What is Covid-19 coronavirus and how is it affecting football? Match and competition postponements, cancellations and closed stadiums

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As Coronavirus sweeps across the globe, governments and health officials are recommending the next steps, not only for citizens who may be travelling to football matches around the world but to the players and staff of the clubs themselves.

© Provided by FourFourTwo What is Covid-19 coronavirus and how is it affecting football? Match and competition postponements, cancellations and closed stadiums

With the coronavirus likely to be labelled as a worldwide pandemic imminently, is the virus threatening football as we know it?

Has any football already been affected by coronavirus?

© Provided by FourFourTwo What is Covid-19 coronavirus and how is it affecting football? Match and competition postponements, cancellations and closed stadiums

With a number of cases of coronavirus across Europe governments are keen to prevent the spread of the disease as much as possible. As a result, self-isolation and the postponement of major sporting events has been advised. 

In Italy - where the highest number of cases have been reported in Europe - a number of Serie A matches have been postponed due to a spike of cases in northern Italy, including a title clash between Inter Milan and Juventus. It’s been announced that all Serie A matches will now be played behind closed doors until April 3 - as will Inter’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets.

© Provided by FourFourTwo What is Covid-19 coronavirus and how is it affecting football? Match and competition postponements, cancellations and closed stadiums

The Swiss Super League has postponed weekend fixtures after a government ban on large public events, while the start of the Chinese Super League and South Korea’s K-League have also been postponed.

Will handshakes before football matches be banned?

With Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce announcing that the club has already banned handshakes from the training ground, there has been a lot of talk that the pre-match ritual that begins every match in the top flight - of the players and officials shaking hands - could be cancelled.

The line from most clubs has been that it is “business as usual”, despite the warnings about the virus. The Premier League has written to all 20 clubs with the latest guidelines, as they are in constant contact with the government’s health officials.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have gone as far as to ban players taking selfies with fans, as part of a bid to spread interacting with strangers. 

Is it safe to attend football matches in the UK?

Currently, no matches in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland have been affected by the outbreak.

Concern over the coronavirus crisis has led to a widespread fear over travelling. With many now cancelling plans, there has been discussion among fans over whether it is in the best interests of safety to attend games.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends avoiding all nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy - countries which have been issued with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. If you have tickets to a match in Serie A, you’re probably well aware of the warnings - it’s best to check whether the fixture you were going to see is affected by coronavirus.

While most fixtures across Europe are going ahead as planned, keep an eye out for specific match information for any game on the continent that you’re looking to attend. 

Is the Premier League going to be affected by coronavirus?

Premier League games are yet to be affected by the coronavirus crisis, though the Premier League and the FA are looking into a contingency plan, should matches need to be postponed or played behind closed doors.

Talks are currently taking place to try and ensure that the Premier League season can continue - should it need to be cut short, there is a chance that Liverpool will not be awarded the Premier League trophy, assuming that they win the league. 

It is extremely unlikely that any immediate decisions will be made by the Premier League regarding coronavirus. Cases in the United Kingdom of the virus have been minimal and there are currently no plans for the government to ban mass gatherings.

Is the Champions League affected by coronavirus?

Coronavirus is yet to affect much of Europe. Though the worst-hit area is northern Italy, much of the Champions League knockout action should resume as planned next week - whether or not that is in front of crowds though, remains to be seen.

The Spanish government have recommended that Barcelona’s home leg against Napoli is played behind closed doors, following the news that Valencia’s own home game against Atalanta will be. France's minister of sport Roxana Maracineanu has reportedly claimed that Paris Saint-Germain's home match against Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on March 11 could be played behind closed doors, too.

There are rumours that Juventus could face Lyon at a neutral venue, rather than in their Turin home. This has yet to be confirmed.

Is Euro 2020 going to be affected by coronavirus?

ALSO READ: Euro 2020: tickets information, dates, stadiums and groups – everything you need to know

With Euro 2020 taking place this summer across the continent, as opposed to being hosted in one country, health fears are rife for the tournament. There is talk of UEFA either cancelling the entire competition or moving it to a single country to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

UEFA are reportedly in talks with authorities around the world. There is no current plan to move the tournament and as things stand, the opening game of the European Championships will still kick off in Rome on 12 June 2020, as planned. 

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has talked about optimism recently, in regards to the crisis, urging people to “not think about dark scenarios”.

How are other sports dealing with coronavirus?

Across the world, various sports have been affected by the coronavirus, with events being cancelled and postponed, and more being considered.

In rugby, the Six Nations tie between Italy and Italy has been postponed after governmental advice; further from home, China have had to forfeit a Davis Cup tie against Romania, the table tennis world championship in South Korea has been rescheduled for June and the Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed. 

Road cycling has also been heavily affected, with the start of the season hampered by a number of race cancellations.

The big rumours, however, concern the 2020 Olympics, set to be hosted in Tokyo this July. It is possible that the games may have to be moved or cancelled altogether, though a decision is likely to be made by May at the very latest.

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