Real Madrid triumphed in the Clasico, Robert Lewandowski kept up his stunning form and Ajax recorded the biggest victory in the history of the Dutch top flight.

AFP Sport rounds up some of the main talking points from the weekend's action across the continent:

<h2>- Real take Clasico honours -</h2>

Rarely in recent years have both Barcelona and Real Madrid come into a Clasico at such a low ebb, but it was Zinedine Zidane's team who emerged from their own mini-crisis with a fine 3-1 win at an empty Camp Nou.

Not for the first time in this fixture there was controversy, with the decision to award Real a crucial second-half penalty leaving Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman furious with the VAR.

Sergio Ramos's spot-kick put the visitors 2-1 up and Luka Modric went on to wrap up the win which saw Real bounce back from suffering consecutive defeats in the week leading up to the game.

They have now lost just once in eight trips to the Camp Nou and the result relieves the pressure on Zidane, while leaving Koeman under the cosh. That is two straight La Liga losses now for Barca, the first time that has happened since April 2016. They are 12th in the table.

<h2>- Another record for Lewandowski -</h2>

Robert Lewandowski's sensational start to this season continued as he bagged a hat-trick in Bayern Munich's 5-0 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Polish striker has 10 goals already and is the first to reach that mark after just five matches of a Bundesliga campaign.

It was a perfect hat-trick, with Lewandowski scoring one each with his left foot, right foot and head. At 32 he is in the form of his life, having scored 55 times in total last season as Bayern won the treble.

<h2>- Lucky 13: Ajax make history -</h2>

Those who thought record wins and double-figure scorelines belonged to the 1930s can think again. On Saturday Ajax set the all-time mark for the biggest victory in the Dutch Eredivisie as they crushed hapless VVV Venlo 13-0 away.

Lassina Traore struck five times as the Amsterdam club outdid Johan Cruyff's Ajax, whose 12-1 win over Vitesse Arnhem had stood as the top flight's record win since May 1972 -- the season they won the league title and the second of their four European Cups.

Traore, the 19-year-old from Burkina Faso, became the first Ajax player to score five in an Eredivisie game since Marco van Basten in 1985.

"We were hungry in the field. We wanted to score goals, and I'm fine with that," said Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, whose team now go to Atalanta in the Champions League.

&nbsp;

<h2>- Stumbling Juventus -</h2>

Juventus have now drawn the last three Serie A games they have actually played, leaving aside the 3-0 win they were awarded when Napoli did not turn up for their recent match in Turin due to a coronavirus outbreak.

On Sunday Andrea Pirlo's team needed Dejan Kulusevski to come off the bench and salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Verona as the reigning champions again had to do without Cristiano Ronaldo following a positive Covid-19 test.

"We could have done better," admitted novice coach Pirlo, whose side may have their work cut out if they are to win a 10th straight Scudetto with a resurgent AC Milan joining the likes of Inter and Atalanta in hoping to knock the Old Lady off her perch.

Now Juve host Barcelona in the Champions League looking to build on the one victory they have enjoyed in recent weeks, away at Dynamo Kiev.

<h2>- Depay, Aouar star for Lyon -</h2>

They were supposed to leave Lyon before the transfer window closed but both saw moves away from the French club fall through.

Memphis Depay had hoped to join his former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman at Barcelona while Houssem Aouar might have left his boyhood club for Arsenal, but instead they remain with last season's Champions League semi-finalists, who are not in Europe at all in this campaign.

It hs been a slow start for OL but on Sunday they trounced Monaco 4-1 to go sixth in Ligue 1, with Depay opening the scoring and Aouar netting a penalty. Karl Toko Ekambi got their other two goals.

Real Madrid triumphed in the Clasico, Robert Lewandowski kept up his stunning form and Ajax recorded the biggest victory in the history of the Dutch top flight. AFP Sport rounds up some of the main talking points from the weekend's action across the continent: - Real take Clasico honours - Rarely in recent years have both Barcelona and Real Madrid come into a Clasico at such a low ebb, but it was Zinedine Zidane's team who emerged from their own mini-crisis with a fine 3-1 win at an empty Camp Nou.

Real Madrid triumphed in the Clasico, Robert Lewandowski kept up his stunning form and Ajax recorded the biggest victory in the history of the Dutch top flight. AFP Sport rounds up some of the main talking points from the weekend's action across the continent: - Real take Clasico honours - Rarely in recent years have both Barcelona and Real Madrid come into a Clasico at such a low ebb, but it was Zinedine Zidane's team who emerged from their own mini-crisis with a fine 3-1 win at an empty Camp Nou. Not for the first time in this fixture there was controversy, with the decision to award Real a crucial second-half penalty leaving Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman furious with the VAR. Sergio Ramos's spot-kick put the visitors 2-1 up and Luka Modric went on to wrap up the win which saw Real bounce back from suffering consecutive defeats in the week leading up to the game. They have now lost just once in eight trips to the Camp Nou and the result relieves the pressure on Zidane, while leaving Koeman under the cosh. That is two straight La Liga losses now for Barca, the first time that has happened since April 2016. They are 12th in the table. - Another record for Lewandowski - Robert Lewandowski's sensational start to this season continued as he bagged a hat-trick in Bayern Munich's 5-0 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Polish striker has 10 goals already and is the first to reach that mark after just five matches of a Bundesliga campaign. It was a perfect hat-trick, with Lewandowski scoring one each with his left foot, right foot and head. At 32 he is in the form of his life, having scored 55 times in total last season as Bayern won the treble. - Lucky 13: Ajax make history - Those who thought record wins and double-figure scorelines belonged to the 1930s can think again. On Saturday Ajax set the all-time mark for the biggest victory in the Dutch Eredivisie as they crushed hapless VVV Venlo 13-0 away. Lassina Traore struck five times as the Amsterdam club outdid Johan Cruyff's Ajax, whose 12-1 win over Vitesse Arnhem had stood as the top flight's record win since May 1972 -- the season they won the league title and the second of their four European Cups. Traore, the 19-year-old from Burkina Faso, became the first Ajax player to score five in an Eredivisie game since Marco van Basten in 1985. "We were hungry in the field. We wanted to score goals, and I'm fine with that," said Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, whose team now go to Atalanta in the Champions League. - Stumbling Juventus - Juventus have now drawn the last three Serie A games they have actually played, leaving aside the 3-0 win they were awarded when Napoli did not turn up for their recent match in Turin due to a coronavirus outbreak. On Sunday Andrea Pirlo's team needed Dejan Kulusevski to come off the bench and salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Verona as the reigning champions again had to do without Cristiano Ronaldo following a positive Covid-19 test. "We could have done better," admitted novice coach Pirlo, whose side may have their work cut out if they are to win a 10th straight Scudetto with a resurgent AC Milan joining the likes of Inter and Atalanta in hoping to knock the Old Lady off her perch. Now Juve host Barcelona in the Champions League looking to build on the one victory they have enjoyed in recent weeks, away at Dynamo Kiev. - Depay, Aouar star for Lyon - They were supposed to leave Lyon before the transfer window closed but both saw moves away from the French club fall through. Memphis Depay had hoped to join his former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman at Barcelona while Houssem Aouar might have left his boyhood club for Arsenal, but instead they remain with last season's Champions League semi-finalists, who are not in Europe at all in this campaign. It hs been a slow start for OL but on Sunday they trounced Monaco 4-1 to go sixth in Ligue 1, with Depay opening the scoring and Aouar netting a penalty. Karl Toko Ekambi got their other two goals.

Madrid's Clasico, Lewandowski, record-breaking Ajax: European football talking points

From Clasico to Ruhr clash: Matches to look out for in Europe this weekend

Clash of GOATS, Haaland's form, toughest groups: Champions League storylines to watch

Indian Super League club East Bengal announced a new signing on Tuesday. They signed an experienced A-League defender Scott Neville on a season-long loan from Brisbane Roar ahead of the upcoming edition of Indian Super League.

Indian Super League club East Bengal announced a new signing on Tuesday. They signed an experienced A-League defender Scott Neville on a season-long loan from Brisbane Roar ahead of the upcoming edition of Indian Super League. Also read: Kevin de Bruyne withdraws from Belgium squad citing unspecified injury Neville has already played under Bengal coach Robbie Fowler at the Roars till last season. “We are glad to announce that the club has agreed on a season-long loan move for experienced A-League defender Scott Neville,” joint managing director of Shree Cement Prashant Bangur said in a press statement. Neville played almost every match for Brisbane Roar in the 2019-20 season missing out on only two matches. He played a crucial role in helping his team finish fourth in the A-League and the team was in the A-League Final Series as well as play-offs. “Scott brings a lot of experience to us having played 12 consecutive seasons in the A-League with 200+ matches and also featured for the Australia U-23 team,” Bangur added. The Aussie defender said he is excited to don the red and gold jersey. “India presents a new challenge and I cannot wait to don the red and gold colours and take the field. There will always be massive expectations from us and I am aware of that. I can assure the fans that we will leave no stone unturned in our bid to strive for excellence,” Neville said (Inputs from PTI)

ISL: A-League star Scott Neville joins East Bengal

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham apologised after a video emerged where he was seen attending a party with his English teammates Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho in an apparent breach of national coronavirus rules.

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham apologised after a video emerged where he was seen attending a party with his English teammates Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho in an apparent breach of national coronavirus rules. IN PICS| UEFA awards: Bayern Munich players dominate the winners' list According to the video published by The Sun newspaper, three players are seen gathering in London with more than six people present on Saturday. This video comes a month after Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home for breaching Covid-19 protocols while with Gareth Southgate's England squad in Iceland. The Sun reports that the FA has seen footage of the party and quotes a spokesman as saying: "There will be no change to the England team at this stage." England is set to face Wales on Thursday and Nations League matches against Belgium and Denmark. Chelsea pair Abraham and Chilwell and Borussia Dortmund's Sancho are all in the 30-man group. According to reports, the party was organised as a surprise gathering for Abraham's 23rd birthday. The forward has apologised, telling the newspaper: "I arrived home to find a small surprise gathering. "Though I was totally unaware this was planned, I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for the naivety shown for the organisation and attending of this gathering. "All I can do now is learn from it, apologise to everyone and ensure it never happens again." (Inputs from AFP)

Abraham apologises after video emerges of players 'flout' virus rules at party

Serie A champions Juventus on Saturday informed that the entire squad has gone into isolation after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/edinson-cavani-set-to-manchester-united-on-a-two-year-deal-reports-332404" hreflang="en">Edinson Cavani set to Manchester United on a two-year deal: Reports</a>

Turin giants confirmed those returning positive tests were "neither players nor members of the technical or medical staff".

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Team in fiduciary isolation<a href="https://t.co/iVRUG23N4e">https://t.co/iVRUG23N4e</a> <a href="https://t.co/GWe5dRxHsj">pic.twitter.com/GWe5dRxHsj</a>
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"This procedure will allow all members who tested negative to the controls to carry out regular training and match activities, but will not be allowed contact with outside the group," the club said in a statement.

"The club is in constant contact with the competent health authorities."

Serie A champions Juventus on Saturday informed that the entire squad has gone into isolation after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Also read: Edinson Cavani set to Manchester United on a two-year deal: Reports Turin giants confirmed those returning positive tests were "neither players nor members of the technical or medical staff".

Serie A champions Juventus on Saturday informed that the entire squad has gone into isolation after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Also read: Edinson Cavani set to Manchester United on a two-year deal: Reports Turin giants confirmed those returning positive tests were "neither players nor members of the technical or medical staff". Team in fiduciary isolationhttps://t.co/iVRUG23N4e pic.twitter.com/GWe5dRxHsj — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 3, 2020 × "This procedure will allow all members who tested negative to the controls to carry out regular training and match activities, but will not be allowed contact with outside the group," the club said in a statement. "The club is in constant contact with the competent health authorities."

