Premier League 'finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season' despite April 30 suspension

Luke Bradshaw
·Sports Writer
Updated ·2 min read
Two people taking a selfie outside the King Power Stadium, home of Leicester City. Premier League clubs will gather via conference call on Thursday morning to discuss fixtures and finances amid the coronavirus pandemic. Top-flight action is suspended until April 4 at the earliest, and measures around social distancing mean no clubs will be present in person for the meeting. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Two people taking a selfie outside the King Power Stadium, home of Leicester City. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Premier League is “finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season”.

It released a statement declaring that it is working with the FA, EFL and women’s professional game in an attempt to complete the current season.

It was announced earlier that all English football will be suspended until at least 30 April. That includes all games in England's Premier League, EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship, and all fixtures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The recent postponement of Euro 2020 for 12 months has opened up a small window of opportunity that domestic football can be finished in the summer, but every possibility remains in the balance.

Premier League statement in full:

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 are 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.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Richard Masters, Chief Executive of Premier League, addresses journalists during a media briefing on February 04, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images for Premier League)
Richard Masters, Chief Executive of Premier League. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images for Premier League)

We have 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 not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”. However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football. Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.

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.