Professional football in England has been suspended until April due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The suspension includes the Premier League, English football League, FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship.

We've collectively agreed with the @premierleague and @EFL to suspend the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest.https://t.co/RnJlJjtY77

— The FA (@FA) March 13, 2020

In a statement, the English Football Association (FA) said the decision was made due to the “increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the Covid-19 virus.”

“The decision is being made purely on the number of cases requiring self-isolation and the impact on facilities,” it said.

“Given the steps being taken across clubs, there is no alternative but for today’s action.

“However, all parties are committed at this time to trying to complete this season’s domestic fixture programme and are liaising to establish appropriate options to do so.”

COVID-19

It comes after the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Calum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for COVID-19.

The first-team squads at both clubs are now in self-isolation.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts after the final whistle of the Premier League match against Wet Ham at the Emirates Stadium, 07-03-2020. Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/PA Images

Premier League CEO Richard Masters said: "Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19.”

“In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, the government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.”

The league said it still aims to reschedule all suspended fixtures when it is safe to do so.

Self-isolation

Everton’s first-team squad are also self-isolating after an unnamed team member reported symptoms consistent with the virus.

Three Leicester players are also in self-isolation after experiencing symptoms, as is Man City’s Benjamin Mendy after one of his family members was admitted to hospital.

Meanwhile Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc is self-isolating as a precaution alongside four first-team members of staff.

UEFA

Earlier this morning, it was announced that next week’s Champions League and Europa League fixtures would not take place.

A decision on the future of this season’s UEFA competitions will be made in the coming days.

File photo of the Champions League trophy, 27-11-2019. Image: Pro Shots Photo Agency/SIPA USA/PA Images

In France meanwhile, football authorities announced that the country’s top two leagues, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, have both been postponed indefinitely.

Spain's La Liga, the Dutch Eredivisie, Portugal's Primeira Liga and USA's Major League Soccer were all already suspended.

The suspensions in Spain and the Netherlands are to last for at least two weeks, while the Portuguese suspension is indefinite.

The 2020 MLS season has been suspended for 30 days.