European Championships postponed 12 months, improving chances of completing English season

But the plans are for the Champions League and Europa League finals to take place, albeit a month later than planned.

The Norwegian Football Association broke the news that for the first time in its history, the European Championships have been put back for a year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

It is now due to start on June 11, 2021, with the final due to be played on July 11 that year, UEFA has since confirmed.

The change frees up space for domestic leagues around the world to try to complete their programmes, although it will still be difficult.

The Football League has suspended all matches until at least April 3, with the Premier League aiming to resume the day after.

The Premier League are due to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday, but if government predictions prove anywhere near accurate, those dates would seem to be highly optimistic.

The future of many Yorkshire clubs will rest on whether the seasons are completed, frozen, or declared null and void.

Leeds United are top of the Championship, and if the league table with nine matches to go was declared the final one, they would be promoted back to the Premier League, which they were relegated from in 2004.

Barnsley would be relegated from the division but Hull City, one place and two points above the relegation zone, would be spared.

Rotherham United are currently in League One's second automatic promotion spot but Doncaster Rovers and League Two Bradford City would miss out on the play-offs.

Sheffield United are outside the Europa League places only on goal difference, but have a game in hand on the teams above. They have never before played European football.

Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear said on Monday he wanted the season completed if possible for the integrity of the competitions, and it would certainly be in the Blades' interests for this to happen.

The European Championship finals have taken part every four years since its inauguration in 1960. In honour of its 60th anniversary, this was due to be the first tournament where matches were played continent-wide, with Wembley due to hold seven matches, including the semi-finals and finals. No details have been announced yet as to whether those plans remain in place.

The new dates will mean a slight overlap with next summer's women's European Championships, which are due to be held in England. Rotherham United are due to hold a group game on July 11, kicking off at noon.

The final of the Champions League, European football's most prestigious club competition, will now take place on June 27, still in Istanbul, with the second-tier Europa League final rescheduled for June 24.