Guidance on how elite athletes can safely return to training has been issued by funding body UK Sport, with its chief executive Sally Munday insisting ultimately the decision on when to resume is a "personal one" for the competitors themselves.

The protocols have been put together following consultation involving athletes, coaches, chief medical officers, chief executives, performance and operations directors across a range of Olympic, Paralympic and other professional sports.

The guidance is designed to allow each sport to make a risk assessment on when it is safe for training to resume, with Munday accepting that sports will differ greatly on when they can achieve that.

Munday said: "The choice to return to training is also a personal one. Every sport is different and everyone's personal circumstances are different and whilst clearly there are many who are keen to return to training as soon as possible, there are those who will have genuine concerns or personal circumstances that make this challenging.

"As always, we are urging all sports to continue to make the welfare of athletes and staff their number one priority.

"We are therefore asking all sports to work through the guidance carefully, to give confidence to both athletes and support staff that they can 'opt in' to any return to training safely. Ultimately the decision on when to return to organised training must be taken by each sport, in conjunction with relevant training facility providers, understanding all of the complexities and intricacies of individual sports."

England's planned friendly against the Barbarians has been postponed due to coronavirus.

The regular summer fixture was set for June 21 at Twickenham but has been called off, with the Rugby Football Union saying it is hoped the game will still be played in 2020.

"The match is due to be rescheduled to later in the year, subject to government guidelines and broader international match scheduling," a statement read.

Some British Sailing Team athletes are being allowed to sail for the first time in two months.

Government guidance on the phased return to training for elite sports means all watersports, including sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding are now allowed in England.

This is just for solo sailing, though, or with members of your household, so double-handed crews who live apart cannot sail together.

Mark Robinson, RYA Olympic Performance Manager, said: "Sailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding are now permitted outdoor activities in England, and members of the British Sailing Team are delighted to be able to get out sailing again.

"We are also pleased to receive the DCMS guidance for elite sport and we will be working to satisfy its requirements in order to enable us to safely proceed to organised training as soon as possible."

"The British Sailing Team remains very mindful of the risks of Covid-19 and the extra burden any accidents might place on the emergency services, so all athletes have received specific guidance to minimise these risks.

"We intend to heed the Prime Minister's words that we must take small steps and that this is going to be a long and gradual process to get back to normal."

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says he is "desperate" for the Premier League to return, and wants to be back training as soon as possible.

In a statement on Thursday, the Portuguese said: "I have not asked for any delay. I want to train, and I am desperate for the Premier League to return as soon as it is safe to do so, particularly now we are seeing other leagues preparing to return to action.

"I am extremely proud of the way my players have maintained their fitness - they have shown great professionalism, passion and dedication.

"We have all been working extremely hard through remote squad training sessions and isolated running now the pitches are available to use again at the training centre.

"Every player has been extremely committed in terms of their individual work and now we wait for clearance to commence working in small groups again, which I will fully support."

Five substitutes per team will be permitted in the Bundesliga when it returns this weekend, the German Football League (DFL) has announced.

An extraordinary general meeting was held via video conference on Thursday, when the 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 discussed the impact of Covid-19.

Among the matters discussed was the temporary rule change approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) that allows each side up to five substitutes per match.

Clubs decided that replacements "will be increased to five players per team in one match", but the DFL 'Football Commission' "recommends that a maximum of two players be substituted at the same time".

The DFL said: "From now on, each club will have a total of three opportunities to exchange players during a game, including the half-time break."

The general meeting saw the intention "unanimously confirmed with one abstention to carry out the current season 2019/20 including relegation completely, as far as this is legally permissible and, if necessary, to continue beyond June 30 into July."

The league statute was changed so that the DFL committee can, if needs be, extend the season beyond June 30 and determine the beginning of the 2020/21 season, as well as transfers windows within FIFA's framework.

A system to decide the final standings is being developed over the coming fortnight, while matches can be moved to other venues for the remainder of the season due to Covid-19.

The DFL said: "There will also be the opportunity to play a game in another stadium at short notice for overriding imperative legal, organisational and/or security reasons.

"The background to this is that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic also make it possible to develop an infection that is only regional or local, which may make it impossible for a game to be played at the intended location in the short term, while playing at another location."