Japan suspends football games over Covid-19 as Olympics loom
Chiang Rai to play behind closed doors
TOKYO: Japan’s J-League yesterday postponed all football matches until mid-March over the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has affected dozens of sports events worldwide.
“We have decided to postpone Levain Cup games scheduled for tomorrow and all the official games... scheduled until March 15,” J-League chairman Mitsuru Murai told reporters.
The move comes after football was suspended in China, the epicentre of the outbreak, and South Korea, along with some games in Italy.
“J-League will provide its maximum cooperation for the prevention of the spread [of the virus] and anti-infection measures,” a statement said.
There are four Thai players in the Japanese top flight — Consadole Sapporo’s Chanathip Songkrasin and Kawin Thamsatchanan, Yokohama F Marinos’ Theerathon Bunmathan, and Shimizu S-Pulse’s Teerasil Dangda.
Teerasil was on target in Shimizu’s 3-1 loss to FC Tokyo in their season opener at the weekend.
The J-League decision was made as the clock ticks closer to the Tokyo Olympics, which start on July 24.
Organisers have repeatedly stressed that the 2020 Games will not be cancelled or rescheduled despite mounting fears over the spread of Covid-19.
Training for Olympic volunteers was suspended over the weekend, and the Tokyo marathon on March 1 has been closed to all but elite runners.
At least 156 people were diagnosed with new coronavirus in Japan, along with nearly 700 on a cruise ship that was quarantined off the country for two weeks.
Four people who became ill on the ship have died. Domestically Japan has reported one fatality linked to the virus.
On Monday, a panel of medical experts advising Japan’s government warned the coming weeks will be a “critical” period to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading out of control.
Japan’s health minister has already urged people to avoid crowds and unnecessary gatherings, and the government has called for businesses to encourage teleworking and offpeak commuting.
Meanwhile, two AFC Champions League matches in South Korea next week will take place behind closed doors because of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the clubs announced yesterday.
No fans will be allowed when FC Seoul play Thailand’s Chiang Rai United next Tuesday or the following day as Ulsan face Australia’s Perth Glory in Asia’s premier club competition, the clubs said in separate statements.
South Korea has reported nearly 900 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infections, with nine deaths.
The two teams said the decision was made “at the request of the Korea Professional Football League” to curb the spread of the infections.
Two other South Korean teams involved in the competition, Jeonbuk and Suwon Bluewings, do not have their next home games until April.
The announcements come 24 hours after South Korea’s K-league postponed the start of the new football season.
Earlier yesterday, table tennis’s world team championships, due to take place next month in the southern city of Busan, were postponed.
The International Table Tennis Federation said the event, originally planned for March 22-29, had been provisionally rescheduled for June 21-28.
“In light of the emerging situation in Korea Republic and to best preserve the health and safety of players, officials and fans, the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan have been postponed with the dates of 21-28 June provisionally reserved,” said an ITTF statement.
Volleyball, basketball and handball have taken similar measures.
The coronavirus has had a serious impact on sports events worldwide, with football matches in Italy, China and Japan postponed as well as the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and LPGA golf tournaments in Thailand, Singapore and China.