SOUTH West Peninsula League secretary Phil Hiscox has urged everyone to 'keep safe' in light of the coronavirus situation.

Sport has been suspended indefinitely following an announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday night, who said people in the UK should avoid “non-essential” travel and contact with others to curb coronavirus.

Elite and grassroots sports, including football, rugby, hockey, cycling, netball and athletics, have been suspended as a result.

In an open letter, Hiscox offered his thoughts on the situation, including issues such as the state of play regarding finishing the season and when it may resume, and the impact on club finances.

The SWPL is one of several competitions across the country to be suspended, with no idea on when it may resume.

Hiscox admits that the decision on when to resume competition is out of the league's hands, saying: "The advice regarding peak infections suggest this will be with us for probably the next three months. If that is the case then we are in unchartered territory as we don’t normally play in June (many cannot due to cricket), and even if we did, when and how would the next season happen?"

He also said any decision on how the current season will be completed - if it is completed - is down to the FA, and that the rules and regulations have no specific instructions for this situation.

Proposals to decide league positions as they currently stand or by points per game have been mooted, but all have their own drawbacks.

"All ideas have the benefit of somehow counting the season," Hiscox said, "but have the drawbacks of not being satisfactory in the overall context of the sporting integrity of the competition."

Hiscox suggested that cup competitions could be completed in a short window in May or as part of pre-season ahead of the new campaign, although he stressed that both are only ideas at this stage.

Regarding finances, Hiscox said that the league would be doing its best to represent clubs and help in any way it can, and added that the league's benevolent fund could help those especially hard hit by the situation.

Hiscox finished the letter by asking people to look after themselves, saying: "Please keep safe; the vast majority of club officers and volunteers are of a “certain age”.

"I have been disappointed by some comments from some players who have not thought through the implications of this disease. All our efforts must be to protect those in vulnerable groups.

"It is a major problem in all sports to recruit volunteers, and there is the real danger with this situation that those volunteers could suffer more than others in the population.

"We will need them when this passes, so please think of them, think of your neighbours, loved ones etc, and remember that together we must strive to still be here for when football resumes, whenever that is."