FOOTBALL is in crisis as high-profile coronavirus cases swept across the sport.
In a statement after an emergency Cobra meeting Prime Minister Boris Johnson has revealed sporting events could be banned – as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals he tested POSITIVE for coronavirus .
⚠️ Read our Coronavirus in Sport live blog for the latest news, updates and cancellations
Credit: PA: Press Association
Less than an hour before Arteta’s announcement, Premier League and Football League bosses said they would GO AHEAD with fixture s, despite the number of new cases in football.
But then in a dramatic U-turn in light of Arteta’s statement, football bosses said an emergency meeting would be held on Friday morning.
It read: “In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID – , the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures. “
And after the massive news, Brighton and Hove Albion announced that their
Dozens of football and sports leagues across Europe and the world announced they would suspend fixtures, with many already playing behind closed doors.
Man City’s Champions League game with Real Madrid has been postponed after the Spanish side were quarantined, while dozens more games across Europe are being played without fans.
LaLiga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, the Primeira Liga, MLS and the Turkish Super Lig have all now been SUSPENDED – as well as several other major sports leagues in Europe and the US.
Euro is also on the brink of being delayed a year with Euro bigwigs to meet in a crisis summit next week, with this season’s Champions League and Europa League also to be discussed.
On a dramatic Thursday in football:
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tests POSITIVE for coronavirus
- Premier League chiefs say all fixtures will go ahead – before U-turn
- An emergency meeting will now take place on Friday morning to decide whether games are on or off
- Brighton later announce their game with Arsenal on Saturday is OFF
- EFL chiefs say lower divisions also set to be played
- Leagues across Europe follow Serie A’s lead and suspend all games until further notice
- Brendan Rodgers confirms three Leicester City players are showing symptoms
- Euro on the brink with crisis talks to take place next week Champions League and Europa League also under threat
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson says banning all sporting events is under consideration
- Chelsea players told to stay away from the training ground
- Man City’s Champions League game with Real Madrid postponed
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