3pm games to air on TV

CORONAVIRUS could force Sky and BT to air football games for free on Saturdays in a surprise boost for armchair fans.

The FA will reportedly scrap the 3pm blackout if matches are played behind closed doors because of the killer bug.

Fears are growing that fans will be banned from attending stadiums if “social distancing” rules are brought in.

They can watch on telly at home but boozers will be stopped from showing games to discourage large gatherings.

A top FA source said: “It makes sense to remove the blackout but what we don’t want to do is create a new problem by just moving those crowds from the stadiums to the pubs.”

Laws stop the 3pm games being broadcast to ensure crowds turn up.

Italy announced last night that it is stopping all sporting events.

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo went viral after he pretended to high-five imaginary fans at a behind-closed-doors Juventus game against Inter Milan.

British sporting bodies held a meeting with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport yesterday.

They thrashed out plans for fixtures without crowds but decided there is “no rationale” to postponing events.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “The basic message is, ‘Let’s not panic.’”

It comes after it was announced that Wolves’ Europa League clash with Olympiakos in Greece on Thursday will be played behind closed doors and Ireland’s Six Nations rugby game against France in Paris on Saturday was postponed.

England’s trip to Italy had already been called off but as it stands, Wales’ match against Scotland will go ahead.