Next month’s World University Cross-Country Championships in Marrakech have been postponed ©FISU

Next month’s World University Cross-Country Championships in Marrakech have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Competition in the Moroccan city had been due to take place on March 7.

Morocco’s Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training informed the International University Sports Federation (FISU) of the postponement.

"In view of the latest rather worrying developments related to the coronavirus, which unfortunately affects several countries, we regret to inform you that our Ministry, in coordination with all the ministerial departments concerned, has taken the decision to postpone the organisation of the World University Cross-Country Championships to a later date which will be decided upon agreement with your authority," the statement reads.

There are now more than 83,000 confirmed coronavirus cases around the world ©Getty Images
There are now more than 83,000 confirmed coronavirus cases around the world ©Getty Images

FISU says it has informed its Member Federations (MFs) of the development and will "keep them apprised of the situation".

The organisation said it was confident that MFs understand the precaution taken and that it supports them in every way.

The coronavirus has infected more than 83,000 globally and caused over 2,800 deaths, and the number of new cases outside of China is eclipsing new cases in the country where the outbreak originated.

As reported by Yabiladi.com, Morocco's Health Ministry announced yesterday that 19 suspected cases of the virus in the country had tested negative.