The drastic steps FIFA are considering to allow Sunderland, Portsmouth and Coventry City to finish their League One fixtures

Currently three international windows are scheduled to go ahead in the latter half of this year, with six fixtures scheduled for September, October and November.

But FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani – who is leading a working group dealing with the scheduling problems posed by the coronavirus outbreak – has warned that the governing body could take the drastic step of cancelling these fixtures in order to ensure the domestic campaign is completed.

Such a move would free-up at least three weekends in which domestic fixtures could be completed – whether that be outstanding 2019/20 fixtures or a delayed 2020/21 campaign.

FIFA are also conscious of the impacts of long-distance travel so quickly after the outbreak.

When asked by Associated Press whether international fixtures were likely to be played before 2021, Montagliani said: “I personally think that might be a bit of a challenge, not so much because of just the health issues around the world and the various degrees of preparedness, but also committing to international travel as soon as we come back.

"I think that domestic football is a priority. September is still in the books, but I would garner to say that I'm not sure it's there on solid ground the way things are trending right now."

International fixtures set for March and June have already been cancelled, and are yet to be rearranged.