Europa League fixtures between Roma-Sevilla, Inter Milan-Getafe postponed due to coronavirus
The Europa League round-of-16 ties between Roma and Sevilla and Inter Milan versus Getafe have been postponed as the coronavirus continues to affect the world of football.
"As a result of the travelling restrictions between Spain and Italy imposed yesterday by the Spanish authorities, the following UEFA Europa League Round of 16 matches [Sevilla-Roma and InterGetafe] will not take place as scheduled tomorrow, 12 March 2020," UEFA confirmed in a statement.
With Italy on lockdown, Roma had announced they could not travel to Sevilla to play their Europa League match scheduled for Thursday, as their plane was not authorised to land in Spain. The match was originally due to take place behind closed doors.
Getafe, meanwhile, had also said they would not fly to Italy to face Inter Milan.
"AS Roma will not travel to Spain for the Europa League match against Sevilla after the plane from Italy was not authorised to land in Spain," a statement on Roma's Twitter page read.
Getafe president Angel Torres said the team would not go to Inter in their round-of-16 clash.
Asked if was is willing to risk forfeiting the game, Torres said: "I don't understand why they would do so. It's a state of emergency, we are doing the right thing. First is health, then sport. I have no interest in the consequences.
"What I'm interested in is not bringing more [coronavirus] cases to Spain, as we have already too many. I will meet with my captains and the coach and I will tell them of my decision, but it's my responsibility and I believe I'm doing the right thing."
Manchester United's clash with Austrian side LASK will go ahead behind closed doors on Thursday. In the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, Paris SaintGermain's clash with Borussia Dortmund will take place without fans, with star player Kylian Mbappe testing negative for the virus. Spectators will be allowed in to watch Liverpool versus Atletico Madrid.
The football world has been severely affected by the coronavirus with La Liga staging at least the next two rounds of fixtures behind closed doors.
Serie A has been suspended until April 3, while the players' unions in Italy and Spain have called for postponements to other fixtures.
Elsewhere, German second-division club Hannover 96 confirmed one of their players, Timo Hubers, has tested positive for the coronavirus. It is the first confirmed case in German football.
In a statement released by Hannover 96 on Wednesday, the club said that "it is expected Hubers was infected at event on Saturday in (nearby) Hildesheim."
They added that he had not had any contact with his teammates since and is in quarantine at home.
Copa del Rey final postponed
Real Sociedad and Athletic Club were set to meet on April 18 but the match is now likely to be played in late May due to the pandemic
The Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club has been postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed.
Basque sides Sociedad and Athletic were due to play for the trophy in Seville on April 18 but the match has been pushed back by the RFEF.
It is now understood that the game is set to be rescheduled for May 30.
The RFEF also announced on Wednesday that all non-professional men's and women's football and futsal matches have been postponed for two weeks.
Fed Cup postponed
The Fed Cup Finals in Hungary were postponed after the local government said it was prohibiting public indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. The International Tennis Federation said it would try to find another suitable date for the women's tennis competition.
The FIFA Congress in Ethiopia was rescheduled from June 5 to Sept. 18 because of “concern over the health and well-being of participants, as well as travel restrictions in many countries.”
FIFA said it wants to organize the event when "all member associations are able to attend."
The world soccer body also said the FIFA Council meeting planned for March 20 has been rescheduled to a date yet to be confirmed in June or July. It said the meeting will take place in Zurich or via video conference.
French League Cup final postponed
The French League Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, scheduled for April 4, was postponed. A new date has yet to be announced. On Tuesday, the French soccer league announced that all soccer matches in its top two divisions will be played without fans until April 15.
Olympiakos playing
Greek club Olympiakos is expected to play its Europa League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday despite owner Evangelos Marinakis saying he has tested positive for the disease. Olympiakos said tests on players, coaches, medical and technical staff were negative.