bbc--2020-04-25--Norwich defend furloughing staff with up to £35m loss expected

Norwich City will `` stick to their guns '' on a decision to furlough non-playing staff , with the club expected to lose up to £35m because of coronavirus .
The Canaries and Newcastle are the only Premier League clubs currently using the government 's job retention scheme .
Norwich say the suspension of football will cost them between £18m and £35m .
`` The decision we made was in the best interests of the club and its staff , '' chief operating officer Ben Kensell told BBC Radio Norfolk .
`` We 've been very transparent that we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate a turnover of £123m - £93m of that is broadcast , and we 've spent £125m this year - and that 's how we run the club , '' Ultimately , if we had the available cashflow to not have to take up schemes then , like other football clubs have , we would . ''
Under the scheme , 200 members of Norwich 's non-playing staff , including casual workers , are paid 80 % of their wages by the government , with the club paying the other 20 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League with nine games remaining and in the FA Cup quarter-finals when the football season was suspended on 3 April , estimate a loss of £1.5m for each of their six remaining home fixtures , should all remaining games be played behind closed doors .
And the club expect to lose between a further £10m and £25m from potential Premier League rebates to broadcasters .
The Canaries hope to make £2.5m of savings and have agreed with HMRC to delay £18m of repayments of VAT and PAYE , while players , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and directors have donated more than £200,000 towards local initiatives .
Premier League clubs Liverpool , Tottenham and Bournemouth had initially furloughed staff , but reversed their decisions following criticism .
`` The difference is we 're running it as a business and we 're running it the best way we believe will help it for the future , '' said Kensell .
`` It 's also about our staff .
What we do n't want is a raft of redundancies .
`` We knew we 'd get criticised as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do is take a different view on that .
We 'll stick to our guns and we believe we are doing it for the right reasons .
`` We 've got the best owners in football - that 's a fact .
We have n't got the richest owners but we like to think we 're doing things the right way . ''

Norwich's last game before the suspension of English football was a 1-0 loss at Sheffield United on 7 March
Norwich City will "stick to their guns" on a decision to furlough non-playing staff, with the club expected to lose up to £35m because of coronavirus.
The Canaries and Newcastle are the only Premier League clubs currently using the government's job retention scheme.
Norwich say the suspension of football will cost them between £18m and £35m.
"The decision we made was in the best interests of the club and its staff," chief operating officer Ben Kensell told BBC Radio Norfolk.
"We've been very transparent that we're run in a self-financed manner. We generate a turnover of £123m - £93m of that is broadcast, and we've spent £125m this year - and that's how we run the club,
"Ultimately, if we had the available cashflow to not have to take up schemes then, like other football clubs have, we would."
Under the scheme, 200 members of Norwich's non-playing staff, including casual workers, are paid 80% of their wages by the government, with the club paying the other 20%.
Norwich, who were bottom of the Premier League with nine games remaining and in the FA Cup quarter-finals when the football season was suspended on 3 April, estimate a loss of £1.5m for each of their six remaining home fixtures, should all remaining games be played behind closed doors.
And the club expect to lose between a further £10m and £25m from potential Premier League rebates to broadcasters.
The Canaries hope to make £2.5m of savings and have agreed with HMRC to delay £18m of repayments of VAT and PAYE, while players, head coach Daniel Farke, the executive committee and directors have donated more than £200,000 towards local initiatives.
Premier League clubs Liverpool, Tottenham and Bournemouth had initially furloughed staff, but reversed their decisions following criticism.
"The difference is we're running it as a business and we're running it the best way we believe will help it for the future," said Kensell.
"It's also about our staff. What we don't want is a raft of redundancies.
"We knew we'd get criticised as a result of it; what we're not going to do is take a different view on that. We'll stick to our guns and we believe we are doing it for the right reasons.
"We've got the best owners in football - that's a fact. We haven't got the richest owners but we like to think we're doing things the right way."


bbc--2020-04-25--'A quickening of the pace' - meeting on sport restart planned for this coming week

The government plans to set up the first of a series of regular meetings involving senior medical directors of the major sports this week in a bid to return to action as soon as possible .
The move was described by a source close to the plans as a `` quickening of the pace '' and intended to help sport resume `` within weeks '' , if progress was made .
The Chief Medical Officer 's staff would also be involved in the weekly meetings , and the Prime Minister has been briefed on the plan .
The specifics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts to see what protocols would be needed to get each up and running as soon as possible , meaning some would return sooner than others .
Testing , social distancing , hygiene standards and strict limits on the numbers of people allowed in venues would all be debated .
It comes just days after Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told MPs that he had been having `` productive talks '' with governing bodies from across British sport on restarting following the coronavirus shutdown .
However , a return to action still depends on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially an increase in testing , and meeting social distancing guidelines .
Sport at all levels is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed the lives of more than 19,000 people in the UK .
• The Premier League , Women 's Super League and English football leagues have suspended the 2019-20 season indefinitely , while the lower-league season in Scotland has ended .
• Cricket in England and Wales remains suspended until 1 July .
• The first nine races of the Formula 1 season have been called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take place in July .
• The London Marathon , which had been set to take place this weekend , has been rescheduled for October .
• Rugby union 's Premiership clubs are working towards a best-case scenario of returning to action on the weekend of 3-5 July .
• Golf 's Open Championship , which had been set to take place in Kent in July , has been cancelled with the three other men 's majors rescheduled .
The meetings are viewed as preparatory , and intended to avoid a further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is granted , rather than a sign that it was imminent .
Indeed , there is an acceptance that the plans being put in place may not end up being implemented for months if progress elsewhere is not made .
Government officials have accepted that at this stage , sport would only be able to take place behind closed doors .
But there is a recognition that it may provide many people with a much-needed boost to morale after months of lockdown .
Officials are known to be nervous however about the prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadia to celebrate if titles for instance are confirmed .
Dowden said this week that the Premier League was considering making some behind-closed-doors fixtures available free-to-air when the season restarts .
But officials are said to be mindful of commercial contracts with broadcasters Sky and BT , and recognise the importance of the revenue they generate to the sport more widely .
The Premier League holds its next meeting on Friday .

Top level football is on hold indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic
The government plans to set up the first of a series of regular meetings involving senior medical directors of the major sports this week in a bid to return to action as soon as possible.
The move was described by a source close to the plans as a "quickening of the pace" and intended to help sport resume "within weeks", if progress was made.
The Chief Medical Officer's staff would also be involved in the weekly meetings, and the Prime Minister has been briefed on the plan.
The specifics of each sport would be examined by health experts to see what protocols would be needed to get each up and running as soon as possible, meaning some would return sooner than others.
Testing, social distancing, hygiene standards and strict limits on the numbers of people allowed in venues would all be debated.
It comes just days after Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told MPs that he had been having "productive talks" with governing bodies from across British sport on restarting following the coronavirus shutdown.
However, a return to action still depends on the government's five criteria being met, especially an increase in testing, and meeting social distancing guidelines.
Sport at all levels is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed the lives of more than 19,000 people in the UK.
The Premier League, Women's Super League and English football leagues have suspended the 2019-20 season indefinitely, while the lower-league season in Scotland has ended.
Cricket in England and Wales remains suspended until 1 July.
The first nine races of the Formula 1 season have been called off with the British Grand Prix scheduled to take place in July.
The London Marathon, which had been set to take place this weekend, has been rescheduled for October.
Rugby union's Premiership clubs are working towards a best-case scenario of returning to action on the weekend of 3-5 July.
Golf's Open Championship, which had been set to take place in Kent in July, has been cancelled with the three other men's majors rescheduled.
The meetings are viewed as preparatory, and intended to avoid a further delay to seasons being resumed once approval is granted, rather than a sign that it was imminent. Indeed, there is an acceptance that the plans being put in place may not end up being implemented for months if progress elsewhere is not made.
Government officials have accepted that at this stage, sport would only be able to take place behind closed doors.
But there is a recognition that it may provide many people with a much-needed boost to morale after months of lockdown.
Officials are known to be nervous however about the prospect of fans congregating in large numbers outside stadia to celebrate if titles for instance are confirmed.
Dowden said this week that the Premier League was considering making some behind-closed-doors fixtures available free-to-air when the season restarts.
But officials are said to be mindful of commercial contracts with broadcasters Sky and BT, and recognise the importance of the revenue they generate to the sport more widely.
The Premier League holds its next meeting on Friday.
'Suitable testing' needed before return, says EFL
The English Football League has said it "welcomes the current steps being taken" by the government and that a return to playing could only come about "through a continued collaborative approach".
The EFL has previously said it hopes to complete the season in 56 days but that it was assumed matches would be played behind closed doors.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation - which oversees the Championship, League One and League Two - added that "suitable testing arrangements" must be in place before football in England can resume.
"The position of the EFL remains unchanged in that the priority is to resume the 2019-20 season as soon as it is possible with matches only returning at an appropriate point and based on guidance from the relevant authorities," said the statement.


