Episode 1720: The World Of Sport Keeps Turning… But Why, Exactly? Rory Best’s Autobiography, Jose Mourinho Continues To Lose With Minimal Dignity

I think a lot of us were looking at photos of Cheltenham yesterday thinking – “what the hell is going on here?”. Josh Robinson of the Wall Street Journal joins us to talk about the global reaction to the coronavirus, why he won’t be inside the Parc Des Princes tonight for PSG-Dortmund, and how likely it is that sport will happen anywhere this summer.

Epidemiologists say only two events give them the scale to study the global spread of infectious diseases like coronavirus: the Olympics and Hajj.

Now Saudi has barred foreign pilgrims. The IOC is still waiting on a $20 billion decision.

With @bzcohen:https://t.co/uAgrmlPFDm

— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) February 27, 2020

Before that we have Ken’s verdict on Spurs 3-0 defeat away to Leipzig, and the various reasons Jose Mourinho has put forth for his team’s sad demise. Just when is it ok to blame injuries or under-performing players for defeats? There might be a time and place… but the press-room isn’t that place.

José Mourinho:

???? “All the players on the Leipzig bench would play at this moment in my team.” pic.twitter.com/SFaHJnhmqB

— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) March 11, 2020

There’s also Rory Best’s autobiography, and why sportspeople release them if they don’t want to face questions, radio ads, learning to be more tenacious, and why caring less about the result of this match tonight because of the coming pandemic might suit Liverpool.

©INPHO/James Crombie

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How on earth is Cheltenham going ahead?https://t.co/4utpbrxFXa pic.twitter.com/ZjFmaZb1sV

— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) March 10, 2020

With thanks in part to France’s Mohamed Haouas, Ireland’s 6 Nations fate is now bizarrely in our own hands

Enter the permutations king ????https://t.co/Js4EIGb1a9 pic.twitter.com/MPI97WOQNX

— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) March 9, 2020

Director of ‘Katie’ & friend of the show @rosswhitakertv is in studio to talk about his new two-part documentary series, ‘The Boys in Green’, the Ireland of the late ’80s and ’90s he encountered and if being the opposite to England still defines ushttps://t.co/QhTbsb0mtk pic.twitter.com/gboOOULuZQ

— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) March 6, 2020