Sports news feed: October 2020

Latest headlines

• No F1 team for Mick Schumacher – yet
• Bayern coach urges Alaba to stay
• Tokyo Olympics organizers offer refunds

October 30

Mick Schumacher to Haas F1 in 2021?

Mick Schumacher won't be driving for Formula 1 team Alfa Romeo next year after the team announced contract extensions with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi this Friday. Now there is a lot of speculation that  21-year-old son of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher could catch on with the Haas F1 Team, which is still to announce its lineup for next season. 

"We intend to announce who our new drivers will be before the end of the season, we are confident that we will be able to do that, said Haas Team Principal Günther Steiner on Friday.  

"He is a Ferrari driver, not mine," Steiner added in reaction to the rumors that the younger Schumacher could be poised to join Haas.  

Mick Schumacher currently leads the drivers' standings in Formula 2.  

Bayern coach Flick urges Alaba to stay

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has said he hasn't given up hope that defender David Alaba will extend his contract with the European and Bundesliga champions.  

"I still hope that he will sign with Bayern because he knows what kind of situation he currently has in Munich. It's a lot of fun to play for this team," Flick said in press conference on Friday. 

"We play successful football, and the club is one of the best in the world. The conditions are great for every player I'm sure he'll think twice about it. 

The 28-year-old Alaba is out of contract at the end of the season and is reportedly insisting on a huge pay rise. He has repeatedly been linked with Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City. According to German media reports a third round of extension talks with Alaba's agent failed last week. 

Olympic-ticket refunds

Organizers of next summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo have announced that refunds will be offered to people who bought tickets in Japan. They also said that those who bought tickets for the postponed 2020 Games and intend to attend in 2021 would be reimbursed if they are shut out due to fewer available seats or event-cancellations due to COVID-19.  

The statement came after International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach warned that full stadiums "may not be possible" at the Games, which are scheduled to start a year late in July 2021. 

Those who bought tickets outside of Japan from so-called Authorized Ticket Resellers appointed by national Olympic committees were directed to consult the company in question. Many have already set terms for refunds, which vary by nation or territory. 

October 28

Bundesliga fans shut out of stadiums again

The Bundesliga will have to play without fans again after the gradual return of fans was cut short as a result of surging COVID-19 infections in Germany.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders agreed new restrictions on Wednesday in an attempt to contain the virus, meaning professional soccer matches will have to be played without spectators starting Monday and for the rest of November, with amateur sports halted altogether.

Most Bundesliga games were being played without fans anyway, with a few clubs allowing limited numbers of fans through their gates based on local infection rates. 

"We must act, and now, to avoid an acute national health emergency,'' Merkel said

 

World 100-meters champion Coleman banned

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has handed world 100-meters champion Christian Coleman a two-year ban for breaching whereabouts rules.

The AIU said on Tuesday  that its Disciplinary Tribunal had confirmed that Coleman missed doping tests on January 16 and December 9, 2019, while failing to provide correct information concerning a third one on April 26, 2019.

"We regret to say that we do not think there is any mitigation which can fairly be relied upon to reduce the sanction from the two-year period," the AIU said in a statement. 

The 24-year-old has 30 days to appeal the decision, something his representative said he intended to do. 

"The decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal established under the World Athletics Rules is unfortunate and will be immediately appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport," Emanuel Hudson said.  

The AIU said Coleman's ban was backdated to May 14, 2020, meaning it's set to expire on May 13, 2022. 

October 27

Former Lewandowski agent detained in Poland

Robert Lewandowski's former agent has been detained in Poland in connection with allegations that he attempted to blackmail the Bayern Munich star.

A Warsaw prosecutors' office spokesman told the DPA news agency they had ordered the detention of Cezary K.as part of an investigation into Lewandowski’s claim of criminal threats made against him. The prosecutors' office confirmed to the Associated Press that Cezary K.'s home and offices had been searched.

Polish media reported last month that Czary K. had demanded €20 million from Lewandowski related to past business dealings.

