There will be no ban on UK sporting events just yet as the government steps up its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes after the World Health Organisation officially labelled the outbreak a pandemic with Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairing a special COBRA meeting at Downing Street on Thursday afternoon.

Many sporting events across Europe have already been postponed or played behind closed doors but it is felt this ‘has little effect on the spread’.

Speaking at Downing Street, Boris Johnson said: “We are considering the question of banning major public events, including sporting fixtures.

“The scientific advice though is this has little effect on the spread – but it does place a burden on other public services.”

And although the Prime Minister confirmed there were no immediate plans to do invoke such a ban the situation could change swiftly.