GENEVA -- World volleyball governing body FIVB announced the cancellation of the FIVB Volleyball Club World Championships 2020 on Thursday after the decision was made by the FIVB Board of Administration.

According to the FIVB, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent uncertainty regarding travel and fan attendance, they decided not to stage the 2020 edition of the event.

"The FIVB is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of the global Volleyball Family, and aims to launch an invitation to bid for the 2021 edition by the end of October 2020," read a statement.

The 2019 edition of the FIVB Men's and Women's Volleyball Club World Championships were held by Brazil and China respectively, with Italian clubs Lube Civitanova and Imoco Volley claiming gold.