[church66]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbDd...8i6XyXfYX_GY74

[church66]

https://dartsnews.com/hearn-reveals-...ose-two-dates/

Quote .

Barry Hearn has revealed that the Premier League Darts and in particular the double header at Rotterdam Ahoy between September 9-10 will take place. Albeit potentially without a crowd involved in Holland.
The Dutch government revealed that no major events including the Premier League should take place as long as there is no vaccine available and for Hearn, he hopes that the numbers will come down so that the decision is made without it.

“There will be no vaccine yet in September,” Hearn told RTL Nieuws. “But we go for gold. We hope the numbers drop so fast that the government revises its judgement, because the effect on the economy goes beyond just darts. In ten years’ time, we’ll still pay for this, so we need to get to some sort of normal as soon as possible. ”

Hearn therefore has three options available. “We play with an audience, or we play with a reduced audience, or we play without an audience. But for all TV viewers: continue! It’s going to happen on those two dates. ”

PDC announces Summer Series to begin in early July :

https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/n...-series/180802

Emperor Barry Hearn has moved PDC Darts into Phase 2 of the comeback from the Lockdown so maybe World Snooker isn't far away from Phase 2 stage .

[church66]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53320413

Meanwhile at Emperor Hearn's PDC Darts :

World Matchplay will take place behind closed doors in Milton Keynes instead of Blackpool's Winter Gardens :

https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/n...s-to-mk/181517

PDC Darts player Ronnie 'The Rocket' Baxter took a year out to reward the fans and get back to the roots but then came the Corona Virus so he took to deliveries to keep himself occupied .

Darts ace Mervyn King - who has £1.7m in career earnings - 'is turning up in his BMW and earning £120 a day as an Amazon delivery driver' after competitions were cancelled :

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sp...es-Amazon.html

If anyone can reboot the UK economy it's Emperor Barry Hearn and forget about the UK Politicians , they are hopeless !

[church66]

SHOW MUST GO ON Barry Hearn defends decision to allow fans at Crucible for World Snooker Championship and responds to Ronnie O’Sullivan and Anthony Hamilton criticism :

https://talksport.com/sport/snooker/...drew-hamilton/

Quote .

" World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has moved to calm fears over the decision to allow fans at the upcoming World Championship, following strong criticism from Ronnie O’Sullivan and another player withdrawing from the event.

After fears it would be cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, the tournament will get underway as planned on Friday, July 31 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, running until August 16.

And the decision has been made to sell tickets for the 17-day event, with a limited number of snooker fans permitted to watch from inside the famous venue.

Judd Trump is set to defend his World Snooker Championship title over the next two weeks

Judd Trump is set to defend his World Snooker Championship title over the next two weeks
The World Snooker Championship will be the country’s only indoor sports pilot event permitting a reduced capacity crowd during the pandemic, with up to 300 people per session at the venue, reduced from the usual capacity of around 1000.

Fans will NOT have to wear masks or face coverings while they sit in their seats, but Hearn insists there are exhaustive health and safety measures in place for both fans and the players.

Regardless, a number of the game’s top stars have criticised the decision, with five-time world champion O’Sullivan saying players are being treated like ‘lab rats’.

And the Rocket is not the only one, with Anthony Hamilton – an asthma suffer and more at risk of severe symptoms of COVID-19 – branding the decision to allow fans into the famous venue ‘ridiculous’ and announcing his withdrawal from the competition.

Five-time winner O’Sullivan has huge reservations about fans being allowed into the Crucible, saying: “I don’t think it [COVID-19] has been taken seriously enough.”

Five-time winner O’Sullivan has huge reservations about fans being allowed into the Crucible, saying: “I don’t think it [COVID-19] has been taken seriously enough.”
But Hearn has defended the decision for the World Championship to be a test event, telling talkSPORT: “We have to be positive and move forward with sport, or sport will be dead.”
Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White on the eve of the tournament getting underway, Hearn said: “Of course we are a test event, there’s no doubt about that.

“You’ve got to love Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comments, they only come up every time he wants a bit of publicity, looks for a nice little angle. ‘Lab rats’ is a just a phrase to guarantee a headline, we get used to that with Ronnie, it’s not a problem.

“The fact of life is that sport, somehow, has got to start taking that journey back to normality, or the price we’re going to pay is if we don’t start generating some revenue these smaller events and smaller football clubs, for example, they’re going to go bust.