bbc--2020-04-25--'Elite only' London Marathon 'one of 10 options' being considered for postponed race

Last updated on .From the section Athletics This year 's postponed London Marathon could be staged with elite athletes only , says race director Hugh Brasher .
The event was due to take place on Sunday but has been moved to 4 October because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Nearly 43,000 runners took part in 2019 , while Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele are set to go head to head in the elite men 's race .
`` We hope we can welcome them back in October but at this stage we just do n't know what is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to look at it in totality , with three quarters of a million spectators , the medical side , the charities .
`` We are looking at probably 10 scenarios , and they are changing all the time . ''
The Tokyo Marathon went ahead last month with elite runners only on largely deserted streets .
The Berlin Marathon , along with London one of the sport 's six 'majors ' , will not go ahead as planned on 27 September after Germany extended a ban on large-scale gatherings until 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch with other major race directors and some `` radical ideas '' have been discussed , but he did not reveal further details of those suggestions .

Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Kenyan world record holders Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei are due to defend their titles at the 40th London Marathon
This year's postponed London Marathon could be staged with elite athletes only, says race director Hugh Brasher.
Brasher said that was one of 10 options that are "changing all the time", which could also see a further delay.
The event was due to take place on Sunday but has been moved to 4 October because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly 43,000 runners took part in 2019, while Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele are set to go head to head in the 2020 elite men's race.
"We hope we can welcome them back in October but at this stage we just don't know what is going to happen," said Brasher.
"We have to look at it in totality, with three quarters of a million spectators, the medical side, the charities.
"We are looking at probably 10 scenarios, and they are changing all the time."
The Tokyo Marathon went ahead last month with elite runners only on largely deserted streets.
The Berlin Marathon, along with London one of the sport's six 'majors', will not go ahead as planned on 27 September after Germany extended a ban on large-scale gatherings until 24 October.
Brasher said he is in touch with other major race directors and some "radical ideas" have been discussed, but he did not reveal further details of those suggestions.


bbc--2020-04-24--Big-money transfers won't happen - Man Utd's Woodward

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward says speculation about transfers for `` hundreds of millions of pounds this summer '' is ignoring the `` realities that face the sport '' because of the coronavirus pandemic .
United were linked with a £200m move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane and potentially spending a further £130m on England and Borussia Dortmund wide-man Jadon Sancho .
`` Nobody should be under any illusions about the scale of challenge facing everyone in football and it may not be 'business as usual ' for any clubs , including ourselves , in the transfer market this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening address to a United Fans ' Forum on Friday .
`` As ever our priority is the success of team , but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry , including timings of the transfer window , and the wider financial picture , before we can talk about a return to normality . ''
Woodward has been a key figure in many of the discussions among the Premier League and in Europe about how the game is going to deal with the financial impact of coronavirus .
Billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there is no resumption in the foreseeable future , with most figures within the game anticipating any resumption , when it eventually comes , will be without spectators .
United 's vast commercial operation has often been viewed with disdain , including by the club 's own supporters , in the belief it shows their owners have got their priorities wrong .
However , Woodward said it was now shielding them from the scale of difficulties being experienced by some of their top-flight rivals as they are continuing to pay their players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of significant financial gestures to fans and the local community .
Woodward said `` 30,000 items of food and drink '' had been given to local charities in addition to the £100,000 joint donation to the Trussell Trust with Manchester City `` for use by 19 food banks across Greater Manchester '' .
In addition , club staff , including former players , have made 'welfare calls ' to season-ticket holders , who are either disabled or aged 70 and over .
`` We will continue looking for more ways of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the pandemic continues , '' said Woodward .
`` Everyone is grappling with the economic realities of the pandemic and we are no different .
The longer the crisis continues the greater the impact will be for every club , including ourselves .
`` But it is important to acknowledge the part played by our successful business in allowing us to fulfil our social responsibilities .
We have always believed that our commercial model gives us greater resilience than most clubs .
`` We are eager to see the team return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advised it is safe to do so .
And while it may be that games need to be played behind closed doors in the shorter term , we all recognise that football will not be fully back to normal until supporters are once again in attendance . ''

United were linked with a £200m move for Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward says speculation about transfers for "hundreds of millions of pounds this summer" is ignoring the "realities that face the sport" because of the coronavirus pandemic.
United were linked with a £200m move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane and potentially spending a further £130m on England and Borussia Dortmund wide-man Jadon Sancho.
"Nobody should be under any illusions about the scale of challenge facing everyone in football and it may not be 'business as usual' for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market this summer," Woodward said in his opening address to a United Fans' Forum on Friday.
"As ever our priority is the success of team, but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry, including timings of the transfer window, and the wider financial picture, before we can talk about a return to normality."
Woodward has been a key figure in many of the discussions among the Premier League and in Europe about how the game is going to deal with the financial impact of coronavirus.
Billions of pounds in TV income is at stake if there is no resumption in the foreseeable future, with most figures within the game anticipating any resumption, when it eventually comes, will be without spectators.
United's commercial buffer
United's vast commercial operation has often been viewed with disdain, including by the club's own supporters, in the belief it shows their owners have got their priorities wrong.
However, Woodward said it was now shielding them from the scale of difficulties being experienced by some of their top-flight rivals as they are continuing to pay their players and staff, in addition to making a number of significant financial gestures to fans and the local community.
Woodward said "30,000 items of food and drink" had been given to local charities in addition to the £100,000 joint donation to the Trussell Trust with Manchester City "for use by 19 food banks across Greater Manchester".
In addition, club staff, including former players, have made 'welfare calls' to season-ticket holders, who are either disabled or aged 70 and over.
"We will continue looking for more ways of supporting those in need for as long as the pandemic continues," said Woodward.
"Everyone is grappling with the economic realities of the pandemic and we are no different. The longer the crisis continues the greater the impact will be for every club, including ourselves.
"But it is important to acknowledge the part played by our successful business in allowing us to fulfil our social responsibilities. We have always believed that our commercial model gives us greater resilience than most clubs.
"We are eager to see the team return to the field as soon as we are advised it is safe to do so. And while it may be that games need to be played behind closed doors in the shorter term, we all recognise that football will not be fully back to normal until supporters are once again in attendance."


bbc--2020-04-25--Dutch FA head 'doubtful' Premier League will finish after 'a bitter day' for Eredivisie

