LONDON, March 4, 2020 - All British sports authorities will take their lead from the government and National Health Service advisers over the increasing risk from the spread of coronavirus/Covid-19.

Football authorities have held talks with the UK government and public health experts over contingency plans to play matches behind closed doors if the coronavirus outbreak escalates. One Football Association source said such a measure was "a possibility, but weeks rather than days away."

The Football Association met government officials at Wembley on Sunday. On Monday the FA, together with the Premier League and Football League (lower three divisions) discussed the options with staff from the UK’s chief medical officer.

Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health, said the government was not currently recommending the cancellation or postponement of major events but he could not rule out the eventual possibility of such measures becoming necessary.

Several clubs have ordered players to use a fist bump in greeting rather than a handshake and barred them taking selfies with fans.

England’s football friendly against Italy at Wembley later this month is in doubt as well the Rugby Six Nations match between the countries in Rome on March 14. Ireland’s rugby clash with Italy in Dublin tjis coming Saturday has already been cancelled on orders of the Irish government.

Hancock has said it was too early to consider cancelling the London Marathon on Sunday, April 26.

England’s cricket team are taking their own health precautions ahead of two Test matches later this month in Sri Lanka.

Captain Joe Root said: “After the illnesses that swept through the squad recently in South Africa, we are well aware of the importance of keeping contact to a minimum.

“We are not shaking hands with each other, using a fist bump instead, and we are washing hands regularly and wiping down surfaces using the antibacterial wipes and gels we've been given in our immunity packs.”