“The World Snooker Championship is an event that’s watched by 500million people and my job is to make it as attractive as possible, and as financially viable as possible.

“This year it’s not [financially viable], but the price of not doing the event and not beginning the road back to normality will destroy professional sport and with it the income and livelihood of the vast majority of players.

Barry Hearn insists the health and safety measures in place for players and fans at the World Snooker Championship are ‘second-to-none’

Barry Hearn insists the health and safety measures in place for players and fans at the World Snooker Championship are ‘second-to-none’
“You’ve got to look at the bigger picture and we have worked tirelessly on this, hand-in-hand with the Government and the Department of Heath every step of the way, to make sure the safety features are second to none.

“There’s a limited crowd, screening on entry, screens behind the players so they don’t interact with the fans, the front row is completely empty, social distancing between everybody sitting in their seats, one to one-and-a-half metre circles around every individual… you cannot believe the amount of detail.”

The world number 48 Hamilton was also critical of the decision to let spectators take off their masks in the auditorium, calling it ‘a mad thing’.

But Hearn said everyone at the tournament will be given one as they enter, to wear in every part of the arena other than their seat, which is within the Government guidelines.

The Matchroom Sports chairman explained: “You don’t have to wear face masks in a pub, do you? You can sit an a large pub with 50 other people…

“You have the option to wear a face mask in the arena if you wish. We will give everybody a face mask as they go in, but we leave it them if they want to wear it while they are watching.

“You have to wear a face mask in the concourse and in and around the seating area, but it can be uncomfortable to wear one for hours on end and you’re socially distanced from every single person when you’re sat down in that arena.”

Hearn also questioned the timing of Hamilton’s decision to withdraw, saying he knew exactly what the plans were when he entered, and accused him of effectively robbing another player of their chance to play at the Crucible.

“The damage people like Ronnie O’Sullivan do… and Antony Hamilton withdrew yesterday having gone through the qualifying competition. He just decided last night that he’s going to withdraw from the World Snooker Championships because he’s got asthma and he’s worried about his own health.

Hamilton has reached the World Championship quarter-finals four times

Hamilton has reached the World Championship quarter-finals four times
“Now, that’s completely understandable and not a problem, but the question I pose is: why did he not withdraw before the qualifying competition? Because by getting through the qualifiers he has effectively stopped someone else from going and earning a living.

“He’s not qualified to say ‘it’s ridiculous’; we’ve worked with government specialists, with the health bodies.

“He entered the competition knowing there were going to be fans present; why did he not withdraw then, instead of knocking someone else out?

“He knows the situation. He hasn’t had asthma that started yesterday; he’s had asthma and heath issues for some time, so don’t give me all that.

“We have to be positive and move forward with sport, or sport will be dead!”

[Daryle]

Barry was wrong in allowing fans into the venue! At least more sensible minds have now prevailed. Let's all enjoy the snooker on our TVs, a bit of escapism for us all, in these trying times.

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk

[church66]

Originally Posted by Daryle

Barry was wrong in allowing fans into the venue! At least more sensible minds have now prevailed. Let's all enjoy the snooker on our TVs, a bit of escapism for us all, in these trying times.

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/53610375

Quote .

" Fans will not be allowed to attend the pilot sports events scheduled for this weekend in England after a spike in coronavirus cases, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.

Spectators were due to watch the first two days of two county cricket matches, while 205 fans were at the start of the World Snooker Championship on Friday.

It was also hoped to allow 4,000 racegoers at Goodwood on Saturday.

The new restrictions on fans will be enforced until at least 15 August.

The announcement comes after general restrictions were reintroduced for people in parts of northern England.

"Pilots of larger crowds at sports venues will not take place," Johnson said at a news conference on Friday.

"I said from May we would not hesitate to put on the brakes at the slightest sign that the numbers were going in the wrong direction."

Johnson had said earlier this month that spectators could be able to return to stadiums in England from October.

Premier League looking at 'clinical passports' to help get fans back into stadiums
Beers, big screens and sanitiser - 1,000 fans return to cricket at Oval pilot
Coronavirus: PM puts lockdown easing on hold in England
The planned pilots - and reaction
Fans were already at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield when the prime minister spoke on Friday, with announcer Rob Walker shouting "we are back" as play started, before adding: "Our socially distanced crowd are poised to roar once more."

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn was shown smiling, clapping and fist-pumping, as spectators - some wearing masks - cheered on the first players Judd Trump and Tom Ford.

Just hours earlier, Hearn had told BBC of his "pride" and "relief" at getting fans back at events.

However, while those with tickets for Friday's further sessions were allowed to stay, there will now be no spectators permitted at the Crucible Theatre from Saturday. Fans with tickets will be given a refund, or be allowed to use them next year.

After the government decision, Hearn told BBC Sport he was "gutted" and "disappointed" to not have an atmosphere, but added: "The show must go on.

"There is a chance - I'm forever the optimist - that maybe a return for the final [on 16 August] is the earliest possible opportunity.

"Congratulations to those guys who went today because they will be able to talk about this for the rest of their lives - the ultimate golden ticket.

"I've never known a circumstance change in a couple of hours, but that is symbolic of what is happening in the world at the moment.

"We don't go off into a corner or go into sulks or tears, we get the job done."

Watch day one of the World Snooker Championship live
England v West Indies at Old Trafford
Sport has been held behind closed doors since its return, including England's Test series against West Indies
Two matches in cricket's Bob Willis Trophy starting on Saturday had been due to welcome spectators - Surrey v Middlesex at the Oval and Warwickshire against Northamptonshire at Edgbaston.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said: "We understand the reasons the government has made this decision, and remain ready to work with them to ensure supporters can safely return to stadiums when government advice allows.

"We are pleased the Bob Willis Trophy will still begin this weekend behind closed doors, and fans will be able to watch their teams in action through the online streams being provided."

The Oval had been due to host 2,500 fans on Saturday and Sunday, having held the first pilot last weekend of 1,000 fans.

Surrey chief executive Richard Gould said: "A lot of hard work has taken place to ensure that members and fans could return to our ground safely.

"We still hope to welcome members to the ground for future matches this summer, and we will continue to work with the ECB and the government to encourage this to happen."

A statement from Goodwood racecourse said: "We are very disappointed for those who were hoping to attend tomorrow's event and for all those who have worked so hard to make it possible for spectators to be present.

"We will engage with public health authorities and the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) over a rescheduled pilot at the earliest opportunity."

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden posted on social media that it was "very disappointing news".

"I know the huge efforts cricket, snooker and horseracing have made to welcome fans back. We'll keep working together on their safe return ASAP," he added.

Analysis
BBC sports editor Dan Roan

This will be hugely disappointing news for the events involved, and obviously very worrying for the wider sports industry, which is increasingly desperate to get paying fans back through the turnstiles to ease an unprecedented financial crisis - especially for those sports bodies dependent on matchday revenue, like English Football League clubs.

Until now, the effort to get sports back up and running after lockdown had gone relatively smoothly, with the football season resuming and now almost completed, along with other events such as Test cricket, Formula 1 and horse racing.

This then is a first major setback in the wider effort to return sport to some kind of normality.

However, crucially, I am told by Whitehall sources that the government remains keen to work with sports and Public Health England with a view to getting fans back inside venues from 1 October.

Some sports organisations - like the Premier League - would like to see that target date brought forward, but Friday's news will not have helped them win that argument.

Attendances of 20% to 40% capacity - depending on the nature of the venue - is envisaged by officials from October, and more pilots are being planned in the coming weeks.

It is simply too early to tell whether this is now unrealistic. It remains the aim but there are no guarantees.

This is a stark reminder that the nature of the pandemic means it is difficult to plan months in advance, and that officials will need to take decisive action when data shows worrying trends."

church66 stop trying to bring politics into the world of sport especially at The World Snooker Championships .

Everyday PM Boris 'Bonkers' Johnson's UK Government has made people's life's impossible but now it's switched to by the hourly ratio so if he decides to shut down Sheffield don't be shocked or surprised .

Maybe Anthony Hamilton's decision to withdraw from the World Snooker Championships wasn't so bad after all .

[skogstokig]

Originally Posted by Daryle

Barry was wrong in allowing fans into the venue! At least more sensible minds have now prevailed. Let's all enjoy the snooker on our TVs, a bit of escapism for us all, in these trying times.

