BEB Weekend Sports: News!

France's Euro '84 winning coach Michel Hidalgo dies aged 87

Michel Hidalgo, who led France to their first major trophy at Euro 1984, has died aged 87 of natural causes.

Hidalgo had been ill for a number of years and his family told a French radio station he had died "naturally of exhaustion" at home in Marseille.

Hidalgo was coach of Les Bleus from 1976 to 1984, leaving the job after hosts France beat Spain 2-0 in the final of the European Championship.

Two years before, France lost to West Germany in the World Cup semi-finals.

Michel Platini, who captained the 1984 side and scored nine goals in the tournament, said in a statement:

"Michel Hidalgo left a considerable legacy. He rebuilt French football at international level.

"As coach, Michel took the France team to its greatest heights, opting for a beautiful style of football which allowed each one of us to fully express our individual talents."

Football season could be lost says UEFA boss

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says the current football season could be lost if it cannot be restarted by the end of June.

Most leagues in Europe are suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, with this summer's Euro 2020 tournament postponed for another year.

Ceferin says seasons could be finished behind closed doors.

"If we don't succeed in restarting, the season will probably be lost," the Slovenian said.

He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica: "There is a plan A, B and C.

"The three options are to start again in mid-May, in June or at the end of June. 

"There is also the possibility of starting again at the beginning of the next [season], starting the following one later. We will see the best solution for leagues and clubs."

As it stands there are nine games to be completed by the majority of Premier League clubs, and up to 12 in the Football League.

All football in England is suspended until at least 30 April.

Ceferin says that playing remaining games behind closed doors would have to be an option across Europe.

Season could continue until January- Ferrari boss

The world championship could extend into January next year as Formula 1 seeks to salvage the 2020 season, says Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto.

The first eight races have been called off and the British Grand Prix in July is one of the next events under threat.

Binotto said teams are in "constant dialogue" with F1 on how to proceed.

"We're assessing various ideas - races closer together, maybe doing two or three races in January, cancelling (Friday) practice," he said.

The final race of this season is scheduled to be the Abu Dhabi GP on 29 November.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Binotto said: "I have felt, along with the other team principals, that these are decisive moments.

"We've decided to give complete freedom to (Formula 1 chairman Chase) Carey and the FIA to put together as soon as possible a timetable for us to get racing again, we are willing on our side."

Carey said in a statement last week that he "fully expected the season to start at some point this summer, with a revised calendar of between 15-18 races".

But, as the coronavirus crisis escalates around the world and countries battle to get the disease under control, that view appears optimistic, and some senior team figures are beginning to doubt whether the 2020 world championship will happen at all.

NFL draft 2020 to go ahead as scheduled from 23-25 April

The 2020 NFL draft is to go ahead as scheduled next month but players, fans and media will not be present because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be held from 23-25 April in a television studio, with players interviewed via video conference.

The draft was due to take place in Las Vegas and the NFL had already cancelled all public events.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it "can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans, and the country".

He added:

"There is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favourable than they are today." 

The NFL draft is one of the biggest events in the United States' sporting calendar, with all 32 teams recruiting talent from the American collegiate system amid wall-to-wall media coverage.

About 500,000 fans attended last year's draft in Nashville.

In a memo sent to franchises, Goodell said:

"We will not be bringing prospects and their families to the draft, and the draft itself will be conducted and televised in a way that reflects current conditions. 

"All clubs should now be doing the necessary planning to conduct draft operations in a location outside of your facility, with a limited number of people present, and with sufficient technology resources to allow you to communicate internally, with other clubs, and with draft headquarters."

from Bola Esho's Blog