Michael Houston: FIFA World Cup qualifying only gets odder with COVID-19 controversies

Iran's men's national football team hit a new high at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, narrowly missing the knockout rounds of the competition.
Iran's men's national football team hit a new high at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, narrowly missing the knockout rounds of the competition.
Former United States judoka Christina Yannetsos has described how she was adversely affected for several months after contracting COVID-19 while working on the medical frontline.
For elite sportsmen and women across the world the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed huge challenges as they have had to forego competition and strive to keep themselves mentally and physically prepared for the day when their events are restored.
Six badminton players have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) centre of excellence.
United States President Joe Biden declared his support for Japan staging the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games during a meeting with Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga.
The International Sambo Federation (FIAS) has expanded its online training tips programmes with more practical exercises available in three languages.
The Americas boxing qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been cancelled due to concerns coronavirus-related travel restrictions would stop some athletes reaching Buenos Aires to take part.
The Diamond League today confirmed that the British venue of Gateshead has stepped in to host the opening event of the 2021 programme on May 23 in place of Rabat.
Players at this year's Copa América are set to receive the Chinese Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine before the start of the tournament after the company agreed to donate 50,000 doses to the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
Cancelling this year's rearranged Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo could still be an option if the COVID-19 situation worsens, according to the second-ranked member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
World Para Athletics has updated its 2021 competition calendar following the cancellation of the Grand Prix meeting that had been due to take place in Paris from May 5 to 7 because of local COVID-19 restrictions.
Customers who purchased tickets for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics through the authorised ticket reseller (ATR) in the United States may only receive a 75 per cent refund on the cost of their package.
The Men's World Curling Championship in Calgary has been given permission to resume later today, after a COVID-19 outbreak forced the competition to be put on hold.
The National Hockey League (NHL) has extended its regular season schedule through to May 16, following a recent COVID-19 outbreak among the Vancouver Canucks team.
The International Basketball Federation will allocate tickets for the 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz in Austria to fans using a lottery system.