Future Timeline

No vaccine, no French Open for Djokovic as rules tighten

January 17, 20224:38 PM GMT

PARIS, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic risks being frozen out of tennis as he chases a record 21st Grand Slam title, with rules on travellers who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 tightening in the third year of the pandemic and some tournaments reconsidering exemptions.

The Serbian, who has not been vaccinated, was deported from Australia on Sunday ahead of the Australian Open after losing a court case to have the cancellation of his visa overturned.

Under Australian law, Djokovic cannot get another visa for three years - denying him the chance to add to his nine titles at Melbourne Park - but the government has left the door open for a possible return next year. read more

The world number one, however, faces more immediate hurdles in his bid to overtake Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafa Nadal, with whom he is tied on 20 major titles, as he could be barred from the French Open as things stand.

The French Sports Ministry said on Monday there would be no exemption from a new vaccine pass law approved on Sunday, which requires people to have vaccination certificates to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes and cinemas.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sport ... 022-01-17/

Ukraine conflict: Champions League final moved from Russia to Paris

Last updated on Less than a minute ago

The 2022 Champions League final will be played in Paris after Russia was stripped of the match following the nation's invasion of Ukraine.

The final of Europe's most prestigious club competition was due to be played in St Petersburg on 28 May.

Following a meeting on Friday, Uefa confirmed the match would not be held at the Gazprom Arena.

Instead the European football governing body has decided it will be staged at the Stade de France in Paris.

Uefa expressed "thanks and appreciation" to French President Emmanuel Macron for "his personal support and commitment to have European club football's most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60520933

Russian Grand Prix cancelled after country stripped of Champions League final following invasion of Ukraine

Friday 25 February 2022 13:51, UK

Formula One has cancelled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix and expressed 'sadness and shock' over the invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement, the sport's bosses said: "The FIA Formula One World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.

"We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.

"On Thursday evening Formula One, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances."

The race in Sochi was due to take place on 25 September.

https://news.sky.com/story/champions-le ... s-12550967

Ukraine crisis: Poland to boycott World Cup play-off against Russia

Last updated 36 minutes ago.

Poland will boycott their World Cup play-off against Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine, with captain Robert Lewandowski saying "we can't pretend that nothing is happening".

Polish football association president Cezary Kulesza has said the team "does not intend" to play the game.

Russia are due to host Poland in Moscow on 24 March, while Ukraine travel to Scotland on the same day.

"The right decision," tweeted Lewandowski.

On Thursday, Fifa said it would monitor the situation after Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic said in a joint statement that play-off matches should not be played in Russia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60536030

World Athletics joins sporting bodies in banning Russian and Belarusian athletes

March 1, 20225:13 PM GMT

March 1 (Reuters) - World Athletics banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from all events for the foreseeable future on Tuesday, as more sporting bodies sanctioned athletes from the two countries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sport ... 022-03-01/

One hell of a fall from grace. From £38 million and international stardom, to bankruptcy and jail.

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-becker ... y-12601369

The champions league final is very close (I think less than two days away).

It's actually on Australian tv for once

Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid