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Football clubs, players, athletes and a number of sporting bodies have begun a four-day boycott of social media in an attempt to tackle abuse and discrimination on their platforms. It began at 15:00 BST yesterday and will end on Monday at 23:59 BST.

The show of solidarity against online abuse hopes to encourage companies to take a stronger stance against racist and sexist abuse by users. Rugby union, cricket and rugby league have also joined the protest.

The Premier League released a statement prior to the four-day silence, saying it would not stop challenging companies until discriminatory online abuse is removed from our game and wider society.

It said: "We know that a boycott alone will not eradicate this, which is why we will continue to take proactive steps to call for change." A number of players posted a statement shortly before the protest began, while football clubs changed their Twitter feed icons to a blacked-out version of their logo.

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips wrote: "Disappointed that we even have to be doing this. Social media should be a safe space for everyone.

"I really hope main platforms make it a priority to eradicate online abuse from their system. It's already a problem in society, let's do more to stop it online as well." Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out says the boycott "signifies our collective anger", with football being joined by other sports.

Among the organisations boycotting Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are:

·         Football: Clubs from the Premier League, English Football League, Women's Super League, Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish women's football; governing bodies including the Football Association, Scottish FA, Football Association of Wales and Irish Football Association; European governing body Uefa; a number of other football organisations

·         Cricket: The England and Wales Cricket Board, first-class counties, women's regional teams and the Professional Cricketers' Association

·         Netball: The Superleague, England Netball, Netball Players Association

·         Rugby union: England Rugby, Scottish Rugby, Welsh Rugby, France Rugby, Premiership Rugby, clubs and the Rugby Players' Association

·         Rugby league: The Rugby Football League, Super League Europe, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and the Rugby League Players' Association

·         Corporate bodies: Premier League and Women's Super League sponsor Barclays, England sponsor Nationwide, Adidas; broadcasters Sky Sports, BT Sport and Talksport

British Cycling, British Horseracing, Great Britain and England Hockey, and the Lawn Tennis Association are also involved. The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the FA, has also joined, alongside seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and Williams driver George Russell.

"I am fully supportive of the initiative and if me doing it helps put pressure on those platforms in order to help fight against it then, for sure, I am happy to do so," said Hamilton. "I am really proud to hear there are so many organisations getting involved. I am not sure why Formula 1 is not a part of that."

Formula 1 said it was committed to combatting any form of discrimination, online or otherwise and supports the sporting bodies and athletes involved in the boycott. It is understood Formula 1 is not joining the boycott as it does not experience the same abuse issues on its social media.

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend said players were starting to fight back", adding the boycott would send a warning to these companies that if you don't start regulating your platforms, it's going to be an indefinite blackout. Watford captain Troy Deeney said the social media boycott was a huge step.

He said: "For a long time now we've all been talking about the impact of social media on the younger generation, as well as mental health. I think the huge part about this is it's only four days, it could give people a perspective of what life could be like without a huge amount of sporting stars on social media."

Deeney added: “I receive abuse on a daily basis, which is also aimed at partner and children. That's very difficult for me to read but also not to react," he said. "We have to not react, we're in a privileged position but if we react on a human level, we're the ones who will get held accountable for our reactions."

Former West Ham, Sunderland and QPR defender Anton Ferdinand said it was sad that the fight against online abuse had got to this point, but that football was taking no more of it.

"There should be life bans, because we're talking about people's lives," he said.

"Some people don't get out of the slump they're in after being abused on social media, and that can lead to people harming themselves. We've got to take this very, very seriously."

He also called on the UK government to do more, saying: "Has the energy from the government been the same as what it was when the European Super League was being spoken about? No it hasn't, and that's the disappointing thing.

"When we're talking about pound notes and money involved, that's when people seem to act properly, and seem to act in the right way.

"The government haven't done that when it comes to discrimination on social media platforms, the energy isn't the same and that is one of the reasons why the social media companies aren't really taking heed of what is being said by the footballing bodies."

Burnley captain Ben Mee said he hoped social media companies will take notice. “There's plenty of technology out there that can help stop this abuse online, not just in football, sport, or in everyday general life.

"We need to protect young kids, young adults as well. And growing up with all this social media going on, it needs to be things put in place for these trolls and keyboard warriors to take responsibility for their actions."

Two years ago, a number of footballers took part in the #Enough campaign - a 24-hour social media boycott in protest at online abuse. But players across all sports continue to be subjected to racist abuse, with some clubs contacting police over the level of aggression.

An investigation by the Professional Footballers' Association, the players' union, found 56 abusive posts on Twitter in November 2020. The PFA reported them to the platform but 31 of them are still visible, which the organisation described as absolutely unacceptable.

Manchester United recently revealed their own analysis had found a 350% increase in abuse directed towards the club's players, with 3,300 posts targeting players during the period September 2019 to February 2021. It found 86% of those posts were racist, while 8% were homophobic or transphobic.

Also, Swansea City were joined by Birmingham City and Rangers in turning off their social media accounts for a week to make a stand against abuse. Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry removed himself from social media in March because of racism and bullying across platforms.

A survey of elite British sportswomen found that one third of participants had suffered abuse on social media. Some of football's governing bodies laid out the changes they would like to see in a letter to Facebook and Twitter in February.

The UK government has previously threatened social media companies with large fines, which could amount to billions of pounds if they fail to tackle abuse on their individual platforms. Individuals and football clubs have condemned the abuse, and it has been decided that collective action is the best way to bring about change.

Facebook, which owns Instagram, has said it is committed to tackling abuse on its platforms.

Instagram last week announced a tool to enable users to automatically filter out abusive messages from those they do not follow on the platform.

Twitter released a statement, stating it was resolute in their commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game. The company added it had removed more than 7,000 football-related tweets in the UK that violated its rules.

A team of 25 amateur cyclists will begin riding the full 21 stages of the 2021 Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals in exactly 50 days. The Tour 21, which takes place from Saturday June 19 – Sunday 11 July, aims to raise in excess of £1,000,000 for national blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia and the team are over halfway to their fundraising total after recently surpassing £600,000.

Cure Leukaemia, which was announced as the first ever official Charity Partner of the Tour de France in the UK for the next three years, recorded a £1,700,000 fundraising shortfall in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and The Tour 21 team, which was increased from 20 to 25 riders after this event’s postponement last summer, aim to help the charity address this shortfall in funding by completing all 3,384km of the world’s most famous and prestigious professional cycling event.

All funds raised by The Tour 21 team will be invested in the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) which has been solely funded by Cure Leukaemia since January 2020. TAP is a network of specialist research nurses at 12 blood cancer centres located in the UK’s biggest cities and a facilitatory hub based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This network enables accelerated setup and delivery of potentially life-saving blood cancer clinical trials to run giving patients from a UK catchment area of over 20 million people access to treatments not currently available through standard care.

With the team progressing towards their £1,000,000 target, two inclusive fundraising opportunities linked to The Tour 21 have been announced today which will enable anyone to get involved, help the team reach their goal and have the chance to win some fantastic prizes:

From Sunday June 6 – users of Strava, globally, will be able to sign up to The Tour 21 Strava Challenge. The Challenge will be to ride the distance of the longest stage of this year’s Tour de France route between June 19 – July 11, a staggering 238km! Strava users can complete it over 3 weeks or do it in a day, giving cyclists of all abilities the chance to get involved across the world.

All who take part will be encouraged to raise £100 for Cure Leukaemia towards the team’s total and all those who fundraise or complete the challenge will be in with the chance of winning some incredible prizes which will be announced on June 6. Tickets are now available to purchase for The Ultimate Cycling Prize Draw with all proceeds going towards The Tour 21 team’s fundraising for Cure Leukaemia.

The raffle win run from 50 days out, up until Friday June 18, the day before the start of The Tour 21 with a prize draw then held daily from June 19-July 11. It costs £21 to enter the raffle and, once entered, people will be automatically included in each of the 21 prize draws.

The top prize is a Pinarello Dogma F12 worth £12,000 and other prizes include: a signed Tour de France 2021 winner’s jersey, a signed Pink Jersey from Tao Geoghegan Hart, 6x signed rider/team jerseys, Wahoo Kickr, 2x carbon wheelsets, Rapha voucher, Panda sunglasses and much more!

Leading the team on his final Tour de France challenge is ex-England footballer, blood cancer survivor and Cure Leukaemia Patron Geoff Thomas, 56, who said: “We were meant to take on this challenge in 2020 before COVID-19 meant we had to postpone.

“But in that time, we have added to the team and become the official charity partner of the Tour de France in the UK. There is real momentum behind what we are doing as a team and with Cure Leukaemia recording a £1,700,000 fundraising shortfall last year it is imperative that we surpass £1,000,000 to ensure patients across the UK have access to potentially lifesaving clinical trials.

“I would urge the public to get involved in these fantastic fundraising opportunities announced today because they have the potential to take our fundraising way beyond our target, you can all play your part in The Tour 21.”

Premier League football club Crystal Palace, Geoff’s former club, has also given its support to Geoff and the team as the off-bike kit partner and stag sponsor. Chief Executive Phil Alexander said: “Geoff was an inspirational captain for our football club, and he has continued to be an inspiration with his tireless fundraising efforts since his battle with blood cancer. Crystal Palace are proud to have supported him in his fundraising ventures over the last 18 years and we are proud to do so again for his final Tour de France challenge this summer.

“Cure Leukaemia is a charity making a direct impact on the treatment of blood cancer both nationally and internationally and we are delighted to help Geoff and the team towards surpassing their £1,000,000 target. I also hope that the Palace fans will play their part too in the coming months through these additional fundraising opportunities announced today and I wish Geoff and the team the very best of luck for their epic challenge.”

Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive James McLaughlin continued: “Geoff and all of the team are training phenomenally hard at the moment to be ready ahead of June 19th and to have raised over £600,000 in such challenging times is already a fantastic achievement.

“However, we are keen for as many people as possible to support The Tour21 team and we hope by supporting these two new fundraising opportunities, the £1,000,000 target will be reached by the time Geoff leads the 25 strong team into Paris on Sunday July 11.”

World champion Dina Asher-Smith will start her competitive countdown to this summer’s Olympic Games by taking on a world-class field in the 100 metres on home soil at the Müller Grand Prix Gateshead on Sunday 23rd May.

The event is the first meeting in the 2021 Wanda Diamond League series and Asher-Smith could hardly have picked a tougher race to begin her season as she faces Jamaican duo Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, plus in-form American Sha’Carri Richardson.

Fraser-Pryce won Olympic 100m gold in 2008 and 2012, whereas in 2019 she beat Asher-Smith in Doha to claim her fourth world 100m title. Thompson-Herah is the reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion. Richardson, meanwhile, clocked a sizzling 10.72 earlier this month to go sixth on the world all-time rankings.

Asher-Smith won the world 200m title in Doha two years ago and her only competitions so far in 2021 have been two indoor 60m races in Germany. The British record-holder said: “I’m so excited to be running at the Müller Grand Prix Gateshead. It’s going to be my first Diamond League of 2021 and my first Diamond League since 2019 and I can’t wait. It’s been a long time coming!

“I’m so excited to get back out there, running the 100m. It’s going to be so much fun. So 23^rd of May, here we come!”

The first Wanda Diamond League event of 2021 was due to take place in Rabat but has been moved to Gateshead due to the coronavirus pandemic. It means Gateshead International Stadium will be staging its first international grand prix meeting since 2010 and it will offer welcome competitive opportunities to British athletes ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

These include athletes on the Futures Academy Programme supported by Nike such as Amy Hunt. The world under-18 record-holder for 200m is part of the 100m field in Gateshead with Asher-Smith – a line-up that is so busy it will require heats at the start of the programme before a final later in the evening.

Over the years there have been many historic performances at Gateshead International Stadium. In 2006 Asafa Powell equalled the 100m world record of 9.77 seconds, while Brendan Foster smashed the 3000m world record there with 7:35.2 in 1974. In the field, world pole vault records have been broken at Gateshead by Daniela Bartova in 1995 and Yelena Isinbayeva in 2003 and 2004.

A man has denied sending a racist message to West Bromwich Albion midfielder Romaine Sawyers. Simon Silwood, from Randall Close in Kingswinford, Dudley, was charged with sending a grossly offensive message to the player on January 26. The message is alleged to have been sent on the day West Bromwich hosted a match against Manchester City.

Silwood, 49, pleaded not guilty to an offence under the Communications Act at Dudley Magistrates' Court. He was granted unconditional bail until his trial at Walsall Magistrates' Court on September 9.

He is charged with sending a message to the midfield star that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene and menacing character. It follows an investigation by PC Stuart Ward, the UK's first dedicated hate crime officer within a football unit.

Earlier, the organisations that run English football agreed to stay off social media for three and a half days to highlight the abuse that players and many others connected to football, receive online. Swansea City, Birmingham City and Rangers have already taken part in a week-long social media boycott from April 8, in protest at the treatment many of their players have experienced.

The government has said it plans to introduce new laws on online abuse this year and the Premier League has launched its own online abuse reporting system.

German athlete Sarah Voss says she wants to be a ‘role model for young gymnasts who don't feel very safe in every situation’ after recently competing in a full-body suit at the European Championships.

Her outfit defied convention as previously women and girls had only covered their legs in international competition for religious reasons. Voss hopes others will follow her lead.

She said: "It does not say that everyone should do it, it just says that everyone can do whatever they want." Voss said the project had been a year in the making.

The 21-year-old added: "If they feel safe they can wear a normal leotard if they like it. If there is a certain point they think they would feel better in a long leotard, then they should do it.

"For me, it doesn't say I have to wear a long leotard in the future every time. It depends on how I am feeling and how I'd like to perform." Two of the German's team-mates, Kim Bui and Elisabeth Seitz, also wore the full-body suit - which cover the athletes' legs to the ankles - during the women's all-around final.

The German federation said its gymnasts were taking a stand against sexualisation in gymnastics. The International Gymnastics Federation rules allow competitors to wear a one-piece leotard with full-length legs, provided it is of elegant design.

"To do splits and jumps, sometimes the leotards are not covering everything, sometimes they slip and that's why we invented a new form of leotard so that everyone feels safe around competitions and training," Voss explained.

"Every time you don't feel safe it's distracting you from what you want to perform. I think that feeling safe and not thinking about what other people can or cannot see is quite relieving when you can compete like that.

"Some girls quit this beautiful sport because of having to wear leotards so that is why this is a great option for everyone to stay in the sport they love and don't think about anything else about their body - just about their performance."

British-Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis said: “The suits gives the power of choice back to the athletes and could open the door for more women in the sport.”

Ten reigning European champions are among the 47 athletes selected to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland between June 1-5. 

Aled Davies, Sophie Hahn, Maria Lyle and Richard Whitehead are among those set to compete at the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium. Six-time European champion Aled Davies will be seeking his fourth consecutive F63 shot-put title as the 2016 Paralympic gold medallist prepares for his title defence in Tokyo this summer.

Double world champion Maria Lyle will compete in the T35 100m and 200m in Poland. The 21-year-old has won six European titles during her career to date and will be seeking to add further silverware to her collection at the 2021 edition. Grand-slam champion in the T38 100m Sophie Hahn will defend her title in Bydgoszcz, while Thomas Young will look to match that achievement in the men’s equivalent.

Reigning individual European champions Dan Greaves [F64 discus], Harri Jenkins [T33 100m], Vanessa Wallace [F34 shot put] and Richard Whitehead [T61 200m] are selected, whilst 2018 universal 4x100m relay gold medallists Nathan Maguire and Zac Shaw have also been called up. Four-time European champion Georgie Hermitage returns to the British team having retired from the sport in early 2020.

However, following the birth of her second child last year, the Paralympic and world champion returned to training, running her first race since 2018 last weekend and has been selected for the T37 400m in Poland. Three British athletes will compete 100m RaceRunning events including world champion Kayleigh Haggo, who broke the RR2 400m world record at the weekend.

World silver medallist Ellie Simpson has also been selected for the women’s RR3 100m. In the men’s equivalent, Dubai 2019 world silver medallist Rafi Solaiman leads the entries.

Eight athletes on the British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy and two Paralympic Development Academy athletes have been selected including T54 athletes Daniel Sidbury and Mel Woods. 

The British Athletics Paralympic Performance Pathway aims to identify, develop, prepare and support potential Paralympians towards World Class level. These ten athletes on the 2021 cohort join a number of graduates of the programme on the team for Bydgoszcz, including European medallists Thomas Young and Ali Smith.

Paula Dunn MBE, the Para Athletics Head Coach said: “The World Para Athletics European Championships provide a great opportunity for our athletes to compete at a high level in a very important year.

“It is a fantastic competition opportunity for those athletes who are building up to Tokyo, as well as providing a platform for our Paralympic Futures Academy and Development Academy athletes who are on the pathway for Paris and Los Angeles. Due to challenging circumstances at this current time, and consistent with British Athletics’ approach this season, all athletes were given the option to opt-in or opt-out of the Championships.

“The Paralympic Games is ultimately the main focus this year, so while many athletes have targeted Bydgoszcz as a key event in their plan for the year, others have decided to focus on other competitions as part of their preparation for Tokyo. We are supporting all athletes and coaches to achieve what they feel is the best preparation possible for the Paralympic Games later this summer.”

The British team for the World Para Athletics European Championships, Bydgoszcz, Poland on 1-5 June:

Women: Fabienne André, Olivia Breen, Lydia Church, Libby Clegg [Guide runner – Chris Clarke] – T11 200m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Kayleigh Haggo (John Owens; Ayr Seaforth) – RR3 100m, Sophie Hahn – T38 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Georgie Hermitage – T37 400m, Sophie Kamlish – T64 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Maria Lyle – T35 100m and 200m, Polly Maton – T47 Long Jump and 100m, Anna Nicholson – F35 Shot Put, Ellie Simpson – RR3 100m, Ali Smith – T38 100m, 400m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Stef Reid – T64 Long Jump, Emily Stewart – F38 Discus, Hannah Taunton – T20 1500m, Vanessa Wallace – F34 Shot Put and Mel Woods – T54 100m, 400m, 800m and 1500m.

Men: Ola Abidogun – T47 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Jonathan Adams – F35 Shot Put, Columba Blango - T20 400m, John Bridge – T47 400m, Jonathan Broom-Edwards – T64 High Jump, Shaun Burrows – T38 400m, Richard Chiassaro – T54 400m and 800m, Barney Corrall – T38 Long Jump, Aled Davies - F63 Shot Put, Kyron Duke – F41 Shot Put

James Freeman – T33 100m, Dan Greaves – F64 Discus, Harri Jenkins – T33 100m, Rhys Jones - T37 100m and 200m, Nathan Maguire – T54 100m, 400m, 800m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Stephen Miller – F32 Club Throw, Luke Nuttall – T46 1500m, Javaughn Parkes – T36 100m, Ross Paterson – T38 100m and 400m, Dan Pembroke – F13, Javelin Zac Shaw – T12 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay, Daniel Sidbury – T54 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m, Luke Sinnott – T63 Long Jump, Zak Skinner - T13 Long Jump and 100m, Rafi Solaiman – RR3 100m, Alexander Thomson – T38 100m and 400m, Harrison Walsh – F64 Discus Throw, Richard Whitehead – T61 200m and Thomas Young – T38 100m and 4x100m Universal Relay.

The organisers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have announced the search is on for 25 Game Changers.

These new recruits have the opportunity to change their lives by embarking on a new career in sport where their first task is to help deliver the biggest sports programme in the history of the Games. 19 of the 25 roles are for Assistant Sport Competition Managers.

No relevant experience or qualifications are needed but a passion for sport is an essential requirement, as the successful applicants will be working behind the scenes of the Games and supporting the sports competition managers that Birmingham 2022 has recently recruited. The new recruits will help to plan and deliver each competition in accordance with the rules and regulations of the international federations for the sports, as well as helping to ensure that the athletes, team officials and technical officials have the facilities and services they need at both the official venues and official training venues for each sport and Para sport.

There are six further vacancies in the sports team and they include coordinators, who will support the technical officials and sport volunteers, a sport publications coordinator, to help ensure all the athletes and technical officials have all the information they require, and a sport entries coordinator, who will keep track of how many athletes are due to take part in the Games.

Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, Matt Kidson, said: “These roles could be a real game changer for 25 young people, as this is a truly unique opportunity to start a career in sport by working on the largest multi-sport event to be staged in the UK for a decade. “We’re looking for candidates that can demonstrate an absolute passion for sport and that are keen to learn the ropes from our experienced and dedicated team.

“We have a fantastic and varied programme of sport to deliver and so this is an amazing opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at how a major sport event is organised and to kickstart your career in sport in spectacular style.” The 25 new recruits will be joining a team that is tasked with delivering a sports programme that includes 19 sports and eight Para sports – the biggest para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history.

The sports team was recently expanded when three of Birmingham 2022’s 27 apprentices joined as sports team assistants. One of those apprentices, Para athlete Nicole Swingler, spoke about her experience so far: “It has been an incredible few months since joining Birmingham 2022 and I have already learnt so much in such a short space of time. The team at Birmingham 2022 is really supportive and has given me such a warm welcome.

“I still can’t believe that I am now helping to organise the Commonwealth Games and this role has given my confidence and career a huge boost. It’s also fascinating to see behind the scenes of such a major event and to begin to understand how events like the Commonwealth Games are organised.

“If you love sport and you are currently looking for a job, I would urge you to take a look at these roles because it really is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something special.”

The new recruits will join more than 300 people already employed by Birmingham 2022 to deliver the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games which will be staged next summer from 28 July to 8 August.

Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have joined fellow Australian Andrew Tye in ending their Indian Premier League (IPL) season early to return home.

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 34, also said he is taking a break from the IPL to support his family. The news comes as India struggles with a surge in coronavirus cases.

Tye, who was with Rajasthan Royals, flew to Sydney on Sunday, citing the "stress of bubble life" and concerns about borders closing in Australia.

"I just thought I should try and get on the front foot and get home before I got locked out of the country," the seamer said. 34-year-old Tye, who flew home via Mumbai and Doha, added: "There's definitely concerns. A lot of guys have been in touch once they've realised I was leaving. Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it."

The England and Wales Cricket Board is not currently aware of any England players planning to leave the IPL, with individuals set to make their own decisions, rather than the governing body. England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan, who is skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, says the tournament should continue as long as it does not hamper the efforts to combat Covid-19.

"Certainly when we came out of our first lockdown period, I remember the first sport being on TV was probably in New Zealand and Australia. It was rugby union and rugby league. Then slowly, the Bundesliga started, then the Premier League started," he said.

"That displayed that you can play sport while the country is almost in full lockdown. If there's a template to make that happen, it has happened, but also as long as it doesn't disturb what's happening in the public eye." Morgan added that the players are aware of the rising cases in India.

"We're constantly talking about the situation that is unfolding outside of our bubble," he added. "It's not nice watching from afar, considering how lucky we are to be in a bubble and not be affected by it very much."

India has been reporting more than 300,000 daily cases for several days, setting new daily global records. On Monday, it had the highest number of daily coronavirus cases for a fifth straight day, reporting 352,991 new infections and another 2,812 deaths in the previous 24-hour period.

Royal Challengers Bangalore said on Monday that leg-spinner Zampa, 29, and fast bowler Richardson, 30, will be unavailable for the rest of the IPL season and were returning to Australia for "personal reasons". A statement added: "Royal Challengers Bangalore management respects their decision and offers them complete support."

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders paceman Pat Cummins has asked his fellow players to join him in contributing to help India's hospitals deal with the pandemic. Cummins, 27, who is among a number of Australia's top players to remain in India, has pledged 50,000 Australian dollars (£28,006) to the PM Cares Fund, specifically to purchase oxygen supplies.

"India is a country I've come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest I've ever met," the Australia vice-captain wrote on Twitter. "To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly.

"There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue with Covid-19 infection rates remain high. I'm advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country."

Cummins added: "At times like this it is easy to feel helpless. I've certainly felt that of late.   

“But I hope by making this public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people's lives. I know my donation isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone."

Australia has avoided the worst of Covid-19 by closing its borders and installing snap lockdowns - such as a three-day lockdown in Perth, announced before the weekend - when cases of community transmission occur.

Haringey Council assisted Tottenham Hotspur in helping to provide additional testing for supporters who are attending the Carabao Cup Final today against Manchester City.

The event at Wembley Stadium is a pilot of new arrangements following the Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown, assessing how major events can reopen safely to the public as restrictions ease and fans must take a lateral flow COVID-19 test at a designated site – not a home test – in the 24 hours before the game. The match will be attended by 8,000 fans, of which 2,000 tickets have been allocated to Spurs supporters. To facilitate this LFD testing requirement, Haringey Council laid on extra testing capacity and you do not need to book a test.

This took place at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre - opposite the Tottenham Stadium - yesterday and will also take place today (Sunday). The Tottenham Community Sports Centre will be open from 8am - 3pm today to facilitate fans accessing LFD testing.

The lateral flow test centre at Alexandra Palace will be open as usual from 10am to 6pm on both days. Following taking their test, fans will be required to bring proof of a negative result, either a text or an email from the NHS, with their ticket, to be permitted into Wembley for the game.

In addition, fans have been asked to take a take two PCR tests, which are designed to show if someone showing coronavirus symptoms currently has the virus. Both tests should be taken at home, the first before the match, and the second five days afterwards. Fans who get tickets for the final will be told how to apply for the PCR tests, which will be free.

Dr Will Maimaris, Haringey’s Director of Public Health said: “It’s great to see major events such as the Carabao Final being piloted, enabling fans to return to the terraces after a prolonged period of absence.  We all want to return to doing the things we enjoy and have missed over the past year.

“Although we appreciate that the required PCR and LFD testing arrangements puts extra effort on fans, I am sure we can all agree that it’s a price worth paying to ensure that these events can be attended by the public safely.  We are very happy to facilitate easy access to testing for ticket holders and hope that many will avail of it when picking up their tickets at Tottenham Hotspurs.”

Olympic and Commonwealth sprint relay champion Mark Lewis-Francis says the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is going to deliver a lasting legacy for the region, and that he wishes he could have competed in his home city next summer. The Black Country-raised sprinter is the latest guest on the Birmingham 2022 podcast series 22 Voices, featuring sporting legends and cultural trailblazers in the run up to the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking to presenter Vital Powers, MLF (Mark Lewis-Francis) says the Games will have a huge impact on Birmingham and the West Midlands:

“Birmingham is definitely going to put on a good show. We always deliver. I’m a proud Brummie, born and bred, and some of the changes that have been made already, are going to create so many jobs, so much opportunity.

“I want the people of Birmingham to embrace it. We deserve this. It’s all about leaving a legacy for our future. Birmingham has got so much mad talent, and what these Games are going to do is open up a door for so many youngsters.”

The sprinter, who won gold and silver medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, says athletics turned his life around after a difficult time at school, and he discovered the sport by chance after driving past the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr with his father:

“I got expelled from high school, and spent six months at home. I remember driving past Alexander Stadium and asking him [his father] what that was. I’d never seen it before. So, we came back and I got introduced to my coach Steve Platt. Within a couple of months, I learned the ropes and things started to happen straight away. My schooling got better. The athlete was born in that very time.”

Lewis-Francis says his Jamaican upbringing on the Ge Lane estate in Smethwick helped him learn the discipline to succeed in athletics:

“My Mom was a strict Jamaican woman. Every black child that lived in Smethwick back then had rules and regulations you had to abide by. It made me the person I am today. My discipline really did start from home, watching my Mom work the amount of jobs she worked, and provide and put food on the table for us.

“That gave me my drive in sport to never give up and always try and aim high. My Mom came over here [from Jamaica] with nothing and she ended up getting an education and a good job. That was my first interpretation of what hard work is.”

In the podcast, the retired sprinter also reflects on his journey to an incredible Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, when he led the Great Britain 4x100m sprint relay team to victory, holding off the challenge of the American legend Maurice Green on the final leg.

He says that despite the odds, he always believed the team could win: “I always knew something special was going to happen at that Games. I remember feeling the Olympic buzz. We really tuned in as a team. We went out there as the underdogs; no one expected us to win an Olympic gold medal. I remember saying to the guys just before we went out there, ‘If you give me the baton in first place, I will not allow anybody to pass me’. And they gave me the baton in first place.

“I remember running down that track and everything just going blank, then crossing the line and there was no one there. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had.” He reflects on the injury problems that cut his career short, the impact of the death of his childhood coach

Steve Platt, how Linford Christie helped resurrect his career, and the quieter life he now enjoys in South Wales with his partner and four children. He also speaks about the Black Lives Matter movement sparked by the death of George Floyd, and his own experiences of racism in the West Midlands.

22 Voices is available to listen and subscribe from www.birmingham2022.com/22voices, and from all major podcast providers.

Previous episodes include world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and a special International Women’s Day episode featuring Team England rugby sevens player Heather Fisher and Team England weightlifter Sarah Davies discussing gender stereotypes in sport. 

Sports fans around the world can be part of next month’s Laureus World Sports Awards by voting in a global online poll to pick the Laureus Sporting Moment of the Year. Voting opens today!

The Laureus Sporting Moment Award celebrates fair play, sportsmanship, dedication or overcoming adversity. It recognises a unique, emotional moment or story that touches the hearts of millions and inspires people worldwide.

Recent winners have included the FC Barcelona Under 12 team (2017), who consoled their losing Japanese opponents after the final of the World Challenge Cup, the Brazilian Chapecoense side (2018), who returned to football after the disastrous air crash which wiped out almost all the team, and Chinese double amputee Xia Boyu (2019) who reached the summit of Mt Everest.

Each of this year’s shortlisted moments, below, symbolises the true value of sport and brings to life the message that sport has the power to change the world and can unite us all.

AN INCREDIBLE DREAM BECOMES REAL

It took 16 hours, 46 minutes and 9 seconds for Chris Nikic, a 21-year-old from Florida, to make history, becoming the first person with Down’s Syndrome to complete a full Ironman - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile marathon run.

DELIVERING INSPIRATION FOR CHINA

Zhang Fangyong has never given up his dream of becoming a boxer, no matter what the obstacles. Now he works as a delivery man to support his family and to allow him to afford to train. In China delivery men have made a great contribution to normal life during Covid-19, and his determination has made him a national sporting hero.

GERMANY KICKS CORONA TOGETHER

Bayern Munich players Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka set up the ‘We Kick Corona’ initiative to support charities, groups and organisations, who have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.  So far it has raised more than €5 million.

MATCH POINT AGAINST COVID

An improbable tennis match between two young girls staged on the rooftops of Finale Ligure in Italy showed that not even Covid-19 lockdown rules could stop their spirit of friendship and love of sport. Their reward was an unexpected visit by Roger Federer.

RACE AGAINST THE ELEMENTS

When Storm Filomena brought the heaviest snowfall in decades to Spain, everything stopped. But Dr Álvaro Sanchez was typical of the resolute spirit of health care workers, walking 17km (10.5 miles) to reach his Covid-19 patients in hospital.

SPORT UNITES ACROSS LOCKDOWNS

When sport was cancelled in Japan because of Covid-19, many high school boys and girls lost the chance to showcase their performances for applications to universities and sports teams. #NeverStopPlayingSports, founded by two rugby internationals, has filled the gap.

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “In the last five years this Award has given us a new impetus. Firstly it has involved the sports fans of the world who can now have their own voice and pick their own Award winner. But also, it has moved away from the scoreboard or the winner’s rostrum and celebrates something very special in sport, something very special in life.”

Founded in 2000 as the Laureus World Sports Awards, Laureus has now also become one of the most influential and active sports-driven social enterprises through its charitable arm, Laureus Sport for Good.

Since its inception Laureus has helped to improve the lives of more than six million children and young adults, and now supports more than 250 sports-based community programmes around the world, fulfilling the visionary words of its First Patron Nelson Mandela - ‘Sport has the power to change the world’.

Laureus also provides a platform for sportsmen and women to use their collective voice to highlight and promote the value of sport in society and use their positions of influence to make a powerful impact on issues and conflicts which go beyond sport

Cheshire Phoenix completed a BBL Championship sweep of Glasgow Rocks, avenging being knocked out of the Trophy by this opponent, with an 85-69 home win on Wednesday night.

