moments to enhance the action. here at brighton, they will fill the top tiers with cardboard cutouts of fans. but players say it is nothing like the real thing. i think it will be good to try to generate atmosphere but deep down, we know it is fake. ijust look forward to the day that the fans can return because i think this has shown, more than anything ever has in the past, how sport is basically the fans, and without fans, it's nothing. around 300 people will need access to the stadium for every game, with teams of 20 players and 12 coaches and medics. stadiums will be split into three distinct zones, red, amber and green zone. now, the tunnel and the pitch will form part of the red zone, and only a maximum of 105 people will be allowed here, after temperature checks. that is considerably fewer than usual and means there won't even be ball boys or girls.

well, here on the bench, players will 60 metres apart. and out on the pitch, there will be water breaks midway through each half, where players will drink from their own bottles, and balls and cornerflags can also be disinfected. it was initially proposed that neutral venues should be used, mainly to stop fans congregating. but brighton and others felt strongly they should be allowed to play at home. now it seems they have largely won the argument. i think the most important thing is, please stay away from the stadium. you know, we have been given the opportunity to play out our remaining games in our own venues, notjust brighton fans but all football fans. the games are live on tv. you've got an opportunity to watch them. please stay away and give us the best chance of finishing the season on the field and safely. the government initially said players should take wage cuts. then they were called upon to lift the nation's spirits. many players voiced concerns, particularly those from a black, asian and minority ethnic background. but abandonment would have cost clubs hundreds of millions of pounds. there are champions to be crowned, and of course, relegation to be decided. natalie pirks, bbc news, brighton.

time for a look at the weather, here's helen willetts. hi clive. waves crashing on to the north wales coast earlier in the day. there will be large waves round throughout this weekend, because we have got some unusually windy weather brought by this area of low pressure and the wind direction right down from the arctic, so it is chilly as well. but gales injune unusual, gusts round 60mph, particularly overnight across scotland, with it this rain, wintriness over the tops of the mountains, ahead of it we have seen lively showers and thunderstorms as well. while those ease this rain doesn't, so some rain for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, northern ireland, northern england, north wales, as it meanders southwards on the winds overnight. but very lively winds indeed, as i

say with the trees in full leaf they could cause issue, by the time that rain bands reaches southern areas it may be more showery but the winds will be in escalation of those of today. we could see 40, 45mph gusts of wind here so large waves round the coast, heavy shower, thunder as well. perhaps sunshine in between and another band of rain makes its way southwards, by that stage eastern scotland the winds are easing a little and we might realise 18 or 19 but for most it will feel distinctly chilly tomorrow and it will continue into sunday that rather chilly and breezy weather but it is trying to establish itself through the course of sunday which means in the west, probably fewer showers, less windy, so therefore not feeling as chilly but plenty of showers in central and eastern areas but that quietening down continues into monday. stay tuned to the

forecast. that's it. i'll be back at ten, but now let's join our news

hello, and welcome to sportsday. i'm gavin ramjaun. the celebrations commence for chelsea — but it's not as they might have wanted. they're awarded the wsl title, on a technicality, without a ball being kicked. the premier league fixtures are announced — will liverpool get the chance a claim an historic title at local rivals everton in their first game back? the biggest names in the nfl make their voices heard, calling on the league to do more to combat racism. and cricket is back, with england's test and one—day matches against west indies on the bbc this summer — can the action live up

to the promise of past encounters? hello, and welcome to sportsday. chelsea are champions of the womens super league — albeit in the strangest of circumstances. the fa finalised the league table on a points per game basis — meaning chelsea jumped above manchester city, who were top by a point in march before the coronavirus shutdown. emma hayes‘ side were unbeaten in the league all season. and despite not completing what was set to be a close title run in, she told me the team deserves all their success. well, i think everybody would say that it well, i think everybody would say thatitis well, i think everybody would say that it is a very strange way to win a title. but i to argue that we were the best team this season, we had a

fantastic season. every player and member of staff would have loved to have inis the season, but we fully support the decision taken by the league. —— finished the season. i think it was a fantastic campaign, and manchester to and arsenal both had wonderful seasons and pushed us all the way. but we are really grateful today. and manchester city fc will be champions league representatives next season. how is the planning starting for that, is that straightaway or will you bask in the glory for now? you know what, it has been sitting and waiting on hold for a sporting outcome which has been one of the strangest moments of my career. so to finally enjoy that we've qualified for the champions league, a competition that we sorely missed this year — i know the players and the staff are really looking forward to getting back to the competition we all love. and in

terms of your career, much more to achieve with chelsea? is their talking potentially going over to the men's game? lots of people are talking up credentials, and rightly so. talking up credentials, and rightly so. i always thinki talking up credentials, and rightly so. i always think i would take the wise words of someone who said to me, "when you're in a job and you're happy, and you've got a great employer, there is no reason to think about another job." employer, there is no reason to think about anotherjob." i got the best clu b think about anotherjob." i got the best club in group of players in the world. and winning never dies old. i'm looking forward to more of it and, while i'm extremely flattered with any interest, my loyalties and my heart are with chelsea. so that was a third wsl title for chelsea. but at the other end of the table — it was heartbreak for liverpool, who are relegated from the wsl, after the points per game ruling. let's reflect some more on this now, with our sports reporter tom garry. is there a feeling from teams that this was a fair outcome to the season?

well, there was never going to be an outcome that pleased everybody, particularly because it was so close at the top of the table. and as it turns out, 0.2 points per game separated chelsea from arsenal for third. that's how tight it was, and it was strange that man city are not the champions. but a lot of people seem to agree that chelsea are the worthy winners. they were unbeaten since january of 2019, not just worthy winners. they were unbeaten since january of 2019, notjust in the current season. and all the matches between the three title rivals had already been played, and chelsea came out with the best record in those games. they had the title race firmly in their hand when the coronavirus happened this season. the coronavirus happened this season. at the bottom, liverpool will feel particularly harshly done by. but nevertheless, they've struggled right from the start of

the campaign, and this really comes after quite a few years now of them being overtaken by their men's team rivals, like manchester city fc and arsenal. a much less controversial decision was replacing them with aston villa, there were six points clear at the top of the cup. they 110w clear at the top of the cup. they nowjoin a very ambitious cycle at the nwsl. what is the future around sides in the wsl, and women's football outside the top flight? no doubt all touched by issues around finances as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic. yes, in the wider women's games, there's a lot of concern about the financial impact of the virus. but the fa seem confident that the nwsl championship clubs can get through this difficult period. the fa today said they've brought in the £7 million that will be coming in, despite the wider cuts the governing

body has to make. gary simmons, the director of the fa said that they still have to come back bigger and stronger next year, they've set a return date for the new season as 5-6 return date for the new season as 5—6 september. there's things to look forward to like the resumption of the women's fa cup, and arsenal's involvement with the champions league, which we think may come as early as august depending on how discussions go with uefa regarding resolving that decision. so there's still plenty to look forward to. thank you very much, tom. the fixture list for the first 32 matches of the premier league when it restarts have been released. we already knew that aston villa would face sheffield united in the opening fixture on 17june, with manchester city facing arsenal later that evening. defeat in that match for manchester city would give liverpool the chance to wrap up their first title in 30 years with victory at fierce rivals and neighbours everton on sunday, 21june — that game kicks off at 7pm. well, the return of premier league football later this month will see live top—flight football return

to the bbc for the first time since 1988. the bbc will show bournemouth versus crystal palace on 20 june at 7.45pm, followed by norwich against everton on 24june at 6pm. a further two matches will be shown live, but they have yet to be confirmed. let's take a look at some more of the day's sport stories. chelsea have agreed a deal to sign rb leipzig striker timo werner, when the transfer window opens again. the german forward will cost around £54 million. ronnie 0'sullivan tookjust 41 minutes to win his first competitive game of snooker since february. the five—times world champion knocked in a break of 112 as he beat kishan hirani 3—0. that was the first of three group games in the matchroom league in milton keynes. the women's 400 metres world champion has been suspended from athletics after failing to make herself available for anti—doping tests. salwa eid naser of bahrain ran the third fastest time in history to win in doha last year.

nfl stars are just of the names from the world of sport, calling for more action to tackle racism in society. amid the global protests held since the death of george floyd — several players, including super bowl—winning quarterback patrick mahomes — have appeared in a video calling on the league to condemn racism and the oppression of black people. nesta mcgregor reports. iam i am george floyd. i embryonic taylor. i am... some of the most recognisable names in the nfl, all choosing to go today by a different name. those of black american men and women killed other while in police custody or by white citizens. american football stars with a message to the lee's owners. we, the national football league, condemn racism in the systematic oppression of black people. the nfl has tweeted

in support of the movement, but these players want further action.: capric once broke protocol by kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. he hasn't played a game sense. for some, thejourney in 2016. he hasn't played a game sense. for some, the journey for equality should be set from the very top. you don't have to read between the lines. we need to vote this president out of office. he is a huge part of this problem. it is a problem that we have had for decades, but from the day that he entered office — before he entered office — he has, you know, sought to divide the country, he has sought to stoke this racial divide. what happened in minneapolis two weeks ago has developed into far—reaching, deeper conversations. however, if the reaction is new, the issues are not so. when i first saw the video, i wept. for decades, not so. when i first saw the video,

iwept. for decades, no not so. when i first saw the video, i wept. for decades, no one not so. when i first saw the video, iwept. for decades, no one believed black americans when they said that the police harassed them and used excessive force. not all blacks are criminals, not all whites are racists. not all cops are bad, and ignorance comes in all colours. so let's get smart and deal with this issue in a positive way. reignited by the death of george floyd, this battle is one past generations hope future generations won't have to deal with. mr mcgregor, future generations won't have to dealwith. mr mcgregor, bbc news. rugby union's premiership season will resume on the 15th august, assuming it is safe to do so. no matches in england's top flight have been played since 8 march, due to the coronavirus shutdown. but clubs have now been cleared to start non—contact training. 0ur rugby union correspondent chrisjones told me how the teams will be preparing. ill make it as a step in the right direction at last, we've been been something in a limbo in rugby union for the last few months, players not

knowing when it was safe to return to training and no day in the diary for the english membership. but 22 august is their target, and other premiership has the target of 15 august. so clearly things are happening, players can now return to the early stages of training, and can look forward to the resumption. there are still a fair few questions to a nswer there are still a fair few questions to answer — how will rugby players be able to do contact training safely? is very testing programme in place like we've seen with the premier league? we haven't got a nswe rs premier league? we haven't got answers on that front yet, so a fair few more steps to take you would imagine before rugby is safe to resume. but certainly some positive noises at last. not long now to go, till cricket fans get their first taste of international cricket this summer — and england fans have an exciting test and one day series against west indies to look forward to. the bbc will be showing highlights of the games injuly — including a first home test series broadcast since 1999. ben croucher reports.

cheering. welcome to the highlights at old trafford. i'm feeling a packed house, and television viewers might be infora house, and television viewers might be in for a very nice time today.“ you are over the age of 25, chances are this was what watching cricket was like for you. that delightful music, and often mixed fortunes for the england team. and that was the start. now for the first time this millennium, international cricket is back on bbc television secular and that has found the outside edge there. there will be lots of eyes on cricket there, but perhaps they've never seen cricket in the past. so it is really about, how do we help people understand what the game is about and relate it to people? so that's what i'm really excited about. for england international issue will show the highlights of england's one—day matches. the likes

