The
Premier League and EFL have postponed all fixtures until April 4 and 3
respectively at the earliest due to the threat of the coronavirus.
The Football Association has also postponed England's international friendly
matches against Italy and Denmark, scheduled for March 27 and 31
respectively, while the FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship
fixtures have also been postponed.
The measure to postpone Premier League football was agreed at an "emergency
club meeting" on Friday and in light of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and
Chelsea midfielder Callum Hodson-Odoi confirming they had tested positive
for the virus.
The news was confirmed in a collective statement: "The FA, Premier League,
EFL and Barclays FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship have
collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3
April at the earliest.
"This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due
to the increasing numbers of Clubs taking steps to isolate their players and
staff because of the COVID-19 virus.
"The postponements include all matches in the Championship, League One and
League Two, as well as all Academy and youth team fixtures.
"In addition, clubs are being advised to suspend indefinitely all
non-essential activities which include, but are not limited to, player
appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings.
"Whilst the EFL board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered
by the Government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is
the time to implement football's contingency plans in response to the
crisis.
"A further update on these plans will be given post an EFL board meeting
next week.
"This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the
health and well-being of players, staff and supporters while also
acknowledging the Government's national efforts in tackling this outbreak."
Premier League clubs already
self-isolating
Arsenal head coach Arteta will self-isolate in line with government health
guidelines and it is expected the first-team squad - along with coaching
staff - will do the same; Arsenal's game against Brighton on Saturday had
already been postponed as a result.
An Everton player has been placed in isolation after he reported coronavirus
symptoms and Watford have cancelled training this week with several players
informing Nigel Pearson they feel unwell.
Five members of staff at Bournemouth, including goalkeeper Artur Boruc, are
self-isolating because they are displaying symptoms consistent with
Covid-19. Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Thursday three
of his players are being kept away from the rest of the squad after
displaying coronavirus symptoms.
The Premier League has now postponed its entire fixture list until April 4,
becoming the latest sporting body to take action to combat the threat of
coronavirus.
Many sporting events across Europe have already been postponed or played
behind closed doors but several have still gone ahead in the United Kingdom,
with the Cheltenham horse racing festival attracting capacity crowds across
all four days.
UEFA likely to postpone Euro 2020 until
next summer
UEFA members will meet on Tuesday to discuss how best to proceed with
domestic and European club competitions amid the coronavirus pandemic - with
Euro 2020 likely to be postponed until next summer.
The meeting, which will be held via video conference, will see the 55 member
associations discuss the issue and how it might affect Euro 2020, which is
scheduled to begin on June 12.
Coronavirus - key sporting developments
- Premier League, EFL, FA Cup and Women's Super League suspended
- Champions League and Europa League matches postponed
- England Test series in Sri Lanka postponed
- Golf's Players Championship is cancelled
- F1 cancels Australian GP
- Coronavirus: NFL teams suspend travel
- NBA season suspended "until further notice"
- Euro 2020 likely to be postponed by UEFA
- ATP Tour suspended for six weeks
- PRO14 season postponed until further notice
top