Everything we know about football's coronavirus postponement and the implications for Middlesbrough

We wrap up what’s happened so far, where Boro stand, and when you can expect more information on the matter...

Where do we stand?

The EFL have confirmed all fixtures have been postponed until April 3 at the earliest.

The decision has been taken collectively with the FA, the Premier League, the FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship suspending matches. This also includes all academy and youth team fixtures.

For Boro, it means Saturday’s home meeting with Swansea has been postponed, as well as the Teessiders’ trips to Stoke City and Hull, which were scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 18 and Saturday March 21 respectively.

It also seems inevitable that Euro 2020 play-offs will be postponed, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all scheduled to play their semi-finals on March 26.

Boro duo Paddy McNair and George Saville have both been called up to the Northern Ireland squad, yet opponents Bosnia-Herzegovina have requested the match is postponed.

England’s friendly matches against Italy and Denmark, which were set to be played during the same period, have already been called off.

Why has this happened now?

EFL and Premier League fixtures were scheduled to go ahead this weekend until the situation changed on Thursday night.

The UK government had announced the country was officially moving to the ‘delay’ phase of its coronavirus planning and there was ‘no medical rationale to close or cancel sporting events at this time’.

Yet following the news that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi had both tested positive for the virus, it seemed there was no choice but to suspend the season.

An emergency board meeting was held at 11am on Friday morning before the EFL released the following statement.

“The FA, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest.

“This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of Clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the COVID-19 virus.

“The postponements include all matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as all Academy and youth team fixtures.

“In addition, Clubs are being advised to suspend indefinitely all non-essential activities which include, but are not limited to, player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings.

“Whilst the EFL Board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered by the Government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is the time to implement football’s contingency plans in response to the crisis.

“A further update on these plans will be given post an EFL Board Meeting next week.”

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the health and well-being of players, staff and supporters while also acknowledging the Government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak.”

What happens next?

The EFL has, alongside the Premier League and the FA, been working on contingency plans as the prospect of a postponement grew.

There is expected to be an update for Boro and their fellow Football League clubs on these plans after next week’s board meeting.

Another key meeting will take place between UEFA’s key stakeholders next Tuesday.

Having already postponed next week’s Champions League and Europa League fixtures, the governing body will discuss the response to the outbreak and how they plan to proceed.

All domestic and international competitions will be discussed, including EURO 2020.

That is particularly key as any potential change to that tournament could give leagues across the continent the chance to extend their season into the summer, in order to catch up with any fixtures lost in the coming weeks and complete the campaign.

The UEFA meeting will be attended by representatives of all 55 member associations, the boards of the European club association and European leagues, as well as a representative of FIFPro.

All decisions will of course be dependent on how the outbreak develops.

There remains the possibility that the postponement will be extended beyond the initial April 3 date.

How does it affect Boro?

Jonathan Woodgate’s side have nine league games left to play as they battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Even if the season does resume on April 3, it is more than likely the season will be extended past the original finish date of Saturday May 2 – when Boro are scheduled to travel to Sheffield Wednesday.

That is because of the EFL’s busy Easter schedule and a lack of opportunities to reschedule matches in midweek.

Boro had already taken precautions to help prevent the virus.

When asked about the situation on Wednesday, Woodgate said: “We won’t be having visitors at the training ground. We won’t be making appearances.We won’t be doing autographs. They won’t be getting signed at the moment.”

“This is a big thing that is happening all over the world at the minute and we will be following the advice of the government, the FA and the EFL. At the moment we are just doing what we can.”