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Multiple Champions League Matches to Be Behind Closed Doors Due to Coronavirus
March 10, 2020
Barcelona have confirmed the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie with Napoli on March 18 will be played behind closed doors at the Camp Nou to guard against the spread of coronavirus.
The Catalan giants announced the news on Tuesday:
The Independent also reported that Chelsea's trip to Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena on March 18 will be held behind closed doors after the Bavarian state banned gatherings exceeding 1,000 people.
On Monday, Germany confirmed its first two deaths from 1,139 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
Valencia's clash with Atalanta in the Champions League and the match between Inter Milan and Getafe in the UEFA Europa League will also be played without fans present.
Barca's La Liga clash at Real Mallorca is likely to be played behind closed doors too, along with the rest of La Liga's fixture list, per football journalist Dermot Corrigan:
The Italian government placed the country in a nationwide lockdown on Monday after the death toll from the coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19, rose by 97 to 463.
Only China, where the virus was first discovered, has been hit worse by the outbreak.
As a result of the emergency measures, public gatherings have been banned and sporting events are suspended.
Barcelona and Napoli played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo in late February in the first leg.
The Catalan giants are bidding to win their first Champions League title since 2015.