North West 200 organisers have cancelled their annual "Meet the Stars" event which was supposed to take place on Wednesday 18 March.

Organisers said on Friday the decision was take "in light of current public concern around Coronavirus".

"The organisers will attend a special briefing with public health officials, including the Chief Medical Officer of Northern Ireland, on Monday, March 16, to seek further advice and information as we continue to plan for North West 200 Race Week on May 10-16.

"There are no plans to cancel Race Week at this time."

The NW200 is due to take place between 10 and 16 May.

Image source, Press Eye

Ireland women's hockey training camp in South Africa next week has been suspended.

Hockey Ireland had initially suspended all activity but given permission for the 2018 World Cup finalists to proceed with the camp.

However in response to the escalating coronavirus situation in Ireland that decision was reversed on Friday afternoon.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Waterford FC have become the first League of Ireland club to suspend training in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The League of Ireland has been suspended until the end of March.

"This morning I met with our club doctor Sinead Fitzpatrick to discuss the potential impact on player safety," said a statement from Waterford manager Alan Reynolds.

"After discussing this and taking on board the information from the FAI medical officer Alan Byrne, the decision has been made to suspend all training immediately for 12 days.

"On Wednesday the 24th of March will re-assess this decision based on the information provided by the government, FAI and UEFA.

"Players, fans and the wider public’s health must come first. Based on all information coming in to us, it seems to be the right thing to do."

Image source, Inpho

Colin Turkington's defence of his British Touring Car Championship title is set to go ahead on 28-29 March unless "a change in circumstances dictates otherwise".

Turkington and fellow Northern Irishman Chris Smiley are set to compete in the season opener at Donington Park, and BTCC organisers TOCA say that events "are planned to go ahead as scheduled".

There is also an official test scheduled for 17 March at Silverstone.

"Our position follows the UK government’s announcement yesterday that no restrictions on outdoor events are being introduced at this time," continued the TOCA statement.

"It also reflects the overwhelming desire of the BTCC teams, our fans and the circuits for the events to take place – unless of course a change in circumstances subsequently dictates otherwise.

"We will continue to work in close collaboration with the circuits to ensure our events are held in as safe an environment as possible, for all personnel and fans who attend."

Image source, BTCC

The Masters has been postponed because of the coronavirus crisis.

The first men's major championship of the year was due to begin on 9 April at Augusta National in Georgia.

Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, said: "The health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision."

Earlier on Friday, the PGA Tour stopped play until after the Valero Texas Open,which was scheduled to end on 5 April.

Image source, Getty Images

The Irish FA has followed its counterparts in the UK and Ireland by calling off all matches until 4 April.

After Wednesday's postponement of the Linfield v Larne Premiership game, it was announced on Thursday evening that all remaining matches would go ahead.

However amid fast-moving events on Friday morning, the Irish FA (IFA) bowed to the inevitable.

"This means no affiliated football will be played in Northern Ireland until that time (4 April)," said the IFA

"The decision has been made with public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, staff and volunteers front of mind."

Read more here

Image source, Press Eye

"Everyone knows you can have it with no symptoms and pass it to someone that's more susceptible to getting very ill."

World number one Rory McIlroy says all golfers, caddies and staff on the PGA Tour should be tested before competition resumes.

The world number one was in action at the Players Championship on Thursday before the tournament was cancelled after the opening round.

Read more from McIlroy here.

Image source, Inpho

Ice Hockey's Elite League season has been cancelled with immediate effect because of the coronavirus.

This follows two clubs reporting they have players in self-isolation.

"In the wake of that news, the Elite League has no choice but to shut down the rest of the season," said an Elite League statement.

"The league feels it has taken its ‘can-do, will-do’ efforts to the limit and whilst the outcome is sure to disappoint fans across the country there was no alternative in these unprecedented times.

"We are confident everyone will understand the rationale behind the league’s decision.

"Further announcements will follow next week."

Belfast Giants were scheduled to host Nottingham Panthers on Friday and Saturday night.

Read more here

Image source, Press Eye

All Uefa competitions, including Champions League and Europa League matches due to be played on 17 and 18 March, have been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The draws for the next rounds, set for 20 March, have also been postponed.

Manchester City v Real Madrid, Juventus v Lyon, Barcelona v Napoli and Bayern Munich v Chelsea are all postponed in the Champions League next week.

Manchester United, Wolves and Rangers' matches in the Europa League are off.

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play in Uefa Euro 2020 play-offs on 26 March but their opponents Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia have both asked for postponements.

Image source, Getty Images

The South Belfast Youth Football Invitational League has just announced that all its fixtures are "suspended until further notice".

"We hope all understand the decision made," said the South Belfast League.

"The SBYIFL Committee will be in touch with clubs next week."

Image source, Press Eye

Ulster's European Champions Cup quarter-final away to Toulouse on 5 April looks certain to be postponed after all French rugby was suspended.

France's rugby federation announced the suspension on Friday morning because of the coronavirus outbreak.

French Rugby president Bernard Laporte said the decision had been taken in the "very high national interest".

"We ask our entire network to scrupulously respect these instructions," said Laporte.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Michael Conlan's fight in New York on Tuesday, 17 March has been called off because of the coronavirus outbreak.

It was initially announced that Belfast man Conlan's St Patrick's Day fight with Belmar Preciado at Madison Square Garden would take place behind closed doors, but it has now been postponed.

Top Rank, Conlan's promoter, took the decision after consulting with the New York State Athletic Commission.

Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

The Players Championship in Florida has been cancelled after one round with organisers saying it was "the right thing to do" in order to safeguard against the spread of coronavirus.

The PGA Tour has also stopped all play until the Valero Texas Open on 2 April.

The Masters - the first major of 2020 - is due to begin a week later.

Graeme McDowell's fine four-under-par 68 left him five behind leader Hideki Matsuyama but proved all in vain. Defending champion Rory McIlroy carded a level-par 72 with Shane Lowry on 73.

Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

The five Irish Premiership matches due to take place on Saturday will go ahead as scheduled.

The Northern Ireland Football League has said that all Championship and Premier Intermediate League matches will also take place at the weekend.

NIFL said it will continue to monitor UK Government advice regarding the out break of coronavirus.

Linfield's game against Larne had already been postponed after a Blues player tested positive for the virus.

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

The Ireland women's training camp in South Africa is set to go ahead next week after all other hockey activities in Ireland were suspended.

Hockey Ireland announced that the suspension, due to the spread of coronavirus, will take place with immediate effect until 29 March.

The governing body said the suspension does not apply to the women's team, who are preparing for this summer's Olympics. They leave for Durban on Monday.

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

The League of Ireland has been suspended until 29 March in line with government advice over the coronavirus pandemic.

Mass outdoor gatherings of over 500 people should be banned until the end of the month, said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Thursday morning.

The Football Association of Ireland announced that all football under its jurisdiction was postponed immediately.

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

Belfast featherweight Michael Conlan will fight Colombia's Belmar Preciado behind closed doors in New York with spectators banned from the event.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

The Ulster Schools' Cup final between Wallace and Royal School Armagh has been suspended.

The final was set to take place on Tuesday 17 March.

It comes as part of the IRFU's announcement that all schools and club rugby is to be postponed indefinitely.

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

The Republic of Ireland's squad announcement for their Euro 2020 play-off has been postponed.

The announcement for their game against Slovakia was set for Friday 13 March but the fixtures has been thrown into doubt.

The Slovakian FA has written to Uefa requesting the fixture be postponed in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Meanwhile Uefa has called an emergency meeting for Tuesday in which the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by one year is an option being discussed.

Image source, Inpho

Rugby's Guinness Pro14 championship has been suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Round 14 of the competition for clubs from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and South Africa was due to take place next weekend, starting 20 March.

There was already disruption involving the Italian teams, with Ospreys' trip to Zebre and Ulster's game at Benetton both postponed on 29 February.

Pro14 say the resumption of the season will be "a matter of constant review."

Image source, BBC Sport