Back in May or announcing TA Maccabi as champion? • The declines will be frozen and the league will grow to 16 teams, or Shepherd and Rishon LeZion remain national? • The cessation of Israeli football has led to uncertainty, and the administration admits: "Right now, anything can be"

• Netanya Stadium, today

  Photo:

  Alan Shaver

• Bloomfield Stadium is empty of man, today

  Photo:

  Ami fat

• Gates of the 11th Stadium in Ashdod are locked, today

  Photo:

  Liron Moldovan

• Sami Ofer Stadium is desolate, today

  Photo:

  Maor Alexasci

As soon as the Ministry of Health announced the cessation of Israeli football activity following the Corona virus, the industry leaders began to think about what the future of the league would be. The league's statutes do not have a regulated solution to the delusional and extreme case like the one currently rampant in the world, but the league's administration and the Football Association are already thinking ahead.

We will try to put some order in the options. Right now, the league is down until April. This time will allow for longer-term decisions, but the basis for the future depends not only on the people here, but on the UEFA decision-makers. In the next 48 hours, there will be a vote among union leaders across Europe regarding the cancellation of Euro 2020 and other European enterprises, such as the Champions League and the League. European.

Maccabi Haifa players. Will they allow them to fight for the championship? // Photo by Alan Shiber

It is currently estimated that the euro will be rejected (this is also the position of the Israeli Association), while the factories in which the groups participate will be arrested, as some of the participating groups, such as Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​have ceased operations.

Several players in Europe have already been diagnosed with Corona patients, and union officials have estimated: "In the resulting situation, there is no choice but to stop European factories. The Champions League qualifiers are scheduled to start in July, but there is no activity in most European and league leagues."

In the situation, if the Premier League returns, it will only happen in April-May, and as we announced on Thursday, the attempt will be to end the league quickly, including holding games in June. However, if the Corona virus does not disappear in the coming months, there will be no choice but to announce the end of the season. If so, Maccabi TA will be crowned champions and past experience indicates that there will be a freeze on the relegation to the National League. The administration is very concerned about such a scenario, but makes it clear that "right now, everything can be."

In a situation where the declines will be frozen, the Premier League may grow to 16 teams, as Maccabi Petah Tikva and Hapoel Rishon are currently ranked first in the National League and should qualify for the first league. Some of the Premier League teams have already expressed their opposition to the league's increase, but it will be enough time to argue that, as the future is in the fog.

Luzon celebrates in the quarterfinals. PA will remain national for another year? // Photo: Alan Shiber

"Players will be overweight again"

The Health Ministry's instructions on banning contact between players have also prompted groups to cancel training immediately. Some, for example, Maccabi TA and Maccabi Haifa, will provide players with a personal training program. Hapoel Tel Aviv and Betar Jerusalem canceled the training scheduled for today and are awaiting further guidance.

Also, Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi TA and Hapoel players have been instructed by the medical team to try to contact external parties as little as possible. If it happened overseas, it could happen here as well. "

Cessation of training also obscures the future of the league. "How will players come back after a month without team training?" Wondered one of the team owners, who added: "Without training players will be overweight, you can't go back like that."

Hapoel Tel Aviv fans with masks. Hope to return to the pitches soon // Photo: Oded Karni

And there's the economic thing, too. Team owners will not be able to pay salaries in the long run, and the small clubs are already discussing putting players on vacation for free. The law says that in such a case, Social Security will pay most of the players' wages and ensure that the clubs do not fall under the financial burden.

The discussions between team owners in the administration also raised the issue of foreign players. At this point, none of them can leave Israel, but when possible, players will be asked to return to their homeland, or alternatively, the groups will be the ones to release their share to save their wages. These are quite a few imaginary steps, but who imagined two months ago that a deadly virus would change humanity?