Premier League suspended: European football’s reaction to Covid-19

Professional football has been suspended across Europe

The Premier League, EFL, and WSL have announced that they will suspend professional football in England due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is currently planned to return on 4 April but will be subject to medical advice and conditions at the time. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi are among the British football figures to have contracted the virus and be in self-isolation.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19.

“In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.”

The Premier League joins many major football competitions around Europe to have been suspended.

European Football Suspensions

 – Champions League and Europa League – Both postponed with no return date.
– La Liga and second tier – Postponed ‘for at least the next two rounds of matches’ after Real Madrid chose to quarantine their players following a basketballer at the club contracting the virus.
– Bundesliga – Games suspended until 2 April.
– Ligue 1 and 2 – Today voted to suspend Ligue 1 and 2. More information to be released on dates.
– Serie A – All sport in Italy suspended until 2 April.
– Other – Portuguese leagues suspended indefinitely, Eredivisie and second tier suspended for next two rounds of matches, Belgian sport suspended until 3 April, Swiss football league suspended until 23 March, three highest Polish football leagues played behind closed doors, Russian Premier League still going ahead as normal.