In response, a spokeswoman for Lewandowski said Cezary K. "tried to get Lewandowski to pay him money he was not entitled to" and that accusations against her client were an "attempt to exert pressure on us, by damaging the reputation of Robert Lewandowski and by creating a distorted picture of the matter, which could influence the view of a court in the future."

Lewandowski knows Cezary K. from his time at Polish second division club Znicz Pruszkow. The agent was also involved in organizing Lewandowski’s transfer to first division club Lech Poznan in 2008, before the Poland international moved to Borussia Dortmund (2010) and then Bayern Munich (2014).

Lewandowski severed their business ties in 2018 and he is now represented by Israeli agent Pini Zahavi.

October 26

DFL boss Seifert to step down in 2022

German Football League Association (DFL) CEO Christian Seifert has announced his intention to step down from the role when his contract runs out in 2022.

In a statement released on Monday by the governing body titled "Personal statement from DFL CEO Christian Seifert," the 51-year-old said: "These are challenging times that demand clarity and reliability. This applies to the DFL as a whole and also to my professional ambitions. That is why I have informed Mr. Peter Peters as Chairman of the Supervisory Board that I will leave the DFL when my contract expires in June 2022."

Seifert, who joined the DFL in 2005, has been credited with advancing German football’s status, especially in terms of marketing and broadcasting rights.

October 25

A false positive

Bayern Munich have confirmed that Serge Gnabry has left quarantine after five days following a string of negative tests.

Following the positive test last Tuesday for Gnabry, the attacker has tested negative every day since, including on Sunday. Munich's health authorities therefore believe the original positive case to have been a "false positive", allowing Gnabry to leave quarantine and return to team training. He is expected to travel with the team to Moscow on Monday for the team's Champions League game next week.

Germany friendly called off

Germany's friendly against England has been called off after a member of England's backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19.

"We would have liked to play England but we must respect the decision made by the FA. We know we are living in difficult times and that as a result of the dynamic of the pandemic that unplanned things can occur," Germay head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said.

The players will return to their clubs tomorrow morning, includingNicole Anyomi who had been expected to make her debut for Germany.

October 23

Bundesliga crowd allowances may be reviewed

The North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) health ministry wants to revise Bundesliga crowd allowances in the region.

Currently, games are allowed to be played in front of fans if daily infection rates are below 50 per 100,000 residents.

But according to the Westfalen-Blatt newspaper, authorities wish to completely exclude fans if the infection rate goes above 35 cases per 100,000.

Arminia Bielefeld had to play Bayern Munich behind closed doors last weekend after infection rates rose above the agreed amount. However, Schalke, Cologne and Borussia Mönchengladbach all hosted matches despite high infection rates.

Dortmund host Schalke in the fierce Revierderby on Saturday.

October 22

Leverkusen and Hoffenheim win in Europa League 

The Bundesliga's representatives in the Europa League got off to a flying start on Thursday evening, with Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim both recording opening-day victories.

Leverkusen showed off their attacking arsenal against Nice as they raced into a two-goal lead within the first 16 minutes. The match ended 6-2 as Karim Bellarabi scored twice.

It was a tougher night for Hoffenheim, who had to wait until the 64th minute for the opening goal against Red Star Belgrade. But a Munas Dabbur strike in the 90th minute sealed a promising 2-0 victory.

Hoffenheim travel to play Gent next week, while Leverkusen will face Slavia Prague.

Werder Bremen reveal positive COVID-19 test

Yet another Bundesliga player has tested positive for the coronavirus, with Werder Bremen saying one of their professionals has been in quarantine. The affected player is reportedly "fine and has no symptoms", while all other staff tested negative.

Another player and a staff member were also required to go into a 14-day quarantine despite testing negative.

Bremen canceled their Thursday training session and have asked all staff to self-quarantine at home until Friday.

"In order to ensure more safety for the rest of the team and the entire staff ... will be in a voluntary quarantine at home until the next test on Friday (October 23)," the statement read

Bremen play Hoffenheim at home on Sunday. Germany recorded reported almost 12,000 new cases on Thursday morning.

Haas F1 team announces driver departures

Haas will have an all-new lineup for the 2021 season after Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen both revealed they would leave the American team at the end of the season.

Grosjean, who joined in 2016, teamed up with Magnussen in 2017 to lead Haas to an impressive fifth place in the constructors' championship in 2018.

But points tallies have plummeted, with the two drivers only winning one point apiece so far in 2020.

It remains unclear who will jump on board for Haas, though young Ferrari academy driver Mick Schumacher has been linked with a move. Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg have been linked.

"The last chapter is closed and the book is finished," Grosjean wrote on his Facebook page. "I've been with Haas F1 Team since day 1. Five years during which we went through highs and lows, scored 110 points in 92 races, but the journey was worth it."

October  21

Özil expresses disappointment at being axed by Arsenal

Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil said Wednesday he was deeply disappointed" to be left out of Arsenal's Premier League squad amid speculation he has played his last game for the North London club. The 32-year-old has also been omitted from the club's Europa League squad and has not played a single minute for Mikel Arteta's side since March 7. 

"This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I've played for over the past few years," Özil said in a statement posted on Twitter. 

 "I'm really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being." 

The midfielder went on to question Arsenal's loyalty. 

"Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated," Özil said. 

Özil, who moved to Arsenal in from Real Madrid in 2013, retired from the German national team after the 2018 World Cup amid controversy over a photo taken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prior to the tournament. 

Stroll recovers from COVID-19 infection

Racing Point Formula One driver Lance Stroll revealed on Wednesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus after the Eifel Grand Prix in Germany on October 11. The Canadian broke the news on Twitter. He missed the race at Nuerburgring and was replaced by Nico Huelkenberg from qualifying onwards.

"I just want to let everyone know that I recently tested positive for
Covid-19 after the Eifel GP weekend," he wrote on Twitter. "I am
feeling 100 per cent and have since tested negative."

The Formula One season continues with the Portuguese Grand Prix in
Portimao on October 25.

October 20

Gnabry tests positive for COVID-19

Bayern Munich and Germany forward Serge Gnabry will enter into a period of quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19, Bayern Munich announced on Tuesday evening.

The 25-year-old will remain at home and will therefore miss Bayern's Champions League games against Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow this week and next, respectively, as well as at least one Bundesliga game, starting this Saturday against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Gnabry is "otherwise in good health," a Bayern Munich statement read.

 

Report: Manchester United, Liverpool in talks on super league

English Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are in talks with Europe's elite clubs to join a new FIFA-backed tournament, according to a report published by the UK's Sky News on Tuesday. 

Citing unnamed "football industry" sources, Sky reports that more than 12 teams from Europe's top five leagues – in England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain – are involved in negotiations to become the founding members of the new tournament, dubbed the European Premier League. It says play in the new leagues could start as early as 2022.  

It also reports that Wall Street bank JP Morgan is in talks to provide $6 billion of debt financing to help launch the new league, with the funds repayable from potential broadcast income generated by the tournament. The idea of a European super league has been repeatedly floated by big clubs over the last 20 years, with UEFA coming out strongly against it.  

There has been no independent confirmation of the plan from FIFA or any of the clubs allegedly in the talks.  

Further cuts to football income

Europe's top football clubs are set to lose further revenue after the continent's governing body UEFA announced it would reduce prize money for the Champions and Europa Leagues.

UEFA said it has lost £514 million (€563 million,$664 million) following a reduction in both television and sponsorship income due to disruptions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, cuts have been made to prize money for the next five seasons.

The two competitions were suspended in March but resumed in August, with Bayern Munich and Sevilla being crowned champions.

Eight matches in the Europa League and six in the Champions League were lost after two-legged playoffs were rescheduled as one-off fixtures. All matches following the restart were played behind closed doors at neutral venues.

About €1.95 billion in prize money was expected to be distributed across the 32 teams in the Champions League last season.

October 18

Moukoko can't stop scoring

He's only 15 years old, but Youssoufa Moukoko has continued his scoring streak for Dortmund's U19 team.

The young star netted his third hat trick in as many games against fierce rivals Schalke as Dortmund ran out 3-2 winners.

Moukoko turns 16 on November 20, when he will become eligible to play for Dortmund's first team in the Bundesliga.

His recent exploits were sullied, however, with Moukoko suffering verbal abuse from Schalke supporters.

