data-mm-id=”_o7fhf8bwu”>Rob Manfred issued a stark warning to Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark, telling him the 2020 season could be shut down if the sport doesn't do a better job of managing the coronavirus. ESPN's Jeff Passan landed the scoop. MLB has seen a number of positive COVID-19 tests pop up since the season started last Thursday. The Miami Marlins have seen 18 players and two coaches test positive, while the St. Louis Cardinals reported two positive tests on Friday. On top of that, the Philadelphia Phillies are potentially facing an outbreak of their own after playing the Marlins over the weekend. So far the players have tested negative, but it can take several days for the virus to appear. Those issues have caused a number of game cancellations and has put the integrity of the season at risk, with the very real possibility that a team could see an outbreak and have to shut down for good. As commissioner, Manfred has the power to shutter the season if another outbreak materializes, and he might face intense public pressure to do so. From Passan's article:”Multiple players briefed on the call fear the season could be shut down as soon as Monday if positive tests jump or if players continue not to strictly abide by the league’s protocols.”One issue that hasn't been talked about enough is the fact that individual players could be making unsafe choices away from the field. Unlike the NBA and NHL's bubble concepts, baseball players are not supervised when they leave their home ballparks. And, as one high-ranking official told Passan, "There are some back decisions being made." On the road it is likely far easier to monitor the players at the team hotel, but at home they are currently on their own.That, ultimately, might be what shuts things down. If the players aren't taking this seriously, engage in risky behavior and then wind up infecting teammates, the season could — and probably should — end. Baseball's attempt at playing during a pandemic has been a mix of some really bad ideas. Manfred and the league were clearly not prepared for a team to face an outbreak, which left them scrambling to implement changes and some new safeguards. The fact that there weren't dozens of contingency plans already in place was truly mind-boggling. It was a terrible look for Manfred and for Major League Baseball. While some players may be making bad decisions, the league should have planned in advance for that and for the potential fallout. Instead it feels like Manfred & Co. just took the attitude of, "let's just do this and just see what happens." That should be the attitude of spring breakers, not a multi-billion dollar industry. If baseball's season does end there will be a lot of blame to go around. Manfred will likely take the brunt of it, and rightly so.
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The Italy international curled in a delightful opener after 31 minutes at Stadio Artemio Franchi and Ivan Perisic added a second as Inter moved top of Serie A.
Barella, who was earlier denied by a fine Bartlomiej Dragowski save, now has three goals and five assists in 21 league outings this term.
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 900th career goal, but the Portugal captain claimed he is haunted by records.
Ronaldo scored his landmark goal in the 34th minute of Thursday s Nations League contest between Portugal and Croatia in Lisbon.
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Ronaldo was taken off late on to a standing ovation, and speaking to Portuguese media, he said: It was an exciting goal for me. It s a round number.
Only I know how hard it is to work every day to score your 900th goal.
It s a unique milestone in my career. I d…
Lazio have completed the signing of Pepe Reina after Milan reportedly agreed to the cancellation of his contract.
The 38-year-old Spanish goalkeeper had a year left to run on his deal at San Siro, but it is said to have been terminated in order to allow him to move to the Italian capital.
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The games are coming thick and fast and after another busy week of European football it is straight back into the Premier League.
One of the Premier League s most iconic rivalries has its latest instalment on Sunday as Manchester United host Arsenal, while early leaders Everton go to Newcastle United on the same day.
Before that, though, how will champions Liverpool cope with their mounting injury problems against West Ham on Saturday? Can Manchester City rediscover their best domestic form at Sheffield United?
Ahead of another round of fascinating games, have a go at our Opta-powered quiz. Find the answers at the bottom of the page.
TOP SCORERS 2020/21
8 Son Heung-min
7
6 , ,
5 ,
— Premier League (@premierleague)
1. City w…
Bayern Munich spurned a host of chances as Leon Bailey s double earned 10-man Bayer Leverkusen a 2-1 win and inflicted a first defeat on Hansi Flick.
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Thomas Muller scored his first goal in 21 league matches to cancel out Bailey s early opener, only for the Leverkusen winger to restore his side s advantage 115 seconds later.
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Juventus earned a 3-1 win over 10-man Sassuolo as goals from Danilo, Aaron Ramsey and Cristiano Ronaldo kept them in touch with Serie A leaders Milan.
Sassuolo had frustrated the Bianconeri in the first half but their combative approach saw Pedro Obiang sent off moments before half-time.
Danilo put Juve ahead five minutes into the second half with a powerful long-range strike, yet Sassuolo equalised with a fine finish from Gregoire Defrel.
Sassuolo looked on course to take a point but late goals from Ramsey and Ronaldo secured the victory for Andrea Pirlo s side.
FT | | THREE GOALS AND A BIG THREE POINTS!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)
A slick Juve passing move opened up the Sassuolo defence early on but Gianluca Frabotta could only…