From the Guardian, UK:<\/p>\n
Uefa has realised the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, and is allowing Leagues of different countries to finish their seasons as appropriate. This is a significant shift from their earlier position. Uefa confirmed national leagues will not be banned from European competition if they cancel their seasons and must decide for themselves how to determine final placings \u201cbased on sporting merit\u201d.<\/p>\n
The emergency rules were announced after a meeting of Uefa\u2019s executive committee and mark a stark shift in approach from European football\u2019s governing body. The top line remains a \u201cstrong recommendation\u201d to finish the season, and even suggests a preference for adopting a different format, such as a play-off, before cancelling. But as the coronavirus crisis deepens there is an acceptance that national competitions \u2013 with Scotland and the Netherlands foremost among them \u2013 are facing extraordinary circumstances.<\/p>\n
Uefa has laid out two primary conditions under which it would accept the abandonment of a league. The first would involve being instructed to do so by a government, which is the case in the Netherlands; the second is \u201cinsurmountable economic problems\u201d. Uefa\u2019s announcement cites a request from Scottish football authorities for clarity on the rules. The Scottish Premiership is now expected to bring its season to an end.<\/p>\n
In a statement Uefa said: \u201cThe ideal scenario, should the pandemic situation permit it, is to have the currently suspended domestic competitions completed … in their original format. Should this outcome not be possible, it would be preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement goes on, however: \u201cWhile using best efforts to complete the domestic competitions, national associations and\/or leagues might have legitimate reasons to prematurely terminate their domestic competitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Uefa then requests that, if terminated leagues are to submit clubs to European competition in the 2021-22 season, they do so \u201cbased on sporting merit\u201d, determining final placings \u201con objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles\u201d. While leaving open some flexibility, the recommendation would seem to encourage a solution where an incomplete league table is organised on a points-per-game basis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"