Los Angeles Dodgers star Justin Turner will not face punishment for leaving isolation to celebrate his team's World Series victory last month, despite testing positive for coronavirus.
The Dodgers were on the verge of winning the MLB World Series in Game 6 when third baseman Turner was removed from the game in the eighth inning due to the team receiving word that he had returned a positive COVID-19 test in October.
Turner was placed in a room with his wife Kourtney, where the couple watched Los Angeles clinch a 3-1 win and 4-2 series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays – the Dodgers' first World Series title since 1988.
During the celebration, Turner was seen on the field in close contact with team-mates, sometimes with his mask removed.
The MLB announced the end of its investigation into Turner's conduct on Friday, with commissioner Rob Manfred saying no further action would be taken.
"We all have made mistakes as we navigated these unprecedented challenges and have tried to learn from those mistakes so they are not repeated," Manfred said in a statement.
"With this in mind, I am closing this matter by applauding Justin for accepting responsibility, apologising and making a commitment to set a positive example going forward."
Despite Turner's behaviour – which he has since admitted was wrong and regrettable – MLB did take some responsibility and acknowledge other mitigating factors.
"Our investigation revealed additional relevant information that, while not exonerating Mr. Turner from responsibility for his conduct, helps put into context why he chose to leave the isolation room and return to the field," Manfred said.
Two Dodgers employees were stationed outside Turner's isolation room. When the 2017 All-Star left to return to the field to celebrate, he mistook the employees' inaction for permission.
Manfred conceded in his statement that a league employee should have been given explicit instructions to keep Turner in isolation or take him directly to the team hotel.
Many of Turner's team-mates thought they had already been exposed enough to him in the previous hours and days that isolation was pointless. Turner was also told by an unidentified person that some of his team-mates had also received positive COVID-19 tests, leading him to believe he was being singled out.
Due to this confusion – and Turner's contrition after the fact – Manfred decided not to punish the 12-year veteran.
"Mr. Turner has publicly recognised that his conduct was wrong and has expressed remorse for that conduct," Manfred said. "I have spoken to him personally and I know that he is extraordinarily upset by the incident.
"By all accounts, Justin is a leader in the clubhouse, a contributor to his community and a responsible person who was instrumental in the Dodgers diligently following the health protocols all season long."
Turner, a member of both Dodgers' teams that lost in the World Series in 2017 and 2018, was a candidate for World Series MVP, ultimately won by Corey Seager.
The 2017 National League Championship Series (NLCS) hit .320 with two home runs and four doubles in the World Series and is the franchise's career postseason leader in hits, runs, doubles, home runs and RBI.
"In hindsight, I should have waited until the field was clear of others to take that photo with my wife," Turner said. "I sincerely apologise to everyone on the field for failing to appreciate the risks of returning to the field.
"I have spoken with almost every team-mate, coach, and staff member, and my intentions were never to make anyone uncomfortable or put anyone at further risk."
Six Nations 2021: France v Scotland postponed due to coronavirus outbreak
France's Six Nations clash with Scotland in Paris has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak within the hosts' squad.
Earlier on Thursday, it was announced France had suspended training ahead of the fixture at Stade de France due to a further COVID-19 case.
Tournament organisers had said 24 hours earlier that the match would still take place despite the situation developing within France's squad.
However, following the latest development, a Six Nations spokesperson confirmed to Stats Perform News that the game will not take place.
A Six Nations statement, as reported by the Guardian, read: "The Six Nations testing oversight group (TOG) met today to review the situation in the French camp.
"They unanimously recommended the postponement of the France v Scotland match. This will be ratified later today by the Six Nations Council.
"We will be working on the rescheduling of this fixture and will communicate the date in due course."
Captain Charles Ollivon, scrum-half Antoine Dupont and Brice Dulin were among the French players to have tested positive, while head coach Fabien Galthie also contracted the virus following the 15-13 win over Ireland in Dublin.
France were originally given the go-ahead to resume high-intensity training after no further positive tests were returned on Wednesday, but it remains to seen now when the fixture will be held.
Next weekend's rest period is thought to be considered a risk due to the ongoing situation within the French squad.
Les Bleus have won two out of two in the tournament so far, with Scotland following up an opening win against England at Twickenham with a home defeat to Wales.
Five Inter staff members test positive for coronavirus
Inter have confirmed that five members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.
Managing directors Alessandro Antonello and Giuseppe Marotta, sporting director Piero Ausilio and lawyer Angelo Capellini have all returned positive tests.
An unspecified member of the Serie A leaders' technical staff has also tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement on Inter's official website read: "All coaches and the entire team will follow the procedures set out in the health protocol."
Inter will be desperate to ensure that this outbreak does not spread to their first-team squad or coaches.
The Italians extended their lead at the summit of table to four points with a 3-0 win over city rivals Milan last time out.
With no European commitments over the remainder of the season, Antonio Conte's men are strong favourites to end an 11-year wait for the title.
They last lifted the Scudetto during Jose Mourinho's spell at the club in 2010, which also brought European Cup success.
Juventus, who have won the last nine Serie A titles, sit eight points back in third place with a game in hand.
Inter are next in action on Sunday, when they face Genoa at the San Siro.
Six Nations 2021: France v Scotland to go ahead following negative COVID tests
The Six Nations clash between France and Scotland is set to go ahead as scheduled on Sunday after a second successive days of no new positive COVID-19 tests within Les Bleus' squad.
There were major doubts over whether the round three encounter at Stade de France could be staged following a COVID-19 outbreak in the France camp.
Captain Charles Ollivon, scrum-half Antoine Dupont and Brice Dulin were among a host of players to test positive, while head coach Fabien Galthie also contracted the virus following the win over Ireland.
The French Rugby Federation on Wednesday revealed that there have been no more positive tests and the squad were able to resume high-intensity training.
Leaders France have therefore been given the green light to try and make it three wins out of three in Paris this weekend.
A Six Nations statement said: "Further to a meeting of the Six Nations Testing Oversight Group (TOG) this morning to review the latest tests results of the French Squad, the Six Nations confirm the plans to stage the France v Scotland match as originally scheduled this coming Sunday.
"We continue to monitor the situation very closely and are in regular contact with both unions."
Les Bleus are level on nine points with Wales, who face defending champions England at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Ireland take on Italy in the first game of the weekend at the Stadio Olimpico in what will be a battle of sides who have lost both matches.
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