Coronavirus: 2 UEFA Europa League matches postponed

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - UEFA postponed two Europa League games Thursday due to precautionary travel restrictions imposed amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The decision was made "as a result of the traveling restrictions between Spain and Italy imposed yesterday by the Spanish authorities," UEFA said in a statement.

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 matches between Sevilla FC (Spain) and AS Roma (Italy); and FC Internazionale (Italy) and Getafe CF (Spain) would not take place as scheduled.

"Further decisions on the two matches will be communicated in due course," UEFA said.

Italy is the worst-hit European country by coronavirus, with the death toll t reaching 631.

As the world struggles to contain the rapidly spreading virus, fallout has forced numerous organizers of sports events across the globe to cancel or alter their plans.

International sports events were canceled or rescheduled and some will be without spectators as the virus continues to threaten global health.

The global death toll from the virus known as COVID-19 has surpassed 4,250, with over 118,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The virus originated in China but has reached more than 100 countries, with the WHO saying Monday that the “threat of a pandemic has become very real.”

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, some governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with the worst-hit countries.