VIRUS THREAT TO TOP EVENTS
Six Nations call-off could be the first of many
THE sporting calendar was braced for further disruption after the coronavirus outbreak forced Ireland to call off their Six Nations rugby clash with Italy.
The match, scheduled for Dublin on March 7, was postponed after Irish rugby chiefs complied with an instruction from their government.
It comes as several European countries announced their first coronavirus cases, all apparently linked to the growing outbreak in Italy.
And there is growing concern that England’s clash in Rome on March 14 will also be postponed.
All other Six Nations matches are scheduled to go ahead as normal but organisers vowed to “respect instructions provided by government authorities and health organisations”.
Despite 11 towns in northern Italy being in lockdown after an outbreak, the Italian sports minister has said, the restrictions that apply to sporting events in the country expire on March 1 and there are no plans at this stage to push back that date.
However, in horse racing the upcoming Cheltenham Festival looks set to go ahead.
Ian Renton, regional director at the racecourse, said: “At the moment there is nothing to push us off course.
“The racing industry is working closely with the Government and they have been extremely effective in keeping controls on the virus not entering this country, so we look forward to The Festival happening in a fortnight’s time.”
Across the Irish Sea – from where so many horses and fans will travel to Cheltenham, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said postponing the Six Nations match was “the only responsible decision that could have been made”.
Simon Keogh, chief executive of the Irish players’ union, added: “We have discussed the need to prioritise the health and safety of our members. The threat posed by coronavirus is worrying and a health risk of this scale undoubtedly supersedes any game of rugby”.
In football, the FA are to hold talks about the coronavirus crisis amid growing concerns about Euro 2020 this summer.
They will also discuss the Wembley friendly against Italy on March 27.
And English top-flight games will continue, although Premier League officials are monitoring events closely.