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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

EFL statement in full as Nottingham Forest's season suspended due to coronavirus

In addition to Nottingham Forest first-team games, all academy and youth team fixtures have been suspended, following an announcement from the English Football League.

The EFL board held an emergency meeting this morning in response to the coronavirus outbreak and agreed there will be no more matches until April 3, at the earliest.

Another board meeting is scheduled for next week, after which it is said “a further update on these plans” will be given.

For the Reds, Saturday’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday, next Wednesday’s home game with Huddersfield Town and next Sunday’s clash with Bristol City at the City Ground have been postponed.

Their campaign would therefore be due to resume on April 4, when they would head to arch-rivals Derby County.

The statement from the EFL said: “The FA, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest.

“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.

“The postponements include all matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as all Academy and youth team fixtures.

“In addition, clubs are being advised to suspend indefinitely all non-essential activities which include, but are not limited to, player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings.

“Whilst the EFL Board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered by the Government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is the time to implement football’s contingency plans in response to the crisis.

“A further update on these plans will be given post an EFL Board Meeting next week.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the health and well-being of players, staff and supporters while also acknowledging the Government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak.”

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis announced earlier this week that he had contracted the illness - although tests on the first-team squad and staff all came back negative.

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