GAMES ARE OFF UNTIL EARLY APRIL

Coronavirus crisis forces EFL delay

THE EFL admitted they had little choice but to blow the whistle on their three divisions after the coronavirus crisis hit new levels across the UK.

With the numbers of deaths and confirmed cases continuing to rise by the day, it appeared only a matter of time before high-level football came to a halt.

On Friday morning, the news was confirmed, throwing the season into chaos.

In a statement, the EFL said: “The FA, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until April 3 at the earliest.

“This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the Covid-19 virus.

“The postponements include all matches in the ChampionFootball ship, League One and League Two, as well as all Academy and youth team fixtures.

“In addition, clubs are being advised to suspend indefinitely all non-essential activities which include, but are not limited to, player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings.

Guidance

“Whilst the EFL Board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered by the Government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is the time to implement football’s contingency plans in response to the crisis.

“A further update on these plans will be given post an EFL Board Meeting next week.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the health and well-being of players, staff and supporters while also acknowledging the Government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak.”

The news was a U-turn on the previous day’s news, when it appeared football was set to play on.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said the government was ‘considering banning major public events like sporting fixtures’.

That gave the leagues leeway to continue playing, with the EFL saying: “EFL matches will continue to take place as normal while the guidance from the relevant authorities remains that there is no medical rationale to close or cancel sporting events at this time.”

However, the tide swiftly turned as fresh developments kept coming. Late on Thursday it was announced Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had tested positive for the virus and early on Friday Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi revealed he had been affected.

has also been suspended across a host of European countries, while next week’s Champions League and Europa League fixtures have been postponed. England’s friendlies against Italy and Denmark at the end of this month have also been called off.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “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.”

Sport across the board has also been affected with England’s cricket Test series in Sri Lanka being cancelled, the London Marathon being put back until October and golf ’s Masters being postponed. Wales versus Scotland in the Six Nations rugby was also postponed.