of sir alastair cook and michael vann willjoin her to get you in the mood. bbc will also show classic contests over the next four weekends. these are these people over the pond, and viv richards as an athlete is someone you'd want to watch. just purely for his swagger. people watching would fear him coming over because he wasjust so destructive. so we are getting to see these guys again, and that is a nice introduction to cricket if you haven't necessarily watched at. all this comes at a pivotal time for the sport in england too, this was meant to be the big summer capitalising on the world cup win last year, launching a new tournament to attract new audiences. so getting some cricket on will help. and of course, it will come with the usual caveats — social distancing where possible, empty stadiums, and it will be cricket back on the bbc but not as you remember it. ben crouch or, bbc news. staying with cricket finally, and sir geoffrey boycott has

announced his retirement from the commentary box in the last hour. the former yorkshire and england batsman has confirmed the news on social media saying... that's all from sportsday. good evening, you are watching bbc news. lets take a look at the main points from today's downing street briefing with the health secretary matt hancock. a further 357 people have died after being confirmed with coronavirus in the last 24 hours — an increase from yesterday's daily figures. that means the overall uk total for those who've died after catching

the virus has passed 40,000. mr hancock announced that all hospital visitors and outpatients in england should wear face coverings. the nhs is also issuing new guidance from 15june, that will require all hospital staff in england to wear surgical masks at all times. and the health secretary addressed the recent black lives matter protests — urging members of the public "not to attend large gatherings, including demonstrations", due to the risk of catching coronavirus. let's listen to what he had to say about the use of facemasks. today, we're setting out that all hospital visitors and outpatients will need to wear face coverings. one of the things that we've learned is that those in hospital, those who are working in hospital are more likely to catch coronavirus, whether they work in a clinical setting or not. and so, to offer even greater protection, we are also providing

new guidance for nhs staff in england, which will come into force again on 15june. and all hospital staff will be required to wear type one or two surgical masks — and this will cover all staff working in hospital, it will apply at all times, not just when they are doing the life—saving work on the front line. it will apply in all areas except those areas designated as covid—secure workplaces. and of course, where the ppe guidance for advice is more stringent protection, of course that remains in place. we are upgrading this guidance to make sure that, even as the virus comes under control, as we saw the following incidents around the country, our hospitals are a place of care and safety. —— falling incidents. we've also strengthened infection control in care homes, and we're working with the social

care sector on how this approach can apply appropriately in social care too. it's about protecting the nhs and social care, which means protecting our colleagues who work in the nhs and in social care. and i want to say this to all my colleagues in health and social care — as we get this virus under control, it is so important that we stamp out new infections and outbreaks. and of course, in health and care, you do this brilliantly all the time, and the coronavirus is no exception. that means that, if one of your team tests positive, you have to follow the isolation advice. the natural impulse, of course, of anybody who works in care in the nhs is that the thing you can best do is be there to help, to be there for the patient. but, of course, if you have the virus or are at risk of having the virus,

the best thing that you can do for them, as well as yourself, is to isolate at home. the health secretary also urged people not to take part in mass demonstrations over the weekend in breach of lockdown rules. like so many, i am appalled by the death of george floyd. and i understand why people are deeply upset. but we are still facing a health crisis, and coronavirus remains a real threat. and the reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease. so please, for the safety of your loved ones, do not attend large gatherings, including demonstrations, of more than six people. we all need to stay alert,

control the virus, and save lives. at a white house news conference, donald trump has said that the united states has made it through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. he claimed that his administration had made every decision correctly during the outbreak, which has so far claimed more than 108,000 lives in the united states. and he added that it was now time for the country's states to open up. we were very strong, we had the greatest economy in the history of our country. we had the greatest economy in the world. —— in the history of the world. and that strength helped us get us through this pandemic — largely through, i think we're doing well. vaccines — by the way, i had a meeting yesterday on vaccines, we're doing incredibly well with that. i think you could have some very positive surprises. and therapeutics — likewise, we're doing extremely well. cures, we're doing well. i think those two words really blend in with each other. but tremendous progress

