PARIS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- All the French Ligue 1 and second-tier Ligue 2 matches will be played behind closed doors until April 15 due to concerns over the rapid spreading of COVID-19 coronavirus in the country, the French football league announced on Tuesday.
The decision came after the French government on Sunday announced to ban all the gatherings of more than 1,000 people, but said some events which are "useful to national life" would be allowed to continue.
Last Saturday's Strasbourg home Ligue 1 game against Paris Saint-Germain has been postponed because of the terrible situation of the deadly virus in the region.
On Monday, PSG's Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes against German side Dortmund was ordered to be played behind closed doors.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in France has reached 1,412 on Monday, while a total of 30 people have died of the disease so far.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses
