The Ice Hockey Women's World Championship has been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus.

"It is with great regret that we must take this action," IIHF president René Fasel said in a statement Saturday. "It was not an easy decision to make, as we were greatly looking forward to hosting this tournament in Canada. Nevertheless, the decision has been made due to safety concerns for the well-being of players, officials, and spectators."

The tournament was scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 10 in Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia. The IIHF has already canceled six other tournaments following an emergency meeting of the IIHF Council last week in Hungary.

"Ultimately the IIHF Council feels that there has not been enough of an improvement to the coronavirus situation to allow us to safely host a 10-team international tournament within this timeframe," Fasel said. "We look forward to coming to Canada in 2021."

Two marquee events remain on the international hockey calendar for now: April's U18 championship in Michigan and May's men's world championship in Switzerland. Fasel said a decision on playing the U18 championship likely will be made within 10 days. The IIHF will wait until mid-April to determine whether to proceed with the men's world championships.

It's been a frustrating year for women's hockey at the top level. September saw the cancellation of the Four Nations Tournament -- a key event on Team USA's and Team Canada's schedule -- because Sweden's top players were boycotting their national team, unhappy over pay and working conditions.

The Americans are the five-time reigning women's world champions, and the U.S. has won the event in eight of the past nine years.

This is the second time the event has been canceled due to a health scare. Organizers canceled the 2003 event, scheduled for Beijing, due to the SARS outbreak.

The coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, is a new strain of coronavirus that has surged around the globe in recent months. The coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory diseases. The flu is caused by a different virus. There is no vaccine for the coronavirus, although researchers are working hope to begin testing one soon. Older people, especially those with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disease, are most at risk. The coronavirus spreads mainly through coughs and sneezes, although it also can be transferred from surfaces. The best way to prevent infection is by frequent hand-washing, cleaning surfaces with regular household sprays and wipes, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play remains on schedule despite the recent cancellation of another high-profile event in Austin, Texas.

As the coronavirus continues to spread in the U.S., Austin mayor Steve Adler declared a local state of disaster on Friday, the same day that the South by Southwest conference, scheduled for March 13-22, was canceled for the first time in 34 years. The conference, which attracted 400,000-plus visitors from more than 100 countries last year, brings together multiple industries, including tech, media and sports, and also includes major film and music festivals.

Last year, SXSW pumped $356 million into Austin's economy.

"We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation," SXSW organizers said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour continues to monitor the situation as the WGC-Match Play, slated for the following week (March 25-29) at Austin Country Club, draws near and other tournaments continue as scheduled.

In a statement sent to GolfChannel.com, the Tour reiterated its statement from last week, when it said it will continue to review “updates from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization,” and that the safety of players, employees, fans and volunteers is the “No. 1 priority.”

It added that protocols will be established at the Match Play to "promote the health and safety of our fans and constituents who will be on site later this month." That includes additional hand-sanitizer stations at all restrooms and high-traffic areas, sanitizing wipes in all hospitality locations and allowing fans to bring their own hand sanitizer.

"The championship is also ensuring thorough cleaning practices with disinfectant in restrooms and food-vending areas each night, and reinforcing with staff and volunteers to be extra vigilant with regards to personal hygiene (hand washing with soap and water 20 seconds or more, covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, etc.)," the statement added.

"Furthermore, fans should be aware that – out of an overabundance of caution – some players may decline to sign autographs at the event.  This is out of respect for the health and well-being of all involved, and the PGA Tour and its players greatly appreciate your understanding."

ORLANDO, Fla. – Not only did Brooks Koepka walk off the course Saturday afternoon at Bay Hill with the worst score of his PGA Tour career, but he also was down a putter cover after his caddie, Ricky Elliott, left it behind at some point during the round.

Not that the flatstick – or any of Koepka’s clubs for that matter – needed to cool off.

The world No. 3 hit just three fairways, five greens and for the second straight day needed at least 30 putts to get through 18 holes. A third-round, 9-over 81 marked Koepka’s worst round since a second-round 80 at the 2013 Open Championship.

“I didn’t play very good,” said Koepka, who was nine shots worse than his playing competitor, K.H. Lee, but still obliged Lee’s request for a selfie following the round.

“It’s tough. You would’ve taken 2 over today.”

Arnie’s Place showed some teeth in blustery conditions, and 20 mph winds and 30-plus mph gusts were more than enough to blow Koepka off course. He birdied just one hole, the welcoming par-5 16^th, but carded eight bogeys and a double at the par-4 ninth.

Koepka called some of the hole locations “a little weird,” but put most of the blame on himself as he continues to search for results after reaggravating his surgically repaired left knee in mid-October.

In four events since, Koepka has just one top-30 finish, and the outlook on his knee has seemingly changed week to week.

“I’m nowhere near 100 percent,” Koepka said last month at the Genesis Open, only to assure a week later, following a missed cut at the Honda Classic, that his poor performance had “nothing to do with my knee.”

Koepka also committed to playing four more consecutive weeks, starting with the Arnold Palmer Invitational, suggesting that he’s more concerned with the state of his game than his health.

Playing in a fan for the second straight week has failed to blow off the remaining rust from a long layoff, as Koepka said it’s been difficult to work on his swing and “trust” shots while playing in windy conditions.

“If there’s no wind, you can see the ball flight, you can see everything, you can see what it’s doing,” he said, “but it’s so gusty [that] sometimes it’s difficult.”

Koepka, however, is not worried about being able to shake off Saturday’s 81.

“I’m a big boy,” he said. “I can handle it.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shrugged off comparisons with former Anfield great Bill Shankly on Saturday after his side beat Bournemouth 2-1 to move a step closer to sealing their first league title for 30 years.

Goals by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane cancelled out an early Bournemouth opener from Callum Wilson as Liverpool clocked up a 22nd consecutive home win in the top flight, breaking a record set by Shankly's men in 1972.

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Klopp, who steered Liverpool to the Champions League trophy last season and who has achieved cult status at Anfield where Shankly is still revered, said: "Oh yes, I will never compare with this fella.

"Great, I think it was 23 [consecutive home wins] today. We didn't think about the number before the game, but after the game we can think about it for a couple of minutes.

"It's nice. It's absolutely nice. It's special, not normal."

After three defeats in their previous four games in all competitions, it was clear how much a return to winning form meant to Klopp, who was incandescent with rage after Wilson got away with a push on Joe Gomez in the build-up to Bournemouth's goal which silenced the home crowd.

Klopp said the way they recovered from the setback illustrated the mentality of his side.

"Today is an example: we have to fight hard. We are not geniuses, but we can really fight until the end of the season, and then we'll see what we get for it," he said.

With a 25-point gap restored at the top of the table, Liverpool's title will be sealed with just three more wins.

Klopp's focus is on next week's Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid, however, when they must overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the quarter-finals.

"Three wins to go? No, no, it's Atleti 100 percent," he said. "That's a tough one, as we know. Of course, they will not come here and try to play a friendly game.

"It will be the opposite. Today helps, 100 percent. Maybe [there will be] one or two players coming back -- we will see --- and then with a good line-up and with Anfield, we'll try to change it."

Klopp confirmed that Jordan Henderson had a good chance of playing after being sidelined since injuring his hamstring in the first leg in Spain, a period during which Liverpool's form has dipped.

"Hendo was out, I don't know exactly in this moment, but I think he will train tomorrow. If that looks good, I have to make a decision," he said. "For sure it will be good to have him back."

AC Milan have confirmed the sacking of Chief Football Officer Zvonimir Boban after his public spat with the Serie A club's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ivan Gazidis.

The Croatian, who played for Milan between 1991 and 2001, has been relieved of his duties nine months after returning to San Siro in the newly created CFO role.

Gazidis said in a club statement: "We thank Zvone for his efforts over the past nine months and wish him well in his future endeavours.

"We must now turn our attention to football and the important games to come."

Relations between Boban and Gazidis soured when the CEO reportedly contacted former RB Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick about taking on a role at the club next season as coach and potentially director of sport, without consulting Boban or technical director Paolo Maldini.

Boban made his unhappiness clear in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Feb. 29, in which he called Gazidis's behaviour "disrespectful and inelegant."

The Croatian's contract was terminated with immediate effect on Saturday, while Gazidis also took the opportunity to express his backing for coach Stefano Pioli, who was appointed following the sacking of Marco Giampaolo in October 2019.

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"Stefano Pioli and his staff are doing an exceptional job growing the performances of the team every week and will have our full support as they continue this work in what is a difficult time for the country," he said.

Serie A fixtures are being played behind closed doors until April 3 in a bid to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 230 people in Italy.