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk

i agree. barry's always pushing. there are other streams of revenue

[church66]

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e...camp-wkh7jjpwh



NICE LITTLE HEARNER Inside the Matchroom mansion, Eddie Hearn’s former home converted into an office with a gym, pool, and helipad :

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/11683...rn-fight-camp/


Quotes .

"THE Matchroom HQ in Essex is where boxing promoter Eddie Hearn makes all his key decisions.

Originally bought by his dad Barry around 30 years ago, it's was the family's former house before it became the home of boxing, snooker and darts."

Then, it cost Hearn Sr a meagre £200,000 - and was an upgrade from the Dagenham council house he grew up in.

The property boasts a gym and swimming pool, which Hearn's staff and pool of fighters can use.

While in the lush expansive garden, you'll find a helipad and occasionally a boxer working out with pads or going for a run."

Join SunSport for a tour inside.

LEISURE COMPLEX
"Matchroom HQ isn't just a place where Hearn meets his fighters, conducts media days and draws out his plans for boxing domination.

It's also a place that boasts a leisure complex, in which fighters can exercise with their trainers.

"The key to a healthy mind is a healthy body," Hearn told The Daily Mail.

"We've got a pool and a gym upstairs, where the fighters come in for meetings, can have some sessions with their trainers and do some strength work in the pool."

"This pool has been used by a number of great fighters over the years - Chris Eubank, Jim McDonnell, and Darren Barker.

"It's great to have this facility here, not only for our staff and our employers and our team, but also for our team of fighters."

INCREDIBLE GROUNDS
Surrounding the stately property are some stunning grounds.

It's where Anthony Joshua and Co. love to go for a run, and even some outdoor pad work.

"There's some great runs in the forest," Hearn revealed.

"Many fighters have been seen through the years doing many a circuit.

"In the summertime, actually, a lot of them come out here and do their pad work, circuits and strength work.

"It's a great feel and great to have the fighters here, when they are around."

THEY'VE COME A LONG WAY
Eddie's dad Barry has come a long way since his own childhood.

He came from a Dagenham council estate, but made good as a promoter for the likes of Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and Lennox Lewis.

Although Eddie is effectively in charge of the business these days, Barry still has the better office.

"This was the house my dad bought about 30 years ago," he told TalkSport.

"He was from a council house in Dagenham, did well, and this was his first major purchase.

"I grew up here, so we feel great here and it's been very good to us.

"He paid two hundred grand for it at the time. Looks like a good investment now, but more than the money this has been a very lucky place for us.

"We're big believers in that and luck."

FIGHT ISLAND
Like Dana White has done with the UFC, Eddie has created his own 'Fight Island' to stage boxing matches.

However, his plans are more personal. Hearn is turning the mansion's garden into a fighting arena, with events starting from August 1.

Hearn said: “Our project restart is about staging live boxing from the garden there with a canopy.

"You’ve heard of Madison Square Garden and this is the new garden.

“We talked about doing boxing in studios and there’s a lot of people doing it. I just feel like when you are talking about a gladiatorial sport, like boxing, you need to create that moment, that energy, not just for the viewer at home but the fighter as well.

“We’ve got big plans. It looks fantastic. There’s still a long way to go. I think it’s 90 per cent for us. Anything could happen at any time."

HOW IT'LL WORK
And Hearn has really thought it through.

“There’s a hotel at the bottom of the road that we will take over. On the Wednesday, before the Saturday, everybody will turn up. Fighters, Sky team, corners, our team will all be tested at a facility," he continued.

“You don’t enter the hotel specifically, you enter a side building and you get tested and then you get your key, go into your room and don’t leave until you get the results ."

Emperor Hearns countryside manor isn't exactly an old council tenement block with a small back garden with 4 washing poles like where I live , looks more like a Palace or a Castle , my streamlink was start stop stuff but I was looking more at Emperor Hearns place .

CHEESE GREATER Ted Cheeseman beats Sam Eggington in brilliant, brutal war at Eddie Hearn’s stunning Matchroom Fight Camp setting :

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/12290...t-camp-result/

Ted Cheeseman beats Sam Eggington at Eddie Hearn's garden Fight Camp :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/53625045

Tipped up on The Sporting Life too :

Boxing betting preview and tips for Fight Camp including Ted Cheeseman v Sam Eggington :

https://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/...d-fight/182678

[church66]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/snooker/...-championship/

[church66]

https://snookerhq.com/2020/08/16/bar...ivan-greatest/

Quote .

