Premier League reveal coronavirus strategy amid fears Brighton and Hove Albion could play behind closed doors

The Premier League says it is monitoring the coronavirus situation and is following the same procedures outlined by the National Health Service.
Amex StadiumAmex Stadium
Amex Stadium

Reports have emerged that the game's governing bodies have held discussions over the prospect of playing games behind closed doors, if mass gatherings at sporting events are limited by the government.

The government are set to lay out their plans to deal with coronavirus today, after Boris Johnson admitted the government are prepared for a ‘significant expansion’ of the illness in the coming weeks.

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Measures to contain or slow down the spread of the virus may extend to the cancellation of public events and possible school closures.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “I feel we want to have the minimal levels of disruption.

"Right now, it's not appropriate to be cancelling matches here like that.

"We have to keep these things under review, but it's something we are reluctant to do.”

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In an email to CNN, the Premier League said they have issued guidelines to all 20 clubs - including Brighton and Hove Albion – in the top flight outlined by the NHS, which is the same for all other businesses and venues used by large numbers of people.

The Times have reported that the FA, Premier League and EFL have already spoken about how to deal with the situation, if measures are taken to limit mass public gatherings, and that they would hope to complete fixtures behind closed doors and still televise them.