Coronavirus in Sport LIVE: Premier League training pictures, Celtic SPFL champions with league off – The Sun

THE Bundesliga returned this weekend, and the Premier League is back in training in small groups.

But Scotland's SPL has been abandoned – with Celtic winning the title and Hearts relegated with the league decided by average points per game.

Follow all the latest coronavirus in sport updates below, underneath our quick poll…

  • YOUNG OFFENDERS

    Chelsea reminded two members of staff of their responsibilities after they reportedly broke lockdown rules to sign two eight-year-olds.

    Saturday was the first day clubs could sign players for under-9 football next season and the West Londoners are said to have flaunted lockdown rules in order to get there first.

    Pictures reportedly seen by Football London appear to show the Blues' local head of recruitment and another member of staff enter the youngsters' homes to sign deals.

    The club had planned to deliver the contracts in hard copy and exchange at a safe distance, according to the Standard.

    Clubs are often in a hurry to snap up the best young talent but other London clubs are said to have acted in a more professional manner by recruiting youth players over Skype, Facetime and Zoom.

    A scout at one of Chelsea's rival clubs called the move “disrespectful” and some reportedly view it as a move to get ahead in the “very competitive market” for kids currently in year three at school.

  • SPAINFUL

    Tyson and Paris Fury have missed their first romantic holiday for 10 years through the Covid-19 lockdown.

    The Gypsy King and his queen have used the last eight weeks to train alongside fans with 9am Instagram workouts.

    There have been cameo appearances from all of their five children who have kept viewers entertained by disrupting some of the sessions.

    The WBC champ and his childhood sweetheart had booked a Spanish break away from their brood for this May, their first since becoming parents, but it has been kyboshed by the pandemic.

    The 6ft 9in star revealed during Wednesday’s session: “Me and Paris were supposed to go to Marbella for a weekend party for the first time without the kids, ever, it would have been amazing.”

  • NEW (RONAL)DO

    Cristiano Ronaldo has shown off a new hairstyle after Georgina Rodriguez gave him perfect braids for his return to Juventus training.

    The Portuguese star, 35, spent the lockdown in his native Madeira but is now back in Italy ready for action.

    And Ronaldo was seen arriving at Juventus's training base in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee on Tuesday to report back for duty.

    He did so rocking a new hairstyle, after his partner Rodriguez spent the day “pampering” him and practicing her hairdressing skills last month.

    Rodriguez her electric razor out at the start of April while they were still in Madeira and ran it up the back of the Juventus star’s head.

    He did his famous “Siiiii” goal celebration yell and gave a thumbs-up as Georgina insisted: “Just relax.”

    Italy’s hairdressers re-opened on Monday in Italy after a ten-week lockdown – but Cristiano obviously won’t be on the customer list anytime soon if the couple’s latest social media posts are anything to go by.

    Sharing a picture on Instagram, Rodriguez wrote: “I love to pamper my loves. This afternoon I practice with braids (this model knows how to stay still)”.

  • STRIKE THREE?

    Tottenham star Serge Aurier appeared to break social distancing rules AGAIN… this time getting a haircut.

    The right-back, 27, took to Instagram on Tuesday night to post a photo of his new lid – and fans were quick to question whether he had been ignoring government guidelines for a THIRD time.

    Aurier, wearing his Spurs team-mate Davinson Sanchez's Colombia shirt, posed on a seat with another man stood directly behind him.

    In the first photo, he has his hands together, then points to the camera and finally lowers his head to show off the very fresh fade and design in his hair.

    He captioned the post: “Yes Sir @justscuts lecoiffeurestbon,” with the hashtag translating to “the hairdresser is good”.

    The tagged username is Justin Carr, a barber who has 31.4k Instagram followers and keeps plenty of top Premier League footballers' lids in shape.

  • DOR OPEN

    Jadon Sancho remains likely to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer with Manchester United at the front of the queue, according to reports.

    The 20-year-old has persistently been linked with a move away from Signal Iduna Park this season – but the financial effect of the coronavirus has changed the financial dynamics of every club in Europe.

    Ed Woodward himself last month warned of the changes that fans would see in the transfer market this summer.

    But according to The Athletic, the Red Devils are still in contact with Borussia Dortmund and a deal remains likely.

