UEFA Take Stance Against Abandoning 2019-20 Season

Earlier today, Belgium became the first country to abandon the 2019-20 season, declaring Brugge champions despite that they would have had a relatively narrow advantage heading into that league’s playoff round.

Shortly afterwards, UEFA reacted by informing the Associated Press they had requested leagues not abandon the current season and had sent a letter to the various federations outlining their hopes for restarting the current campaign.

“We are confident that football can restart in the months to come,” began the letter from UEFA to the federations. “Any decision of abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified.”

The letter further confirmed reports earlier in the week that pointed to a potential summer re-start, with UEFA postponing the deadline to determine European qualification while England formulated plans for a festival of football.

Still, at the time there had been doubts concerning the legal hurdles to finishing out the season in July and August. Now, though, it appears certain at least that both UEFA and the Premier League are both determined to overcome those.

“Work is now focusing on scenarios encompassing the months of July and August,” UEFA’s letter continued. “The current season must be coordinated with the start of the new one, which may be partly impacted.

“Closely following the development of the current situation, the calendar working group will indicate as soon as possible, and ideally by mid-May, which of the plans can be enacted for the completion of the season.”