MAQUOKETA, Iowa – Score a career highlight this season for Kevin Feller.

Feller returns to his hometown Maquoketa Speedway to promote Saturday night racing, with four IMCA divisions on regular weekly programs and high hopes of introducing a legion of young fans to the sport.

“I haven’t been this fired up about the new race season in a long time. If it wasn’t for this little track, I wouldn’t be where I am,” said Feller, who scored his first race at Maquoketa in 1975 and has since kept track of laps and lineups at another 52 tracks nationwide. “This is a very, very spe­cial place for me.”

“I am very driven on getting a young crowd to the track. I’m working with the schools and with the library on a reading program,” he continued. “We want to get kids interested in racing and we want to get them and their parents to the track.”

Opening night at Maquoketa is April 18 with the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Karl Kus­toms Northern SportMods running through Sept. 5.

A $1,000 to win, Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier for the Modifieds is scheduled July 18. Northern SportMods and Stock Cars race for $750 to win on May 30 and Aug. 15, respec­tively, while the inaugural Full Fender Frenzy for Hobby Stocks and Stock Cars is June 20.

“I like IMCA’s rules and it’s a lot easier for everyone to have the same rules as all the other tracks in the area,” Feller said. “I’ve been around IMCA for a long time and already have strong contacts with everyone at the IMCA home office.”

Mentored by Jerry and Donna Blue while working at West Union and Independence, Feller pro­moted East Moline from 2004-2006.

He’ll apply 40-odd years of race track education at Maquoketa, starting with that focus on kids and community.

“We want to get people involved. Groups that sell tickets for us for events like the principals’ race or faster pastor race will receive a portion of those proceeds,” explained Feller. “We’re really ex­cited about the reading program. Kids who make reading goals will receive a certificate from their favorite driver during intermission.”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Andretti Autosport confirmed Wednesday that the hauler carrying Colton Herta’s No. 88 Dallara-Chevrolet caught fire en route to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

A team spokesperson confirmed to NBC Sports that the incident happened less than 10 miles from the Florida street course, which will host the opening race of the NTT IndyCar Series season this weekend.

WFLA, the NBC affiliate in St. Petersburg, reported the transporter caught fire on I-275 near Ulmerton Road, and that three southbound lanes were closed for roughly an hour while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.

The team utilized its other transporters to move the Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport equipment from within the hauler to the race track, where a morning evaluation revealed minor and cosmetic damage from water, smoke and the heat of the fire.

Andretti Autosport officials released a statement on the incident after conducting an evaluation of Herta’s car at the track.

“We want to thank everyone for the outreach and concern. We are still evaluating any damages and hope to have an update soon,” the statement read. “We are thankful to report that no one was harmed and want to thank our transport drivers and local first responders for their quick action and support.

“At this time, damages to the (No.) 88 car appear to be minor and cosmetic, caused by heat, smoke and/or water. We have no current reason to believe that any competition or mechanical aspects of the (No.) 88 car have been damaged or compromised. Our Indy Lights team is in Florida for testing and is now en route to St. Pete to help evaluate and assess. Additionally, we are sending a team of IndyCar crewman from Indianapolis to St. Pete today in advance of the full team’s arrival tomorrow morning.

“We are also preparing backup pit equipment at our Indy race shop, this equipment and a spare transporter will depart Indianapolis today as well. Again, we would like to express our gratitude to our transport drivers and local fire departments for their quick responses and support.”

The Boston Bruins entered Tuesday night with the lead in the Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference and entire NHL. They're pretty great! They exited Tuesday night as the first team to reach 100 points in the standings this season, and they did so with a thorough victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, a team that has generated considerable buzz of late as a dark horse Stanley Cup contender. The Flyers peppered the Bruins' cage with 36 shots, but Tuukka Rask stopped all of them; goals from Matt Grzelcyk and Patrice Bergeron were all that was needed. With a dozen games left, Boston has an eight-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Atlantic crown, and an equal lead over the St. Louis Blues for the Presidents' Trophy.

Here's where things stand throughout the league heading into Wednesday's five-game slate, including New York Rangers-Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators-Los Angeles Kings streaming live on ESPN+.

Note: Playoff chances are courtesy of Money Puck, while tragic numbers are per the NHL's Damian Echevarrieta.

