March 19 – English football, already wiped off the map until April 3 because of the continued spread of coronavirus, will now be suspended until April 30 following a crisis video conference of the sport’s various authorities today.
The Football Association, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game bodies, along with players and managers associations, agreed to extend the formal end-date for the season “indefinitely” .
The FA board has waived a regulation which would normally oblige leagues to finish by June 1. That means the domestic divisions can technically continue playing in the space opened up when UEFA postponed the European Championship to 2021.
The FA, Premier League and English Football League say they are “united in their commitment” that the season should be completed.
“We have collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition,” said a joint statement.
“The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”.
“However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to professional football. Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.”
The FA says that it “remains committed” to finding a way in which to conclude the season and is open to playing up until the end of June which in theory, with no Euros, would allow the subsequent season to commence on time in August.
“We’re united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.”
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