Formula One and Silverstone chiefs say they have until the end of April to decide if the British Grand Prix will go ahead in July. The first eight Formula One races of the season have been called off due to the coronavirus. “Silverstone and Formula 1 remain in close dialogue regarding the ongoing situation and are assessing the feasibility of holding the British Grand Prix on 17th-19th July,” a joint statement from Silverstone and Formula One said on Wednesday. “Our timeline gives us until the end of April to make a final decision .”
£61m package
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a £61 million package to help the sport “withstand” the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic but did not declare any immediate cut in the players’ salaries. According to the ECB, financial assistance will be made available at every level of the game across counties, boards and clubs. “We understand these are challenging times and it has been our priority to provide swift and immediate support to all members of the cricket family at every level in England and Wales,” Tom Harrison, chief executive officer of the ECB, said.
Howe step
Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe became the first Premier League manager to take a voluntary pay cut on Wednesday. Cherries boss Howe, 42, agreed to take a “significant” cut to his reported £4 million-per-year ($4.9 million) contract to help offset the financial damage caused by the pandemic. Howe, chief executive Neill Blake, first team technical director Richard Hughes and assistant boss Jason Tindall have rubber stamped significant pay cuts for the period of time football is delayed by the health crisis.
Other updates
- Former Olympique de Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting the coronavirus, the Ligue 1 club announced on Tuesday. “It is with great sadness that Olympique de Marseille learned of the death of Pape Diouf,” the club said on their official Twitter account.
- The players and staff at Serie A team Cagliari have agreed to go without pay for one month to help the Sardinian club get through the stoppage caused by the coronavirus outbreak, its president Tommaso Giulini has said.
- The All India Football Federation pledged to donate Rs 25 lakh to the PM Cares Fund for the country's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Hockey India, too pledged to donate Rs 25 lakh towards the PM Cares Fund. Bengal pacer Ishan Porel has donated Rs 20,000 each to the State Relief Fund and Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.