Jos Buttler has admitted it would be "bittersweet" to miss the start of England's home summer in order to play in the knockout stages of the IPL, and said that the prospect of having to choose one over the other has left him in a "far-from-perfect situation".

England's home season will begin with a Test against New Zealand at Lord's on June 2, three days after the final of the IPL on May 30. While it is not yet clear whether England's multi-format players would be able to appear in both competitions, the ECB has told them they will be able to stay in India until their involvement in the IPL has come to an end.

Buttler, a key player for Rajasthan Royals since he was signed ahead of the 2018 season, admitted that he had considered opting out of the IPL, but emphasised the positive impact that players' involvement in the competition has had on England's limited-overs sides and defended the ECB rest-and-rotation policy that saw him fly home for the final three Tests of the recent series in India.

"I completely understand certain people will have an opinion one way and certain people another way," Buttler said. "All I can say is the IPL has had an outstanding effect on English cricket so far and the individuals involved in it.

"The tournament is the biggest in the whole of cricket in terms of money. Careers can be short. But we know playing for England is a huge draw for everyone and we're very well remunerated playing for England - we're very fortunate in that case.

"It makes it a tough decision. Of course the schedule at the moment is very tough and there is no perfect balance to it. The ECB and the players work very closely together to try and manage that, so is there a perfect answer at the moment? No. And certainly not in the times we are operating in at the moment."

Buttler confirmed that he is likely to miss the first Test against New Zealand if Rajasthan reach the latter stages of the competition - the group stage ends on May 23, so players whose teams do not make the knockouts should be available - but said that the fact the Tests had been added to England's calendar late in the day had been a major factor in the clash.

"Those New Zealand Tests have been added to a very busy schedule quite late on," he said. "It's always going be bittersweet if you're missing games with England or whatever opportunities you are missing, but we don't know how far players are going to get into that tournament [the IPL] or if you're actually going to miss them.

"The ECB have said it looked like if you were involved in the IPL you'd be staying. I think that agreement was probably in place before the NZ Tests were announced. I think the ECB are keeping consistent with where they were at before those games got put in the schedule."

Buttler also said that he had no objections to the prospect of Alex Hales being recalled to the side following his two-year absence from international cricket, sparked by a second positive test for recreational drugs shortly before the 2019 World Cup.

Ed Smith, the national selector, hinted last month that Hales might be reintegrated into the squad during the summer, and Eoin Morgan, England's captain, echoed his comments in an interview with the Times on Monday.

"My view on that has always been that the trust that Alex has lost will take time to rebuild and one of the issues we have had around having players who would either be trying to get into the side or wanting to come in and us have a look at them in and around training, hasn't been possible around Covid," Morgan said.

"Trying to integrate players in that sense hasn't been possible during this period. It's looking like by the time we get home for the international summer the restrictions might be eased so that for the process of getting guys in and around the squad, there could be an opportunity to do that. There is a chance that he might be around the group and that opportunity might be there."

Buttler said: "I'd be fine with that. We were all disappointed with how that episode played out. As Eoin has talked about a lot of the time, there's an element of trust that needs to be rebuilt. He's said it's harder to do that in this day and age: it's harder to get people in and out of teams and environments. I'm sure when the time is right Eoin will talk to Alex and the selectors. We all know what a brilliant player he is, so if he can be reintegrated into the side and is playing well and warrants selection I'm all for that.

"I think everyone is pretty grown-up and if there were ill feelings, [they would be] nothing that couldn't be sorted out with some man-to-man conversations. The white-ball side has been together a long time and Alex was a huge part of that for a long time. I'm sure a lot of the guys stay in close touch with him. I don't foresee there being problems and if there were then they could be sorted out."

Ohio State has paused all football-related activities and closed its athletics administrative offices for one week after an increase in positive tests for the coronavirus, the university said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Buckeyes said the decision to pause football activities and close the Woody Hayes Athletic Center offices was made jointly by athletics director Gene Smith and head team physician Dr. Jim Borchers "out of an abundance of caution and with the health, safety and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches and football and facility support staff as the highest priority."

The decision was made after a round of PCR testing on Monday.

"Our decisions on the welfare of our student-athletes, staff members and those coming to our campus, and our determination as to when we will reopen and resume activities, will continue to be guided by our medical staff," Smith said in a statement.

"We have been successful in safely hosting nearly 100 athletic events on campus this year with limited disruptions, but this pandemic is not over. We will continue to stress the safety measures of wearing masks, consistent and thorough hand washing and physical distancing and we will remain vigilant in those areas."

The Buckeyes are scheduled to start spring practice on March 19.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants and defensive lineman Leonard Williams are working on a long-term deal as the franchise deadline approaches, sources told ESPN. The deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Both parties would like to get something done, but the franchise tag is the likely option as a placeholder if they don't get there in time. The tag (for the second consecutive year) is a mechanism to make sure that Williams remains a Giant after a career-best season where he finished with 11.5 sacks and 30 quarterbacks hits, good for third in the NFL. His 41 quarterback pressures were seventh among interior defensive linemen, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Williams, 26, played on the franchise tag last season at $16.126 million. A second tag would come at the cost of 120% of last year's number, or $19.351 million.

The sixth-year lineman has an unresolved grievance with the NFLPA, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported recently. It's a discrepancy over whether he should have been listed as a defensive end or tackle. If it's the former, his 2020 salary would have been $17.8 million. That would make his second tag subsequently worth $21.4 million.

Regardless, especially with the Giants tight against the cap, a long-term deal is the goal with Williams. He is their top priority this offseason.

Williams was their best pass-rusher last season by a wide margin, producing more quarterback hits than the rest of the team's defensive linemen combined.

It was quite the turnaround for the former first-round pick of the New York Jets in his first full season with the Giants. He thrived under coach Joe Judge and in the defensive system of coordinator Patrick Graham.

Williams was credited with half a sack the previous season, which he split between the Giants and the Jets. It was the latest in an unspectacular first five years in the NFL after being the sixth overall selection out of USC in the 2015 NFL draft.

The Giants still traded a pair of midround draft picks for Williams midway through the 2019 season, just months before he was set to become a free agent. They placed the franchise tag on him last offseason.

Williams proved worth his 2020 salary -- and much more -- as one of the most productive defensive linemen in football. He produced the first double-digit sack season of his career, with his previous high being seven in 2016.

For his career, Williams has totaled 323 tackles and 29 sacks.

A University of Texas committee formed in November to investigate the history of "The Eyes of Texas" released a 58-page report Tuesday that says the school song was not written with racist intent but acknowledges that its first public performance was likely by performers in blackface during a minstrel show.

The song, which was written in 1903, is traditionally played at sporting events, including before and after Texas Longhorns football games. In recent years, as history of the song's origins became more well known, it has become a controversial issue for the university, dividing the community.

"These historical facts add complexity and richness to the story of a song that debuted in a racist setting, exceedingly common for the time, but, as the preponderance of research showed, had no racist intent," the report states in its executive summary. "'The Eyes of Texas' should not only unite us, but hold all of us accountable to our institution's core values."

The report recommended that students not be required to sing the song.

During an interview on the Longhorn Network on Tuesday morning, Texas president Jay Hartzell said he hoped the committee's findings provide a thorough understanding of the history of the song for the first time.

"The hope is that everybody will use this report as an opportunity to come forward with the same fact base and be able to have more conversations, certainly including with our student-athletes," Hartzell said.

Hartzell was asked if the song had racist undertones.

"For me, the song itself doesn't," Hartzell said. "But it certainly was present at different times where those undertones existed. You go back to thinking about its first performance in 1903 at a minstrel show. I mean, you cannot deny that that performance has the racial undertones, and overtones, if you will. Hateful things. But on the other hand, if you look at the way, to me, the song was composed, written and designed. ... It was not designed for that."