AC Milan, who are seventh in Serie A, had a league clash with Genoa and a Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against Juventus postponed last week as a result of the outbreak.

They will face 18th-placed Genoa at an empty San Siro on Sunday.

BARCELONA -- Jordi Alba demanded more respect from Barcelona fans after helping the Blaugrana return to the top of La Liga with a narrow 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute after VAR ruled that Robin Le Normand had handled the ball inside the area. Alba had a second goal ruled out in stoppage time for offside.

The defender had celebrated by cupping his ears to his own supporters and later explained that he had been upset by whistles aimed at the players during the first half after last week's Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.

"No one likes to play poorly or how we're playing at the moment, but I don't like it when in the 15th minute with the score goalless there are whistles," he told reporters.

"No one likes it when the fans go against you, especially in your own stadium. Our attitude is good and all the players are giving everything out on the pitch. I'm not going to hide. Just as I respect everyone, they also have to respect me.

"I respect Barca fans a lot. Even falling [early] in the Champions League [in recent seasons], they have stuck with the team.

"It's not easy when things are not coming off, but we have to live with that at the end of the day. We know that if we're not at our best, it's going to be hard. We have to be strong mentally to turn the situation around."

Despite the frustration among sections of the support, Barca remain in the hunt for La Liga and the Champions League. The win over La Real took them two clear of Real Madrid -- who play Real Betis on Sunday -- and they're level with Napoli in their Champions League last 16 tie.

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However, there's a strange atmosphere around the club. White hankies were waved at president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Saturday and there were calls for him to resign.

Headlines have also been made off the pitch for the wrong reasons in recent weeks, including Messi's war of words with sporting director Eric Abidal and allegations the club hired a third-party company to discredit players, club legends and potential presidents on social media.

The latest controversy came this week when coach Quique Setien's No. 2, Eder Sarabia, was criticised for his touchline demeanour during last weekend's Clasico.

Images showed Sarabia losing his cool several times, screaming a number of expletives and criticising several players, including Antoine Griezmann, for missing a first-half chance.

Alba, though, said reports the players were angered by Sarabia's behaviour -- which Setien apologised for in the week -- are nonsense and defended his persona in the dugout.

"It's as if Sarabia killed someone," the Spain international said. "Can the coaching staff not express themselves as they want? The comments he made are the most normal in the world.

"He lives the game intensely, he didn't show a lack of respect to anyone. I would have done the same in his position -- or worse. We're not annoyed, not at all."

Lionel Messi kept his nerve from the penalty spot to give Barcelona a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday and return his side to the top of the table.

Barca's all-time top scorer calmly chipped the ball into the net in the 81st minute after Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand had been penalised following a VAR review for hitting the ball with his arm as he contested a cross.

The penalty was awarded at a time when Barca were struggling to cope with Sociedad's flowing counter-attacks, with the Basques missing several chances to take the lead at the Camp Nou in a bold second-half display.

Sociedad's frustration at conceding the penalty was heightened when their former player Antoine Griezmann appeared to push over defender Nacho Monreal in the area but no foul was awarded.

Barca looked to have scored a second goal deep in injury time when Jordi Alba slotted in a cross from substitute Ansu Fati but another VAR review determined that the teenage forward had been narrowly offside when he received the ball from Messi.

The victory took Barca back to the top of the standings on 58 points after 27 games although Real Madrid, on 56, can restore their place at the league summit by beating Real Betis on Sunday.

"We won the game with the narrowest of margins but it keeps our hopes of winning the title alive," said Barca defender Gerard Pique, who also defended the decision to award his side the crucial penalty.

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"We have seen several similar situations punished with a penalty recently so as soon as I saw it I thought it was handball," he added.

Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino was encouraged by his side's performance but was frustrated by the result.

"We feel a mixture of feelings as we played really good football, had chances and dominated phases of the game but we lost due to a handball which was very questionable," he said.

Barca were under extra pressure to win after losing last week's 'Clasico' 2-0 away to Madrid and surrendering top spot to their rivals, and were up against a Sociedad side on a run of six straight victories in all competitions.

Sociedad travelled to Barcelona in jubilant mood after booking their place in the Copa del Rey final for the first time in 32 years by seeing off Mirandes on Wednesday and coach Imanol Alguacil made a series of changes to his starting line-up.

