Football bodies across England and the rest of Europe are bracing themselves for a reported total shutdown of every league until September, in the wake of the rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of Thursday night the Football League was planning to push ahead and play the next round of fixtures as normal, before it emerged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had tested positive for the virus and matters rapidly changed.

Concerns immediately heightened and the leading English football bodies received a call direct from the COBRA meeting of government officials, as report the Independent.

A statement from the Premier League on Friday confirmed the division would finally be joining the likes of La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga in suspending its matches. A projected resume date of April 4 has been placed on the cards.

Clubs now however fully expect it to last much longer, while fears are mounting regarding the ramifications for the teams lower down the football pyramid who rely on match-day income to survive.

UEFA are now due to meet on Tuesday with 55 member associations, the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro to work out a strategy for moving forward and dealing with the rapidly progressing situation.