Total lockdown

CORONAVIRUS: Football wiped out as bosses act to protect fans from Covid-19

Scottish football has gone into shutdown after the players’ union argued that continuing matches behind closed doors was an “unacceptable” risk.

The Scottish Professional Football League has been suspended “until further notice” along with all non-league and grassroots football.

The move was announced just before midday yesterday as SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and Scottish Football Association counterpart Ian Maxwell came under pressure to protect fans and players from the continuing spread of coronavirus.

There is doubt over Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-offs after Norway – who Steve Clarke’s side could potentially face in the final – announced they would not be playing Serbia on March 26.

While leagues across Europe have been postponing domestic competitions, it was announced on Thursday night that this weekend’s SPFL fixtures would go ahead, including Celtic’s trip to face Rangers tomorrow.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had earlier announced plans to ban events involving crowds of more than 500 people from Monday.

However, news of a number of highprofile figures in England contracting the disease – former Rangers midfielder Mikel Arteta has tested positive while West Ham manager David Moyes and former Celtic keeper Artur Boruc are both self-isolating – prompted a rethink.

Inverness have become the first Scottish club to confirm one of their players had gone into self-isolation after reporting coronavirus-like symptoms.

In rugby, Scotland’s final Guinness Six Nations match was belatedly called off with thousands of Scottish fans already in Cardiff. The game is now likely to be played in October.

The Masters at Augusta became the first golf major to be postponed while The Players Championship was cancelled along with all PGA Tour events for the next three weeks.

The London Marathon, due to take place on April 26, has been postponed and England cricketers are returning home after their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka was called off.

Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers and Glasgow Clan have all been stood down after ice hockey bosses cancelled the remainder of the Elite League season.

Picture: Shutterstock. The gates are locked at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff yesterday after the late postponement of Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster.