The World of Sports is gradually finding its feet after several weeks of inactivity caused by the outbreak of coronavirus. A lot of sports events were canceled or postponed, as a lot of countries initiated lockdown measures to curtail the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Worst hit were football leagues across the globe especially in Europe. League football is played on a weekly basis and it’s absence has had devastating effects on these football clubs. A lot of players have had to agree to wage reductions in order to ensure that non-playing staff also get paid.
However in the last few days, lockdown measures are being eased after flattening the curve of the Coronavirus. This only means one thing; the return of live sports action is imminent. Decisions are now being made as to how this will happen.
Cricket May Return in July
The England & Wales Cricket Board hope that International Cricket will resume on July 8, when England host the West Indies in their rearranged Test series. However, the fate of domestic cricket in 2020 is altogether less clear. Any matches that can be played in the 2020 season seem almost certain to be played behind closed doors. The ECB is also discussing how Women’s International Cricket could proceed, with England due to host India and South Africa.
In order to play matches safely, the ECB plan to play in biosecure grounds – those venues which have hotels on-site, with sufficient capacity to house all players, match officials and broadcasters during the games. The only two grounds in England with sufficient capacity in hotels on-site are the Ageas Bowl and the Emirates Old Trafford.
German Bundesliga Leads the Way
The German Football Association (DFL) has announced that the Bundesliga will resume on May 16, with football returning to the calendar on the back of Covid-19 lockdowns.
Having been in a state of indefinite postponement since mid-February, the green light has been given for players to take to the field once more.
The restart plan outlined by DFL president Christian Seifert involves six games taking place on the opening Saturday, with Borussia Dortmund’s derby with Schalke among them. Defending champions Bayern Munich will be back in action a day later, as they take on a trip to Union Berlin.
Spanish League may Resume in June
Leganes manager Javier Aguirre has revealed, La Liga plans to resume the season on June 20 and finish on July 26.
While no official statement has been made by the league, the Mexican boss claimed the information had been communicated to him by La Liga authorities.
Photo Credit: FC Barcelona
Spanish football authorities have been working with the government to try and find a way to get matches back underway in order to finish the campaign.
Dark Cloud Surrounds English Premier League Resumption
Britain’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden warned on Friday that the Premier League does not yet have the “green light” to resume, but restated the government’s hope that the season can be completed.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Premier League clubs are due to meet on Monday to discuss the latest plans for “Project Restart” – a day after an expected minor easing of coronavirus lockdown measures.
Clubs are understood to have been told that the use of a limited number of neutral venues is the only way to complete the campaign, limit the strain on essential services and discourage gatherings of supporters near stadiums.