Sport hit by coronavirus

• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and England and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi test positive
• Arsenal’s Premier League game with Brighton postponed
• Chelsea and Arsenal squads self-isolating
• Everton also self-isolating after a player showed symptoms
• Watford awaiting test results of one player
• Golf’s Players Championship cancelled
• Australian Grand Prix called off
• Top two tiers of French football league suspended
• The UK government considering banning sporting fixtures
• Premier League to meet this morning to decide plan of action
• Uefa to discuss possible Euro 2020 postponement on Tuesday

Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 have been suspended until further notice.

Previously games in France had been played behind closed doors.

More from Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony who has been voicing ideas of how football could cope with the rest of the season being suspended.

One of the big games in the Premier League scheduled to take place is the Merseyside derby.

Everton are due to host league-leaders Liverpool at Goodison Park on Monday at 20:00 GMT.

ESPN chief football writer Mark Ogden told BBC Radio 5 Live that Monday’s game does pose a potential problem for public services: “The Merseyside derby is definitely
an issue.

“[Scottish first minister] Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday that one of the reasons they are looking to reduce crowd numbers is because they need the police, ambulance and fire
brigade to be deployed to more serious situations.

“But if Everton v Liverpool is called off on Monday or played
behind closed doors, then Everton and Liverpool fans will congregate somewhere.

“If Liverpool v Crystal Palace goes ahead next weekend behind
closed doors – the game where Liverpool could win the league – there will be
thousands of people on the streets just trying to get a sense of the occasion.

“That situation is going to need crowd control, with more police required to control the big
group of people within the city.

“How do you control this? Football fans will put football
first.”

John Bennett

BBC World Service

In Germany, the executive committee of the
DFL (German Football League) has proposed the suspension of Bundesliga and German second
division games from 17 March to 2 April.

But as it stands this weekend’s games behind
closed doors will go ahead as planned.

Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony says one of the club’s players is in self-isolation.

Posh played Portsmouth recently who played Arsenal in the FA Cup. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has tested positive.

MacAnthony says he does not want tomorrow’s League One game at Bolton to go ahead.

Watford now say one player is awaiting test results on his symptoms.

Training at the Hornets was cancelled yesterday after a number of players reported feeling unwell.

“We’ve had players who have had symptoms of not being well,” manager Nigel Pearson said.

“We’ve got one player awaiting tests results on his symptoms.

“We are trying to be proactive and hopefully the Premier League will make a strong decision based on what is good for everybody.”

Dafydd Pritchard

BBC Sport Wales

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed
tomorrow’s Six Nations
match between Wales and Scotland at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will go ahead as planned.

Both other Six Nations fixtures this weekend have been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

A WRU statement released just a few minutes ago reads: “WRU representatives have been in dialogue with Welsh
Assembly Government minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething,
who provided much needed clarity on the Cobra meeting held yesterday.

“Throughout the WRU Board have followed the scientific advice of government,
Public Health Wales and medical experts and determined that any game would be
held or postponed based on that advice. “Enhanced facilities for hand washing and sanitisation will be available at the
stadium and there are measures in place to manage any issues with attendees on
the day. In addition supporters are urged to follow the advice that is
widely available on government websites in relation to the virus.”

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce: “We’ve prepared for the game and people talk about it being behind closed doors but if we play football it’s for one thing – the supporters.

“For me, suspend it, shut it down and rearrange it for another date when the situation is clearer.”

Newcastle are due to play Sheffield United at 15:00 GMT tomorrow.

More from Everton: “The club is in regular contact with the player in question and is monitoring the wellbeing of all players and staff.

“The health, welfare and safety of all Everton players, staff and stakeholders is the Club’s absolute priority. Therefore, the club has taken the decision to close down all Everton workplaces including USM Finch Farm, Goodison Park and its headquarters at the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool City Centre. The Club’s retail store at Goodison Park will also close but its Liverpool ONE store is unaffected and will remain open.

“Everton will continue to adhere to UK Government and Public Health guidelines with regards to the closure of its facilities and wellbeing of staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning.

“Further updates will be provided in due course, including guidance relating to forthcoming fixtures.”

Australia are currently playing New Zealand in a one-day international in Sydney behind closed doors because of coronavirus.

Bowler Kane Richardson had been tested for the virus but his test has come back negative.

The start of the Indian Premier League has been postponed from 29 March to 15 April, the International Cricket Council says.

A host of England players are set to play in the Twenty20 tournament.

The Rugby Football League has released a statement after Leeds Rhinos announced earlier that they would not travel to Catalan Dragons this weekend for their scheduled match after a player showed symptoms of coronavirus.

“We have been advised by Leeds Rhinos that they will not be travelling to France to fulfil their scheduled fixture against Catalans Dragons.

“The consequences of this decision on the match, and any sanction, will be determined by the RFL Board.”

Remarkably that suggests the RFL have not ruled out sanctioning Leeds for pulling out of the fixture.

Defending Superleague champions Manchester Thunder have released a statement regarding their fixture against Surrey Storm this weekend.

Last week, England Netball said: “currently, there are no plans to cancel, postpone or otherwise change any of the national competition and events England Netball delivers.”

All other round four Sueprleague fixtures are scheduled to go ahead.

• Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and England and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi test positive
• Arsenal’s Premier League game with Brighton postponed
• Chelsea and Arsenal squads self-isolating
• Golf’s Players Championship cancelled
• Australian Grand Prix called off
• The UK government considering banning sporting fixtures
• Premier League to meet this morning to decide plan of action
• Uefa to discuss possible Euro 2020 postponement on Tuesday