FOOTBALL WORLD SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT TO FANS AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The world of football has taken to social media to send messages of support to fans as the globe comes to grips with the threat of the coronavirus.

The past week has seen a rapid escalation of positive cases arising in the UK, with 798 confirmed to have the disease, although the real figure is expected to be far greater. On Saturday, it was confirmed that the total number of deaths relating to the disease had doubled to 21.

And on Thursday night British football was rocked after Arsenal confirmed that manager Mikel Arteta had tested positive, before Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi announced he had also contracted the virus.

That lead to an emergency meeting between Premier League clubs on Friday morning resulting in the top flight, EFL and WSL being postponed until April 5.

That date already looks unstable, with talks ongoing as to how football chiefs are going to arrange for the domestic season to be complete. FA chairman Greg Clarke reportedly told clubs on Friday he did not expect the current season to come to a conclusion.

While plenty of questions remain as to how the football authorities will sort out the football season, clubs and players have taken to social media to tell supporters to stay safe amid the pandemic.

Tottenham Hotspur tweeted: 'This is more important than football. Look after yourselves and those around you. We are one family.'

It follows from Spurs star Dele message to his 6.9million Instagram fans on Friday, saying: 'Stay safe and look after your loved ones. In the current situation lives and health must come first, football will be back when the world is ready!

'Wishing anyone affected a speedy recovery and hopefully we can all return to normality as soon as possible.'

Everton shared a message of a similar ilk on Saturday, tweeting: 'We miss you already, but this is essential. Stay safe, Blues'. Toffees defender Lucas Digne also shared a post on Twitter of the final training session of the Merseyside club.

'Last training with our family this week,' he said. 'Stay at home and take care of your families'.

German giants Bayern Munich also shared a post to social media telling fans to look after themselves and stay healthy, while current Premier League champions Manchester City said: 'We will see you all very soon'.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka also took to Instagram to send love to his fans before thanking those involved in fighting the spread of the deadly virus.

'Just wanted to take a minute to send my love to all of you,' he wrote. 'Thank you to everyone working day and night to combat the spread of the virus, treating those affected'.

Championship clubs Swansea City and Nottingham Forest both told fans they already missed them and to stay safe from the deadly virus.