Coronavirus in sport LIVE: Wimbledon officially CANCELLED, Khabib UFC 249 update, Premier League latest, Joe Wicks SPOTY – The Sun
WIMBLEDON have officially cancelled this summer's championships due to coronavirus – the first year they won't go ahead since WWII.
Meanwhile, the Premier League are frantically making plans for how to finish this season, while it's been hinted that Conor McGregor could take part at UFC 249.
And fitness guru Joe Wicks has seen his odds of being named Sports Personality of the Year cut after his national heroics online.
Follow all the latest news and updates as the sporting world deals with the threat of coronavirus…
EXCITING EOIN GOAL
Eoin Morgan wants to help give a massive morale boost to the nation for the second summer running.
One-day captain Morgan believes playing cricket again – even in the eerie silence of an empty stadium – would lift spirits and engage bodies and brains.
So, a year after leading England to their incredible, nerve-shredding World Cup triumph, Morgan is itching to strap on his pads.
But, if that is not possible and even the World Twenty20 in Australia in October is called off, he will abandon any thoughts of retirement and remain white ball skipper at least until November 2021.
The ECB are looking at the possibility of playing matches in a “bio-secure environment” behind closed doors, potentially with all players, officials and staff placed in lockdown at the same hotel.
New father Morgan, 33, whose wife Tara gave birth to their son Leo on March 9, said: “If medical experts advised us it was okay to play behind closed doors and it was on TV, I think that would be a huge step forward for the game.
“Very rarely are industries actually missed a huge amount…but I think we are going through one of those at the moment. Sport can play a huge role in uplifting the world and people's perspective.
“Isolation encourages idle minds and sport can create that theatre and level of expectation around what it's like to be outside again. Playing cricket again, even behind closed doors, would help boost the nation’s morale, I think.”
WIMBLE-DONE FOR
Wimbledon will not take place for the first time this year – as the latest sporting casualties of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tennis' most famous event, which was set to start June 29, was cancelled following an emergency board meeting held on teleconference between Wimbledon chiefs.
The decision was made by a committee involving four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman, former cabinet secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell, new chairman Ian Hewitt and ex-player turned sports administrator Debbie Jevans, who was involved in the running of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
It is understood Wimbledon will not suffer financial disaster because they took out an extensive insurance policy that guards against global pandemics.
The club will offer refunds to ticket holders who had hoped to be eating strawberries and cream in three months’ time.
The 13.5-acre All England Club grounds (which swells to 42 acres when car parks are included) will now be opened up for the use of the NHS.
This is the first time since 1945 that one of the four tennis majors has been axed.
NEYMAR EX SETS PULSES SOR-ING
Former Playboy model Soraja Vucelic has shown former flame Neymar what he's missing after she posted a revealing video of herself on Instagram.
The 33-year-old shared the clip to 384,000 followers on social media, with the Serbian beauty proving that being in self-isolation won't stop her from working out.
According to the the Johns Hopkins University, as of April 1, Serbia has reported 900 cases of COVID-19 and 16 related deaths.
But Vucelic is still managing to get her daily exercise in despite being holed up up.Vucelic – who was romantically linked to the Paris Saint-Germain forward in 2014 – uploaded a clip of herself appearing to walk on a treadmill.
To her followers' delight, the camera is pointed just inches away from her cleavage.
One user said: “I could watch this all day.”
UNLOCKED KHAB
Khabib Nurmagomedov's mouthwatering lightweight title defence against Tony Ferguson on April 18has moved a step closer to actually happening.
That's because the Federal Air Transport Agency has hinted Khabib’s lockdown in Russia could be ended.
The organisation has said that there are “no restrictions for business aviation on departure from Russia.”
Khabib opened up to his fans on his live Instagram video on Monday explaining how he is currently on coronavirus lockdown in Russia.
He admitted it is doubtful as to whether he would make the April 18 showdown with Ferguson at UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York.
The 31-year-old Russian said: “Currently, I am in Dagestan and I am training and preparing every day,”
Nurmagomedov said.“Although I don’t know what am I preparing for because after we came to Russia we also learned that the borders are going to be locked. Same as in the States, the same as in Europe, Emirates, everywhere.
“The whole world is in quarantine right now.So now I am hearing that they are looking to organize it with or without me.”
VIK'S MESSAGES
Graziano Pelle's partner Viktoria Varga urged fans to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak – by posting a picture of her having breakfast in her underwear.
Graziano Pelle's Wag Viktoria Varga urged fans to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Hungarian posed at a breakfast bar in nothing but black lingerie and shared the snap with her 474,000 followers.
Model Varga used to cheer on her footballing beau at St Mary's where the former Southampton ace played between 2014 and 2016.
But since 2016, Varga has watched on from China as Pelle has been banging in the goals for Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.
The pair upped sticks to Jinan, with the Italian striker offered an incredible £13.5m a year deal, and they've not looked back since.
In fact, Varga's refused to take a back seat as her own career has continued to thrive in China, and she's divided her time between the Far East and Budapest.
Pelle and Varga reportedly met in 2012, and have been inseparable ever since.
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