New Delhi, March 12 (IANS): The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Thursday that it will hold a Skype meeting with representatives from all I-League clubs regarding the advisory from the Sports Ministry on the coronavirus pandemic.

Twenty eight matches are left to be played in the I-League, including the marquee Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal which records some of the highest attendances for any Indian football match.

"The All India Football Federation will hold a Skype meeting with representatives from all Hero I-League clubs at 4 p.m. on Friday (March 13, 2020) in view of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports concerning the recent global outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) today (March 12, 2020)," said the AIFF in its statement.

The ministry, in a letter addressed to all National Sports Federations, the International Olympic Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, issued guidelines among which was the prohibition of public gatherings during matches.

"You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event. In the event the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing the gathering of people, including spectators," said the ministry.