The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed upcoming qualifiers for the 2020 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and 2021 Men’s Africa Cup of Nations because of the spread of coronavirus. In a letter to member associations on Friday, CAF said that despite the fact only a few cases had been reported on the continent, the men’s matches – scheduled to take place between 25 March and 31 March – would be moved, with the women’s matches the following week also suspended.
Elite football in Britain has been suspended until at least 3 April as a result of the spread of coronavirus. All games in England’s Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship are postponed. The Premier League said play will start on 4 April subject to “conditions at the time”.
Chelsea’s full squad have gone into self-isolation after winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus, the club said in a statement in the early hours of Friday morning. Hudson-Odoi displayed cold symptoms on Monday morning and has stayed away from the club since then. His test result was returned on Thursday night making him the first Premier League player known to have contracted the virus.
No professional tennis tournaments will be played anywhere in the world until at least 20 April. The ATP Tour has postponed all play for six weeks because of “escalating health and safety issues” arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
Manchester United took control of their Europa League last-16 tie with a resounding 5-0 first-leg win at LASK, in front of a crowd of 500 people. Odion Ighalo’s superb goal set United on their way inside a largely empty Linzer Stadion after the Austrian government had restricted the attendance in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The 30-year-old Nigeria striker has now scored four goals in three starts United, who are now unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions.
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is self-isolating as a precaution after a member of his family was admitted to hospital displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus and the club’s game against Brighton on Saturday has been postponed. The Gunners have closed their training ground and club staff who had recent contact with Arteta will now self-isolate. The Premier League will hold “an emergency club meeting” on Friday to discuss future fixtures. “This is really disappointing,” said Spaniard Arteta, 37.
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