The head of the Dutch FA says it was a `` bitter day '' cancelling the Eredivisie season early and thinks it is `` very doubtful '' the Premier League will be able to complete the 2019-20 campaign .
The top two Dutch leagues were abandoned yesterday with no promotion or relegation and no champions .
Major events are banned until September because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Just Spee , president of KNVB , said the chances of football elsewhere in Europe behind closed doors are `` slim '' .
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport , Spee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no clear guidance '' and so the decision went to the governing body 's board , but they accepted there would be `` winners and losers '' .
Ajax led the table from AZ Alkmaar on goal difference with nine games left but will not be named champions .
Both Ajax and AZ Alkmaar will go into the Champions League qualifying stages , pending ratification by Uefa .
Ajax could progress straight to the group stage , depending on the outcome of this year 's competition and other domestic leagues .
No sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambuur - who topped the second tier and held an 11-point gap over the play-off positions - will not go up .
But when asked what the chances are for other European leagues restarting the season , even without fans , he said : `` It is slim .
`` At the same time I do know that what is true for us , we are footballers we want to play , is true for all of my colleagues around the continent .
`` And in the UK it is not different .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hope as long as it 's there .
But again , we 've seen how this develops .
Is it realistic ?
In the end it probably will not be but we 'll see .
`` To be honest , seeing what is happening and seeing that things get postponed week by week by week , how realistic is it that within the next three or four weeks we will come to a different conclusion ?
Not so much I believe .
`` And also the Premier League will need a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is there going to be enough time for that ?
Doubtful , very doubtful . ''
More than 4,000 people have died so far from Covid-19 in the Netherlands .
The Eredivisie has never ended a season without a champion being named since it was formed in 1956 .
The KNVB added that clubs could not be promoted from the second tier without relegation from the top division , in order to ensure there was no fixture congestion next season .
The head coach of Cambuur , Henk de Jong , told broadcaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest disgrace in the history of Dutch sport '' .
Expanding on the decision not to have champions , Spee said they felt it was `` not appropriate '' given the current situation with coronavirus and because the season had not been completed .
He said : `` It was a very bitter day because you want this to happen on the pitch not by two or three people behind a table having to make this decision .
`` There are winners and losers and in particular for the losers it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad .
We feel sad that we had to come to such a decision , we sympathise a lot with those clubs and their supporters .
At the same time , there was no way round it . ''
But he said he would `` not blame '' English football bosses if they came to a different conclusion , with Liverpool 25 points clear .
`` We thought it was really inappropriate to just award a title for this specific time-frame , where on the one hand the competition did not conclude , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sense , '' he said .
`` But also , to take on board what society is going through , I mean talk about a champion in such a year ?
`` We did not believe that that was appropriate .
For example if you were to compare that to the English situation , maybe you would come to a different conclusion , Liverpool is so way out compared to the rest , I would not blame the FA to come to that conclusion .
But in our case that was simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualify for the Europa League group stages , with fourth-placed PSV and fifth-placed Willem II entering the qualifying stages of the competition , subject to Uefa 's approval .
The Eredivisie Women has also been cancelled without a champion being named , with a Champions League place being awarded to league leaders PSV , while second-placed Ajax enter the qualifying stages .
Football authorities in neighbouring Belgium are expected to decide whether to ratify the cancellation of its top-flight Pro League on Monday .

Ajax were ahead of AZ Alkmaar on goal difference at the top of the Eredivisie
The head of the Dutch FA says it was a "bitter day" cancelling the Eredivisie season early and thinks it is "very doubtful" the Premier League will be able to complete the 2019-20 campaign.
The top two Dutch leagues were abandoned yesterday with no promotion or relegation and no champions.
Major events are banned until September because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Just Spee, president of KNVB, said the chances of football elsewhere in Europe behind closed doors are "slim".
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Spee explained a vote of clubs provided "no clear guidance" and so the decision went to the governing body's board, but they accepted there would be "winners and losers".
Ajax led the table from AZ Alkmaar on goal difference with nine games left but will not be named champions.
Both Ajax and AZ Alkmaar will go into the Champions League qualifying stages, pending ratification by Uefa.
Ajax could progress straight to the group stage, depending on the outcome of this year's competition and other domestic leagues.
No sides will be relegated or promoted, meaning Cambuur - who topped the second tier and held an 11-point gap over the play-off positions - will not go up.
But when asked what the chances are for other European leagues restarting the season, even without fans, he said: "It is slim.
"At the same time I do know that what is true for us, we are footballers we want to play, is true for all of my colleagues around the continent.
"And in the UK it is not different. So they will hold onto a sliver of hope as long as it's there. But again, we've seen how this develops. Is it realistic? In the end it probably will not be but we'll see.
"To be honest, seeing what is happening and seeing that things get postponed week by week by week, how realistic is it that within the next three or four weeks we will come to a different conclusion? Not so much I believe.
"And also the Premier League will need a number of weeks to complete their competition. Is there going to be enough time for that? Doubtful, very doubtful."
More than 4,000 people have died so far from Covid-19 in the Netherlands.
The Eredivisie has never ended a season without a champion being named since it was formed in 1956.
The KNVB added that clubs could not be promoted from the second tier without relegation from the top division, in order to ensure there was no fixture congestion next season.
The head coach of Cambuur, Henk de Jong, told broadcaster NOS external-link the decision felt "like the biggest disgrace in the history of Dutch sport".
Expanding on the decision not to have champions, Spee said they felt it was "not appropriate" given the current situation with coronavirus and because the season had not been completed.
He said: "It was a very bitter day because you want this to happen on the pitch not by two or three people behind a table having to make this decision.
"There are winners and losers and in particular for the losers it was a very very bad day so we feel sad. We feel sad that we had to come to such a decision, we sympathise a lot with those clubs and their supporters. At the same time, there was no way round it."
But he said he would "not blame" English football bosses if they came to a different conclusion, with Liverpool 25 points clear.
"We thought it was really inappropriate to just award a title for this specific time-frame, where on the one hand the competition did not conclude, so there is no formal champion in that sense," he said.
"But also, to take on board what society is going through, I mean talk about a champion in such a year?
"We did not believe that that was appropriate. For example if you were to compare that to the English situation, maybe you would come to a different conclusion, Liverpool is so way out compared to the rest, I would not blame the FA to come to that conclusion. But in our case that was simply not appropriate."
Third-place Feyenoord will qualify for the Europa League group stages, with fourth-placed PSV and fifth-placed Willem II entering the qualifying stages of the competition, subject to Uefa's approval.
The Eredivisie Women has also been cancelled without a champion being named, with a Champions League place being awarded to league leaders PSV, while second-placed Ajax enter the qualifying stages.
Football authorities in neighbouring Belgium are expected to decide whether to ratify the cancellation of its top-flight Pro League on Monday.


bbc--2020-04-25--All eyes on Germany & no non-league matches until 2021? What next for football?

At the end of a busy week of meetings and discussions , European football 's governing body , Uefa , offered some clarity over how they hope the game will begin to recover from COVID-19 .
As has become the norm for all football bodies , Uefa started by stating 'health was the priority ' .
After that came the plan .
Leagues should 'explore all possible options ' to reach a natural conclusion .
If this can not happen 'suspended domestic competitions should restart with a different format ' .
And if - due to government intervention or 'insurmountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more play , European qualification for the 2020-21 season should be decided 'on sporting merit ' .
The next Uefa executive committee meeting is on 27 May , by which time it is hoped competitive football will have returned to some countries and training in others - including England .
However , with one lot of answers , comes more questions .
Uefa has outlined a path to this season 's Champions League final .
It starts with the outstanding second legs of the last 16 - including Manchester City 's tie with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August .
After that , individual games in two-legged ties would be played every three or four days - Sundays are left free for any domestic fixtures .
Their back-up plan involves one-match ties instead of two .
The final is set for Istanbul on 29 August .
Europa League games would be played a day before each two-day block of Champions League matches .
The final is planned for Gdansk , in Poland , on 27 August .
It is understood UEFA will stick to the venues if they can , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be behind closed doors .
But entry to Turkey and Poland is currently blocked .
Uefa are aware there are no guarantees these restrictions will be lifted , meaning alternative venues might have to be found .
Two competitions at the same time If finishing this season 's competitions is complicated , have a look at 2020-21 .
Two hundred and thirteen clubs , from all 55 member associations , playing a total of 357 ties is needed to reach the group stages of the respective European tournaments , which are due start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this needs to be altered , it is understood Uefa would prefer to keep all clubs involved and play one-off matches , rather than chop away at the access list so some clubs and countries miss out on participation .
Quite apart from the logistical headache involved in all these games , even if they do go ahead , some would be played at the same time as the 2019-20 season is still finishing .
Rangers are due to play Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Scottish season is declared over , they should be entering the 2020-21 competition in the second qualifying round , which is scheduled for 13 and 20 August .
Wolves , currently level after the first leg of their last-16 tie with Olympiakos , may well end up repeating this season 's appearance in the third qualifying round , the first leg of which is scheduled in the same week as the 2020 final .
Quite what Uefa would do if Wolves or Rangers reached the final is anyone 's guess .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to play in next season 's Europa League , while still in with a chance of winning this season 's competition - and thus qualifying for the Champions League .
When West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady used her newspaper column on 16 March to say she believed the domestic season would be declared 'null and void ' she was condemned given her club 's position close to the relegation zone .
A senior executive at a rival club was more sympathetic , telling BBC Sport privately it was inevitable officials would assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of view .
So it has proved .
Some Premier League clubs want the season to be given as long as possible to be completed .
But the most strident of these tend to be the ones who play in Europe and have something to lose beyond domestic cash .
Others feel 30 June would be a good time to stop given the contractual wrangles that will surface after that date .
Clubs around the relegation zone think no-one should go down from a campaign that is not completed .
Those with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel the concept of promotion should be maintained .
In the EFL , League 1 and 2 clubs , who can see the financial impact of months with no games , or matches without fans , have discussed an early end to the season .
In the Championship , especially at the top end , with over £100m on offer to promoted teams in normal times , they want to continue .
If legal challenges were threatened by South Shields after they were denied promotion to National League North , it is little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was 'fairly obvious ' no solution will suit every club and therefore legal action was almost inevitable .
No football to 2021 in the non-league ?
This is a very real possibility .
There has been a suggestion even clubs in the National League are thinking about this as the impact of a statement by the government 's chief medical officer Chris Whitty on Wednesday , when he said `` highly disruptive '' social distancing would need to be in place for `` really quite a long period of time '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation is stark .
Should the current limit on gatherings be extended to just a small number of people , BBC Sport has been told by one league official there would be 'no point ' in matches behind closed doors .
Below the National League , where there is no TV deal , virtually all revenue comes through supporters attending matches , either by their admission money or cash spent on food and drink , programmes and even raffle tickets .
And , unlike the National League and beyond , where clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at non-league level shared facilities and rented grounds mean extending seasons is a logistical impracticality .
It leaves many leagues and clubs in limbo and wondering whether there will be any play next season at all .
For a number of reasons , including the UK Government 's review of present lockdown criteria , it is not anticipated the current general position of football 's major stakeholders will change for a couple of weeks .
What will become apparent in that time is whether the Bundesliga 's ambitious plan to restart on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadline .
The German game - and Germany 's clubs - are wrestling with all the same problems others across the continent are encountering .
They may be at different points in the 'curve ' but if a major league gets back on the pitch , it will give hope others can reach the same point .
The problem is , there are no guarantees and - as ever - there may be questions ahead no-one has thought of the answers to yet .

Liverpool are the current European champions after beating Tottenham in last season's Champions League final
At the end of a busy week of meetings and discussions, European football's governing body, Uefa, offered some clarity over how they hope the game will begin to recover from COVID-19.
As has become the norm for all football bodies, Uefa started by stating 'health was the priority'. After that came the plan.
Leagues should 'explore all possible options' to reach a natural conclusion. If this cannot happen 'suspended domestic competitions should restart with a different format'.
And if - due to government intervention or 'insurmountable economic problems' - there is no more play, European qualification for the 2020-21 season should be decided 'on sporting merit'.
The next Uefa executive committee meeting is on 27 May, by which time it is hoped competitive football will have returned to some countries and training in others - including England.
However, with one lot of answers, comes more questions.
The way forward?
Uefa has outlined a path to this season's Champions League final. It starts with the outstanding second legs of the last 16 - including Manchester City's tie with Real Madrid - on 7 or 8 August. After that, individual games in two-legged ties would be played every three or four days - Sundays are left free for any domestic fixtures. Their back-up plan involves one-match ties instead of two.
The final is set for Istanbul on 29 August.
Europa League games would be played a day before each two-day block of Champions League matches. The final is planned for Gdansk, in Poland, on 27 August.
It is understood UEFA will stick to the venues if they can, even though the games themselves will almost certainly be behind closed doors.
But entry to Turkey and Poland is currently blocked. Uefa are aware there are no guarantees these restrictions will be lifted, meaning alternative venues might have to be found.
Two competitions at the same time
Rangers trail Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 after the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie
If finishing this season's competitions is complicated, have a look at 2020-21.
Two hundred and thirteen clubs, from all 55 member associations, playing a total of 357 ties is needed to reach the group stages of the respective European tournaments, which are due start in the middle of October.
If this needs to be altered, it is understood Uefa would prefer to keep all clubs involved and play one-off matches, rather than chop away at the access list so some clubs and countries miss out on participation.
The planned start date is 28 July.
Quite apart from the logistical headache involved in all these games, even if they do go ahead, some would be played at the same time as the 2019-20 season is still finishing.
This raises some interesting scenarios.
Rangers are due to play Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on 6 August. If, as expected, the Scottish season is declared over, they should be entering the 2020-21 competition in the second qualifying round, which is scheduled for 13 and 20 August.
Wolves, currently level after the first leg of their last-16 tie with Olympiakos, may well end up repeating this season's appearance in the third qualifying round, the first leg of which is scheduled in the same week as the 2020 final.
Quite what Uefa would do if Wolves or Rangers reached the final is anyone's guess.
As it stands both sides could be due to play in next season's Europa League, while still in with a chance of winning this season's competition - and thus qualifying for the Champions League.
Vested interests and no perfect solution
When West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady used her newspaper column on 16 March to say she believed the domestic season would be declared 'null and void' she was condemned given her club's position close to the relegation zone.
A senior executive at a rival club was more sympathetic, telling BBC Sport privately it was inevitable officials would assess the situation from their own specific point of view.
So it has proved. Some Premier League clubs want the season to be given as long as possible to be completed. But the most strident of these tend to be the ones who play in Europe and have something to lose beyond domestic cash.
Others feel 30 June would be a good time to stop given the contractual wrangles that will surface after that date. Clubs around the relegation zone think no-one should go down from a campaign that is not completed. Those with a chance of coming up from the Championship feel the concept of promotion should be maintained.
In the EFL, League 1 and 2 clubs, who can see the financial impact of months with no games, or matches without fans, have discussed an early end to the season. In the Championship, especially at the top end, with over £100m on offer to promoted teams in normal times, they want to continue.
If legal challenges were threatened by South Shields after they were denied promotion to National League North, it is little wonder a well-placed source told the BBC it was 'fairly obvious' no solution will suit every club and therefore legal action was almost inevitable.
No football to 2021 in the non-league?
This is a very real possibility. There has been a suggestion even clubs in the National League are thinking about this as the impact of a statement by the government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty on Wednesday, when he said "highly disruptive" social distancing would need to be in place for "really quite a long period of time", sinks in.
Lower down the pyramid the situation is stark.
Should the current limit on gatherings be extended to just a small number of people, BBC Sport has been told by one league official there would be 'no point' in matches behind closed doors.
Below the National League, where there is no TV deal, virtually all revenue comes through supporters attending matches, either by their admission money or cash spent on food and drink, programmes and even raffle tickets.
And, unlike the National League and beyond, where clubs have primacy of tenure over their stadiums, at non-league level shared facilities and rented grounds mean extending seasons is a logistical impracticality.
It leaves many leagues and clubs in limbo and wondering whether there will be any play next season at all.
May return for German clubs? Mbappe only worth 40m? Latest European news
All eyes on Germany
For a number of reasons, including the UK Government's review of present lockdown criteria, it is not anticipated the current general position of football's major stakeholders will change for a couple of weeks.
What will become apparent in that time is whether the Bundesliga's ambitious plan to restart on May 9 has any chance of hitting the deadline.
The German game - and Germany's clubs - are wrestling with all the same problems others across the continent are encountering.
They may be at different points in the 'curve' but if a major league gets back on the pitch, it will give hope others can reach the same point.
The problem is, there are no guarantees and - as ever - there may be questions ahead no-one has thought of the answers to yet.


