“Several options are being discussed”: UEFA encourages national associations to play the season

Exception preparedness and various calendar options

The coronavirus pandemic posed many difficult questions to world football. One of them is the fate of the current season. It is still unclear whether it is worth bringing it to the end, given that it is not yet possible to determine the timing of renewal.  

However, UEFA initially noted that they intend to end the season, and President Alexander Cheferin even threatened Belgian clubs with removal from the European Cups, when they intended to finally stop the country's championship.

In this regard, the videoconference with the participation of all national associations did not change anything dramatically. The union “strongly recommended” to finish the season in the top divisions and cups of countries. But the statement also says that UEFA is prepared "for exceptional cases."  

“To help associations in the event of a championship or cup cancellation, UEFA draws up guidelines for the distribution of tickets to European competitions,” the communiqué reads. 

Thus, the leaders of European football are ready for the fact that not all countries will be able to finish the season. At the same time, various options for the competition calendar were presented both among clubs and among national teams.  

The videoconference also discussed current financial assistance to associations through the HatTrick assistance program. UEFA assured that all planned payments will be made in full.

UEFA optimistic mood and communication with RPL clubs

Russia at the event was represented by the RFU Secretary General Alexander Alaev. According to him, the UEFA are optimistic about the end of the current season.

“Several options for resuming national championships are still being discussed, colleagues are inclined towards one that will allow the championships and European cups to finish in August. At the same time, UEFA admits that difficulties may arise in some countries, ”Alaev quotes the official website of the RFU. 

The functionary also said that the Union intends to play out all the control matches between the teams that were scheduled for this year, but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Some of them will be held in the fall, others - next year. The formats of the final tournaments U-21, U-19 (boys) and U-17 (girls) are discussed, as well as the dates of the women's European Championship. As for licensing, its terms have been extended, financial criteria will be adapted to the situation, ”Alayev added.

The final decision on the current situation will be made on Thursday at the UEFA Executive Committee. And on Monday, April 27, the RFU intends to hold a videoconference with the participation of RPL clubs in order to "discuss the completion of the championship."  

“We will also conduct consultations with our authorities in parallel. Of course, it is still difficult to predict exactly how the situation will develop in the future, but we must give guidance to our clubs so that they can prepare for the resumption of the games, ”Alayev emphasized.

An agreement in Serie A and a tough decision by the Dutch authorities

Meanwhile, in other countries, the reaction to UEFA recommendations immediately followed. So, all 20 clubs of the Italian Serie A agreed to resume the season, although previously seven of them opposed such a decision. 

“The resumption of sports activities in the framework of the so-called second phase, as already emphasized earlier, will occur in accordance with the regulations of FIFA and UEFA, the decisions of the Italian Football Federation, as well as in accordance with medical protocols for the protection of players and personnel,” the statement said. 

Positive news also came from Germany, where they expect to start playing on May 9th. This was stated by the Director General of the German Football League (DFL) Christian Seifert. According to him, this issue will be discussed with the leadership of professional clubs on Thursday, April 23.

“Let's be honest, matches without spectators are not as beautiful as with them. However, economically, this is the only option for the Bundesliga. Many clubs will be saved, ”cited Seifert Bild.

And in Poland, specific dates for the resumption of the season became known. Matches of the local elite division, as well as the second most powerful league, are scheduled to begin between May 30 and June 6. At the same time, the quarterfinal meetings of the Cup of the country will be held on May 27.

“The Polish Championship draw should be resumed on May 31. Apparently, there will be no spectators at the stadiums. We have 40 days to prepare for the resumption of the championship. We must do everything to start it. Teams have more than a month to prepare, - quotes the head of the Polish Football Union Zbigniew Boneka One Sport.

In Sweden, where the spring-autumn competition system is in place, the championship has not yet begun. But the leadership of local football plans to start on June 14, with spectators in the stands. 

But fans from the Netherlands will be left without football until at least September 1. This decision was made on Tuesday by Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He extended the ban on all professional football tournaments, which was valid until June 1. Matches can not be held even in the empty stands. 

In this regard, Belarus remains in a special position, where the championship was never suspended, and on the weekend matches of the second most powerful league started. Such self-will has already raised questions even at the World Health Organization. They recommended that the authorities postpone all public events, including sports.