Volcano causing sporting chaos

The volcanic ash cloud in Europe's skies has caused mass disruption to air passengers. Here we take a look at the effect it has had on sport:

FOOTBALL

Liverpool and Fulham have Europa League semi-finals this week and could be forced to use alternative methods to travel to Spain and Germany respectively. Newcastle are travelling by coach to Plymouth for the Coca-Cola Championship clash, rather than flying. Referee Steve Bennett, who was supposed to take charge of the Manchester derby, remains stranded in Romania after a FIFA event.

FORMULA ONE

Jenson Button won the Grand Prix in China, then teams were facing delays when leaving the country and getting their cars back to their home factories.

MARATHON

Organisers of next Sunday's Virgin London marathon were believed to be looking at other methods of transport for international elite entrants.

EVENTING

British star Oliver Townend has embarked on a marathon journey to Kentucky to keep his Rolex Grand Slam dream alive. Townend left his Shropshire base yesterday and is using Eurostar and a taxi to get to Madrid before flying.

MOTOGP

The FIM MotoGP World Championship race in Japan on Sunday has been called off.

GOLF

The Moroccan Golf Classic has been postponed but the Ballantine's Championship in Korea on the full PGA European Tour is unlikely to be affected, with the majority of players already in Asia after the Volvo China Open.

SPEEDWAY

Belle Vue have three riders stuck in Scandinavia ahead of their clash against Ipswich. They are allowed to use any riders available in the country.

ICE HOCKEY

Great Britain made a 26-hour bus journey to Slovenia where they are competing in Group B of Division One of the World Championships - and won their first two matches.

RUGBY LEAGUE

The Challenge Cup match between Widnes and Lezignan was postponed, while several teams had to make alternative travel arrangements.

CYCLING

Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins was among the cyclists to miss the weekend's Amstel Gold race in Holland.

DIVING

The final leg of the Diving World Series has been moved from Sheffield to Veracruz, Mexico.