March 13 – In an unprecedented move, UEFA has suspended its entire club competition programme next week as a result of the coronavirus.
Barcelona against Napoli and Bayern Munich’s clash with Chelsea were due to take place but are now postponed. Manchester City vs. Real Madrid and Juventus’ match with Lyon were already postponed on Thursday.
Manchester United’s second leg Europa League tie with LASK, due to be played on March. 19, has also been postponed, along with all other fixtures in that competition too.
UEFA said in a statement: “In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions 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, quarterfinal matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020.
“Further decisions on when these matches take place will be communicated in due course.”
Football across Europe has been severely affected domestically with La Liga suspending competition for two rounds and Serie A in Italy off until April 3.
UEFA had hoped to minimise the effects of Covid-19 by playing games behind closed doors but such is the severity of the virus that everything has now been called off, with previous plans having been overtaken by events.
The draws for the subsequent rounds, set for March 20, have also been postponed amid serious concerns, with an already congested calendar, about if and when UEFA’s two club competitions can actually be completed this season.
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