Sunderland's players will be take a break from training this week following the suspended fixture list until April 3.

A statement from the EFL last week confirmed that all clubs in the Premier League, the EFL and the WSL have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until that date at the earliest.

This includes all matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as all Academy and youth team fixtures.

According to the Sunderland Echo, that means that the Black Cats will be given a rest for this coming week.

While the suspended fixtures have played a part, it's said that Phil Parkinson was always going to give his players this week off with the Wearsiders not scheduled to have a match this weekend anyway following the expulsion of Bury from the EFL.

Some have suggested that the Sunderland squad could be allowed to go abroad this week, but speaking earlier this month, Parkinson said that that would not be allowed given the circumstances.

He said: "It's important we give ourselves every chance of keeping that virus away.
"We said to the lads they can't go abroad, some wanted to go away.
"We don't think it's wise for anyone to go abroad, and the players understand that."

Can you name every Sunderland player's shirt number this season? 

 

The verdict

The threat of this outbreak is certainly taking the world by storm.

While football fans may be frustrated by the suspended fixture schedule, it's worth remembering that some things are more important than a football match.

The health and wellbeing of those in attendance has to be of the utmost importance as this vicious virus has the potential to cause serious harm if it's not contained.

Of course football clubs need to do what is best for themselves from a business point of view, but surely common sense will prevail with a matter such as this.