The club itself released a short statement on Twitter apologizing for their fans' behavior.

Egyptian grandfather breaks record for oldest footballer

Ezzeldin Bahader has played his second professional football match in Egypt, qualifying him for the world record as the world's oldest pro footballer at the age of 75.

The Guinness Book of Records only recognizes footballers who have played 180 minutes professionally. Bahader completed his first 90 minutes for the team called October 6 in Egypt's third tier back in March, even scoring a penalty, and has now completed his second full match.

The father of four and grandfather of six overtakes Israeli Isaak Hayik's record, who played in goal for Ironi Or Yehuda at the age of 73 last year.

October 16

Two Hoffenheim players test positive

Ahead of the Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, two Hoffenheim players have tested positive for COVID-19, the club confirmed on Friday. 

According to the club, the two players returned positive tests after returning to Germany from international duty. They are said to be asymptomatic and in quarantine, having had no contact with other teammates or staff members.

Giro d'Italia limps on amid coronavirus fears

After a number of riders tested positive for COVID-19 and two teams withdrew, doubts are growing as to whether this year's Giro d'Italia can be safely completed. Team EF Pro Cycling have already demanded the race be abandoned, saying that the protective bubble around the teams has been "clearly damaged" and that "further infections" are to be expected. 

Belgian rider Thomas De Gendt from team Lotto-Soudal said there had already been heated discussions within his team over whether or not to start Friday's 12th stage, adding that he had heard fellow riders coughing in the peloton. "Things aren't going well, we don't feel safe," he said. "In the end, you can't concentrate. I am one of the riders who would prefer not to start."

Organizers claim that the eight positive tests registered across five teams earlier this week, including British favorite Simon Yates, are proof that the hygiene concept works, with race director Mauro Vegni accusing individual teams of "carelessness in the bubble."

"I think the organizers are hiding things," said De Gendt. "There's a lot of money on the line and it's important for the sponsors that we make it to Milan."

October 15

Ronaldo's flight home to Italy questioned

Italy's sports minister, Vincenzo Spadafora, says Cristiano Ronaldo may have breached COVID-19 protocol by returning home to Turin despite testing positive for the virus while on international duty.

The Juventus forward was ruled out of Portugal's friendly against Sweden in Lisbon and forced into a period of self-isolation. Ronaldo traveled back to Italy on Wednesday evening by private jet.

Spadafora told Italian radio he may have broken health rules.

"Without authorisation from the health authorities, I think he has violated the protocol," he said.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said no rules had been broken.

"You must call the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior and have them explain what has been violated," Agnelli said during a news conference.

Juventus said on Wednesday that Ronaldo had returned on a medical flight "authorised by the competent health authorities".

Hertha's Matteo Guendouzi tests positive for COVID-19

Hertha Berlin midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has tested positive for coronavirus after returning from international duty with the French under-21 team. The 21-year-old remains asymptomatic and will spend ten days in quarantine, meaning he will miss his team's Bundesliga home game against Stuttgart on Saturday and the trip to RB Leipzig a week later.

Guendouzi, who has joined Hertha on a season-long loan from Arsenal, will be eligible to finally make his debut against Wolfsburg on November 1.

October 14

German FA hits back over tax evasion accusations

A bizarre twist in the German Football Association’s current problems with the tax authorities, with reports suggesting the outstanding fees have already been paid.

The DFB has endured a rocky few days after tax authorities raided its headquarters and private apartments as part of a tax fraud investigation last week.

The public prosecutor’s office has accused six former or current DFB executives of deliberately submitting incorrect tax declarations relating to advertising revenues in 2014 and 2015, avoiding about €4.7 million ($5.52 million) in taxes.

Yet the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reports that the association actually cleared up those tax irregularities in March 2019.

The DFB has so far failed to declare whether or not they settled the dispute previously. 

October 13

Ronaldo tests positive for COVID-19

Juventus and Portugal soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement by the Portuguese soccer federation (FPF).

The statement said that Ronaldo was showing no COVID-19 symptoms and was in isolation, thus missing Wednesday's Nations League match against Sweden. Due to isolation rules, he will also miss Juventus' upcoming games in Serie A and the Champions League.

