UEFA warns of possible exclusion if domestic seasons abandoned
A letter from UEFA to national associations, leagues and clubs has warned that teams could be excluded from European competitions if domestic seasons are prematurely cancelled.
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During the week, Belgium became the first country to formally recommend the abandonment of the 2019/2020 domestic season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with Club Brugge set to be awarded with the title. Brugge are currently 15 points clear of second-placed Gent with the playoffs and playouts yet to be played.
Reports from the United Kingdom have suggested that the Scottish Premiership is also preparing to end the campaign for good and declare Celtic champions.
However, UEFA, the European Club Association and the European Leagues Group have responded by sending a letter to all national federations, leagues and clubs revealing that teams could be excluded from continental tournaments in the 2020/2021 campaign if the current season is cancelled. UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, had previously expressed his desire for all league seasons to eventually be successfully completed once it is safe to play again.
The organisation is planning for leagues to be completed in July and August before the remaining UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League games are subsequently played. Olympiacos are yet to play the second leg of their Last 16 tie in the Europa League against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“With no unity and no solidarity, nobody will be able to get out of the crisis as we are all interdependent,” stated the letter sent by UEFA. “The work of the working group is now focusing on scenarios encompassing the months of July and August, including the possibility that the UEFA competitions restart after the completion of domestic leagues. A joint management of calendars is strictly required as the conclusion of the current season must be coordinated with the start of the new one, which may be partly impacted because of the overstretch. Stopping competitions should really be the last resort after acknowledging that no calendar alternative would allow the season to conclude.”
“Since participation in UEFA club competitions is determined by the sporting result achieved at the end of a full domestic competition, a premature termination would cast doubts about the fulfilment of such condition,” the letter added. “UEFA reserves the right to assess the entitlement of clubs to be admitted to the 2020/21 UEFA club competitions, in accordance with the relevant applicable competition regulations.”
UEFA has also organised a second working group which will analyse important matters such as player contracts expiring on June 30.
The possibility of permanently cancelling the 2019/2020 Super League campaign arose during a video conference on Thursday, with Panathinaikos particularly keen to end the season. Nevertheless, given the stern tone of UEFA’s letter, that idea will most probably be cast aside for the time being. Olympiacos are 14 points ahead of nearest challengers PAOK.
