FOOTBALLERS have been advised to avoid sharing water bottles as part of wide-ranging guidance on how to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has issued information for its members and their clubs, as part of a bid to tackle Covid-19.

As well as using personalised bottles in training and games, it is recommended personal items are kept in bags rather than left exposed in changing rooms.

Also read: Coronavirus updates for Oxfordshire

Clubs are encouraged to regularly disinfect communal areas and limit access to changing rooms to all but essential personnel.

PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes said: "This is a very fast-moving situation which is subject to change on an hourly basis.

"We are discussing with governing bodies, not only in the UK but also globally, to ascertain the best advice and information for our members.

"Players will and should be taking medical advice from the appropriate medical staff at their individual clubs together with their respective government's national advice at this time.

"It is important to stress that this is a public health issue, not just for football, but the wider community - that should be on the forefront of everybody's minds when making decisions."

The latest figures show 456 confirmed cases of the virus in the UK, with six deaths.

The football programme in this country has continued as scheduled so far, with the exception of the Manchester City v Arsenal Premier League match.

Also read: Oxford United stay third in League One as rivals drop points in midweek

That game, due to have been played on Wednesday night, has been postponed as a precautionary measure.

A number of Arsenal players met with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis on February 27, with the Greek businessman having announced on Tuesday that he has contracted the virus.

Otherwise the programme has continued as normal, with the EFL's last update - from before the weekend - only banning the pre-match handshakes.

There has been far more disruption in mainland Europe.

Italy's Serie A has been suspended until April 3, matches in the top two tiers of French football must be played behind closed doors until April 15 and the next two rounds of LaLiga matches in Spain must also be played without supporters present.

Champions League and Europa League fixtures, including Manchester United's match away to Austrian side LASK on Thursday night, will also be played behind closed doors.