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The AFL will lock fans out of 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.
Key points:
- The AFLW will lock out supporters 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 men's cricketers will still play their three-match one-day international series against New Zealand, behind closed doors
"The health and safety of fans, players, umpires, officials, partners and communities is the priority," AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said as he announced the shutdown.
"We have said from the outset that we will rely on the advice of the medical experts who have been planning to deal with this situation for some time and we will continue to make decisions based on the advice of the chief medical officers.
"[The advice] right now is to continue with matches but not to host mass gatherings which can put everyone at risk."
"I am disappointed for our fans but we cannot put them in a situation that potentially jeopardises the health and well-being of the whole community."
The AFL competition is due to kick off next Thursday, with Richmond playing Carlton at the MCG. AFLW games will also be played behind closed doors.
The NRL will allow fans to attend this weekend's matches but then go behind closed doors.
The league's chief executive Todd Greenberg said the code would fall into line with new Federal Government rules which recommend the cancellation of all non-essential public gatherings of more than 500 people after Monday.
"In simple terms, all NRL games in round one will proceed as planned, with stadiums open and fans attending," Greenberg said.
"In round two, fixtures will continue but stadiums will be closed to fans. We want 16 teams and eight matches playing every weekend."
Greenberg said the health of NRL fans and players was paramount but he could not put a timeframe on how long the fan ban would last for.
The NRL chief executive was also aware of two Cronulla Sharks players presenting with flu-like symptoms.
He said they and any other players who displayed symptoms would be tested to safeguard other players.
"We have been in contact with Cronulla, and if players are presenting with flu-like symptoms we want them tested," Greenberg said.
Greenberg also said that if clubs faced financial difficulties as a result of the fan lockout, the NRL would look to "keep them afloat".
AUS v NZ ODIs to have no fans
Cricket Australia announced on Friday that the three-match series against New Zealand would go ahead, but that fans would not be admitted into the venues.
Australia and New Zealand will now play two matches in an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday and Sunday, with a third match scheduled for next Friday at Hobart's Bellerive Oval.
Fans who have bought tickets will be eligible for a full refund.
"A decision will be made in due course regarding Australia's three-match Twenty20 International tour of New Zealand," Cricket Australia said in a statement.
That series is scheduled for matches in Dunedin (March 24), Auckland (March 27) and Christchurch (March 29).
"Cricket Australia will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation at home and overseas before making a decision on Australian men's international matches beyond the Australian leg of the ODI tournament," Cricket Australia said.
CA also announced that the Australian women's cricket team's limited-over tour of South Africa would not go ahead.
Australia — fresh from winning the T20 World Cup final against India last weekend — was due to play three ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa beginning with a 50-over match in Durban on March 22.
A-League to go ahead as planned
Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirmed that all matches scheduled for this weekend would take place with spectators.
That includes the A-League, W-League semi-finals and National Premier League matches.
Chief executive James Johnson said the situation would be reviewed at the end of the round.
"Following the advice from the government, our sport has acted quickly, and as one, to respond to the public health threat from the COVID-19 coronavirus," he said.
"In line with government advice, the decision has also been made to suspend all international travel by our national teams.
"These are unprecedented times and football will continue to place the highest priority on the health and wellbeing of all players, fans, officials, staff and the wider football community at all levels of the game."
No fans at All Star Mile but Racing NSW allows them
Horseracing fans will still be allowed to attend the Group I Coolmore Classic meeting at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
In Victoria, Saturday's All Star Mile meeting at Caulfield will go ahead but without public attendees.
The Melbourne Racing Club confirmed the news in a statement.
"We have now been advised non-essential mass gatherings attended by more than 500 people should not proceed from Monday," the statement read.
"In the interest of patron safety, in consultation with Racing Victoria, the MRC has taken the decision to take extra precaution and proceed with The All-Star Mile Race Day without spectators. Only persons essential to the operations of the race meeting will be admitted into the racecourse."
Those who have purchased tickets or packages will be offered a refund.
NBL closes GF series to general public
The NBL has elected to play the rest of the grand final series between the Perth Wildcats and Sydney Kings behind closed doors and will cancel it if any player tests positive to COVID-19.
From Friday night's match in Western Australia, crowds will not be allowed into arenas to watch matches.
"After consultation with local, state and federal authorities as well as our clubs, we have made a decision that the remainder of the NBL Grand Final Series between the Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats will be closed to the general public," NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman said.
"The health and wellbeing of our players, staff, officials and fans is paramount. As a family sport we felt this was the only decision to make.
"We commend the Kings, Wildcats and their ownership groups for supporting this move despite being a difficult commercial decision for all concerned."
The Wildcats lead the best-of-five series 1-0.
World Surf League cancels Gold Coast event
Surfing has also been affected, with the World Surf League deciding to cancel all events for the rest of March, including the opening event of the year in the men's Championship Tour, scheduled for Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast from March 26.
"We did not take this decision lightly as we are aware that it has a significant impact on the surfing community," the WSL said in a statement.
"However, the health and safety of our athletes, fans, and staff are paramount. From the standpoint of social responsibility, we also take very seriously the role our events might play in accelerating the spread of the virus.
"We've been in close contact with our athletes and we feel strongly that this is the right thing to do right now."
The WSL said it was "closely monitoring and evaluating the status" of upcoming events, including the next Championship Tour event at Bells Beach in Victoria.
Topics: infectious-diseases-other, sport, cricket, australian-football-league, nrl, rugby-league, onedayseries, respiratory-diseases, sydney-2000, nsw, hobart-7000, tas, australia, new-zealand
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