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Coronavirus: SPFL & Scottish FA to hold government talks

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Nicola Sturgeon announces advice that all overseas school trips will be cancelled

Scotland's football authorities will "enter discussions" with the Scottish government before deciding whether to postpone matches.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon advised on Thursday that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week to free up emergency services to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

A joint statement from the SPFL and Scottish FA said this weekend's fixtures - including Sunday's Old Firm derby - will continue as planned.

The Scottish FA also confirmed they would take part in a Uefa video conference call on Tuesday at which the possibility of cancelling Euro 2020 will be discussed.

Scotland are due to welcome Israel in the play-off semi-final on 26 March, while Hampden Park is scheduled to host four games in the competition in June - three group games and one in the last 16.

The statement says the meeting will "enable the Scottish FA to provide clear and unequivocal advice" about the implications of a "delay period" on Scottish Cup matches and games involving the national women's and under-21 teams.

"Once we are in possession of a definitive action plan from the Scottish Government, we will communicate contingency plans as quickly and as accurately as possible," it added.

Several SPFL clubs published guidance on Thursday for fans thinking of going to the weekend games, but some are privately aghast that the matches have not been postponed.

In the absence of further information from the league, Partick Thistle interpreted Ms Sturgeon's announcement to mean that "all games will effectively be played behind closed doors" from Monday.

The Championship outfit told supporters they "do not have the option" of cancelling their game with Alloa Athletic as that would leave them "open to sanctions from the Scottish football authorities".

What is the background?

Rangers' Europa League match with Bayer Leverkusen went ahead at Ibrox on Thursday, while Scotland's Six Nations encounter with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday is also still scheduled to happen.

However, rugby's Pro 14 competition - involving Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh - has been suspended indefinitely because of the outbreak.

Top-flight football in Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United States has been suspended amid the outbreak, as have two Champions League last-16 second leg ties.

Premier League games are scheduled to take place as planned, however the league is holding an emergency meeting on Friday morning after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for the virus.

The UK government is considering banning sporting fixtures - but Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that will not happen immediately.

There have now been 60 cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Scotland - a rise of 24 from Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said: "The view that the health secretary and I have come to is that there are wider issues to take account of here.

"Mass gatherings require to be policed, they require to have emergency ambulance cover, they require the services of voluntary health services.

"At a time when we need to be reducing the pressures on these frontline workers - in order to free them up to focus on the significant challenge that lies ahead - I do think it's inappropriate that we continue as normal."