ANKARA

The 2020 Chinese Super League will start on July 25 after months of delay, the Chinese Football Association said on Wednesday.

The Chinese top football division was supposed to kick off on Feb. 22 but was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in the country, which began last December.

Since then, the virus has spread to at least 188 countries and regions, infecting over 10.48 million and killing more than 511,500 people, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

The first phase of the season will be played among 16 teams behind closed doors. Further details have yet to be revealed.