2021 Olympic date clash could see Women’s Euros moved back to 2022
April 2 – The 2021 women’s European Championship in England is the latest tournament to be put back a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to unconfirmed reports
Europe
Dutch float plan to end season by August 3 but Ajax sceptical of June restart
April 2 – While the Dutch top flight will remain on lockdown until June 1, the Dutch FA (KNVB) has revealed a tentative plan to finish the season by August 3.
Spurs boss Levy cuts wages but warns players must do their bit to keep football healthy
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has issued a stark warning about the global impact of Covid-19, saying “people need to wake up to the enormity” of the pandemic as the English Premier League club announced 550 non-playing staff will take a 20% pay cut.
Mediapro boss Roures says July restart would save season and reduce €700m of losses
April 1 – Spain’s La Liga could return behind closed doors in July, according to Jaume Roures, chief executive of Mediapro one of the country’s major broadcast partners – but would have to be scrapped for good if any players contract Covid-19 thereafter.
English FA extends indefinite season suspension to cover all leagues below top four tiers
April 1 – After attracting fierce criticism for shutting down all non-league football except for its two top leagues, English football authorities have now agreed to their indefinite suspension – but still controversially leaving the door open to finish the season.
UEFA calls federations to emergency talks on calendar as fears of losing season grow
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – With time running out and no sign of the Covid-19 pandemic easing in Europe, UEFA are set to hold emergency talks by video conference tomorrow with all of Europe’s 55 national football associations amid growing concerns that the season may have to be scrapped despite a collective will to try and restart fixtures by the end of June.
Barca players agree 70% wage cut, Messi says they were always going to
March 31 – Barcelona’s players have agreed to take a 70% pay cut so that the club’s other employees can earn their full salaries during the coronavirus crisis.
Newcastle lay off staff, but reportedly keep players on full salaries
March 31 – Newcastle United have reportedly become the first Premier League club to place their non-playing staff on temporary leave because of the coronavirus pandemic.
60 non-league clubs protest to English FA over ‘inexplicable haste’ at ending season
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – More than 60 non-league clubs from across English football have sent a joint letter to the country’s FA in protest at the decision to close the season down, with all results declared null and void, because of Covid-19.
Vodka, saunas and Premier League football are Belarus’ ‘best anti-virus remedy’
By Andrew Warshaw
March 30 – Last league standing? Football may have ground to a halt in almost every corner of the world – but not in Belarus.
Ceferin warns that European club season could be ‘lost’ if it can’t restart by end-June
March 30 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the current season “will probably be lost” if it cannot be restarted by the end of June.
Juve cut wage bill by €90m as players agree 4-month salary freeze
March 30 – Juventus players and coach Maurizio Sarri have accepted a temporary pay cut to their salaries in a move that is designed to alleviate the financial ramifications of the global coronavirus on the club.
English FA tells WSL clubs there is no Covid-19 support as fears clubs could fold
March 30 – The English FA has informed clubs in both the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship that they will not receive any financial support from the governing body during the coronavirus lockdown. The FA, however, remains committed to completing the season.
European Leagues boss Olsson warns clubs face bankruptcy if seasons can’t finish
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – The head of the umbrella body representing over 30 European leagues has warned again that medium-sized and smaller clubs could go out of business if the game is shut down for too long as a result of Covid-19.
Club fury as English FA ends lower league seasons with all results annulled
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – Whilst the professional game in England clings to the hope of completing the season, the game at non-league and grassroots level has been officially wound up. Or rather, most of it.