Sporting world hit by surge in virus infections

LONDON • World sport was again hit by Covid-19 infections on Thursday with football and rugby matches called off, a cricket series cancelled and holiday action in North America under threat.

A wave of new infections, driven by the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, suggested more postponements and cancellations will follow as sporting codes warily await the impact of the strain, which is more transmissible than the current Delta variant.

This weekend's La Liga games are set to go ahead but Spanish giants Real Madrid have been hit by an outbreak that has ruled out at least six players, as well as assistant Davide, the son of coach Carlo Ancelotti.

They will host Cadiz tomorrow without the likes of Luka Modric, Marcelo, Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio, Andriy Lunin and Rodrygo, who have all tested positive.

With more polymerase chain reaction tests scheduled ahead of the game, there is the possibility of further absentees.

Valencia coach Jose Bordalas and his assistant Patricio Moreno are also self-isolating after returning positive tests earlier this week.

However, La Liga rules state that as long as a club can field seven first-team players for any given game, the match must go ahead.

The West Indies' cricket tour of Pakistan was also cut short after the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the touring party rose to nine.

Thursday's T20 match did proceed, with the hosts claiming a seven-wicket win to complete a 3-0 series sweep in Karachi.

But the three-match one-day international series, which was due to start today and is part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup, has been axed off and will be rescheduled for June next year.

The cancellation of the ODI series is a huge blow to Pakistan, which has seen tours by New Zealand and England called off in recent months on security grounds.

India's tour of South Africa, although trimmed with four planned T20 internationals dropped from the original schedule, will proceed despite Omicron being first identified by the host nation.

Rugby's European Champions Cup has also been hit with Montpellier's game at home to Leinster the latest to be postponed over Covid cases in both squads, while Welsh club Ospreys suggested their trip to Racing 92 in Paris could also be off with at least seven positive cases in their camp.

Over the last three days, the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball Association (NBA) have faced a surge in positive tests, forcing dozens of players and staff into league-mandated Covid-19 protocols and leading to the postponement of games.

The holiday season across the United States and Canada is usually filled with sporting action but, with the coronavirus spreading through locker rooms, fans may not see all their favourite players.

With 52 players - 22 of them across Wednesday and Thursday - already placed under health protocols this month, the NBA is taking drastic action.

Broadcaster ESPN reported on Thursday new enhanced rules, including more testing and mask-wearing for players and staff.

The increased daily testing will begin on Dec 26 and last two weeks. Players will also be given tests before each game, with only those who have recently recovered from Covid-19 exempted from game-day testing.

It will now be mandatory for players and staff to wear masks on the benches, in training facilities and while travelling with their teams.

The NFL will implement even stricter measures, including the wearing of masks regardless of vaccination status, eliminating in-person meals and barring outside visitors while teams are travelling.

Unlike the NBA, there have been no cancelled American football games so far this season, but the league is taking pre-emptive action after close to 100 positive tests by midweek. There is no mandate for NFL players to get vaccinated.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS