UEFA reportedly asked Italian sides Roma and Inter Milan to withdraw from the Europa League in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, but both teams are said to have rejected the request immediately.
Italy has been one of the worst-affected countries during the outbreak of COVID-19, with Serie A postponed as the whole country is in lockdown.
According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is keen to avoid any delay to this summer's Euro 2020 tournament, and as a result requested that both sides give up their spots in Europe so that the games could continue as planned.
The two clubs were both preparing to face Spanish opposition in the last-16 stage, with Inter up against Getafe while Roma had planned to travel to face Sevilla.
However, restrictions imposed by the Spanish government meant that neither game took place on Thursday, and fellow Serie A side Juventus have seen their players undergo isolation following Daniele Rugani's positive test.
Ben Knapton
