Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Premier League Covid cases fall for first time in weeks

The number of positive coronavirus tests in the Premier League has fallen for the first time in eight weeks

Mane and Salah will be in action at the tournament in Cameroon

Liverpool assistant urges trio to focus on AFCON glory

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders insists the Reds will be able to cope despite Covid-19 concerns and the departure of key players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Soccer • 03 Jan 22

No firm date yet as to when Messi will return to Paris

Messi one of four PSG players to test Covid positive

Lionel Messi is among four Paris St Germain players who have tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from the winter break.

Soccer • 02 Jan 22

Chris Silverwood is the latest England staff member to test positive for Covid-19

England running out of coaching staff for Ashes Test

England's preparations for the fourth Ashes Test fell victim to more Covid chaos today, with local net bowlers removed from their latest training session on the same day head coach Chris Silverwood joined the growing ranks of positive cases.

Cricket • 02 Jan 22

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has indicated that there are no plans to implement antigen testing for those seeking admittance to Irish weighing rooms

Antigen test shortage results in delay to BHA measure

A shortage of antigen tests has prompted the British Horseracing Authority to "temporarily" defer the requirement for jockeys to show proof of a negative result before entering the weighing room.

Coronavirus • 01 Jan 22

This weekend's basketball programme has been decimated

Ten National League fixtures called off due to Covid-19

Ten National League fixtures scheduled for this weekend have been postponed due to Covid-19, including four InsureMyVan.ie Super League games and two MissQuote.ie Super League contests.

Basketball • 31 Dec 21

Southampton and Newcastle fixture postponed

Southampton's home match against Newcastle on Sunday has become the latest Premier League game to be called off amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Soccer • 31 Dec 21

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declined to name the trio

Liverpool hit with Covid issues ahead of Chelsea clash

Liverpool have recorded three new positive Covid-19 cases but manager Jurgen Klopp believes Sunday's game at Chelsea is not yet close to being called off.

Soccer • 31 Dec 21

The King Power Stadium clash between Leicester and Norwich is off

Leicester-Norwich latest Premier League clash postponed

Norwich's Premier League trip to Leicester on New Year's Day has been postponed as a result of positive Covid-19 tests and injuries within the Canaries camp.

Soccer • 30 Dec 21

David Moyes said that it was very hard to work out the postponement system

Moyes: Postponement rules not being adhered to

West Ham United manager David Moyes said the rules for postponing Premier League matches are not being adhered to after as many as 16 games were called off this month due to injuries and Covid-19 related issues.

Soccer • 30 Dec 21

Juventus' Allianz Stadium will only cater for just over 20,000 fans for the first three games of 2022

Serie A clubs halt ticket sales as stadium capacity cut

Several top Serie A clubs including Inter Milan and Juventus have suspended ticket sales for upcoming matches as soccer stadiums in Italy will be reduced to a maximum 50% capacity to fight rising coronavirus infections.

Soccer • 30 Dec 21

The Atletico coach and four of his players have tested positive

Simeone tests Covid positive, Barcelona have more cases

Atletico Madrid have recorded five Covid-19 positives, including manager Diego Simeone, while Barcelona had three more cases among their players, the LaLiga clubs have confirmed.

Soccer • 30 Dec 21

Anderson wants senior players to boost England's morale

James Anderson urged England's senior players to come together to help the side restore some pride with a competitive performance in the fourth Ashes test after a humiliating innings and 14-run loss to Australia in Melbourne.

Cricket • 30 Dec 21

Stupid to think Chelsea can overcome absentees - Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has insisted Chelsea would be "stupid" to think they can compete for the Premier League title with their Covid-19 and injury-ravaged squad.

Soccer • 29 Dec 21

The NFL regular season is set to conclude on schedule on 9 January

NFL sees Covid-19 quarantine time cut to five days

NFL players can return to play from a positive Covid-19 test after five days of quarantine, regardless of vaccination status under the terms of the latest health and safety protocol update from the league.

