Coronavirus: Premier League and EFL announce suspension of English football until April 3, England matches cancelled too
The Premier League and EFL have announced that the English domestic leagues will be suspended until April 3 due to the Coronavirus outbreak, while England's matches against Italy and Denmark will no longer take place in March.
All FA Cup matches and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship will also stop play until the early April date.
Scotland has followed England in cancelling all football activities with immediate, including Sunday's Old Firm clash and five other fixtures across the weekend postponed.
The decision comes after other top domestic leagues around Europe announced a temporary stoppage and English clubs started to self-isolate their squads and Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi contracted the virus.
LaLiga in Spain, Serie A in Italy, Ligue 1 in France and the Dutch Eredivisie are others who have already made steps and suspended play.
The Bundesliga in Germany will continue but games will be played without spectators.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19.
"In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority."
England games called off
England were set to play both Italy, March 27, and Denmark, March 31, at Wembley, in European Championship warm-up matches, but the FA have now cancelled these contests.
England's next schedule game is now Austria in Vienna on Tuesday June 2, followed by Romaina at Villa Park, Birmingham, on Sunday June 7.
In a statement the FA said: "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.
"It will also apply to all England team fixtures at every level and all FA competitions including the Emirates FA Cup and the Women’s FA Cup, along with academy and youth-team matches.
"The decision is being made purely on the number of cases requiring self-isolation and the impact on facilities. Given the steps being taken across clubs, there is no alternative but for today’s action. However, all parties are committed at this time to trying to complete this season’s domestic fixture programme and are liaising to establish appropriate options to do so.
We are liaising with the National League pyramids (men’s and women’s) and will continue to offer guidance and support. Any decision to continue playing or to postpone their respective competitions is a matter for each league as autonomous bodies within the game."
EFL and European games postponed
In a statement, the EFL said: "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."
UEFA stated on Friday that all Champions League and Europa League matches due to take place next week have also been postponed.
Manchester City had been due to welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium while Chelsea were in Germany for their second leg clash with Bayern Munich.
Premier League clubs have already taken steps to contain the virus, with Arsenal confirming on Thursday that head coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus.
The club closed its training ground and any staff or players who have been in recent contact with Arteta will now self-isolate.
Everton, Leicester and Bournemouth have also made similar moves.
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