The football governing body in Europe UEFA has advised all domestic leagues in the continent not to end their leagues prematurely over the coronavirus pandemic. The football governing body says it will be unjust for leagues to abandon the outgoing season for a new one.
This advice is coming after the board of directors at Belgium‘s Jupiler Pro League recommended that the season in the country should end and Club Brugge should be declared the champion.
There are also reports that some clubs in the Netherlands are calling for a premature end to their season which has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, in a leaked letter retrieved by Sky Sports, UEFA says the European Leagues should not abandon their seasons as work is ongoing to see how football can resume in July.
If this advice is followed by the European leagues, the June 30th which football seasons usually end across Europe won’t be attainable and it may greatly affect the calendar for next season.
COVID-19 Must Not Cause Injustice
On this, the letter signed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and others says: “It is of paramount importance that even a disruptive event like this epidemic (COVID-19) does not prevent our competitions from being decided on the field, in accordance with their rules and that all sporting titles are awarded on the basis of results.
“As responsible leaders in our sport, this is what we must ensure, until the last possibility exists and whilst planning, operational and regulatory solutions are available.
“We are confident that football can restart in the months to come – with conditions that will be dictated by public authorities – and believe that any decision of abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified.”
The work of UEFA working groups
The letter also revealed that UEFA has set up working groups that have been having several meetings with the aim of ensuring that all competitions are brought to their natural end.
According to the letter, the work of the groups is now focused on seeing how all domestic leagues can resume between July and August, and also ensures that UEFA competitions resume after the completion of domestic leagues.
“A joint management of calendars is strictly required as the conclusion of the current season must be coordinated with the start of the new one, which may be partly impacted because of the overstretch”, the letter added.
“Closely following the development of the current situation, the calendar working group will indicate as soon as possible, and ideally by mid-May, which of the plans can be enacted for the completion of the season without leaving anyone behind. Stopping competitions should really be the last resort after acknowledging that no calendar alternative would allow concluding the season.”