bbc--2020-04-25--Tracking the global outbreak

Tracking the global outbreak

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world , with about 2.8 million confirmed cases of coronavirus now in 185 countries .
At least 197,500 people have died .
The United States has more than four times as many confirmed cases as any other country .
This series of maps and charts tracks the global outbreak of the virus since it emerged in China in December last year .
How many deaths and recoveries have there been ?
The virus , which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the city of Wuhan , China , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in many countries and the number of deaths is still climbing .
The US has by far the largest number of cases , with more than 900,000 confirmed infections , according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University .
This is more than 10 times the official number reported by China .
The US also has the world 's highest death toll , with almost 52,000 fatalities .
Spain , Italy and France - the worst-hit European countries - have all recorded more than 20,000 deaths , while the UK has suffered more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data for new cases is a three day rolling average In China , the official death toll is just over 4,600 from about 84,000 confirmed cases .
Numbers for deaths jumped on 17 April after what officials called `` a statistical review '' .
Critics of the Chinese government have questioned whether the country 's official numbers can be trusted .
The country 's authorities have now lifted many of the stringent measures they brought in to bring the disease under control , including a ban on all travel to and from Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
After the virus 's discovery late last year , the outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on 11 March .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
While about 2.8 million people are known to have been infected worldwide , the true figure is thought to be much higher as many of those with milder symptoms have not been tested and counted .
While some countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease peaks are thought to have passed , such as in Europe and South Africa , others are only now starting to impose them as cases and deaths begin to rise .
Across Latin America , where many economies are already struggling and millions live on what they can earn day-to-day , there are concerns about the strain the growing number of virus cases could put on health care systems .
Of particular concern are Ecuador and Brazil .
Ecuador has already seen its health system collapse - thousands have died from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated because of the crisis .
Mortuaries and morgues have been overwhelmed .
The country 's authorities confirmed on Thursday that the country 's coronavirus case total was twice as high as previously confirmed , with authorities adding 11,000 new infections that resulted from delayed testing .
Others suspect the numbers are much higher still .
Brazil has also seen a steep rise in both cases and deaths , with every state in South America 's largest country affected .
But there are fears that the country 's official numbers do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cities and local authorities have imposed measures to try to prevent the virus 's spread but Brazil 's President Jair Bolsonaro has come under criticism for his own response , most recently for attending an anti-lockdown rally .
Across the world , more than 4.5 billion people - half the world 's population - are estimated to be now living under social distancing measures to slow the pandemic , according to the AFP news agency .
Among them Muslims beginning to observe the holy month of Ramadan in isolation .
The impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The world economy faces the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s , the International Monetary Fund has said .
And the UN World Food Programme has warned the pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health Italy and Spain remain the worst affected countries after the US , although the slowing of infection rates appears to show the success of social distancing , Spain has more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global figure - while Italy has the second highest death toll of nearly 26,000 .
Both countries have been in lockdown since early March , however some quarantine measures are starting to be relaxed .
Italy has started to allow certain shops to reopen and Spanish children , who have been kept indoors at home since 14 March , are expected to be allowed outside from 26 April .
In the UK , there are now more than 143,000 confirmed cases and 19,500 deaths .
Like Spain , deaths in the UK grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every two days .
While the rate of increase has slowed , the British government has ruled out lifting lockdown measures until at least early May .
Other European countries easing restrictions include Germany , Austria , Denmark and the Czech Republic .
Despite this , German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the German parliament this was `` not the end phase but still just the beginning '' and the WHO has warned that lockdowns must be lifted slowly and carefully .
A plan for injecting billions of euros of emergency aid into Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads this week .
Meeting via video , they agreed to set up a massive recovery fund to mobilise €1tn of investment .
They also confirmed that €540bn ( £470bn ) of financial support would be released from 1 June .
New York remains epicentre of US outbreak With more than 900,000 cases , the US has the highest number of confirmed infections in the world .
The number of deaths is now close to 52,000 .
The state of New York has been particularly badly affected , with more than 16,600 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , State Governor Andrew Cuomo has said the toll `` seems to be on a gentle decline '' , with deaths over the first four days of this week down a third on the same period last week .
Elsewhere in the US , three states , including Georgia , Oklahoma and Alaska have lifted some of the lockdown restrictions , although customers visiting newly reopened businesses will still be expected to maintain social distancing measures .
Georgia , which has one of the fastest reopening timetables in the country , is allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nail salons , as well as tattoo parlours and other personal care businesses to resume operations .
From Monday , dine-in restaurants and theatres will also be allowed to open .
The economic ravages of the pandemic were brought into sharp focus on Thursday by official unemployment figures that showed over 26 million Americans have filed for jobless claims in the last five weeks .
The US Congress has passed a relief package totalling $ 484bn ( £391bn ) , the fourth aid bill to clear Congress in response to the virus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help to $ 3tn .
US President Donald Trump , meanwhile , was criticised by the medical community after suggesting research should be done into whether coronavirus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into the body .
Disinfectants are hazardous substances and can be poisonous if ingested .
Even external exposure can be dangerous to the skin , eyes and respiratory system .

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This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Worldwide death toll climbs to 200,000

More than 200,000 people worldwide have now died with the coronavirus , figures from Johns Hopkins University show .
There are more than 2.8 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 , according to the tally .
It comes after the number of fatalities in the US passed 50,000 , as Americans endure the world 's deadliest outbreak .
Chinese state media reported the first known death linked to the virus on 11 January .
More than 210 countries and territories have since reported cases .
Five countries have now reported death tolls above 20,000 although the way fatalities are counted varies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain have seen the highest number of reported fatalities .
The UK 's Department of Health announced on Saturday that more than 20,000 people had now died with coronavirus in UK hospitals .
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the figure as a `` tragic and terrible milestone '' and said `` the entire nation is grieving '' .
As the UK 's daily data does not include people who die at home or in nursing homes , the true figure is certain to be higher .
France , which does include deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its toll had risen by 369 on Saturday .
There have been 22,614 virus deaths in France since the start of March , but health officials say the mortality rate in hospitals is falling , and the number of people in intensive care has dropped for the seventeenth consecutive day .
• The World Health Organization ( WHO ) says patients who have recovered from the virus may not be protected against re-infection • New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will authorise independent pharmacies to carry out tests for Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for antibodies at four hospitals , starting with essential workers .
The state has recorded more than 16,000 deaths • The lockdown has caused a surge in the number of people contacting the UK 's Revenge Porn Helpline - a government-funded service for adults experiencing intimate image abuse • An orphanage in Belarus has appealed for government help after 13 disabled children and 10 staff members were infected with coronavirus Earlier this week , the head of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) highlighted upward trends in Covid-19 cases in Africa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while most of the epidemics in Western Europe appeared to be stable or in decline , for many countries the disease was just getting started .
`` And some ( countries ) that were affected early in the pandemic are now starting to see a resurgence in cases , '' he said .
One such country is Singapore , which was initially praised for its success in containing the virus , but has since seen a surge of infections linked to industrial worksites and tightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese authorities reported no new deaths for the tenth consecutive day on Saturday , and South Korea had its second day without a death .
Why it 's difficult to compare between countries Statisticians have cautioned that a reported death toll may not always give the full picture of a country 's epidemic .
The US has seen the most virus deaths of any individual country , for example , but also has a far larger population than most .
With 330 million people , its population exceeds the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Western Europe - the UK , Germany , France , Italy and Spain .
Many European countries have reported more deaths per head of population than the US , and Europe as a whole has reported more deaths overall .
Death rates also depend on who is counted .
Some countries are including deaths in care homes in their data , giving a fuller picture , whereas others only count deaths in hospital where Covid-19 has been confirmed .
Belgium has a figure of 6,917 deaths in a population of 11.4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths have been in care homes for the elderly and are based largely on suspected cases , which makes the country 's data look much worse .
Read more about comparing death tolls here • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • ON FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis

There have been 22,614 virus deaths in France since the start of March, but health officials say the mortality rate in hospitals is falling, and the number of people in intensive care has dropped for the seventeenth consecutive day.


