Elsewhere, three more F1 Grand Prix events have been cancelled, former Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain was stopped at an airport trying to flee Italy for Argentina and workers at Cheltenham Festival fear they have spread the virus.

And Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is fine and clear from COVID-19 after spending 17 days in self-isolation.

Follow all the latest news and updates as the sporting world deals with the threat of coronavirus…

• STRAIGHT TALK

  West Ham chair Karren Brady has moved to clarify her comments in last week's column for The Sun.

  The Hammers boss' words in her column last week were the talk of town after she said the season should be declared null and void if it couldn't continue.

  Brady's words were apparently misinterpreted by some, and she's explained those comments in this week's column.

  She wrote: “I did NOT say (and I ask you to please go back and read what I actually said) the season should be declared null and void now.

  “I said that was an option only if the season could not be completed — but of course we hope it will be.

  “What you need to know is that we are doing everything we can to ensure the season does continue — and that all domestic and European matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.”

• PADDY POWERLESS

  Conor McGregor had to cancel a St Patrick’s Day trip to America because of the coronavirus pandemic.

  The UFC superstar was due to fly to the US to celebrate the Irish holiday with the Dubliner sure to have packed a case full of his Proper 12 Irish whiskey.

  But as the deadly COVID-19 bug continues to sweep the globe with over 11,500 deaths worldwide, President Donald Trump has banned all but essential travel to and from the States while prohibiting mass gatherings of more than 10 people.

  McGregor told Maxim: “Americans know how to celebrate St Paddy’s Day. In Ireland, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. In America, you guys celebrate St Paddy’s Week, and I love it.

  “While I could not come to America this year because of the virus, I hope to be there next Paddy’s Day and surprise many people in different cities like I did last year.”

• WHITE NOISE

  UFC boss Dana White insisted Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson will go ahead with “10 people in the room” and blasted “wimpiest” critics who have called for the fight to be axed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

  As the deadly COVID-19 bug sweeps the globe with over 11,500 deaths worldwide, major sporting events have been cancelled or postponed.

  The MMA promotion has received criticism for refusing to cancel the event, but promoter White insisted the right thing to do is allow the fighters to compete with the correct medical testing and make sure they are still paid.

  He said on Instagram: “Go online and look at some of these people – and this isn’t a knock, this is just a fact – the weakest, wimpiest people on earth cover the biggest, baddest sport on earth.

  “I have over 350 employees who work for me. Multi-billion-dollar companies are laying off all their employees right now. We haven’t laid off one person at the UFC.

  “And every fighter that fights for me will fight three times this year. Our schedule will go on. Everybody’s gonna get paid, and we will figure this out, and we will be the first sport back on.”

• TOUGH MATCH

  Brilliant, this, from Stevenage.

  Their next home fixture is listed as Stevenage vs coronavirus.

  This is a tough time for everyone and lower league football clubs are no different.

  

• BREAKING

  Portsmouth have confirmed three of their players have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

  James Bolton, Andy Cannon and Sean Raggett are the unlucky trio.

  All three have been placed into self-isolation, while results for other members of staff are still pending.

  Chief executive Mark Catlin said: “I received the news last night and immediately spoke to Kenny and head physio Bobby Bacic. Kenny and I then spoke to all three players.

  “Football is not immune from this virus and I can assure you that it only really hits home when those that you know contract it.

  “All three players were in good spirits and perfectly calm – showing mild or no symptoms – and are looking forward to overcoming it as quickly as possible.

  “We once again urge everyone to follow the current government guidelines.”

  

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