Digest

TENNIS

Djokovic would refuse COVID-19 vaccination

Novak Djokovic says if a COVID-19 vaccination is compulsory for tennis players to return to the world tours then he won't take it.

The world No 1 said in a live Facebook chat on Sunday that he wouldn't "be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel".

"Hypothetically, if the season was to resume in July, August or September, though unlikely, I understand that a vaccine will become a requirement straight after we are out of strict quarantine and there is no vaccine yet."

Djokovic and his wife Jelena, who have two children, have previously expressed their opposition to vaccinations.

Prominent Serbian virologist Predrag Kon, a member of the state team fighting the spread of COVID-19, replied to Djokovic on Facebook that he should not make such anti-vaccination statements because of his huge public influence in his native country.

"As one of Djokovic's most trusted fans, I would have liked to have had the opportunity to explain to him the importance of the immunology in public health," Kon wrote on Monday. "Now it's too late, you have assumed wrong beliefs."

SOCCER

Arsenal players agree to conditional pay cut

Arsenal's first-team players and head coach Mikel Arteta have agreed to a 12.5 percent cut of their wages to support the club through the coronavirus crisis, the English Premier League club has announced.

The north London club said that it reached a "voluntary agreement" with its first-team players, head coach and core coaching staff. "Reductions of total annual earnings by 12.5 percent will come into effect this month," but the club will back-pay salaries "if we meet specific targets in the seasons ahead, primarily linked to success on the pitch".

The Gunners emphasized that the agreement is based on the assumption that the Premier League could finish this season and they can receive the full broadcasting revenues.

Earlier this month, the Premier League suggested clubs cut players' wages by 30 percent but the Professional Footballers' Association said that would actually harm Britain's health system due to fewer tax contributions from the players.

Serie A commits to finishing season

Serie A insisted on Monday that it is committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy.

"The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, if the government allows it to take place," Italy's top flight said in a statement

It added that any resumption will take place "in accordance with regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA" and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and "in compliance with medical protocols to protect the players".

Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the "incalculable risk" of restarting, according to reports in Italy.

Six of those clubs are situated in the north of Italy which has been hardest hit by a virus which has killed over 24,000 people.

Matthaeus baffled by Neuer contract impasse

Lothar Matthaeus says he is puzzled by reports of stalled contract extension talks between Germany captain Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich.

"It seems out of place for me that Manuel Neuer is not appreciated at FC Bayern," former Germany and Bayern captain Matthaeus told Sky Sport News.

The 59-year-old former midfielder advised his old club to "sit down at the same table" for clear-the-air talks with the disgruntled Neuer.

"It's a matter of 10 minutes. I don't understand it," said Matthaeus.

Neuer's current deal expires in 2021 and if the talks fail, the Germany captain could attract strong interest from Premier League clubs.

Neuer, 34, gave an explosive interview to Bild at the weekend admitting he was "irritated" about the leaked details of the extension talks.

"Details about the current talks are constantly appearing in the media," fumed Neuer.

"That irritates me. It's not something I am used to at Bayern."

BASKETBALL

Jordan's 'Dream Team' jersey sells for $216K

Michael Jordan's game-worn jersey from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics sold for $216,000 on Sunday night in an auction that coincided with the release of a widely viewed Chicago Bulls documentary.

Robert Edward Auctions, which sells high-end sports memorabilia, confirmed the sale of the autographed, game-used jersey.

It fetched the second-highest auction price for a Jordan jersey.

Bidding opened at $25,000 on April 7 and ended on the night of the premiere of ESPN's The Last Dance documentary.

"Michael Jordan is arguably the most iconic athlete of all-time, winning six NBA titles and two Olympic gold medals," Robert Edward Auctions president Brian Dwyer said in a statement. "Collectors relished a rare opportunity to own Jordan's jersey from the 1992 Dream Team－the greatest basketball team ever assembled."

CYCLING

Froome 'like machine' during lockdown

Delaying the Tour de France is good for fourtime champion Chris Froome, his team manager Dave Brailsford said on Monday.

When France extended its ban on large gatherings into July, the Tour's start was shifted from late June to late August. Doubt remains about whether it will start even then because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the new dates injected positive news through the sport.

Professional cycling has been shut down for more than a month, but Brailsford said Froome hasn't wasted time while in lockdown.

"He is an amazing guy. If anybody has got the right mentality to be in this situation, it is Chris. He is very, very strong mentally," Brailsford said.

"He is up in the mornings like a machine. In the gym, he is on his bike, he is training.

"He is working so hard and, to work through this period, I don't think there is any doubt that he is going to benefit from this (lockdown) as much as anybody－in terms of being able to put the work together and consistently build a very, very good strong fitness base."

GOLF

Ex-PGA boss Finchem to join Hall of Fame

Tim Finchem, who expanded the PGA Tour's footprint around the world and negotiated TV contracts that more than tripled prize money during his two decades as commissioner, has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The 73-year-old was elected through the contributor category and will become the 10th administrator to be inducted, joining predecessor Deane Beman.

Finchem was PGA Tour commissioner when the World Golf Hall of Fame opened in 1998 in St Augustine, Florida.

"One of the great things about that is to get know the inductees who I didn't know in other aspects of my job," Finchem said on Monday. "It's a tremendous list of people. To be included in that group is very powerful. I want to thank those who thought I was deserving of it. In many ways, I didn't feel I am deserving because I just had so much fun being in the job for so long."

Xinhua - Agencies