The Premier League, EFL and Football Association have postponed fixtures in response to the coronavirus outbreak
Sunday 15 March 2020 14:55, UK
The coronavirus outbreak continues to have serious repercussions on football in England, Scotland and beyond. Here's all you need to know about the impact so far.
The Premier League and EFL on Friday decided to postpone all fixtures until at least April 4 and 3 respectively in response to the outbreak.
The Football Association has also postponed England's international friendlies against Italy and Denmark, which were scheduled for later this month, while the FA Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship fixtures have also been postponed.
The plan is for the seasons to resume from April 3 with a view to completion, but it is subject to change as the situation develops.
A collective statement read from the relevant bodies read: "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."
Although it is understood no option is off-limits, UEFA are keen for all leagues to be finished to determine promotion, relegation, who are champions and who has qualified for future European club competitions.
Liverpool are only two wins away from claiming the Premier League title. The plan, as things stand, is for the season to be completed after the April 3 resumption date, which would allow Liverpool to clinch the crown, but the situation is fluid and the speculation has already begun.
"You can't start next season until this one finishes whenever that is," wrote Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher on Twitter. "No title winners? Who goes into the Champions League next season? Leeds, West Bromwich Albion and one other miss out on promotion? Three clubs in the Premier League stay up."
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville added: "Nothing can be ruled out at this stage. It's unprecedented!"
Arsenal were the first Premier League club to announce that all squad and staff members are self-isolating after head coach Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus.
Chelsea are doing the same after winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive, as are Everton after a first-team player displayed symptoms of the virus.
Players or staff have also shown symptoms at Watford, Bournemouth, Leicester and West Ham, who are all taking the necessary precautions, with more announcements likely to follow.
Having initially planned for fixtures to go ahead behind closed doors this weekend, the Scottish FA Board has suspended all domestic professional and grassroots football until further notice.
That means that this weekend's fixtures, including Celtic's clash with Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, will not be taking place.
Unlike the English FA, the Scottish football authorities have not put a date on the planned resumption of fixtures.
"The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount," said SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster.
"We have not yet had any confirmed cases of Coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time."
UEFA have postponed next week's Champions League and Europa League fixtures, including the second leg of Manchester City's last-16 tie with Real Madrid.
The Champions League and Europa League quarter-final draws, which were scheduled for March 20, have also been postponed.
UEFA have invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of European Club Association, the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPRo, to a videoconference meeting on Tuesday, March 17 to further discuss European football's response to the outbreak.
In Germany, Bundesliga fixtures were due to go ahead this weekend before a postponement, but they were also suspended on Friday afternoon.
Other major European leagues, including Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, Portugal's Primeira Liga and France's Ligue 1, have already suspended all games.
Euro 2020, which was due to take place in 12 different cities across Europe this summer, starting on June 12, is likely to be postponed by UEFA until the summer of 2021.
Euro 2020 likely to be postponed
UEFA is drafting a number of options to put its member associations at Tuesday's meeting with regards to the tournament, but postponement until next summer is deemed the most likely outcome.