Last June, many Texas athletes shared a group statement through social media calling for changes to make the campus more inclusive, including replacing "The Eyes of Texas," in large part due to its origin, and a requirement that athletes no longer be required to sing it. Early in the football season, players refused to stay on the field for the song, before changing course in October after athletic director Chris Del Conte met with the team and said he expected the Longhorns to stand together to honor the fans.

Hartzell addressed some of the attacks that players faced on social media over their stance.

"I really feel for [them for] some of the vitriol they've faced and suffered from," Hartzell said. "I think it's unfair and they were doing what they should do. They used their voice. We're in a better place now than we were before because of them. ... I wish I could protect everybody from hearing things that are hateful, but the best I can, we can denounce it and come to show them love."

Hartzell was asked what the expectations were for athletes going forward.

"My hope is that we'll get to a point where people feel good about staying on the field and honoring each other, whether it's fans in the stands honoring the student-athletes, student-athletes honoring support from the fans," Hartzell said. "But nobody's going to be required or mandated to stay on the field. Or certainly to sing the song."

The committee was chaired by Richard Reddick, professor and associate dean for equity, community engagement and outreach in the College of Education at Texas, and featured 24 members, including students, alumni such as former Texas football star Quan Cosby, current and former members of the Longhorn Band, historians, administrators and professors.

Reddick, who also appeared on the Longhorn Network, said the hardest part of the research was that there won't be any one final resolution.

"There's no smoking gun," Reddick said. "There's nothing that either vindicates or implicates 'The Eyes of Texas.' It is an artifact of the university. It is a part of our history, the history of The University of Texas, Texas, the South, the postbellum Jim Crow South. So all those things are in there."

Key findings of the report include:

• Researchers said they could find no direct link between the signature line "the eyes of Texas are upon you" and anything Robert E. Lee would say to his students at Washington and Lee University, where he was president after the Civil War. The panel determined there is a "very low likelihood" the line originated with Lee.

• The song borrows the melody of "I've Been Working on the Railroad," a song with racist lyrics, most likely because it was already well known and easy to sing.

• Performances at campus minstrel shows with actors in blackface, which continued into the 1960s, are a "painful reality," but the song did not appear to have been composed as a minstrel tune.

• The panel's 40 recommendations include teaching the song's history at student orientation events and allowing new alternative versions composed and/or performed by Black musicians.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

CLEVELAND -- Indians third baseman José Ramírez and slugger Franmil Reyes have rejoined the team after being banned for breaking COVID-19 protocols.

The players tested negative for the virus on Tuesday and were back at the team's facility in Goodyear, Arizona. They are scheduled to play in Wednesday's exhibition against the Los Angeles Angels.

Ramírez and Reyes had been isolated at their temporary spring training homes since Saturday after they went out to dinner indoors, a behavior that violated virus guidelines set last season by Major League Baseball and the players' union.

Indians manager Terry Francona said the team followed the guidelines and reported the violation.

It's the second time Reyes has broken the rules. Last year, he attended a July Fourth party without wearing a mask and the team learned of his violation from a social media posting.

On Friday, Reyes went to get a haircut after the Indians played the Chicago Cubs in an exhibition game in Mesa, Arizona, and then he and Ramírez joined others for dinner.

It's not known if Ramírez and Reyes will face further discipline from the Indians. The team had a similar situation last season when right-handers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger broke team rules by going to dinner when the team was in Chicago.

The team put both players on the restricted list and sent them to the Indians' alternate training site. Clevinger was traded a few weeks later to San Diego.

Plesac had little to say about the recent violations.

"We're just excited to have them back. I know they're ready to come back and put their full effort in. I'll leave it at that," he said Monday after pitching three innings against Seattle. "We're going to continue to have their back and work hard."

Ramírez is Cleveland's best all-around player. He finished second in AL MVP voting last season after batting .292 with 17 homers and 46 RBI in 58 games.

