World Snooker Championship postponed as coronavirus continues to decimate sport

Further disruption to the sporting calendar was caused on Friday when next month’s Betfred World Snooker Championship became the latest major event to be postponed due to the ­coronavirus pandemic.

The sport’s blue-riband event was due to start at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on April 18 and organisers are hopeful they will be able to reschedule it for July or August.

Hopes of some play taking place are high as World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn said he hopes lower-profile events can still be hosted so that players can earn a living.

“Snooker players are self-employed, they need opportunities to earn prize money so we have a responsibility to them,” he said.

“We are currently exploring the potential to stage tournaments behind closed doors to keep the circuit alive, with more details to follow next week.”

The Rugby Football Union has announced the end of the season at all levels below the Premiership and a decision will be made next month as to what to do about promotion to the top flight.

Newcastle are top of the Championship with a 100 per cent record but have yet to secure the title with seven games of the campaign left to play.

Formula One will run a set of virtual grands prix to make up for their programme, which has been devastated before it could start.

The first seven races have been called off – the Dutch, Spanish and Monaco races were the latest to be axed on Thursday – but drivers and guest competitors are set to take part in E-Sports races.

The first will be held tomorrow when the virtual Bahrain Grand Prix will start at 8pm and take in a half-race distance of 28 laps. Williams driver Nicholas Latifi was the first F1 star to sign up for the race.

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