EFL games reportedly set to go behind closed doors

Such measures could be introduced as early as today (Thursday), meaning Northampton's Sky Bet League Two fixture at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday will be played in front of empty stands.

According to The Times, the football authorities prefer to put matches behind closed doors over postponing fixtures altogether, though that remains a possibility further down the line.

So far, the Cobblers have said they are 'following EFL guidance' regarding the coronavirus crisis.

"As a club, like all other EFL clubs, we are following the advice of the EFL, Football Association, UK Government and Public Health England," said CEO James Whiting.

"The EFL have decided to recommend against the pre-match handshakes for the players until further notice and that is a directive our players are following."

The Times also reports that the EFL plans to allow season-ticket holders and ticket holders for individual games at EFL clubs to watch matches on iFollow streams.

It is expected that a meeting of the government’s Cobra committee will move its response to the pandemic from the 'contain' phase to the 'delay' phase later today, Thursday.

The Times say that, while the government has so far not ruled that large crowds at outdoor events is dangerous amid the outbreak, the close proximity of supporters travelling, especially on trains, is now seen as the bigger risk of the disease spreading.

They report that, under the new plan, only players, team officials, broadcasters and journalists would be allowed to attend games.

Pubs will also be ordered not to show live coverage of matches to avoid large gatherings of people.

The government has been in talks with the Premier League, the EFL and the Football Association, with uncertainty over how the virus will develop among the reasons why the season will not be temporarily postponed.

Football has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus with several Champions League ties played behind closed doors, while Manchester City's Premier League clash with Arsenal became the first game in England to be postponed as a 'precautionary measure'.

It came after Arsenal players and staff were in close proximity to Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who this week confirmed he had contracted Covid-19.