Matches in the top two divisions in Spain and France are to be played behind closed doors because of coronavirus concerns. La Liga announced its ruling will affect the next two rounds of fixtures while the French league said fans will be banned until 15 April. La Liga said it acted on guidance from Spain’s ministry of health. The French government announced on Sunday a ban on all gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

In Germany, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Bundesliga tie against Cologne on Wednesday night will take place behind close doors, as will five of the nine top-flight matches over the weekend. Union Berlin’s match against Bayern Munich on Saturday will go ahead with fans present, but the status of the other three games is yet to be decided. Germany’s health minister Jens Spahn has called for gatherings of more than 1,000 people to be cancelled and several regional governments have issued such bans. Barcelona’s Champions League match against Napoli on 18 March will also be played at an empty Nou Camp. “The decision has been made strictly for health reasons,” said Joan Guix, Catalunya government’s health chief.