"World ParaVolley does not support the staging of any 2020 sitting volleyball or beach paravolley competitions and does not encourage World ParaVolley Officials to attend such events", the statement declares.

The body's priority is "protecting the health and well-being of all athletes, teams, officials and volunteers in the first instance, irrespective of costs, competition plans, grants and training courses", it says.

For that reason, it has advised against events proceeding and says its will not accept any responsibility for any coronavirus outbreaks that occur at events which go ahead.

The World ParaVolley website lists no world-level events on its 2020 calendar at present, although there remain plans to stage some European events in The Netherlands and Croatia in October and November.

It says that if any member or continental zone does stage an event, it must at the very least follow Government health advice and that of the World ParaVolley Medical Department.

World ParaVolley also says the "full acceptance of the risks and consequences of proceeding with any events in 2020" must be placed in writing. 

Written updates must also be provided to either World ParaVolley or its relevant continental body one month and two months before the event is due to take place. 

While World ParaVolley "must accept that a return to competition is desirable as soon as possible", this Position Statement will remain in force "until considered to be no longer required in line with medical advice", it says.