Despite postponing events last week, the Premier League and EFL have committed to finishing their seasons.
The English Premier League and English Football League (EFL) have announced an agreement with the Football Association (FA) to complete their current seasons, however, play will not resume until at least 30 April.
This news comes after the Premier League, EFL, FA and WSL collectively agreed to postpone all professional matches in England until 3 April due to the spread of coronavirus.
The announcement
Both the Premier League and EFL met with the FA, Professional Footballers’ Association and League Managers Association on 19 March where they said they were jointly committed to completing the current 2019-2020 season and resume playing games when it is safe to do so.
Current FA rules and regulations state that the English football season shall end “not later than the 1 June” and that each competition is responsible for determining the length of its own playing season. However, the FA decided to relax this rule and extend the limit indefinitely so that the current season can be completed.
During the meeting, it was agreed that play will not resume until 30 April at the earliest due to health concerns over the spread of coronavirus in the UK.
In a joint statement, the FA, EFL and Premier League said: “The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.”
Coronavirus shuts down other sports
Several other sports bodies across the globe have put events on hold due to health concerns over coronavirus. Earlier this week, the Jockey Club announced that the 2020 Randox Health Grand National Festival will not take place this year.
In the US, the NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, decided to postpone sporting events indefinitely after a player for the NBA’s Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus. The NCAA has also put March Madness on hold.
