Eredivisie season voided due to coronavirus pandemic

No top-flight league title will be awarded in the Netherlands after the Covid-19 pandemic brought the campaign to a premature close, the Dutch FA has confirmed.

The decision came on Friday afternoon after the Dutch FA held a meeting with clubs, and unions representing coaches and players.

A statement read: “The professional football board, after consulting clubs, players and coaches, and with the approval of the Supervisory Board, has decided to stop the 2019/20 competition and to allow the allocation of European club football seats based on the current league table.

Download the new Independent Premium app

Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

“This is in accordance with Uefa guidelines. In relation to promotion and demotion, it has been decided not to promote and not to be demoted.”

The season was declared over on Tuesday when the Dutch government extended a prohibition on public events to 1 September in an effort to curtail the spread of the new coronavirus, which has caused more than 4,000 deaths in the Netherlands.

Ajax were top of the Eredivisie standings, ahead of AZ on goal difference, with nine rounds of matches to play when the season was suspended, and the two teams will now fill the country’s two places in the 2020-21 Champions League.

Reuters

Source: Read Full Article