The outbreak of Coronavirus has taken the world by a storm and has recently been classified as a pandemic. With more than 100000 diagnosed around the world and close to 6000 dead, the governing bodies had to take certain decisions that most people did not like obviously, but were taken with a greater cause in mind.
In Asia, the 2020 Chinese Super League was postponed as a result of the virus. Hong Kong’s 2020 Lunar New Year Cup was canceled on January 23. Other leagues in Asia were affected, including South Korea's K League 1 and Japan's J1 League. The AFC Champions League and AFC Cup were also impacted, several group stage matches being postponed with no possible return date soon. The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches due to take place in March and June 2020 were postponed to later dates along with play-off matches between South Korea and China in the 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In India, remaining I-league matches had to be postponed whereas the ISL matches had to be completed behind the doors.
In Europe, the epicenter of main football matches and the hub of the spreading Coronavirus suffered the most. At first, various knockout matches of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League were played behind closed doors in February and March. After that UEFA decided that all other matches were to be postponed indefinitely. In the national leagues, Serie A was the first one to be postponed and Eredivisie, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga followed the piper. La Liga was suspended only after a Real Madrid basketball player tested positive for the virus and the entire Real Madrid team had to be quarantined. In England, matches were decided to be continued in a normal way, but Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta tested positive and matches were postponed. One thing led to another and the whole league had to be postponed. As of now Daniele Rugani, Manolo Gabbiadini, Timo Hubers, and Callum Hudson Odoi have come out positive.
With the EURO 2020, knocking at the door, there’s a possibility that the tournament may be moved to 2021 with the general and the player safety in mind.
In North America, MLS and CONCACAF Champions League had to be suspended, the former for 30 days and the latter’s matches of the next month.
In South America, qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup had to be postponed with the Copa Libertadores to be temporarily suspended for a while.
With the increasing intensity of the spread of the virus, regular football action must be taken down for the time being. What are your thoughts?
Check how coronavirus is affecting the sports