The FPF said that all other Portugal players underwent new coronavirus tests on Tuesday and all returned negative.
 

Golf star Johnson also tests positive

World number one golfer Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from this week’s CJ Cup after testing positive for COVID-19.

The 36-year-old American reported symptoms to the PGA Tour on the weekend and following a test will now begin to self-isolate.

“Obviously, I am very disappointed,” Johnson said. “I was really looking forward to competing this week, but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible.

October 11

Rafael Nadal produced a vintage performance on Sunday to remain the king of the clay in Paris. The Spaniard's flawless 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 win over Novak Djokovic brought him his 13th French Open title.

Perhaps more significantly though, Nadal's win equalled Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles, the last of which the Swiss won at the 2018 Australian Open.

"Winning here means everything to me," Nadal said on court straight after his win. "I don't think today about equalling Roger's record of 20 Grand Slams. For me, today is a Roland Garros victory. Roland Garros means everything to me... many of the important moments of my career have been here. The love story I have with this city and this court is unforgettable."

The French Open usually starts in late May but was postponed until late September due to the coronavirus pandemic. And Nadal had some words of encouragement for the world's fight against the virus.

"I want to send a message to all the people in the world," Nadal said. "We are going through a tough moment with this virus, but everyone stay positive and we will beat it together."

October 10

Poland's Iga Swiatek has made history. The 19-year-old, who did not drop a set throughout the tournament, beat fourth seed Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-1 to win the 2020 French Open.

In doing so, the world number 54, became the first ever Grand Slam singles champion from Poland, the youngest French Open winner since 1992 and the ninth first-time champion in the past 14 Grand Slams.

October 9

The 2021 Tokyo Marathon has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The race was to be held next March, but organizers said Friday that the race would now take place on October 17 instead, two months after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, another event which was pushed to July 2021 due to the pandemic. 

The organizers said they were "carefully reviewing plans that will adhere to the situation surrounding COVID-19," and that they’ll do everything in their powers to “deliver a safe and secure event."

Around 38,000 participants from around the world were to take part.

October 8

Özil not named in Arsenal's Europa League squad

Mesut Ozil's ostracization at Arsenal went to a new level Thursday when he was left off the team's Europa League squad
list for this season.   

The 31-year-old Ozil hasn't played for Arsenal since football started in June amid the coronavirus pandemic, leaving his future
at the club in question. 

 Asked recently why Ozil _ one of the club's highest-paid players, reportedly at more than $20 million a year, was out of favor, Arteta
said: "The team is evolving, you can see the level they are achieving." 

Mercedes team member tests positive for COVID-19

Formula One champions Mercedes reported on Thursday that a member of their team had tested positive for COVID-19 but a spokesman said drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were clear.

"We can confirm that a team member has tested positive," said a spokesman. "This has been handled and is being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA," he added, without giving further details.

Six times world champion Hamilton leads Bottas in the championship by 44 points after 10 races.

Lack of fans factor in 'crazy' football results

Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady believes the absence of crowds at stadiums is a major factor behind the surprising scorelines seen in the Premier League this season.

"Honestly, they are mad, the scorelines," said Coady. "It's a tough one to put your finger on, it really is. You look at it at the start of the season, some teams are ahead of others in terms of fitness, in terms of having a pre-season.

"The teams that have been in European competition obviously haven't had that ... so that might play a bit of a factor. I think fans play a big factor... I think we all want them back as soon as possible."

Long-distance world records broken

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei and Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey shattered the long-standing world records in the men's 10,000 metres and women's 5,000m in Valencia on Wednesday at an event dubbed 'World Record Day'.

The 24-year-old Cheptegei ran a provisional 26 minutes 11.02 seconds in metronomic fashion to better the 26:17.53 minutes by Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele from 2005. Gidey claimed the women's 5,000m world record of her compatriot
Tirunesh Dibaba by running 14:06.62 minutes.

October 7

Kvitova clinches semifinal berth at French Open

Petra Kvitova returned to the French Open semifinals for the first time in eight years on Wednesday after defeating Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-3, describing Roland Garros as her "lucky place."