Reyes will be the Indians' full-time designated hitter this season. He hit nine homers with 34 RBI last season. In 2019, he hit 37 homers combined for Cleveland and San Diego.

As Opening Day of the 2021 MLB season approaches, fans across the country will soon return to their home teams' ballparks -- in most cases for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

But there will be limitations -- particularly when it comes to capacity -- that won't be uniform across the league. State and local governments will have a lot of say in determining how many fans can safely attend live sporting events (if any), a figure likely to change with fluctuations in the spread of COVID-19 and vaccination rates.

Last season, all regular-season games and most postseason contests were played in front of empty stands. During the National League Championship Series and World Series, both held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, fans were allowed to attend in limited numbers representing about 28% of the stadium's full capacity.

While firm plans haven't yet been released by all 30 MLB teams, here's the latest on what we know about each individual club's plans, proposals and protocols.

We'll keep this file updated as more details become available.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chase Field

Home opener: April 9 vs. Reds

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 12,000 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Diamondbacks recently received approval to allow for 25% capacity at their Phoenix stadium to begin the season, and they will do so with pod seating separated by six feet. The team began offering those seats to season-ticket holders dating back to the start of February in anticipation of eventually getting approval. D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall, speaking during Fox Sports Arizona's broadcast of Sunday's spring training game against the Cubs, said: "Hopefully, things will go smooth, we'll see these numbers continue to go down and we can offer many more seats in the second, third, fourth month, if we can."

Atlanta Braves

Truist Park

Home opener: April 9 vs. Phillies

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? TBD

What you need to know: Fans are expected to be allowed to attend games, the Braves said, but the team has yet to provide specifics on capacity restrictions. More details are expected by mid-March.

Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Home opener: April 8 vs. Red Sox

Fans allowed on Opening Day? TBD

What you need to know: The Orioles are in discussions with local public health officials but have not announced any concrete plans for welcoming fans in 2021. Daily COVID-19 positive rates in the state of Maryland were at 3.9% on Sunday, down from 5.3% a month earlier.

Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Orioles

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 4,500 (12% capacity)

What you need to know: Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Feb. 25 that the state would enter into Phase 4 of its reopening plan in late March, which would allow the Red Sox to operate at 12% capacity by the start of April. Fenway Park will stop functioning as a mass vaccination site before then. The team will announce more detailed plans regarding ticket rollouts and health and safety protocols at a later date.

Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field

Home opener: April 1 vs. Pirates

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,300 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: The Cubs and White Sox made a dual presentation to the city of Chicago and state of Illinois proposing 30% capacity to start the season. They got approval for 20% on Monday. The proposal included contactless payment and mobile ticketing, plus socially distanced seating.

Chicago White Sox

Guaranteed Rate Field

Home opener: April 8 vs. Royals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,100 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: The Sox and Cubs requested 30% capacity but were approved for only 20%. The Sox will have seating pods from one to six fans, will add numerous hand sanitizing stations around the park and will prohibit bags except for small clutch purses, medical bags or diaper bags when infants are present.

Cincinnati Reds

Great American Ballpark

Home opener: April 1 vs. Cardinals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 12,700 (30% capacity)

What you need to know: The Reds are allowing 30% capacity to start the season with typical social distancing measures in place, including smaller pod seating, contactless forms of payment and a mask mandate, unless actively eating or drinking. Backpacks will be banned, as well.

Cleveland Indians

Progressive Field

Home opener: April 5 vs. Royals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,500 (30% capacity)

What you need to know: The Indians are allowing 30% capacity to start the season and will work month to month on increasing max attendance. Season-ticket holders will get priority access to ducats in pods of two or four. Usual social distancing measures will be implemented in addition to cashless transactions. Gates will open one hour before first pitch.

Colorado Rockies

Coors Field

Home opener: April 1 vs. Dodgers

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 12,500 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved a 25% capacity at Denver's Coors Field beginning on Opening Day, with concrete plans forthcoming. In a statement, the Rockies said conditions will continue to be monitored, "with the hope of safely adding to the capacity number in the future."

