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Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Challies

Coronavirus and football: The Champions League ties to be played behind closed doors

The spread of coronavirus has caused widespread disruption to the sporting calendar and the Champions League round of 16 ties have been significantly affected.

On Tuesday, Bayern Munich vs Chelsea become the latest tie that will be played in a different environment, with no fans in attendance for the second leg in Germany.

That now means that half of the Champions League ties in the next two weeks have been ordered to be played behind closed doors - and that figure could rise further.

While Tottenham's trip to face RB Leipzig and Liverpool's welcome of Atletico Madrid to Anfield are going ahead as planned, the same isn't the case for this week's other two ties.

Valencia vs Atalanta was the first game that was announced to be played behind closed doors, following the spread of the virus in Italy - which has now also spread further in Spain, with all La Liga matches to be played behind closed doors over the next two weeks.

On Monday, Paris Saint-Germain vs Borussia Dortmund was put under the same orders following an announcement from French police, with France also having an increased number of cases.

Decisions on two of next week's ties have also been made, with Barcelona vs Napoli also being ordered to be played behind closed doors, while Bayern vs Chelsea is also following suit.

Although a decision is yet to be announced, Juventus' hosting of Lyon is also expected to face disruption following the extended emergency measures put in place in Italy, which includes travel restrictions and a ban on public gatherings.

There is no update yet on any potential action for Manchester City's second leg against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium next week.

Champions League behind closed doors matches

Valencia vs Atalanta

Paris Saint-Germain vs Borussia Dortmund

Barcelona vs Napoli

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

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