Coronavirus: Which leagues are suspended, and which are still going?

Martin Macdonald

The outbreak of coronavirus has devastated the schedules of every major league in the world.

In the last few weeks, several high-profile matches such as the Serie A clash between Juventus and Inter, and the crunch Champions League game between PSG and Dortmund, were played with no spectators.

But as coronavirus continues to spread, and with Europe now designated as the epicentre of the disease, a number of leagues have already initiated suspensions.

There was also due to be an international break from March 16-29 which has also been suspended.

Here's the status of the major leagues as we know it.

SERIE A: SUSPENDED UNTIL 3 APRIL

Italy have been hit hardest so far with games quickly being postponed, leading to the Serie A schedule becoming fractured; the disease was more prevalent in the north, so while some of those were cancelled, fixtures in the south of the country continued on.

Then the news came that Juventus defender Daniele Rugani had tested positive for the virus, leading team-mates to be forced into quarantine, with Cristiano Ronaldo remaining at home in Madeira.

The decision was then taken to cancel all Serie A fixtures until 3 April and the Italian football federation has admitted that the season could actually be written off altogether.

LA LIGA: SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY

Initially, Spanish football authorities initially took the decision to continue to hold Primera and Segunda Division matches, with only non-professional fixtures being cancelled.

That caused furore among top-flight teams, with Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid sharing a post on his Instagram which read:

"Are the players, coaching staff and assistants of the first and second division squads immune?"

Carvajal, and the vast majority of Liga players, got their wish on 11 March as, after a meeting between the RFEF, La Liga officials and the AFA (the Association of Spanish Footballers), the decision was made to postpone all fixtures until further notice.

Juventus versus Inter played behind closed doors

BUNDESLIGA - SUSPENDED UNTIL 3 APRIL

Initially the decision was taken to play Bundesliga matches with no spectators in attendance.

But an emergency meeting took place in which the DFB announced Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga matches would be suspended until the beginning of April.

The step-up in emergency protocols came after Hannover defender Timo Hubers contracted the virus. At this point a conclusion to the season cannot be guaranteed.

LIGUE 1 - SUSPENDED UNTIL 3 APRIL

Initially, games were to be played behind closed doors with a maximum of 1,000 fans in attendance, but that plan never came to fruition as more drastic measures were taken.

As it stands both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will be suspended until the beginning of April in line with most other leagues, but there are discussions to be held over the coming weeks to assess how the season can finish from here.

PREMIER LEAGUE - SUSPENDED UNTIL 3 APRIL

After discussing plans of going behind closed doors, or even allowing all matches to be streamed across the weekend to fans who have bought a single ticket for a match or are season ticket holders for a particular club.

In the end, professional football in the top four divisions (including Championship, League 1, League 2) will be suspended until 3 and a decision will be made in due course as to what will happen across the rest of the season.

MLS - SUSPENDED FOR A MONTH

MLS followed the lead of the NBA and decided to close down, just at the start of their new season, for an entire month. The PGA Tour had initially commenced the Players Championship at Sawgrass, playing Thursday's round, before a suspension for a month was announced.

TURKEY, RUSSIA - BUSINESS AS USUAL

Both the Turkish Super Lig and the RFPL have featured matches across the weekend of 15 March, with the number of confirmed cases in these countries low enough for mass gatherings and sporting events to continue.

Zenit battered Ural 7-1 on 14 March to extend their gap at the summit of Russian football.

While in Turkey Fenerbahce suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Konyaspor as their poor season continues.

Both of these leagues - at the moment - have shown no indication that they plan to bring their leagues to a close.

Liga MX in Mexico and the Copa de la Superliga also took place on Saturday and, likewise, those leagues look set to continue uninterrupted for the time being.

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