- Title: FILE-Premier League becomes latest to face Coronavirus suspension
- Date: 13th March 2020
- Summary: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - FEBRUARY 19, 2020) (REUTERS) ETIHAD STADIUM SIGN ON EXTERIOR OF MANCHESTER CITY STADIUM EXTERIORS OF STADIUM VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF CITY STORE STADIUM SIGN STADIUM
- Embargoed: 27th March 2020 12:56
- Keywords: Aston Villa COVID-19 Christian Purslow Premier League coronavirus suspension
- Location: LONDON, MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK
- City: LONDON, MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA002C4VXW7B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: All elite soccer matches in England, including the Premier League, Football League (EFL) and Women's Super League (WSL), were suspended until April 4 on Friday (March 13) due to the coronavirus pandemic, English soccer's governing bodies said.
"Following a meeting of shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on April 4," the Premier League, Football Association (FA), EFL and WSL said in a joint statement.
The decision was taken after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus. Everton had announced that their entire team was in self-isolation but later clarified that just one player was in that situation.
The Premier League said it aims to reschedule the affected fixtures but is unsure when action will be able to resume.
Christian Purslow, chief executive of Premier League club Aston Villa, said after the meeting that he backed the decision to suspend the league, but added it was unclear if games would resume on April 4.
The Football Association said England's friendly internationals against Italy and Denmark at Wembley on March 27 and 31 respectively will not take place.
The men's and women's FA Cup competitions have also been suspended.
The EFL, which administers the three professional divisions below the Premier League, with 72 clubs, said in a statement that the situation will be kept under "constant review".
The British government has not banned large public gatherings at this stage in its response to the crisis, but the EFL said it was the right moment to activate its own plans. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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