The Rockies have launched an informational page on their website outlining the safety protocols that will be put in place at Coors Field, including reverse ATMs for cashless transactions and a strict mask policy. Following MLB rules, players will not be allowed to sign autographs or toss baseballs into the stands.

Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Indians

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 1,000

What you need to know: Right now, the Tigers are allowed to have more fans -- 2,000 -- at their spring training site in Florida than will be allowed (1,000) in Detroit. State guidelines are preventing them from having more, but in an ever-changing landscape, the numbers could increase before Opening Day. With so few fans inside Comerica Park, socially distanced seating in pods should not be hard to maintain.

Houston Astros

Minute Maid Park

Home opener: April 8 vs. A's

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? TBD

What you need to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on March 2 that lifted the state's mask mandate and allowed all businesses and facilities to open at 100%. That gives the Astros the ability to welcome fans at full capacity to begin the season, but the team is still evaluating its plans and hopes to have those finalized by the end of the week.

Kansas City Royals

Kauffman Stadium

Home opener: April 1 vs. Rangers

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,000 (30% capacity)

What you need to know: The Royals will start the season allowing 30% capacity, with plans to increase attendance monthly. Season-ticket holders will have priority access to tickets beginning this week, while the general public will get their chance to purchase them for the first month of the season beginning March 24. Kauffman Stadium has been reconfigured for pod-style seating.

Los Angeles Angels

Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Home opener: April 1 vs. White Sox

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? Approximately 8,650 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: Orange County is expected to soon move from the Purple tier to the Red tier, which, under California Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent mandate, would allow MLB stadiums to operate at 20% capacity as of the start of April. The Orange tier would increase the capacity to 33%, and the Yellow tier would move it to 67%. The Angels have yet to announce specific plans on safety protocols or ticket distribution.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium

Home opener: April 9 vs. Nationals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? Approximately 11,200 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: The Dodgers said Friday they would announce specifics around ticket policy and health and safety protocols "in the coming days." California Gov. Newsom announced earlier that Red tier counties can host fans at MLB stadiums at 20% capacity beginning in April, validating the optimism expressed by Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten a few weeks earlier. Los Angeles County is projected to move from the more restrictive Purple tier to the Red tier soon.

Miami Marlins

Marlins Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Rays

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 9,200 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Marlins are allowing 25% capacity to begin the season, with digital-only access to tickets. Free-flow parking will be instituted to allow contactless payments. Ticket holders will have a time and gate for entry into the ballpark with usual social distancing guidelines being adhered to. Mobile, preordered food from concession stands will be allowed to reduce lines in the concourse.

Milwaukee Brewers

American Family Field

Home opener: April 1 vs. Twins

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,475 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Brewers are allowing 25% capacity beginning on Opening Day. They hope to "work toward increasing the capacity if the health metrics continue to improve," according to Brewers president of business operations Rich Schlesinger. Usual social distancing practices will be implemented, including "right way" walking through the concourse. Attendees can only watch the game from their assigned seats, while congregating near the first two rows of the field is prohibited.

Minnesota Twins

Target Field

Home opener: April 8 vs. Mariners

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Maybe

How many? Current goal is approximately 10,000 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: Talks are ongoing after the Twins put forth an initial proposal to state officials.

New York Mets

Citi Field

Home opener: April 8 vs. Marlins

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 4,200 (10% capacity)

What you need to know: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Feb. 10 that stadiums seating at least 10,000 fans can open at 10% capacity, giving the Mets and Yankees the green light to welcome fans at the onset of the 2021 regular season. Per state guidelines, staff and spectators must receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of an event in order to attend. The teams are still working through details on the protocols that will be implemented.

New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium

Home opener: April 1 vs. Blue Jays

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 5,400 (10% capacity)

What you need to know: See Mets above. (The Yankees, for their part, called the governor's announcement "an encouraging first step" in a statement.)

