Premier League clubs likely to be ‘forced’ to play matches behind closed doors due to coronavirus

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The coronavirus outbreak is likely to “force” Premier League matches to be played behind closed doors, admitted a senior Everton director.

Sasha Ryazantsev, Everton’s chief financial officer, suggested the decision for matches to go ahead in empty stadiums could become unavoidable for English clubs and governing bodies.

The spread of the virus has already seen Italy’s government issue a decree stating that all outdoor sporting events, including Serie A matches, must be played behind closed doors until 3 April.

“It would be a forced decision rather than one we would proactively engage in,” Ryazantsev said at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit.

“But the whole situation goes far beyond the world of sport. Of course nobody wants to play behind closed doors and I don’t think it’s inevitable at the moment that it will happen. But we feel it is quite likely it may happen in the coming weeks.”

The Premier League issued new contingency plans to all 20 member clubs this week after 26 new cases of coronavirus in the UK were reported on Wednesday, and admitted it may be difficult to complete the season if even one is impacted by the outbreak.

England’s friendly against Italy, due to be played at Wembley on 27 March, could also be in doubt.

The president of Inter Milan, Stephen Zang, who had previously labelled the president of Serie A a “clown” after the club’s fixture against Juventus was postponed less than 24 hours before kick-off, was also in attendance at the summit and doubled down on his remarks.

“A lot of people think my words are strong but when protecting people and safety words are never too strong,” he said.

“We always have to deliver a positive message and take responsibility for the public. From a moral standpoint I thought [the Serie A approach] was completely wrong. We believe that safety and security of public health is the most important thing. Nothing can be compromised on this topic.”