After being declared a global pandemic this week, Coronavirus has halted numerous major sporting events around the world indefinitely.
Cities and countries have issued quarantine orders, shut schools and banned large gatherings and events in an attempt to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
Sports leagues are now taking major steps in America and around the world by ceasing all competition, including all four major and active U.S. leagues. Here are some of the major league updates from the last couple of days.
NBA – SEASON SUSPENDED
On Wednesday night, the National Basketball Association suspended its season indefinitely. The decision came after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the virus before a scheduled game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league will wait at least 30 days before resuming the season.
NCAA MARCH MADNESS – CANCELED
With all sporting eyes on College Basketball in March, players and fans were unhappy after the cancellation of March Madness on Thursday. Some colleges, such as Duke University, have taking more drastic measures by suspending all athletic competitions and practices indefinitely. All colleges will likely follow suit.
NHL – SEASON SUSPENDED
The National Hockey League announced the suspension of its 2019-2020 regular season on Thursday. The Canadian Hockey League made the same decision. The NHL are hoping to complete the season as soon as possible and award the Stanley Cup.
US SOCCER – SEASON SUSPENDED
On Thursday, Major League Soccer announced the suspension of all games for 30 days. The United Soccer League have done the same and all men’s and women’s national team matches in March and April have been canceled.
MLB – OPENING DAY DELAYED
Major League Baseball made the decision on Thursday to delay the opening day (originally scheduled for March 26) by at least two weeks and to cancel spring training. Opening Day will now take place no earlier than April 9.
2020 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP – CANCELED
The PGA Tour announced on Thursday evening hours after the end of the first round. All other PGA Tour golf events until and including The Masters, which begins on April 9, have been canceled too. The original plan for the Players Championship was to finish the competition without fans in attendance, but the decision to keep everyone away from TPC Sawgrass this weekend seems far more appropriate.
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – POSTPONED
International soccer governing body FIFA announced on Thursday that South American qualifying matches for the 2022 Qatar World Cup will be postponed. A number of Latin America’s top soccer stars play at club level in Europe, where significant cases of the virus have been reported.
EUROPEAN SOCCER – SUSPENDED
On Thursday, all Spanish league matches were suspended for at least two weeks. This subsequently affected the Champions League and Europa League, which have Spanish representation. Today, the English Premier League have made the same decision after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for Coronavirus and a number of players have been tested after showing symptoms. This morning, Champions League and Europa League matches have been postponed until further notice.
WHAT NOW?
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