Rangers' clash with Bayer Leverkusen set to go ahead with UEFA to discuss future of European competitions next week

Rangers’s Europa League last-16 match against Bayer Leverkusen will go ahead as planned tonight despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Fans of both sides will be allowed to attend the match at Ibrox, but the second leg in Germany will still be behind closed doors – if it is played at all.

#RangersFC can confirm that tonight’s @EuropaLeague match against @bayer04_en will go ahead as planned in front of our Ibrox crowd.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as everyone within the football community and beyond deals with this ever changing situation. https://t.co/HTcr8VgLYs

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 12, 2020

UEFA is set to hold a video conference next week with its member associations to discuss the future of football competitions across the continent amid Covid-19 fears.

It is likely to result in more matches being played behind closed doors or complete shutdown of tournaments.

Domestic league seasons have already been put on hold in several countries including Spain and Italy, while the virus has affected a number of teams involved in the Champions League and Europa League.

Real Madrid players are currently in quarantine, with the second leg of their tie against Manchester City due to be played on Tuesday.

And one Juventus player, defender Daniele Rugani, has tested positive for coronavirus, with his side due to play Lyon on Tuesday in Turin.

Euro 2020, which is scheduled for this summer in host cities across Europe, is also under threat with the outbreak not expected to be contained until the summer.

In the light of ongoing developments in the spread of Covid-19, UEFA has invited various stakeholders to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.

Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020.

Full statement: 👇

— UEFA (@UEFA) March 12, 2020

A UEFA statement said: “In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation, UEFA has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by videoconference on Tuesday 17 March to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.

“Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020.

“Further communication will be made following those meetings.”

Scottish football fixtures could be cancelled or held behind closed doors from next week onwards, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set to cancel all mass gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday.

This would mean that, as things stand, Rangers will still host Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday, with around 50,000 fans set to attend.

Another huge crowd is expected at Hampden when Scotland take on Israel in a Euro 2020 qualification play-off in a fortnight, but this fixture may be postponed.