The COVID-19 is likely to force Premier League clubs to play matches behind closed doors, according to Everton chief financial officer Sasha Ryazantsev.  

The United Kingdom reported 115 cases of the coronavirus and its first fatality late on Thursday, with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty predicting that an epidemic in the country is highly possible. 

In Italy, where the highest number of cases have been reported in Europe, all sporting events will be played without the presence of fans until 3 April. And Ryazantsev revealed that similar measure would be taken in the Premier League in an effort to contain the coronavirus. 

"It would be a forced decision rather than one we would proactively engage in," said Ryazantsev at the FT Business of Football Summit in London.  

"But the whole situation goes far beyond the world of sports. Nobody wants to play behind closed doors and I don't think it's inevitable that it will happen. But we feel it is quite likely it may happen in the coming weeks." 

The Premier League has already announced that players will forgo the traditional pre-game handshake as precautions to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. 

It is understood that officials will carry out the rest of the league's normal walk-out protocol before each match and both teams will line up as usual. But players will walk past their opponents without shaking hands. 

"The Premier League fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice," a statement read. 

"Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake."