Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to help their local communities – plus find new ways to amuse themselves – during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from April 5.
Football
⚽️ 24 hours straight on @FootballManager…
✅ Won a playoff final at Wembley✅ Over £12,000 raised for @LUFCFoodbank ✅ Saw @RonJichardson draped in nothing but an #LUFC flag
? Thanks so much if you watched or donated. Time for bed. pic.twitter.com/fBQdmOX5Da
— The Square Ball (@TheSquareBall) April 5, 2020
The Square Ball, a Leeds fanzine on Twitter, have raised more than £12,000 for Leeds Fans Foodbank after a 24-hour Football Manager marathon. On the 2008 version of the game, they led United to promotion from League One after starting the campaign with minus 15 points, with comedian Jon Richardson celebrating in style!
A statement from Albion Chief Executive Mark Jenkins.https://t.co/cKRN441B3d
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) April 5, 2020
As the debate over footballer pay cuts raged on, West Brom announced chief executive Mark Jenkins will work for free during the lockdown.
Don’t miss me on the @CombatCorona charity livestream where I’ll be playing FIFA 20 against @JPickford1
Donate ?https://t.co/z6c35appiG
? Hosted by @AA9Skillz & @Nepenthez #CombatCorona ? pic.twitter.com/YvDI8gr3hf
— Dominic Calvert-Lewin (@CalvertLewin14) April 5, 2020
A host of professional footballers played FIFA 20 to raise funds for UNICEF.
Everton team-mates Jordan Pickford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were in the first game of the tournament, which included eight Premier League footballers as well as Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale and Juventus and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala.
Ball never lies ? Catch me and my bro @thibautcourtois on @NBA2K at 9pm CET this Sunday w/ @NBAItalia. You already know what’s about to happen. #NBATogether Link: https://t.co/zzBJEfUOX3 pic.twitter.com/OXBQ5fyAsP
— R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@RomeluLukaku9) April 5, 2020
Bale’s Real team-mate Thibaut Courtois was playing a different online sport, taking on fellow Belgian Romelu Lukaku at NBA 2K.
Tennis
Bit of fun today, check out @heatherwatson92 sweet left foot in the last vid ?? pic.twitter.com/YqHy1o6OGu
— Courtney Duffus (@courtneyduffus) April 5, 2020
Watson and boyfriend Courtney Duffus – a footballer for Yeovil – kept each other sharp. But Watson probably should stick to tennis and not take up football.
— Courtney Duffus (@courtneyduffus) April 5, 2020
Cycling
With no professional racing to speak of, riders have taken to virtual races instead, with Sunday seeing the Tour of Flanders played out via Zwift.
Belgian Greg Van Avermaet was the winner, 20 seconds clear of Oliver Naesen.
And there we have it! @GregVanAvermaet‘s first “win” of the season. He’s been chasing that first Flanders win for years….who would have thought the first one would be virtual ? pic.twitter.com/c6Ia1wIzTN
— CCC Team (@CCCProTeam) April 5, 2020
5km to go! Check out @GregVanAvermaet‘s watts ?? pic.twitter.com/MNFkjubPDw
— CCC Team (@CCCProTeam) April 5, 2020
