BEB Weekend Sports: Updates!

Bundesliga to return on 9 May

Despite football being halted across the globe by the coronavirus pandemic with all major leagues and competitions suspended, the Bundesliga is now eager to return to action with plans to play spectator-free games in May.

Germany has led the way in its approach to combating the coronavirus pandemic. The country's intense programme of consistent testing from early on has resulted in far fewer deaths than the worst-affected countries.

The German Football League (DFL), responsible for operating the Bundesliga and the second division, is determined to finish the current season. Its 36 professional clubs met on Thursday to discuss a restart of the season next month.

However, Germany's football authorities still face some huge questions before they get the green light to resume football in the country behind closed doors.

"If we start on 9 May, we are ready. If it is later, we will be ready again," DFL chief executive Christian Seifert said on Thursday.

In the meantime, the teams try to cope with the current crisis. Most players have returned to training.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came back to their training ground on 6 April, with players practising in small groups and keeping distance at all times. RB Leipzig returned on 2 April, while Borussia Dortmund started with individual workouts two days earlier.

This week, the DFL sent its clubs a paper including 31 instructions for training sessions. Among other things, the clubs have to arrange coronavirus drive-through test centres for symptomatic players and staff members. The use of locker rooms is only allowed if players enter in small groups and stay two metres apart from one another. Team meals are generally prohibited.

The clubs promise to obey these rules in the hopes that they are able to return to the pitch and finish the season.

Giroud set to extend Chelsea contract

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is set to extend his contract, keeping him at the club until 2021.

The Frenchman, 33, looked like he would leave in January after making five Premier League appearances and entering the last six months of his contract.

He was linked with a move to Inter Milan as Chelsea sought a replacement.

But after an injury to fellow striker Tammy Abraham in January, Giroud impressed on his return to the side, scoring twice in four league games.

Boss Frank Lampard praised the former Arsenal player's attitude at the end of the January transfer window despite being out of favour.

He said:

"Olivier Giroud has been incredible in this window as a professional and a man. 

"We all know there has been interest but he has been impeccable in that period and I've got huge respect for him for that, and as a player."

Giroud moved from Arsenal to Chelsea in January 2018 for £18m on an initial 18-month deal.

The French international then extended his contract by another year in May 2019.

Murray to face Nadal in virtual Madrid Open 

Andy Murray will play Rafael Nadal next week - from his own home, in a virtual version of the Madrid Open.

Gael Monfils and Denis Shapovalov are also in his group, while fellow Briton Johanna Konta will pit hers gaming skills against Victoria Azarenka.

Thirty-two players will be involved in the charity event, with the winners deciding how much they wish to donate to players struggling financially.

The event runs from Monday to Thursday next week, with play from 14:00 BST.

Prize money of 150,000 euros (about £132,000) will be directed to good causes - with the winners able to donate part of it to players struggling because of the sporting shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Madrid Open was scheduled to take place from 1-10 May but was cancelled because of the pandemic. All professional tennis has been cancelled until at least 13 July.

Joshua/Fury fight has ’50-50′ chance this year ― Hearn

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have a ’50-50′ chance of their much-anticipated world heavyweight unification fight taking place this year, according to Barry Hearn – chairman of Joshua’s promoters Matchroom Boxing.

Boxing, like most of the sport, is currently suspended indefinitely, with Joshua’s bout against Kubrat Pulev and fellow Brit Fury’s trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder both on hold.

The plan was – once both those fights were done and assuming both Joshua and Fury retained their belts – for a Battle of Britain unification bout to take place at the end of the year.

Despite the coronavirus chaos Hearn, father of Joshua’s promoter Eddie, feels there is still a good chance of them fighting in 2020.

He told Betfair:

‘He [AJ] wants to be boxing and he’s prepared to fight anybody tomorrow, and that includes Tyson Fury. He’s very keen on unifying the titles, and Tyson has the missing belt.

‘I think we have an excellent chance of seeing it [unification fight]. I would say it’s probably 50-50 that it’s this year if it’s not then it’s 95-5 early 2021 – but in the meantime, there are problems to get over.’

from Bola Esho's Blog