“I have to tell you that I think Ronnie O’Sullivan is the greatest player that’s ever held a cue,” Hearn said on 5 Live Sport.

“I think Hendry was a better winning machine and more dedicated, I think Davis at the time was head and shoulders above anything that was out there.”

“Every player has their time, but Ronnie O’Sullivan appears to have so many gears to go through, and he’s a complicated boy as we all know but my word this boy is special.

“I managed him twice and a lot my grey hairs are named after Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan, but I wouldn’t swap any of them because they give me excitement and they make me want to get out of bed in the morning.”

“We knew we were working towards it at the beginning of the event and that wonderful joy evaporated when after about half an hour the government changed their minds about cancelling all the pilot events.”

“So that was an emotional up and a huge blow down for all the staff that worked so hard.

“We knew we had two weeks to wait, and then we got the call the night before the final started to say it looks like your perseverance has paid off.

“We kept everything in place, we kept nagging as we do quite well, and they knew our track record on health and safety was so high.

“That was a wonderful feeling when they said we can have a final (with fans) – don’t think it’s for the money, because that’s a minor issue in the millions of pounds that have been spent on promoting this sport.

“It was a lift for everyone involved and a reward for all their hard work to actually see smiling faces and people sitting in the audiences.”

The World Championship final concludes on Sunday evening with £500,000 being awarded to the champion.

[church66]

https://metro.co.uk/2020/08/17/barry...ore_text_links

Quote .

"World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn says he would buy the Crucible Theatre if needs be, to keep the World Snooker Championship at its traditional Sheffield home. The venue has staged the World Championship since 1977 and hosted a reduced crowd over the weekend as Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Kyren Wilson 18-8 to win his sixth world title. Hearn signed a 10-year deal to stay at the Crucible in 2017 and has regularly reaffirmed his commitment to the iconic building, however, the theatre industry is being hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. Sheffield Theatres, the owners of the Crucible, have announced that up to 29 per cent of staff face redundancy and although no closures have been announced, it is a troubling time for the organisation.

However, Hearn would do everything in his power to keep the Crucible open and capable of hosting the World Snooker Championship. When asked if he would help out if required, the promoter was clear. ‘Well I mean it’s a lovely venue, I would buy it if you like. Of course,’ Hearn told Metro.co.uk. Asked how much such a building would be going for, Barry said: ‘I would imagine very, very cheaply if they’re going out of business.’

[church66]

https://dartsnews.com/pdc/pdc-chairm...e-for-covid-19

Barry Hearn: Matchroom Sport chairman tests positive for coronavirus :

https://www.skysports.com/darts/news...or-coronavirus

Barry Hearn: World Snooker Tour chairman tests positive for coronavirus :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/54403443

01/10/2020 06:25
Hearn admits all options to be examined regarding PDC World Darts Championship venue :

https://dartsnews.com/pdc/hearn-admi...lse-it-will-be

Quote .

"Barry Hearn has admitted that all available options will be examined regarding the venue for the 2020 PDC World Championship with a move away from the Alexandra Palace not entirely off the cards.

Since the restrictions remain on sporting events in the UK, the fate of the World Championship is still up in the air but for Hearn, he has a duty to both the fans and players to put the event on.

He added that if it has to be Alexandra Palace behind closed doors it will be. PDC Chief Executive Matthew Porter previously said that come what may, it will be at the usual venue.

"I'm so frustrated, I don't know," said Hearn.

"The trouble is, it's not a question of taking it somewhere else in the world, because by the time you get there, they might have a COVID-19 problem themselves and the whole thing is thrown out."

"We'll be wherever we have to be because what we want to do is not let the players down," he continued.

"They will be playing for the same prize money, wherever and whenever it is. We won't let the fans down because they'll be seeing the greatest darts players in the world, on a stage for the biggest prize in the sport.

"If it has to be Ally Pally behind closed doors, it will be. If it has to be somewhere else, it will be.

"If it can be with a crowd, it will be. Whatever is possible, it will be. The players will do the best."

Get well soon Emperor Hearn but if that's the message for Darts fans who booked flights , hotels and tickets the same applies to Mosconi Cup fans who would be at The Alexandra Palace 1-4 December 2020 before the PDC World Championship Darts event .

What a mess !