English football showed no sign of suspending their various leagues despite the virus spreading across Europe.
Anfield was at full strength during the Champions League match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
The authorities were forced to take action on Friday morning after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus.
The Premier League and EFL decided to postpone all fixtures until April 4 and 3rd respectively, with the Football Association, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship also postponing their fixtures.
In his column for The Times, the former Manchester United star admitted the authorities acted slowly in making the decision to halt the country’s football.
"After the emergency meeting, at last the right decision was made," the Englishman wrote.
"Until then it almost felt like footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs.”
“The rest of sport - tennis, Formula One, rugby, golf, football in other countries - was closing down and we were being told to carry on.”
"At Derby County, we sat at training on Thursday waiting for Boris Johnson to speak. People were anxious.”
“Thankfully football made the right call in the end. We had to put the season on hold. Some people won't be happy but I just think, in this case, football has to come second. It's a sport. It's just a sport.”
"If people's lives are at risk, that has to come first - regardless of whether you're going to win the league title, whether you're trying to get into Europe or whether you're going to get relegated or promoted.”
"We're happy to play until September if the season extends to then, if that's how it has to be. That's our job. As long as we know we're safe to play and it's a safe environment for spectators, we'll play.”
"The next World Cup is in November and December 2022, so you could actually use this situation as an opportunity and say we're going to finish the 2019-20 season later this year, then prepare for 2022 by having the next two seasons starting in winter."
