Players’ safety was compromised: Saina

New Delhi: Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal accused the sport’s administrators of placing money above players’ safety by continuing last week’s All England Championships despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “Only thing I can think of is that rather than the players’ welfare and feelings, financial reasons were given more importance. Otherwise there was no other reason for the #AllEnglandOpen2020 to go on last week,” she tweeted. The 30-year-old lost in the opening round of the marquee event.

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Los Angeles
Ex-champion and trainer Roger Mayweather dies

Roger Mayweather, a two-time world champion turned trainer and uncle of unbeaten boxing great Floyd Mayweather, has died at the age of 58. “My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring,” said Floyd Mayweather, who was trained by his uncle for much of his illustrious career. Roger Mayweather, who had struggled with diabetes, won world titles in super featherweight and super lightweight, earning 59 wins in almost a 20-year ring career that included notable fights against Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker.

New York
Durant among Nets players diagnosed with Covid-19

Kevin Durant is reportedly among four Brooklyn Nets players who have tested positive for the new coronavirus and are in isolation. The injured Durant, who has yet to play for the Nets since signing for the club last year, confirmed to The Athletic website he had tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, the league is making financial preparations after being advised that the earliest play may be able to resume is June.

London
Laver Cup, Wimbledon to keep to schedule

Laver Cup organisers say the exhibition event will go ahead in September as planned despite the French Open moving to the same dates as the implications of the French Tennis Federation (FFT)’s shock gambit began to reverberate today. Meanwhile, Wimbledon organisers are still planning to play the Grand Slam this year, despite the coronavirus chaos that led the French Open to be pushed back until September. Also, Wimbledon organisers are still planning to organise the year’s third Grand Slam, scheduled to run from June 29 to July 12.

Rome
French World Cup winner Matuidi catches coronavirus

Juventus’ France World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Hellas Verona’s Mattia Zaccagni have both tested positive for coronavirus, their Serie A clubs confirmed on Tuesday. “Matuidi has undergone medical tests that have revealed his positivity to the coronavirus,” the Italian champions said in a statement.

Madrid
Spanish soccer club reports 15 Covid-19 cases

Spanish soccer team Alaves says 15 people in its club have become infected with the coronavirus: Three players, seven members of its coaching staff and five other employees. The club had already reported that two members of its staff were infected. Valencia and Espanyol said that their clubs have also been hit by the virus.

Berlin
Germany players donate ^2.5 million to fight virus

German national team footballers said today they would donate ^2.5 million to help fight the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “We need to look after each other in times like this. We in the national team have been thinking and we are going to donate to a good cause,” said Germany captain Manuel Neuer in a video posted on Instagram. Agencies