Coronavirus postpones start of Chinese Super League season as World Indoor Athletics Championship also pushed back by deadly virus
The start of the new Chinese Super League season has been postponed to the deadly coronavirus, which has killed at least 170 people.
A host of Premier League stars now plying their trade in China, including Yaya Toure, Marouane Fellaini and Oscar, were due to begin their 2020 campaign on February 22.
But they will have to wait as the Chinese Football Association announced their decision to push the start date back due to the outbreak.
Chinese Health Authorities have confirmed 7,711 cases of coronavirus in the country as of January 29, with every region in the country affected.
The football governing body said their call was made 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'."
A statement added: "The Chinese Football Association will continue to maintain close communication with national authorities, determine the timing of each season's events in combination with the actual development of the epidemic situation and make reasonable adjustments to the system, schedule, and scale of some events when necessary.
"Relevant information will be released in time through the official channels of the CFA.
"On behalf of the majority of football workers across the country, the Chinese Football Association pays deep tribute to all medical workers and staff who are currently struggling in the frontline of epidemic prevention and control!"
The Chinese Super League is not the only sporting event to be affected by the virus.
The 2020 World Indoor Athletics Championship, due to take place in March, has been pushed back 12 months as a precautionary measure, while the men's alpine skiing World Cup races set for February 15 and 16 have been cancelled.