City
Epaper

ISL final to be held behind closed doors due to coronavirus

By IANS | Updated: March 12, 2020 18:00 IST

The Indian Super League 2019-20 final on Saturday between ATK and Chennaiyin FC, will now be played behind closed doors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

Open in App

Fatorda, March 12 The Indian Super League 2019-20 final on Saturday between ATK and Chennaiyin FC, will now be played behind closed doors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

Football Sports Development Limited, owing to the current preventive measures against COVID-19, has decided to hold the season's final behind closed doors, a statement from the organisers said.

An advisory from the Sports Ministry on Thursday asked all national federations to ensure any sporting event in India must be conducted without spectators amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"To deal with the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued advisories and advised the State Governments to take appropriate action under the Epidemic Diseases Act,1897.

"You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event. In the event, the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of people, including spectators," the Sports Ministry said in a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all national sports federations including the BCCI.

The central government had on Wednesday suspended all visas, barring a few categories like diplomatic and employment, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases across the country rose to over 70.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also declared COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) a "pandemic".

ATK reached the final for the third time by knocking defending champions Bengaluru FC out in a thrilling two-legged semifinal tie while Chennaiyin continued their dream comeback after being bottom of the league in December as they edged past league toppers FC Goa 6-5 on aggregate.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai Local Train Horror: Drunk Cop Harasses Women in Ladies’ Compartment, Snatches Phones When Filmed

NationalIrinjalakuda diocese in Kerala rebukes Archbishop Pamplany for praising Centre over nuns' release

NationalSC to hear on Monday pleas relating to management of Vrindavan’s Shri Banke Bihari Temple

EntertainmentJaved-Mohsin on pressure while working on 'Dhadak 2' after 'Dhadak' music success

BusinessIndia’s first bullet train to start soon, will cut Mumbai-Ahmedabad travel time to just over 2 hours: Vaishnaw

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballDurand Cup 2025: Mohun Bagan Super Giant eye second win against BSF FT

Football1 Ladakh FC earn historic point in Durand Cup debut with 1-1 draw against Tribhuvan Army FC

FootballDurand Cup 2025: Punjab FC to begin campaign against Karbi Anglong Morning Star

FootballDurand Cup 2025: NEUFC begin title defence with 3-1 win over Malaysian Armed Forces

FootballIndia's second FIFA Talent Academy, first for girls, launched in Hyderabad