bbc--2020-04-25--Do not issue virus 'immunity passports', WHO says

Governments should not issue so-called `` immunity passports '' or `` risk-free certificates '' as a way of easing lockdowns , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) says .
It said there was `` no evidence '' that people who had developed antibodies after recovering from the virus were protected against a second infection .
Such a move could actually increase virus transmission , it warned .
People who assumed they were immune might stop taking precautions , it said .
Some governments have considered permitting people who have recovered to travel or return to work .
• Has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Restrictions imposed on movement to stop the virus spreading have crippled economies around the world .
More than 2.8m cases of the virus have been confirmed worldwide and nearly 200,000 people have died .
What did the WHO say ?
`` There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection , '' the WHO said in a briefing note .
Most studies carried out so far showed that people who had recovered from infection had antibodies in their blood - but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of antibodies .
This suggested that another part of the body 's immune response - T-cells , which eliminate infected cells - may also be `` critical '' for recovery .
As of Friday no study had evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to the virus conferred immunity to subsequent infection by the virus in humans , the WHO said .
`` At this point in the pandemic , there is not enough evidence about the effectiveness of antibody-mediated immunity to guarantee the accuracy of an 'immunity passport ' or 'risk-free certificate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisation also said laboratory tests to detect antibodies needed further validation to determine their accuracy and also needed to distinguish between previous infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus - which has caused the pandemic - and the six other known coronaviruses in circulation .
Passports too risky - for now The WHO 's guidance is based on evidence from researchers all around the world .
But it could well change as we rapidly learn more about this virus .
There is n't currently any evidence to suggest having had the virus once protects you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea of an `` immunity passport '' , allowing people who test positive for antibodies to have fewer restrictions , would be a very risky one .
Many countries including Germany , Italy and the UK are beginning to test samples of their populations for antibodies .
In the UK , 25,000 people will be tested every month for the next year - both for antibodies , and to check if they currently have the virus .
This could provide more information about whether ( and for how long ) the disease confers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that would give us a clearer idea about whether testing individuals and giving them some kind of immunity status might be an option in the future .
Where are 'immunity passports ' being considered ?
Last week Chile said it would begin issuing `` health passports '' to people deemed to have recovered from the illness .
Once screened for the presence of antibodies to make them immune to the virus , they could rejoin the workforce , officials said .
In Sweden , which has chosen to keep large parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may end up with much higher immunity levels compared with those living under stricter regulations .
However Anders Wallensten from the Swedish Public Health Agency told the BBC that not enough was yet known about immunity .
`` We will know more as more people are tested for antibodies , but also the more time goes on , and if more accounts of re-infection etcetera are reported , '' he said .
In Belgium , which has one of the highest death rates per capita but is planning to gradually relax lockdown restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the BBC he strongly opposed the idea of immunity passports .
`` I abhor the fact that we would give people passports , a green one or a red one , depending on their serology status , '' said virologist Professor Marc Van Ranst , a member of the Belgian government 's Risk Assessment Group and Scientific Committee on the Coronavirus .
`` That will lead to forgeries , that will lead to people wilfully infecting themselves to the virus .
This is just not a good idea .
It is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week Professor Mala Maini from University College London said reliable antibody tests were urgently needed to determine how long antibodies persisted and whether they conferred protection .
`` We 're not yet sure if these antibodies indicate protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 but preliminary data suggest they may be a reasonable proxy for this - so they are being considered to inform release from lockdown etc , '' she said .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis

This could provide more information about whether (and for how long) the disease confers immunity to those who have recovered. And that would give us a clearer idea about whether testing individuals and giving them some kind of immunity status might be an option in the future.


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: UK hospital deaths pass 20,000

Another 813 people have died with coronavirus in UK hospitals , bringing the total to more than 20,000 , the Department of Health has announced .
At the government 's daily briefing , the home secretary described the figure as a `` tragic and terrible milestone '' .
Last month , the government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , said keeping deaths below 20,000 would be a `` good outcome '' .
Meanwhile , the PM will return to work in Downing Street on Monday morning .
It is just over two weeks since Prime Minister Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in London , where he was treated in intensive care for coronavirus .
He has been recuperating at his country retreat , Chequers .
• The 'good outcome ' that never was According to the latest official figures , a total of 20,319 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 .
The first virus-related death was announced in the UK 51 days ago .
At the Downing Street briefing , Home Secretary Priti Patel said : `` As the deaths caused by this terrible virus pass another tragic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grieving . ''
She warned that `` we are not out of the woods yet '' , and said people must continue to follow social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus .
The government 's figures do not account for deaths that have happened in care homes , at home , in hospices or elsewhere in the community .
These are measured separately by the Office for National Statistics , based on death certificates , and a weekly figure is announced each Tuesday .
Last week that figure indicated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 10 April , that were above the hospital-based number .
The fact we have now passed the grim milestone outlined by Sir Patrick Vallance in less than two months is both a tragedy for the families affected and a worry to the rest of the country .
There are strong signs - at least in hospitals - that we have passed the peak of deaths .
The fact that may have happened without the health service being overwhelmed in the way Italy 's was is at least some good news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which the daily figures from government do not include , are rising rapidly and could prove very difficult to get under control .
In fact , if we included them we would have passed the 20,000 mark some time ago .
Read more analysis from Nick here .
On 17 March , Sir Patrick told MPs `` the hope '' was to keep the death toll below 20,000 .
At the time the number of deaths in UK hospitals stood at 71 .
That ambition was later echoed by NHS England medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK would have `` done very well in this epidemic '' if deaths remained below that figure .
Speaking at Saturday 's briefing , Prof Powis said it was a `` very sad day for the nation '' , adding that his `` heart goes out to families and friends of those loved ones '' .
Asked about his and Sir Patrick 's previous comments , Prof Powis said : `` What we were emphasising is that this is a new virus , a global pandemic , a once-in-a-century global health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a huge challenge not just for the UK , but for every country . ''
He added that it was unlikely the UK and other countries would recover from the pandemic in the next few weeks .
`` This is not a sprint , this will be a marathon , '' he said .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Four other countries to date have announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 - the US , Spain , Italy and France .
Globally , more than 200,000 people have died with coronavirus , according to Johns Hopkins University , with confirmed cases standing at more than 2.8m .
Ms Patel said the government was working towards returning the UK to normal , but said five tests must be met before lockdown measures can be lifted .
`` Quite frankly that is not right now , '' she said .
The government 's five tests for ending lockdown are : • Making sure the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent '' fall in the daily death rate • Ensuring supply of tests and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) can meet future demand • Being confident any adjustments would not risk a second peak Prof Powis said the virus would start to `` spread more '' if social distancing measures were lifted .
He said it was clear that `` gains '' were being made by following social distancing rules and orders to avoid non-essential travel .
The latest UK figures include a further 47 deaths in Scotland , 23 in Wales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these were in hospitals , Some 28,760 coronavirus tests were carried out in the UK on Friday .
The government has set a target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April .
At Saturday 's daily briefing , the home secretary also took the opportunity to speak about the impact the pandemic was having on crime .
Despite a fall in overall crime during the outbreak , Ms Patel said some criminals continued to `` capitalise on this horrendous crisis '' .
Praising the `` outstanding frontline police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raid earlier in the week which uncovered cocaine with a street value of £1m concealed in a shipment of face masks .
She also revealed more than 2,000 online scams linked to coronavirus had been taken down .
She criticised some `` extraordinary dangerous driving '' witnessed by police during lockdown , with one London driver caught doing 134mph in a 40mph zone .
• Former chancellor Philip Hammond has urged the government to set out its plan to restart the economy • Tata Steel needs about £500m of government support to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said • The prime minister 's chief adviser Dominic Cummings has been criticised for attending meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) , which has helped shape the UK 's response to the pandemic • People are being encouraged to seek medical care when they need it and not be put off by the pandemic • Charity Marie Curie has called for a national day of mourning for those who have died with the virus • And the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned against governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way of easing lockdowns

Ms Patel said the government was working towards returning the UK to normal, but said five tests must be met before lockdown measures can be lifted. "Quite frankly that is not right now," she said.


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Spain's children run free from lockdown - but not all

