Bundesliga suspended due to coronavirus outbreak in Germany

Germany's top flight was set to begin its 26th round of fixtures tonight with Fortuna vs Paderborn

The Bundesliga is attempting to return in May (Bongarts/Getty)

The Bundesliga has been suspended until 2 April with immediate effect due to coronavirus.

Germany’s top tier and the 2.Bundesliga had put off suspending the league, but the decision now means all of Europe’s top five leagues will not play games for the foreseeable future – including the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1.

The decision comes just hours before Fortuna vs Paderborn, which was scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm tonight.

Three second-division players have tested positive for the virus.

A statement from the DFL read: “In light of the developments over the last few days with new coronavirus infections and further suspected cases in direct connection to the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, the committee of the German Football League has just come to the decision to delay the 26th round of fixtures, which was due to begin today.

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“In addition, the committee recommends, as planned, that the general assembly of professional clubs, which will meet next Monday, continue to suspend play until April 2, including the international break.”

The move comes after Spain’s top division, LaLiga, was suspended for “at least” two weeks over fears of the spread of the coronavirus, the league’s organising body said in a statement on Thursday.

The league’s statement said the decision came after Real Madrid put its squad into quarantine, and that it had notified the clubs, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) and the national sports ministry of the postponements.

Los Blancos’ football team have been put into quarantine after it emerged a basketball player for the club had tested positive for the virus, with the two squads sharing training facilities.

LaLiga will revisit the decision after the next two matchdays have passed, currently scheduled for 13-15 March and 20-22 March, after which tie domestic action is scheduled to stop anyway for an international break.