The FA, is likely to suspend the country's Saturday afternoon broadcasting black-out rule in the event the coronavirus crisis forces matches to be played behind closed doors, according to the Times newspaper, reports Sport Business.

A suspension of the rule would mean that matches in the Premier League and English Football League played at 3pm would be available for broadcast. These matches would then be broadcast for free, according to the report.

Should the blackout legislation be lifted, then EFL matches could be made available on the League's iFollow OTT platform.

The Premier League could ask pay-television broadcasters Sky and BT Sport to show the matches on a decrypted signal. But the broadcasters would be expected to block coverage in pubs to prevent fans congregating in those premises.

The ruling, part of Uefa's statutes, forbids live broadcasts of domestic or foreign matches between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays as a measure to protect attendances at domestic matches.