Oakland Athletics

Oakland Coliseum

Home opener: April 1 vs. Astros

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? Approximately 9,400 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: In anticipation of Alameda County soon moving into California's Red tier, the A's announced several policies and protocols that will be in place for fans to return to the Oakland Coliseum, beginning at 20% capacity, including: pod seating in groups of two or four; ticket sales restricted to California residents; face masks required at all times, except when eating or drinking; mobile-only ticketing and cashless transactions; concession items ordered only through smartphones; and no tailgating.

Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Braves

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,600 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: Seating pods at 20% capacity will be for two, three or four people, with limited pods available for five or six. Only tickets for the first 19 games, through early May, will be available initially. Tickets for the rest of the home schedule will go on sale in early April with a hope to increase attendance by then. All areas of the ballpark accessed by fans will be cleaned and disinfected before, during and after each game by a newly created "Clean Team" utilizing processes and products approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, specifically for use against COVID-19. Hand sanitizing stations also will be widely available.

Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park

Home opener: April 8 vs. Cubs

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Maximum of 7,600 (about 20% capacity)

What you need to know: PNC Park will allow for 20% capacity, but that includes everyone inside the stadium -- including employees. The Pirates have yet to announce how many fans will be part of that 20%. Usual social distancing and pod seating protocols will be part of the guidelines when they are announced.

San Diego Padres

Petco Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Diamondbacks

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? Approximately 8,000 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: San Diego County will be given the green light to host fans at 20% capacity at Petco Park so long as it moves from California's Purple tier to the Red tier by the end of March, and current trends support that possibility. As part of a statement, Padres CEO Erik Greupner wrote: "We expect that Padres fans will be able to support our team in-person beginning on Opening Day." Season-ticket holders will receive priority access to games, the Padres announced, as will undoubtedly be the case for every team.

San Francisco Giants

Oracle Park

Home opener: April 9 vs. Rockies

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,250 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: San Francisco is currently operating in California's Red tier, which, under the new mandates from the governor, would give the Giants the ability to host fans at 20% capacity. "In the coming days," the team said Friday, "the Giants will submit our operational plans for review and approval by the local health officials and we eagerly look forward to safely welcoming fans back to Oracle Park."

Seattle Mariners

T-Mobile Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Giants

Fans allowed on Opening Day? TBD

How many? TBD

What you need to know: The Mariners are in contact with local health officials and remain hopeful about the possibility of welcoming fans early in the season. New York Times data recently showed that King County, which includes Seattle, has the second-lowest COVID-19 rate among the 100 most-populated counties in the United States.

St. Louis Cardinals

Busch Stadium

Home opener: April 8 vs. Brewers

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 14,600 (32% capacity)

What you need to know: The Cardinals are allowing 32% capacity to begin the season. Social distancing rules will apply, with pod seating of four or fewer fans. Cashless transactions and mobile ticketing will be required by those wishing to attend. There will be six designated entry and exit gates, with no reentry allowed. Only medical or diaper bags will be allowed in the ballpark. Season-ticket holders will be allowed first opportunity to secure tickets to the first two homestands.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tropicana Field

Home opener: April 9 vs. Yankees

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? Probably 7,000 (16% capacity)

What you need to know: The Rays said earlier in the year they hoped to accommodate 7,000 fans a game, and there has been no word since on whether that number has changed. The Rays also scrapped season-ticket locations in an effort to ensure socially distant seating, announcing instead a model that allows fans to choose from six "season membership" levels, with prices ranging from $500 to $20,000.

Texas Rangers

Globe Life Field

Home opener: April 5 vs. Blue Jays

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Likely

How many? TBD

What you need to know: The Rangers hosted fans at Globe Life Field for two postseason rounds in October, limiting capacity to roughly 11,000 fans (less than 30% capacity). In a statement issued last week, Rangers COO Neil Leibman said he was "encouraged" by Texas Gov. Abbott's executive order lifting the state's mask mandate and allowing businesses to operate at 100% capacity, adding that the team "will work through the necessary operational logistics to put the required protocols and health measures in place."

