UEFA have confirmed that Champions League and Europa League games next week are OFF.
The football calendar has been decimated by coronavirus and the inevitable suspension of Europe’s top two competitions is official.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all half-way through their Champions and Europa League ties
All Champions League and Europa League ties next week are off, Uefa have confirmedCredit: EPA
⚠️ Read our Coronavirus in Sport live blog for the latest news, updates and cancellations
Chelsea are scheduled to be in Germany to play Bayern Munich — which was already going to be behind closed doors — but the game is now postponed with the Blues 3-0 down in their Champions League last-16 tie.
Manchester City had been due to face Real Madrid, with the Premier League champions 2-1 up from the first leg in Spain.
Manchester United were due to play LASK in their Europa League last-16 second-leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The timing of the suspension is tricky, given half the Champions League clubs have either progressed or been knocked out.
A statement said: “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.
“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.
Manchester City are due to play Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 second legCredit: AFP or licensors
Chelsea are due to play Bayern Munich in front of an empty Allianz ArenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
“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.”
Grand Prix fans forced to queue outside of Australian track for two hours after opening time before being told race had been cancelled
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
