NASCAR racing with no fans, Euro 2020 could be pushed back

NASCAR announced Thursday that its upcoming races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-miami Speedway will be held without fans.

The circuit was the latest sports organization to alter plans because of the spread of the coronavirus.

“These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race,” NASCAR officials said in a statement. “We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events.”

The NASCAR Cup Series races are scheduled for this Sunday in Atlanta and on March 22 in Miami.

The last time NASCAR postponed a race for non-weather-related reasons was the 2001 New Hampshire race following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Also in response to the spread of the coronavirus, several NASCAR teams announced their garages would be closed to visitors.

Joe Gibbs Racing, Leavine Family Racing and Stewart-haas Racing all closed their facilities to the public.

UEFA will consider the option of postponing Euro 2020 during a video conference with its 55 federations, a source close to European soccer’s governing body said on Thursday as the sport faced up to the growing impact of the new coronavirus.

The 24-team Euro 2020 tournament, scheduled to be held in 12 countries from June 12 to July 12, could be pushed back a year, the source said.

UEFA will hold a video conference meeting next Tuesday. As well as the federations, representatives of clubs, leagues and players will discuss the impact of the coronavirus on all European fixtures, including Euro 2020.

The European Championship is the biggest national team tournament after the World Cup and a major source of revenue for UEFA and its member organizations.

One complication is the need to finish domestic and European club competitions before the tournament begins. One football federation official said “all options are on the table,” but suggested the priority was finding ways to finish the club season — even if games are delayed until the summer.

This season’s Champions League has also been thrown into doubt.

Real Madrid and Juventus have sent all of their footballers into quarantine. Real Madrid’s move came after one of the club’s basketball players tested positive for the coronavirus, while Juventus defender Daniele Rugani also tested positive for the virus.