How the coronavirus has hit global sport

Paris (AFP) – AFP looks at the effects on sport of the coronavirus, which by 1100 GMT on Monday had killed over 3,800 people while infecting more than 110,000 in over 100 countries.

FOOTBALL

— In Italy, the hardest-hit European country with 366 deaths from COVID-19, Serie A descended into controversy when Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora called for the league season to be put on hold.

Italian Footballers’ Association president Damiano Tommasi tweeted that “stopping football is the most useful thing for our country right now. The teams to cheer are playing in our hospitals, in emergency rooms.”

However, five Serie A games — cancelled the previous week — went ahead behind closed doors, including Juventus’ top of the table clash with Inter Milan.

— Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday and Tuesday’s Valencia v Atalanta match will be played behind closed doors, as will the Europa League tie featuring Inter Milan against Getafe on Thursday.

— The start of Japan’s J-League was postponed till mid-March while China suspended all domestic football and shelved indefinitely the top-flight Super League season.

— Former Danish international Thomas Kahlenberg tested positive for the virus, with 13 members of his former club Brondby’s staff put into quarantine.

— Two women’s international friendlies in France on Tuesday between France v Netherlands in Valenciennes and Canada v Brazil in Calais will go ahead behind closed doors.

— German league considering imposing Bundesliga spectator ban

TENNIS

— The prestigious ATP and WTA Indian Wells tournament was cancelled as California health officials declared a public health emergency in the Indian Wells-Palm Springs area after there was a confirmed case of the coronavirus, the first major sports event in the US to be shelved because of the outbreak.

Many players had already arrived with main draw matches having been scheduled to begin Wednesday.

The tournament, which draws more than 400,000 fans each year, had already offered refunds to anyone who bought tickets but did not want to attend.

RUGBY UNION

— The Six Nations match between Italy and England in Rome on March 14 as well as the Ireland v Italy duel in Dublin on March 7 were postponed.

— Title challengers France’s final game against Ireland, also scheduled for March 14, was delayed on Monday.

— Scotland’s women’s Six Nations match against France on Saturday was postponed after a Scottish player tested positive for the coronavirus.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2xfwsZt