Chelsea Women Donate WSL Prize Money To Domestic Abuse Charity; Everton vs Liverpool Derby at Goodison Park and More (Football Round-up)

Women’s Super League (WSL) champions Chelsea have decided to donate their $127,535 prize money to a domestic abuse charity refuge which supports women and children. 

“It’s a charity that’s close to the hearts and minds of the women’s team, and is very important to our owner, Mr Abramovich, and everyone at the club,” Emma Hayes, the Chelsea manager said on the club website. “It makes me proud our club is supporting those less fortunate in times of need.

Also Read | India U-17 Squad Girls Struggle to Survive as Football Big Boys Talk about Return of Big Leagues

"Up until now our involvement was about supporting the campaign publicly with a call to action but we all wanted to do more than that and if donating our prize money can ease some of the concerns and worries people have then it's the least we can do.

"It's an important message. It's a campaign that's really dear to us and the best way in which we can demonstrate our support further is by committing our prize money towards it and helping those in need," she added. 

The WSL was suspended in March in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and last week the Football Association crowned Chelsea champions on a point-per-game basis.

Everton vs Liverpool Derby

The Everton and Liverpool Merseyside derby will take place behind closed doors at Everton’s Goodison Park Stadium notwithstanding concerns that the venue might attract supporters. 

According to media reports, it is suggested that fixtures on Sunday June 21 be held at a neutral venue if there is risk of public gathering and violations of the lockdown restrictions. 

Also Read | Indian Football Team’s World Cup Qualifiers and IPL Could Hamper 2020-21 Season of ISL

There is a possibility of Liverpool winning the title if Manchester City lose to Arsenal on Wednesday, June 17 the first day of the restart. 

"The decision to play the game at the Club's home stadium was made today by the local Ground Safety Advisory Group following positive discussions between the Club, Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, The Everton Fans’ Forum, The Blue Union, Liverpool Football Club and Spirit of Shankly," Everton said in a statement on their website.

Liverpool welcomed the decision following discussions with Everton, the council and fan groups from both teams.

"Building on the magnificent community work both sets of fans have done throughout this pandemic, we are confident that supporters of these two great clubs will respect safety advice about avoiding visiting stadia where home and away fixtures are taking place," they said in a statement published on Liverpool's website.

Real Home Games at Atletico?

Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo offered Real Madrid the Wanda Metropolitano to play their games until the Santiago Bernabeu's renovation is finished. 

With games expected to be played without fans, Real Madrid decided to accelerate renovation work at Bernabeu and will play matches at their training ground once the season resumes. However, the Spanish government is now open to allowing spectators back in stadiums albeit at a reduced capacity. If crowds are allowed to return prior to renovation completion Atletico President has offered Real Madrid the use of their facilities. 

“Would we rent them the Wanda Metropolitano? I’m going to take my mask off to answer you. Let no-one doubt that we will be at Real Madrid’s disposal,” Cerezo explained at an event with the Mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida.

In the 1996-97 season, Real Madrid loaned Santiago Bernabeu to Atletico as the pitch at Vicente Calderon was unusable. 

Real Madrid have six remaining home matches and are two points behind Barcelona on the table. They have upgraded their stadium at their Valdebebas training complex to bring it in tune with VAR, required for a top-flight fixture. 

Lyngdoh on Chhetri

Eugeneson Lyngdoh says despite being a legend Sunil Chhetri is still a kid who jumped out of his bed and celebrated like anything during India’s U-17 World Cup encounter against Colombia way back in 2017.

“India were playing Colombia. Even as we watched it together, I felt that Sunil was actually himself playing the match. It was that phase in the match where India looked more organised, were playing well and he was kind of waving, gesturing as if he was in the dugout,” Lyngdoh said.

“At times he looked at me, smiled, commented, and then dived deep into the match again. And when we equalised, he jumped out of the bed, shouted, ran out of the room. He was so excited that I saw him banging the opposite room where other support staff were staying. Even before they could open the door, Sunil was back to his bed – our door left slightly opened,” Lyngdoh who played with Chhetri at Bengaluru FC narrated. 

“It was at that moment that I figured that despite him being the legend that he is — Sunil Chhetri is still a kid, and will always remain the kid. God bless him for that!”, he added. 

Manchester United Cancel Friendly

Manchester United abruptly cancelled its friendly match against Stoke City at the last minute after Stoke's manager Michael O’Neill tested positive for coronavirus. 

Stoke were scheduled to play United in a friendly at the Premier League team’s Carrington training center on Tuesday, the day O’Neill learned of the positive test. It has been reported that no interaction took place between the two squads. The game was immediately called off.

While the Northern Irishman tested negative five times, after Stoke arrived at Manchester United’s training ground he was informed about his test being positive on Tuesday.  

“Stoke can confirm that manager O'Neill has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following the latest round of testing on Monday (June 8),” a Stoke statement said.

“He will now follow the relevant guidance and undergo a period of isolation, whilst continuing to be in regular virtual contact with his coaching staff and players.”

According to the regulations of the English Football league, anyone who tests positive must go into self isolation for minimum seven days or until the symptoms resolve. If there are no symptoms, the person should exclude themselves from training for ten days and be under strict surveillance for the following four days and if any symptoms are developed then the person must exclude themselves for at least seven days. 

Read more sports stories from Newsclick