Everton's first team squad and coaching team are self-isolating, and the Champions League has been postponed, amid the coronavirus outbreak

Everton said they were in regular contact with the player, who has not yet been named, and "is monitoring the wellbeing of all players and staff".

The isolation period puts the Premier League side's match against Liverpool, current scheduled for Monday night, into doubt.

🔵 | Club Statement. — Everton (@Everton) March 13, 2020

Sky News has also learned that the English Football League (EFL) will postpone all of its matches until 4 April.

Sky News' sports correspondent Martha Kelner has said that the EFL has made this decision because of the safety of players, rather than of audiences.


In European football, all of next week's matches in UEFA competitions, including the Champions League and the Europa League have been postponed.

Draws for the next rounds of both leagues which were scheduled to take place on 20 March have also now been postponed, UEFA announced.

In cricket, Sri Lanka's upcoming Test series against England has been postponed.

England and Wales Cricket Board said: "At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount.

"These are completely unprecedented times, and decisions like this go beyond cricket.

Thank you for all your good wishes, as I said in the video I’m feeling good and hope to see you all soon!!🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/hn5d0ikm60 — Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) March 13, 2020

"We would like to thank our colleagues at Sri Lanka Cricket for their outstanding support and assistance throughout this situation."

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi are confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.

In a statement, Chelsea FC said its entire men's squad would be self-isolating, along with coaching staff and backroom staff who came into contact with Hudson-Odoi.

The men's team building will be closed, but the rest of the training facility, Stamford Bridge and other Chelsea facilities will operate as normal.

The club said Hudson-Odoi had experienced symptoms "similar to a mild cold" on Monday morning and had not been at the training ground since as a precaution.

Image: Arsenal players train at London Colney

Earlier on Thursday night, Arsenal announced its first team squad and anyone else who has been in recent close contact with Arteta had also been told to self-isolate.

Arsenal's clash against Brighton on Saturday has been postponed following the announcement.

In a statement, Brighton's chief executive Paul Barber said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with Mikel Arteta and we wish him a speedy recovery.

"It's absolutely essential the health and wellbeing of individuals takes priority and with that in mind Saturday's match has been postponed.

Image: Mikel Arteta pictured at a training session at London Colney on 10 March

"We apologise to all fans for any inconvenience but trust everyone will understand that we are all facing an unprecedented situation."

Announcing Arteta's diagnosis, Arsenal said: "Our London Colney training centre has been closed after head coach Mikel Arteta received a positive COVID-19 result.

"Arsenal personnel who had recent close contact with Mikel will now self-isolate in line with government health guidelines.

"We expect this to be a significant number of people from Colney, including the full first-team squad and coaching staff."

The Premier League is now set to convene an emergency club meeting this morning regarding future fixtures.

Representatives from all 20 League clubs will be involved in the decision whether to suspend the season entirely and, if so, for how long.

Arsenal said it is working to trace others who have had recent close contact with Arteta.

The club's Colney and Hale End training centres will be deep cleaned, but other club sites will operate as normal.

Following the announcement, Arteta said: "This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I'm allowed."

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Arsenal's game at Manchester City was cancelled on Wednesday after team members came into contact with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who announced on Tuesday he had contracted COVID-19.

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Over in Europe, France top domestic football tournaments, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, have been suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus.

In Germany, all matches in the Bundesliga will be played behind closed doors this week, except RB Leipzig's match with Freiburg.

Barcelona's game at home to Napoli will also be played behind closed doors.

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Meanwhile, three players at Premier League club Leicester City who showed symptoms of coronavirus have been isolated.

The team's manager, Brendan Rodgers, said: "We've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs [of coronavirus]. We've followed procedures and [as a precaution] they have been kept away from the squad."

European football's governing body, UEFA, is set to discuss next week whether any of its three tournaments will go ahead.