The English Football Association has ruled that there will be no Premier League games played until April 30 at the earliest.
That means there's a minimum of 43 days before the league resumes.
All parties involved in the conference call between Premier League clubs agreed the season can be “extended indefinitely” with the plan to play out the rest of the campaign as it's safe to do so.
With the FA determined to finish the season, Liverpool are likely to be crowned Premier League champions. It'll mark the club's first league title since the Premier League era began in 1992.
The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA are committed to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season as soon as it is safe and possible to do so
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 19, 2020
Full statement: https://t.co/kr0sJk8JHp pic.twitter.com/K1OBzBbKfc
Here is the Premier League's full statement as posted on its website:
English professional football bodies’ thoughts are with all affected by COVID-19 and are united in finding ways to resume 2019/20 season as soon as it is safe.
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. 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.
