Barcelona's UCL clash with Napoli to be played in empty Camp Nou

Supporters won't be allowed to attend Barcelona's Champions League match against Napoli next week, as the encounter at the Camp Nou will be played behind closed doors due to the threat of the coronavirus.

"The decision was taken after a meeting on Tuesday morning between FC Barcelona representatives and those of the Catalan Regional Government (Generalitat de Catalunya)," read a statement from Barcelona.

"The club has followed the recommendations of the Generalitat from the meeting, which took place in the Department of Health of the regional government."

Shortly after Barcelona confirmed the decision, La Liga announced that its top two divisions will also be played behind closed doors for the next two weeks while Spain attempts to combat the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Spain jumped sharply from 589 on Sunday to 1,204 on Monday, according to Bloomberg's Rodrigo Orihuela and Charlie Devereux.

Last week, it was announced that Valencia's Champions League clash against Atalanta will be played behind closed doors at the Mestalla Stadium.

The Italian government, meanwhile, is trying to combat the spread of the coronavirus by implementing nationwide travel restrictions and suspending all sporting events until April 3.