Players from Richmond and Carlton play their Australian Rules Football league game at an empty Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Thursday, March 19, 2020, after bans on crowds of more than 500 assembling at outdoor venues amid the coronavirus pandemic. At the MCG less than two weeks ago, more than 86,000 people gathered to watch Australia beat India in the women's Twenty20 Cricket World Cup final. Michael Dodge | AAP Image via Associated Press
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Hooroo AFL — Aussie rules football suspends league until May 31
Australia's various football leagues were among the few remaining professional sports playing on across the globe in its attempts to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Only hours after the Australian government called for its citizens to cancel all non-essential travel, the Australian rules Australian Football League (AFL) announced it was postponing its seasons until May 31.
Australia's various football leagues were among the few remaining professional sports playing on across the globe in its attempts to halt the spread of the virus.
The government's recommendation against non-essential interstate travel, and some states closing borders, prompted the AFL's suspension. The first round started last Thursday and was being played out across the weekend. The AFL women's competition was canceled.
Australia's National Rugby League and soccer's A-League were continuing.