granted permission to resume from Angela Merkel's government.
The German Football League (DFL) confirmed the restart date for the top two divisions, with the clubs to finalise details in a video conference on Thursday.
Earlier, German Chancellor Merkel gave permission for the Bundesliga to resume behind closed doors, amid strict hygiene measures and regular testing of players.
It will be the first of Europe's top leagues to restart since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
"People will be looking at us from other European countries, indeed all over the world," Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer told Frankfurt-based newspaper FAZ.
"This is an enormous responsibility for us, which we must be aware of with every fibre. It is now up to us."
He said the players must ensure the league returns successfully.
"Now it is up to each ...

German football has 'enormous responsibility', says Neuer ahead of May 15 restart

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Dozens of countries risk running out of vaccines for diseases like measles because of restrictions on flights brought in to tackle the new coronavirus, the United Nations warned on Friday.
The UN children's agency UNICEF called for support to unlock a massive backlog in vaccine shipments.
It said the delays had been caused by "unprecedented logistical constraints" linked to lockdowns and other measures put in place to halt the spread of COVID-19, which has killed more than 233,000 people and infected nearly 3.3 million in a matter of months.
But UNICEF and other organisations have warned that a drop in routine vaccinations could fuel other, potentially deadlier outbreaks of a range of diseases.
UNICEF said in 2019 it had procured 2.43 billion doses of vaccines for 100 countries, to reach around 45 percent of all children worldwide under the age of five.
But since the week of March 22, the agency has seen a 70-80 per cent reduction in planned vaccine shipments because of the sharp ...

Grounded flights threaten routine vaccine supply: UN

World number one Novak Djokovic has revealed how he considered quitting tennis in 2010 as he struggled against great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The 32-year-old was ranked third in the world and had lifted his first Grand Slam at the 2008 Australian Open.
But he was plunged into the depths of despair in 2010 after letting a two-sets lead slip in a French Open quarter-final clash against Austrian Jurgen Melzer.
"This defeat was really difficult for me emotionally," the Serb said in an interview with Sky Sports Italia.
"I cried after being knocked out. It was a bad moment, I wanted to quit tennis because I saw everything black.
"I had won in Australia in 2008, I was number three in the world, but I wasn't happy.
"I knew I could do more, but I lost the more important matches against Federer and Nadal."
The Melzer defeat proved a turning point.
"From that moment on I felt liberated," said Djokovic.
"It took off the pressure, I started playing more aggressively, here was the ...

'Seeing black': Djokovic considered quitting in 2010

A Pakistan journalist living in exile in Sweden who has been missing since March has been found dead, police said Friday.
"His body was found on April 23 in the Fyris river outside Uppsala," police spokesman Jonas Eronen told AFP.  Sajid Hussain, from the troubled southwestern province of Baluchistan, was working part-time as a professor in Uppsala, about 60 kilometres (35 miles) north of Stockholm, when he went missing on March 2.
He was also the chief editor of the Baluchistan Times, an online magazine he had set up, in which he wrote about drug trafficking, forced disappearances and a long-running insurgency.
"The autopsy has dispelled some of the suspicion that he was the victim of a crime," Eronen said.
The police spokesman added that while a crime could not be completely ruled out, Hussain's death could equally have been the result of an accident or a suicide.
"As long as a crime cannot be excluded, there remains the risk that his death is linked to his work as a journalist," ...

Missing Pakistan journalist found dead in Sweden

Two top US women sprinters, including Olympic 200m finalist Deajah Stevens, have been provisionally suspended after failing to meet 'whereabouts' criteria, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced Friday.
Stevens, 24, finished seventh in the 200m at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and fifth in the London world championships a year later, when she was US champion over the distance.
Also provisionally banned was her 23-year-old compatriot Gabrielle Thomas, a two-time winner of the 200m at the Lausanne Diamond League (2018, 2019).
Elite athletes are duty-bound to provide the AIU with their whereabouts 90 days in advance in case they might be subjected to an out-of-competition doping test.
Under World Athletics' anti-doping rules, any combination of three whereabouts failures (filing failure and/or missed test) within a period of 12 months constitute an anti-doping rule violation, for which the applicable sanction is two years' ineligibility subject to a reduction to a minimum of one year ...