Toronto Blue Jays

TD Ballpark (Dunedin, Florida)

Home opener: April 8 vs. Angels

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 1,275 (15% capacity)

What you need to know: The Jays will play their first two homestands at their spring training facility because of Canadian government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Capacity will be limited to 15% at their renovated facility, which seats 8,500 under normal circumstances. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said Feb. 18 that the team might move back to Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York (where the Jays played the majority of their home games last season), around June to avoid the heat and humidity in Florida. The hope is that the Blue Jays will then return to Rogers Centre in Toronto for the second half of the season.

Washington Nationals

Nationals Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Mets

Fans allowed on Opening Day? No -- for now

What you need to know: While the Nats were approved to open their ballpark this season by the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, no fans will be allowed. However, the rate of the virus' spread and the vaccination rate could change that. News on ticket sales to fans is expected in mid-March.

British governing body announces that any competitions under their rules must comply to global guidance

UK Athletics has announced today (March 9) that the World Athletics rules concerning footwear are to be implemented across all competitions which are held under UKA rules.

Guidance from athletics’ global governing body, amended in December, which provides criteria to be met for results and performances to be deemed legal, indicated the measures would only apply to “Senior or Junior National Championships”.

However, UKA has insisted that any competition held under their rules will be treated in the same fashion, outlining that though footwear will be policed by officials, the responsibility for complying will lie first and foremost with the athletes.

A statement from UK Athletics read, in part: “While World Athletics require that the amendments apply to all ‘Senior or Junior National Championships’ and are not mandated to be applied below this level, after consultation with the Technical Advisory Group and others, the UKA Rules Group has determined that it is appropriate that the amendments to the Rule should apply to all competitions held under UKA rules both as a matter of fairness and also due to the range of events within the UK where qualifying mark, selections standards and records can be set.”

The statement added: “Adhering to these rules is therefore a sport-wide responsibility that starts primarily with the athlete. Whilst the excellent officials working within our sport will be part of this process, athletes will need to take responsibility to ensure that their shoes conform to the rules and understand that event officials will have the right to check shoes and take appropriate action.”

READ MORE: How to choose the right running shoes

Footwear has been a huge and controversial topic in athletics following the technological advances which have shown to improve performance, first in road events but also now on the track.

The latest list of approved competition shoes can be found here

You can find the full details of World Athletics’ amended Rule 5.2 of their Technical Rules here

Injured Wales flanker Alisha Butchers has called for greater education of insurance issues in women's semi-professional rugby.

But she admits to being unaware her contract stated Bristol's insurance would not cover all the treatment.

Butchers has since covered all the costs via online fundraising and says "more clarity" is needed on the issue.

She will miss the Women's Six Nations, which has been postponed until April, while recovering from the injury and is grateful Bristol contributed towards the cost of the surgery.

Butchers added: "The remainder of the cost was just too high for me to be able to personally afford.

"Therefore I thought the best decision for me was to do the GoFundMe page, not only to raise the funds but also to raise a little bit of awareness around the situation.

"Basically, it wasn't within my contract that Bristol were liable for my medical cover, so that's probably my own fault for not being aware of that and being as up to date with that as I should have been.

"But like I said, Bristol has been able to donate towards the operation which obviously I'm very, very grateful for.

"I think just going forward, more and more players need to be more aware of what they're doing, before they actually sign anything."

The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) says it "categorically supports" Butchers' call for increased education for Premier 15s players on what they call "vital matters".

But the RPA adds that it is up to clubs and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to provide funding for that education.

"Due to restricted resources we can only currently represent full-time professional female players in the England 7s and 15s programmes," an RPA statement said.

