In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Europe's top footballing competitions are suspending fixtures as footballers and managers test positive for COVID-19
ADVERTISEMENTThe Premier League has been suspended until at least 4 April due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The announcement on Thursday followed confirmation from UEFA that Champions League and Europa League fixtures were being suspended.
Leagues across Europe are taking similar measures, with Spain's La Liga and Italy's Seria A already suspended.
The Premier League's announcement follows news that Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi had tested positive for COVID-19.
Premier League
In the UK, the Premier League has suspended fixtures, along with the FA, the English Football League and the Women's Super League.
In a statement the league said it was "unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time".
It intends to reschedule fixtures "when it is safe to do so".
UEFA competitions
Earlier on Friday, UEFA took the same decision, postponing all matches scheduled for next week.
"This includes the remaining UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 second leg matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020; all UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 second leg matches scheduled on 19 March 2020; all UEFA Youth League, quarter-final matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020," it said on its website.
The quarter-final draws for both senior competitions have also been postponed. Decisions on when the matches will take place are to be "communicated in due course".
Elsewhere in the world of football, professional leagues have been suspended in France, the Netherlands, and the USA, with others expected to follow suit.
Other major sporting events affected so far include:
- Athletics World indoor championships in in Nanjing, China, postponed from March 13-15 to March 19-21, 2021
- World half marathon championships in Gdynia, Poland on March 29 postponed to October 17
- Marathons and half marathons around the world cancelled or postponed
- Formula One: Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15 cancelled, Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir on March 22, no spectators, Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 19 postponed
- NBA from March 11 suspended
- Rugby Six Nations matches postponed
- Alpine World Cup Finals in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy from March 18-22 canceled