Cancellations and postponements of sporting events continue in France due to the coronavirus epidemic. After the cancellation of the Paris half-marathon, the Villeurbanne basketball club announced in a press release: "Following the government decision taken this Saturday, announcing the ban on all gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined places , the meeting scheduled for this Sunday at the Astroballe between Asvel and Monaco is postponed to a later date ”. Tony Parker's club is due to host the Spanish club from Valencia on Tuesday, as part of the 27th day of the Euroleague regular season. But, for the moment, no decision has yet been made on the holding of the match.
This is the second meeting of the Jeep Elite championship to be postponed this weekend. Indeed, the match between Strasbourg and Portel on Saturday evening, before more than 5,000 people was canceled and "postponed to a later date". With 100 confirmed cases since the end of January, France has become the second focal point for coronavirus in Europe after Italy, leading the authorities to cancel large gatherings in confined spaces.
Absence of handshakes during pre-match protocols in Ligue 1
Note that special provisions have been put in place for Ligue 1 matches: the absence of handshakes during the pre-match protocol between coaches and players, but also the cancellation of the mixed zone. On Saturday, PSG players even arrived at the Parc des Princes by a separate door, not by the traditional red carpet where they are used to walking.
The sport is also affected in the rest of the world: the Japanese Sumo Association (AJS) announced Sunday that the 2020 edition of the Spring Sumo Tournament in Japan will take place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus. "We are going to cause trouble to many people who have been anxiously awaiting the tournament, but we have made this decision to help stop the spread of the infection," AJS said in a statement on its site, before adding: "We ask for your understanding".
Read also
- Coronavirus: Paris half-marathon canceled