is being made on vaccines. in fact, we have ready to go — in terms of transportation and logistics, we have over two million ready to go — if it checks out for safety. and it's also, the nice part is we have four companies — i think you could even say 7—8 companies — that are doing — some similar and some very different on the vaccine front. and some similar and some somewhat different on the therapeutic front. so tremendous progress is being made on that, and i think even without that — and i have to say, even without that, and i don't think he'll be having to use it to use it in the future, that statement, "even without," because i think they'll have it — but we are going to be back and we're reopening our country. and i hope that the lockdown — governors, i don't know why they continue to lock down, because if you look at georgia, if you look at florida, if you look at south carolina, if you look at so many different places that have opened up — i don't want to name all of them,

but the ones that are most energetic about opening, they're doing tremendous business. and this is what these numbers are all about. and you have to remember, one other thing very importantly, i think it's extremely important for you to remember that many of our states are closed or almost closed — some of the big ones, new york, newjersey — they're starting now to get open, i hope. and i hope they also use our national guard — call me, we'll be ready for them so fast, their heads will spin. mr trump went on to comment about the protests in the us that have followed the death of george floyd, the black man who died in minneapolis while being restrained by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. mrtrump said that everyone should be treated and equally under the law — and then, in a remark that has met with widespread criticism, suggested that george floyd might be "looking down" thinking a great thing was happening in the us. equaljustice under the law must

mean that every american receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement — regardless of race, colour, gender, or creed. they have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement. they have to receive it. we all saw what happened last week, we can't let that happen. hopefully, george is looking down right now and saying, "that's a great thing that's happening for our country." that's a great day for him. it's a great day for everybody. this is a great, great day in terms of equality. joe biden — who's likely to be the democrat candidate taking on donald trump in november's election for the white house — called his comment despicable. george floyd's last words, "i can't

breathe. i can't breathe." they've echoed all across this nation, all around the world. for the president to try to put any other words in the mouths of george floyd, i think it's frankly despicable. and the fact that he did so on the day when black unemployment rose, hispanic unemployment rose, hispanic unemployment rose, hispanic unemployment rose, black youth unemployment rose, black youth unemployment skyrocketed tells you everything you need to know about this man and what he really cares about. the democratjoe biden there. let's ta ke the democratjoe biden there. let's take a look at the weekend weather with helen. hello, good evening. it's been a windy day, the winds have certainly been notable. and that's unusual at this time of year, to have gale force winds, and they will continue around this night was up will continue around this night was up so the tightly packed isobars bring the strongest winds through the night through the northern part of the uk, but they will filter out

tomorrow. even ahead of it there's likely just of wind. tomorrow. even ahead of it there's likelyjust of wind. pushing this band of more persistent rain southwest, of course we've had heavy showers, those will continue into the evening, easing away with this next band of rain. more to follow behind as you can see. so another u nsettled behind as you can see. so another unsettled day on saturday with some rain, although it will turn more salary as it heads into southern areas, so it could be heavy and thundery into the afternoon with some sunny spells. we may see 18-19dc in the some sunny spells. we may see 18—19dc in the sunshine, but it will feel distinctly chilly in that strong and gusty wind. as ever, there's more on the website.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the terrible toll of coronavirus. in the uk more than 40,000 people, have now died — the second worst in world, behind america but there is some more postive news, latest figures for england suggest infections are falling, dramatically. a pensioner is assaulted by police in new york state, as the protests over the death of george floyd, continue. meanwhile us job figures show that the unemployment rate has fallen. welcoming the data president trump has come under fire for bringing george floyd into his comments about the economy. hopefully, george is looking down right now and saying, "that's a great thing that's happening for our country." that's a great day for him. "it's a great day for everybody.