Digest

SOCCER

Ronaldinho barred from receiving visitors

Brazilian great Ronaldinho will no longer receive visits at the Paraguayan jail where he is being held as local authorities attempt to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

Ronaldinho and his brother, Roberto Assis, have been imprisoned since March 6 for allegedly using fake passports to enter the South American country.

According to the Globo Esporte news portal, Paraguayan officials have ordered that the prison on the outskirts of capital Asuncion tighten protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

In addition to barring all visitors except lawyers, jail staff have been ordered to wear protective gloves and masks while all prisoners must undergo a daily health check, the report said.

Ronaldinho and Assis traveled to Paraguay on March 4 to participate in a children's charity event and promote a new book. The pair were arrested later that day when police realized they had entered the country with fake passports.

ATHLETICS

Worlds willing to move Oregon championships

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo organizers may have been presented with a new date for the 2020 Olympic Games after World Athletics agreed on Monday to change the dates of its 2021 world championships in the United States.

"World Athletics has already been in discussion with the Oregon 21 Organizing Committee regarding the possibility the Olympic Games may move to next year," athletics' governing body said in a statement before Tuesday's announcement that Tokyo 2020 will be postponed until summer 2021 at the latest.

The championships in Eugene, Oregon, are currently scheduled for Aug 6-15 and would be the first ever to be held in the United States.

"The organizing committee of Oregon 21 is aware of the possibility of date changes should the 2020 Olympic Games be postponed to the summer of 2021," organizers said in a statement before Tuesday's postponement of the Olympics.

USA Track and Field said it supported the discussions.

BASKETBALL

Barkley's virus test comes back negative

Charles Barkley tested negative for COVID-19 after showing symptoms of the virus on March 12.

One day after the NBA placed its season on hiatus as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus, Barkley called into the NBA on TNT show to say he was ill and was submitting to a swab test. Barkley, 57, was present at the All-Star Game in Chicago less than a month earlier where Gobert and teammate Donovan Mitchell－who also tested positive－were also on the scene.

"I've received my COVID-19 test results this morning and they are negative," Barkley said on Monday in a statement released by Turner Sports.

"I'd like to thank everyone for reaching out and expressing your concern and support. You all be safe and please take necessary actions to help ensure your well-being."

Barkley was in New York, which has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus, and spent a day with the Los Angeles Angels in spring training before he became symptomatic.

DOPING

WADA to continue testing 'where possible'

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Monday that it would continue to test "where possible" while remaining in line with protocols set out by governmental and health organizations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"We will get through this situation and everyone hopes that we can return the global anti-doping system to full power as soon as we emerge," WADA president Witold Banka said in a statement.

The coronavirus outbreak has decimated the global sporting calendar, with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics also postponed on Tuesday, probably until the summer of 2021.

The chair of WADA'a athlete committee, Ben Sandford, said while the situation "goes well beyond anti-doping and sport", the organization would continue to pursue testing to ensure clean sport.

"It is important to ensure the integrity of the overall system is maintained as much as possible," said Sandford.

"WADA will continue to identify any gaps in the program."

NFL

Manning turns down ESPN analyst offer

NFL legend Peyton Manning turned down overtures to be part of ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasting crew, the New York Post reported on Monday.

The publication cited sources saying Manning wasn't willing to commit to the weekly schedule throughout the NFL season.

Former Indianapolis and Denver quarterback Manning has declined multiple opportunities to be a game analyst since retiring as a player following the 2015 season.

Speculation was heavy that ESPN was willing to pay Manning in the vicinity of the $18 million per year that former NFL quarterback Tony Romo will make after recently agreeing to a new deal at CBS.

ESPN also reportedly was interested in luring Al Michaels over to team with Manning, but NBC prevented ESPN from speaking to Michaels.

BOXING

Fighters facing big concerns, says Hearn

The coronavirus pandemic could force many boxers to leave the sport for financial reasons, leading British promoter Eddie Hearn said on Monday.

Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing promotes world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, told the BBC that those fighters starting out in the sport or at the bottom of the ladder faced tough times.

"If this drags on to September, October, November, December, we'll have fighters that have not boxed this year," said Hearn.

"The fighters at the top end are going to be fine but the fighters coming through, small-hall fighters, ones starting their careers or those who do not have a sponsorship deal face big concerns.

"They will have to give up the sport of boxing and get a job and that's heartbreaking for someone trying to live their dreams."

The British Boxing Board of Control said on Monday it had extended a ban on all events under its jurisdiction until the end of April.

Xinhua - Agencies