Provisional ban for two US women sprinters over whereabouts

Gareth Bale has said he would be interested in playing in Major League Soccer in America if he leaves Real Madrid.
Bale has not been a regular in Zinedine Zidane's team this season and the 30-year-old almost departed last summer, before a move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning fell through.
Any MLS club keen to sign Bale would likely have to overcome the huge financial implications of a deal. Bale's Madrid contract ends in 2022 and earns him close to 30 million euros ($33 million) a year before tax.
"I really like the league," said Bale, speaking to the Hat-Trick podcast presented by the ICC, in an episode released on Thursday.
"I think it's grown so much over the years. When we come over and play them in pre-season, the games are difficult, the standard is getting a lot better. The clubs are improving, the facilities are improving, the stadiums are improving.
"I think it's a league that's on the up and still rising. I think a lot more players want to come over to America now and play. I 

'I would definitely be interested in it' - Bale on MLS

The Little League World Series, a global youth baseball championship for pre-teen children, will not be contested in 2020, organizers said, citing issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Little League International, which offers 6,500 community-based programs in 84 nations, announced Thursday the unprecedented decision to cancel all regional tournaments and the 16-team finals that were scheduled for August in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
"This is a heartbreaking decision," said Little League president Stephen D. Keener.
"After exhausting all possible options, we came to the conclusion that because of the significant public health uncertainty that will still exist several months from now... it will not be possible to proceed with our tournaments as we've hosted them for nearly 75 years."
Tokyo teams have won five of the past 10 World Series titles with another going to a squad from Seoul in 2014. US clubs have won three of the past four titles, including Louisiana's victory ...

Baseball's 2020 Little League World Series called off

Italy's Serie A clubs on Friday reiterated their unanimous desire to complete the football season interrupted amid the coronavirus crisis.
The emergency Lega Serie A assembly via video of the 20 top flight clubs came after Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora this week said the chances of restarting were "increasingly narrow".
Lega Serie A president Paolo Dal Pino stated "his openness to a dialogue with the government from a constructive and collaborative perspective, obtaining on this position the full agreement of all the clubs".
The top flight clubs have repeatedly insisted that they want to finish the 2019-20 campaign which has been suspended since March 9 amid the health crisis which has killed nearly 28,000 people in Italy.
Clubs would like to resume training on May 18 at the latest and start playing again in the weekend of June 13-14.
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina had said a cancellation would be "the death of Italian football" and that he would ...

Serie A clubs unanimous in desire to finish season

French club Amiens are considering legal action to fight their "unjust" relegation from Ligue 1 with 10 rounds of matches of the coronavirus-curtailed season left unplayed.
The axe fell on the 2019/2020 campaign on Thursday with Paris Saint-Germain anointed champions, and Amiens and Toulouse dropping down to Ligue 2.
The French football league blew the whistle on the ill-fated season following Tuesday's announcement by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe that "professional sports leagues, notably football, cannot restart" because of the pandemic.
Amiens president Bernard Joannin said: "My first feeling is one of injustice because Amiens aren't able to fight to the end on the pitch to remain in Ligue 1.
"Sporting equality hasn't been respected, I find the decision unfair and my job is to defend Amiens."
Amiens were competing in the top league for the third time in their history. They were placed 19th, ahead only of Toulouse, when the season was suspended in mid-March, just four points ...

Amiens consider legal options over 'unjust' Ligue 1 relegation

England batsman Jason Roy believes the coronavirus-enforced postponement of the Hundred is a missed opportunity for cricket to capitalise on the buzz from last year's World Cup triumph.
With a new tournament, a new format and new city-based franchises, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was aiming to attract a fresh audience to the game.
England, with Roy in the side, defeated New Zealand last year in an unforgettable Lord's final that captivated the host country.
But COVID-19 has forced a year's delay, with the ECB keen to avoid empty grounds and absent overseas stars diluting the inaugural edition.
Roy, a top-tier 125,000 pound ($157,000) pick by Oval Invincibles, understands the decision.
"It's a huge shame that we won't be able get out in front of a home crowd again," he said.
"It is hugely disappointing but there are bigger things at stake.
"Obviously there was a huge incentive for the ECB, it was a huge competition that they put a lot of money into but it's only right ...

England's Roy says Hundred postponement a 'huge shame'

Three of the world's top male pole vaulters will meet in competition on Sunday in what has been dubbed the "Ultimate Garden Clash", with world sports decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.
World record-holder Mondo Duplantis of Sweden, two-time world champion Sam Kendricks of the United States and 2012 Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie of France will be connected via a live video link as they compete from their own back gardens.
The event, which will be streamed by World Athletics, is scheduled to start at 1500 GMT and will span three locations: Lavillenie will vault from his home in Clermont-Ferrand, Kendricks will compete from his back garden in Oxford, Mississippi, and Duplantis will take part from his base in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The three vaulters will attempt to vault 5.00m as many times as possible in 30 minutes, a format the trio drew up in the face of a lack of officials.
"I'm ecstatic to be able to compete again, especially against Sam and Renaud," said Duplantis.
"Since ..

Back garden athletics: top vaulters set for 'ultimate clash'

Scottish football's medical chief has warned that the coronavirus pandemic could exacerbate mental health problems among "at-risk" players.
Global players' union FIFPro last month warned of a sharp rise in the number of footballers reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression since the game was suspended worldwide.
A study in 2015 found that 64 percent of players in Scotland reported that they or a team-mate had experienced issues with their mental health.
"Our initial study identified key triggers for mental health issues in football," John MacLean, the Scottish Football Association's chief medical consultant, told the SFA's website.
"These include players at the beginning or end of their career with uncertainty around their new contracts and the prospect of having to find employment and finance outside professional football."
"At times like this, some players already considered to be at risk will potentially feel further impact," he added.
MacLean sits on the COVID-19 joint response 

Virus shutdown could impact mental health of 'at-risk' footballers, warns doctor

Premier League clubs were due to hold talks on Friday on how to finish the season as Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero admitted players were scared about being rushed back into action.
The English top-flight is facing an eye-watering estimated loss of around ?1 billion ($1.25 billion) if no more football is played due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Playing the 92 remaining games behind closed doors would mitigate that loss, avoiding the need to repay hundreds of millions to broadcasters.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are on the brink of their first league title for 30 years and there are many other issues to resolve, including Champions League qualification and relegation.
But the English top-flight faces huge logistical difficulties in its attempts to return to action, with Britain one of the countries worst-hit by COVID-19.
"Obviously, the majority of players are scared but above all because they have children, babies and family, they might live with their parents," Aguero told Spanish 

Premier League holds talks with 'Project Restart' under pressure

The Hungarian Grand Prix on August 2 will be staged without fans in response to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers announced on Friday.
The race at the Hungaroring is following the example set by the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the truncated F1 season's new curtain-raiser in Austria as likely to go ahead but in front of empty grandstands.
"It has now become clear that we cannot hold the 35th Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix in front of spectators despite all our efforts," a statement from race organisers announced.
The statement added that this decision was necessary to protect the health of fans and circuit staff alike.
Their hand was forced after the Hungarian government banned any event involving more than 500 spectators until August 15.
"It became clear yesterday (Thursday) that all this is only possible behind closed gates.
"We will continue to work with the international promoter to find the best possible solution," the statement added.
On Monday Formula One boss Chase 

Fans barred from Hungarian Grand Prix - organisers

Jordan Spieth's return to tournament golf on Thursday was underscored by the three-time major winner falling victim to new safety measures put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spieth played in a group with retired NFL star Tony Romo as he and other PGA Tour pros teed it up in a no-spectator invitational charity event in Dallas.
Spieth was denied a hole-in-one on the par-three 110-yard 17th after his tee shot flew straight into the cup only to have it hit a plastic insert and bounce out and roll into a water hazard.
The ball didn't stick because organizers of the Maridoe Samaritan Fund Invitational inserted social distancing plastic slats into each cup for protection so players wouldn't have to bend so far down to retrieve their ball.
Spieth told ESPN.com he can't remember the exact date of his last hole in one.
"It never left the flag," Spieth said. "I knew it was going to land somewhere around the hole. It's my first one in probably three or four years. I kind of had a ..

Spieth denied ace because of COVID-19 safety measures

England's Rugby Football League have been given a 16 million ($20 million) emergency loan to help deal with the financial fall-out from the coronavirus.
The British Government have sanctioned the cash injection as the Super League and lower division seasons remain suspended with no return date due to the on-going pandemic.
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport admitted the loan was vital to save Rugby League teams from financial meltdown.
"This is a massive shot in the arm to secure the survival of rugby league," Dowden said.
"We recognise that many RFL clubs operate on very tight financial margins.
"Without their ability to stage matches with spectators and despite the Government's extensive economic package, the professional game has come very close to collapsing.
"Sports across the board are facing unprecedented pressures, and we are supporting them through wider Government measures.
"In this case we are intervening as an exception, not to save an .

England's Rugby League clubs given 16m emergency loan

Commissioner Gary Bettman is eager for the NHL to resume playing games after the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but only if the players are physically fit.
"We don't want them playing games until they're back in game shape," Bettman told the NHL Network on Thursday.
Bettman also said the end of the current season, whenever that happens, could push back the beginning of the 2020-21 season to December.
"This isn't a race to be the first back," he said adding there is no definite timetable for a restart.
"We're going to try to make good, prudent, careful judgments. When we come back, we want it to be at the right time, for the right reasons, under the right circumstances.
"We have a great deal of flexibility in terms of when we can start. There's no magic for next season of starting in October as we traditionally do. If we have to start in November or December, that's something that will be under consideration."
The regular season was originally set to end on April 

Commissioner says NHL return hinges on players' fitness levels

US stock car auto racing, a closed-cockpit style that is America's most popular motorsport series, will end its coronavirus shutdown in May with four oval races over 11 days.
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced Thursday it will return on May 17 at Darlington Raceway, joining UFC mixed martial arts among the next live US sports offerings in the wake of the deadly virus that has shut down sports.
All NASCAR Cup races will be staged without spectators, including May 17 over 400 miles and May 20 over 500km at Darlington near Florence, South Carolina, and May 24 over 600 miles and May 27 over 500km at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
Empty tracks will also host events in NASCAR's second-tier auto series as well as truck racing in the first on-track NASCAR events since March 8 at Phoenix.
Charlotte's first race is one of NASCAR's major events, the Coca-Cola 600, in its traditional Memorial Day weekend spot for a 60th consecutive season.
No ...

US NASCAR auto racing returns in May on empty ovals

The PGA Tour is changing its qualification guidelines for next season by allowing more golfers to retain their eligibility status even if they had an off season in 2019-20.
Normally golfers who don't finish in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings will lose their PGA spots for the next season.
But because of the shortening of the 2019-20 season due to the Covid-19 outbreak, organizers are now allowing exempt players to retain their playing status for 2020-21 regardless of where they finish.
The Tour has revised its schedule and is due to resume play on June 11 with an invitational event in Fort Worth, Texas.
"This eligibility update, contingent upon the planned restart of the season at the Charles Schwab Challenge the week of June 8, was deemed the best and most equitable solution for the membership," a Tour spokesman said in a news release on Thursday.
The Tour also decided to not have the top players from the development Korn Ferry Tour earn promotions to the PGA. Their positions ..

PGA alters playing status guidelines due to coronavirus

The United States recorded more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in a 24-hour period for the third day running, according to the latest real-time tally Thursday reported by Johns Hopkins University.
The country -- hardest hit by the pandemic in terms of the number of fatalities -- recorded 2,053 deaths on Thursday, after 2,502 deaths on Wednesday and 2,207 on Tuesday.
At least 62,906 people have now died in the United States, according to the Baltimore-based university.

More than 2,000 US coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: tracker

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened new tariffs against Beijing as he claimed to have seen evidence linking the coronavirus to a lab in China's ground-zero city of Wuhan.
Asked if he had seen anything giving him a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the origin of the outbreak, Trump replied, "Yes, I have."
Pressed by reporters at the White House for details on what made him so confident, Trump replied: "I cannot tell you that."
Asked about reports he could cancel US debt obligations to China in the row over the origins of the coronavirus, Trump said he "can do it with tariffs.

AFP

AFP

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