Corona Virus Could Deny The World Sports Entertainment

Coronavirus has become the major highlight of 2020 since it has changed how the world operates.

International events and meetings have been cancelled due to the virus. The most affected so far are sports events. The sporting world is feeling the effect of coronavirus with multiple sports leagues being suspended because of the scare of the virus.

As much as the athletes will definitely miss the game, fans will also be greatly affected. Before leagues were suspended, a few matches were played behind closed doors. Fans were not allowed into the stadium.

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This was not that bad because the fans were still able to follow their favourite teams play on Television. the situation is now shifting ground from the frying pan to the fire as leagues are now being suspended till further notice.

So far, the Italian top tier football league Serie A, the National Basketball Association (NBA) league and the Spanish top tier football league La Liga have all been suspended. In fact, any sporting activity in Italy has been suspended because of the virus scare.

Other prominent leagues are also on the verge of being suspended as their respective league organizers contemplate whether or not they will follow suit. The world’s most famous English Premier League could also be suspended as more cases of the virus are being reported in the United Kingdom.

Italian Sports Suspended

Italy has been the European country worst hit by the coronavirus so far, with over 9,000 confirmed cases and 463 deaths so far. Actually, Italy was the first country to report a case of Covid-19 in Europe.

This saw retrieval of holy water from the catholic churches in the country. Italy is a known catholic country and this really affected the Christians in the country.

Football fans were second to feel the pinch of Covid 19 as Serie A matches started being played behind closed doors. Once it got to this point it was just a matter of time before the entire league was suspended.

Despite Italy’s efforts to curb the virus, two players in the top tier league have tested positive for the virus. Juventus’ Daniele Rugani and Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini have both tested positive.

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The sports governing body was left with no option but to suspend all domestic sporting activity until 3 April at the earliest.

NBA League

The NBA suspended all games starting Thursday after a player for the Utah Jazz preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The league said games would be suspended until further notice.

The test result was reported shortly before tipoff of Wednesday night’s game between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, according to a statement from the NBA. The game was cancelled immediately.

The affected player was not in the arena at the time of cancellation. The NBA also announced that it would use the hiatus to determine its next steps.

La Liga

Unlike Serie A and NBA, no player has tested positive for COVID-19 in La Liga yet. However, Real Madrid players have been forced into coronavirus quarantine.

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In fact, La Liga officially announced the suspension of the next two matchdays after the news that Real Madrid has been forced into coronavirus quarantine. Real Madrid went into quarantine after learning that a member of their basketball team, who use the same training facilities as the football team, had tested positive for Covid-19

Several of Spain’s football fixtures had already been disrupted by concerns over the spread of the virus, with matches either being rescheduled or forced to take place behind closed doors.

More Leagues at Risk

The UEFA Champions League and Europa League are among the most followed leagues in the world but are likely to be suspended too. The UEFA committee is seriously considering to suspend both leagues.

Champions League and Europa League fixtures have already been impacted as Wednesday’s tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund in France was played behind closed doors.

The world’s famous English Premier League could also be affected. The match between Manchester City and Arsenal was postponed due to the virus scare. It is only a matter of time before the English Football Association decides to suspend the league.

It is indeed a nightmare for sports fans all across the globe. Corona Virus is likely to deny the world sports entertainment.