Season break, ghost games or even games in front of spectators - the way the European football leagues deal with the Corona crisis is extremely different. There is controversial discussion not only in Germany.
Dortmund (dpa) - optimism in Germany, trouble in the Netherlands. When it comes to whether the season in the Corona crisis should continue, Europe goes different ways.
Unlike the Bundesliga, where those responsible are hoping for a positive vote from politics on ghost games, Erevisie rejected this option and ended the season early. But this solution also has problems. Several clubs feel that the decision of the national association KNVB puts them at a sporting and financial disadvantage. Utrecht even threatens to sue.
Other European leagues are far from the brave plans of the Swedes to play football again from June 14th - if possible in front of spectators. An overview:
PREMIER LEAGUE (England):
The Premier League is aiming to resume gaming on June 8, the British broadcaster BBC reported. Accordingly, the clubs want to discuss at their next meeting on May 1st how the remaining 92 games can be played. It is certain that the games will take place without an audience. The prerequisite for this is the approval of politicians and health experts.
According to the BBC, the goal is to complete the season by the end of July. To resume the league on June 8, the clubs would have to start training again on May 18 at the latest. Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion have already opened their training grounds for individual units of the players.
At the video conference of the clubs on May 1st, the report also said where the remaining games will take place. It has long been speculated that the games will be played at a few selected, neutral venues - possibly not in stadiums, but on training grounds. The continuation of the season should also be in the interest of coach Jürgen Klopp. His Liverpool FC are only two wins away from the first championship in 30 years.
LA LIGA (Spain):
The football-crazy Spaniards will probably have to wait a little longer for the comeback of their beloved league. Health Minister Salvador Illa ruled out a quick restart of the Primera División. "It would be ruthless to say now that professional football will be back before summer," he said. Because of the Corona crisis, football has been dormant in the country since March 12. Illa also dampened expectations that the professionals around superstars like Lionel Messi and Toni Kroos could get preferential treatment and be tested regularly, as the league wishes. The diagnostic tests must be made available to the regional authorities regardless of their type, he emphasized.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wants to present a gradual exit plan from the nationwide ban on going out on Tuesday. It was unclear whether he would also talk about solutions for football.
League boss Javier Tebas is pushing to definitely finish the championship to avoid massive financial losses. This is probably supposed to happen before empty ranks. Tebas has already warned the clubs that despite the pandemic, they will have to play again as soon as the authorities give their approval. In the event of refusal, there will be sanctions.
SERIES A (Italy):
Following the announcement by the Italian government that various corona restrictions have been relaxed, Serie A football clubs can resume training on May 18. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Sunday evening that training in professional team sports would be allowed again from this date. Serie A has been paused since March 9th.
Twelve match days are still outstanding in Italy's top football division. A restart of the league in June might be possible. The football association and the league are urging the government to resume the season - in empty stadiums. The league wants to guarantee security for everyone with a strict health protocol, which includes a corona test for the players and their isolation.
LIGUE 1 (France):
In France, the association LFP, which is responsible for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, is aiming to resume play operations in mid-June - subject to the relaxation details that the French government plans to announce on Tuesday. The plan is for players to return to the training center during the week of May 11 to undergo a full medical exam, including a corona test, followed by daily medical monitoring.
The strict exit restrictions apply in France until May 11th - then it should be gradually relaxed. How this will look like is still unclear.
JUPILER LEAGUE (Belgium):
The Belgian football league has postponed its final decision to end the season prematurely. Now that the government has not given clear guidelines on Friday, a decision is now not expected until the beginning of May. The association wants to await a decision by the National Security Council with a view to sporting competitions. The clubs originally wanted to vote last Friday about whether they would follow the league commission's proposal from the end of March and stop the season due to the corona pandemic.
PREMJER-LIGA (Russia):
The Russian football league hopes to play again at the end of June and wants to end their season by August 2nd. Possible start dates are June 21st or 28th. Eight game days are still outstanding. If this plan works, ascent and descent regulations should be maintained. However, if the season does not end, the league should only be expanded from 16 to 18 teams for the next season. It is still open when the professionals can return to training.
BBC report
Communiqué LFP