The EFL have announced that their board will meet this morning to discuss the immediate future of football fixtures, with a suspension of matches this weekend, including Luton v Preston, seeming likely.
An EFL spokesman said: “The EFL Board will meet this morning to make a decision on this weekend’s fixtures and beyond.”
It follows a fast moving situation surrounding the spread of Coronavirus, which was classified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced no immediate plans to call off sporting fixtures, or large public gatherings, despite the suspension of football matches in Italy, Spain, Holland, Germany, Portugal, USA, as well as a raft of other sports.
In response to that, the EFL released a statement yesterday (Thursday) evening to state that Football League fixtures would be staged this weekend, but that now looks in doubt after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta contracted Covid-19 and the Premier League announced an emergency meeting this morning.
The EFL followed suit and a decision will be announced shortly.
In yesterday’s statement the EFL had said: ‘In light of today’s announcement by the UK Government, EFL matches will continue to take place as normal while the guidance from the relevant authorities remains that there is no medical rationale to close or cancel sporting events at this time.
‘The EFL, however, will continue to work with Government and relevant stakeholders to further develop contingency plans to ensure the League is best placed to act as and when any potential restrictions may come into force.
‘Immediately following the announcement by the Prime Minister, EFL Chair Rick Parry held discussions with the FA and Premier League and agreed on a consistent approach ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures. Matters will be further discussed at a meeting called by European Football’s Governing body, UEFA, on Tuesday 17 March.
‘The League will continue to liaise with the Government regarding ongoing developments and will continue to work with Clubs to ensure players, staff and supporters are updated and appraised accordingly.
‘These matters are, of course, subject to change and we will update as appropriate.’
