The coronavirus outbreak in bringing the sporting world to a standstill with the Dutch Grand Prix set to be the next race pulled from Formula One’s schedule.
There were conflicting messages as to when the new F1 season might start after this weekend’s curtain-raiser in Australia was cancelled, with subsequent races in Bahrain, Vietnam and China postponed.
It is understood that the Dutch round – scheduled for May 3 – will be postponed.
The Spanish Grand Prix, due to take place on May 10, is also set to be called off.
The majority view of the sport’s travelling circus is to delay the campaign until the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, pencilled in for June 7, at the earliest, with the possibility of as many as 18 races crammed into six months.
While speculation regarding the likelihood of this summer’s Olympics going ahead remains rife, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the country is hopeful of hosting the event “without a hitch”.
The Tokyo Games are due to take place between July 24 and August 9.
“We hope to overcome the spread of infections first and foremost and hold the Olympics as planned without a hitch,” Abe said at a press conference reported by Kyodo News.
On Saturday, Italian Serie A club Fiorentina confirmed positive Covid-19 tests for striker Patrick Cutrone, defender German Pezzella and club physio Stefano Dainelli. Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic also tested positive on Friday.
England’s Football Association, the Premier League, the English Football League, FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have all agreed to call a halt to competitions with immediate effect until early April.
Friday’s suspension of football competition followed positive tests for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, with several other clubs reporting members of their playing and coaching staff were self-isolating as a precaution after experiencing symptoms consistent with Covid-19.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Premier League and the EFL, and whether those leagues will actually be completed this season.
The Premier League is set to meet next Thursday to discuss next steps, while the EFL have a board meeting next Wednesday both which follow a meeting scheduled by UEFA on Tuesday.
England’s tour of Sri Lanka was also postponed on Friday.
“There was an element of relief. The right decision has been made,” captain Joe Root said.
“You could see looking at the players that their minds were elsewhere thinking about people back home. Now that we can go and look after families and be with loved ones, that’s put a lot of guys at ease.”
The ODI series between Australia and New Zealand has also been postponed following tighter travel restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Super Rugby season has been suspended after the decision of the New Zealand government to quarantine people entering the country for 14 days.
In rugby league, Leeds revealed the player who had been showing symptoms of possible coronavirus had tested negative for the disease.
The Welsh Rugby Union suspended the community game in Wales from Saturday evening until March 30, and rugby league activity in Wales has been suspended until the end of March.
World Triathlon announced the suspension of all races and activities until the end of April – shortly after Britain’s Vicky Holland claimed victory in the Mooloolaba World Cup event in Australia.
Meanwhile, there were unusual playing conditions at snooker’s Gibraltar Open, with some of the matches – being played behind closed doors – taking place without referees.