Barca's latest arrival Martin Braithwaite made his first start for the home side and was their most lively player in the first half, combining well with Messi and twice forcing saves from visiting keeper Alex Remiro.

Messi missed the target with his only effort before the interval and also looked rusty in the second half until he placed the ball on the spot and coolly dispatched it into the net.

Liverpool returned to winning ways following back-to-back defeats in league and cup with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in Saturday's early Premier League game.

The Cherries took a shock lead in the ninth minute when Callum Wilson pounced on lax defending to get on the end of a Jefferson Lerma cross and slot home at the back post.

Liverpool responded with heaps of intensity and were rewarded 16 minutes later when Sadio Mane robbed the ball from Jack Simpson deep in Bournemouth territory before scruffily teeing up Mohamed Salah to equalise, and Mane got a goal of his own in the 33rd minute when he raced clear before clipping the ball past Aaron Ramsdale in the visitors' goal to put the hosts on their way to victory.

Positives

Coming from behind to claim three important points should provide something of a boost for a Liverpool side that had been going through a bit of a rough patch, and getting though the game without any further injuries ahead of the crucial Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid will be a relief for manager Jurgen Klopp.

Negatives

There was a real vulnerability about the Liverpool back four on the counter-attack in the opening 20 minutes, with simple balls over the top causing plenty of problems for a Reds backline that had looked impregnable up until a couple of weeks ago.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- Klopp took the decision to rest Andrew Robertson as a precaution ahead of the Atletico game on Wednesday, but kept faith in a forward line that hadn't scored in more than 180 minutes of football, and was rewarded with a professional recovery after going a goal down.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Adrian, 6 -- A somewhat unconvincing save saw the stand-in keeper tip Nathan Ake's header onto the crossbar, and while he's less graceful than No. 1 Alisson in the way he mops up loose balls, the Spaniard was able to get the job done when called upon.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 -- Provided a stunning ball with the outside of his right boot to release Roberto Firmino in the box for a first-half chance, but the visitors were able to get in behind the full-back on more than one occasion in the opening 45 minutes with the England man stuck upfield.

DF Joe Gomez, 6 -- Took a shove from Wilson on the way to the opener, and it appeared to affect the defender as he was slow to react to the referee's decision not to award the foul, before failing to keep track of the goal scorer as he tapped home at the back post.

DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 -- Some beautifully sprayed balls out wide created openings for Alexander-Arnold, before an excellent through-ball released Mane on goal to coolly slot home for 2-1.

DF James Milner, 6 -- Exposed and outnumbered on the overlap for Bournemouth's surprise opener, but did offer support in the final third and probed the visiting defence with testing balls over the top. A heroic goal-line clearance denied Ryan Fraser an equaliser on the hour after the Bournemouth winger lobbed Adrian.

MF Fabinho, 6 -- We're still yet to see Fabinho at his absolute best since returning from a six-week injury lay off in January, and the Brazilian had some occasionally heavy touches and doesn't quite appear to have found his rhythm in 2020.

MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 -- Has bags of energy and really helps set the tone for how the entire team presses the opponent, but still not the finished article in regards to his defensive duties, which becomes more of an issue when Jordan Henderson is out the side. Replaced by Adam Lallana for the final seven minutes.

MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 6 -- Had a busy start to the game as Liverpool imposed themselves early on, but took an accidental blow to the face from Ake and never really got back into the thick of the game thereafter.

FW Mohamed Salah, 7 -- Did brilliantly to get the ball from under his feet after a backward pass from Mane to fire home to get his side back level, in what was a welcome return to form for the forward.

FW Roberto Firmino, 6 -- Forced a decent save from Ramsdale after dealing well with an awkward bouncing ball, before somehow failing to hit the target from eight yards out with the goal at his mercy in second-half injury time. The Brazilian has now gone 19 Premier League games at Anfield without a goal, and was replaced at the death by Divock Origi.

FW Sadio Mane, 7 -- Did well to dispossess Bournemouth sub Simpson, before making a meal of what should have been a simple pass across the box for Salah to score. Fortunately for the Senegalese, his teammate was able to find space and tuck the ball away, before Mane got in on the scoring act himself shortly after when he slotted home confidently from the edge of the box. Inches away from a glorious second goal with a curling effort from distance that cannoned off the angle between post and bar.

Substitutes

Adam Lallana, N/A -- Kept the Liverpool, midfield machine ticking over in the closing stages.

Divock Origi, N/A -- Not enough time to make an impact.

