Players of Gremio enter the field wearing protective face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, before the match against Sao Luiz, in Porto Alegre, Brazil on Sunday. Photo: VCG

 

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Sunday it is suspending all matches until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The CBF had initially avoided an all-out suspension, instead ordering Friday that matches be played in empty stadiums in the country's two largest cities, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

But as fears over the virus' spread continued to mount, it ultimately followed the lead of the European Champions League, Premier League, Bundesliga and a long list of other sporting events worldwide that have suspended their seasons.

"We know and accept the responsibility the football world has in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Brazil," CBF President Rogerio Caboclo said in a statement.

"The CBF will remain in permanent contact with the health ministry, joining together to help the country and the sport overcome the challenge posed by the pandemic," it added.

Several key matches were played in empty stadiums during the weekend in Brazil, including a Sao Paulo-Santos derby.

The pandemic has led officials to cancel or postpone a slate of top sporting events worldwide, including the top European football leagues, NBA basketball, Formula One racing and the Giro d'Italia.

The coach of Brazilian club Gremio threatened to strike earlier on Sunday after he and his players took to the field wearing masks to protest having to play a soccer match in the midst of the coronavirus panic.

Renato Portaluppi led his players out of the tunnel to play Sao Luiz and the starting 11 lined up wearing white masks over their faces.

His team won the Gaucho state championship match 3-2 in front of empty stands at the Gremio arena.

Portaluppi warned authorities Gremio were willing to strike unless they call a halt to the footballing program.

"It is time for Gremio to take a stand and that was to wear masks to alert authorities that players are people too," he said. "We are not immune to viruses."

"There's no point in closing the doors to fans. So the fans are protected and screw those who work in football."

"The whole world has stopped, shouldn't Brazilian football stop as well? That's our message and I hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail."

The protest came as players and clubs across South America begin to complain at decisions by footballing authorities to order games to be played, but behind closed doors.

Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus appealed for football to be halted, saying players needed to be protected because "they are not super human."

In Argentina, River Plate refused to play their Superliga cup tie against Atletico Tucuman on Saturday. The Buenos Aires club closed their stadium, leaving match officials and an advance team from Atletico outside the ground.