This season’s Champions and Europa Leagues have faced their worst ever season finales ever. UEFA in discussions with the 55-member associations on Wednesday, April 23, are considering the possibilities of an August date to round off the football season which has been stalled by the Corona Virus pandemic.
There are still considerations for a June, July and August of competitions to close off both domestic and Europe-wide competitions. Following closely recent developments with ongoing discussions, it can be inferred that conceivable completion dates for domestic leagues could run into the last day of July so that European competition could follow exclusively in August.
UEFA is happy to leave all options open for as long as feasible amidst the uncertainty that this season could be finalized. Reports on the state of the COVID-19 which moved governments to restrict cross-border travel except those that are essential indicates high hopes these restrictions could be eased out, and especial in August. If the case holds, the quarter and semi-finals of the respective European competitions could be played as two-legged ties between the period from the 11th to the 22nd of August, enjoying exclusivity.
The possibility of one-off games is not to be ruled out. It is expected that there would be some flexibility in the fixtures for domestic games being played in August should the intended July conclusion prove futile. The situation as it stands is already going to delay UEFA qualification games but it should not derail the tournament adversely. It is what it is and hope is all that is needed. UEFA is hopeful that the conditions as they are now should get better in a week or two. The major European domestic leagues have fewer games to go, 9, 11 and 12 for the English Premier League, the Spanish and Italian Leagues respectively. In all of Europe, Spain and Italy are most affected by the outbreak.
