Latest news on the coronavirus epidemic at stake around the world:
___
The University of North Carolina said he is still planning to play sports this fall after canceling undergraduate courses in person in favor of distance amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The school announced Monday that it will move to online education only after reporting 4 groups of coronavirus involving student housing or a fraternity from Friday. Subsequently, the UNC Department of Sports issued a statement in which athletes will continue to take online courses and be able to participate in school sessions while following protocols.
Athletes can stay in their existing apartments on or off the Chapel Hill campus.
UNC is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, which has announced its goal of starting its fall football and other sports season the week of September 7.
“We are still looking forward to playing this fall and will continue to evaluate the stage in coordination with the university, the CCA, the national and local government and fitness officials,” the UNC sports branch said in the statement. “The fitness and protection of our students-athletes, coaches and employees, and the network remain our priority.
___
The Kansas City Chiefs will restrict Arrowhead Stadium’s capacity to 22% when they start protecting their Super Bowl title, which equates to about 17,000 enthusiasts in what is one of the NFL’s toughest environments.
The club announced its plans as well as ticketing data for its first 3 games on Monday, after consulting with physical care officials at the University of Kansas. Tickets will be sold in seat equipment starting next week.
Only the first 3 games of the house, unlike the Texans, Patriots and Raiders, will first go on sale to season ticket holders. Bosses said local and public fitness forums would determine the season’s capacity.
While chiefs plan to allow connection, enthusiasts will limit themselves to dominance directly behind their vehicle and enthusiasts who have tickets in their pods. They are encouraged to wear face masks, which are mandatory within the stadium, and to use a smart social distance on fit days.
___
Because of the scenario surrounding COVID-19, the U.S. Tennis Association has canceled all national youth occasions until October 12.
The USTA also canceled all Category 1 adult events, adding the Adult, Open, Family, and Age divisions until the end of the year.
The cancellation resolution was made to ensure the fitness and protection of all involved, as interstate travel required for tournaments carries a greater threat of contracting the disease.
The USTA stated that quarantine regulations, restrictions and periods were taken into account at event sites and in player home states.
___
Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said his players underwent 33 tests for COVID-19 this summer.
Malzahn says a member also tested positive this summer. The Tigers and other Southeastern Conference groups opened the pre-season camp on Monday before the season scheduled for September 26.
Malzahn says Auburn didn’t test positive last week, but four players still follow verification protocols. Expect effects until the end of the week.
He says they managed 863 tests among the players, an average of more than seven times each. Staff members underwent five tests each.
Supporter Chandler Wooten and defensive back Traivon Leonard have opted to play this season.
___
Furman, of Department I of the Southern Conference, postpones all falls outside the convention due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sports director Jason Donnelly said Monday that the resolution was made after last week’s announcement that the league delays all its competitions and athletics championships from the fall to spring convention. Furman plays football in the subdivision of the championship.
Donnelly says the school in Greenville, South Carolina, took the resolution on the fitness and protection of student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans.
___
There will be no enthusiasts at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the NFL and MLS to be played in September. The Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United say the coronavirus pandemic forced the decision.
Groups say they will continue to work with local and national fitness officials before deciding whether to allow enthusiasts to participate in the games after September.
The Falcons will play with at least two house game enthusiasts, unlike Seattle on September 13 and Chicago on September 27.
“The fitness and protection of our enthusiasts is our most sensible priority,” said Steve Cannon, CEO of Arthur Blank Sports and Entertainment Group, owner of the Falcons and Atlanta United. Cannon said the resolution was taken “after careful attention and collaboration.”
Atlanta United had announced in the past that there would be no enthusiastic for three games: August 22 against Nashville SC, August 29 against Orlando City SC and September 2 against Inter Miami CF.
___
The U.S. Cup was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 tournament was suspended in early March, shortly before its launch. The last scheduled for September 22 or 23.
Officially called Lamar Hunt U.S.Open Cup, it is the oldest football tournament in the United States and gives amateur groups the chance to take on the pros, giving a cinderella team the chance to advance to the tournament. The winner wins a spot in the Champions League of the Football Confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The U.S. Football Federation announced Monday that the Open Cup may not be held this year because the pandemic affected the ability of groups to travel, limited or eliminated enthusiastic matches, and required strict testing protocols.
Teams who have been invited to participate this year will be invited next year.
There is still no resolution on how to award the CONCACAF Champions League position to the tournament champion.
___
The state of Kansas will allow 25% of its football stadium’s capacity for games this season after gaining approval on Monday from the county commission. That a maximum crowd of just under 15,000 fans.
The 12 Schools of the Big 12 Conference to outline their own attendance policies according to local jurisdictions.
The Riley County Commission also reviewed the rest of the protocols back to the Kansas state game. Fans should wear face covers where a social distance of 6 feet is maintained. No taconing will be allowed in school-controlled parking lots. There will be no re-entry. There will also be hand-disinfection stations and other protective measures.
A plus for fans: with the removal of the heel and back-to-, it will be allowed for the first time to buy beer and wine in the general sections of the seats. Alcohol sales had been limited to luxury suites.
___
The CFL canceled its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first year the Grey Cup has been held since 1919.
The nine-team league announced the move on Monday, accelerating hopes for a shorter season in the central city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The resolution comes after the CFL failed to solve a number of problems in an effort to save a season.
“The governors of our league today that is the CFL’s most productive long-term interest to focus on the future,” Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
“Surely we are committed to 2021, for the long term of our league and the search for our vision of a larger, more powerful and more global CFL.
Unlike other Primary Leagues in North America, the CFL does not have the luxury of a $1 billion television contract. Although its agreement with TSN has been more lucrative over the years, the CFL remains an open league, a major challenge when enthusiasts are not allowed in the stands.
___
Mississippi, half a beginner, Eli Johnson says he probably wouldn’t play football this season.
Johnson announced on Twitter that he would miss the season and gain his master’s degree in criminal justice in December.
Players from the Southeastern Conference will retire from the season due to COVID-19 and remain fellows.
Johnson started all 12 games last season, allowing only one catch. His father, David, was hospitalized this summer because of the virus.
“I’ll be grateful for my time here at Ole Miss,” Johnson wrote Sunday night on Twitter. “God bless you and Hotty Toddy.”
___
More AP Sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports