Since the Coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, China, the pandemic has sickened more than 462,800 people, according to official counts from WHO. As of Thursday morning, at least 20,922 people have died, and the virus has been detected in at least 175 countries, as the maps show.
The sporting world has been hit the most as virtually all the sporting events have been postponed or out rightly canceled. Football leagues all around the world have been put on hold, the summer Olympics billed for Tokyo has been moved to 2021.
The money-spinning world of sports has been ground to a halt.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus has had a serious impact on white collar employees and others who make their livelihood from the world of sports. Stewards, club staffs, grounds men, kit suppliers, and others. But those who matter – players, coaches, club management are doing everything within their power to make sure that they still have a means of livelihood in these trying times. Sport stars are also donating and contributing to ensure that the spread of this deadly virus is brought to a halt.
Players and directors at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have agreed to take temporary pay cuts. They said the move was to help the other employees at the club financially during the coronavirus crisis. Players at Union Berlin, another Bundesliga club, announced they will go entirely without their wages. Borussia Monchengladbach’s players were the first in the country to offer to forgo wages.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has donated 1m euros (£920,000) to fight the coronavirus outbreak in Spain. He has been working with his lawyers over the past few days to work out the best way of using the money.
Barcelona’s forward Messi, has donated a total sum of 1m euros each to two hospitals, one in Barcelona and the other in his native Argentina. Juventus and Portugal’s star Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes have donated 1m euros to three intensive care units for patients suffering from Corona virus at hospitals in Lisbon and Porto.
Last week Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski donated 1m euros to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Germany.
Conor McGregor is also making contributions in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, announcing Wednesday that he is donating €1 million to purchase and donate medical supplies to various hospitals in the Republic of Ireland. Tennis legend Roger Federer and his wife Mirka have also pledged to donate one million Swiss Francs to help families affected by the novel coronavirus in their native Switzerland.
Tottenham boss Mourinho has been working with Age UK and community group Love Your Doorstep to deliver vital supplies such as food and medication to those in need.
“I came to give some support to Age UK, Enfield and Love Your Doorstep, Enfield, to help people in our club’s local community,” said the 57-year-old, who was photographed packing up supplies wearing a face mask and gloves.
“It is a difficult time for everyone right now, particularly among the elderly, so I want to offer my assistance in any way I can.”
Tottenham’s London rivals Arsenal have pledged £100,000 ($117,000) to local charities fighting the virus.