Juventus squad in isolation after couple of staff members test positive for coronavirus

A report on Friday said that a scandal-hit Bellagraph Nova Group in Singapore is still seeking to buy Newcastle United. Also read: Honda to withdraw from Formula One at end of 2021 season The firm, founded by two Singaporean entrepreneurs and a Chinese business partner, announced in August it was in "advanced talks" to buy the English Premier League team.

A report on Friday said that a scandal-hit Bellagraph Nova Group in Singapore is still seeking to buy Newcastle United. Also read: Honda to withdraw from Formula One at end of 2021 season The firm, founded by two Singaporean entrepreneurs and a Chinese business partner, announced in August it was in "advanced talks" to buy the English Premier League team. Despite, a police probe and accusations it doctored photos to falsely show its founders meeting with Barack Obama. Singapore police are also investigating a company which is linked to the Singaporean co-founders, cousins Terence and Nelson Loh after an accounting firm lodged a report over unauthorised signatures on the group's financial statements. The firm's Chinese co-founder Evangeline Shen nonetheless told the BBC the firm was still pushing ahead with its bid, reported to be worth $280 million ($360 million). "We are always in contact and we are still very aggressive on trying to close the deal," she said, adding the company's team recently met a representative of Newcastle's owner. "We started real planning for the club such as whom to hire as trainer and whom to sign for players," she added. Shen did not respond to queries sent to her by AFP. (Inputs from AFP)

Scandal-hit firm in Singapore says still bidding for Newcastle: Reports

Roma legend Francesco Totti on Monday visited a teenage girl in hospital who emerged from a nine-month coma after hearing a recording of the former Italian football star's voice.

Ilenia Matilli, an 19-year-old footballer with Lazio's women's team but a great fan of city rivals Roma, was left in a coma last December by a car accident in which her friend was killed.

Former World Cup winner Totti had recorded a video message a few months ago, urging: "Ilenia don't give up, you'll do it, we are all with you".

Matilli finally emerged from the coma and as promised Totti, 43, on Monday visited her in Rome's Gemelli hospital where she is undergoing rehabilitation.

"She smiled at me, hugged me and started crying," Totti told journalists after the meeting which lasted over an hour and a half.&nbsp;

"It was very exciting to meet Ilenia, when she comes out of hospital we will meet again."

Her father Stefano Matilli told Corriere Della Sera: "I have to thank a friend of my daughter who had the idea of contacting Francesco Totti and having him record a message.

"Francesco accepted immediately, you can see that he is a person with a good heart, talking to him today in the hospital was like talking to a brother."

Matilli can still not speak, but makes herself understood by gestures and expresses herself through a tablet on which she writes.&nbsp;

"Don't give up, you'll make it," said Totti.

"Hurry up and get well. I'll come and visit you at home when you can talk and walk."

Neurologist Professor Luca Padua praised Totti's "great ability to manage a difficult situation".

"The former captain did not imagine such a dramatic situation but in the end the atmosphere was very cheerful."

Totti, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, spent 25 years at Roma as a player before moving upstairs to the boardroom.

Roma legend Francesco Totti on Monday visited a teenage girl in hospital who emerged from a nine-month coma after hearing a recording of the former Italian football star's voice.

Roma legend Francesco Totti on Monday visited a teenage girl in hospital who emerged from a nine-month coma after hearing a recording of the former Italian football star's voice. Ilenia Matilli, an 19-year-old footballer with Lazio's women's team but a great fan of city rivals Roma, was left in a coma last December by a car accident in which her friend was killed. Former World Cup winner Totti had recorded a video message a few months ago, urging: "Ilenia don't give up, you'll do it, we are all with you". Matilli finally emerged from the coma and as promised Totti, 43, on Monday visited her in Rome's Gemelli hospital where she is undergoing rehabilitation. "She smiled at me, hugged me and started crying," Totti told journalists after the meeting which lasted over an hour and a half. "It was very exciting to meet Ilenia, when she comes out of hospital we will meet again." Her father Stefano Matilli told Corriere Della Sera: "I have to thank a friend of my daughter who had the idea of contacting Francesco Totti and having him record a message. "Francesco accepted immediately, you can see that he is a person with a good heart, talking to him today in the hospital was like talking to a brother." Matilli can still not speak, but makes herself understood by gestures and expresses herself through a tablet on which she writes. "Don't give up, you'll make it," said Totti. "Hurry up and get well. I'll come and visit you at home when you can talk and walk." Neurologist Professor Luca Padua praised Totti's "great ability to manage a difficult situation". "The former captain did not imagine such a dramatic situation but in the end the atmosphere was very cheerful." Totti, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, spent 25 years at Roma as a player before moving upstairs to the boardroom.

Roma legend Totti visits girl awakened from coma by his voice

The Premier League began with a bang this weekend as Liverpool launched their title defence with a pulsating 4-3 win over new boys Leeds.

Arsenal and Leicester both recorded impressive 3-0 victories but Jose Mourinho was left fuming after he tasted defeated on the opening day of a league campaign for the first time in his career.

Big-spending Chelsea eased to a 3-1 win at Brighton, but Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made another blunder.

AFP Sport picks out five things we learned from the opening weekend of the season.

<h2>'Special' Leeds a welcome addition</h2>

The return of Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, and with the mercurial Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint.

The new boys were two minutes away from taking points off the champions until Mohamed Salah completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to ensure Liverpool emerged victorious at an empty Anfield.

"Leeds are special," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, in the knowledge that other title contenders will struggle to beat Bielsa's men this season.

As the scoreline suggests, improvements will be needed at the back but Leeds will remain true to Bielsa's philosophy in trying to impose themselves on the opposition and on the evidence of their opening salvo, there should be no fear of dropping back down to the second tier.

&nbsp;

<h2>Sensible VAR</h2>

The biggest surprise of the Premier League's return came with the lack of controversy caused by VAR as new interpretations of how to use the technology largely led to more sensible decisions.

Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters saw a red card downgraded to a yellow after referee Jon Moss came to the sidelines himself to assess a replay.

Newcastle's Jeff Hendrick was not penalised after the ball struck his arm, which was by his side, during the Magpies' 2-0 win at West Ham thanks to a more generous interpretation of the handball rule for defenders.

&nbsp;

<h2>Arsenal show top-four promise</h2>

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have made a habit of upsetting the odds, defeating Manchester City and Chelsea on their way to winning the FA Cup last season and beating Liverpool twice in recent months.

Those victories were earned through defensive discipline and a threat on the counter-attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the main dangerman.

Before Saturday's trip to Fulham there were questions over how the Gunners would deal with sides who would not open up against them but Arteta's men responded with an emphatic 3-0 win at Craven Cottage.

New signing Willian had a major role to play in all three goals, scored by Alexandre Lacazette, Aubameyang and another debutant, Gabriel Magalhaes, as Arsenal laid down a marker in their bid to finish in the top four.

&nbsp;

<h2>Ancelotti gets the better of Mourinho</h2>

Everton and Tottenham both turned to multiple Champions League-winning coaches in the middle of last season to revive their fortunes, but both will be judged on what they achieve this season.

On the opening weekend, Carlo Ancelotti got the better of Jose Mourinho as Everton won away from home against traditional top-six opposition for the first time since 2013.

New signings Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave the Toffees the dynamism and grit they have badly missed in recent seasons in midfield, while James Rodriguez showed glimpses of the quality that once made him one of the world's most in-demand players.

Spurs, by contrast, look lacklustre, with Mourinho labelling his players "lazy" out of possession and showing little sign of halting their slide since reaching the Champions League final just over a year ago.

&nbsp;

<h2>Kepa blunders again</h2>

As Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga allowed Leandro Trossard's long-range shot to slip through his weak attempted save, Blues boss Frank Lampard must have had a familiar sinking feeling.

Despite Trossard's equaliser for Brighton, Lampard's expensively revamped side went on to win 3-1.

But since he joined Chelsea in 2018, Kepa has conceded 19 Premier League goals from outside the area -- more than any other keeper.

The Spaniard, the world's most expensive keeper, was dropped by Lampard twice last season after a series of costly blunders.

Although Kepa started the new campaign in the team, he might not have his place for much longer as a move for Rennes' Edouard Mendy is reportedly close to completion.

The Premier League began with a bang this weekend as Liverpool launched their title defence with a pulsating 4-3 win over new boys Leeds. Arsenal and Leicester both recorded impressive 3-0 victories but Jose Mourinho was left fuming after he tasted defeated on the opening day of a league campaign for the first time in his career.

The Premier League began with a bang this weekend as Liverpool launched their title defence with a pulsating 4-3 win over new boys Leeds. Arsenal and Leicester both recorded impressive 3-0 victories but Jose Mourinho was left fuming after he tasted defeated on the opening day of a league campaign for the first time in his career. Big-spending Chelsea eased to a 3-1 win at Brighton, but Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made another blunder. AFP Sport picks out five things we learned from the opening weekend of the season. 'Special' Leeds a welcome addition The return of Leeds to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, and with the mercurial Marcelo Bielsa at the helm, was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint. The new boys were two minutes away from taking points off the champions until Mohamed Salah completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to ensure Liverpool emerged victorious at an empty Anfield. "Leeds are special," said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, in the knowledge that other title contenders will struggle to beat Bielsa's men this season. As the scoreline suggests, improvements will be needed at the back but Leeds will remain true to Bielsa's philosophy in trying to impose themselves on the opposition and on the evidence of their opening salvo, there should be no fear of dropping back down to the second tier. Sensible VAR The biggest surprise of the Premier League's return came with the lack of controversy caused by VAR as new interpretations of how to use the technology largely led to more sensible decisions. Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters saw a red card downgraded to a yellow after referee Jon Moss came to the sidelines himself to assess a replay. Newcastle's Jeff Hendrick was not penalised after the ball struck his arm, which was by his side, during the Magpies' 2-0 win at West Ham thanks to a more generous interpretation of the handball rule for defenders. Arsenal show top-four promise Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have made a habit of upsetting the odds, defeating Manchester City and Chelsea on their way to winning the FA Cup last season and beating Liverpool twice in recent months. Those victories were earned through defensive discipline and a threat on the counter-attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the main dangerman. Before Saturday's trip to Fulham there were questions over how the Gunners would deal with sides who would not open up against them but Arteta's men responded with an emphatic 3-0 win at Craven Cottage. New signing Willian had a major role to play in all three goals, scored by Alexandre Lacazette, Aubameyang and another debutant, Gabriel Magalhaes, as Arsenal laid down a marker in their bid to finish in the top four. Ancelotti gets the better of Mourinho Everton and Tottenham both turned to multiple Champions League-winning coaches in the middle of last season to revive their fortunes, but both will be judged on what they achieve this season. On the opening weekend, Carlo Ancelotti got the better of Jose Mourinho as Everton won away from home against traditional top-six opposition for the first time since 2013. New signings Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave the Toffees the dynamism and grit they have badly missed in recent seasons in midfield, while James Rodriguez showed glimpses of the quality that once made him one of the world's most in-demand players. Spurs, by contrast, look lacklustre, with Mourinho labelling his players "lazy" out of possession and showing little sign of halting their slide since reaching the Champions League final just over a year ago. Kepa blunders again As Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga allowed Leandro Trossard's long-range shot to slip through his weak attempted save, Blues boss Frank Lampard must have had a familiar sinking feeling. Despite Trossard's equaliser for Brighton, Lampard's expensively revamped side went on to win 3-1. But since he joined Chelsea in 2018, Kepa has conceded 19 Premier League goals from outside the area -- more than any other keeper. The Spaniard, the world's most expensive keeper, was dropped by Lampard twice last season after a series of costly blunders. Although Kepa started the new campaign in the team, he might not have his place for much longer as a move for Rennes' Edouard Mendy is reportedly close to completion.

Five things we learned from the Premier League's return

Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended the speculations over his future in Arsenal as the player signed a new three-year deal with the Gunners.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/five-things-we-learned-from-the-premier-leagues-return-327647" hreflang="en">Five things we learned from the Premier League's return</a>

Speculations over Aubemeyang began when there were rumours that the Arsenal captain wanted a club in the Champions League.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/big-spending-chelsea-start-with-win-at-brighton-327646" hreflang="en">Big-spending Chelsea start with win at Brighton</a>

Gabon forward revealed he had committed his future to Arsenal in a live Instagram stream at the Emirates Stadium.

"Arsenal fans, finally as you know I just signed the thing," Aubameyang said.

Arsenal confirmed the news themselves on their website in a statement that said: "Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new three-year contract with us!"

(Inputs from agencies)

Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended the speculations over his future in Arsenal as the player signed a new three-year deal with the Gunners. Also read: Five things we learned from the Premier League's return Speculations over Aubemeyang began when there were rumours that the Arsenal captain wanted a club in the Champions League.

Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended the speculations over his future in Arsenal as the player signed a new three-year deal with the Gunners. Also read: Five things we learned from the Premier League's return Speculations over Aubemeyang began when there were rumours that the Arsenal captain wanted a club in the Champions League. Also read: Big-spending Chelsea start with win at Brighton Gabon forward revealed he had committed his future to Arsenal in a live Instagram stream at the Emirates Stadium. "Arsenal fans, finally as you know I just signed the thing," Aubameyang said. Arsenal confirmed the news themselves on their website in a statement that said: "Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new three-year contract with us!" (Inputs from agencies)

Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs new Arsenal contract

Over the years, Lionel Messi has troubled Real Madrid a lot while playing for Barcelona but with things developing quick, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner may not be seen playing for Blaugrana in the future. Arch-rival and captain of Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos has given his take on the entire Messi transfer saga as the Spaniard said Messi has earned the right to decide his future.&nbsp;

However, Ramos clarified that he doesn’t know whether leaving with a conflict with Barcelona is the right way to leave while adding for Spanish football, Barcelona and Real Madrid, he would like Messi to continue his career at Barcelona.&nbsp;

Ramos is of the view that Messi’s presence make La Liga, Barcelona and El Clasicos a better spectacle and added that that he wants to beat the best and Messi is one of the best in the world.

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lionel-messis-next-team-clubs-who-can-really-afford-to-sign-the-argentine-323423" hreflang="en">Lionel Messi's next team: Clubs who can really afford to sign the Argentine</a>

"He's earned the right to decide his future,” Ramos told reporters in a press-conference, “but I don't know if it's the best way."

He added: “For Spanish football, for Barcelona and for us, we'd like him to stay. Leo makes the Spanish league, his team and the Clasicos better.

"You always like beating the best and he's one of the best in the world."

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/stay-or-go-messi-in-legal-tangle-with-barcelona-over-leaving-club-323132" hreflang="en">Stay or go? Messi in legal tangle with Barcelona over leaving club</a>

Messi’s father Jorge met Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu on Wednesday with another meeting scheduled for Thursday as both the camps look for a mutual agreement in relation to Argentine’s future. While Barcelona continue to remain firm on their stance that they want Messi to stay, his father is in Spain to negotiate a possible deal which would allow Messi to leave the Nou Camp.&nbsp;

Messi, earlier last week, had sent a burofax asking Barcelona to allow him to leave for free, as per an existing clause in his contract. He later skipped the PCR tests conducted by Barcelona while also being absent from new manager Ronald Koeman’s first training session. 
&nbsp;

Over the years, Lionel Messi has troubled Real Madrid a lot while playing for Barcelona but with things developing quick, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner may not be seen playing for Blaugrana in the future.

Over the years, Lionel Messi has troubled Real Madrid a lot while playing for Barcelona but with things developing quick, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner may not be seen playing for Blaugrana in the future. Arch-rival and captain of Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos has given his take on the entire Messi transfer saga as the Spaniard said Messi has earned the right to decide his future. However, Ramos clarified that he doesn’t know whether leaving with a conflict with Barcelona is the right way to leave while adding for Spanish football, Barcelona and Real Madrid, he would like Messi to continue his career at Barcelona. Ramos is of the view that Messi’s presence make La Liga, Barcelona and El Clasicos a better spectacle and added that that he wants to beat the best and Messi is one of the best in the world. IN PICS | Lionel Messi's next team: Clubs who can really afford to sign the Argentine "He's earned the right to decide his future,” Ramos told reporters in a press-conference, “but I don't know if it's the best way." He added: “For Spanish football, for Barcelona and for us, we'd like him to stay. Leo makes the Spanish league, his team and the Clasicos better. "You always like beating the best and he's one of the best in the world." IN PICS | Stay or go? Messi in legal tangle with Barcelona over leaving club Messi’s father Jorge met Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu on Wednesday with another meeting scheduled for Thursday as both the camps look for a mutual agreement in relation to Argentine’s future. While Barcelona continue to remain firm on their stance that they want Messi to stay, his father is in Spain to negotiate a possible deal which would allow Messi to leave the Nou Camp. Messi, earlier last week, had sent a burofax asking Barcelona to allow him to leave for free, as per an existing clause in his contract. He later skipped the PCR tests conducted by Barcelona while also being absent from new manager Ronald Koeman’s first training session.

Should Lionel Messi leave Barcelona? Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos opines

Defending Champions Juventus will begin their 2020/21 Serie A campaign hoping for a 10th consecutive league win on the weekend of September 19-20, according to the calendar unveiled on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-el-clasicos-to-madrid-derbies-la-liga-schedule-announced-324717" hreflang="en">From El Clasicos to Madrid Derbies: La Liga schedule announced!</a>

They will be hosting Sampdoria.&nbsp;

Juventus will be the only Italian club involved in the Champions League to play in the opening round of fixtures.

League runners-up Inter Milan travel to promoted Benevento while Atalanta, who finished third, is away at fourth-placed Lazio, those two matches a week later because of their European involvement.

The opening weekend will also witness Zlatan Ibrahimovic's AC Milan hosting Bologna and Napoli making the trip to Palermo. Roma will play an away game Hellas Verona.&nbsp;

Heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan will face each other in 2021. The teams will play each other on January 17 in Milan and May 16 in Turin.&nbsp;

Defending Champions Juventus will begin their 2020/21 Serie A campaign hoping for a 10th consecutive league win on the weekend of September 19-20, according to the calendar unveiled on Wednesday.

Defending Champions Juventus will begin their 2020/21 Serie A campaign hoping for a 10th consecutive league win on the weekend of September 19-20, according to the calendar unveiled on Wednesday. Also read: From El Clasicos to Madrid Derbies: La Liga schedule announced! They will be hosting Sampdoria. Juventus will be the only Italian club involved in the Champions League to play in the opening round of fixtures. League runners-up Inter Milan travel to promoted Benevento while Atalanta, who finished third, is away at fourth-placed Lazio, those two matches a week later because of their European involvement. The opening weekend will also witness Zlatan Ibrahimovic's AC Milan hosting Bologna and Napoli making the trip to Palermo. Roma will play an away game Hellas Verona. Heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan will face each other in 2021. The teams will play each other on January 17 in Milan and May 16 in Turin.

Defending champs Juventus to begin Serie A season against Sampdoria

Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho was released Monday by a Paraguayan judge after being in detention for five months over a forged passport.

Former footballer Ronaldinho released from Paraguay after five months of detention

Italian side Juventus' new boss Andrea Pirlo is looking to drop six players in the team this summer and one of them is Aaron Ramsey. The former Arsenal star has been asked to look for another club after Pirlo made it clear that the player is not needed.&nbsp;

Ramsey joined Juventus last year on a free transfer from Arsenal. His wages of £400,000-a-week could well limit his options on moving to another club, and he will have to take a pay cut if he moves on.

Aaron Ramsey, under Maurizio Sarri, made just 11 Serie A starts and he does not fit into Pirlo’s ball-playing style.

Other players in the team like &nbsp;Gonzalo Higuain, Sami Khedira, Daniele Rugani, Mattia De Sciglio, and Blaise Matuidi are also not included in Pirlo's squad. Matuidi is on his way to MLS to play for David Beckham's Inter Miami.&nbsp;

Last month, the Daily Telegraph reported that Juventus were hoping a swap deal involving Ramsey and Tanguy Ndombele. However, Jose Mourinho though wants to keep the £53.8million man, claiming that he will come good.

Aaron Ramsey is even being linked with Manchester United as their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was interested in the Wales star earlier in the summer.

Italian side Juventus' new boss Andrea Pirlo is looking to drop six players in the team this summer and one of them is Aaron Ramsey. The former Arsenal star has been asked to look for another club after Pirlo made it clear that the player is not needed.

Italian side Juventus' new boss Andrea Pirlo is looking to drop six players in the team this summer and one of them is Aaron Ramsey. The former Arsenal star has been asked to look for another club after Pirlo made it clear that the player is not needed. Ramsey joined Juventus last year on a free transfer from Arsenal. His wages of £400,000-a-week could well limit his options on moving to another club, and he will have to take a pay cut if he moves on. Aaron Ramsey, under Maurizio Sarri, made just 11 Serie A starts and he does not fit into Pirlo’s ball-playing style. Other players in the team like Gonzalo Higuain, Sami Khedira, Daniele Rugani, Mattia De Sciglio, and Blaise Matuidi are also not included in Pirlo's squad. Matuidi is on his way to MLS to play for David Beckham's Inter Miami. Last month, the Daily Telegraph reported that Juventus were hoping a swap deal involving Ramsey and Tanguy Ndombele. However, Jose Mourinho though wants to keep the £53.8million man, claiming that he will come good. Aaron Ramsey is even being linked with Manchester United as their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was interested in the Wales star earlier in the summer.

Aaron Ramsey has no place in Andrea Pirlo's Juventus: Reports

Xi Jinping has many dreams. The dreams to make China a superpower. Put the middle kingdom at the centre of global commerce and to take back the breakaway province of Taiwan.

Xi Jinping has another dream to win a football world cup but Chinese football team is a national humiliation and, therefore, Xi Jinping decided to take matters in&nbsp;his own hands.&nbsp;

Here is how the Chinese president is chasing the world cup glory.

Xi hopes to be the world’s most powerful football coach. Even better than the likes of Jose Mourinho or Zinedine Zidane. Xi Jinping is not quitting his day job. But, for quite some time now, the Chinese president has been on a mission. A mission to turn China into a superpower, on the football pitch.

The battle is a personal one. When President Xi was party chief in rural Hebei, he witnessed the trashing of the Chinese side by a British club Watford FC which defeated China’s national team 5-1 in 1983.&nbsp;

Xi hasn’t forgotten the humiliation. So, in 2011, he unveiled the great soccer dream. The Chinese president wants to not just host the football world cup but even lift the trophy one day. With China’s football ambition, the geopolitical power battle is now set to kick off in the stadium too.&nbsp;

With his world cup bid, Xi Jinping will be rubbing shoulders with his good friend Vladimir Putin. Russia had hosted the 2018 world cup with the Russian president attending every game to cheer his side.

The US is an adversary here too. The American women’s national team is the world’s most successful side. China may be able to push its weight around against Russia and the US. But on the football field, China is a non-starter.&nbsp;

The Chinese national side is ranked 76th in the world. It has qualified only once for the world cup, way back in 2002. The talent deficit is quite evident. But the dragon is desperate and is recruiting foreign players into its national side.

In 2019, Nico Yennaris gave up his British passport and moved to Beijing. Yennaris, now known as like, is now a member of the Chinese side.

Others players rejected in the West, are chasing stardom in China now. John Hou Saeter renounced his Norwegian passport to play in China.

Brazil-born strike Elkeson has joined the Chinese team too. Reports say, at least nine foreign footballers have switched their allegiance to be naturalized Chinese citizens. With the recruits, China is targeting world cup qualification once again.

The world is still gripped by the Wuhan virus but football has resumed in China with the national team starting practice. Xi Jinping wants to transform China into a great soccer nation but he must first know the score... Or he'll end up with more embarrassment.

Xi Jinping has many dreams. The dreams to make China a superpower. Put the middle kingdom at the centre of global commerce and to take back the breakaway province of Taiwan.

Xi Jinping has many dreams. The dreams to make China a superpower. Put the middle kingdom at the centre of global commerce and to take back the breakaway province of Taiwan. Xi Jinping has another dream to win a football world cup but Chinese football team is a national humiliation and, therefore, Xi Jinping decided to take matters in his own hands. Here is how the Chinese president is chasing the world cup glory. Xi hopes to be the world’s most powerful football coach. Even better than the likes of Jose Mourinho or Zinedine Zidane. Xi Jinping is not quitting his day job. But, for quite some time now, the Chinese president has been on a mission. A mission to turn China into a superpower, on the football pitch. The battle is a personal one. When President Xi was party chief in rural Hebei, he witnessed the trashing of the Chinese side by a British club Watford FC which defeated China’s national team 5-1 in 1983. Xi hasn’t forgotten the humiliation. So, in 2011, he unveiled the great soccer dream. The Chinese president wants to not just host the football world cup but even lift the trophy one day. With China’s football ambition, the geopolitical power battle is now set to kick off in the stadium too. With his world cup bid, Xi Jinping will be rubbing shoulders with his good friend Vladimir Putin. Russia had hosted the 2018 world cup with the Russian president attending every game to cheer his side. The US is an adversary here too. The American women’s national team is the world’s most successful side. China may be able to push its weight around against Russia and the US. But on the football field, China is a non-starter. The Chinese national side is ranked 76th in the world. It has qualified only once for the world cup, way back in 2002. The talent deficit is quite evident. But the dragon is desperate and is recruiting foreign players into its national side. In 2019, Nico Yennaris gave up his British passport and moved to Beijing. Yennaris, now known as like, is now a member of the Chinese side. Others players rejected in the West, are chasing stardom in China now. John Hou Saeter renounced his Norwegian passport to play in China. Brazil-born strike Elkeson has joined the Chinese team too. Reports say, at least nine foreign footballers have switched their allegiance to be naturalized Chinese citizens. With the recruits, China is targeting world cup qualification once again. The world is still gripped by the Wuhan virus but football has resumed in China with the national team starting practice. Xi Jinping wants to transform China into a great soccer nation but he must first know the score... Or he'll end up with more embarrassment.

Why Xi Jinping's dream to conquer the soccer world will just fall short

Football players can be shown direct red or yellow cards for deliberately coughing at opponents or match referees under new guidelines issues by Engand’s Football Association (FA) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

The instructions to referees taking charge of matches when COVID-19 restrictions are in place will come into force immediately while being applied at all levels of the game.

The FA document for referees stated that action should be taken when "the referee is certain someone deliberately, and from close range, coughed into the face of an opponent or match official..." while adding that the offence would fall under the category of "using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures" under which a player can be booked by the match official.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/infantino-staying-on-as-fifa-blasts-swiss-probe-317798" hreflang="en">Infantino staying on as FIFA blasts Swiss probe</a>

"If the incident was not severe enough to merit a sending-off, a caution could be issued for 'unsporting behaviour - shows a lack of respect for the game'."&nbsp;

The document further said that referees must not book “routine” coughing while reminding players to avoid spitting on the ground – even though it doesn’t fall under an act of misconduct with many players in various top European leagues spotted spitting on the pitch regularly.

The full ruling said: 'Where the referee is certain that someone deliberately, and from close range, coughed into the face of an opponent or match official . . . the referee should take action under the law 12 "using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures".

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-ready-to-resume-at-long-last-317797" hreflang="en">Champions League ready to resume, at long last</a>

'The action of moving the head/mouth towards someone and then coughing would fall within the "spirit" and general definition of a gesture which is "a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning".

'If the incident was not severe enough to merit a sending-off, a caution could be issued for "unsporting behaviour — shows a lack of respect for the game".'&nbsp;

Notably, before the suspension of football due to COVID-19 pandemic, Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa was seen deliberately coughing at media personnel as an apparent prank after the Spanish outfit defeated Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. 
&nbsp;

Football players can be shown direct red or yellow cards for deliberately coughing at opponents or match referees under new guidelines issues by Engand’s Football Association (FA) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Football players can be shown direct red or yellow cards for deliberately coughing at opponents or match referees under new guidelines issues by Engand’s Football Association (FA) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The instructions to referees taking charge of matches when COVID-19 restrictions are in place will come into force immediately while being applied at all levels of the game. The FA document for referees stated that action should be taken when "the referee is certain someone deliberately, and from close range, coughed into the face of an opponent or match official..." while adding that the offence would fall under the category of "using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures" under which a player can be booked by the match official. ALSO READ: Infantino staying on as FIFA blasts Swiss probe "If the incident was not severe enough to merit a sending-off, a caution could be issued for 'unsporting behaviour - shows a lack of respect for the game'." The document further said that referees must not book “routine” coughing while reminding players to avoid spitting on the ground – even though it doesn’t fall under an act of misconduct with many players in various top European leagues spotted spitting on the pitch regularly. The full ruling said: 'Where the referee is certain that someone deliberately, and from close range, coughed into the face of an opponent or match official . . . the referee should take action under the law 12 "using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures". ALSO READ: Champions League ready to resume, at long last 'The action of moving the head/mouth towards someone and then coughing would fall within the "spirit" and general definition of a gesture which is "a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning". 'If the incident was not severe enough to merit a sending-off, a caution could be issued for "unsporting behaviour — shows a lack of respect for the game".' Notably, before the suspension of football due to COVID-19 pandemic, Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa was seen deliberately coughing at media personnel as an apparent prank after the Spanish outfit defeated Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

COVID-19 change in Football: Red cards for deliberate coughing at opponent or referee

World Cup fans will be able to watch an unprecedented four games a day on television, spread out over 11 hours, during the group stage of the Qatar 2022 tournament after the schedule was confirmed on Wednesday.

With the relatively short travel distances for the venues in and around Doha, it could be possible for fans who travel to the 32-team tournament to attend multiple games each day.

The early games will kickoff at 1300 local (1000GMT) with the fourth match starting at 2200 local (1900GMT) and finishing just before midnight.

The tournament's opening game on Nov. 21, will be at the 60,000 capacity Al Bayt Stadium, with its distinctive 'tent' style covering.

The final on Dec. 18 will be held at the 80,000 Lusail Stadium, which, like Al Bayt, will also host a semi-final.

"The World Cup is always a festival of football, a real celebration for the fans who come on-site and watch. In Qatar, with the compact nature, this is going to be amplified even more with 32 teams and 32 sets of supporters all in and around Doha," said FIFA Chief Tournaments and Events Officer, Colin Smith.

FIFA will wait until the draw for the tournament is held in March or April of 2022 before assigning specific games to venues and time-slots. That will enable them to better align games with time zones for domestic television partners of the competing teams.

The tournament was switched from it's usual June-July slot due to the heat in the Gulf state and is the first that will be held in the middle of the European season.

Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the Qatar World Cup organising company, said plans for the tournament were well on schedule with 90% of the work finished on roads and infrastructure.

"When we talk about the stadiums, more than 85% of the work has been completed and really now, the last two years, we're focusing on our operation readiness and making sure we get the fan experience plans in place," he said.

World Cup fans will be able to watch an unprecedented four games a day on television, spread out over 11 hours, during the group stage of the Qatar 2022 tournament after the schedule was confirmed on Wednesday.

World Cup fans will be able to watch an unprecedented four games a day on television, spread out over 11 hours, during the group stage of the Qatar 2022 tournament after the schedule was confirmed on Wednesday. With the relatively short travel distances for the venues in and around Doha, it could be possible for fans who travel to the 32-team tournament to attend multiple games each day. The early games will kickoff at 1300 local (1000GMT) with the fourth match starting at 2200 local (1900GMT) and finishing just before midnight. The tournament's opening game on Nov. 21, will be at the 60,000 capacity Al Bayt Stadium, with its distinctive 'tent' style covering. The final on Dec. 18 will be held at the 80,000 Lusail Stadium, which, like Al Bayt, will also host a semi-final. "The World Cup is always a festival of football, a real celebration for the fans who come on-site and watch. In Qatar, with the compact nature, this is going to be amplified even more with 32 teams and 32 sets of supporters all in and around Doha," said FIFA Chief Tournaments and Events Officer, Colin Smith. FIFA will wait until the draw for the tournament is held in March or April of 2022 before assigning specific games to venues and time-slots. That will enable them to better align games with time zones for domestic television partners of the competing teams. The tournament was switched from it's usual June-July slot due to the heat in the Gulf state and is the first that will be held in the middle of the European season. Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the Qatar World Cup organising company, said plans for the tournament were well on schedule with 90% of the work finished on roads and infrastructure. "When we talk about the stadiums, more than 85% of the work has been completed and really now, the last two years, we're focusing on our operation readiness and making sure we get the fan experience plans in place," he said.

Four games a day confirmed for 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of the rest of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/premier-league">Premier League</a> champions’ campaign after the midfielder sustained a knee injury in their midweek win at Brighton &amp; Hove Albion, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday.

Klopp was forced to withdraw Henderson 10 minutes from fulltime in the 3-1 win after a collision with Yves Bissouma but the German said the 30-year-old does not require surgery.

“It is the best possible of the bad news. He does not need surgery,” Klopp told reporters in a virtual news conference. “He will not play again this season. I’m pretty positive he will be with us for the new season, he is a quick healer.

“We all felt for him, awful moment. We knew immediately. Hendo is an animal he fights for everything. He deals well with pain but in this moment, he knew something had happened. It was a complete mood killer.

“The boys were happy with the result but then the boys realised Hendo was hurt. No surgery needed is the good news. He will lift the trophy, he deserves to lift the trophy.”

Liverpool, who are on 92 points with four games remaining, are on course to break Manchester City’s record haul of 100 points and face Burnley on Saturday.

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is in the running for the Golden Boot for the league’s top scorer again after winning the award last season, but the Egyptian is three goals behind Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy who has 22.

Klopp hailed Salah’s heroics after he was involved in all three goals at Brighton but dismissed talk of Liverpool’s players deliberately passing the ball for him to score and catch up with Vardy.

“I saw the replays back and Bobby (Roberto Firmino) was not in the best position for the shot and Mo was in a better place,” Klopp said. “I don’t think he did it for the Golden Boot. You cannot have that mindset, we all help.

“They all want to score goals, Bobby wants to score goals. That’s the mindset that we need.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of the rest of the Premier League champions’ campaign after the midfielder sustained a knee injury in their midweek win at Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of the rest of the Premier League champions’ campaign after the midfielder sustained a knee injury in their midweek win at Brighton & Hove Albion, manager Juergen Klopp said on Friday. Klopp was forced to withdraw Henderson 10 minutes from fulltime in the 3-1 win after a collision with Yves Bissouma but the German said the 30-year-old does not require surgery. “It is the best possible of the bad news. He does not need surgery,” Klopp told reporters in a virtual news conference. “He will not play again this season. I’m pretty positive he will be with us for the new season, he is a quick healer. “We all felt for him, awful moment. We knew immediately. Hendo is an animal he fights for everything. He deals well with pain but in this moment, he knew something had happened. It was a complete mood killer. “The boys were happy with the result but then the boys realised Hendo was hurt. No surgery needed is the good news. He will lift the trophy, he deserves to lift the trophy.” Liverpool, who are on 92 points with four games remaining, are on course to break Manchester City’s record haul of 100 points and face Burnley on Saturday. Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is in the running for the Golden Boot for the league’s top scorer again after winning the award last season, but the Egyptian is three goals behind Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy who has 22. Klopp hailed Salah’s heroics after he was involved in all three goals at Brighton but dismissed talk of Liverpool’s players deliberately passing the ball for him to score and catch up with Vardy. “I saw the replays back and Bobby (Roberto Firmino) was not in the best position for the shot and Mo was in a better place,” Klopp said. “I don’t think he did it for the Golden Boot. You cannot have that mindset, we all help. “They all want to score goals, Bobby wants to score goals. That’s the mindset that we need.”

Liverpool skipper Henderson ruled out for season, says Klopp

Lazio defender Patric has been handed a four-match ban for biting Lecce's Giulio Donati during a match in Serie A on Tuesday. Lazio was beaten by Lecce 2-1.&nbsp;

Patric bit Donati's arm reminding everyone of Suarez's time when he used to bite his opponent during crucial matches.&nbsp;

The incident was spotted by the VAR and the Spaniard was quickly shown a red card. Patric left the ground with no protest. The 27-year-old has been fined 10,000 euros.&nbsp;

Donit said that Patric apologised soon after the match ended and the bite did not harm him.&nbsp;

"He did nothing to me and apologised straight after, so bear that in mind," he told ANSA after the game.

"I also live with emotions so I understand Patric why, in such a hard-fought game, did what he did.

"Patric apologised straight after. His gesture was rightfully punished with a red, but it didn't do me any harm.

"Therefore, I'd ask people to think long and hard before judging him."

With Lazio's defeat, the gap between them and Juventus has increased to 10 points.&nbsp;

Lazio defender Patric has been handed a four-match ban for biting Lecce's Giulio Donati during a match in Serie A on Tuesday. Lazio was beaten by Lecce 2-1. Patric bit Donati's arm reminding everyone of Suarez's time when he used to bite his opponent during crucial matches.

Lazio defender Patric has been handed a four-match ban for biting Lecce's Giulio Donati during a match in Serie A on Tuesday. Lazio was beaten by Lecce 2-1. Patric bit Donati's arm reminding everyone of Suarez's time when he used to bite his opponent during crucial matches. The incident was spotted by the VAR and the Spaniard was quickly shown a red card. Patric left the ground with no protest. The 27-year-old has been fined 10,000 euros. Donit said that Patric apologised soon after the match ended and the bite did not harm him. "He did nothing to me and apologised straight after, so bear that in mind," he told ANSA after the game. "I also live with emotions so I understand Patric why, in such a hard-fought game, did what he did. "Patric apologised straight after. His gesture was rightfully punished with a red, but it didn't do me any harm. "Therefore, I'd ask people to think long and hard before judging him." With Lazio's defeat, the gap between them and Juventus has increased to 10 points.

Serie A: Lazio's Patric given four-match ban for biting Lecce's Donati

Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a goalless draw as the Premier League made a poignant re-start after the COVID-19 lockdown on Wednesday with strong statements against racism and an embarrassing failure of goalline technology.

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In the first game back after a 100-day hiatus, visitors United were denied a legitimate goal at Villa Park when the ball crossed the line, but was not awarded, leading to an apology from Hawk-Eye, who provide the goalline technology system.

It was a let-off for Villa, who remained second-bottom in the table with 26 points, while Champions League-chasing Sheffield United moved sixth, a point behind Manchester United above them with nine games of the season remaining.

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The match had begun with a strong statement of support for the worldwide protests against racism as the players and match officials all took a knee on the opening whistle.

All the players' names on the back of their shirts were replaced with the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ as the Premier League joined the international protest campaign sparked by the death of George Floyd in America.

There was also a moment's silence before kickoff in memory of those who died in the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, which included the father of Villa manager Dean Smith.

The game's major talking point arrived just before halftime when off-balance Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland caught a curling free kick but was bundled back over the line by team mate Keinan Davis in a clumsy defensive mix-up.

Referee Michael Oliver, pointing to his watch, looked to indicate that goalline technology had not verified the ball had crossed the line, despite what appeared to be clear evidence on TV replays.

There was also no intervention from the Video Assistant Referee.

Hawk-Eye issued a statement after the game saying the seven cameras in the stands around the goal area were obstructed by the keeper, defender and goalpost.

“This level of occlusion has never been seen before in over 9,000 matches that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation,” the company said, re-igniting the debate over technology in football.

The visitors will feel hard done by but also had goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank for securing a share of the points in a lively affair on a rainy evening, where both sides showed a lack of match practice.

He made key saves in the second half, first to deny Davis and then push away a rasping shot from John McGinn on the hour mark as Villa, who lost 4-0 at Leicester City in their last game before the league was suspended on March 9, made six changes to their starting lineup.

Yet sloppy defending, a characteristic of Villa's play this season, almost came back to haunt them when a poor pass was intercepted only for John Lundstram’s 70th-minute effort to be blocked.

Neither side took advantage of the new rule allowing five substitutes, but Villa used four in another first for a league game in England.

The game was also stripped of its usual pre-match routine as both sides attempted to keep their distance amid strict health protocols, taking to the field separately and not shaking hands before kickoff.

Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a goalless draw as the Premier League made a poignant re-start after the COVID-19 lockdown on Wednesday with strong statements against racism and an embarrassing failure of goalline technology.

Aston Villa and Sheffield United played out a goalless draw as the Premier League made a poignant re-start after the COVID-19 lockdown on Wednesday with strong statements against racism and an embarrassing failure of goalline technology. Also read: Manchester City outclass Arsenal; Raheem Sterling coins on David Luiz's mistakes In the first game back after a 100-day hiatus, visitors United were denied a legitimate goal at Villa Park when the ball crossed the line, but was not awarded, leading to an apology from Hawk-Eye, who provide the goalline technology system. It was a let-off for Villa, who remained second-bottom in the table with 26 points, while Champions League-chasing Sheffield United moved sixth, a point behind Manchester United above them with nine games of the season remaining. Also read: Black Lives Matter: English Premier League players take knee in solidarity The match had begun with a strong statement of support for the worldwide protests against racism as the players and match officials all took a knee on the opening whistle. All the players' names on the back of their shirts were replaced with the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ as the Premier League joined the international protest campaign sparked by the death of George Floyd in America. There was also a moment's silence before kickoff in memory of those who died in the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, which included the father of Villa manager Dean Smith. The game's major talking point arrived just before halftime when off-balance Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland caught a curling free kick but was bundled back over the line by team mate Keinan Davis in a clumsy defensive mix-up. Referee Michael Oliver, pointing to his watch, looked to indicate that goalline technology had not verified the ball had crossed the line, despite what appeared to be clear evidence on TV replays. There was also no intervention from the Video Assistant Referee. Hawk-Eye issued a statement after the game saying the seven cameras in the stands around the goal area were obstructed by the keeper, defender and goalpost. “This level of occlusion has never been seen before in over 9,000 matches that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation,” the company said, re-igniting the debate over technology in football. The visitors will feel hard done by but also had goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank for securing a share of the points in a lively affair on a rainy evening, where both sides showed a lack of match practice. He made key saves in the second half, first to deny Davis and then push away a rasping shot from John McGinn on the hour mark as Villa, who lost 4-0 at Leicester City in their last game before the league was suspended on March 9, made six changes to their starting lineup. Yet sloppy defending, a characteristic of Villa's play this season, almost came back to haunt them when a poor pass was intercepted only for John Lundstram’s 70th-minute effort to be blocked. Neither side took advantage of the new rule allowing five substitutes, but Villa used four in another first for a league game in England. The game was also stripped of its usual pre-match routine as both sides attempted to keep their distance amid strict health protocols, taking to the field separately and not shaking hands before kickoff.

Sheffield United denied by tech error in 0-0 draw with Aston Villa

Footballers and teams take a knee during the match support anti-racism campaign!

Bayern Munich has won its eighth successive Bundesliga title after winning against Werder Bremen after the winning goal was scored by Robert Lewandowski.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-will-the-bundesliga-champions-celebrate-the-title-in-times-of-coronavirus-306254" hreflang="en">How will the Bundesliga champions celebrate the title in times of coronavirus?</a>

This is Bayern's 11th consecutive win in the league and has put them 10 points clear of Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund has three games left.&nbsp;

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🏆 2020 
🏆 2019 
🏆 2018 
🏆 2017 
🏆 2016 
🏆 2015 
🏆 2014 
🏆 2013 
 
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 🎉<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MEI8TER?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MEI8TER</a> <a href="https://t.co/boERc9HOia">pic.twitter.com/boERc9HOia</a>
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/1272989949479002112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In the match against Werder Bremen, Bayern was reduced to 10 men after Alphonso Davies was sent off for two yellow-card offences.

Bayern's striker Lewandowski has equalled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's scoring record in a single-season by a foreign player in the league. Lewandowski scored 31 goals this season and Aubameyang, who currently plays for Arsenal, scored 31 goals in Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund in 2016-17.&nbsp;

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Bundesliga Champions 2020! Despite the difficult conditions in the last weeks we can celebrate the eighth German Championship in a row. Congrats to the team and all members of <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBayern</a>! These times show the great cohesion of this club and I'm proud of being a part of it 🏆🔴⚪ <a href="https://t.co/kRO4xX7rQ3">pic.twitter.com/kRO4xX7rQ3</a>
— Oliver Kahn (@OliverKahn) <a href="https://twitter.com/OliverKahn/status/1273021237707649026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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This year's celebrations were toned down due to coronavirus pandemic after the full time whistle the players' delighted shouts echoed in the empty stadiums. Their manager Hansi Flick, who is also a four-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern as a player, said: "It is sensational the kind of football we have played in the past few months."

"You could feel the passion, the joy for the game and the team spirit."

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🎵CHAMPIOOOOOOONES, CHAMPIOOOOOOONES!🎵🏆🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MEI8TER?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MEI8TER</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MiaSanMia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MiaSanMia</a> <a href="https://t.co/gZ5KnwRhFL">pic.twitter.com/gZ5KnwRhFL</a>
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/1273023088758788097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The German giants have progressed to the final of the German Cup and will face Bayer Leverkusen on July 4 in Berlin. Their Champions League campaign is yet to resume. They will be facing Chelsea for the second leg of the round of 16 ties. In the first leg, Bayern beat Chelsea 3-0.

"We have now taken the first step and reached our big goal," added Flick.

"But we also have the cup in our sights and then obviously the Champions League games are something you cannot plan for and we still need to survive the Chelsea game."

Few records were equalled after Bayern secured their eighth Bundesliga title. David Alaba and Thomas Muller have equalled Frack Ribery's record by winning their ninth league title.&nbsp;

Hansi Flick has become the third person to win the Bundesliga title for Bayern both as a player and a manager, after Franz Beckenbauer and Niko Kovac.

Bayern Munich has won its eighth successive Bundesliga title after winning against Werder Bremen after the winning goal was scored by Robert Lewandowski. Also read: How will the Bundesliga champions celebrate the title in times of coronavirus?

