Ghanaian internationals, Frank Acheampong, Emmanuel Boateng and Mubarak Wakaso have had their debuts for their respective clubs in the upcoming Chinese Super League season delayed.
This is because of a decision taken by the Chinese Football Association to postpone indefinitely the start of the country’s top flight league due to the escalation of the coronavirus.
In a statement, the China Football Association said the postponement of the “2020 season national football competitions at all levels” was taken to help with the “prevention and control of the pneumonia epidemic of the new coronavirus infection and to protect the health of the majority of fans, media, players, coaches, game officials, clubs and district staff”.
As a result, Frank Acheampong who plays for Tianjin TEDA F.C. and Emmanuel Boateng who represents Dalian Yifang will have to wait until situations improve to make their bow in the new season.
The development means Mubarak Wakaso who recently transferred to Jiangsu Suning will have his league bow delayed.
Situations have worsened in the last 48 hours as the virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally, including Thailand, France, the US and Australia.
More than 130 people have died in China and close to 6,000 have been infected.
There is no specific cure or vaccine. A number of people have recovered after treatment, however.
The World Health Organization will meet on Thursday to discuss whether the virus constitutes a global health emergency.
IMPACT ON SPORTS
A host of sporting events in China have been affected by the crisis.
The men’s alpine skiing World Cup races in China, scheduled for 15 and 16 February in Yanqing, have been cancelled.
The 2020 World Athletics Indoor Championships, due to be held from 13-15 March in Nanjing, have been pushed back 12 months after World Athletics sought advice from the World Health Organisation.
Formula 1 says it is “monitoring” the effects of the outbreak in China in the context of the country’s Grand Prix in Shanghai from 17-19 April.
The all-electric Formula E series is also due to hold a race in Sanya, southern China, on 21 March and Formula E says it is also “closely monitoring” the situation in tandem with local authorities.
