Chinese Football Association announces up to 50 per cent pay cuts for players

Chen Xuyuan also told state broadcaster CCTV that matches would be resumed on a staggered schedule but gave no specific dates.

Some other countries’ sports associations have already announced a resumption of play with no fans in the stands or limited attendance and Taiwan plans to allow 1,000 fans to attend an upcoming baseball game.

China on Friday announced one new virus case, a local infection in the northeastern province of Jilin, and 16 new cases of those who have tested positive but are not showing symptoms. No no new deaths were reported.

Just 260 people remain hospitalised for having the virus and 890 are under isolation for being suspected cases or for having tested positive but without showing symptoms.