    Speaking on the Ornstein & Chapman Podcast, the former said: “Sancho was expecting to move this summer and there’s still a very high chance that will happen.

    “There’s an understanding between Sancho and Borussia Dortmund that if the right price arrives that he can go and there’s no expectation that Dortmund wouldn’t honour that, they’re said to be very honourable in these sort of situations.

    “They’re looking for no less than €120million [£107m], some say to me no less than €130m [£116m] and that certainly the figure that they want is around what they received or agreed for Ousmane Dembele.”

  • PLAY ON

    Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin is “absolutely sure” fans will be back in stadiums “very soon” despite fears football faces 12 months of being played behind-closed-doors.

    When asked why he felt the disease would not impact football in the long-run, Ceferin told The Guardian: “It's a serious situation but it is going down now and we are being more cautious.

    “We know more about the virus and in general I'm an optimistic person.

    “I don't like this apocalyptic view that we have to wait for the second and third waves or even a fifth wave … people you know are likely to die one day, but do we have to be worried today? I don't think so.

    “We are ready and we will follow the recommendations of the authorities but I'm absolutely sure, personally, that good old football with fans will come back very soon.”

  • WAR ENSEMBLE

    Josh Warringtonis suffering alockdown double hangover.

    Not only is the IBF world featherweight champlosing prime months of his legacy to the coronavirus pandemic but he is too dedicated to join wife Natasha for ice-cold bottles of Corona.

    Warrington, 29, told SunSport: “I am not a massive drinker but you definitely fancy it more when the weather is nice.

    “Ironically we have loads of bottles of Corona left overfrom Christmas and the other day Tash put the kids to bed and opened a couple with a lovely slice of fresh lime.

    “But, even without a fight on, I could not bring myself to have one. Until my next fight is finished, no matter how long it takes, I will not be able to touch one.

    “So I just sat there watching her sip away, slathering like a dog and thinking that looks refreshing.”

  • CASE KLOSED

    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is confident that the Premier League's tally of six positive coronavirus tests is low enough to press ahead with Project Restart.

    Individual training commenced this week after clubs voted for the initial return to work, which coincided with hundreds of tests being conducted on players and staff.

    The German, 52, told club media: “It is safe. Nobody wants to bring anybody into danger, but I think with all the things we know about, the players will be safe.

    “With testing as often as possible Germany showed it already. They had 10 or 12 positive tests, and now they play already.

    “That shows we [can] create a ‘society’ in which we really make sure nothing will happen.

    “That football is closer to coming back I think is really a good sign for people as well.”

  • PACK A PUNCH

    Tyson Fury is selling 'Gypsy King'-branded coronavirus face masks for £12.99 a pop.

    And 25 per cent of the profits will go to the NHS Charities Together, the WBC heavyweight champ confirmed.

    Fury, 31, posed for photos in the blue, green, red and black versions of the PPE on his Instagram page.

    Fans can buy the merch from his official website, where it is listed under the 'autographed memorabilia' section.

  • WHITE NOISE

    UFC President Dana White has taken to social media to hit back at comedian John Oliver.

    On his show Last Week Tonight, Oliver bashed the UFC, taking particular delight in mocking the concept of “Fight Island”.

    While UFC 249, as well as a further two UFC Fight Nights have been staged in Jacksonville over the past fortnight, White has been exploring the concept of building facilities on a private island in order to stage further bouts.

    But Oliver, 43, found humour in this idea.

    He said: “While they couldn’t fly in international fighters for that event, their president Dana White has devised an insane workaround.

    “Yes, the UFC is apparently building a facility on a private island that they’re calling ‘Fight Island.’

    “Now, is that a clever name? No. Is it the perfect name? Yes!

    “Because it’s the first thought an idiot would have if they wanted to name a private island where fights happen.”

  • FINAL DELAY

    Rugby league's Challenge Cup final has been postponed because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

    But the game's bosses have left open the option of heading to Wembley later in the year.

    The showpiece – attended last year by Prince Harry – was set to take place on Saturday, July 18 after it was moved from its August date.

    However the pandemic has forced the entire sport to be shut down and the date of the final will move, if it happens at all.

    Four Super League sides – Toronto Wolfpack, Huddersfield, Hull KR and Wakefield – have already played one match in the competition.

    The rest of the top flight – including current holders Warrington – comes in for the last 16.

