Premier League season suspended - this is what it means for Newcastle United

We take a look at what the big decision means for the Magpies:

What does ‘suspending the season’ mean?

The Premier League have announced a suspension to the 2019/20 campaign, which will mean no fixtures will be played for a pre-determined period.

That period will currently run until April 3, but much will depend on how the outbreak of coronavirus continues, or otherwise.

Should events progress as hoped, it would still be expected that the season would be concluded – albeit with fixtures re-arranged in the summer months.

There have already been reports that UEFA are considering moving this summer’s European Championships to deal with an extended Premier League and EFL season.

What does it mean for promotion and relegation?

Very little.

It is expected that fixtures will still be completed at a later date, meaning that promotion and relegation should take place as usual.

There could be question marks over the play-offs in the EFL, however, given the tight timescales involved with rearranging the season.

Why has this decision been reached?

There are already two confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Premier League, with Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi testing positive for the virus.

Watford and Leicester, meanwhile, have both had players tested – while Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy has been forced to self-isolate.

Brighton v Arsenal this weekend has already been postponed, and the remaining games are set to follow suit.

How long will a suspension of the season last?

The suspension will currently run until April 3 – but could be extended if needed.

In other countries, the suspension has varied in length from two weeks to a month – with the option to extend if necessary.

When will the suspension start?

The suspension is set to begin immediately – meaning Newcastle’s clash with Sheffield United on Saturday, March 14 has been postponed.

So too has the FA Cup Quarter Final with Manchester City.