English Premier League suspended until April 4 over coronavirus fears

The English Premier League suspended all fixtures until April 4 on Friday after a spate of coronavirus cases, including Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum HudsonOdoi.

“Following a meeting of shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time,” the Premier League said in a statement.

The suspension affects all professional matches in England, with the Football League, comprising Divisions One, Two and Three, and the Women’s Super League also posptoned.

Everton also announced their entire first-team squad and coaching staff have been told to self-isolate after a player reported symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Leicester City had three players go into self-isolation on Thursday and Bournemouth said goalkeeper Artur Boruc and four staff members were also self-isolating.

“Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19,” said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters.

“In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.”

England’s two friendly matches at home to Italy and Denmark later this month have been postponed. However, the authorities still hope to be able to resume and complete the season at a later date.

“Despite the challenges, it is the Premier League’s aim is to reschedule the displaced fixtures, including those played by Academy sides, when it is safe to do so,” added the Premier League statement.

The virus has already caused major disruption in other European leagues, with Italy’s Serie A suspended until April 3, the Spanish first and second divisions postponed for two weeks, the French league suspended indefinitely and next week’s Champions League and Europa League matches suspended.

French, German leagues drop plans to play this weekend

The French and German leagues also dropped plans to play this weekend. After Spain and Italy previously made similar moves, all five of Europe's biggest national competitions are now on hold.

The German league had planned to hold this weekend's games in empty stadiums before voting on a suspension from Tuesday to April 2. Hours later, it backtracked and called the games off.

“This is crazy. Please stop fooling around and land on reality," Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago

Alcantara wrote on Twitter. “Let's be honest, there are much more important priorities than any sport."

In the German second division, two players from Hannover 96 and one from Nuremberg have tested positive for the virus. Bundesliga club Paderborn said coach Steffen Baumgart tested negative for the virus but it was still waiting for results for an unspecified number of players.

The French league suspended all games indefinitely after an emergency meeting following an address to the nation by President Emmanuel Macron. The league is due to meet again Tuesday.

Soccer in Scotland was also postponed until further notice, hours before a game was due to start. That measure also affects Sunday's Old Firm match between Glasgow rivals Rangers and Celtic. Domestic games in Wales and Northern Ireland are also off.

The lone holdouts in UEFA's top 10 ranked leagues are Russia, where some games have restrictions on the number of supporters, and Ukraine, where games are being played without fans.

Four places in the 24-nation line-up for Euro 2020 still have to be decided in playoffs scheduled for March 26 and 31. Those playoffs seem unlikely to be played on time.

The Euro 2020 tournament was expected to be played in 12 host nations. The plan requires teams, fans and officials to travel across the continent — an added risk to spread the virus.

After more than half of the host nations suspended their domestic leagues, or will play without spectators, Russia said it was willing to take on extra European Championship games on top of its current allotment of four in St. Petersburg.

“We absolutely could expand the tournament program,” Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said in comments reported by state news agency Tass. “Russia is ready for however the situation develops, we have plans.”