It moves Phoenix to 14 wins, level with B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, and confirms their Play-off spot as they maintain their hope of finishing fifth in the table, despite this being just their second victory in the last eight games, both coming against Glasgow.

Kahron Ross hit seven early points as Phoenix scored 10 in a row in the opening five minutes, and held an early double-digit lead when Pharroh Gordon came from the bench to add another seven - those two shooting a perfect 7-7 in the first quarter - for a 26-14 lead on Gordon's triple.

They maintained that margin, and extended it to open the third quarter when Jalen Hayes scored all of Cheshire's points in another 10-3 push that made the lead 57-38. It peaked at 65-41 when Kyle Carey scored consecutively to cap an 8-0 burst, including an emphatic transition dunk, which gave them enough to see off a late fightback.

Phoenix were led by 20 points from Ross and 19 from Hayes, who missed just twice as he shot 8-10 from the field, while Mike McCall Jr. had 14 points and nine assists.

May Madness is ready to take over the best British basketball teams with all eyes on the prize of reaching the showpiece finale of the Play-Offs.

And this year sees an exciting change as the BBL and WBBL series sees 20 games across two weeks and three venues with Week 1 of the series featuring doubleheader action every day between Saturday 1 May and Friday 7 May. All games will also be broadcast by Sky Sports which sees for the first time all WBBL playoff games broadcast.

The three central venues hosting the Play-Offs are Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, University of Worcester Arena, and the Morningside Arena in Leicester. The series tips off on Saturday 1 May at the Vertu Motors Arena with the WBBL quarter-finals and Round 1 of the BBL quarter-finals before moving to University of Worcester Arena for Round 2 of the BBL quarter-finals and the WBBL semi-finals. The Morningside Arena will host the BBL semi-finals and the WBBL and BBL finals on Sunday 16 May.

The change in format was in response to the ongoing requirements of the Covid 19 protocols. With fans unable to return to indoor sporting events and the regular season stretched due to rearranged fixtures, condensing not only the timetable but also the venues allowed the best chance of finishing the season with a bang. Andy Webb, COO of BBL, said

"The 2020/21 season has been challenging but ultimately rewarding as all teams have stepped up to meet these challenges and play one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons we've seen. Basketball fans will be treated to a fantastic end to the season and we're delighted to bring all the games to them with Sky Sports."

Sky Sports will be showing all 20 games for free on their YouTube channel for fans in the UK with the BBL semi-finals and the BBL and WBBL Finals also aired live on Sky Sports. Fans in the UK and overseas will also be able to watch free on BBL Player.

Birmingham-based mechanical and electrical services specialist J S Wright has renewed its sponsorship of the West Midlands’ premier junior netball club for the third consecutive season.

The company, which has its HQ in Aston and an office in London, will remain the principal sponsor of Parkside in Sutton Coldfield whose girls currently play at Under 12 to Under 15 levels in the Birmingham Intermediate Netball League (BINL) and at Under 14 and Under 16 levels in the National League. 

The continued backing has accompanied the sport’s huge rise in popularity among girls inspired by the success of the Vitality Roses England women’s netball team as it prepares to participate in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as defending champions.

J S Wright’s renewed sponsorship will enable Parkside to continue to invest in quality training equipment and subsidise the entry fees for tournaments as its members return to indoor netball following the easing of Covid lockdown curbs.

The club, which trains at North Birmingham Academy and plays its BINL matches at the University of Birmingham, plans to resume matches on a friendly basis from May and to take part in tournaments again from June 21.

Run entirely by volunteers, Parkside has an enviable record of producing county and England players, with former England captain Ama Agbeze MBE and current internationals Beth Cobden and Layla Gusgoth among those that started as juniors at the club.

Having won numerous county and national titles since it was founded in 1995, Parkside juniors currently make up more than half the Birmingham Academy (county) squad, while the club’s Under 12s won the inaugural Sutton Netball League at the start of last year winning all 16 of their matches.

David Griffiths, Parkside Netball Club Chairman, commented: “Given that most of last season was cancelled, the club is extremely grateful that J S Wright has continued to support us in these difficult times.”

He added: “J S Wright’s support has proved invaluable in giving the increasing numbers of girls across Birmingham that are keen to take up netball the opportunity to train and play in a safe environment, gain confidence and achieve their potential, and make lasting friendships.”

Andrew Smith, J S Wright National Design and Estimating Director, whose daughter Lily plays for the club, said: “As a company that is committed to providing a safe and inclusive career path for our young people, we are delighted to continue to support a club that both nurtures the sporting ambitions of young girls in the community and aids their fitness, confidence and mental health.”

Established in Birmingham in 1890, J S Wright designs, manufactures and installs mechanical and electrical services for the hotel, residential, social housing, student accommodation, leisure and commercial sectors. Its residential maintenance company, Wright Maintenance, provides planned preventative maintenance cover for commercial landlords, property agents and homeowners.

J S Wright was voted one of the UK's Top Ten Specialist Contractors to Work For in the 2016 Construction Enquirer Awards, was a finalist in three categories in the 2018 H&V News Awards and was named Construction Services Employer of the Year in the 2020 BAME Apprenticeship Awards.

Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli says the European Super League (ESL) project cannot proceed as AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid joined the six Premier League clubs in withdrawing.

Agnelli was one of the chief architects of the breakaway plans, which involved 12 clubs from England, Spain and Italy.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are yet to comment.

