The Italian government has put a nationwide ban on spectators from visiting stadiums to support their favourite teams and have asked for all sporting events in the country to take place behind closed doors until April 3, 2020. 

This has happened because Italy is one of the most adversely affected countries by the highly contagious and deadly coronavirus.

However, Juventus Forward, Cristiano Ronaldo is trying to stay optimistic and play the game of football for the fans who have been banned from attending his teamâs matches.

In a video uploaded on Twitter, Ronaldo can be seen giving high-fives to the âghost fansâ who usually stand by the rails just to get a handshake or a picture with the athlete ahead of the game. 

Cristiano Ronaldo shaking hands with 'invisible' fans before the game tonight against Inter Milan. This is quality pic.twitter.com/LzTHqxg77Z

Ronaldo could also be seen applauding the empty benches during the warm-up session. 

© Reuters

The stands were empty, there was absolute silence in between plays, the players could hear their own voice echoing through the multiple floors of the Allianz Stadium. However, Juventus was able to get over the eerie and uncommon feeling and powered their way through Inter Milan.

Aaron Ramsey and Paulo Dybala scored in the 54th and 67th minutes, respectively to give their side a 2-0 finish to the Serie A derby. 

While Ronaldo has taken this move sportingly, and returned to the ground to complete his duties as a franchise player, some of the other athletes from all over the world have refused to play if the fans arenât allowed to be there by their side. 

Lebron James @KingJames said that if it depends on him, he will not play any @NBA matches that fans are prohibited from watching because of the risks of the corona virus Cov #Covid_19.
pic.twitter.com/A8PX6aJaio

It is extremely unfortunate to see that the kind of athletes who love to put their bodies to test and spend the best years of their lives playing for the love of the fans are being robbed of all of it because of the virus but it had to be done, for the sake of the people and the players alike.

Check out an extended list of major sporting events that have already been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus, here.

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