FA, Premier League and EFL confirm English season will be delayed AGAIN due to coronavirus
The FA, Premier League and EFL have today confirmed that the English season will be delayed AGAIN due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Professional football in England and Wales was originally postponed until early April, after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi both tested positive for Covid-19.
Euro 2020, originally scheuled for this summer, was then pushed back until the summer of 2021 while clubs in the Premier League today took part in a telephone conference to discuss future plans for the league.
Some clubs have called for the current season to be abandoned altogether – but today’s announcement confirmed that no games will be played until April 30 at the earliest.
A statement from the FA read: “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.”