Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE coverage as the coronavirus crisis continues to heavily impact sport across the globe.
Latest coronavirus sports news...
- France 'lobbying' for major leagues to be cancelled'
- Premier League clubs 'don't want to be scapegoats'
- Exclusive: EFL proposes 'regional hubs'
- Overseas players 'advised fly back to England'
- Exclusive: 'No tennis for rest of 2020'
- Tokyo Olympics 'not reliant on vaccine'
- Barca 'save €24m' on pay cuts
- Rooney leads Derby wage deferrals
- Ligue 1 OFF as first of Europe's big five cancelled
Can't see the coronavirus sport news LIVE blog? Click here to access our desktop page.
Exclusive: EFL proposes regional hubs to finish season
The Football League are exploring the radical possibility of finishing the season at a select few “regional hubs” around the country.
The EFL’s firm preference is to complete all 341 outstanding fixtures behind closed doors at the usual home stadiums, but they have begun contingency planning in the event that it is not safe or practical to use all 70 grounds.
In a letter to all EFL clubs on Tuesday, the League raised the possibility of hosting multiple fixtures at approved “regional hubs” and asked each club to submit “an operational plan” about the suitability of staging matches without fans.
The hubs proposal would likely see a select number of stadiums in London, the South West, the Midlands, the North East and the North West approved for action.
‘Project Restart’ latest to resume Premier League season
Premier League football has been suspended since March 13 but Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden, speaking in the Commons, revealed his role in pursuing a return.
He said: "I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.
"But, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance."
F1 season delayed
F1 chief Chase Carey announced the cancellation of the French Grand Prix but then revealed hopes that the season will get underway with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 to kickstart a season of between 15 and 18 races, initially held behind closed doors.
Carey said on Formula One's website: "Although this morning it was announced that the French Grand Prix, due to take place in late June, will not be going ahead, we are now increasingly confident with the progress of our plans to begin our season this summer.
