Digest

SOCCER

Neymar backs campaign to help Brazil's needy

Neymar

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has backed a campaign to help underprivileged families in Brazil cope with the coronavirus outbreak.

Led by Brazilian television personality Luciano Huck, the initiative also has the support of dual world surfing champion Gabriel Medina and other Brazilian celebrities.

The campaign calls on Brazilians to donate money－either directly or through charity organizations－to those in need, regardless of the amount.

"Solidarity must be more contagious than the virus," Neymar said in a video posted on social media. Medina added: "Now more than ever we need to give a hand to others."

The Brazilian government on Thursday announced a monthly subsidy of 600 reais ($120) for low-income workers and small entrepreneurs as many states impose lockdowns that effectively halt the informal economy.

Juventus squad agrees to salary reductions

Juventus players and coach Maurizio Sarri have reached an agreement over a wage reduction that will save the Italian champion 90 million euros ($100.26 million), the Serie A club announced on Saturday.

Sarri and the first-team players have agreed what amounts to a four-month pay reduction to help the Turin-based club during the coronavirus crisis.

The effective one-third cut to the players' annual salaries will mean a huge drop in wages for a squad headed by Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reported to earn 31 million euros a year.

The agreement comes at a time when many clubs around Europe have had to cut wage bills because of the dramatic impact that postponed or behind-closed-doors matches has had on their revenue.

"The economic and financial effects of the understanding reached are positive for about 90 million euros for the 2019/2020 financial year," Juventus said in a statement.

"The understanding provides for the reduction of the compensation for an amount equal to the monthly payments of March, April, May and June 2020."

ATHLETICS

Iran discus trailblazer Hadadi tests positive

Ehsan Hadadi

Ehsan Hadadi, Iran's first Olympic track and field medalist, has tested positive for coronavirus, World Athletics reported on Saturday.

Hadadi, the Asian discus champion who became a national hero when he won silver at the 2012 Olympics in London, has a training base in the US but was at home in Teheran when he contracted the virus.

"We've received word that Iranian discus thrower @EhsanHadadi has tested positive for Coronavirus. We wish him a full and swift recovery," World Athletics, the sport's global governing body, said on Twitter.

Tasnim news agency reported Iran Athletic Federation doctor Ashkan Ordibehesht as saying that the 35-year-old Ehsan had self-quarantined after being diagnosed with the virus.

"His recovery is going well," the doctor added.

Hadadi, a six-time Asian Championship winner and Asian-record holder, had been among the favorites to win gold at the Tokyo Games.

BASKETBALL

Infected Knicks owner 'overseeing business'

James Dolan, the executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Company and owner of the New York Knicks, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Knicks announced Dolan's diagnosis on Saturday night. It is not clear when he was tested or when he received the diagnosis.

Dolan is the first major American pro sports owner known to have tested positive for the virus. He also owns the National Hockey League's New York Rangers, along with other venues like Radio City Music Hall, The Hulu Theatre and The Chicago Theatre.

"The Madison Square Garden Company Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Dolan has tested positive for coronavirus," the Knicks' statement said. "He has been in self-isolation and is experiencing little to no symptoms. He continues to oversee business operations."

New York is a hotspot for the pandemic in the US. All 50 US states have reported some cases of the virus, but New York has the most, with over 52,000 positive tests and more than 700 deaths.

TENNIS

Osaka: Olympics will bounce back stronger

Naomi Osaka

Japan's two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, the poster girl of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, took to social media on Saturday to show her support for the decision to postpone the Games until next year. The 22-year-old was the central character in the video to launch Tokyo 2020's official motto for the Games last month.

"Everyone knows how much the Olympics means to me and how proud I will be to participate in my home country," Osaka, the world No 10, wrote on Twitter.

"I am disappointed that it won't happen this year but we'll all be ready to be stronger than ever in 2021! I support Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's brave decision and the IOC 100 percent.

"Sport will eventually unite us again and be there for us always, but that time is not now."

She added: "To the people of Japan: stay strong, hang in there, and let's show the world our beautiful country when the time is right in 2021."

RUGBY

All Blacks coaches accept 'big' pay cut

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says he and his colleagues are taking a pay cut and players will follow suit as New Zealand Rugby cuts expenses while professional competitions are shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Foster confirmed he and other coaches had agreed to substantial pay cuts as long as New Zealand Rugby's revenues are affected. He did not give a percentage figure.

"Our coaching group has definitely taken a big cut," Foster said. "It's already been agreed to.

"With rugby, when there's no games there's no revenue and that's a tough thing. There's been a lot of shaving of the programs and what it's also come down to is cutting salaries. That's happened for some and happening for others."

Foster said he had spoken to several All Blacks players who accept their pay will be cut and are prepared to make that sacrifice.

"It's a different sort of process for players but I know that they're willing to go into that space too," he said.

Xinhua - Agencies