The first professional footballer to contract the CoronaVirus has been identified as a 22-year old playing with Serie C side Pianese.
Olympian Ian Thorpe has also confirmed his fears about the games taking place in Japan and the Chief medical Officer in England has spoken of the possible need for all major gatherings to be restricted and potentially for schools to close for two months to try to continue the virus.
Ulster Rugby and Osprey’s visits to Italy for the Guinness PRO14 have been cancelled this weekend but there is no further information on longer term postponements or shifting of games.
The UAE Cycling Tour has been abandoned with two stages to go after two workers on the race were confirmed with the Virus.
A number of international events have also been cancelled in the past 24 hours in Switzerland, China, Thailand and Germany.
With the first case in Northern Ireland confirmed as having travelled by plane into Dublin and then by train to Belfast, the noose is tightening on a major public shutdown here, with obvious and serious impacts on sport.
Sport for Business will keep you informed throughout next week on the very latest developments.
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