GENEVA (AP) – Star players isolated from their teams; parties are postponed or moved to impartial venues; fans of financially threatened clubs in their stadiums.
The coronavirus pandemic still ranks as the toughest opponent of football in europe this season, as England and Spain are leading a wave of national leagues this weekend with a tight schedule.
After a 2019-2020 national season that has extended more than a year in some countries, there are now more than 8 months left on the loose for the 38-game leagues. At the end of May, UEFA resumed the match schedule for the finals of the interclub competitions and the delayed 2020 European Championship.
Most of Europe’s leagues defied doubts in the spring to get out of a three-month break and finish their seasons safely, albeit in empty stadiums that have shaken the economy.
Now they have to do it again as they work even harder with the government to get enthusiasts back into the games.
“They sense it’s not over yet,” said Jacco Swart, managing director of the 29 European leagues. “They have to fight and fight for it every day. “
“The important thing is when we’re going to go back to general and what the definition of general will be thereafter. “said the head of the Netherlands in an interview.
Next season’s unpredictability is already noticeable in the leagues they’ve started.
Paris Saint-Germain began their defense of the national name won on Thursday without a large number of star players, adding Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, who tested positive for COVID-19 at the opening of PSG with almost two weeks delay to allow players to rest. following his defeat in last month’s Champions League final.
The Scottish standings are divided with Celtic and Aberdeen already two games behind. The city of Aberdeen closed in August through public government when a local increase in infections connected to nightlife. Several Aberdeen players who violated the regulations have been criticized by lawmakers.
Swart said some groups can simply play in unbiased cities due to local locks.
In addition, he suggested, “you can expect new start times, perhaps new days of preparation, to play national championship physies on days that have not been (used) so far. “
The biggest shock in the league’s ratings and systems can happen if a club declares bankruptcy, surrenders and its effects are erased from the record.
“In the current situation, only in football but in the economy as a whole, it would be unrealistic to say that such things can happen,” Swart acknowledged.
European club leaders warned of a collective profit deficit of four billion euros ($4. 5 billion) combined in 2020 and 2021. Hundreds of millions of expected profits were passed to broadcasters for interrupted schedules last season.
With so many clubs in smaller leagues relying on cash selling tickets at tight prices and hospitality, the main purpose is to bring back some enthusiasts.
“Everyone is on the same wavelength that we have a target,” Swart said. “Football becomes a genuine occasion when we have enthusiasts (in) the stands. “
Fans will return to many countries within strict limits, such as two-thirds of the stadium’s capacity in October, before an expected winter of infections accumulates.
“I hope, although I’m not sure it’s realistic, until the end of this season we can have full capacity again,” Swart said.
With its privileged position in European culture, football has shown “a very example for society as a whole that we can manage and that we have to face the new circumstances,” he said.
Turkey and the Netherlands also start their season this weekend, followed a week later by leagues in Germany, Italy and Portugal.
The un scripted drama at the center of football’s charm is likely to match off the field due to the unpredictability of the pandemic.
“We know one thing for sure,” Swart said. “What is the stage will not be the stage in a few months. “
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