AFC suspends play
THE Asian Football Confederation has postponed all matches in the AFC Cup tournament, the regional body announced yesterday, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit sporting events around the world. “Following the imposition of further preventive measures and travel restrictions by several national governments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic,” the body said in a statement, “the Asian Football Confederation has decided today to postpone all AFC Cup 2020 matches until further notice.” Games in the west of Asia had already been suspended prior to the announcement. The decision means matches due to be played in March and April in the confederation’s other four zones around Asia – south, central, south east and east – have now also been postponed. “The decision, which was also made in conjunction with the competing clubs and their respective member associations, is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participating players and teams, match officials and spectators as well as designed to protect the integrity of the competition.”
only
had a few bouts of fever,” the eighth-placed
Serie A club said. “The player, as well as the whole team, will extend their voluntary isolation at home until March 25, while continuing to be monitored.” Matuidi had urged his fans to “take care” in a post on Instagram at the weekend. “It's a complicated time. At the beginning, I didn't really realise how serious this disease was and the danger, how fast the contagion spread here in Italy,” he said.