The Premier League will not return until April 30 at the earliest, it has been confirmed.
Last week the leagues had agreed to suspend fixtures until April 3 in light of the coronavirus outbreak but that date has now been extended by a further four weeks.
Of course, there are no guarantees that even that date will see football resume in the country. The 2019/20 season is due to finish on June 1 according to its regulations, indefinitely.
This just means more self isolation, Netflix and comfort foods!
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There’s going to be a lot of fixture congestion in order for that to happen.
UEFA has already announced that Euro 2020 is postponed for a year to allow for domestic seasons to finish.
A joint-statement from the governing bodies said: “The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.
“We’re united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
“We’ve collectively supported UEFA in postponing Euro 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
“The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that ‘the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June’ and ‘each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season’.
“However, our Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-20 season in relation to professional football. Additionally, we’ve collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday 30 April.
“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.
“We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.”
Although they’ve given 30 April as the date football could return, we really can’t see that happening with the outbreak yet to peak.
More updates when we have them.
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