Coronavirus: Remaining I-League games to be played behind closed doors

The AIFF arrived at the decision following consultations between members of its top brass.

Adhering to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, All India Football Federation has decided to complete the remaining matches of the 2019-20 edition of the I-League behind closed doors.

Besides team officials and players; match officials (referees), medical staff, TV crew, accredited media and required security staff -- none would be allowed to be in the premises of the stadium on matchday and during official practice the preceding day.

The I-League is the second major competition in the country to be played in the absence of spectators. Earlier, the FSDL chairperson Nita Ambani had announced that the final of the Indian Super League on 14th March shall be played behind closed doors.

Moreover, India's FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, scheduled in March and June too were called off in a joint decision by the AFC and FIFA. The Blue Tigers were supposed to face Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Qatar in their qualifying campaign apart from a friendly with Tajikistan.

The World Health Organisation recently declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, considering the magnitude of its outspread globally. The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus has affected some major sporting events across the world. Several top European leagues including the Serie A, LaLiga, Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 have been suspended.

UEFA, on Friday, also announced that the knockout rounds of the Champions League and Europa League shall be postponed along with a few Round of 16 ties. While UEFA Euro 2020 has also been postponed to 2021.

Quite evidently, the outbreak of the coronavirus has deeply affected sporting events across the world and it definitely comes as a sad news for sorts fans.

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