BREAKING: Leeds United facing at least three weeks off as EFL suspends programme over Coronavirus

The suspension is part of a postponement of the entire English professional game and comes two days before Leeds United's Championship clash at Cardiff City.

Leeds are now facing at least three weeks off when the Whites are just nine games away from sealing a potential return to the Premier League with Marcelo Bielsa's squad top of the Championship and holding a seven-point cushion in the division's automatic promotion spots.

Both the Premier League and EFL Board held emergency meetings on Friday morning following the news that Arsenal and Chelsea's first-team squads were in self-isolation after positive Coronavirus tests for Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi

Everton and Bournemouth then also announced their squads were in self-isolation on Friday morning before all of next week's Champions League and Europa League were postponed.

The EFL then announced at 11am on Friday morning that they were suspending fixtures until Friday, April 3 at the earliest when the situation would be reviewed.

For Leeds, that period includes Sunday's clash at Cardiff City plus Wednesday night's hosting of third-placed Fulham and next Saturday's Elland Road fixture against Luton Town.

The Whites are due to visit Blackburn Rovers on Friday, April 3.

In a statement released just after 11am on Friday morning, the EFL said: "The FA, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest.

"This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the COVID-19 virus.

"The postponements include all matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as all Academy and youth team fixtures.

"In addition, 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.

"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 tackling this outbreak."