Premier League and EFL suspended amid virus outbreak
All Premier League and English Football League fixtures have been suspended until April 4 amid the coronavirus outbreak in the UK and worldwide.
It comes after Premier League chiefs met to discuss the top division's response to the outbreak.
It means Carlisle United's campaign has been put on hold, with games against Grimsby, Northampton, Leyton Orient and Macclesfield now not going ahead as planned.
A statement from the club said: "As a club we are considering the implications of this announcement, and of what is a fast-changing situation, and we will issue more advice in due course."
In Scottish football, all professional and grassroots fixtures under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA have also been suspended.
A UEFA statement read: "In the light of developments due to the spread ofCovid-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competition matches scheduled next week are postponed.<
"This includes the remaining UEFA Champions League round-of-16 second leg matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020; all UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg matches scheduled on 19 March 2020; all UEFA Youth League quarter-final matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020.
"Further decisions on when these matches take place will be communicated in due course.
"As a consequence of the postponements, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League quarter-final draws scheduled for 20 March have also been postponed."
In Scotland, cancellations start with tonight’s Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen and the Championship match between Queen of the South and Ayr United.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “The health and safety of fans, players and officials is absolutely paramount. We have not yet had any confirmed cases of Coronavirus amongst players in Scotland, but, given the nature of this outbreak, it seems only a matter of time.
“We realise that many people will be bitterly disappointed, and we would obviously prefer to be in a position where we can continue as normal, but that’s neither realistic nor possible.”
Current advice from the UK and Scottish governments is that sporting events can continue as planned but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Thursday that a ban onpublic gatherings of more than 500 peoplewill come into force at the start of next week.
CANCELLED FIXTURES
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi both tested positive for the virus.
The Premier League have confirmed they're hoping to reschedule the cancelled games when it is safe to do so.
More details to follow.