<p>The All India Football Federation on Saturday suspended tournaments at all levels, including the flagship I-League, till March 31 owing to the <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> pandemic.</p>.<p>The suspension will come into effect from Sunday.</p>.<p>"Adhering to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and directives from several State Governments, all footballing activities under the aegis of AIFF stay suspended till March 31, 2020," the country's apex football body said in a statement.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-mha-announces-rs-4l-ex-gratia-for-families-of-deceased-799686.html" target="_blank">Follow live developments of the coronavirus pandemic here</a></strong></p>.<p>The coronavirus outbreak, which has so far claimed over 5000 lives, has led to ether cancellation or postponement of many sports events across the world.</p>.<p>On Friday, the BCCI postponed the cash-rich IPL till April 15 considering the extraordinary situation.</p>.<p>A day after the sports ministry ordered that fans be locked out of sporting events in a desperate bid to halt the deadly coronavirus spread, an under-pressure BCCI relented and postponed the start of its most glitzy event from March 29 to April 15.</p>.<p>Besides the IPL and the India-South Africa ODI series, a host of other events in across disciplines have also been either postponed or cancelled.</p>.<p>And Indian football was no different.</p>.<p>"All India Football Federation understands and prioritises the importance of human health and life, an area which AIFF will never compromise upon. The AIFF will take a stock of the situation in the last week of March, and take a decision abiding by directives from relevant authorities at that juncture.</p>.<p>"All Hero I-League matches have been suspended from March 15, 2020 onwards.</p>.<p>"Furthermore, all Hero 2nd division, Hero Youth Leagues, Golden Baby Leagues as well as National Competitions also stay suspended with immediate effect."</p>.<p>Saturday Indian Super League final is being played behind closed doors.</p>.<p>On Saturday, the AIFF had said all the remaining 28 matches of the I-League, including Sunday's marquee Kolkata derby between champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, would be played in empty stadiums owing to the pandemic.</p>
<p>The All India Football Federation on Saturday suspended tournaments at all levels, including the flagship I-League, till March 31 owing to the <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> pandemic.</p>.<p>The suspension will come into effect from Sunday.</p>.<p>"Adhering to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and directives from several State Governments, all footballing activities under the aegis of AIFF stay suspended till March 31, 2020," the country's apex football body said in a statement.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-mha-announces-rs-4l-ex-gratia-for-families-of-deceased-799686.html" target="_blank">Follow live developments of the coronavirus pandemic here</a></strong></p>.<p>The coronavirus outbreak, which has so far claimed over 5000 lives, has led to ether cancellation or postponement of many sports events across the world.</p>.<p>On Friday, the BCCI postponed the cash-rich IPL till April 15 considering the extraordinary situation.</p>.<p>A day after the sports ministry ordered that fans be locked out of sporting events in a desperate bid to halt the deadly coronavirus spread, an under-pressure BCCI relented and postponed the start of its most glitzy event from March 29 to April 15.</p>.<p>Besides the IPL and the India-South Africa ODI series, a host of other events in across disciplines have also been either postponed or cancelled.</p>.<p>And Indian football was no different.</p>.<p>"All India Football Federation understands and prioritises the importance of human health and life, an area which AIFF will never compromise upon. The AIFF will take a stock of the situation in the last week of March, and take a decision abiding by directives from relevant authorities at that juncture.</p>.<p>"All Hero I-League matches have been suspended from March 15, 2020 onwards.</p>.<p>"Furthermore, all Hero 2nd division, Hero Youth Leagues, Golden Baby Leagues as well as National Competitions also stay suspended with immediate effect."</p>.<p>Saturday Indian Super League final is being played behind closed doors.</p>.<p>On Saturday, the AIFF had said all the remaining 28 matches of the I-League, including Sunday's marquee Kolkata derby between champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, would be played in empty stadiums owing to the pandemic.</p>