The spread of the virus – which has infected upwards of 100,000 people worldwide and killed more than 4,000 – continues to play havoc with sporting events from Formula 1 to football.

Italy, which has suffered the second most deaths behind China, has suspended all sporting events until the start of April, while on Tuesday it was also announced that La Liga matches in Spain would be played without fans for at least the next two weeks.

Sporting shutdown: ALL sport in Italy to be suspended until April 3 due to coronavirus

The UEFA Champions League has also been affected, with the last 16 second leg matches between Barcelona and Napoli and Bayern Munich and Chelsea being added to those to be played without fans attending.

While matches in England’s Premier League are still being played in front of fans, Manchester City manager Guardiola said he expects the league to soon follow suit – but added that without fans it made “no sense” to continue holding matches in the longer term.   

"We are here for the people. One games, two games, maybe, but not longer. We do it for the people. I would not love to play without people in the stadium," Guardiola said as his team prepares to meet Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday.