Global coronavirus chaos hits

Italy has cancelled all sporting events as a growing number of sports around the world are thrown into chaos by the coronavirus.

The Socceroos will face a crowded schedule after qualifiers were postponed

Italy has cancelled all sporting events until next month as a growing number of sports around the world are thrown into chaos by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Socceroos’ packed 2020 schedule just got a lot busier with the decision to postpone World Cup qualifiers.

FIFA has postponed March and June qualifiers across Asia due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It means Australia’s matches against Kuwait and Nepal in March as well as June home games against Taiwan and Jordan will now be played at a later date. With the Socceroos set to play at this year’s Copa America and the Olyroos qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, Australia’s international football calendar is one of the busiest in its history.

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Italy’s Prime Minister announced the country was being locked down, prompting the Italian Olympic Committee to say “all sporting activities at all levels” in the country should be suspended until April 3. Earlier, the Italian swimming federation said it was withdrawing its teams from international events and cancelled an Olympic qualifying meet scheduled for next week in Riccione. Even the flame-lighting ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics is being affected. Spectators will be kept away from the event in ancient Olympia on Thursday, the Greek Olympic committee said. Only 100 accredited guests will be allowed to attend.

Japanese officials have postponed the start of the 12-team professional baseball league season while on Sunday one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, in Indian Wells, was postponed.

In France, police said that the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes will be played without fans. It is the second of the four matches in the competition this week to be played in an empty stadium. Wolverhampton Wanderers said on Monday that their Europa League last-16 first-leg tie at Greek side Olympiacos will be played behind closed doors.

The virus also forced the postponement of the Six Nations rugby match between France and Ireland that was scheduled for Saturday.

Agencies