The announcement impacts on the remaining UEFA Champions League round-of-16 second-leg matches scheduled on March 17 and 18; all UEFA Europa League round-of-16 second-leg matches scheduled on March 19; and all UEFA Youth League quarter-final matches scheduled on March 17 and 18.

In the Champions League, Manchester City versus Real Madrid, Juventus versus Lyon, Barcelona versus Napoli and Bayern Munich versus Chelsea are all postponed.

"In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different Governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed," a statement from the continental governing body reads.

UEFA said further decisions on when the matches take place "will be communicated in due course".

As a consequence of the postponements, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League quarter-final draws, scheduled for March 20, have also been postponed.

UEFA yesterday invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to a videoconference meeting on March 17 to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.

The scheduling of Euro 2020 will be discussed at the gathering.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 125,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in 118 countries around the world.

The total number of deaths is more than 4,600.

It has also been decided by FIFA, following consultation with the South American Football Confederation, to postpone the upcoming South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Matches originally scheduled to take place during the international window of March 23 to 31 are postponed to later dates.

Details of the postponed matches are due to be discussed and announced soon.

"FIFA will continue to assess the situation in relation to COVID-19 and will decide whether further changes to the schedule of South American FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers are required, always with the aim of protecting the health and safety of all individuals involved," a statement from world football's governing body reads.

Meanwhile, all elite football in England has been suspended until at least April 3 as a result of the spread of coronavirus.

All Premier League games, English Football League (EFL) fixtures and matches in the Football Association (FA) Women's Super League and Women's Championship have been postponed.

The Premier League says the intention is to return to action on April 4 "subject to medical advice and conditions at the time".

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have both tested positive for coronavirus.

"Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19," Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said.

"In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority."

The Premier League's aim, despite the challenges, is to reschedule the displaced fixtures, including those played by Academy sides, when it is "safe to do so".

"In this fast-moving environment, further updates will be provided when appropriate," a statement adds.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus yesterday at the WHO headquarters in Swiss city Geneva.

The meeting was held to discuss how football can help the WHO respond to the coronavirus disease pandemic and what measures sports governing bodies and administrators should take in specific situations.

"Sports governing bodies and decision makers should always keep in mind that health comes first," Infantino and Tedros said in a joint statement.

"All sports bodies must be ready to follow national guidance, based on thorough risk assessments, to stage safe events or take other required actions that protect the health of fans, players, coaches and the broader communities."

WHO and FIFA, working in conjunction with other leading figures in world football, intend to launch a joint awareness-raising campaign and engage in various initiatives to ensure all people receive needed advice to protect and promote their health and that of their communities.

Other countries in which football has been suspended are France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, the United States and Wales.

The  German Football League recommended a Bundesliga 1 and 2 suspension until April 2.

French football's governing body – Ligue de Football Professionnel – suspended all Ligue 1 and 2 games today.