When Spain 's government announced a national lockdown in mid-March , in reaction to coronavirus , not everyone was dismayed at the prospect of spending several weeks at home .
Miguel Sánchez , a 15-year-old from Madrid , was delighted he would n't have to go to school for the foreseeable future .
Six weeks later , having not left the family 's flat once , the lockdown has lost some of its shine for him and he still does not know when he will be able to go out .
Restrictions have been partially lifted for children under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That means Miguel 's younger brother , Jaime , can now go out each day .
But Miguel can not .
`` It does bother him , because he says 'Why can my brother go out and I ca n't ? '
, '' says their mother , Cristina Carrasco , a primary school teacher .
Miguel has spent much of the time inside doing school work .
In his free time he has been playing video games and watching films with his younger brother .
`` Being a teenager , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and having contact with other kids of his age , '' she says .
`` Miguel is a good kid but teenagers have good days and bad days . ''
What has changed for Spanish children ?
The new lockdown conditions allow Spain 's 6.3 million under-14s to leave their homes each day for a total of one hour between 9am and 9pm , but without going further than a kilometre .
Bicycles , skates and skateboards are allowed , but public parks remain off-limits .
The lockdown 's other conditions remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government considering loosening it further in the second half of May .
Psychologists have welcomed the lifting of restrictions for smaller children , saying that even one hour outside each day can provide an important boost to their state of mind .
`` The change of routine , being outside and being in the sunlight - all of that is extremely important , '' says Laura Piñeiro , a psychologist and the director in Madrid of the charity Asociación Bienestar Desarollo ( ABD ) .
• Madrid ’ s medical heroes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people living in 40sq m ( 430sq ft ) , who do n't have sufficient ventilation or light .
If you 're living in a limited space , when you go out in the sunshine that generates a feeling of well-being , '' she says .
For the majority of children aged 14 and over in Spain that particular source of well-being remains out of reach .
Health minister Salvador Illa has pointed out that those over 13 are allowed to carry out errands for their parents , as has been the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to prefer not to send their children out , especially to enclosed places such as supermarkets , where there is more risk of contagion .
Meanwhile , technology offers teenagers a form of virtual social life , via mobile apps such as WhatsApp and social media , but it is not the same as human contact .
Ms Piñeiro says the frustration that confinement causes children can easily lead to family conflicts .
Teenagers , in particular , need a degree of autonomy in the home , she believes .
`` Being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents means they do n't have the basic freedom they would like . ''
The debate surrounding how movement is handled has intensified as the lockdown has progressed .
Critics of the Socialist-led government have pointed out that dogs , which have been allowed to be walked throughout the crisis , have had more freedom than children .
Opposition leader Pablo Casado said that in millions of homes , youngsters were `` climbing the walls '' .
There was a backlash when the government initially announced a more timid easing of restrictions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more liberal policy .
However , not everyone agrees that the last six weeks have been so tough for Spain 's kids .
`` Children adapt to new circumstances much better than adults , '' says Susana Fuertes , the mother of a 16-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl in Brunete , near Madrid .
`` I really do n't think this has been a traumatic experience for children .
Those I know have been in a safe environment with their parents . ''
She says her son , Mateo , is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now has more freedom of movement than he does .
But Susana is puzzled by the new norm .
`` It 's a bit strange to put a barrier up between the over-13s and other children , '' she says .
Miguel Sánchez 's mother is worried how the lockdown will affect him if it extends beyond the spring .
As Spain 's thousands of summer fiestas and festivals start to be cancelled or postponed , Cristina Carrasco says this has started to worry him .
`` In the short term he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't have to go to classes at school , '' she says .
`` But he says if this continues until 21 June , when the school holidays begin , nobody is going to stop him from going out . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• ON FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis • AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise

Six weeks later, having not left the family's flat once, the lockdown has lost some of its shine for him and he still does not know when he will be able to go out.


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Berlin march against lockdown measures

About 200 protesters gathered in the German capital to protest against coronavirus measures , which they say are an infringement @ @ @ @ @ They freedom and freedom of speech have started to regress in the past few weeks @ @ @

About 200 protesters gathered in the German capital, Berlin, to protest against coronavirus measures, which they say are an infringement of their constitutional rights.


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Ecuador 'victim' found alive in hospital mix-up

A 74-year-old Ecuadorean woman who was declared dead from the coronavirus has been found alive , in a case of mistaken identity .
The family of Alba Maruri were informed of her death last month and later sent what they were told were her ashes .
But Ms Maruri awoke from a three-week coma in hospital on Thursday and asked doctors to call her sister .
Her family were overjoyed at the news - but are unclear whose ashes they have in their home .
The hospital has apologised for the mix-up .
Ms Maruri lives in the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 outbreak .
Ecuador has been badly affected by the pandemic , with more than 22,000 cases and nearly 600 reported deaths .
According to local newspaper El Comercio , Ms Maruri was admitted to hospital last month with a high fever and breathing difficulties .
On 27 March her family were told she had died .
They were shown a corpse in the hospital morgue , but had to be kept at a distance because of the fear of contagion .
Ms Maruri 's nephew , Jaime Morla , told hospital officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I was afraid to see her face , '' he told AFP .
`` I was a metre and a half away .
She had the same hair , the same skin tone . ''
The body was taken away and cremated , and the ashes sent to the family .
But then on Thursday , Ms Maruri regained consciousness and told the astonished doctors her name .
She provided them with her home phone number and asked for her sister , Aura , to pick her up .
A team from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologise , El Comercio reported , and said the hospital had been in chaos at the time because of the number of coronavirus cases and deaths .
`` It is a miracle .
For nearly a month we thought she was dead .
Imagine , '' said Aura .
`` And I have someone else 's ashes . ''
The family say they want authorities to compensate them for the mix-up and to reimburse the cost of the cremation .
Ms Maruri has also been bought a new mattress as her family had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

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bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Belarus orphanage seeks help amid 'critical' outbreak

At least 23 people have been infected with coronavirus at an orphanage for children with developmental disabilities in Belarus .
The Vesnova orphanage in the central Hlusk district is home to 174 children and young adults with severe disabilities and weak immune systems .
Ten staff members and 13 children were infected as of Thursday .
The orphanage has appealed to the Belarusian government to relocate the sick to hotels and other accommodation .
The Vesnova orphanage is financially supported by Irish charity Chernobyl Children International .
It largely cares for abandoned children , and those whose parents are too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's founder Adi Roche said the situation there was `` critical '' , and that some of the children were `` extremely ill '' .
Ms Roche said the orphanage had taken measures to try to protect the children , but faced difficulties as they live in `` dense '' conditions in dormitories .
`` There are no painkillers , no cough bottles .
We are really worried and we feel we can not abandon the children , '' she told Irish Public broadcaster RTE .
The severity of their disabilities means `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor '' , she added .
Authorities in Belarus confirmed the orphanage outbreak on Friday , but did not disclose the exact number of cases .
There have been 8,773 confirmed coronavirus infections in Belarus , and 67 reported deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • VACCINE : How close are we to finding one ?
• TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
The country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labelled fears about Covid-19 a `` psychosis '' , and warned a shutdown would harm the economy .
In defiance of medical advice , he has cited drinking vodka and regular trips to the sauna as ways to ward off the virus .
Belarus has not closed it borders .
There have been no strict lockdown measures , and schools reopened last Monday following a three-week holiday .

Ms Roche said the orphanage had taken measures to try to protect the children, but faced difficulties as they live in "dense" conditions in dormitories.


bbc--2020-04-25--Hong Kong protests: Jailed man gets judge's sympathy for stabbing

A Hong Kong tour guide jailed for 45 months for stabbing three people during last year 's anti-government protests has received a judge 's sympathy .
The judge compared the protesters to an army that had brought fundamental change to Hong Kong .
Judge Kwok Wai-kin said the defendant was himself a `` victim '' of the anti-government unrest .
The three victims needed hospital treatment , and one of them was critically wounded .
• The background you need on the Hong Kong protests Tony Hung Chun attacked a newspaper reporter and two others with a meat cleaver at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stickers and posters in the Tseung Kwan O area of Hong Kong after a discussion over current affairs , the South China Morning Post ( SCMP ) reports .
The discussion , inside a pedestrian tunnel used by protesters to leave messages of support for each other , became heated in August last year .
Hung had felt angry when he passed the wall and saw people putting up posters , as he had been out of work for about two months and believed these were the people who had caused the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer told the judge his income as a tour guide had been badly affected by the protest movement , Radio Television Hong Kong reports .
Judge Kwok Wai-kin agreed during sentencing on Friday that the anti-government protesters had been `` like an army '' , beating people up and blocking roads .
He said protesters who hurt ordinary people while pursuing their cause were no different from terrorists , according to local media reports .
Their extremist conduct was reminiscent of that seen during the Cultural Revolution , the judge is quoted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign launched by then-leader Mao Zedong to get rid of his rivals , led to massive social , economic and political upheaval in China .
Millions are thought to have died .
Hung pleaded guilty in December to three counts of wounding with intent , and apologised to his victims and the people of Hong Kong .
The judge described Hung as `` an involuntary sacrifice and a bloodstained victim hanging by his last breath '' as the protesters had `` ruthlessly trampled on his right to work , live and survive '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walls plastered with colourful notes spread across Hong Kong during the protests .
They got their name from a wall in Prague that was filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti after the singer-songwriter 's death in 1980 .
The territory saw weeks of protests over a proposal to allow suspects in the city to be extradited to mainland China .
While that was later abandoned , the protests morphed into demands for greater democracy and less control from Beijing , and anger against the government remains .
As a former British colony , Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a `` one country , two systems '' arrangement that guarantees it a high level of autonomy , except in foreign affairs and defence .

