Organisers of The Open are yet to announce whether the 2020 Championship will be postponed while Premier League footballers are coming under increasing pressure to take a pay cut.
The 149th edition of The Open is due to be held at Royal St George's from July 16-19 but the coronavirus pandemic means it could follow the Masters and the US PGA Championship and be at least rescheduled.
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: "We are continuing to work through our options for The Open this year, including postponement. Due to a range of external factors, that process is taking some time to resolve.
Statement regarding The 149th Open Championship at Royal St George's: https://t.co/Kixdd97WWf pic.twitter.com/fXSRKmRJFj — The R&A (@RandA) April 2, 2020
"We are well aware of the importance of being able to give clear guidance to fans, players and everyone involved and are working to resolve this as soon as we can."
As Premier League clubs prepare for a shareholders' meeting on Friday morning via conference call to consider an indefinite suspension, Health Secretary Matt Hancock called on top-flight professionals to take a pay cut.
Clubs from the Premier League to League Two have placed non-playing staff on furlough leave under the Government's coronavirus job retention scheme but increasing scrutiny is falling on players to take a wage deferral or cut.
Speaking at the Government's daily briefing, Hancock said: "I think that everybody needs to play their part in this national effort and that means Premier League footballers too.
1.This is an extremely challenging time as we all try to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic. Our admiration & thanks are with the NHS & all keyworkers who are keeping our country going at this very difficult time.https://t.co/ld2KdRGqwC — Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) April 2, 2020
"Given the sacrifices that many people are making including some of my colleagues in the NHS who have made the ultimate sacrifice of going into work and have caught the disease and have sadly died, I think the first thing that Premier League footballers can do is make a contribution, take a pay cut and play their part."
The Professional Footballers' Association swiftly released a statement admitting players must "share the financial burden".
But some Premier League teams have made use of the furloughing scheme – including Tottenham in a move criticised by their former striker Gary Lineker – and the PFA said clubs should only be doing so if it is absolutely necessary.
A statement from the players' union said: "We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff's salaries. However, our current position is that – as businesses – if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should."
📄| Communicatie Raad van Bestuur Pro League — Communication à la suite du Conseil d'Administration de la Pro League ▶️https://t.co/b4GOEQ0gDd pic.twitter.com/ekSGREF9pX — Pro League ⚽️🇧🇪 (@ProLeagueBE) April 2, 2020
Belgium's Pro League is due to become the first top-level European football division to end prematurely, with Club Brugge set to be crowned champions.
The leaders were 15 points clear at the top ahead of the season-ending play-offs.
It is the first top-level football competition in Europe to cancel the season, with just one game of the regular campaign remaining, although the decision needs to be ratified by a general assembly set up by the Pro League on April 15.
MotoGP's French Grand Prix has become one of sport's latest casualties.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the #FrenchGP 🇫🇷 has been postponed 📋 Full details in the article below ⬇️https://t.co/vQa2kjBaj4 — MotoGP™🏡🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2020
The race weekend, which was set to be held at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans from May 15-17, has been postponed – with the organisers aiming to reschedule at a later date.
It becomes the latest race to be affected after April's Spanish Grand Prix was also put on hold.
A MotoGP statement read: "The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports regret to announce the postponement of the SHARK Helmets Grand Prix de France."
💬 "There are lots of complexities and talks happening, but this absolutely is the best thing we can do for our community. "We need to be reaching out and helping those who have been hit hard and are struggling." The skipper on the lads donating money to goodwill causes 👏 pic.twitter.com/dAiCJ8ieF0 — Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 2, 2020
Meanwhile, players, coaches and executive staff at Premier League side Norwich have donated £200,000 to help local people affected by the pandemic.
The donation is made up of money sacrificed from salary by club staff, and will go towards the purchase and distribution of essential food and toiletries to those in need in the city and the county of Norfolk.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid's players have struck a deal with the club over wages to help 430 non-playing staff. Players will take a 70 per cent cut to safeguard other employees.