"To be frank and honest no, evidently that is not the case," said Agnelli, on whether the ESL could still happen. "I remain convinced of the beauty of that project, of the value that it would have developed to the pyramid, of the creation of the best competition in the world, but evidently no. I don't think that project is now still up and running."

Agnelli has been replaced as chairman of the European Club Association by Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Qatari who resisted repeated attempts to persuade the French club to become founder members of the breakaway league. Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan announced their withdrawal on Wednesday morning, followed by statements from AC Milan and Juventus.

Agnelli was described as a "snake and a liar" by Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin after the announcement of the breakaway plans. The Juventus chairman resigned his position as chairman of the European Clubs' Association and refused to take calls from Ceferin.

In a statement, Juventus said there were "limited chances that the project be completed in the form originally conceived" but that the club "remains convinced of the soundness of the project's sport, commercial and legal premises".

The six Premier League clubs involved all withdrew within hours of each othe following a furious backlash against the plans. Manchester City were the first club to pull out after Chelsea had signalled their intent to do so by preparing documentation to withdraw. The other four English sides - Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham - then followed suit later.

In announcing their withdrawal on Wednesday, Atletico Madrid said "harmony is essential" between the club and the fans, and added that the first-team squad and coach Diego Simeone had backed their decision because "sporting merits must prevail over any other criteria".

In their statement, Serie A side Inter Milan said they were "committed to giving fans the best football experience", adding: "Our engagement with all stakeholders to improve the football industry will never change.

"AC Milan said "the voices and the concerns of fans around the world have clearly been expressed" about the plans and the club "must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this wonderful sport".The 12-team Super League was announced to widespread condemnation.

"Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure put on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations," the ESL said earlier on Wednesday, adding it was "convinced that the current status quo of European football needs to change".

"Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is insisting on the idea of keeping the group together to push for change," says Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

"Barcelona say they agreed to the ESL, but only if the season ticket holders' assembly approve it, which could be their way out." Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City chiefs apologised to their supporters.

Ceferin welcomed the reversal by the clubs, saying: "I said yesterday that it is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake.

"But they are back in the fold now and I know they have a lot to offer not just to our competitions but to the whole of the European game. The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together."

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, PM Boris Johnson said the withdrawals were "the right result for football fans, for clubs and for communities across the country". He also promised a "root-and-branch investigation" into football governance and what the government could do to "promote the role of fans in that governance".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added the proposals "would have destroyed football" and that "we now need to get on with the other changes that are necessary". The League Managers' Association (LMA) welcomed the decision of the clubs to withdraw, saying: "There is no place in our game for clandestine collusion, driven by opportunism, with such a blatant disregard for the history and integrity of our game."

The LMA also called for a club licensing system that sets out a "clear and unified governance structure, with consistent game-wide checks and balances".

"The future of football should be one that upholds the values of integrity and transparency.

“Owners, and those responsible for the direction of the game, must be more connected to, and significantly more accountable to the game itself," it added.

The Football Supporters' Association said "the cabal of billionaire owners overplayed their hand" and all efforts needed to be poured into the review of football governance in order to "rebalance the power structure of the domestic game".

In a statement, the Professional Footballers' Association praised players "who stood up for the game they love" and former players who "used their platforms effectively and often devastatingly" to "passionately articulate why the preservation of the domestic game is so important".

The English Football League said it hoped events over the past few days would lead to "much needed change to the distribution of wealth" in domestic leagues to ensure all clubs can have a "sustainable future".

Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Vestel Visual Solutions, a leading manufacturer of professional display solutions for schools and colleges, have launched the new Six4Schools community programme, which is designed to make Birmingham Bears Vitality Blast games even more accessible for families and to give back to local schools.

Now open for registrations from across Birmingham and Warwickshire, every school that registers for theSix4Schools programme will receive a unique discount code that allows the parents of pupils to secure adult tickets for a Vitality Blast T20 fixture at Edgbaston Stadium for just £12; a saving of £13 on the match day price. Alongside this, parents can secure free tickets for all children aged under 16.

What’s more, each school will receive £6 cashback on every ticket sold through its unique code and the school that sells the most tickets will receive an interactive screen from Vestel, designed to help deliver more engaging and collaborative lessons.

Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC, said: “We recognised how tough the pandemic has been for families and schools and in response Six4Schools is a brand-new initiative that we’ve launched with Vestel and the Warwickshire Cricket Board, which is working closely with more than 250 primary and secondary schools across the region. However, any school can register online, obtain a unique code for parents and gain the benefits of our cashback programme; selling 200 tickets would bring a £1,200 reward.

“There’s just over nine weeks until the first game at Edgbaston and, in the build-up, we’re planning a programme of special coaching sessions at schools and competitions across the county with our Bears squad. We can’t wait to get underway.”

Launched at Kingsland Primary School in Kingstanding, Bears players George Furrer and Marie Kelly joined Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street to deliver a special T20 coaching session for the pupils and gave an insight of what it takes to make it as a Bear.

“We‘re proud to partner with Warwickshire CCC to launch the Six4Schools initiative, supporting efforts to give back to local schools while at the same time making cricket more accessible,” said David Flintoft, Sales and Marketing Director, Vestel.

“We know through our work with schools across the country just how difficult the past year has been, for staff and pupils alike. The relationship between sport and education has always been closely aligned, so it’s great to be involved in supporting the return of both to UK life, while also putting money back into the pockets of schools, which can then be reinvested into the learning experience.”

Launched at Kingsland Primary School in Kingstanding, Bears players George Furrer and Marie Kelly joined Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street to deliver a special T20 coaching session for the pupils and gave an insight of what it takes to make it as a Bear.