Hung had felt angry when he passed the wall and saw people putting up posters, as he had been out of work for about two months and believed these were the people who had caused the economic downturn, the website reports.


bbc--2020-04-25--Lam Wing-kee: HK bookseller who defied China opens shop in Taiwan

A Hong Kong bookseller who defied mainland China has reopened his bookshop in Taiwan .
Lam Wing-kee was one of five booksellers detained in 2015 after selling material critical of the political elite on China 's mainland .
He fled to Taiwan last year for fear he would be sent back to China under Hong Kong 's proposed extradition bill .
The authorities there say the reopening of the bookshop is a symbol of democracy and freedom in Taiwan .
`` The reopening is very meaningful , '' Mr Lam told reporters in the new store in the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed by China through violent means .
The reopening proves Taiwan is a place with freedom and democracy , and we still have the right to read books , '' he added .
Mr Lam had said he wanted a low-key opening because of Covid-19 , but his small bookstore on the 10th floor of a building in a popular commercial district of Taipei was crowded with journalists and supporters , as well as flowers and a message from Taiwan 's President Tsai Ing-wen , reports the BBC 's Cindy Sui in Taipei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hong Kong 's streets last year and who thought their safety was at risk to come to Taiwan and continue their rebellion from outside .
He said by opening his bookstore , he was also rebelling .
In 2015 , Mr Lam was arrested during a visit to mainland China and held for more than 400 days .
He was among several bookshop owners and staff who disappeared and were later found to have been detained by Chinese authorities , as part of a crackdown on bookshops in the former British colony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
His case fuelled fears of China 's increasing encroachment on Hong Kong 's freedoms , fears which led to the months-long mass protests in Hong Kong last year .
Months ago , he fled to Taiwan as Hong Kong considered a law that would have allowed extradition to mainland China .
Mr Lam 's crowdfunding campaign to `` reopen '' the Causeway Bay bookstore - the name of his former shop in Hong Kong - raised more than T $ 3m on its first day .
In June 2016 , newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists he had been released on condition he retrieve a hard disk filled with the names of people , mainly mainland Chinese , who had bought books from his publishing house .
But he said he had no intention of handing over the data and he detailed his imprisonment - in solitary confinement under 24-hour surveillance , during which he contemplated suicide .
A confession broadcast on Chinese television was , he said , staged and acted out to a script .
China said Mr Lam had broken the terms of his release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carrie Lam , proposed a new law that would allow extradition to mainland China , Mr Lam feared he would be `` top of the list '' .
He left Hong Kong for Taiwan - an effectively independent nation that China considers a breakaway province awaiting reunification .

He called on those who took to Hong Kong's streets last year and who thought their safety was at risk to come to Taiwan and continue their rebellion from outside. He said by opening his bookstore, he was also rebelling.


bbc--2020-04-25--Sana Mir: Ex-Pakistan captain retires from international cricket

Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir says it is `` the right time '' to retire from international cricket .
The all-rounder , 34 , is Pakistan 's leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals , with 151 from 120 matches .
Mir took a break from international cricket in November and was left out of the squad for February 's T20 World Cup .
`` I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport , '' Mir said .
Pakistan only played their first women 's internationals in 1997 , and Mir has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their most significant and recognisable one .
An off-spinner and right-handed middle-order batter , Mir made her one-day international debut in 2005 and was first named captain in 2009 .
She played in 226 international matches , captaining Pakistan in 137 of them .
`` The service will continue in a different form .
Pakistan Zindabad [ Long live Pakistan ] , '' Mir wrote on Twitter .
• What we learned from the T20 World Cup She retires as the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker in women 's ODI cricket , behind India 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ellyse Perry .
Mir is also Pakistan 's second-highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals , with 89 .
Mir previously spoke out about body shaming in sport 's advertising and how it affects women , in a BBC World Service interview in 2018 .
Wasim Khan , chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board , said Mir had been `` a source of inspiration for the young generations . ''
`` Through her determination and passion , Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s cricket who attracted , inspired and motivated young women athletes . ''
Bismah Maroof , her successor as captain , added on Twitter : `` To the true ambassador of the game , to a friend and sister ...
Thank you !
You will be missed '' - while former Ireland skipper Isobel Joyce also joined those paying tribute .

Last updated on .From the section Women's Cricket
Sana Mir captained Pakistan in the 2013 and 2017 World Cups
Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir says it is "the right time" to retire from international cricket.
The all-rounder, 34, is Pakistan's leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals, with 151 from 120 matches.
Mir took a break from international cricket in November and was left out of the squad for February's T20 World Cup.
"I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport," Mir said.
Pakistan only played their first women's internationals in 1997, and Mir has been their most-capped female player - and arguably their most significant and recognisable one.
An off-spinner and right-handed middle-order batter, Mir made her one-day international debut in 2005 and was first named captain in 2009.
She played in 226 international matches, captaining Pakistan in 137 of them.
"The service will continue in a different form. Pakistan Zindabad [Long live Pakistan]," Mir wrote on Twitter. external-link
She retires as the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker in women's ODI cricket, behind India's Jhulan Goswami, and Australians Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Ellyse Perry.
Mir is also Pakistan's second-highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with 89.
Mir previously spoke out about body shaming in sport's advertising and how it affects women, in a BBC World Service interview in 2018.
Wasim Khan, chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said Mir had been "a source of inspiration for the young generations."
"Through her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country," he said.
"Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket who attracted, inspired and motivated young women athletes."
Bismah Maroof, her successor as captain, added on Twitter: "To the true ambassador of the game, to a friend and sister... Thank you! You will be missed" - while former Ireland skipper Isobel Joyce also joined those paying tribute.


bbc--2020-04-25--The farmers bringing their fields indoors

Food is often transported hundreds or thousands of miles before it reaches our kitchens .
Some companies are trying to @ @ @ @ @ ’ re growing fruit and veg in cities , in indoor vertical farms .
Crops @ @ @ @ @ stacked on top of each other .
A video for People Fixing the World by @ @ @ @ @ .

Food is often transported hundreds or thousands of miles before it reaches our kitchens.
Some companies are trying to change that, so they’re growing fruit and veg in cities, in indoor vertical farms. Crops are grown on shelves, stacked on top of each other.
A video for People Fixing the World by Tom Garmeson and Dina Newman.


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: Can these robot roommates liven up lockdown?

The BBC 's technology reporter Cody Godwin has been `` sheltering in place '' in San Francisco since 16 March @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
So , to liven up her lockdown , she invited some robots @ @ @ @ @ and education .
There was even a robot designed to entertain Bogart , her Labrador @ @ @ @ @ to help with video calls , teach coding and entertain humans and animals - but @ @ @ @ @ are not without their flaws .

The BBC's technology reporter Cody Godwin has been "sheltering in place" in San Francisco since 16 March, due to the spread of coronavirus.
So, to liven up her lockdown, she invited some robots over to provide some entertainment and education.
There was even a robot designed to entertain Bogart, her Labrador.
The robots are designed to help with video calls, teach coding and entertain humans and animals - but as she found, they are not without their flaws.
Video journalist: Cody Godwin


bbc--2020-04-25--Coronavirus: What is a vaccine and how is one made?

The coronavirus spreads easily and the majority of the world 's population is still vulnerable to it .
A vaccine @ @ @ @ @ training people 's immune systems to fight the virus .
But how easy is it @ @ @ @ @ when could we expect one to be ready ?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster looks @ @ @ @

When is the vaccine for Covid-19 going to be available? This is the question everyone wants the answer to.
Both the Pfizer vaccine and Moderna vaccine were found to be more than 90% effective and the Oxford University vaccine has reported 70% protection.
Without a cure or definitive treatment, a vaccine is seen as a key way to get life back to normal.
Scientists only started their research at the beginning of the year and have been working quickly to develop and test vaccines.
So when will a coronavirus vaccine be ready? Who would get it first?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster looks at the situation.
Video by Laura Foster
Graphics by Aoife McKenna and Mel Lou


bbc--2020-04-25--ICYMI: Pyramids, flamingos and a brave kangaroo

A message via the pyramids , a flamboyance of flamingos , a kangaroo braving the streets , and children all @ @ @ @ @ ...
Here are some of the stories that you may have missed this week .

A message via the pyramids, a flamboyance of flamingos, a kangaroo braving the streets, and children all across the world getting creative...
Here are some of the stories that you may have missed this week.