Champions League, Europa League suspended
CORONAVIRUS continues to hit sport as the nation deals with the fall-out of the outbreak. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have both tested positive for coronavirus, with the Premier League set to join the EFL in being axed today.
UEFA has announced that the Champions League and Europa League have been suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic, without waiting for Tuesday’s summit.
The decision had become inevitable after the rapid spread of the illness saw practically all domestic tournaments shut down.
“In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed,” read a statement.
“This includes the remaining UEFA Champions League, Round of 16-second leg matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020; all UEFA Europa League, Round of 16-second leg matches scheduled on 19 March 2020; all UEFA Youth League, quarter-final matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020.
“Further decisions on when these matches take place will be communicated in due course.
“As a consequence of the postponements, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League quarter-final draws scheduled for 20 March have also been postponed.
“UEFA yesterday invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to a videoconference meeting on Tuesday 17 March to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.”
Juventus-Lyon and Manchester City-Real Madrid had already been postponed, as the Italian and Spanish squads are in quarantine conditions.
UEFA is expected to announce on Tuesday that Euro 2020 will be postponed, probably next summer.
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Source: focusnewsroom.com
