Coronavirus sport news – live: Premier League suspended as Champions League and Europa League matches also cancelled
Follow latest updates as coronavirus continues to take its toll on the sporting world
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Follow live coverage where the Premier League has agreed to postpone the season until at least 4 April at in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The Independent has been told that several clubs have pushed for a suspension and that there is a minority of officials who will argue that the campaign should be voided altogether.
Uefa have confirmed that all Champions League and Europa League games next week, including Bayern Munich vs Chelsea and Man City vs Real Madrid, have been cancelled. This comes after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta tested positive for the virus as has Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
England’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka has been called off while elsewhere, Formula One have cancelled the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. A member of McLaren’s team tested positive for Covid-19, leading the constructors to withdraw from this weekend’s planned race. F1 later announced the race would not go ahead. Follow the latest updates here:
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The Premier League had previously taken their lead from the government, which had been adamant that closing stadiums was reactionary, and not actually that beneficial.
That stance has been undercut by participating figures like Arteta and Hudson-Odoi actually contracting the virus, as it illustrates a host of other problems beyond the actual benefit of shutting down mass gatherings like football matches.
Wolves captain Conor Coady admitted it was "strange" playing behind closed doors in the Europa League this week.
The NBA has said its hiatus due to coronavirus will likely last a month.
The Giro d'Italia, the second biggest race in cycling, has been postponed.
Breaking news in the world of golf: The Masters has been postponed.
Breaking rugby news: Wales vs Scotland in the Six Nations has been cancelled.
The marathon was scheduled for 20 April, but will now take place on 14 September.
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