A NUMBER of football fans attending the FA Cup tonight were taking no chances when it came to coronavirus.
Three games in the Fifth Round of the world’s oldest knockout cup competition were taking place across England as six teams battled it out for a spot in the quarters.
Football fans across the country have been taking precautions to battle the coronavirusCredit: PA:Press Association
Fans attending Tottenham’s clash with Norwich were spotted wearing face masksCredit: Reuters
And it was the same up North in Sheffield ahead of Wednesday’s game with Manchester CityCredit: PA:Press Association
But those attending away from the pitch were also doing their best to fight the possibility of catching the deadly bug by donning face masks.
A number of people heading into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were spotted wearing them in North London ahead of the clash with Norwich.
And supporters were also seen in the stands further up north at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough home with them on prior to the game with Manchester City.
The FA said they are not giving any directives in relation to COVID-19 and are following wider government advice.
It is currently down to individual clubs medical departments to suggest any special measures such as fist bumps over handshakes.
A spokesman for the FA said: “At present we have no special measures in place in relation to the outbreak of coronavirus.
“We are currently following wider government advice and this is not a directive that has come from us.”
Fixtures on the continent have already started to fall foul of the virus as countries battle to contain it.
The Italian government have ordered all sporting events to take place without fans until April 3 due to coronavirus outbreak – including England’s Six Nations game in Rome on March 14.
Italy has been the European country worst affected by the disease, with 79 people so far having been killed there by Covid-19.
A number of Serie A matches have already had to be postponed over the last fortnight.
Five Serie A games were played behind closed doors last weekend, while the Swiss Super League postponed their matches.
And in Formula 1, chief Ross Brawn says Grands Prix will be scrapped if any team is denied entry to a country.
The spread of the deadly coronavirus is playing havoc with plans for the season-opener in Melbourne on March 15.
Ireland’s rugby Six Nations clash against Italy, scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed.
It is unlikely to be rescheduled before October.
But Olympic bosses have insisted Tokyo 2020 will go ahead on schedule — after Japanese officials hinted it could be postponed due to the coronavirus.
Coronavirus – cases in UK leap to 87 as medical chief warns ‘significant epidemic likely’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
