Virus alert! NBA, La Liga, tennis tour suspended; McLaren pull out of Oz GP

Paris, March 12

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Real Madrid’s players and staff went into quarantine today, Spain’s La Liga paused its season and the NBA halted games indefinitely as the coronavirus pandemic rocked world sport.

La Liga authorities took the decision to suspend matches in the top two divisions for two weeks after Real Madrid confirmed its senior football team was in quarantine following a positive test for one of the club’s basketball players. The teams share facilities. Real Madrid said “it has been decided to close the facilities at our training ground and it is also recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who work there remain in quarantine.”

Ronaldo in quarantine

Serie A in Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, has already suspended its matches until April 3 while France’s Ligue 1 will continue its season but without spectators.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini have tested positive for coronavirus. Juventus are one of Europe’s biggest clubs with a squad that includes five-time world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently quarantined in Portugal.

Olympics flame lit

In Greece, the lighting of the Olympics flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games went ahead earlier Thursday with the ceeremony closed to the public.

Shocking, says Hamilton

Meanwhile, preparations for the Formula One season-opening Melbourne Grand Prix were in chaos after the McLaren team withdrew from Sunday’s race when one of its staff tested positive for the virus. Even before McLaren made that announcement, reigning world champion driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes said he was “very surprised” that the race was scheduled to go ahead. “I don’t think it’s great that we have races but it really is shocking that we’re all sitting in this room,” Hamilton said at a pre-race press conference packed with media.

In the United States, the NBA suspended its season after two Utah Jazz players tested positive for coronavirus, prompting his team’s game against Oklahoma City Thunder to be abandoned just before tip-off when many spectators were already in their seats.

No men’s tour for six weeks

London: The ATP suspended its professional men’s tennis tour for six weeks today, citing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement came moments after Miami-Dade County said it would suspend the Miami Open and on the heels of Sunday’s last-minute cancellation of the Indian Wells tournament in Southern California.

The decision was not taken lightly, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said in a statement, adding that the suspension represents a great loss for players and fans. Impacted events include the Clay Court Championships in Houston, the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Barcelona Open and the Hungarian Open. — Agencies