Sports

COVID-19: Possible Return Dates Of The Top Football Leagues

Timothy Ojo April 22, 2020

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Football is suspended across most of Europe because of the continued spread of coronavirus.

The game in England is suspended indefinitely and, while Premier League clubs are committed to finishing the campaign, there is unlikely to be a resumption any time soon to a top-flight season that still has nine rounds of fixtures to play.

The Dutch Football Association “intends not to continue” the Eredivisie season after the national government extended a ban on major events until 1 September because of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s Pro-League made the choice to cancel its season,although the decision to ratify this is still pending.

But what is the situation in the rest of Europe’s major leagues?

German League

Earlier this month, German clubs became the first in Europe to return to training following the suspension of their league.

Champions Bayern Munich were among a number of Bundesliga teams to resume work on the training ground, albeit with precautionary measures in place, such as working in groups of five, with contact.

Germany’s top flight was suspended on 13 March, until at least 30 April, with most sides having nine games still to play and Bayern top, four points clear of Borussia Dortmund.

On Thursday, a video conference call is due to take place between the German league and the 36 clubs in the country’s top two divisions to discuss possible dates for the season to restart, with 9 May and 16 May the two options.

However, this will depend on the outcome of a meeting between Germany’s federal government and the federal states on 30 April. They must give the green light for games to resume behind closed doors.

While the number of coronavirus-related deaths is continuing to increase, health minister Jens Spahn says the country’s month-long lockdown has brought the outbreak there under control.

The German government is allowing small shops, bookshops, garages and bicycle shops to open, as long as they apply social distancing measures.

Spanish League

A resumption to play in La Liga on 28 May in the best-case scenario, says its president Javier Tebas.

All football in Spain, including La Liga, remains on hold indefinitely while the country deals with the continued spread of coronavirus.

And Tebas says training will not return until emergency measures – in place until 26 April – are lifted.

However, Spain’s national sports council has said training can resume if clubs comply with strict health protocols.

Early June has been touted as a potential restart date for La Liga matches but nothing has been confirmed.

La Liga initially took action after a player for the Real Madrid basketball team, which shares training facilities with the football club, tested positive for the virus.

Tebas says La Liga is not contemplating leaving the domestic campaign unfinished.

Barcelona lead Real Madrid by two points at the top of La Liga, with 11 rounds of matches to play.

Spain is one of the countries worst hit by coronavirus, although the rate of new infections has been falling and it is now beginning to ease strict lockdown measures for some workers to help the economy.

The majority of the population must still remain at home but children are expected to be allowed outside on 27 April.

French League

The board of the Ligue de Football Professional – French football’s governing body – met on 10 April and voted to resume the Ligue 1 season.

They hope to resume on 17 June, with the campaign culminating on 25 July.

It is hoped the 2020-21 season can then be started on 22-23 August.

However, the LFP is currently waiting for the French government to confirm that games can be played behind closed doors.

It has also asked the medical commission of the French Football Federation (FFF) to develop a health protocol for resuming training.

Football was suspended indefinitely in France last month, with 10 rounds of matches and one outstanding fixture left to play.

French President Emmanuel Macron has extended lockdown in the country to 11 May.

The country has recorded the third-highest number of deaths because of coronavirus in Europe.

Italian League

The Italian Football Federation (IFF) president, Gabriele Gravina, has said a Serie A return could happen in late May or early June.

The country’s sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet officials from the Italian Football Association on Wednesday but has refused to give assurances that players will be able to start training again on 4 May, the day after Italy’s general lockdown is due to lift.

The IFF hopes to begin testing players for the virus at the start of May, in preparation for the season to resume and on Monday, the country’s top flight, Serie A, insisted it was committed to finishing the season.

Serie A was suspended on 9 March, with 12 full rounds and four outstanding fixtures still to play. Juventus are top, a point ahead of Lazio.

Italy has been one of the countries worst affected by coronavirus, with a number of players having become infected.

There remain voices against a resumption, including Brescia president Massimo Cellino, whose side are bottom of the table. He says he is ready to forfeit the club’s remaining games if the season resumes.