Soccer-Two Belarusian games postponed due to suspected COVID-19 cases

One Belarusian Premier League match and one first division (second tier) game were postponed due to suspected COVID-19 cases, the domestic football federation said on Monday. Belarus was the only country in Europe playing soccer amid the coronavirus pandemic, making it an unlikely draw for fans overseas where matches have been canceled.

There are almost 24,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus, with more than 130 deaths. The federation said that the top flight game between FC Minsk and Neman Grodno, scheduled to take place on May 15, has been called off due to suspected COVID-19 cases among the home team's players.

The first division's match between Arsenal Dzerzhinsk and leaders Lokomotiv Gomel, scheduled for May 16, was postponed because of suspected cases among Lokomotiv players. New dates for the games were not announced.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has been publicly skeptical about the need for strong action to curb the spread of the coronavirus. He has called fears over the virus a "psychosis" and variously suggested drinking vodka, visiting saunas, or playing ice hockey to beat the disease.

On Saturday thousands of soldiers marched in Belarus to celebrate the Soviet victory in World War Two.