THE Premier League has been given an eerie glimpse into what could be in store as Aussie Rules stars went head-to-head in front of a deserted stadium.
All professional football could be forced to be played behind closed doors as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
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An Aussie Rules game went ahead in front of 100,000 empty seats in Melbourne
The AFL match went ahead despite coronavirus fears
The MCG, usually filled with 100,000 people, was a like ghost town for the game
Today, a joint-statement from English football’s governing bodies revealed there would no action – even behind closed doors – before April 30.
They also claimed there would be no deadline for the 2019-20 season to be ended, giving fans hope the season will be completed.
But matches could well take place in front of empty arenas if the pandemic is not under control by then.
And Australia has given us a chilling look at what could be in store after an Aussie Rules game went ahead in front of absolutely no fans.
EMPTY MCG
Richmond Tigers were taking on Carlton Blues in their Round 1 AFL match at the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground.
But no one was able to watch it as Richmond came out on top.
A few matches in both the Champions League and Europa League were played behind closed doors earlier this month.
Players attempted to make the best of it, with Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo poking fun at the situation by waving to the empty stadium as he made his way on to the pitch.
But this could be the stark reality of professional sport in the coming months.
Neymar applauded an empty stadium before PSG’s Champions League tie with Borussia DortmundCredit: Twitter / @brfootball
Ronaldo also poked fun at the empty stadium for Juventus’ game by saluting imaginary fans
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The London Marathon has already been postponed, along with tennis’ French Open and the Asian leg of the Formula One season.
Many other sports – including most of the world’s footballing calendar – have been suspended pending further talks.
And now future events are even in trouble, with Euro 2020 having been put back a year and the Olympic Games now in serious doubt, to name just two.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk