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Numerous sporting events suspended across the UK, after staff and players test positive for COVID-19

pharmafile | March 13, 2020 | News story | Medical Communications Chinese Coronavirus, UK Coronavirus, Wuhan Coronavirus, coronavirus 

Sporting events across the UK have been postponed as measures are taken to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Rugby was the first sport to be affected, as England’s game with Italy in Rome was called off earlier this month. But now more broad and drastic action has been taken across sport.

The Premier League, the English Football League, FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone football in England until 3 April at the earliest. It will apply to all England team fixtures at every level and all FA competitions including the FAC Cup and the Women’s FA Cup, along with academy and youth-team matches.

This comes after Boris Johnson’s speech last night, in which he did not suspend major sporting events and the Premier League itself said games were going ahead as usual

The Premier League’s 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.”

This decision has been made due to two major concerns. Multiple players and staff at Premier League clubs have contracted the virus including Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, with multiple teams self-quarantining. The measures were also taken to stop the huge crowds these games often draw, with the biggest football stadiums in the country drawing in over 70,000 people every matchday, with many more going to pubs to watch the games.

Multiple other football competitions and sports have implemented delays: UEFA has postponed next week’s Champions and Europa League games, the top two football leagues in France have been called off, Scottish football has postponed their season indefinitely, while Golf’s PGA tour in Florida has been called off and Formula E has been suspended for two months.

Conor Kavanagh

 

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