Coronavirus Update: Juventus vs Milan Postponed & Barcelona vs Napoli Clash in Doubt
The coronavirus outbreak continues to wreak havoc on football, with Juventus' Coppa Italia semi-final against Milan the latest fixture to be postponed. Barcelona's Champions League meeting with Napoli later this month is also at risk of being rearranged.
It was reported earlier in the week that Juve's game would go ahead - albeit with supporter restrictions in place. However, the club announced on Tuesday evening that the fixture would be postponed as per directives issued by the Turin state government.
The postponement comes after a spate of cancellations in Serie A recently as Italy attempt to halt the spread of the disease. The government is even considering suspending all football for 30 days while the threat is contained.
Napoli's trip to the Camp Nou is also at risk of being postponed. According to Spain's Health minister Salvador Illa, Valencia's game against Atalanta next Tuesday and Getafe's Europa league clash with Inter on March 19 could similarly face cancellation.
"These professional sports competition events, in which a high presence of fans coming from the coronavirus risk areas is expected, the recommendation is that they should be held behind closed doors," Illa said (via the Evening Standard).
While there is currently no talk of postponing games in England and Scotland, governing bodies in both countries have encouraged clubs to take other preventative measures. Scottish footballers, managers and referees have been told not to shake hands during games after a case of the disease was reported in the Tayside region.
Some leagues and clubs in England have also introduced this protocol. Newcastle are understood to have banned players from shaking hands while the Wessex League - the ninth tier of English football - have similarly outlawed the formality.
Though preventative measures have been implemented across the continent, this summer's European Championship remains in genuine doubt.
"We are at the waiting stage," UEFA executive committee member, Michele Uva said (via TalkSport).
"We are monitoring country by country, and football must follow the orders of the individual countries. The sporting path will only be closed if the situation gets worse."
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