Court releases Ronaldinho into house arrest

ASUNCION (Paraguay)

A Paraguayan judge on Tuesday ordered the release of Brazilian football great Ronaldinho and his brother into house arrest at a hotel in downtown Asuncion. Judge Gustavo Amarilla told reporters that he had ordered the “continuation of house arrest in a hotel for Ronaldinho and his brother.” They were jailed exactly a month ago on Monday to await trial on charges of using false passports to enter Paraguay. Lawyers for the men posted bail of $1.6 million.

ROME

Italian Oly 800m finalist Sabia dies from Covid-19

Twice Olympic 800m finalist Donato Sabia has died from Covid-19 at the age of 56, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said on Wednesday. CONI said in a statement that Sabia had been in the intensive care unit of the San Carlo hospital on Potenza, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, for “a few days”. Sabia finished fifth in the 800m at Los Angeles in 1984 and seventh in Seoul four years later. He won the gold medal in the same event at the European Indoor Championships in 1984.

PARIS

Formula One shutdown extended to 5 weeks

Formula One’s mandatory shutdown period will be extended by a further two weeks following the delay to the season caused by the coronavirus pandemic, world motorsport’s governing body has confirmed. The decision to prolong the break during which no staff members related to car performance are allowed to work will be extended from 21 to 35 days.

LONDON

No crowds, no Ryder Cup, says Harrington

Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington believes the biennial match with the USA should be postponed if fans are ordered to stay away due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Nobody wants to see the Ryder Cup played without the fans,” said the 48-year-old Irishman. “There’s no doubt that it makes the tournament so much better. I think the common consensus now is the Ryder Cup will not be played unless the fans are there.” This year’s edition is slated to take place from September 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Agencies