US Sport • 29 Dec 21

Michael Van Gerwen is out of the World Darts Championship

MVG 'confused & angry' as Covid ends his World C'ship

Three-time champion Michael Van Gerwen has withdrawn from the William Hill World Darts Championship after testing positive for Covid-19, organisers have announced.

Darts • 29 Dec 21

Harry Maguire was left to rue United's 16-day break

Two-week break left United rusty, says Maguire

Skipper Harry Maguire claims that a 16-day Covid-19 break had done Manchester United no favours after they salvaged a 1-1 draw at Premier League strugglers Newcastle.

Soccer • 28 Dec 21

"The bragging rights and direct competition for places ahead of the upcoming Six Nations camps gives the festive fixtures added spice."

Premiership provides contrast in interpros' absence

Irish rugby was forced into a weekend of rest due to Covid-19 cases in Ulster and the continuing concern in Leinster, but the situation was different in the Premiership, writes Jonny Holland.

Rugby • 28 Dec 21

The league has seen a rising number of cases which have impacted the fixture schedule

Latest Covid tests find record number of positive cases

A record 103 positive Covid-19 cases were found among players and staff in the Premier League over the past week, the league has said, following a raft of fixture postponements during the busy festive period.

Premier League • 27 Dec 21

Van Barneveld began to feel symptoms after his match against Rob Cross

PDC insist protocols in place after positive Covid test

World Darts Championship organisers insist all necessary precautions are in place to safeguard players and fans after Raymond Van Barneveld's positive test for Covid-19.

Darts • 27 Dec 21

Arsenal game with Wolves latest to fall to Covid issues

Arsenal's clash with Wolves on Tuesday has been postponed with the Wanderers squad decimated by Covid-19 cases and injuries, the Premier League has confirmed.

Soccer • 26 Dec 21

The Spanish boss does not want the return of games being played behind closed doors

Guardiola urges fans to wear masks to limit Covid surge

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged supporters to wear masks in stadiums to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Soccer • 26 Dec 21

Patrick Viera's Crystal Palace head to Tottenham on St Stephen's Day

Palace manager Viera would not support players' strike

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira would not support a players' strike, but is concerned over pushing anyone back into action too soon after recovering from coronavirus.

Soccer • 24 Dec 21

The Leopardstown Christmas racing festival will again take place behind closed doors

Leopardstown festival to take place behind closed doors

The Leopardstown Christmas racing festival will now take place behind closed doors.

Racing • 24 Dec 21

Tuchel hopeful over Lukaku return for Stephen's Day

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hopes to have Romelu Lukaku available for the St Stephen's Day clash with Aston Villa.

Soccer • 23 Dec 21

COVID-19

Premier League Covid cases fall for first time in weeks

Liverpool assistant urges trio to focus on AFCON glory

Messi one of four PSG players to test Covid positive

England running out of coaching staff for Ashes Test

Antigen test shortage results in delay to BHA measure

Ten National League fixtures called off due to Covid-19

Southampton and Newcastle fixture postponed

Liverpool hit with Covid issues ahead of Chelsea clash

Leicester-Norwich latest Premier League clash postponed

Moyes: Postponement rules not being adhered to

Serie A clubs halt ticket sales as stadium capacity cut

Simeone tests Covid positive, Barcelona have more cases

Anderson wants senior players to boost England's morale

Stupid to think Chelsea can overcome absentees - Tuchel

NFL sees Covid-19 quarantine time cut to five days

MVG 'confused & angry' as Covid ends his World C'ship

Two-week break left United rusty, says Maguire

Premiership provides contrast in interpros' absence

Latest Covid tests find record number of positive cases

PDC insist protocols in place after positive Covid test

Arsenal game with Wolves latest to fall to Covid issues

Guardiola urges fans to wear masks to limit Covid surge

Palace manager Viera would not support players' strike

Leopardstown festival to take place behind closed doors

Tuchel hopeful over Lukaku return for Stephen's Day