Sporting events that have been cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus
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The spread of coronavirus around the world has impacted thousands and has also affected various sporting events. The latest high-profile event that has reportedly been postponed due to the outbreak is England’s Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome. We’ve taken a look at some of the other events that have been cancelled or postponed due to the disease…
Olympic boxing qualifiers
The International Olympic Committee cancelled Olympic boxing qualifiers back in January in one of the first events to be affected by the disease. They were set to take place in Wuhan but will now get underway in Amman later this month.
Fed Cup
The International Tennis Federation also cancelled the scheduled Fed Cup Asia/Oceania event in January featuring China, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
World Athletics Indoor Championships
One of the first major events to be cancelled was the World Athletics Indoor Championships. They were set to get underway in Nanjing, China later this month, but the authorities postponed the competition until 2021 due to the virus.
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Super League was set to run from 22 February to 31 October, however, the start of the new season has been delayed. The likes of Marouane Fellaini, Oscar, Marko Arnautovic and Salomon Rondon may all be regretting their decision to leave the Premier League for China now!
China Open
Snooker’s lucrative tournament, the China Open, was postponed at the end of January. The competition was scheduled to get underway in Beijing at the end of March and was set to be the ideal preparation for several stars ahead of the World Championship at the Crucible.
China Masters
Several high-profile badminton stars decided to withdraw from the China Masters in February, and as a result, the Badminton World Federation decided to postpone the event.
Formula E Sanya race
All-electric racing series Formula E decided to cancel March’s planned race in Sanya, China at the beginning of February. Team bosses are reportedly bracing themselves for further cancellations.
Asian Champions League
The Asian Champions League decided to postpone matches involving Chinese clubs Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG until April. Group stage matches could now be held as late as the end of July.
Chinese Grand Prix
The new Formula 1 season is set to get underway in Australia later this month, however, the scheduled Chinese Grand Prix in April has already been called off. he race may still take place, with governing bodies set to assess alternative dates should the disease improve.
World Rugby Sevens Series
The World Rugby Sevens Series authorities decided to postpone the April legs at Singapore and Hong Kong last month. They’re now set to take place in October.
Table Tennis World Championships
The World Table Tennis Championships was set to take place in South Korea at the end of March. However, as a result of the spreading virus, they’ve been put back until June.
Italian football
Various football matches in Italy have had to be postponed with the virus spreading to Europe. The biggest fixture to be called off was Juventus’ game at home to Inter Milan.
J-League
Japan’s top flight has also been impacted by coronavirus. Governing bodies decided to postpone all official matches scheduled until March 15, with 94 matches affected.
Ireland v Italy - Six Nations
Ireland’s men’s and women’s Six Nations games against Italy in Dublin on 7 and 8 March were called off last week. It remains the only postponed fixture of both respective competitions.
MotoGP
The first two races of the MotoGP season were one of the latest events to be postponed due to the virus. Qatar and Thailand were set to be the first two locations for the new season.
Italian Cup semi-finals
The Italian Cup semi-finals at the beginning of March. The matches between Juventus and AC Milan and Napoli and Inter Milan will now either be rearranged or played behind closed doors.
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