The Hague (AFP)
The Dutch championship is not expected to end following the Dutch government's decision to ban public events until September 1, according to a statement from the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) on Tuesday.
As UEFA pushes for the championships to come to an end, the KNVB has announced that "the professional football committee intends (not) to continue playing the 2019/20 competition".
"The KNVB will consult UEFA, after which a decision will be taken," the federation said, adding that the clubs and the parties concerned will meet on this subject on Friday.
If this decision is confirmed on Friday, the Netherlands would become the first major championship to throw in the towel. Belgium, which must take a decision on Monday based on government announcements, could follow in the process.
According to the KNVB press release, matches in camera are not possible, because they are considered as events subject to authorization and because they require the presence of the police.
The Eredivisie (D1) and the Eerste divisie (D2) have been stopped since March 12. Initially, the suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic extended until April 6 and was extended until June 1 on March 31.
The Federation, government and clubs are expected to meet on Friday to assess the consequences of stopping the competition. The leaders of Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven said they understood the government's decision. "The health of citizens comes first," we can read in a press release from the PSV.
Ajax Amsterdam are currently leading the league, tied on points with AZ Alkmaar, but with a better goal difference.
UEFA, which on Tuesday issued a "strong recommendation" to end the national competitions, has left its member federations until 3 August to complete the national competitions, but "certain special cases will be studied once guidelines for participation in European competitions for the canceled championships will have been developed, "said the European body on Tuesday.
There are eight days left to play in Erevidivisie and nine days plus the play-offs in D2. The Dutch Cup final is also yet to take place.
The extension of the measures until September 1 also has consequences for the MotoGP Grand Prix in Assen, the F1 GP of Zandvoort and the Dutch cycling championships.
© 2020 AFP