What the National League said after suspending season over coronavirus outbreak

It means Chesterfield’s upcoming games against Maidenhead United, Yeovil Town and Woking will not go ahead and will have to be rearranged.

The Spireites’ next fixture after the suspension period, if it is not extended, is Boreham Wood at the Proact on April 4.

The National League's statement on Monday read: “At its board meeting on Friday, the National League decided to use its best endeavours to keep its season going in the face of unprecedented adversity

“However, with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching global pandemic levels it has to accept that the situation is now out of its own control.

“In the knowledge of the government measures now announced including not to support sporting events with emergency services workers it is clearly not practical for its fixtures to be fulfilled in the immediate future.

“In those circumstances and in line with The Football Association and the professional game, at a board Meeting today, the National League has decided that its competition is now suspended until at least 3rd April 2020.

“The National League will continue to monitor the situation, but trusts that its loyal clubs, fans, players, officials, staff, volunteers and sponsors will accept that it has had no other choice but to reach this decision.

“It wishes everybody connected with the competition and indeed the whole country a safe passage through these turbulent times.”

The league was criticised for allowing games to continue at the weekend given that the Premier League and EFL suspended all action for three weeks.

In the end six matches were postponed as clubs made their own decision to call games off after players and staff members started to feel ill.

Chesterfield company secretary, Ashley Carson and manager John Pemberton, both slammed the decision to proceed with matches at the weekend.

Pemberton, speaking after the 1-1 draw with Dover Athletic on Saturday, called the decision “crazy” and “stupid”, adding it lacked “common sense.”

Eastleigh boss Ben Strevens also spoke out, saying: “The reason National League games went ahead and the EFL games didn't go ahead and the Premier League games didn't go ahead is because whoever sits on the board of the National League cared about money.”