London Marathon could be cancelled under Boris’s battle plan – with Premier League also under threat

THE LONDON Marathon could be cancelled while Premier League matches are also under threat if the coronavirus spreads in the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted after yesterday's meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee the virus was "likely to become more significant".

That increases the likelihood of major sporting events having to be cancelled or football games being staged in empty stadiums later this season to prevent any mass spread of the deadly bug.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said officials may have to look at restricting participation in the London Marathon or even cancelling the event due to the coronavirus outbreak but added it was "far too early" to make any decisions.

Hugh Brasher, events director at the London Marathon, added: "We are monitoring closely the developments relating to the spread of coronavirus and noting the updates and advice given by the UK Government, the World Health Organisation and other UK public bodies.

"With just under eight weeks to go before the event on Sunday 26 April, we will continue to monitor the situation."

More than 40,000 people run the marathon each year while around 750,000 spectators line the streets to cheer them on.

This weekend, the Tokyo marathon took place on deserted streets with only elite runners and wheelchair athletes permitted to participate and the Paris half-marathon was cancelled completely.

It comes as the PM set out the government's battle plan today, including a "social distancing" strategy, urging Brits to work at home and avoid unnecessary travel.

Both the FA and Premier League have held talks about what do if large gatherings of people are banned - with matches in empty stadiums emerging as a possibility.

Scrapping fixtures would result in multi-million pound losses, so talks have focused on holding matches behind closed doors and still have them broadcast on TV.

In Italy, five Serie A matches were cancelled last weekend due to the virus.

England and set to host Italy in a friendly at Wembley on March 27. The match will remain on unless the FA are advised by the government to act.

MATCHES UNDER THREAT

UEFA only briefly discussed the virus at an Executive meeting in Amsterdam last week.

The opening game of Euro 2020 between Italy and Turkey is still due to take place in Rome on June 12.

UEFA also has decisions to make with the last-16 stages of both the Champions League and Europa League being held next week.

Meanwhile the International Champions Cup have pulled plans to host pre-season games in Asia this summer as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

At present, England's final Six Nations rugby match against Italy in Rome on March 14 will go ahead, along with the other four remaining fixtures.

Up to 20,000 England fans are expected to travel to Rome.

Last week, Ireland cancelled three fixtures it was due to host against Italy this weekend, in the men's, women's and under-20 competitions, over fears thousands of supporters would travel from Italy, where the coronavirus is at its worst in Europe.

OLYMPICS FEARS

Meanwhile, Japan's Olympic minister said the Tokyo 2020 Games could be postponed from the summer until later in the year.

International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound claimed earlier this week the Games in Tokyo could be scrapped if coronavirus was still prevalent in May.

Stephen Park, the performance director of British Cycling, expects the Olympics to go ahead but suggested events could take place with no spectators.

In Japan, the number of infections has almost reached 1,000 and 12 people have died.

Both Tokyo 2020 organisers and the International Olympic Committee have stressed the Olympics, due to run from July 24 to August 9, are scheduled to go ahead as planned despite the coronavirus outbreak.

England's cricketers have been banned from shaking hands because of fears over the deadly virus.

Captain Joe Root and his players flew out of Heathrow last night for their two-Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Root revealed: "We're not shaking hands, we're fist-bumping."