12th March, 2020
Credit: Sky News
Spain’s La Liga, the Dutch Eredivisie, Portugal’s Primeira Liga, and USA’s Major League Soccer have been suspended as a precautionary measure to curtail coronavirus.
There will be no action in the Spanish top flight and second-tier for “at least the next two rounds of matches.”
La Liga took action after a Real Madrid basketball player, who shares training facilities with the football club, tested positive for Coronavirus – as a result of this the Real Madrid squad has been quarantined.
“The recommendation has been made to quarantine both the basketball first team and the football first team, given that the two squads share facilities in Ciudad Real Madrid,” a Real statement said.
Real’s match against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday was also postponed.
Netherlands’ top two leagues have also been suspended.
The 2020 Major League Soccer season which started less than two weeks ago has been suspended for 30 days.
In a statement, the Eredivisie said: “All matches in the Eredivisie and Keuken Kampioen Divisie [second tier] have been suspended for the next two match days because of the coronavirus outbreak.”
It follows the Dutch government’s ban on events of more than 100 people.
MLS: The suspension of MLS comes a day after the NBA announced its intention to halt its season.
A statement from MLS commissioner Don Garber read: “Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season – based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees.
“We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time.”
Portuguese football changes decision: The Portuguese football chiefs had announced games would be played behind closed doors before announcing a full suspension, for an indefinite period, just a few hours later.
The decision was made following a meeting with that included members of the league, national federation and players’ union.
Italian sport: In Italy, all sport is suspended, including Serie A until 3 April, with the country in lockdown.
Juventus and Italy centre-back Daniele Rugani says he is “fine” after testing positive for the virus, and Reuters have reported that the entire Juve squad will spend two weeks in quarantine.