Coronavirus: Falkirk FC training off until next week as precaution

No organised games will take place across the country this weekend after the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Professional Football League decided to suspend competitions from grassroots to the top divisions yesterday.

The cancellations will continue indefinitely but the team have been told to stay away from the ground where they both train and play until at least March 23 as a precaution. They'll be expected to keep fit at home and avoid public gyms or fitness sessions to minimise the risk of contracting, or spreading, the virus.

Players were preparing to make a public appearance at the High Street branch of Specsavers yesterday after training, but this trip was cancelled in line with the COVID-19 outbreak precautions. All future player appearances have been put on hold for the time being until the situation becomes clearer.

Their scheduled match at Dumbarton this afternoon was one of the many called off by yesterday's lunchtime announcement, but the Bairns hope to have the game played at a later date.

A statement on the club website said: "Following the decision by the Scottish FA Board to immediately suspend all domestic professional and grassroots football until further notice, we wish to update supporters on the situation as it stands currently. We fully accept and support the decision. We recognise the need to take appropriate action to delay the spread of COVID-19 and have taken steps within our own premises at The Falkirk Stadium in light of this.

"We will be restricting access to areas within the ground floor of The Falkirk Stadium and will continue to follow good hygiene guidelines to ensure the protection of our players and staff. This will include liaising with our partners at Falkirk Community Stadium Ltd over areas of the stadium outwith our domain.

"We regret to inform our supporters and sponsors that any scheduled player or staff appearances are postponed for the foreseeable future, however these will be re-arranged at an appropriate time. At this stage we do not know what the future holds in terms of the league season, but we hope that, at the appropriate time, we will be given the opportunity to fulfil our final eight league matches.

"The health and wellbeing of our players, staff and supporters is of paramount importance and to that end we urge everyone to follow the guidance outlined by appropriate authorities."

Falkirk's next home game is listed for March 21 against Stranraer but with English senior football postponed for three weeks, a quick return for Scottish clubs appears unlikely.