Shorts: Formula 1, West Ham, Anfield Wrap

Next year’s Chinese Grand Prix has been cancelled by Formula 1 because of the country’s ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The Shanghai race was due to return in April for the first time since 2019.

Protests have been held in China in recent days over its ‘zero Covid’ policies, which include regular lockdowns and isolation imposed on infected people and contacts.

F1 says it would not be able to operate normally in China and cannot justify risks to staff involved in travelling.

Loughborough University has become the official higher education partner of West Ham United Women – the first partnership of its kind in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

The long-term partnership will see West Ham United Women benefit from the full scope of the University’s expertise which includes research, athlete education programmes, performance support expertise, access to sports facilities, and integrating Loughborough’s students through internship opportunities. 

Aidan Boxall, West Ham United Women’s General Manager, said, “We are absolutely delighted to announce this partnership between West Ham United Women and Loughborough University.

“We believe this partnership can be a game changer for our Club, women’s football and women’s sport over the next three years – specifically, through providing academic support to our players and allowing them to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, as well as exploring research opportunities to gather more data on women’s football and aid our performances on the pitch.”

Fan media organisation The Anfield Wrap has announced Bavarian wheat beer brewery ERDINGER as its lead partner ahead of the launch of a new five-episode documentary series named ‘JÜRGEN‘, focusing on Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp.

ERDINGER, that already works with Jürgen Klopp as an official ambassador, has agreed its first brand partnership in English football. 

ERDINGER’s branding will feature on all five episodes of the new documentary, as well as working with The Anfield Wrap on brand marketing activity and collaborative events in England and Germany.