LONDON. — All elite football in England has been suspended until at least April 3 as a result of the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

All English Premier League games, EFL fixtures and matches in the FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship have been postponed.

The measure to postpone Premier League football was agreed at an “emergency club meeting” yesterday and in light of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea midfielder Callum Hodson-Odoi confirming they had tested positive for the virus.

The English Premier League said action would resume on April 4 “subject to medical advice and conditions at the time”.

The Football Association said England’s games against Italy on March 27 and Denmark four days later are off.

The EFL, which hopes to resume play a day earlier than the Premier League on April 3, said clubs were also advised to suspend “non-essential activities” such as “player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings”.

The news was confirmed in a collective 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 April 3 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.-State media