Major League Soccer MLS has suspended all matches for 30 days due to the coronavirus crisis. This was announced on Thursday 12 of March, the league plans to reschedule postponed games on the back end of the season. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, “Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season — based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees,” We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time. “At the appropriate time, the league and clubs will communicate plans for the continuation of the 2020 season and update the status of league events.”
It would be recalled that some teams in the league, Seattle Sounders, and San Jose Earthquakes have postponed their games scheduled for March 21 even before the decision was taken. The United States Football league made this decision in response to the decision taken by the NBA and other sports organizations to stop every game as a precaution to stop the spread of the deadly epidemic.
Expectedly, the decision will affect about 12 games from holding this weekend, DC United is scheduled to visit Cincinnati on Saturday but that will be put on hold as well. Interestingly, should the suspension stay on for the 30 days, DC United will resume play on April 15 against Toronto Fc
Reacting to the suspension, DC United stated that as much as they would have loved to have the match on Saturday, but the safety of their supporters, players, and staff is their utmost priority. In a statement released by the club which reads; “The safety of our supporters, players and staff is our number one priority, and we feel that these measures are the appropriate response and course of action to support health authorities’ ongoing efforts to flatten the curve of Covid-19 (coronavirus) spreading.”
The last time MLS experienced disruption was back in 2001 after a terrorist attack. The league had to cancel the final few weeks of the regular season and play resumed with playoffs.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, it seems the world of football is yet to witness the biggest setback of the century, major leagues in Europe have been greatly affected by the Virus. La Liga announced the suspension of their league games yesterday, Italian league has been put on hold for a while now, not even Great Britain is exempted from the virus, as the virus hits Arsenal and Chelsea Fc respectively.
