Basket League campaign to be permanently abandoned
The 2019/2020 Basket League season will permanently be abandoned, with all 14 clubs unanimously voting in favour of ending the campaign.
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Initially, the campaign was postponed until the end of the month, however it has now been confirmed that the domestic basketball season in Greece has permanently finished. In early March, play ended as a result of the coronavirus outbreak which is continuing to cause havoc and devastation across the world.
On Monday, Basket League clubs held a conference call with league officials, with all 14 teams unanimously voting in favour of prematurely finishing the 2019/2020 campaign. ESAKE released this following statement in the evening:
“The Board of Directors of ESAKE unanimously decided to propose the final discontinuation of the 2019/2020 Basket League championship and to work with the Hellenic Basketball Federation to submit a request to the Deputy Minister of Sport to permanently end the season due to extreme circumstances with specific legislation.”
The Ministry of Sport is predicted to issue its approval of the decision.
Discussions will now begin concerning the validation of the final standings, how many clubs will be relegated and the tricky matter of players’ contracts.
20 rounds were played in the regular season. Reigning champions Panathinaikos occupy first position with a 18-2 record, with AEK and Peristeri completing the leading trio. Aris and PAOK, two Thessaloniki-based teams steeped in history, are in the last two places.
Full 2019/2020 Basket League regular season standings at the moment of suspension:
More details about the future of the Basket League and the format of the 2020/2021 season will be released in the coming weeks.
The EuroLeague, however, is still determined to successfully complete its campaign once the green light is issued to resume play. At the moment, the Final Four is scheduled to be played in Cologne during May, however it’s highly likely that the date will be pushed back.
