THE coronavirus outbreak continues to wreak havoc on the sporting world, with Euro 2020 and all British horseracing the latest high-profile casualties.

On another remarkable day that also saw cancellations in boxing and cycling that affect the North-East and North Yorkshire, UEFA opted to put back this summer’s European Championships by a year after an emergency video conference involving all of European football’s major stakeholders.

The tournament, which is due to spread across 12 different countries, will now take place between June 11 and July 11 in 2021.

The postponement gives Europe’s domestic leagues a better opportunity of completing the current season as it means league matches can now be played through the summer.

“We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. “It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism.

“The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number on priority and in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely and I am proud of the response of my colleagues across European football.”

The Euro play-offs, which were initially due to be staged this month, have been moved to June, while UEFA remain committed to trying to complete this season’s Champions League and Europa League competitions.

Yesterday’s other major development came in the horseracing world, with the British Horseracing Authority announcing that all British meetings would be cancelled until the end of April.

It had initially been hoped that racing could continue behind-closed-doors, and yesterday’s meetings at Wetherby and Taunton were staged without spectators in attendance. However, with the Government tightening their guidelines on mass participation events, the BHA felt compelled to call their sport to a halt.

“This is a national emergency the like of which most of us have never seen before,” said BHA chief executive Nick Rust. “We’re a sport that is proud of its connection to rural communities and the local businesses that support our industry. But our first duty is to the health of the public, our customers and racing industry participants and staff, so we have decided to suspend racing following the Government’s advice.”

Cycling’s Tour de Yorkshire has been postponed, with organisers hoping the event can be staged later in the year, while April’s Newcastle boxing bill that was due to feature Lewis Ritson and Savannah Marshall has also been called off.

Tennis’ French Open has been switched to September and October, and will now begin one week after the finish of the US Open in New York.