Italy's football team have pulled out of their Algarve Cup Final against Germany over concerns about the coronavirus disrupting their travel arrangements. 

The final, which was due to take place today, will now see the Italian squad fly home instead on a chartered private flight.

It comes after the Italian Football Federation confirmed it was best the players be brought home early because there has been uncertainty around flight schedules.

Other European countries have responded to the widespread outbreak of coronavirus, with the Spanish government announcing yesterday that they were to suspend all direct flights from airports in Italy to Spain until March 25.

President of the women's division at the Italian Football Federation, Ludovica Mantovani, told Telegraph Sport: "The situation is no charter company can guarantee more than the day of tomorrow to bring them back directly.

"The girls wanted to play and the head coach wanted to play, but we needed to guarantee them coming back home. It’s a decision that has been taken for the health of everybody - for them being secure and home.

"The players have to be in the best condition that nothing happens to them and their families - that’s the priority right now."

The 12 team invitational tournament was hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation, where Italy had beaten both New Zealand and Portugal on their way to a first final.