  • NOT ANDY

    Jimmy Anderson admits he will find it difficult to break the habit of a lifetime and not use saliva to shine the ball this summer.

    Anderson is one of the all-time greatest exponents of making a cricket ball swing and he uses a mixture of sweat and saliva to help.

    Under new ICC regulations to be introduced next month, sweat can still be applied to the ball during the Covid-19 crisis but saliva will be outlawed.

    Anderson, 37, England’s all-time top Test bowler with 584 wickets, said: “I’m 99 per cent convinced we won’t be allowed to put saliva on the ball and that’s a massive thing for me.

    “To get the ball to swing, you need to be able to polish it and repair it when it gets scuffs.

    “Even touching your face when you’re sweating is a natural reaction. Your immediate reaction when you get the ball in your hand is to start polishing it – and we use sweat and saliva.

    “So, when we return to outdoor practice in the next couple of weeks, it’s important we get used to the fact that we can't do it.

    “I’m sure it is the same in all sports, when you’ve done something for so many years and all of a sudden you can’t, it will be really hard to change. So I think we’re going to have to try to help each other through it.”

  • POSITIVE NEWS

    An unnamed Watford star is among SIX Premier League players and staff to test positive for coronavirus.

    Clubs returned to training on Tuesday after a two-month shutdown – with all 748 people involved undergoing a test for Covid-19.

    And, with just half a dozen positive results, Prem chiefs are “cautiously optimistic” they will be able to meet their proposed June 12 restart date.

    Watford provided THREE positive tests — including two from backroom staff members — with the club refusing to comment when contacted by SunSport last night.

    Burnley also confirmed that assistant manager Ian Woan was one of the six, adding he “is asymptomatic and safe and well at home”.

    They will now isolate for seven days before taking further tests next week.

  • GOOD MORNING SPORTS FANS

    The Premier League confirmed there were six positive coronavirus tests from three Premier League clubs this week.

    A total of 748 players and staff were checked and the six individuals will self-isolate for seven days, bringing the percentage of confirmed cases in marginally higher than when Germany underwent similar tests.

    Three of those positive results came from Watford, with one of those a Hornets player.

    Burnley also confirmed assistant manager Ian Woan tested positive for Covid-19 after being checked on Sunday.

    Sean Dyche’s No2 is asymptomatic and is currently safe and well at home.

    It is understood one side only did their tests yesterday so their results will not be added to the overall total until later in the week.

    Serge Aurier could face ANOTHER rap after appearing to break social distancing rules for a THIRD time.

    The Spurs right-back posted pictures posing alongside another man after seemingly getting a fresh haircut – this comes after he was spotted running with a friend and then training alongside team-mate Moussa Sissoko.

    Danny Rose blasted the Premier League for treating its players like “lab rats”.

    Speaking on the Lockdown Tactics podcast, England star Rose, 29, said: “I’m dying to get back to football but just with the things that are happening right now, people are going through this coronavirus pandemic a lot worse than me, I don’t want to be complaining about everything.

    “Just off the fact that people are suggesting we should go back to football, like we’re guinea pigs or lab rats.”

    Leeds Warrior Josh Warrington spoke to SunSport two years on from his historic win over Lee Selby and admitted even under lockdown he can’t bring himself to enjoying a beer with his wife.

    And in cricket, Jimmy Anderson is worried he’ll be banned from using saliva to shine the ball while England’s return to training was put on hold with grounds not “coronavirus ready”.

  • HOWZAT HAPPENED?

    England’s bowlers must wait a little longer before they can get back in the nets after their scheduled comeback was abandoned.

    The likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes were due to bowl properly for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

    A total of 15 fast and spin red-ball bowlers had been invited to turn up at grounds such as the Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford and Durham.

    But now they could be forced to sit tight, potentially until next week, after not all the grounds set to be used were deemed coronavirus ready.

  • NO JOSHING AROUND

    Leeds Warrior Josh Warrington spoke to SunSport two years on from his historic win over Lee Selby.

    But even under lockdown and without a fight to prepare for, the boxing sensation couldn’t bring himself to having a beer at home with his wife.

    He said: “I am not a massive drinker but you definitely fancy it more when the weather is nice.

    “Ironically we have loads of bottles of Corona left overfrom Christmas and the other day Tash put the kids to bed and opened a couple with a lovely slice of fresh lime.

    “But, even without a fight on, I could not bring myself to have one. Until my next fight is finished, no matter how long it takes, I will not be able to touch one.

    “So I just sat there watching her sip away, slathering like a dog and thinking that looks refreshing.”

  • KANT BELIEVE IT

    N’Golo Kante has a full head of hair.

    Yes, that’s right. N’Golo Kante has grown his hair.

    The midfielder, 29, has only been seen with a shaved head since he made the move to England back in 2015.

    But Kante clearly resisted the urge to give himself a haircut at home during the lockdown before he made his return to Cobham.

  • BURNLEY COVID-19 RESULT

    Burnley confirmed assistant manager Ian Woan has coronavirus.

    Sean Dyche’s No2 was tested on Sunday along with the rest of the staff and players.

    He is asymptomatic and is currently safe and well at home, where he will self-isolate for seven days.

  • BACK IN THE SADDLE

    Dele Alli made a wheel-y emphatic return to the Spurs training ground – as he rocked up on a bicycle.

    The England star, 24, was all smiles in the sunshine as he posed for a snap before a solo session.

    Son Heung-min, fresh from his military training in South Korea, was also back and took a selfie on one of the pitches, delighted to be back on the grass.

  • CALL BACK

    Callum Hudson-Odoi has been cleared to join his Chelsea team-mates for training despite his arrest on suspicion of rape.

    The winger underwent a coronavirus test on Monday and was then allowed to start phase one of preparations for restarting the Premier League season next month.

    Hudson-Odoi, 19, has been released on police bail and it was feared he may have picked up coronavirus in his dealings with the authorities over the weekend.

    Chelsea boss Frank Lampard had a meeting with club medics this morning ahead of the planned return. Hudson-Odoi was given the nod to start working as part of the group of four or five players permitted at this stage.

    Hudson-Odoi was arrested after a woman who went to his house at the weekend phoned the police complaining she felt ‘unwell’.

    The squad came together for the first time in more than nine weeks today as training is stepped up. 

  • ‘GUINEA PIGS’

    Danny Rose blasted the Premier League for treating its players like “lab rats”.

    The Tottenham defender, on loan at Newcastle, delivered a fresh attack on top-flight chiefs after previously branding plans to return amid the coronavirus pandemic a “f***ing joke”.

    Speaking on the Lockdown Tactics podcast with Robert Snodgrass and Kris Boyd, England star Rose, 29, said: “I’m dying to get back to football but just with the things that are happening right now, people are going through this coronavirus pandemic a lot worse than me, I don’t want to be complaining about everything.

    “Just off the fact that people are suggesting we should go back to football, like we’re guinea pigs or lab rats.

    “We’re going to experiment this phase and see if it works or not.

    “I can just imagine people at home saying, ‘Well they earn that amount of money so they should be going back’.”

  • DAVE DON'T SHAVE

    Manchester United stopper David De Gea clearly forgot to get a razor before the lockdown.

    He sported a bushy beard as he was snapped on his way into training today.

    Team-mate Lee Grant was also pictured coming into their Carrington training base for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Down in London, meanwhile, Mikel Arteta, David Luiz and Hector Bellerin were spotted arriving at the Gunners base.

    The Gunners became the first Premier League side to return to training at the end of April, as players worked on different pitches and had their own footballs to avoid any threat of cross-contamination.

  • ONE CLUB MISSING

    As per reports, it is understood the six positive tests from 748 were from 19 Premier League clubs.

    The final side, as yet unnamed, are understood to have conducted their checks today.

    So those results will be included in an overall total later this week.

  • SIX POSITIVE

    More on the news of those six positive test results – and the Premier League have issued the following statement.

    They said: “The Premier League can today confirm that, on Sunday 17 May and Monday 18 May, 748 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19.

    “Of these, six have tested positive from three clubs. Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.

    “The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and oversight.

    “No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the Premier League due to legal and operational requirements.”

  • BREAKING NEWS

    The Premier League has announced six players from three clubs have tested positive for coronavirus as doubts over Project Restart continue.

    Top-flight bosses had pencilled in a return date of Friday June 12 for the first match back from the lockdown.

    The League confirmed there have been six positive test results from 748 players and staff.

    Those individuals will now self-isolate for 14 days.

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