"So this education sits with the RFU and the clubs. We are seeking increased resources to broaden our representation as the Premier 15s continues its exciting development, but there is an RFU standard contract that stipulates the medical cover in place for the players and so that obligation should be applied."

Butchers says she had taken out medical insurance, but discovered it did not cover her circumstances.

"A normal person could go to a normal health insurance company and get medical insurance and that is what I did," she said.

"So I did have medical insurance when I got injured. However, because I'm classed as a semi-professional player that insurance then became void because I receive payments.

"And because of this reason my insurance company weren't then able to fund me or be able to help me in any way.

"And I don't think a lot of players are actually aware of that or if you do receive any types of payments from your club, then you need to get a different type of insurance than just a normal policy from an insurance company. It needs to be form a sports specific insurance company."

Butchers believes she is not alone in such a situation, saying: "There are a few girls now who are probably in the same boat as me having to fundraise for the money.

"It just shows there needs to be more clarity around this issue and players need to be made aware of what they need to do in order to have that cover when it is needed, even if that is purchasing their own medical insurance from specific providers, and whatever that may be."

She also believes there is a need to raise awareness of the potential shortfalls in insurance for semi-professional women players.

"It's an issue the players definitely could be more educated on," said Butchers.

"Before this I was definitely not educated on the situation and just kind of turned up to training and played and was kind of carefree about it.

"Now I think I'm a lot more switched on and alert and would like to think I wouldn't be in a situation like this again where I wouldn't be covered by an insurance or by a club."

Bristol Bears Women and the RFU have been asked to comment.

Cornish Pirates hooker Dan Frost says the Championship is underestimated by the Rugby Football Union.

The league, which restarted after a 12-month Covid-19 hiatus last week, saw its funding reduced in February 2020.

"I just think there's no respect towards the Championship," Frost told the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

No team will be relegated from the Premiership this season, while the Championship winners will be promoted to the top flight - raising concerns that the top tier could be ringfenced.

The RFU slashed central funding to second-tier clubs before the pandemic, with money dropping from about £534,000 per year to 2015 levels of £288,000 per club from the 2022-23 season onwards.

"The amount of players that it produces for the Premiership - players like Sam Simmonds have come from here, Sam Matavesi's just gone to Northampton and played for Fiji - there's so much hidden talent that doesn't get picked up and the Championship's the perfect place," said Frost.

"As a forward my set-piece has gone through the roof just from being in this league. It's such a tough league and you learn so much from it and I just think it's underestimated by the RFU."

Frost was part of a Pirates pack that dominated a Saracens set of forwards that included South Africa World Cup winner Vincent Koch, the USA's Kapeli Pifeleti, former Scotland lock Tim Swinson and seasoned top-flight players like Mike Rhodes and Jackson Wray.

"We're underfunded and it's really disappointing," added Frost.

"I feel that if the RFU did fund it it'd be much more competitive for the teams coming down."

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League tie against Barcelona after failing to recover from a thigh problem in time.

Neymar, 29, has been sidelined since picking up the injury in the French Cup win over second division side Caen on Feb. 10.

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The Brazil international returned to light training a few days ago but PSG confirmed on Tuesday that this week's second leg against Barca in the round-of-16 of the Champions League comes too soon.

Neymar, who joined PSG from Barca for a world record €222 million fee in 2017, also missed the first leg at Camp Nou, when Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as the French champions won 4-1.

"He's very sad," PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said when Neymar was denied the chance to play against his former side last month.

"He was really looking forward to going to Barcelona. He loves Barcelona. He's a player who loves to play these games, he's made for them."

Sources have told ESPN that Pochettino considered adding him to the squad but didn't want to take any risks and Neymar agreed with the decision.

Neymar has regularly suffered injuries at this stage of the season, missing Champions League eliminations against Real Madrid and Manchester United in 2018 and 2019 respectively with fitness issues.

However, he was fit for the latter stages of last year's competition, helping PSG reach the final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich.

Information from ESPN's Julien Laurens has been included in this report.