Brussels (AFP)

The decision taken on Wednesday by the Belgian government to ban "mass events" until August 31 will have consequences for Belgian sport, starting with football and cycling.

The containment measures in force in Belgium since mid-March to contain the coronavirus pandemic are extended until May 3 inclusive and no "mass event" can be organized before August 31, Prime Minister Sophie announced on Wednesday Wilmes.

De facto, this decision makes it impossible to resume the Belgian football championship. And the start of the next season should take place behind closed doors.

"An analysis on this will be done next week," said Interior Minister Pieter De Crem.

The board of directors of the Pro League had already suggested in early April to end the current championship, a decision which should be formalized by the General Assembly of professional clubs on April 24.

UEFA had nevertheless put pressure on Belgium by threatening to ban all member clubs of a Federation from European competition, putting an "premature" and unjustified "end to its domestic competition.

The Belgian government's decision now makes UEFA's argument obsolete.

Unless deciding behind closed doors, the Belgian championship cannot go to its end: there is one match from the classic phase to be played as well as ten play-off matches.

FC Bruges, at the top of the current ranking, should therefore be officially titled and qualified for the group stage of the next Champions League.

The national cycling championship is also in danger. Originally scheduled for June 21, it was to be postponed to August 23, according to a request from the International Cycling Union (UCI).

A closed-door championship now seems to be the only option. But the bourgmestre (mayor) of the host city, Anzegem in Flanders, was hardly in favor.

"We cannot organize a Belgian championship without an audience or a VIP, while at the end of August many people are on leave," Gino Devogelaere told the Belga press agency.

There is also the question of the financing of the event since several sponsors, in financial difficulty, have already withdrawn.

© 2020 AFP