"It means a lot to be back in the semi-finals," said 30-year-old Kvitova who was beaten by eventual champion Maria Sharapova when she made the same stage in 2012.

"After my last match, I was very emotional to be in the quarter-finals. Now I am in the semis. I never imagined this would happen after everything that has happened. This is my lucky place."

Global Rapid Rugby cancels 2021 season 

The 2021 season for the franchise-based Global Rapid Rugby (GRR) competition has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said on Wednesday.

The competition, backed by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest, had suspended its inaugural season after one round due to the pandemic before cancelling it entirely in April.

German FA in tax evasion probe

The German Football Association (DFB) headquarters and the homes of DFB officials have been searched on suspicion
of tax evasion, Frankfurt prosecutors say.

It said six former and current officials of the DFB were suspected of having intentionally falsely declared income from advertising inside soccer stadiums during certain matches in 2014 and 2015 as income from asset management, leading to an evasion of 4.7 million euros ($5.52 million) worth of taxes. 

To read more on the story click here. 

October 6

Sancho apologises for party

Still in hot water with club and country over his flouting of coronavirus protocols, Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho took to social media to issue an apology.

"I would like to apologise for breaking the government guidelines and although I was unaware upon arriving of the numbers attending, I take full responsibility for my actions. I will make sure that I learn from this," the 20-year-old said in a statement on Instagram.

England have delayed the call-ups of Sancho, Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham, whose birthday they were celebrating.

World #131 into semis at French Open

Argentina's Nadia Podoroska became the first qualifier in the Open era on Tuesday to make the women's semi-finals at Roland Garros after stunning third seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4.

World number 131 Podoroska had never won a Grand Slam main draw match before the tournament and is the first Argentine woman to reach the last four of a major since Paola Suarez in Paris in 2004. The 23-year-old Podoroska will play Polish teenager Iga Swiatek or Italian qualifier Martina Trevisan for a place in Saturday's final.

Match-fixing probe at French Open

French police are investigating possible offences of organized fraud and sporting corruption linked to the French open, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Tuesday.

The confirmation came a day after German newspaper Die Welt and French sports newspaper L'Equipe reported that police were looking into a first-round match in the women's doubles competition. The reports said that one particular game in the match in question
had aroused suspicions.

To read more on the story click here.

October 5

Jadon Sancho in hot water with Dortmund and England

Borussia Dortmund have announced that they are "in close contact with the English FA and the representatives of the national team," following the publication of pictures showing Jadon Sancho at a party in London.

The winger was celebrating the birthday of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham at an event that flouted the recent coronavirus restrictions put in place in England. Sancho missed BVB's last two games due to "throat infection" and the club are reportedly decidedly unimpressed with the 20-year-old's decision to attend. 

Meanwhile, there have also been calls for Sancho, Abraham and other England national team members in attendance to be dropped for the upcoming internationals.

Germany's Siegemund reaches French Open quarterfinals

Germany's world number 66 Laura Siegemund reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final on Monday, but garnered attention for more than just the result after ordering a plate of food to be delivered to her on court.

"I was trying to get some carbs in. I tried the bar. Couldn't get it down really. I tried," said Siegemund after her 7-5, 6-2 win over Badosa on Court Simonne-Mathieu. "I asked my physio to bring me something else. I just wanted to get some carb, some potato or rice."

Energised by her food intake, she won 10 of the last 12 games to set up a quarter-final clash against seventh seed and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

Turkish Grand Prix will be without fans

Next month's Turkish Grand Prix will be held without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Istanbul government said on Monday. Turkey has registered nearly 325,000 coronavirus infections and more than 8,400 deaths.

The race, the 14th of 17 in Formula One this season, will return to Istanbul after a nine year absence on November 15.    

Crazy scenes in Karting World Championships

A video that has to be seen to be believed. At the FIA Karting World Championship final at the Lonato circuit, Luca Corberi - whose family operate the venue - ended up throwing his bumper at a rival before ignoring marshals as he stormed off across the track after an incident knocked him out of the race.