Jump to:
Eastern standings | Western standings
Race for No. 1 pick | Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: Atlantic 1
Games left: 12 (6 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 13: @ BUF
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: Atlantic 2
Games left: 12 (7 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. PHI
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Atlantic 3
Games left: 12 (7 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. NSH
Playoff chances: 78.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: Metro 1
Games left: 13 (8 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. DET
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: Metro 2
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ TB
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: Metro 3
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ CBJ
Playoff chances: 92.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 14 (7 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ NJ
Playoff chances: 79.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 12 (5 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. PIT
Playoff chances: 44.8%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (6 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 12: @ CGY
Playoff chances: 42.3%
Tragic number: 28

New York Rangers

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (5 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 11: @ COL
Playoff chances: 24.2%
Tragic number: 24

Florida Panthers

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ DAL
Playoff chances: 38.4%
Tragic number: 24

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11 (4 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. BUF
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 13

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ MTL
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 14

New Jersey Devils

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (7 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. CAR
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 14

Ottawa Senators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12 (4 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 11: @ LA
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 6

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11 (4 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ WSH
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: Eliminated

Western Conference

St. Louis Blues

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: Central 1
Games left: 12 (6 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 11: @ ANA
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: Central 2
Games left: 13 (9 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 11: vs. NYR
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Central 3
Games left: 13 (7 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. FLA
Playoff chances: 93.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Pacific 1
Games left: 11 (4 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ MIN
Playoff chances: 99.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: Pacific 2
Games left: 12 (8 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 11: vs. WPG
Playoff chances: 96.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Pacific 3
Games left: 12 (8 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. NYI
Playoff chances: 78.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ TOR
Playoff chances: 56.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: @ ARI
Playoff chances: 52.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12 (4 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 11: @ EDM
Playoff chances: 34.8%
Tragic number: 25

Minnesota Wild

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. VGS
Playoff chances: 69.1%
Tragic number: 26

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12 (8 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. VAN
Playoff chances: 16.4%
Tragic number: 21

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (8 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 11: vs. SJ
Playoff chances: 2.7%
Tragic number: 19

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12 (6 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 11: vs. STL
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 14

San Jose Sharks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (5 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 11: @ CHI
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 12

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (8 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 11: vs. OTT
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 11

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. However, whoever does win the draft lottery has a chance to select Alexis Lafreniere.

Find out more about Lafreniere here, read up on the rest of the top draft prospects here, and check out all of our 2020 NHL draft coverage.

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 13
Chance of No. 1 pick: 18.5%

Ottawa Senators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 13.5%

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 11.5%

San Jose Sharks

Note: Pick belongs to Ottawa.

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 9.5%

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 8.5%

New Jersey Devils

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 7.5%

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6.5%

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6%

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 19
Chance of No. 1 pick: 5%

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3.5%

Minnesota Wild

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3%

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 29
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2.5%

Florida Panthers

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 30
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2%

New York Rangers

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 31
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1.5%

New York Islanders

Note: Pick belongs to Ottawa (top-3 protected).

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1%

Current playoff matchups

(A1) Bruins vs. (WC2) Blue Jackets
(A2) Lightning vs. (A3) Maple Leafs
(M1) Capitals vs. (WC1) Hurricanes
(M2) Flyers vs. (M3) Penguins
(P1) Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Predators
(P2) Oilers vs. (P3) Flames
(C1) Blues vs. (WC2) Canucks
(C2) Avalanche vs. (C3) Stars

When Dominik Kubalik arrived in Chicago for Blackhawks training camp in September, he was far from a lock to make the roster.

Kubalik, 24, was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round in 2013. Every summer, the Kings checked on Kubalik to see how he was doing in Europe. "But we never had any talk about a contract," the Czech-born forward said.

In January 2019, with no path to the NHL in sight, Kubalik's rights were traded to the Blackhawks for a fifth-round pick. He came to Chicago's training camp cautiously optimistic, and he didn't want to think too far down the line on contingency plans.

"My GM in Switzerland said if I didn't make the [Blackhawks], to let him know, and we can talk," Kubalik said. "So I knew I had options. I believed I was NHL-ready, and I hoped I was, but there was some doubt. I think all the guys [who come] from Europe have those thoughts. What's going to happen if you don't make it? Should I stay [in North America] and battle? Should I just go home? If I do, will I ever make it back?"

Not only did Kubalik make the Blackhawks' opening night roster -- and play his first NHL game in Prague as part of the NHL's Global Series -- but he has also shined as one of the few bright spots in Chicago's lineup this season. Kubalik leads all rookies with 29 goals, making him a dark horse Calder Trophy candidate (the award is most likely going to go to Vancouver's Quinn Hughes or Colorado's Cale Makar, two precocious defensemen). Moreover, with 13 games to go, Kubalik is just three goals away from tying Petr Klima's record for a Czech-born rookie, set 34 years ago.

Kubalik is now a key part of the Blackhawks' plans as they retool, and he should be due for a new contract this summer, including a significant raise from the $925,000 he is making this season. Of Kubalik's 29 goals, 25 have come at even strength. "To have that many goals and have so few on the power play, it means you do a lot of good things 5-on-5," Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said.

Kubalik's story is a reminder that there is no linear path to NHL success, and it is all about timing, having a firm belief in self-worth and the ability to seize an opportunity when it is presented.

"I think Dominik was probably ready to make the NHL at [age] 21 or 22," said former NHL forward Martin Straka, who served as Kubalik's coach and GM with HC Plzen. "But I talked to him about it then, and he said he did not want to go there. He was scared they would put him on a farm team, and he would not have success. It was only when he had confidence in [himself] that he was ready to go over."

Kubalik was born in Plzen, which is about an hour from Prague. His parents used to run the restaurant at the local ice arena, so he was always around the rink. Kubalik attended a hockey school that was right beside the rink.

Kubalik's older brother, Tomas, also played hockey. In 2003, the family traveled to Canada to watch Tomas play in the Quebec International pee-wee tournament. Dominik was 13 at the time. "I made the decision then that before my draft year, I wanted to play in North America," Kubalik said. It wasn't an easy choice to make, as Kubalik was already playing professionally in the Czech Republic. But in 2012-13, he made the move to Canada to play for the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL.

Kubalik was drafted by the Kings the following summer, and he transitioned well to the North American game. He put up 17 goals in 67 games his first season in Sudbury and another 13 in his first 36 games of the 2013-14 season. Then he was traded midseason to the Kitchener Rangers, and things fell apart. "I didn't play well, that's for sure," Kubalik said. "That was the most important thing."

After finishing the season with five goals and one assist in 23 games for Kitchener, Kubalik returned to the Czech Republic and figured he might never return to North America.

"I read a recent interview with Martin Straka, and he said, 'When he got back from the OHL, he was brutal.' That's what he said," Kubalik said. "I was like, 'Come on. I wasn't that bad.' But it definitely wasn't good."

Says Straka now: "Before he went to Canada for juniors, he was one of the best players for the young teams here, and that's why he went to juniors in Canada. But when he came back, he was in bad shape. He wasn't playing well. His confidence wasn't good. He was playing for the A team here, and he wasn't good. We had a talk with him after the season, and we said we would give him one more year, and he could show us he is still a good player. But he has to start working out before and after practice. He has to build his confidence."

Kubalik always did workouts with the young guys on the team, but Straka suggested that he could do more.

"He felt with my style of hockey -- lots of skating, lots of battles -- that I had to be stronger than the other guys," Kubalik said. He especially focused on building strength in his legs.

"He was in bad shape, and he didn't want to work out, but then he changed his mind and changed his thinking," Straka said. "His work ethic was just unbelievable since then. He always knew he had a scoring touch. He can always find the spots to score a goal. But once he changed the work ethic, he became a great player. Before he was just a scoring guy, but now he can hit, he can back check, he can do everything else."

As Kubalik was adjusting to his new career in Europe, so was Tomas, a fifth-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2005. Tomas played 12 games for the Blue Jackets from 2010 to '12 but played mostly in the AHL. Tomas returned to Europe in 2013 and bounced around leagues in Russia, Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic. After Tomas was unable to crack an NHL roster, it spooked Dominik.

"My brother probably went way too early," Dominik said. "He signed an NHL contract, went to the AHL, tried to work, but it didn't work out, and he never got a chance to go back. And so I was the opposite. I went to restart my professional career in Czech before I go over, then kept taking another step and another step while I was still in Europe before I was really ready to go over."

After scoring more than 50 goals between 2015-16 and 2016-17 for HC Plzen and getting called up to the senior Czech national team, Kubalik went to the Swiss League, where he won the scoring title last season. All the while, he was catching the attention of Mats Hallin, the Blackhawks' director of European scouting.

"Mats didn't know why Dominik hadn't signed with Los Angeles yet," Bowman said. "But he said, 'This is a player we like, so if you're ever in discussion with L.A, maybe just ask about him.'"

Bowman asked Kings GM Rob Blake about Kubalik. "On first approach, Rob said, 'I don't think we want to trade him. We might try to sign him ourselves,'" Bowman said.

Bowman said fine but checked back again. And again.

"Rob finally said, 'I don't think it's going to work out, so we'll at least consider it,'" Bowman said. "And then the haggling goes on for a draft pick. There's a fair number of players who are good in Europe that don't translate, so it's not automatic. Obviously, it looks good now, but there's a large incidence of guys who come over to the NHL and can't find success. So it's hard to value, what is that player worth?"

Bowman did his own recon on Kubalik, checking with those who knew him in the OHL to find out why things didn't work out for him. "You ask questions like, 'Are they upbeat? Can they fight through adversity?'" Bowman said. "If you talk to Dominik, you learn he smiles a lot. He's a happy guy. And that that was the feedback we had from the time when he was in Sudbury. He probably just wasn't quite ready for North America. He was 16, learning a new language. There were a lot of factors why it didn't work out at first."

When Kubalik was traded to Chicago, he was excited. He knew the Blackhawks had signed a lot of European players in recent years, including Artemi Panarin, Erik Gustafsson, Dominik Kahun, Jan Rutta and Michal Kempny. Kubalik reached out to a few of them, and each said something along the lines of: "It's a good organization, and you'll get a fair chance."

Kubalik knew David Kampf well, and it isn't a coincidence that the Blackhawks paired the two countrymen together to start the season.

"They were friends off the ice, and I think David helped Dominik get acclimated to the NHL," Bowman said. "Any time you can get a player to feel more comfortable, you can get him to acclimate quicker. So they played together the first five, six weeks of the year but in a different role. Not in offensive situations, not on the power play."

Kubalik was adjusting to the speed and skill of NHL players. "First few games, a couple situations, I thought I'd have more time, but somebody lifted my stick," Kubalik said. "And I was like, 'Oh, that's never happened before. I was always the guy doing that.'"

Back home in the Czech Republic, Straka was following Kubalik's season. "I was actually surprised he was on the checking line," Straka said. "I know what type of player he is -- he is a scorer -- and I thought they should give him that role right away. But I know how it is in the NHL. You have to earn it."

Kubalik started to score goals in late December and early January -- including 13 in one 15-game stretch -- and Bowman and the Blackhawks' coaching staff realized they needed to adjust his role. They put him in first-line situations, and since then, he has mostly played with Jonathan Toews on the Blackhawks' top line.

As Kubalik wraps up his first season, he's confident that he can stick in the NHL.

"There are so many guys that can play," Kubalik said. "You've got to be ready, you've got to be in your best shape, but you've got to be lucky, too. Without luck, you are not able to do it."

Rory McIlroy has on multiple occasions over the last month spoken out against the Premier Golf League.

And now you don't have to wonder what side of the fence Brandel Chamblee is on either. He made his feelings clear Tuesday night.

Speaking on "Live From The Players," the Golf Channel analyst lauded McIlroy for having the integrity to say no to the PGL and then went on raise his vehement objections to the league's backing, which has ties to the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund.

The video and text of his comments appear below:

"Rory's rebuff of the PGL — yeah, it was about autonomy — but more than that, far more than that, it was about integrity. Rory had the audacity to question where the money for the PGL was coming from, as if you should care where the money is coming from.

"If water is flowing downhill from a sewer, philosophically, the place where this money is coming from is the sewer of philosophical ideas. This is where they kill apostates; this is where they put homosexuals in bags and throw them off roofs; this is where they chop up journalists if they don't like what they say. So, philosophically, this is the sewer. 

"So if water is flowing downhill from a sewer, and because the volume is so great, it's contamination is diffused such that you can't really tell that it's contaminated, and everybody is telling you to take a drink — Rory stands alone in saying, 'Don't drink the water. It's contaminated.'

"And what he did there is far more rare and far more important than his talent is. His talent entertains us, and as rare as his talent is, you see that occasionally. But to see that kind of talent accompanied with this social awareness and this philosophical precocity, if you want to call it that, that's out of this park."

The Hero Indian Open, scheduled for next week, will be postponed because of coronavirus concerns.

The event is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours. Both agreed, given travel advisories announced by the Indian government, to cancel the event with the hope of contesting it later in the year.

“In these difficult global circumstances, we fully understand and appreciate the recent restrictions introduced in respect of travel into India,” European Tour CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement. “As these new measures now prevent many members of both tours being able to play in the tournament, everyone involved in the staging of the Hero Indian Open felt it was the correct decision to postpone the tournament.”

This is the fourth tournament that the tour has canceled or postponed because of the spread of the virus. The Magical Kenya Open was supposed to take place this week. April’s Maybank Championship (Malaysia) and Volvo China Open were also removed from their original spots. None have been rescheduled.

As of now, the next scheduled, regular European Tour event (not a WGC or major), will take place April 30 at the Andalucia Masters in Spain.

The Europa League round-of-16 ties between Roma and Sevilla and Inter Milan vs. Getafe are in the balance as the coronavirus continues to affect the world of football.

- Coronavirus: Cancellations and reactions in sports

With Italy in lockdown, Roma announced they cannot travel to Sevilla to play their Europa League match scheduled for Thursday, as their plane is not authorised to land in Spain. The match was originally due to take place behind closed doors.

Getafe, meanwhile, have said they will not fly to Italy to face Inter Milan.

"AS Roma will not travel to Spain for the Europa League match against Sevilla after the plane from Italy was not authorised to land in Spain," a statement on Roma's Twitter page read.

Getafe president Angel Torres said the team will not go to Inter in their round-of-16 clash.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Torres said a decision would be made by 5 p.m. local time regarding the fixture.

He said: "UEFA is awaiting news. What is guaranteed is that Getafe will not travel to Italy. UEFA must decide now. Safety cannot be guaranteed and we are not going to change our decision. We are not going to go to where the focal point of the flare-up is. First and foremost is our health."

Asked if he is willing to risk forfeiting the game, Torres said: "I don't understand why they would do so. It's a state of emergency, we are doing the right thing. First is health, then sport. I have no interest in the consequences.

"What I'm interested in is not bringing more [coronavirus] cases to Spain, as we have already too many. I will meet with my captains and the coach and I will tell them of my decision, but it's my responsibility and I believe I'm doing the right thing."

Manchester United's clash with Austrian side LASK will go ahead behind closed doors on Thursday. In the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain's clash with Borussia Dortmund will take place without fans, with star player Kylian Mbappe testing negative for the virus. Spectators will be allowed in to watch Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid.

The football world has been severely affected by the coronavirus with La Liga staging at least the next two rounds of fixtures behind closed doors, with Manchester City's match against Arsenal in the Premier League postponed.

Serie A has been suspended until April 3, while the players' unions in Italy and Spain have called for postponements to fixtures.

Elsewhere, German second-division club Hannover 96 confirmed one of their players, Timo Hubers, has tested positive for the coronavirus. It is the first confirmed case in German football.

In a statement released by Hannover 96 on Wednesday, the club said that "it is expected Hubers was infected at event on Saturday in (nearby) Hildesheim."

They added that he had not had any contact with his teammates since and is in quarantine at home.

"Regardless, we will act responsibly and test the entire squad and staff for the virus," the club said.

Information from ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld and Adriana Garcia was used in this report.

Welcome to our European football notebook, featuring contributions from ESPN writers across the continent. In this first edition, we look at why signing Jadon Sancho would mean so much for Man United, how the coronavirus could impact upcoming England friendlies, Kylian Mbappe's Olympic dream and more.

Jump to: Sancho is a test for Man United | PSG also want Sancho | Haaland almost joined Everton | Coronavirus could affect England games | Allegri's assistant stays busy | Olympics unlikely for Mbappe | Wolves stars in demand | Henderson set for another loan

What Sancho symbolises for Man United

Manchester United have emerged as front-runners to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, but their pursuit of the 19-year-old is being viewed within the game as a test of the club's ability to get a big deal done, especially if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Sources have told ESPN that Dortmund are resigned to losing the England international after this season, with the German outfit already lining up Birmingham City's 16-year-old sensation Jude Bellingham as Sancho's replacement. United had attempted to sign Bellingham in January before focusing all efforts on completing a deal for Bruno Fernandes.

But while Dortmund are ready to cash in on Sancho -- an £8 million signing from Manchester City in August 2017 -- if a club is willing to pay in excess of £100m, sources have told ESPN that United have become notorious for dragging their feet in negotiations and that they risk losing out to a rival unless they, according to one, "get their act together quickly."

