BOTH York City and York City Knights league seasons have been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

National League competitions were put on hold following a board meeting yesterday, as were Rugby Football League competitions.

The National League had originally persevered with fixtures over the weekend - before which Premier League, EFL and England fixtures had been postponed - but say the situation is "now out of its own control".

Though the games were set to go ahead - and 23 did, including that of York's nearest National League North rivals King's Lynn Town, who lost - the Minstermen and Altrincham decided to postpone their fixture at Bootham Crescent as both sides had staff members showing symptoms of Covid-19.

The RFL and Super League Europe announced the suspension of Super League fixtures yesterday, in line with government advice on mass gatherings.

As well as Super League, these changes apply to competitions including the Championship, League One, Women’s Super League and the community game.

Further discussions with Championship and League One clubs are expected over the coming days.

The season’s structure and the rescheduling of fixtures will be considered between now and the original early April restart date.

A National League statement on their website reads: "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.

"It wishes everybody safe passage through these turbulent times."

A joint statement on the RFL website from Robert Elstone, the executive chairman of Super League Europe, and Ralph Rimmer, RFL CEO reads: “These are unprecedented times, and they present significant financial and commercial implications for Rugby League, which will be further considered during the period of suspension."