Bayern Munich vs Chelsea is the latest event in the sporting world that will be played behind closed doors as coronavirus continues to take its toll.
All sports in Italy and Spain have also been suspended until at least the beginning of April as the country struggles to deal with the deadly outbreak, but Cheltenham Festival will still go ahead this afternoon.
The next two rounds of games in La Liga will also be played with no fans in attendance. Follow live updates as we report on the latest news from the sporting world.
The North-Rhine Westphalia authority declared on Tuesday afternoon that events with more than 1,000 expected visitors should be cancelled or played behind closed doors.
The decree raises the prospect of Rangers fans being shut out of the second leg of the last-16 tie on March 19.
Rangers - who host the Bundesliga side this Thursday - have said their encounter is unaffected but the situation could change "quickly and dramatically".
North-Rhine Westphalia is the worst-affected region of Germany with more than 500 confirmed cases and the country's first two deaths.
The state government issued a decree that local authorities should "generally cancel events with more than 1,000 expected visitors".
A statement added: "Alternatively, you can, for example, check that there are no major audience events at major sporting events."
Health minister Karl-Josef Laumann said: "The virologists I spoke to recommend that we avoid large crowds wherever possible.
"We therefore have to think very carefully about what we can do without. I believe that school classes or public transport, for example, are essential. That would paralyse our social life.
"But we should initially cancel large trade fairs, congresses, concerts or sporting events."
Jurgen Klopp on coronavirus
“There are things that are more important than football,” the Liverpool manager said.
“I think we realise that again in this moment. What we need is time to find a solution for that. How can we win that time? By avoiding different situations.
“I don’t enough about how much it would help with [closing off] football games.
“The problem with football games is if you are not in the stadiums, then you go watch it closely together in rooms and I’m not sure which is better in this case, to be honest. I mean that.
“Whatever will be decided, we will respect. We all have families, we are parents, we have kids and friends, which we want to do well.
“For that, it’s clear we will accept that, but I don’t know how much sense it will make. If people think it will help, then we will do it.”
BREAKING
Germany have confirmed their game against Italy on 31st March will be played behind closed doors due to coronavirus.
Another one.
Does football work without spectators. If the people can’t come there is no sense. We will follow what we have to do but I wouldn’t like to do it without the people.
Nottingham Forest statement
"Mr [Evangelos] Marinakis was diagnosed after showing the first symptoms on his return to Greece yesterday afternoon. During his short stay in Nottingham last week he did not show any symptoms of the virus.
"The club are seeking advice from medical professionals and the relevant governing bodies to ensure the correct measures are taken.
"Until this time the club will be making no further comment."
Arsenal statement
Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis recently visited the Emirates Stadium for a Europa League fixture and the London club have put out a statement about it.
The Forest owner today confirmed he has coronavirus.
In a statement, Arsenal told football.london
"Our home match with Olympiacos in the Europa League was played on Thursday 27th February and none of our staff who came into contact with him on that match day have reported any symptoms since.
"We continue to follow strict protocols with regard to coronavirus. We're following the Government health guidelines and have additional procedures in place to protect our players and staff.
"This has included regular deep cleaning of areas used by players at Emirates Stadium and our training centre."
LASK vs Manchester United
Around 900 United fans are understood to have bought tickets for Thursday night’s game at the Linzer Stadion, which has a capacity of 21,005.
The organisers of the Austrian Bundesliga, the country's domestic top flight, said that they would prioritise playing matches behind closed doors rather than postponement.
"We want games with spectators for economic and atmospheric reasons. Above all, in terms of sporting fairness too," the organisers said.
"With this in mind, we will exhaust all possibilities & only consider ghost games when there's no other options available.”
BREAKING
Republic of Ireland's Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia will be played behind closed doors because of coronavirus.
The game takes place on 26th March.
Euro 2020 play-off ticket sales postponed
Buying tickets for Northern Ireland's Euro 2020 play-off away to Bosnia-Herzegovina has been postponed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
There is no reorganised date for when they will go on sale, but they have been postponed for 'several days', a statement confirmed.
Champions League effect
Europe's biggest competition is feeling the full force of coronavirus.
Full list of fixtures to be played behind closed doors:
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
Valencia vs Atalanta
PSG vs Borussia Dortmund
Barcelona vs Napoli
BREAKING
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea will be played behind closed doors. The German side are 3-0 up currently from the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
La Liga fixtures to be played behind closed doors
The next two rounds of fixtures in the Spanish league will be played without fans in attendance, officials have confirmed.
BREAKING
Full story on the news that Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has coronavirus.
