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The English Football Association banned football at every level on Monday, including games involving amateurs and children, in the latest step to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The Premier League and EFL followed major European leagues last Friday by shutting down all professional football until April 3. Semi-professional leagues in England followed suit on Monday by suspending all non-league competitions indefinitely after matches were held over the past weekend.
The FA, which sanctions football at all levels in England, has now issued a blanket ban on games being played, however, following official advice from the U.K. government to avoid social contact and gatherings.
An FA statement said: “Following the Government’s announcement today, for people to avoid social contact and gatherings where possible, we are now advising that all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future.
“Throughout this period, we have taken Government advice with the priority being the health and wellbeing of all. We will continue to work closely with the grassroots game during this time.
“We are in regular communication with the Government and the situation within English football at all levels remains under regular review. Further updates will follow as needed.”
UEFA are due to hold to video conference with its 55 member associations on Tuesday to decide the fate of Euro 2020, which is expected to be postponed until 2021. The Premier League has an emergency meeting scheduled for Thursday to figure out how the remainder of the 2019-20 season will play out.