The Football Association (FA) has confirmed that there will be no professional football in England, including the Premier League, until at least 30 April as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially, fixtures in the country were suspended until the weekend of 3-5 April as a minimum, but this has been extended as the UK battles the pandemic, with more than 2,500 cases confirmed in the country.
The governing body released a statement on Thursday:
‘The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by Covid-19.
‘We’re united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
‘We’ve collectively supported Uefa in postponing Euro 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
‘The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate no later than June 1” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”.
‘However, our Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-20 season in relation to professional football. Additionally, we’ve collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday, April 30.
‘The progress of Covid-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.
‘We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.
‘We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by Covid-19.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi are two highest-profile figures within English football to have tested positive for the disease, which has killed in excess of 100 people in the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday that schools would be closed from Friday onwards, but no parts of the country have yet been put into lockdown despite such measures being taken elsewhere in Europe.
