Manchester United’s Europa League tie at LASK will closed to the public due to coronavirus fears.
Manchester United to Play Behind Closed Doors Due to Coronavirus
Austria Have Banned Sporting Events
Austrian health minister Rudolf Anschober spoke at a press conference on Tuesday about nationwide measures against illness. He said: “All outdoor events with over 500 people, 100 indoor, will be cancelled until mid-April.”
It comes after the government has stopped all Italians travelling into the country unless they hold a medical certificate.
The news will not be welcomed by United fans, many of whom will have already bought travel and accommodation.
English Sport Could Follow Suit
There’s growing unrest about the future of football in this country. Currently, there are over 300 confirmed cases of the virus in the UK. In Austria, the latest confirmed number is cases is only 158.
The outbreak has affected plenty of other clubs around Europe.
The Italian government have cancelled all sporting events and public gatherings until at least 3rd April. This means they’ve suspended all Serie A matches.
Plenty of Champions League ties will also be played behind closed doors. Barcelona v Napoli, Valencia v Atalanta, and Paris Saint-Germain v Borussia Dortmund will all go ahead in front of empty stadiums.
Currently, no matches in the UK have been cancelled or closed to the public. Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League tie at RB Leipzig will go ahead with fans in the ground.
There are growing fears that all football in England could either be suspended or played behind closed doors.
However, Dr Jenny Harries told the BBC that there’s no need to cancel outdoor events.
“The virus will not survive very long outside,” she said. “Many outdoor events, particularly, are relatively safe.”
The return leg at Old Trafford is scheduled to take place on Thursday 19th March. So far, there is no indication that it will be played behind closed doors or cancelled.
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