Monday sports briefs - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Former Real Madrid president dies from coronavirus — General view of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 10, 2020. All upcoming professional soccer games in Spain, France and Portugal, as well as some in Germany and a European Championship qualifying match in Slovakia, will be played in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus outbreak. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo)
AP PHOTO

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died Saturday from the new coronavirus, his family said. He was 76.

Sanz had been in intensive care since the beginning of the week while being treated for the virus.

Sanz presided over Madrid from 1995 until 2000, leading the club to two European titles, a Spanish league title and a Spanish Super Cup title.

Under Sanz, Madrid ended a 32-year drought in Europe by winning its seventh European trophy in 1998.

Madrid said Sanz was survived by his wife, Mari Luz, and five children.

More than 24,000 people have been infected with the virus in Spain, with nearly 1,400 deaths.

Only hours after the Australian government called for its citizens to cancel all non-essential travel, the Australian rules Australian Football League (AFL) announced it was postponing its seasons until May 31.

Australia’s various football leagues were among the few remaining professional sports playing on across the globe in its attempts to halt the spread of the virus.

The government’s recommendation against non-essential interstate travel, and some states closing borders, prompted the AFL’s suspension. The first round started last Thursday and was being played out across the weekend. The AFL women’s competition was canceled.

Australia’s National Rugby League and soccer’s A-League were continuing.

Horse racing

As Wells Bayou completed a wire-to-wire victory in the $1 million Louisiana Derby , there was hardly a cheer to be heard — other than the isolated triumphant shouts of trainer Brad Cox and his stable crew.

In the 107th running of the qualifying points race for the Kentucky Derby, the clubhouse and grandstand at Fair Grounds Race Course were empty and eerily quiet because of crowd restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. There was no crowd noise to rival the echoing voice of track announcer John G. Dooley — just the sound of 56 hooves clopping down the stretch.

Winning jockey Florent Geroux had noted the bizarre scene during earlier races on what is normally the busiest day of the year at the Fair Grounds, drawing crowds approaching 10,000.

“It’s funny because it’s the biggest day of the meet here and its completely empty,” Geroux said. “It’s like playing football in the Super Bowl with an empty stadium.”

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