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Coronavirus continues to affect world sports

Mar 13, 2020

This weekend's season-opening Australian F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne has been officially cancelled, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In talks with the FIA and F1 teams, a majority of teams said they were unhappy to continue with the event, while several drivers have already boarded the flight home, including Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen.

The news follows McLaren's withdrawal from the race yesterday, after one of their team members tested positive for the virus, and now 14 other staff members have been placed under quarantine in the team's Melbourne hotel for 14 days.

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Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mikel Arteta test positive for coronavirus

Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for COVID-19.

The 19-year-old hasn't been in training since showing flu-like symptoms earlier this week, and the Blues have now confirmed that he, as well as those who had close contact with him, will now self-isolate.

The news comes just hours after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed he had also tested positive for the deadly virus.

Arsenal's match with Brighton this weekend has been postponed, with the entire squad in self-quarantine, and the training ground closed.

It is now likely Chelsea's clash at Aston Villa will also be called off.

The Premier League will hold an emergency club meeting later today, to discuss future fixtures, with clubs expecting they will not play for a month.

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Man Utd look assured of spot in Europa League quarters

Manchester United have taken a huge step towards the Europa League quarterfinals, with a 5-nil win over LASK in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Austria.

The game was played in a nearly empty stadium due to concerns about the coronavirus, but the circumstances did not affect United, as Odion Ighalo put them ahead in the 28th minute.

Daniel James, Juan Mata, Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira also got on the scoresheet, as United go unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions.

In other selected results:

Wolves and Olympiakos played out a 1-all draw in Greece.

Steven Gerrard's Rangers fell to a 3-1 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.