Best April Fools sports spoofs of 2016

The sports world tripped over itself to deliver the best spoofs on April 1 to mark the annual Fools Day.

Here are some samples of what sports editors and some organisations came up with as imaginations ran wild.

Citizen Digital

World athletics governing body, the IAAF is discussing a change in rules at its competitions that will see athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia together with runners of their descent competing for other nations start distance races from 10000m to the full marathon a minute behind the rest of the field.

This, according to IAAF President, Lord Sebastian Coe will reignite falling interests of athletics rich markets of Europe, Asia and America in distance running.

“Already, commercial interest in events such as the World Cross Country Championships and World Half Marathon Championships decline sharply in the last decade.

Goal.com

Jose Mourinho has been named the new head coach of Nigeria following the departure of interim Samson Siasia.

Mourinho signed a four-year contract to take charge of the Super Eagles, while Mutiu Adepoju, Kanu Nwankwo and Peter Rufai join him as his backroom staff.

The former Chelsea coach will be tasked with qualifying Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup having missed out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Gabon.

Goal.com

In a twist of fate that could yet bring succour to Nigeria and Tanzania, the Chadian Football Federation has rescinded its decision to withdraw from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers if Caf would accept it back.

The Chadians announced this news via their official website on Thursday evening, four days after they threw Group G into disarray with their decision to drop out of qualifying due to financial constraints.

Looking at the financial implications of withdrawing which has attracted a $20,000 fine from Caf, the Chad federation said it thought it wise to remain in the competition rather than spend the money on a fine.

Yahoo! Sports

Leicester City’s Premier League title chase could suffer a major setback today as a newly-created UEFA committee decide whether to deduct points from them.

The Complete Results Alteration Panel was hastily put together to safeguard the investment of big clubs who have spent big but might not get a place in the Champions League – or any subsequent breakaway European Super League.

They meet for the first time today and among their proposals are a minimum points guarantee to all clubs who have spent in excess of £100m on players and a capped points total for smaller clubs.

They have the power to redistribute points with immediate effect which could not only mean Leicester lose points from wins against Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham but Chelsea would regain all points lost to smaller clubs and immediately go back into the top four.

German Embassy

The German government today announced a new policy to establish rugby as the country’s new national sport.

At the unveiling of the far-reaching measures that will see rugby become an integral part of German culture, government spokesperson G. Flügel stated that the country would “focus all attention and efforts on winning the 7 Nations Championship.”

Speaking to the gathered journalist at a press conference in Berlin on Friday 1 April, Flügel outlined that negotiations to expand the 6 Nations into a 7 nations event were still ongoing.

According to Flügel, the initiative was initially due to be announced following the culmination of the Bundesliga season on 14 May, however defeat to England in Berlin on 26 March had brought the announcement forward.

Liverpool Echo

High-street shoppers in Liverpool were left looking on in disbelief as Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp and Everton manager Roberto Martinez compete in dance-off battle.

The footage, shot inside HMV by Joe King shows Klopp and Martinez throw some off-the-wall shapes as they begin to attract attention from customers.

An onlooker said: “I went into HMV to buy the Little Mix album. Next minute, I looked up and Klopp and Martinez were having a dance off – It was incredible.”

News Hub

Tennis is already played on grass, clay, and hard courts, but could timber be the next surface?

It is if you believe the Australian Open’s latest tweet on the future of the Asia-Pacific Grand Slam tournament.

BREAKING: Timber surface to debut at #AusOpen 2017!https://t.co/xFFBSRrexL

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) March 31, 2016

“The Australian Open will become the world’s only timber court tournament, once again reinventing the game.

“Experience the difference for yourself at Australian Open 2017.”

Before you get swept away in the breaking news announcement, don’t forget the video was posted on April 1.

News Australia

Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au announced it has suspended betting on the existence of extra-terrestrial life. The decision was made after having some legitimate close encounters with new account holders wagering supernatural amounts at odds of $501. Sportsbet has also, as a result of the abnormal betting signs, beamed in the price of Australia having first contact with the otherworldly beings from $7.50 into $2.50. “We’ve gone were no bookie has gone before and declared the truth IS out there and suspended betting on their existence,” said Sportsbet.com.aufo’s conspiracy correspondent Will Byrne.

Daily Mail

Idris Elba has swapped his crime thriller charm for a serious case of hilarity as he has taken part in a hilarious Luther mockumentary for Comic Relief.

The 43-year-old – who will return as the titular character, DCI John Luther – will be joined by the likes of Lenny Henry, Rio Ferdinand, David Haye, Denise Lewis, Cecilia Noble, Louis Smith, Ruth Wilson and Ian Wright.

This special one off sketch that will be shown as part of a star studded night of Sport Relief TV on the BBC, hosted by Gary Lineker, David Walliams and Claudia Winkleman, on Friday 18th March.