All of Europe’s major football leagues were postponed earlier this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and all of them have taken different approaches on whether or not to restart football and how they could do so in a safe way.

The season has already got under way in South Korea. South Koreans were not affected very much by this pandemic, and their example has given us a glimpse of how football might work when it returns. Substitutes and coaches follow social distancing in a crowd-less stadium, and players are being tested for the virus before each game and are not allowed to spit or talk excessively.

So what will happen to football in the future? How will it return in a troubled Europe? In this article, I have taken a look at what is happening to football in Europe’s top leagues.

France:

On April 30, the French Football Association gave the Ligue 1 title to Paris Saint Germain (PSG), despite the season not being finished. They had to make this decision after the French government decided that there would be no 2019/20 sporting season in France.

The title was awarded to PSG on a points per match average system, where they came out on top to scoop the title. Amiens, who were relegated using the same system, were furious and have started a legal case against the French Football Association.

PSG dedicated the title “to healthcare staff and all the everyday heroes on the front line.”

The Netherlands:

The Dutch Eredivisie was poised for an enthralling finish with Ajax and AZ Alkmaar tied on points at the top of the table. This was until the Dutch Football Association cancelled the season. The head of the Dutch FA said it was “a bitter day” to end the Dutch season early.

This cancellation means that there will be no winner of the 2019/20 Eredivisie, and no teams will be relegated (moved down a division) or promoted (moved up a division).

The team in the lead of the Dutch second division Cambuur were set to be promoted to the Eredivisie, but will have to keep battling it out in the second division now that the season has been cancelled. Their head coach Henk de Jong told broadcasters that it felt “like the biggest disgrace in the history of Dutch sport.”

Germany & Spain:

Germany and Spain have both planned out a return date to resume their seasons, and training has been held by clubs where players are training in small groups and without tackling or physical contact.

The German Bundesliga is returning on May 16 without fans and Spain’s La Liga will follow suit on June 1.

Italy:

Clubs in Italy’s Serie A have been allowed to start training again since May 4, but Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora said it was too early to talk about resuming the season. The earliest this could happen is May 18.

England:

With Liverpool 25 points clear and set to win their first league title in 30 years, it would seem harsh to cancel the English season. However, according to government guidelines the earliest the season can resume is June 1. Several proposals have been made to help finish the season, including shorter games, more substitutes and neutral venues.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the return of football would give the whole nation a massive lift, but Newcastle defender Danny Rose has criticised the plans for restarting the season saying, “Football shouldn’t even be spoken about” during this current pandemic.

Conclusion:

All eyes will be on Germany to see whether a major league can return safely amid this current crisis, and hopefully football can return safely to give everyone a much-needed boost.