Their own sporting contests have been scrapped, so too the elite games they had bought tickets to or were planning to watch from home or the pub.

So where to now? Capital Football players have found the answer.

Capital Football commentator Russ Gibbs is preparing to launch a FIFA 20 online competition with players representing their local clubs in pursuit of a trophy.

It may well be the only one they get a chance to win this season in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic which has derailed sport and suspended local soccer until at least mid-April.

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The response has been overwhelming to say the least as players desperately seek a competition to sink their teeth into.

Gibbs has lined up 20 players for a PlayStation 4 singles tournament, 12 teams for doubles on the same console, as well as nine players for an Xbox singles competition.

All matches will be played on a knockout basis in head-to-head season mode with all teams to be rated 85 to ensure equality across the board.

Games will be played in six-minute halves, with six minutes of extra time scheduled in case of a draw. Players will proceed to a penalty shootout if they can't be split.

As for the doubles? Each match will consist of four games with both contestants playing both of their counterparts. The aggregate score of the four matches will be the result.

If aggregate scores are level, each team will nominate one contestant to play a one-off match under the same rules as the singles tournament, with the winner to advance to the next round.