The key decisions UEFA have just taken and what they mean for Newcastle United and the Premier League

The governing body had held talks with key stakeholders today, with football across the continent on hold due to the growing health crisis.

Most leagues are currently due to resume in the first weekend of April but there is a growing recognition that this is now highly unlikely to happen.

The continent’s flagship competition will now be held between June 11 and July 11 next year.

The move is crucial as it gives leagues time to potentially extend their season into the summer, providing the health crisis eases in the coming weeks and months.

Announcing UEFA’s decision, president Aleksander Ceferin said that there was a determination to finish domestic competitions safely.

“The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one 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,” he said.

“There was a real spirit of co-operation, with everyone recognising that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve the best result.”

UEFA have also confirmed that this month’s EURO 2020 play-offs have been postponed.

UEFA’s statement reads: “UEFA today announced the postponement of its flagship national team competition, UEFA EURO 2020, due to be played in June and July this year.

“The health of all those involved in the game is the priority, as well as to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on national public services involved in staging matches.

“The move will help all domestic competitions, currently on hold due to the COVID-19 emergency, to be completed.

“All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice. The UEFA EURO 2020 Play-off matches and international friendlies, scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation.

“A working group has been set up with the participation of leagues and club representatives to examine calendar solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season and any other consequence of the decisions made today.”

The Premier League are reported to be meeting Thursday with talks due to extend into next week as football chiefs try and thrash out plans for the future amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The EFL are also due to meet this week, with a meeting on Wednesday where clubs will discuss plans of action and how they intend to respond.

All Premier League and EFL games were suspended on Friday following incidents of positive coronavirus tests involving several managers, players and coaching staff at clubs across the country.

The National League has also suspended fixtures.