Updated.
March 13, 2020 20: 22:56
The AFL will lock fans out of video games for “the foreseeable future”, the NRL will close its doors after this weekend’s opening round, and the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand is being played behind closed doors as coronavirus makes it mark on Australia’s sporting codes.
Bottom line:
- The AFLW will lock out advocates from Saturday, with the AFL to follow suit when its season starts on Thursday
- The NRL will allow spectators for round one, but will play behind closed doors from round two
- Australia’s guys’s cricketers will still play their three-match one-day international series against New Zealand, behind closed doors
” The health and wellness of fans, players, umpires, officials, partners and communities is the concern,” AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said as he revealed the shutdown.
” We have said from the outset that we will count on the guidance of the medical specialists who have actually been planning to handle this situation for a long time and we will continue to make choices based upon the recommendations of the primary medical officers.
“[The advice] today is to continue with matches but not to host mass gatherings which can put everybody at risk.”
” I am disappointed for our fans however we can not put them in a scenario that possibly jeopardises the health and well-being of the whole neighborhood