Last year's signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire became protracted sagas due to United haggling over fees with Crystal Palace and Leicester, respectively, while there was frustration behind the scenes at Old Trafford over the length of time it took to complete a deal for Fernandes in January.

Sources have also told ESPN that Dortmund's success in signing Erling Haaland was due in part to United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward and contract negotiator Matt Judge taking too long to allow the club's football staff to speak to the player and sell their vision of what he could do for the team on the pitch.

Premier League champions-elect Liverpool are also keen on Sancho, but the prospect of regular football at Old Trafford, rather than battling for a place at Anfield, is understood to be a key factor. United's position, though, will be significantly weakened if they cannot offer Champions League football.

Not only would the club miss out on prize money in excess of £80m by failing to qualify, but they would be unable to sell themselves as a destination capable of providing top players with the platform of playing against Europe's elite.

There is confidence at United that a top-four finish can be achieved and that top targets will be landed, but many outsiders remain sceptical of their ability to move quickly and decisively in the transfer market. -- Mark Ogden

PSG also in the mix for Sancho

Paris Saint-Germain are getting ready for a busy summer, with Barcelona set to come back for Neymar and Real Madrid moving for Kylian Mbappe. Both players are under contract with the French champions, but sources have told ESPN that sporting director Leonardo has identified Jadon Sancho as a potential signing.

PSG believe that their project, as well as financial power, can convince Sancho to move to France. The transfer fee and wages would not be an issue and the club's hierarchy think the young England international can continue to develop in the French capital. -- Julien Laurens

How Haaland almost joined Everton

Talking of Erling Haaland, there is no bigger sensation in football than the Norwegian teenager, but while Manchester United must rue the 19-year-old slipping through their net, another Premier League club could have snapped him up for just €10m two years ago.

Everton had the then-17-year-old forward on trial at the club's Finch Farm training ground in 2018. But when Haaland's Norwegian club Molde wanted €10m, Everton instead opted to back the potential of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has since established himself as a first-team regular. -- Mark Ogden

Coronavirus puts England friendlies in doubt

The English Football Association has placed the fate of the national team's friendly against Italy at Wembley, scheduled for March 27, in the hands of the UK government.

England's Euro 2020 warm-up against Roberto Mancini's side is set to go ahead, despite the weekend decision of the Italian government to place up to 16 million people in the Lombardy region under quarantine until April 3 due to the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The UK Foreign Office is advising against "all but essential travel" to Italy, which is the worst-affected part of Europe, and is asking any Britons who have visited the area to self-quarantine.

Despite the strict travel advice, however, the FA has not yet been told to cancel the Italy friendly. Sources have told ESPN that it -- and the Wembley clash against Denmark four days later -- are in doubt, but the final decision rests with the government's official advice. -- Mark Ogden

While Allegri relaxes, his assistant stays busy

Max Allegri has been biding his time, waiting for opportunities after leaving Juventus at the end of last season. After five seasons, in which he won five league titles, four Italian cups and reached two Champions League finals, there is a finite number of clubs he would even consider.

Sources familiar with his thinking say Allegri does not want to be seen as taking a "step down," which means the list of potential destinations is not long: Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern and the traditional top six in England. Many of those clubs, however, have only recently appointed a new manager or are unlikely to have a job opening this summer.

Things can change quickly in football, though, which may be why his longtime assistant Aldo Dolcetti has spent much of this season in England, where his son Lorenzo is a performance analyst at Southampton. Dolcetti has been traveling around, visiting various clubs and improving his English -- all skills that will be handy should Allegri head to the Premier League. -- Gabriele Marcotti

No Olympics for Mbappe

At 21, Kylian Mbappe is eligible for the France Under-23 team and had dreams of playing at the Olympics with many of his friends, even though the tournament begins just 11 days after the final of Euro 2020.

However, for now, his hopes have been dashed. Sources told ESPN that PSG notified the national federation that they will not release any of their French players for the competition, which takes place outside FIFA dates. FA president Noel Le Graet has not given up, but Mbappe in Tokyo looks unlikely. -- Julien Laurens

Might Wolves be victims of their own success?

Wolves are riding the crest of a wave, chasing Champions League qualification in the Premier League and Europa League, but their success under Nuno Espirito Santo has left the club vulnerable to a raid on their squad by Europe's biggest clubs.

Sources have told ESPN that Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves are being eyed for moves to major clubs in Spain, France and England and that Wolves face a battle persuading them to stay.

Barcelona and Manchester City have scouted Traore this season, while Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in Mexico striker Jimenez. Meanwhile, Neves, Jota and full-back/midfielder Matt Doherty have also raised their profile during Wolves' rise from the Championship to the Champions League shake-up.

While the club has money to resist from a financial point of view, one source told ESPN that even the prospect of Champions League football at Molineux will not be enough to keep some players because "you have to take a big opportunity when it comes." -- Mark Ogden

Another loan likely for Henderson

Manchester United's decision to hand third-choice goalkeeper Lee Grant a one-year contract extension has increased the likelihood of Dean Henderson spending another season on loan away from Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old has emerged as a contender for Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2020, following a hugely impressive Premier League campaign with Sheffield United, and sources have told ESPN that the 22-year-old is regarded by United as a "certainty" to become a top-level keeper.

But while Henderson has the self-confidence to match that belief, there is also acceptance at United that he will not benefit from -- nor relish -- a season as David De Gea's understudy. Instead, it is viewed that the best way to keep him happy and under the club's control will be to loan him out for the sixth time since he moved to Old Trafford in 2015. -- Mark Ogden

Toss Bangladesh opt to bowl v Zimbabwe

Bangladesh won the toss in the second T20I at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, and for the first time during the white-ball leg of their tour, Zimbabwe will bat first and set a total.

Having swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in the ODIs, and cruised to a 48-run win in the first T20I, Bangladesh opted to test their bench strength. After compiling two record-breaking opening stands in his last two innings alongside Liton Das at the top of the order, Tamim Iqbal has been rested this time around, with Mohammad Naim slotting in. Seamer Al-Amin Hossain has also been included, while 20-year old pace bowler Hasan Mahmud will make his T20I debut. Aminul Islam and Shafiul Islam, who both played on Monday, are the two other players to sit this game out.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have also tweaked their playing XI. Charlton Tshuma comes in to make his T20I debut, with Donald Tiripano absent due to injury. Without the added pressure of a chase, Zimbabwe will be hoping that their under-performing senior batsmen will coalesce in their final innings of the tour.

The pitch has a little more live grass on it than that used in the first game, and should have a little more in it for the quicks. The weather is set fair, and it appears that dew shouldn't be too much of an issue either under lights this evening.

Bangladesh: 1 Liton Das, 2 Mohamamd Naim, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Mahedi Hasan, 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mustafizur Rahman, 10 Al-Amin Hossain, 11 Hasan Mahmud

Zimbabwe: 1 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2 Brendan Taylor, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Sean Williams (capt), 5 Wesley Madhevere, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 8 Tino Mutombodzi, 9 Carl Mumba, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Charlton Tshuma

Toss Bangladesh opt to bowl v Zimbabwe

Bangladesh won the toss in the second T20I at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, and for the first time during the white-ball leg of their tour, Zimbabwe will bat first and set a total.

Having swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in the ODIs, and cruised to a 48-run win in the first T20I, Bangladesh opted to test their bench strength. After compiling two record-breaking opening stands in his last two innings alongside Liton Das at the top of the order, Tamim Iqbal has been rested this time around, with Mohammad Naim slotting in. Seamer Al-Amin Hossain has also been included, while 20-year old pace bowler Hasan Mahmud will make his T20I debut. Aminul Islam and Shafiul Islam, who both played on Monday, are the two other players to sit this game out.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have also tweaked their playing XI. Charlton Tshuma comes in to make his T20I debut, with Donald Tiripano absent due to injury. Without the added pressure of a chase, Zimbabwe will be hoping that their under-performing senior batsmen will coalesce in their final innings of the tour.

The pitch has a little more live grass on it than that used in the first game, and should have a little more in it for the quicks. The weather is set fair, and it appears that dew shouldn't be too much of an issue either under lights this evening.

Bangladesh: 1 Liton Das, 2 Mohamamd Naim, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Mahedi Hasan, 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mustafizur Rahman, 10 Al-Amin Hossain, 11 Hasan Mahmud

Zimbabwe: 1 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2 Brendan Taylor, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Sean Williams (capt), 5 Wesley Madhevere, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 8 Tino Mutombodzi, 9 Carl Mumba, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Charlton Tshuma