Premier League 'to finish season behind closed doors' if coronavirus spreads

The Premier League, FA and English Football League are said to have discussed playing matches behind closed doors rather than cancelling the season [Courtesy]

The Premier League will reportedly consider playing matches behind closed doors rather than cancelling the season if the coronavirus crisis continues to grow.

There are worries that a number of sporting events will have to be called off or postponed altogether as a result of the virus, with the summer Olympics and the European Championships just two examples.

The Premier League, FA and English Football League are said to have discussed what they would do in a worst-case scenario, and according to The Telegraph, they would prefer to finish the season with no supporters attending than cancel it.

There had been concern among Liverpool fans that they may be denied a now-inevitable first Premier League title since 1990 if the league was cancelled, but that now appears to be a highly unlikely scenario.

Coronavirus has already affected the sporting calendar in other countries, with five Serie A games postponed this weekend, including the top-of-the-table clash between Juventus and Inter Milan.

Serie A games have been postponed as a result of the virus. [Courtesy]

Fifa president Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, admitted next month's international fixtures may have to be postponed, with England and Wales due to play friendlies and Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in line to play Euro 2020 qualifiers.

"People's health is much more important than any game," Infantino said.

"I wouldn't exclude anything at this moment. That's why we have to look at the situation and hope that it will decrease rather than increase. At the moment it looks like it is still increasing.

"If games have to be postponed or played without spectators until it is over, then we have to go through that."

Gianni Infantino has spoken out about the crisis. [Courtesy]

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin also led a debate on the issue during the meeting of the ruling executive council yesterday, and said: "Everybody stay calm. We must be guided by the authorities and our respective governments."