Daily sports briefs | Under-fire Novak Djokovic receives support, reports of unrest at Barcelona and Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup revelation.

SERBIA PM DEFENDS DJOKOVIC

While Novak Djokovic continues to face a serious backlash following the handling of his disastrous Adria Tour event a few weeks ago, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic (try pronouncing that) has come out and defended the world No 1 in a public show of support. As most self-respecting sports fans already know, Djokovic among others tested positive for Covid-19 after his event with videos of a post-tournament party revealing a disturbing lack of social distancing exasperating the discontent of the public at his lack of responsibility. Brnabic though saw it in a different light ... “He tried to do something good for the whole region. To put politics aside and help young and non-established tennis players, as well as to raise money for humanitarian purposes."

MYTWOCENTS VERDICT: Novak probably did have good intentions but was extremely naive and ignorant to be involved in the post-match party and ignore social distancing rules. People’s lives were put at risk.

BARCA FALL OUT GATHERS STEAM - MYTWOCENTS HAS A SOLUTION!

With Barcelona surrendering their lead at the top of La Liga over the weekend to bitter rivals Real Madrid, things are not looking too rosy at the Camp Nou. Reports that major players including Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi had fallen out with manager Quique Setien forced Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu to take the unusual step of visiting the home of Setien on Monday in an attempt to restore some calm.
Dead man walking ...

MYTWOCENTS VERDICT: There are only 6 games left in the season and it's unlikely that the Barca hierarchy would take the risk of changing managers at this late stage. We think that the situation could not be any worse and that a change, even now, is necessary. One of the best managers in the world is waiting in the wings ... MAURICIO POCHETTINO! Players love him, he has experience and he comes from the same country as Lionel Messi. Poch would get Barca firing immediately.

FALDO FADES RYDER CUP

Golf legend and TV commentator Nick Faldo accidentally let slip on air that the Ryder Cup originally scheduled for later this year will be postponed until next year.
"Given these three victories since lockdown for three top American players, perhaps it's just as well that the Ryder Cup has been postponed and won't be held until next year."
OOPS!

MYTWOCENTS VERDICT: While the news will come as no surprise, Faldo can expect a wrap over the knuckles as the press release had yet to be made. Ultimately it was the players (who don't get paid for the event) not wanting to risk their health without the atmosphere of the spectators and also the hosts, the PGA Tour of America, who weren't keen on the $40mln hit to revenue a spectator-less Ryder Cup would have entailed.