October 4

Zverev out of French Open

Alexander Zverev was knocked out by 19-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner, playing his first Roland Garros, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Sinner's reward is a quarterfinal against the king of clay, Rafa Nadal. Zverev meanwhile, says he wasn't feeling well.

October 3

German qualifier serves up career best

Daniel Altmaier, ranked 186th in the world, beat seventh seed Matteo Berrettini in the French Open 6-2, 7-6, 6-4.

The 22-year-old was not even sure he would make his debut at Roland Garros as he was struggling with an injury and needed a go-ahead from a doctor at the last minute to take part in the qualifiers.

October 2

Bundesliga player tests positive for COVID-19

Wolfsburg's Renato Steffen has tested positive for COVID-19, the club announced early on Friday evening. The Swiss, who is asymptomatic, has gone into quarantine at home and will miss Sunday's game against Augsburg as well as the international fixtures next week. 

German sides handed Europa groups

After Wolfsburg fell in the qualifiers, Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen were handed their Europa League draws on Friday.

In a tougher draw than they would have hoped for, Leverkusen, seeded in pot 1, will play Czech outfit Slavia Prague, Hapoel beer Sheva, of Israel, and French outfit Nice. 

Hoffenheim, seeded third,perhaps got away a little lighter. They will play Gent (Belgium), Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) and Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic). The full fixtures will be announced later on Friday. 

Löw names squad for triple header

After their Champions League exertions caused them to miss Germany's previous matches, Bayern Munich quartet Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry return to the fold.

But they, along with RB Leipzig pair Marcel Halstenberg and Lukas Klostermann, will only be available for the Nations League games with Ukraine (October 10) and Switzerland (October 13) and not the friendly with Turkey next Wednesday.

Three games in such a short space of time given the current packed schedule has led Löw to name 29 players in his squad. Fringe players like Nadiem Amiri, Robin Koch, Luca Waldschmidt, Florian Neuhaus and Niklas Stark will hope for opportunities while there are maiden callups for Borussia Dortmund's Mahmoud Dahoud and Jonas Hofman, of Borussia Mönchengladbach.

October 1

US soccer team forfeits match over alleged homophobia 

San Diego Loyal players walked off the pitch in a second division game against Phoenix Rising after a homophobic comment was allegedly aimed at midfielder Collin Martin, who is openly gay.

San Diego, who are managed and owned by former US international Landon Donovan, had already forfeited a match against LA Galaxy's reserves the previous week after midfielder Elijah Martin was the victim of alleged racist abuse.

"We went through a really hard incident last week in the LA match," said Donovan, who also made a handful of Bundesliga appearances for Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. "We made a vow to ourselves, to our community, to our players, to the club, to USL, that we would not stand for bigotry, homophobic slurs, things that don't belong in our game."

Despite leading 3-1 at half-time, San Diego thus forfeited a chance of reaching the playoffs. Opponents Phoenix Rising said the alleged perpetrator "vehemently denied" the allegations.

Bundesliga clubs criticize international matches

Ahead of next week's international break, several Bundesliga club bosses have issued scathing criticism of FIFA and the German Football League (DFL) over the issue of sending their players on international duty in regions considered coronavirus risk areas, resulting in quarantine upon their return.

In September, for instance, Hertha Berlin striker Krzysztof Piatek had to quarantine for five days after playing for Poland in Bosnia, and missed Hertha's German Cup defeat to Eintracht Braunschweig. At the time, FIFA had relaxed regulations obliging clubs to release players for internationals in regions considered COVID-19 hot-spots, but no such steps have been taken this time.

"We learned in September that we, the clubs, are left high and dry," said Hertha boss Michael Preetz. "We release our players, we pay our players and, in the case of Krzysztof, we were left footing the bill. Ultimately, nobody was prepared to fight our corner. We realized that we can't count on any help from the DFL or FIFA."

"For me, it's absurd to send players to risk areas," added Augsburg's Stefan Reuter. "It is FIFA's responsibility either to postpone these matches or guarantee that players don't need to quarantine when they return."

Germany face Ukraine in the Nations League in Kiev on October 10, but local authorities in Germany have already stated that players will be exempt from quarantine regulations given the security and isolation measures in place in the Ukrainian capital.