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Coronavirus latest: More opposition to Premier League's 'Project Restart'

:Headline: Coronavirus latest: More opposition to Premier League's 'Project Restart': ID:398909: from db_amp
Watford chief executive voices concern about playing behind closed doors.

Plans for sport to return to some kind of normality continue to hit bumps in the road, with Watford the latest club at odds with the Premier League's Project Restart, a positive coronavirus test in UFC and a warning of potential "chaos" in Formula One.

The idea of completing the top-flight football season in England at neutral venues have already drawn sceptical responses from Brighton and Aston Villa, with Hornets chairman Scott Duxbury now joining in.

Watford sit 17th in the paused table, ahead of Bournemouth only on goal difference, and the idea of resuming in the suggested format has not gone down well.

Watford chairman Scott Duxbury is dubious about playing at neutral grounds (Mike Egerton/PA)

"When at least six clubs – and I suspect more – are concerned about the clear downside and the devastating effects of playing in this kind of distorted nine-game mini-league, then I believe the Premier League has a duty of care to address those concerns," said Duxbury.

"If we start and finish a whole season under these conditions and at neutral venues when everybody knows the rules when we start, not created in a time of crisis, then that is clearly fair. To be asked to finish a quarter of the season under new rules and conditions is an entirely different proposition.

"Surely all 20 clubs must agree the fairest way forward to complete the season? I hope we can now come together and find a solution to enable the season to end safely and fairly."

In the United States, Saturday's controversial UFC 249 event was hit by a positive test for Jacare Souza, who was due to fight Uriah Hall on the preliminary card.

The Brazilian, as well as two of his cornermen, are asymptomatic but have come back positive in routine testing.

In a statement, the mixed martial arts company said: "As per UFC's health and safety protocols, all three men have left the host hotel and will be self-isolating off premises, where UFC's medical team will monitor their conditions remotely and will provide assistance with any necessary treatment.

"From their arrival earlier in the week until their departure today, Souza and his cornermen followed UFC health and safety protocols, including practicing social distancing, wearing personnel protective equipment, and self-isolating whenever possible."

Opponent Hall took to Twitter to send his best wishes to Souza, posting: "Brother I know it sucks I'm sorry you have to go through this I am beyond devastated for the missed opportunity I wish you nothing but recovery for you and your family."

Daniel Ricciardo expects to see some rusty driving when F1 returns (Bradley Collyer/PA)

The F1 season is scheduled to get going behind closed doors in Austria on July 5 and, although Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo is eager to hit the track he believes the lengthy hiatus could make for a difficult weekend.

"(It will be) some form of chaos, hopefully in a controlled manner," the Australian told BBC Radio Five Live.

"There is going to be so much rust, a combination of emotion, excitement, eagerness. You are going to get some guys who perform on that level of adrenaline and others who might not. So you're going to get some bold overtakes, some miscalculated ones."

Meanwhile, October's delayed Vuelta a Espana has issued a revised route, with a Portuguese leg no longer going ahead. Stages 15 and 16 have been amended to remove Porto, Matosinhos and Viseu from the schedule.

"It's a shame not to be able to visit Portugal in 2020, but we don't want this flame to be put out: we will keep this relationship alive, we will maintain and develop the links we have formed, so that we may return to this country that has treated us to well," said race director Javier Guillen.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
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