Bayern Munich has won its eighth successive Bundesliga title after winning against Werder Bremen after the winning goal was scored by Robert Lewandowski. Also read: How will the Bundesliga champions celebrate the title in times of coronavirus? This is Bayern's 11th consecutive win in the league and has put them 10 points clear of Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund has three games left. 🏆 2020 🏆 2019 🏆 2018 🏆 2017 🏆 2016 🏆 2015 🏆 2014 🏆 2013 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 🎉#MEI8TER pic.twitter.com/boERc9HOia — FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) June 16, 2020 × In the match against Werder Bremen, Bayern was reduced to 10 men after Alphonso Davies was sent off for two yellow-card offences. Bayern's striker Lewandowski has equalled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's scoring record in a single-season by a foreign player in the league. Lewandowski scored 31 goals this season and Aubameyang, who currently plays for Arsenal, scored 31 goals in Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund in 2016-17. Bundesliga Champions 2020! Despite the difficult conditions in the last weeks we can celebrate the eighth German Championship in a row. Congrats to the team and all members of @FCBayern! These times show the great cohesion of this club and I'm proud of being a part of it 🏆🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/kRO4xX7rQ3 — Oliver Kahn (@OliverKahn) June 16, 2020 × This year's celebrations were toned down due to coronavirus pandemic after the full time whistle the players' delighted shouts echoed in the empty stadiums. Their manager Hansi Flick, who is also a four-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern as a player, said: "It is sensational the kind of football we have played in the past few months." "You could feel the passion, the joy for the game and the team spirit." 🎵CHAMPIOOOOOOONES, CHAMPIOOOOOOONES!🎵🏆🔴⚪️#MEI8TER #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/gZ5KnwRhFL — FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) June 16, 2020 × The German giants have progressed to the final of the German Cup and will face Bayer Leverkusen on July 4 in Berlin. Their Champions League campaign is yet to resume. They will be facing Chelsea for the second leg of the round of 16 ties. In the first leg, Bayern beat Chelsea 3-0. "We have now taken the first step and reached our big goal," added Flick. "But we also have the cup in our sights and then obviously the Champions League games are something you cannot plan for and we still need to survive the Chelsea game." Few records were equalled after Bayern secured their eighth Bundesliga title. David Alaba and Thomas Muller have equalled Frack Ribery's record by winning their ninth league title. Hansi Flick has become the third person to win the Bundesliga title for Bayern both as a player and a manager, after Franz Beckenbauer and Niko Kovac.

Bayern Munich win eighth successive Bundesliga title; celebrations toned down due to COVID-19

Premier League football returns on Wednesday after a three-month coronavirus-enforced absence.

Nothing realistically will stop Liverpool from being crowned English champions for the first time in 30 years.

But there are a whole host of other issues to sort out, including relegation and next year's European places, with the drama set to take place in empty, echoing stadiums.

AFP Sport takes a look at what still needs to be resolved.

<h2>When will Liverpool be champions?</h2>

Liverpool were 25 points clear of Manchester City and within touching distance of becoming English champions for the first time since 1990 when the league was suspended in March.

But while COVID-19 may have delayed their title party, nobody seriously believes it is not going to happen.&nbsp;

Two more wins would make it mathematically impossible for City to catch Liverpool, but the Reds could triumph by winning their first game, at Merseyside neighbours Everton on Sunday, if City lose at home to Arsenal on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp's men can also break two of City's most cherished records -- they need 19 points from the remaining 27 to beat the Manchester club's&nbsp;total of 100 points from the 2017/18 season and they could also better City's record title-winning margin of 19 points from the same campaign.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the Champions League trophy in a packed stadium in Madrid last June but is preparing for a different experience with the Premier League silverware being presented behind closed doors this year.

"Of course it would feel different because if you win any trophy and receive it without any fans there, it would be pretty strange," he told the BBC.

<h2>Champions League battle</h2>

Intriguingly, the battle for top-four spots could be extended to include fifth place.

Liverpool are assured of their place in the Champions League and the other qualifying berths are currently occupied by Manchester City, Leicester and Chelsea.

But as things stand, City cannot compete in Europe's top club competition for the next two seasons after being banned for financial fair play breaches.

Pep Guardiola's side have appealed, however, and could still hold onto their Champions League place next season if the suspension is overturned.

If it is upheld, whoever finishes fifth will take their place in next season's Champions League.&nbsp;

Manchester United currently occupy that position, but Wolves and Sheffield United are both just two points behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

Eighth-placed Tottenham and Arsenal, one spot lower, will also fancy their chances of finishing fifth with a late charge.

<h2>Battle to avoid the drop</h2>

Norwich, Aston Villa and Bournemouth occupy the bottom three places in the Premier League but all will harbour hopes they can escape the drop.

Norwich are rock-bottom and six points from safety but a win at home to Leicester in late February gave them hope.

Villa had lost four straight games before the shutdown so the break could end up helping Dean Smith's team, who have a game in hand over their rivals, while Eddie Howe will be desperate for Bournemouth to find some form after a run of seven defeats in 10 games.

Above the current bottom three, Watford are still in trouble despite their impressive initial revival under Nigel Pearson, while West Ham and Brighton are far from safe.

<h2>Fit to play</h2>

A clutch of top players will be raring to go after lengthy spells on the sidelines.

England striker Harry Kane is hungry for a return and Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min will also be able to feature after recovering from a broken arm.

Manchester United pair Paul Pogba, with just eight appearances this season, and Marcus Rashford, out of action since January with a back injury, should also feature.

Premier League football returns on Wednesday after a three-month coronavirus-enforced absence. Nothing realistically will stop Liverpool from being crowned English champions for the first time in 30 years.

Premier League football returns on Wednesday after a three-month coronavirus-enforced absence. Nothing realistically will stop Liverpool from being crowned English champions for the first time in 30 years. But there are a whole host of other issues to sort out, including relegation and next year's European places, with the drama set to take place in empty, echoing stadiums. AFP Sport takes a look at what still needs to be resolved. When will Liverpool be champions? Liverpool were 25 points clear of Manchester City and within touching distance of becoming English champions for the first time since 1990 when the league was suspended in March. But while COVID-19 may have delayed their title party, nobody seriously believes it is not going to happen. Two more wins would make it mathematically impossible for City to catch Liverpool, but the Reds could triumph by winning their first game, at Merseyside neighbours Everton on Sunday, if City lose at home to Arsenal on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp's men can also break two of City's most cherished records -- they need 19 points from the remaining 27 to beat the Manchester club's total of 100 points from the 2017/18 season and they could also better City's record title-winning margin of 19 points from the same campaign. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the Champions League trophy in a packed stadium in Madrid last June but is preparing for a different experience with the Premier League silverware being presented behind closed doors this year. "Of course it would feel different because if you win any trophy and receive it without any fans there, it would be pretty strange," he told the BBC. Champions League battle Intriguingly, the battle for top-four spots could be extended to include fifth place. Liverpool are assured of their place in the Champions League and the other qualifying berths are currently occupied by Manchester City, Leicester and Chelsea. But as things stand, City cannot compete in Europe's top club competition for the next two seasons after being banned for financial fair play breaches. Pep Guardiola's side have appealed, however, and could still hold onto their Champions League place next season if the suspension is overturned. If it is upheld, whoever finishes fifth will take their place in next season's Champions League. Manchester United currently occupy that position, but Wolves and Sheffield United are both just two points behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team. Eighth-placed Tottenham and Arsenal, one spot lower, will also fancy their chances of finishing fifth with a late charge. Battle to avoid the drop Norwich, Aston Villa and Bournemouth occupy the bottom three places in the Premier League but all will harbour hopes they can escape the drop. Norwich are rock-bottom and six points from safety but a win at home to Leicester in late February gave them hope. Villa had lost four straight games before the shutdown so the break could end up helping Dean Smith's team, who have a game in hand over their rivals, while Eddie Howe will be desperate for Bournemouth to find some form after a run of seven defeats in 10 games. Above the current bottom three, Watford are still in trouble despite their impressive initial revival under Nigel Pearson, while West Ham and Brighton are far from safe. Fit to play A clutch of top players will be raring to go after lengthy spells on the sidelines. England striker Harry Kane is hungry for a return and Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min will also be able to feature after recovering from a broken arm. Manchester United pair Paul Pogba, with just eight appearances this season, and Marcus Rashford, out of action since January with a back injury, should also feature.

Premier League return: the issues to resolve

Turkey's sports minister on Thursday said that he was "confident" that the Champions League finals will still be held in Istanbul despite coronavirus pandemic. UEFA could decide during an Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held on June 17.

Turkey's sports minister on Thursday said that he was "confident" that the Champions League finals will still be held in Istanbul despite coronavirus pandemic. UEFA could decide during an Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held on June 17. Several names of the cities like Lisbon and Frankfurt are making rounds in the media whereas Madrid's Mayor has talked about his city being a possible candidate for hosting the gala night. But the Turkish Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu is assured Turkish football fans, he said: "I have no doubt it will take place in the best way in Turkey. We're confident that we will receive good news on June 17." "We are following this closely, it's a very important matter," he insisted during an interview with TRT Sports channel. The Champions League final was set to be held on May 30 in Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, 15 years after hosting Liverpool and AC Milan. According to Turkish officials and fans, the country is successful in fighting the pandemic and should be the right place to host the game. Turkey has officially recorded around 173,000 cases of the virus and 4,746 deaths. (Inputs from AFP)

Turkey 'confident' that Istanbul will host the Champions League finals despite coronavirus situation

Who would have thought an empty Signal Iduna Park hosting the fiercest derby in German football history – Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich, Der Klassiker? Who would have thought the giant yellow flags and the iconic yellow wall will get replaced by glaring empty seats? Who would have thought that miles away in countries like South Korea and Belarus, fans will get replaced by mannequins and human-shaped board cuttings? But that is what experts and authorities call the "new norm”. COVID-19 has made a lasting impact and the world of sports has been one of the unfortunate victims of the dreaded virus.

Financial ramifications and the hit sporting bodies have already taken with tournaments, events, series getting cancelled/postponed is simply scary numbers and can put the world of sports down to its knees. But following the common rule of any sport – “Never Give Up” – sports are kicking back to life but with a different taste for fans and followers of competitive action.

Empty stadiums, substitutes sitting 6-7 feet apart, support staff, camera crew wearing masks and gloves, enough to give a feel that the world is going through an unprecedented survival crisis. But football comes as a sigh of relief that there is light at the end of the tunnel, the joyous feeling that life is coming back to normalcy.

Eerie echo

Yes, the booming noise of the ball being passed, players communicating or managers barking instructions seems a bit offbeat but that is what is the new norm. With the return of Premier League, La Liga and Serie A – top European action would be back to life, although it feels like sport is inside a ventilator – fighting for its survival. 
 
<img alt="Coronavirus impact on sports" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a3c5bbd-a836-47af-bca2-d24600ae6df8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Denmark%20%281%29.jpg" />

Fans would be glued to their television sets watching their favourite superstars back in action but the atmosphere created by those who flock into stadiums will be missing for the foreseeable future. It is indeed a strange feeling to see players, who are involved in a heavy contact sport like football, aren’t allowed to shake hands or give high-five after scoring a goal, and what is even more ridiculous is to see players, who will be breathing down the other players' neck in a while, are sitting feets apart wearing masks and gloves on substitute benches, despite being tested constantly. But that is what the new norm is.

Where's the saliva?

Whereas in cricket, fans of the domestic arena are accustomed to watching matches in almost empty stadiums. But the empty seats, noise of clapping and almost zero atmospheres could irk modern cricket fans. Could you imagine the ICC World Cup 2019 final between England and New Zealand behind closed doors? However, there is still hope that the stump mic could make things interesting in Test cricket. But with strict protocols like saliva ban coming into play, which could potentially disrupt the balance between the willow and ball, Test cricket could very well end up battling for its survival, again. An artificial wax, there’s no word on that. A new norm? Yes, for a while at least.

Video-conference?

Denmark’s footballing world witnessed something interesting as 10,000 fans joined in via Zoom app watch party and watched live football. Players, as usual, felt motivated by seeing their supporters watching them. This is something Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore talked about during a podcast. Fans joining via video-conferencing apps with digital screens in place of stands? Surely, feels like a Hollywood movie. Imagine, watching MS Dhoni ‘finishing off in style’ through video-conferencing!

The resumption of major European football leagues has already given us a glimpse of how the future looks like. More stadiums would open, employments will resume, leagues will feed themselves with sponsorship and broadcast rights, it will work as an economical boost but can it fill the void left by fans? Well, until a vaccine is developed, this is the new norm. Fans, players, everyone would have to get used to it, no matter what. However strange it may seem, Liverpool after waiting for 30 long years for a Premier League title won’t be able to celebrate it 'together'. Even the players won’t be allowed to go overboard as they are role models to millions. A huge shame? No, as the situation demands it to be like it. New norm? Yes. 
 
<img alt="Sports" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ccc1fb42-b76b-4bdb-98d3-f3b4af4503bf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/sports_2.jpg" />

But then there are talks going about allowing a limited crowd into the stadiums in countries where the situation is better compared to others. Whatever the future throws into the way, fans, players and everyone associated with it will have to bring another crucial aspect of the sporting world – adaptability.

But one thing is definite, human life has always fought back whenever a crisis has struck, and it continues to do so. And sports, it has time and again taught one of the crucial aspects of life – the will to fight back from the toughest of setbacks, and it will continue to do so. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Who would have thought an empty Signal Iduna Park hosting the fiercest derby in German football history – Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich, Der Klassiker? Who would have thought the giant yellow flags and the iconic yellow wall will get replaced by glaring empty seats?

Who would have thought an empty Signal Iduna Park hosting the fiercest derby in German football history – Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich, Der Klassiker? Who would have thought the giant yellow flags and the iconic yellow wall will get replaced by glaring empty seats? Who would have thought that miles away in countries like South Korea and Belarus, fans will get replaced by mannequins and human-shaped board cuttings? But that is what experts and authorities call the "new norm”. COVID-19 has made a lasting impact and the world of sports has been one of the unfortunate victims of the dreaded virus. Financial ramifications and the hit sporting bodies have already taken with tournaments, events, series getting cancelled/postponed is simply scary numbers and can put the world of sports down to its knees. But following the common rule of any sport – “Never Give Up” – sports are kicking back to life but with a different taste for fans and followers of competitive action. Empty stadiums, substitutes sitting 6-7 feet apart, support staff, camera crew wearing masks and gloves, enough to give a feel that the world is going through an unprecedented survival crisis. But football comes as a sigh of relief that there is light at the end of the tunnel, the joyous feeling that life is coming back to normalcy. Eerie echo Yes, the booming noise of the ball being passed, players communicating or managers barking instructions seems a bit offbeat but that is what is the new norm. With the return of Premier League, La Liga and Serie A – top European action would be back to life, although it feels like sport is inside a ventilator – fighting for its survival. Fans would be glued to their television sets watching their favourite superstars back in action but the atmosphere created by those who flock into stadiums will be missing for the foreseeable future. It is indeed a strange feeling to see players, who are involved in a heavy contact sport like football, aren’t allowed to shake hands or give high-five after scoring a goal, and what is even more ridiculous is to see players, who will be breathing down the other players' neck in a while, are sitting feets apart wearing masks and gloves on substitute benches, despite being tested constantly. But that is what the new norm is. Where's the saliva? Whereas in cricket, fans of the domestic arena are accustomed to watching matches in almost empty stadiums. But the empty seats, noise of clapping and almost zero atmospheres could irk modern cricket fans. Could you imagine the ICC World Cup 2019 final between England and New Zealand behind closed doors? However, there is still hope that the stump mic could make things interesting in Test cricket. But with strict protocols like saliva ban coming into play, which could potentially disrupt the balance between the willow and ball, Test cricket could very well end up battling for its survival, again. An artificial wax, there’s no word on that. A new norm? Yes, for a while at least. Video-conference? Denmark’s footballing world witnessed something interesting as 10,000 fans joined in via Zoom app watch party and watched live football. Players, as usual, felt motivated by seeing their supporters watching them. This is something Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore talked about during a podcast. Fans joining via video-conferencing apps with digital screens in place of stands? Surely, feels like a Hollywood movie. Imagine, watching MS Dhoni ‘finishing off in style’ through video-conferencing! The resumption of major European football leagues has already given us a glimpse of how the future looks like. More stadiums would open, employments will resume, leagues will feed themselves with sponsorship and broadcast rights, it will work as an economical boost but can it fill the void left by fans? Well, until a vaccine is developed, this is the new norm. Fans, players, everyone would have to get used to it, no matter what. However strange it may seem, Liverpool after waiting for 30 long years for a Premier League title won’t be able to celebrate it 'together'. Even the players won’t be allowed to go overboard as they are role models to millions. A huge shame? No, as the situation demands it to be like it. New norm? Yes. But then there are talks going about allowing a limited crowd into the stadiums in countries where the situation is better compared to others. Whatever the future throws into the way, fans, players and everyone associated with it will have to bring another crucial aspect of the sporting world – adaptability. But one thing is definite, human life has always fought back whenever a crisis has struck, and it continues to do so. And sports, it has time and again taught one of the crucial aspects of life – the will to fight back from the toughest of setbacks, and it will continue to do so. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Coronavirus impact: Sports, fans and the 'new norm'

Barcelona and Argentina skipper Lionel Messi said that he is looking forward to playing in La Liga again, but the playing behind closed doors is "weird". Also read: Bayern's Mueller turns on charm in English as Bundesliga woos world Lionel Messi had resumed training with Barcelona after weeks of coronavirus lockdown in Spain that forced him to stay at home.

Barcelona and Argentina skipper Lionel Messi said that he is looking forward to playing in La Liga again, but the playing behind closed doors is "weird". Also read: Bayern's Mueller turns on charm in English as Bundesliga woos world Lionel Messi had resumed training with Barcelona after weeks of coronavirus lockdown in Spain that forced him to stay at home. La Liga is set to resume on June 12. Also read: Lifting Premier League trophy in empty stadium would be 'strange', says Henderson "We cannot think about what we are leaving behind this year. It is better to think about the future," said Messi on the website of sports brand Adidas. Football isn't ready. pic.twitter.com/4nmNnqJErr — FC Barcelona (from 🏠) (@FCBarcelona) May 26, 2020 × "Like going back to day-to-day training, seeing your teammates, playing your first few games. No doubt it will be strange at first, but I am looking forward to competing again! He said playing behind closed doors with no one to cheer "implies a series of challenges. The preparation at squad level is the same as for any other match, but it is true that individually you have to train and get mentally prepared to play without people because it is very weird." "It will be like starting over," he said. "Technically it will be the same season, but I think all teams and players will experience it differently." The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was ready to lead Argentina in this year's Copa America that is hosted by Colombia, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the competition was postponed in march and now will take place in June and July next year. "Postponing the Copa America was a huge disappointment, but of course it was reasonable and most logical," Messi said. "The Copa was going to be a big event for me this year and I was looking forward to playing in it again," he said. "It was hard when I heard about the postponement, but I understood it perfectly," he said. (Inputs from an agency)

Lionel Messi awaits La Liga but also concerned about playing without fans

As the sporting events across the globe are set to resume, they will be conducting matches without fans on the stand as a measure to contain coronavirus pandemic. But the Indian football captain Sunil Chettri has shown a big concern over playing matches behind closed doors as it could bring out "ugly and dirty" side of the players.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/stay-woke-lebron-james-expresses-his-sorrow-after-minneapolis-incident-301546" hreflang="en">'Stay Woke', LeBron James expresses his sorrow after Minneapolis incident</a>

The captain of Bengaluru FC of the Indian Super League (ISL) has not begun training with his team and was doubtful about the play. But after noticing the play in Bundesliga and K-League in South Korea, Chhetri asked the federation to take tips from them by conducting regular checks and practising social distancing.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-four-more-players-test-positive-for-coronavirus-301526" hreflang="en">Premier League: Four more players test positive for coronavirus</a>

During a live web seminar conducted by NGO Yuva, which included Rahul Dravid, PV Sindhu, Anjum Mougdil and Zaheer Khan, Chhetri said: "The Korean League and Bundesliga are checking every player every single day before he trains. When they go to the match, they have already been tested that they have no virus. But you never know because some can be asymptomatic. That's why, for the second layer of protection, they are saying don't hug each other, don't spit and stuff like that."

"But I think the first stage is training only. Matches are only once a week, but you train every day. It's going to be 30 players minimum, 12 coaches, a ball boy and a kit man. Everybody is going back home, and you don't know who they are meeting. You don't know who they are mixing with. But then again, you have to start."

While mentioning about the issues of playing behind the closed doors, Chettri said that some players like to play aggressive and abuse during the game, so it could be a huge problem for the players as their "vocabulary" will get exposed.

He said: "These superstars [Sindhu and Moudgil] play a game very nicely and they are very well-behaved, they don't abuse."&nbsp;

"So if there are no fans, people will get to know our vocabulary of abuses. We utter nonsense, but we are allowed to say anything, except to the referee. We are dirty, we are ugly. If the fans are there, they are loud, and it [the abuse] all gets subdued. But if they're not there, my god! (sigh)."

As the sporting events across the globe are set to resume, they will be conducting matches without fans on the stand as a measure to contain coronavirus pandemic.

As the sporting events across the globe are set to resume, they will be conducting matches without fans on the stand as a measure to contain coronavirus pandemic. But the Indian football captain Sunil Chettri has shown a big concern over playing matches behind closed doors as it could bring out "ugly and dirty" side of the players. Also read: 'Stay Woke', LeBron James expresses his sorrow after Minneapolis incident The captain of Bengaluru FC of the Indian Super League (ISL) has not begun training with his team and was doubtful about the play. But after noticing the play in Bundesliga and K-League in South Korea, Chhetri asked the federation to take tips from them by conducting regular checks and practising social distancing. Also read: Premier League: Four more players test positive for coronavirus During a live web seminar conducted by NGO Yuva, which included Rahul Dravid, PV Sindhu, Anjum Mougdil and Zaheer Khan, Chhetri said: "The Korean League and Bundesliga are checking every player every single day before he trains. When they go to the match, they have already been tested that they have no virus. But you never know because some can be asymptomatic. That's why, for the second layer of protection, they are saying don't hug each other, don't spit and stuff like that." "But I think the first stage is training only. Matches are only once a week, but you train every day. It's going to be 30 players minimum, 12 coaches, a ball boy and a kit man. Everybody is going back home, and you don't know who they are meeting. You don't know who they are mixing with. But then again, you have to start." While mentioning about the issues of playing behind the closed doors, Chettri said that some players like to play aggressive and abuse during the game, so it could be a huge problem for the players as their "vocabulary" will get exposed. He said: "These superstars [Sindhu and Moudgil] play a game very nicely and they are very well-behaved, they don't abuse." "So if there are no fans, people will get to know our vocabulary of abuses. We utter nonsense, but we are allowed to say anything, except to the referee. We are dirty, we are ugly. If the fans are there, they are loud, and it [the abuse] all gets subdued. But if they're not there, my god! (sigh)."

Playing behind closed doors will expose players' ugly and dirty side: Sunil Chhetri

Collated German Bundesliga results on Sunday:

Schalke 0 Augsburg 3 (Loewen 5, Bazee 76, Cordova 90+1)

Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11, 48, 75, Poulsen 23, Sabitzer 36)

Cologne 2 (Modeste 88, Cordoba 90) Fortuna Duesseldorf 2 (Karaman 41, Thommy 61)&nbsp;

Played Saturday

Borussia Moenchengladbach 1 (Thuram 52) Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Havertz 7, 58-pen, S. Bender 81) &nbsp;

Wolfsburg 0 Borussia Dortmund 2 (Guerreiro 32, Hakimi 78)

Freiburg 0 Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 19)

Paderborn 1 (Srbeny 9) Hoffenheim 1 (Skov 4)

Bayern Munich 5 (Goretzka 17, Mueller 41, Lewandowski 46, Davies 61, Hinteregger 74-og) Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Hinteregger 52, 55)

Friday

Hertha Berlin 4 (Ibisevic 51, Lukebakio 52, Cunha 61, Boyata 77) Union Berlin 0

Collated German Bundesliga results on Sunday: Schalke 0 Augsburg 3 (Loewen 5, Bazee 76, Cordova 90+1) Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11, 48, 75, Poulsen 23, Sabitzer 36) Cologne 2 (Modeste 88, Cordoba 90) Fortuna Duesseldorf 2 (Karaman 41, Thommy 61) Played Saturday Borussia Moenchengladbach 1 (Thuram 52) Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Havertz 7, 58-pen, S.

Collated German Bundesliga results on Sunday: Schalke 0 Augsburg 3 (Loewen 5, Bazee 76, Cordova 90+1) Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11, 48, 75, Poulsen 23, Sabitzer 36) Cologne 2 (Modeste 88, Cordoba 90) Fortuna Duesseldorf 2 (Karaman 41, Thommy 61) Played Saturday Borussia Moenchengladbach 1 (Thuram 52) Bayer Leverkusen 3 (Havertz 7, 58-pen, S. Bender 81) Wolfsburg 0 Borussia Dortmund 2 (Guerreiro 32, Hakimi 78) Freiburg 0 Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 19) Paderborn 1 (Srbeny 9) Hoffenheim 1 (Skov 4) Bayern Munich 5 (Goretzka 17, Mueller 41, Lewandowski 46, Davies 61, Hinteregger 74-og) Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Hinteregger 52, 55) Friday Hertha Berlin 4 (Ibisevic 51, Lukebakio 52, Cunha 61, Boyata 77) Union Berlin 0

Football: German Bundesliga results

Spain coach Luis Enrique says playing behind closed doors is "sadder than dancing with your own sister", as football faces the prospect of games without supporters for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Germany's Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume last weekend following the two-month shutdown, with strict hygiene measures enforced at all matches across the country.&nbsp;

"(Playing without fans) is sadder than dancing with your own sister. It's not attractive," Luis Enrique told the "Colgados del aro" ("Hanging from the hoop") basketball show on Wednesday.

"I watched the German football and it's a sad sight. You hear the voices, you even hear the insults... you lose the intimacy of the better moments.

"But you also have to understand it's a business that generates lots of money, and even if the spectacle is a long way from that when there's fans it can help in dealing with the confinement.

"Watching football again or any other sport, as a fan it's interesting," he added.

Luis Enrique returned to his job as Spain coach in November after resigning last June to take care of his daughter, Xana, who died in August of cancer. &nbsp;

"(As a player), I would have liked to get back playing as soon as possible. I have no fear," he said.

"I was a bit scared at one moment for my parents, my in-laws and the elderly people I cherish and above all for the people who may suffer. But on a personal level, I have zero fear."

Euro 2020 has been postponed by a year due to the health crisis and Luis Enrique admitted the uncertainty was affecting everyone involved.

"We're going day by day. We're waiting for football to return and later down the line we will restart with some friendlies.

"In theory, the national team should play friendly matches in September as usual. But there are more important things right now so we need to be patient."

Spain coach Luis Enrique says playing behind closed doors is "sadder than dancing with your own sister", as football faces the prospect of games without supporters for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spain coach Luis Enrique says playing behind closed doors is "sadder than dancing with your own sister", as football faces the prospect of games without supporters for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus pandemic. Germany's Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume last weekend following the two-month shutdown, with strict hygiene measures enforced at all matches across the country. "(Playing without fans) is sadder than dancing with your own sister. It's not attractive," Luis Enrique told the "Colgados del aro" ("Hanging from the hoop") basketball show on Wednesday. "I watched the German football and it's a sad sight. You hear the voices, you even hear the insults... you lose the intimacy of the better moments. "But you also have to understand it's a business that generates lots of money, and even if the spectacle is a long way from that when there's fans it can help in dealing with the confinement. "Watching football again or any other sport, as a fan it's interesting," he added. Luis Enrique returned to his job as Spain coach in November after resigning last June to take care of his daughter, Xana, who died in August of cancer. "(As a player), I would have liked to get back playing as soon as possible. I have no fear," he said. "I was a bit scared at one moment for my parents, my in-laws and the elderly people I cherish and above all for the people who may suffer. But on a personal level, I have zero fear." Euro 2020 has been postponed by a year due to the health crisis and Luis Enrique admitted the uncertainty was affecting everyone involved. "We're going day by day. We're waiting for football to return and later down the line we will restart with some friendlies. "In theory, the national team should play friendly matches in September as usual. But there are more important things right now so we need to be patient."

Games without fans 'sadder than dancing with your sister', says Luis Enrique

Around five players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. These players belong to Spain's top two football divisions. The news was confirmed by La Liga.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-to-allow-five-substitutes-during-post-virus-fixture-backlog-297510" hreflang="en">Football to allow five substitutes during post-virus fixture backlog</a>

The players who have been tested positive are all without symptoms and will "resume" training once they test negative.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/umar-akmal-didnt-show-remorse-after-failing-to-report-corrupt-approaches-pcb-disciplinary-panel-head-297501" hreflang="en">Umar Akmal didn’t show remorse after failing to report corrupt approaches: PCB disciplinary panel head</a>

The identity of the players who tested positive and their clubs have not been disclosed as the league intends to keep this information confidential. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Official statement. 
 
Results of medical tests carried out by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaLigaSantander?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaLigaSantander</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaLigaSmartBank?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaLigaSmartBank</a> clubs ahead of the return to training. 
 
📝 <a href="https://t.co/NkuTjIROWl">https://t.co/NkuTjIROWl</a> <a href="https://t.co/2NPtGNi9Bs">pic.twitter.com/2NPtGNi9Bs</a>
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaLigaEN/status/1259515778879172609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The league released a statement which read: "One of the objectives of these medical tests, according to the La Liga’s protocol for returning to training, according to recommendations of the CSD (Supreme Sports Council) and the Ministry of Health, was precisely to detect the denominated or asymptomatic, that is, those people who are infected and that, without presenting symptoms, they can infect other people. In this way, we guarantee everyone’s safety when returning to work according to the occupational risk regulations."

The league has resumed club training for all the teams with certain measures to avoid virus spread. These measures include wearing masks and gloves, testing of temperatures outside premises, and they will not be allowed to change in their dressing rooms.

Around five players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. These players belong to Spain's top two football divisions. The news was confirmed by La Liga.

Around five players have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. These players belong to Spain's top two football divisions. The news was confirmed by La Liga. Also read: Football to allow five substitutes during post-virus fixture backlog The players who have been tested positive are all without symptoms and will "resume" training once they test negative. Also read: Umar Akmal didn’t show remorse after failing to report corrupt approaches: PCB disciplinary panel head The identity of the players who tested positive and their clubs have not been disclosed as the league intends to keep this information confidential. Official statement. Results of medical tests carried out by #LaLigaSantander and #LaLigaSmartBank clubs ahead of the return to training. 📝 https://t.co/NkuTjIROWl pic.twitter.com/2NPtGNi9Bs — LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) May 10, 2020 × The league released a statement which read: "One of the objectives of these medical tests, according to the La Liga’s protocol for returning to training, according to recommendations of the CSD (Supreme Sports Council) and the Ministry of Health, was precisely to detect the denominated or asymptomatic, that is, those people who are infected and that, without presenting symptoms, they can infect other people. In this way, we guarantee everyone’s safety when returning to work according to the occupational risk regulations." The league has resumed club training for all the teams with certain measures to avoid virus spread. These measures include wearing masks and gloves, testing of temperatures outside premises, and they will not be allowed to change in their dressing rooms.

Five players test positive for coronavirus across top two Spanish divisions: La Liga

Turkey's top-flight football league, the Super Lig is set to resume on June 12. The league was suspended in March after coronavirus struck the country.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/german-bundesliga-set-to-resume-in-may-to-limit-economic-damage-297029">German Bundesliga set to resume in May to 'limit economic damage'</a>

Turkish Football Federation head Nihat Ozdemir in a conference said, "We have taken the decision to resume the (professional leagues) on June 12, 13 and 14."

According to Ozedmir, the federation's is aiming to conclude the season by July 26. He even hoped that Turkey would host the Champions League final in Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul as scheduled on May 30.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/halves-shorter-than-45-minutes-pfa-chief-gordon-taylor-hints-at-change-of-rules-as-premier-league-gears-up-for-return-296796" hreflang="en">Halves shorter than 45 minutes? PFA chief Gordon Taylor hints at change of rules as Premier League gears up for return</a>

The federation was criticised for insisting that games could continue behind the closed door and was eventually suspended by March 19. These matches will be played behind closed doors as the league resumes.&nbsp;

"Who knows, maybe we could play four out of the remaining eight weeks with an audience."

But Ozdemir insisted, "our priority is the health" of the players.

Earlier, the German government are set to allow football matches to take place after weeks of lockdown due to coronavirus lockdown. The matches will begin in May and will be played behind closed doors according to the draft government agreement.&nbsp;

According to Germany's top brass, restarting games for their first and second division will help "limit economic damage" for 36 clubs.&nbsp;

Turkey's top-flight football league, the Super Lig is set to resume on June 12. The league was suspended in March after coronavirus struck the country. Also read: German Bundesliga set to resume in May to 'limit economic damage' Turkish Football Federation head Nihat Ozdemir in a conference said, "We have taken the decision to resume the (professional leagues) on June 12, 13 and 14.

Turkey's top-flight football league, the Super Lig is set to resume on June 12. The league was suspended in March after coronavirus struck the country. Also read: German Bundesliga set to resume in May to 'limit economic damage' Turkish Football Federation head Nihat Ozdemir in a conference said, "We have taken the decision to resume the (professional leagues) on June 12, 13 and 14." According to Ozedmir, the federation's is aiming to conclude the season by July 26. He even hoped that Turkey would host the Champions League final in Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul as scheduled on May 30. Also read: Halves shorter than 45 minutes? PFA chief Gordon Taylor hints at change of rules as Premier League gears up for return The federation was criticised for insisting that games could continue behind the closed door and was eventually suspended by March 19. These matches will be played behind closed doors as the league resumes. "Who knows, maybe we could play four out of the remaining eight weeks with an audience." But Ozdemir insisted, "our priority is the health" of the players. Earlier, the German government are set to allow football matches to take place after weeks of lockdown due to coronavirus lockdown. The matches will begin in May and will be played behind closed doors according to the draft government agreement. According to Germany's top brass, restarting games for their first and second division will help "limit economic damage" for 36 clubs.

Football: Turkish Super Lig to resume in June, season to be concluded by July

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