A new six-a-side tournament held at Carlisle United to promote diversity in football has been postponed.

The CUOSC Cup was set to be staged in late April at Brunton Park.

But organisers have called off the event in line with the suspension of football until at least April 30.

They say they will aim to rearrange it when the Covid-19 situation allows and, in the meantime, will issue refunds to those who have already paid entry fees.

The competition, aimed at all football fans, was designed to give a platform for inclusion in the game.

Organisers hoped it would help increase the diversity of United's fanbase with more people from LGBT+, BAME and other minority groups getting involved.

The idea of people at United's supporters' trust CUOSC, it had the support of various organisations including the Football Supporters' Association and Cumbria Price.

A statement today from CUOSC said: "It is with great sadness that we have taken the decision to postpone the CUOSC Cup in light of the onset of the Covid-19 virus and the additional suspension of all football related activity until at least 30th April 2020, issued by the English Football League.

"Since announcing the CUOSC Cup, we have been met with an abundance of optimism and encouragement from our supporter base and the wider community, which has included individuals getting in touch expressing an interest in helping us, this in itself has made the effort worthwhile.

"It is our intention to stage the event as planned at some point in the future, but as you will be aware, planning for the future is an almost impossible task at present. For those who have already paid we will of course offer refunds.

"We would like to thank those who had entered teams, planned to attend as supporters of football, Carlisle United, and diversity and inclusion.

"We’d also like to thank our partners in the venture, Carlisle United, Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, The Football Supporters Association, Kick It Out, Cumbria Pride and the Carlisle United Supporter Groups. Thanks also go to Jon Colman from Newsquest for his support and coverage. 

"Of course we are all now faced with a period of time of great uncertainty, but we're sure once the country is back on track and we have beaten this virus, we will all be desperate to see some great football back at Carlisle United and also participate and view some great supporter football in the shape of the CUOSC Cup at Brunton Park!"