UEFA has scheduled a meeting involving all 55 member nations to discuss European football’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
All five of the continent’s top five leagues have been heavily affected by the spread of the virus, with the Premier League seeing its first match postponed on Wednesday.
Nottingham Forest's Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday remains in doubt, after Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis tested positive for COVID-19.
On the continent, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga have been suspended, while the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 is holding matches behind closed doors following outbreaks in their nations.
Reports had suggested UEFA was set to suspend both the Champions League and Europa League this season but UEFA have now confirmed their approach, with a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.
A UEFA statement 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.”
In the UK, it is expected that the government will announce today they are moving into the ‘delay’ phase of their plan to counteract the spread of coronavirus, with the number of cases approaching 500.
This is expected to include social distancing measures, with reports that Premier League and EFL football matches could be played behind closed doors without fans in attendance.
