COVID-19: AIFF suspends all football tournaments till March 31

All India Football Federation on Saturday suspended tournaments at all levels, including flagship I-League, till March 31 owing to COVID-19 pandemic. suspension will come into effect from Sunday. "hering to visories issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and directives from several State Governments, all footballing activities under aegis of AIFF stay suspended till March 31, 2020," country's apex football body said in a statement.

AIFF suspends all football tournaments

coronavirus outbreak, which has so far claimed over 5000 lives, has led to er cancellation or postponement of many sports events across world. On Friday, BCCI postponed cash-rich IPL till April 15 considering extraordinary situation. A day after sports ministry ordered that fans be locked out of sporting events in a desperate bid to halt dely coronavirus spre, an under-pressure BCCI relented and postponed start of its most glitzy event from March 29 to April 15.

Besides IPL and India-South Africa ODI series, a host of or events in across disciplines have also been eir postponed or cancelled. And Indian football was different. "All India Football Federation understands and prioritises importance of human health and life, an area which AIFF will never compromise upon. AIFF will take a stock of situation in last week of March, and take a decision abiding by directives from relevant authorities at that juncture."All Hero I-League matches have been suspended from March 15, 2020 onwards. "Furrmore, all Hero 2nd division, Hero Youth Leagues, Golden Baby Leagues as well as National Competitions also stay suspended with immediate effect."

Saturday Indian Super League final is being played behind closed doors. On Saturday, AIFF h said all remaining 28 matches of I-League, including Sunday's marquee Kolkata derby between champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, would be played in empty stiums owing to pandemic.