Bayern Munich vs Chelsea to be played behind closed doors as coronavirus spread intensifies

CHELSEA will play Bayern Munich behind closed doors on Wednesday 18 March - the latest Champions League tie to fall victim to the spreading coronavirus.

Germany's reporter Christian Falk confirmed the news today that fans will be banned from games at Bayern's Allianz Arena, where the Blues arrive 3-0 down from the last-16 first leg.

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And, as seems likely, Bayern advance then their quarter-final match will also be closed to the public.

All sport in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, has been suspended to at least April 3.

And from this month continental ties are increasingly being played in empty stadiums.

In the Champions League alone, Valencia vs Atalanta on Tuesday, as well as PSG's home return leg with Borussia Dortmund the following night are being played behind closed doors.

And now Bayern-Chelsea has gone the same way.

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Europa League games are getting similar treatment.

Manchester United's trip to LASK is due to be closed to supporters, as are games between Wolves and Olympiacos, Getafe and Inter Milan and Sevilla versus Roma.

But the toughest action anywhere has come in Italy, which has more than 7,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and a death toll above 450.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte extended quarantine rules and a ban on public gatherings to all Italy.

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And the ban on sporting action includes Serie A, which initially was set to just play behind closed doors.

Italy's Olympic committee (CONI) recommended the action after the country's sporting federations met on Monday.

Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora had already slated Serie A as "irresponsible" over the weekend for declining to suspend matches.

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Cristiano Ronaldo summed up the eerie nature of playing to empty stadiums when he jokingly high-fived imaginary fans and took applause from around the ground as Juventus went top by beating Inter Milan on Sunday.

But the virus and its results are no laughing matter in a country with more than 7,000 confirmed cases and a death toll above 450.

Meanwhile, England's Six Nations clashes for men and women in Italy were postponed from March 14-15 last week.