Kentucky point guard Ashton Hagans did not travel for Saturday's game against Florida due to personal reasons after telling coach John Calipari earlier in the week that he was "in a bad way."

"Ashton did not make the trip with us to Florida," Calipari tweeted. "He and I met a couple days ago and he asked to step away for a couple days for personal reasons. I support his decision. We are going to need him at 100% for the postseason."

The Wildcats (25-6, 15-3 SEC), who have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the SEC tournament, beat Florida 71-70 on Saturday.

After Saturday's game, Calipari said Hagans told him he was "in a bad way" before he temporarily left the team, and that the outside pressure Hagans and other players feel under the spotlight at Kentucky contributed to the guard's decision.

"Here is what I tell you about these kids: In the last three years, this has totally changed," Calipari said. "What is on these players? The clutter that they gotta deal with. The lists, what's out there. Not being able to stay in the moment. The anxiety of worrying about a year from now. Everyone around them.

"And then you're at Kentucky, where every game is someone's Super Bowl. Every game is sold out. And then you start struggling four or five games and now you don't know how to deal with stuff."

After the game, Calipari said he "fully" expects Hagans to return to the team for the SEC tournament next week, although he said much of that would depend on Hagans.

"My first responsibility is the health and well-being of my players," Calipari said. "And when a guy tells me, 'Coach, I've gotta step away,' I'm with it. Tell me why. Tell me what you're thinking. What is it? I'm good. I'll see you when we get back, and hopefully what you'll see is an inspired young man. And if he doesn't think he's ready for that, then he's not ready. We're going to go with whoever we have."

Hagans, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, has started 29 of 31 games for Kentucky this season. One of the elite defenders in college basketball, Hagans is averaging 11.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists this season.

However, he has struggled on offense in recent weeks. In the previous 10 games, Hagans averaged 8.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 turnovers while shooting 34.5% from the field and 17.4% from 3-point range. He also dealt with a left thigh injury after suffering a contusion against LSU on Feb. 18.

"You know, that's our brother. We love him. We can't wait for him to come back," teammate Nick Richards said. "We love him and we're gonna be there for him."

On Tuesday night, Hagans and Calipari argued on the bench during Kentucky's 81-73 home loss to Tennessee. Hagans reportedly refused to enter the game.

Calipari tried to shoot down any controversy on Friday.

"Look, I've done this before: There are sometimes I'll go to a guy and ask him, 'Do you want to go in?' If he says, 'No,' I say, 'OK.' We move on," Calipari said. "Some of it's late-game stuff because I had to sit there when I played and there's 25 seconds left in the game and you go, 'OK, go in and get that guy.'

"We've got a young team that's growing and learning and learn from every situation."

Without Hagans, expect Immanuel Quickley and Tyrese Maxey to share point guard duties, and additional shooting should come from Johnny Juzang. He started the previous game Hagans didn't start, the first matchup against Florida on Feb. 22.

Nate Sestina and Keion Brooks also are likely to see increased minutes in Calipari's shortened rotation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

As it monitors the spread of the coronavirus, the NHL plans to close locker room access to the media, a source told ESPN.

The new policy came on a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sources told ESPN that the NHL could implement the new mandate as soon as Saturday. All media availability will be conducted in formal news conference areas.

The NHL has already banned international travel for league office employees.

At the general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, last week, the league provided updates on how it plans to handle the growing threat. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN on Monday that the league was "starting to explore contingency plans" should the coronavirus become a more significant health threat in North America ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Daly did not rule out options such as postponing or canceling games, or even playing games in empty arenas.

"I think it's very unlikely -- knock on wood, I'm hopeful -- that we would progress to a stage where we have to consider something that dramatic," Daly said. "But certainly everything is possible, and we have to look at all possible contingencies. If it gets to that point, we will be ready."

The NHL has said it will follow the lead of the CDC and Public Health Canada.

The NHL has said it will likely not send teams on a preseason trip to China in the fall, in part due to the coronavirus and difficulties in scheduling. The NHL has scheduled a game in Prague, Czech Republic, to open next season, as well as preseason games in Germany and Switzerland. The league will also send teams to Helsinki, Finland, for two games in November. Daly said that as of now, he doesn't think those games will be affected.

"This is an evolving situation, so you get up every day and see what the latest news is," Daly said. "Certainly we hope that it won't even be a concern."