EFL follows Premier League’s lead and holds emergency meeting over fixtures amid coronavirus chaos

Disease has greatly disrupted the sporting world this week

Alex Pattle
Friday 13 March 2020 10:33 GMT
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The English Football League will meet this morning.
The English Football League will meet this morning. (PA)

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The English Football league (EFL) will hold a meeting this morning as it prepares to address its upcoming schedule in light of coronavirus concerns.

The Premier League is also set to meet to make a decision on how the season should proceed after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus.

An EFL spokesman said on Friday morning: “The EFL Board will meet this morning to make a decision on this weekend’s fixtures and beyond.”

Arsenal’s planned Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Wednesday was cancelled due to Gunners players self-isolating after having had contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who tested positive for Covid-19.

Their game against Brighton this weekend has now also been cancelled after Arteta tested positive.

Chelsea also cancelled training sessions and Friday’s press conference.

Everton released a statement on Friday morning to say the first-team squad and officials were self-isolating after a player showed symptoms of coronavirus.

The Independent has been told that several teams will support a suspension of the Premier League.

A small number of officials will suggest the campaign should be voided.

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