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How Have Soccer, Tennis, Golf and Racing Competitions Been Affected By the Coronavirus?

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in News

Updated Mar 13, 2020 · 9:36 AM PDT

Real Madrid
La Liga has joined the growing list of sports leagues suspending play after members of Real Madrid were placed under quarantine due to the widening coronavirus outbreak. Photo By uggboy (Wiki Commons)
  • Real Madrid quarantine prompts suspension of play in La Liga, while MLS proactively shut it down
  • ATP Tour put on hold for at least six weeks, but PGA Tour set to move forward without fans
  • Keep up with the rapidly growing list of postponements and cancelations in the story below

The rapidly spreading coronavirus is taking its toll on professional sports. In the wake of the NBA’s decision on Wednesday night to suspend play indefinitely, the number of announcements has grown on Thursday.

The MLS has added its name to the growing list of soccer leagues suspending operations, joining Serie A and La Liga.

Tennis and golf have also been impacted. In addition to the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open, which were postponed earlier this week, the ATP Tour has now shut down for at least six weeks. This week’s PLAYERS Championship is set to move forward, but upcoming PGA tournaments are now planned to move forward without fans.

The start of the 2020 Formula One season is also on hold after this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix was called off.

Here’s a look at the latest news on how the coronavirus is impacting the worlds of soccer, tennis, golf and racing.

Premier League, Bundesliga Now Postponed

  • On Thursday, the Premier League had yet to announce a shutdown, instead electing to move forward with matches played in empty stadiums, and has also moved to cut off televised feeds of matches to pubs, where large numbers of fans would typically congregate.
  • However, after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta tested positive for the virus, an emergency meeting was held Friday morning, resulting in the suspension of the EPL, EFL and WSL until April 3
  • Man City also saw Wednesday’s Premier League matchup with Arsenal FC postponed after as many as 14 Arsenal players entered self-isolation. The players reportedly came into contact with Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis following the club’s 2-1 loss to the Greek side in UEFA Europa League play two weeks ago. Marinakis has since been diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • The German Bundesliga is now the latest league to shut down until April 2 after previously planning to play behind closed doors
  • For now, if you’re still looking to get a bet in this weekend for soccer, Mexico’s Liga MX, Turkey’s Super Lig and the Russian Premier League look to be your best (and almost) only options

La Liga Shuts Down on Thursday

  • La Liga suspended play for at least two rounds of matches after Real Madrid players entered quarantine on Thursday. The shutdown of Spain’s top-flight league comes just days after Serie A halted play in observance of Italy’s nationwide suspension of sporting events, which will remain in place until at least April 3.
  • The impact of Real Madrid’s quarantine is being widely felt. In addition to spurring the La Liga shutdown, Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League matchup with Manchester City has been postponed. That adds to the postponed of the Juventus vs Lyon UCL match, due to the Juventus players being quarantined after Daniele Rugani tested positive for the virus.

  • UEFA has yet to make it official, but reports out of the UK indicate that the European soccer authority is leaning towards suspending play in both the Champions League and Europa League, and postponing Euro 2020 until next year.
  • Ligue 1 had continued to play games behind closed doors, limiting attendance to club personnel, league officials, and just 1,000 fans. As of Thursday, they were still scheduled to play, however, on Friday, the league has also decided to postpone the season
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MLS Follows NBA’s Lead

  • Major League Soccer became the first North American league to follow the NBA’s lead by announcing a shutdown on Thursday morning lasting at least 30 days. 
  • MLS has taken a proactive approach to the coronavirus concerns. As of Thursday, there have been no reports of any MLS players contracting the virus. However, the league had already announced the postponement of upcoming matches in both Seattle and San Jose, two cities that have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In addition, CONCACAF has announced the suspension of Champions League play, effective immediately. The move comes during the quarter-final round involving the Montreal Impact, Los Angeles FC, Atlanta United, and New York City FC.

ATP Tennis Put on Hold

  • ATP has announced a suspension of tournament play for a minimum of six weeks. Tournaments affected include the Miami Open, and events in Monte Carlo, Houston, Marrakech, Barcelona, and Budapest.
  • The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells was canceled earlier this week due to a widening coronavirus outbreak in California. However, there are currently no plans to postpone the upcoming French Open or Wimbledon.
  • There has yet to be a formal announcement from the WTA as to their plans for upcoming events, however, it is expected to follow the ATP lead.
  • The WTA Tour has announced cancelations for upcoming events in Bogota and Guadalajara

Players Championship Canceled, Masters Postponed

https://twitter.com/hedgolfeastYuri/status/1238474541279698950?s=20

  • One of the most important tournaments on the PGA Tour, the PLAYERS Championship, was scheduled to go ahead this weekend, but without spectators. However, that decision was since changed to canceling the event, as well as other upcoming PGA Tour events

  • Additionally, on Friday morning, an announcement was made to postpone The Masters

Start of F1 Season Delayed, NASCAR Still Running

  • Formula One announced on Thursday the postponement of this weekend’s running of the Australian Grand Prix, delaying the start of the 2020 season.
  • The race has been in doubt since news broke earlier this week that members of McLaren Racing had contracted the coronavirus, forcing the UK-based team to withdraw.
  • Lewis Hamilton lent his voice to a growing chorus raising concern about the wisdom of holding the race, saying that it was “shocking” that the race would go ahead under the threat of the global coronavirus pandemic.
  • Concerns had previously been raised about the presence of Ferrari team members, who had made the journey Down Under from a region of Italy that has been hit hard by a coronavirus outbreak. However, there have been no reports indicating that any Ferrari team members have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • NASCAR, originally set to run this weekend, has now been called off

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