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English Premier League suspended for three weeks

London. The Premier League has cancelled all matches until April 4 following the global outbreak of coronavius, Sports Mail reports.

All lower league and women's football matches have also been suspended. 

The decision comes as the official number of cases in the UK yesterday jumped by 134 to 596 - with 10 deaths – but the Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the true number was probably up to 10,000 cases and growing rapidly.

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Despite that, Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not move to cancel sporting events and other gatherings in a press conference on Thursday, in line with other countries such as Italy and Denmark. 

So, what have the Premier League decided? 

The Premier League, along with the EFL, the FA and the FA Women's Super League and Championship have agreed to postpone all football for three weeks, until April 3 at the earliest, after a series of meetings this morning. 

A joint-statement read: 'The FA, Premier League, EFL and FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest.

This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the Covid-19 virus.

It will also apply to all England team fixtures at every level and all FA competitions including the FA Cup and the Women’s FA Cup, along with academy and youth-team matches.

'The decision is being made purely on the number of cases requiring self-isolation and the impact on facilities. Given the steps being taken across clubs, there is no alternative but for today’s action. However, all parties are committed at this time to trying to complete this season’s domestic fixture programme and are liaising to establish appropriate options to do so.

'The FA is liaising with the National League pyramids (men’s and women’s) and will continue to offer guidance and support. Any decision to continue playing or to postpone their respective competitions is a matter for each league as autonomous bodies within the game.

'With respect to the senior men’s fixtures against Italy and Denmark at Wembley Stadium, refunds will be processed to all ticket buyers within 14 working days.

'Monies will be returned to the card used to make the original booking. The refund process for England’s MU21 and MU20 home fixtures is still to be confirmed.

'UEFA had already confirmed that all Elite Round qualifiers across U17 and U19 age groups had been postponed. Europe’s governing body will meet on Tuesday to discuss further implications for international football including national-team and club competitions.

'We will continue to monitor all Government advice with the situation under constant review, with the priority being the health and well-being of all. Further updates will follow in due course.'

So. No football for three weeks until April 4, but that could be extended even further.  

 

In the headlines