The coronavirus crisis brought a halt to the football calendar with one fell stroke.
League matches, European competition and international football has all been affected, but some European leagues want to remain optimistic and have begun to pencil in the idea of football returning in the not too distant future.
However, as is understandable given the current pandemic, these dates will all have to require the permission of the relevant governments. Health must come first.
Bundesliga: May 2 or May 9
The German top flight is the only major league that has a return plan with detailed dates.
While LaLiga Santander, the Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 are considering the end of May or June as a possible time to return, as long as the pandemic allows, the Bundesliga is already working on returning on May 2 or 9 and finishing the nine remaining matchdays.
As reported by MARCA, May 9 is the date that has more weight with regards to restarting again and June 27 for the DFB-Pokal final, whenever the outbreak descends.
In view of this scenario, German clubs are already training with strict hygiene measures and distance to avoid contagion.
On 17 April there will be a final meeting between all parties.
Eredivisie: June 19
The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have set June 19 as the return date for the Eredivisie, which has 10 matchdays left. This date clearly depends on the Dutch government’s go-ahead and the health authorities allowing the season to resume.
The plan is for footballers to start training on their own from May 15 and as a group from May 29.
The league would start on June 19 and end on July 31, allowing the 2020/21 season to start at the end of August.
“We want to finish the season,” the Eredivisie said.
Scotland: At least June 10
The spread of the pandemic in the United Kingdom has meant that football in Scotland has been put on hold until at least June 10.
“The decision to suspend all football until at least June 10 is to help clubs ensure the safety and wellbeing of players, staff and fans, as well as to take steps to mitigate their costs,” the Scottish Football Association said.
“There is no prospect of an early resumption of training, let alone organised football in Scotland for weeks.”
Unlike the Premier League in England, which has halted its league indefinitely, the Scottish Premier League has a possible return date, although obviously the state of the pandemic will have to be assessed closer to the time.
Sweden: April 18 with a women’s tournament
There is no return date for the Allsvenskan scheduled, but football will return in Sweden on April 18 as the women’s teams of Djurgarden, AIK, Hammarby and Brommapojkarna will play a friendly tournament until May 15 called the Stockholm Challenge, as all the teams from the capital are involved.
In Sweden, the teams are already back in training as they prepare for the return of football in late May or early June.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is in his native country after leaving Milan due to the state of the pandemic in Italy, has been training with Hammarby.
Belarus: Football hasn’t stopped and it’s still in front of fans
Life goes on in the Belarusian Premier League, with strong security measures in place to prevent infection.
Belarus is surviving as the only footballing country in Europe.
The only other competitions being played worldwide are in Burundi, Nicaragua and Tajikistan, although in Belarus they are taking place in front of fans.
This weekend will be the fourth matchday in the Belarussian top flight.
Belgium: Could end the season
The Belgian Pro League agreed to end the season and proclaim Club Brugge as champions, however its assembly stalled the decision and UEFA questioned the decision.
There will be another meeting on April 24 to decide whether to wait or return.
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