OXFORD United’s promotion push is on hold after the EFL season was yesterday suspended for three weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The EFL’s board unanimously agreed to postpone all fixtures until April 3 at an emergency meeting, with all men’s and women’s professional football in Britain subject to the same ban.

It means United’s Sky Bet League One game against Milton Keynes Dons today is off, as are clashes with Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth over the next two weekends.

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No cases of the virus have been confirmed at the club, but the U's will close the training ground for the next ten days while it is deep-cleaned.

The EFL had said on Thursday that matches would continue to take place, but changed tack after players and staff from several clubs began to self-isolate because of the virus.

The league said in a statement: “Clubs are being advised to suspend indefinitely all non-essential activities which include, but are not limited to, player appearances, training ground visits and fan meetings.

“Whilst the EFL board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered by the government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is the time to implement football’s contingency plans in response to the crisis.

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“A further update on these plans will be given post an EFL board meeting next week.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the health and well-being of players, staff and supporters while also acknowledging the government’s national efforts in tack-ling this outbreak.”

It is unclear when the lost matches will be rescheduled, but if, as expected, Euro 2020 is postponed by a year that would free up space for domestic fixtures.

United staff and players have been asked to stay away from the training ground, with the latter following individual fitness programmes in the meantime.

A club statement said: “This is not a case of ‘self-isolation’ but all players and staff have been made aware of medical protocols and if they start to show symptoms they will be asked to report to the club doctor as soon as possible.”

Youth and academy football is also suspended, with today's U’s Under 18s game at home to Peterborough United cancelled.

United women's trip to Chichester City in FA Women’s National League Southern Premier tomorrow was postponed on Saturday afternoon.

The FA said the decision to postpone non-league games was a matter for each individual competition.

Oxford City’s trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough in Vanarama National League South is on, but the BetVictor Southern League have postponed all games up to March 22.