All Italian sporting fixtures - including the country's Six Nations clash against England - will be played behind-closed-doors until at least April 3 due to the coronavirus.
The Italian Government has banned fans from attending any sporting event in a bid to curb the spread of the virus which has so far killed over 100 Italians.
The Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin, due to be played this weekend, has already been called off.
However the latest action will also see dozens of Italian football fixtures, including Serie A games, played in private.
Football giants Juventus are still in the Champions League, while Roma and Inter Millan are in the last 16 of the Europa League.
FA and Premier League chiefs discussed the idea of finishing the current Premier League season behind-closed-doors due to fears over the virus, a move which would see Newcastle United play in an empty St James' Park.
However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday told Good Morning Britain "it's not appropriate to be cancelling matches here like that".
The first Newcastle case of the coronavirus was confirmed today. The adult is currently being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Prof Eugene Milne, Newcastle City Council’s director of public health, said the patient contracted coronavirus in another part of the country and that there is “no evidence” that it has spread within Newcastle.
To date, there have been 87 cases reported in the UK.
