Mansfield Town monitor EFL coronavirus threat

Mansfield Town assistant boss Joe Dunne expects the current EFL season to be completed, despite the growing threat of coronavirus around the globe.
Joe Dunne.Joe Dunne.
Joe Dunne.

Stags will have just 10 League Two games to play after Saturday's tough trip to Northampton Town and the number of UK cases remains low.

But the Swiss League have suspended their programme of games for March, lots of games are being postponed in Italy and the International Challenge Cup friendlies have also gone.

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The UK Government are monitoring the situation and large gatherings of people could be banned at a moment's notice if, as expected, the virus takes a firmer hold over here.

“We have not had conversations about the season not finishing,” said Dunne.

“But coronavirus is something we talk about and need to be aware of.

“The Government are giving their guidelines and we have to be astute in being able to follow them.

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“Hygiene is huge, even around the training ground we're talking about it and making sure we follow good procedures.

“In terms of banning sporting events, we just have to listen to what the Government advise.

“I think you have to have a certain amount of people in a stadium – we'll just have to see what happens.”

Dunne does expect things to escalate at some stage.

“I think it's inevitable really with the way things are at the moment throughout the world,” he said.

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“We are seeing cases everywhere and it could turn into a pandemic.

“It is something we have to be very very astute about and being sensible about it is important. We will worry about it when we get there.”