Coronavirus: Pundit suggests ‘halting’ football games
The Champions League and Europa League will both be postponed by UEFA today, according to Spanish publication Marca. The suspension will be a result of coronavirus fears, which have escalated in recent days. UEFA will have a meeting on Tuesday (March 17) to decide the response to the pandemic.
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Manchester United are set to host LASK in the Europa League on Thursday, while Rangers face Bayer Leverkusen.
UEFA announced on Thursday that it will hold a meeting with a number of football authorities to discuss the planned response to the coronavirus outbreak.
A statement from UEFA read: "In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation, UEFA has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by videoconference on Tuesday 17 March to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.
"Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020. Further communication will be made following those meetings."
Real Madrid confirmed that it had told players and staff to self-isolate, in a statement on its website.
The club also decided to close its training ground after the coronavirus case.
“Real Madrid CF announces that a member of our basketball first team has tested positive for coronavirus,” the club said.
Coronavirus: The Champions League is in the middle of the Round of 16 fixtures (Image: GETTY Images)
“The recommendation of remaining in quarantine has been followed with immediate effect, with this measure applied to both the basketball and football first teams, given that the two squads share the facilities at Real Madrid City.
“In addition, a decision has been made to close our training ground and it is recommended that all Real Madrid staff who work at Real Madrid City remain in quarantine.
“The EuroLeague basketball match and the La Liga football fixture scheduled for today and tomorrow will not be played.”