[Brunhuber:] Welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD this Wednesday. Orlando's Disney World is currently the biosecure bubble for a whole host of U.S. athletes this month so let's bring in CNN "WORLD SPORT's" Patrick Snell. Though, it's not without its concerns.
[Patrick Snell, Cnn Correspondent:] You are spot on there, thank you so much for handing it over to me because it really is no question, so much focus on all things health and safety down there in Florida. Later on Major League Soccer will be resuming its season amid the ongoing pandemic. Already, though, we know that one team and one of the league's top players as well won't be taking part. That's MLS superstar Carlos Vela. It comes as NBA basketball stars have started arriving in Orlando as well as they look to resume their season later on this month. Carolyn Manno joins us on the ground in the Sunshine State. Within the last few minutes I spotted Major League Soccer tweeting, "We are ready." The big question, are they?
[Carolyn Manno, Cnn Sports Correspondent:] We'll find out. I think what they need to be ready for is an ever evolving situation here. This tournament is being called the MLS Is Back tournament but the fact of the matter is you have three clubs with players that have tested positive out of 26 before the tournament has even begun. I did speak with a league executive inside the bubble who told me all the players who tested positive are either asymptomatic or have symptoms that are very mild. Still, that doesn't mean a severe infection couldn't happen down the line. Nashville were scheduled to play later tonight. That game postponed, this after Dallas withdrew after 10 players turned up positive early in the week. Eighteen players will dress; there are 10 to 30 on the roster, so small numbers here. There are 750 players and 500 staff all being tested every other day. They're also going to be tested before every match, so inside this bubble is described as being eerily quiet, everybody is in masks, isolated off the fields. The league hoping this bubble will get stronger and not the opposite over the next few weeks and that the worst is behind them already. Meantime, the NBA, Patrick, will be watching very closely to this as they prepare to resume their season on July 30th, the crews laying down practice courts in what are usually ballrooms. All 22 teams going to check in by week's end. Commissioner Adam Silver warning that an outbreak in the bubble could result in a shutdown.
[Adam Silver, Nba Commissioner:] We won't be surprised when the players come to Orlando if we have some additional players test positive. What will be concerning is once players enter this campus and go through our quarantine period, then if they test positive or we have any positive tests, we would know we have an issue.
[Manno:] Patrick, that is the sentiment that has been echoed by MLS commissioner Don Garber as well. He has said he won't hesitate to shut down this tournament if it becomes unsafe. The question is where is this line of demarcation for what is unsafe?
[Snell:] Thank you so much, Carolyn. Since the return of English football last months, we've been seeing players and officials alike throwing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. This accomplishments renewed focus, trying to level the playing field for everyone in the sport and that also includes managers and coaches, too. More now from CNN "WORLD SPORT" contributor Darren Lewis.
[Darren Lewis, Cnn Correspondent:] Football's governing bodies have announced a new scheme to boost the representation in management. While almost a third of professional players across the country are black or from other ethnic minority populations, those statistics are not reflected in managerial positions.
[Lewis:] They said the new scheme is aimed at broadening the base of coaches on 23 placements with those coaches moving into the dugout.
[Unidentified Male:] I would say the numbers are alarming. Let's not go away from the fact that they are alarming, there's only five or seven in the game. This scheme allows the individuals that are best selected to join these clubs is to work and sort of get their hands dirty in the clubs in terms of the coaching analysis work or the development of players and the development of themselves.
[Lewis:] The EPL say six placements, which includes intensive training, will be handed out to the chairmanship that sits one below the Premier League. The coaching scheme does not extend to the Premier League, which is English football's top tier competition. It's something of which campaigners have been critical.
[Unidentified Male:] I'm a little bit overwhelmed, to be totally honest. We've been in this space before where we've talked about lack of representation in coaching circles but I'm not sure what this addresses. So I'm just a little bit skeptical as to why the Premier League have not opened their doors up and why there seems to be just an entry level for these coaches, six coaches over 23 months, the best part of two years. You know, it strikes a chord to me that will only go so far and I'm just looking and wondering why is it only acceptable to have six coaches and why we cannot progress something that's rolled out right across the leagues and has a little bit more impact as well.
[Lewis:] At present there is only one black manager in the Premier League. That's Nuno Espirito Santo, who coaches the Wolverhampton Wonders. Across English football's 91 professional clubs, only five black or ethnic minority managers. The Premier League and England's football association acknowledge more needs to be done to tackle the situation, particularly at a time when social movements and the current generation are pushing for change. Players across England have been taking a knee to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. It's this kind of action that has shed a light on the issues of systemic racism in both society and across the game. Management and coaching, well, they're just two of the areas in need of dire change. The success of the new scheme will be something that fans, players and campaigners will be watching very closely next season Darren Lewis, CNN, London.
[Snell:] Our thanks to Darren for that and we'll stay across all the key developments for you on this. Kim, back to you.
[Brunhuber:] Thank you very much. I'm Kim Brunhuber in Atlanta. We'll be right back with more. END