Premier League Games to Go Ahead After Government Issues Coronavirus Update

Update: The Premier League has  ​​​called an emergenc​y meeting  for Friday morning regarding the upcoming weekend's fixtures since the publication of this article, following Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's coronavirus diagnosis.

All Premier League matches will go ahead as scheduled this weekend, following a government update regarding the spread of coronavirus.

COVID-19 has caused games all around the world to be postponed, cancelled or played behind closed doors, particularly in Europe.

A ​Premier League statement reads: "Following the latest update from Government issued this afternoon, all Premier League matches will go ahead as scheduled this weekend.

"While the Prime Minister advised that all sporting events should take place as normal for now, he also indicated that Government is considering banning major public events, like sporting fixtures.

"We are therefore continuing to work closely with our clubs, Government, The FA, EFL and other relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place as and when circumstances change.

"The welfare of players, staff and supporters is of paramount importance and we will continue to follow Public Health England guidelines thoroughly. We will keep everyone updated as appropriate."

Serie A has been postponed until next month along with MLS, La Liga, the Dutch Eredivisie and Portugal's Primeira Liga, while Bundesliga games are both scheduled to be played without spectators in attendance in the coming days.

Leicester, who have players who have exhibited symptoms of coronavirus, face Watford on Saturday.

There is also expected to be an update on the pan-European Euro 2020 competition in the summer, with UEFA calling a meeting with its 55 member associations. It is expected that the tournament will be postponed until 2021.

UEFA released a statement on Thursday that reads: "In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of Covid-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation, Uefa has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by video conference on Tuesday March 17 to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak."

For more information on which leagues, fixtures and clubs have been affected and the latest news regarding the coronavirus in football, see 90min's live blog for the latest updates.