Coronavirus in sport LIVE: Trump said UFC should go ahead – Dana White, Premier League might have 22 teams next term – The Sun

CORONAVIRUS continues to hit sport with the Wales v Scotland Six Nations clash, the Masters golf and Premier League football the latest casualties.

And the discussion has now moved to what to do about the rest of the season, with a potential 22-team top flight mooted for next season.

Follow all the latest news and information on how the outbreak is affecting sport…

  • CORONAVIRUS NEWS

    Unfortunately for sports fans, there seems to be no positive signs with the deadly bug continuing to cause chaos for events.

    UFC London has been called off due to the outbreak of coronavirus – and now looks likely to be held in the United States.

    Brit Leon Edwards is OUT of the main-event against Tyron Woodley – with the former champ now searching for a replacement opponent.

    President Donald Trump confirmed the European travel ban would extend to the UK and Republic of Ireland as of Monday.

    Following that announcement, the UFC have decided to cancel next Saturday's event at the O2 Arena.

    While Cricket faces an uncertain and worrying few months with some counties fearing financial devastation with matches being scrapped.

    The county season is due to start on April 12 but most clubs have already either aborted or cancelled pre-season tours because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Most counties are confident they can cope with four-day championship matches being called off. The big worry is an impact on the money-spinning T20 Blast.

    And the Italian FA are going to plea with Uefa to postpone Euro 2020 following the outbreak of coronavirus.

    Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina told SportMediaset: “We will propose to UEFA the delay of the European Championship.

    “We will try to get to the end of this championship because it is fairer and more correct after the many investments and sacrifices of our clubs.”

    While Former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala is the latest star player that has tested positive for coronavirus.

    And Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba has launched a fundraiser on his 27th birthday to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.

    The World Cup-winning midfielder has pledged to double the amount raised should the target of £27,000 be met.

    Pogba took to social media to claim he is looking to raise money so he can provide health workers with necessary equipment in the “fight” against COVID-19.

  • GREM REAPER

    Gremio stars protested against being forced to play during the coronavirus crisis by taking to the field in face masks.

    The Brazilian league is just one of the few worldwide that continues despite the rapid spread of the deadly virus.

    No fans are allowed in the stadium but there have no plans to abandon matches as of yet.

    And Gremio players piled on the pressure for authorities to postpone the season by entering the field against Sao Luiz wearing face masks.

    Led by manager Renato Portaluppi, they emerged from the tunnel wearing masks and kept them on for the team photo.

    They then took them off for the game in which they won 3-2.

    Paulo Luz, Gremio's director of football told Brazilian publication UOL: “This protest by the players to take the field wearing masks makes implicit our support for the championship to be halted.

    “Life must take precedence.”

  • BLOODY EL

    Former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala has tested positive for coronavirus.

    The Valencia centre-back and two other staff members have contracted the contagious bug.

    A club statement: “Valencia CF inform that five positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been detected amongst first team staff and players.

    “All of these persons are now at home, in good health and obeying self-isolation measures.

    “Besides providing further information over the coming hours, the club reiterate our support for the health authorities and their social awareness campaigns, and emphasise to all of the population the importance of staying at home and continuing to follow the previously published hygiene and illness-prevention measures.”

  • BLACKOUT

    Sky Sports and BT Sport will not be offering any refunds to customers despite the lack of live football on offer.

    The Premier League announced on Friday that it would be suspending fixtures until at least April 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    It was a move that followed Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A and was later repeated by Germany's Bundesliga and the French Ligue 1.

    The Champions League and Europa League are also on hold with Uefa to take a decision about their future on Tuesday.

    And that leaves football fans with very little to watch on television for the next few weeks.

    Sports subscriptions cost hundreds of pounds per year, but Sky and BT will not be refunding fans for the time there's no football on.

  • EUR OFF

    The Italian FA are going to plea with Uefa to postpone Euro 2020 following the outbreak of coronavirus.

    Italy have already suspended Serie A with the country struggling to control the spread of the disease and they are now desperate for Uefa to push the summer tournament back.

    The majority of countries have suspended sporting events until at least April but there is growing concern that they wont return that quickly.

    The virus continues to spread at an alarming rate and representatives of clubs and leagues in Europe and the players will be involved in an emergency video-conference call organised by Uefa on Tuesday.

    Italian FA president Gabriele Gravina has called on Uefa to make the right decision.

    Gravina told SportMediaset: “We will propose to UEFA the delay of the European Championship.

    “We will try to get to the end of this championship because it is fairer and more correct after the many investments and sacrifices of our clubs.”

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