Uefa issue provisional deadline of August 3 to complete domestic league seasons

The governing body wants the leagues completed by then, but admitted it could be subject to change

5:39pm on Wednesday 1st April 2020
By Team FC

Uefa have set a soft deadline of August 3 in order to complete domestic league competitions, following a meeting today in Nyon.

The conference call included representatives from all member countries as they looked to come together and agree a schedule for the remainder of the football calendar.

Following their announcement that the Champions League and Europa League for 2019/20 would be suspended indefinitely, the member associations did not raise the possibility of cancelling the current season and explored ways in which the season could be finished.

June has been mentioned as a provisional start date in order to get all competitions completed by August 3.

But in a statement released by the Dutch FA, they add that Uefa "strongly urges that the season be completed and that the schedule be aligned with the rest of footballing Europe."

They added: "It is hereby stated that all competitions in Europe must be completed before August 3. This means that the competition will have to start again in the second half of June."

Dutch FA on its website says UEFA has insisted all completions in Europe MUST be completed by Aug. 3 and season will have to restart mid-June to meet that target. Say games only return when safe. UEFA suggesting no firm dates in place. pic.twitter.com/JJa8IXW1JO
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) April 1, 2020

Uefa were clear to note that the priority throughout the consultation period would be the well-being of the players and all others connected to the clubs, and would revise their plans if it was made clear that the August 3 date could not be met.

The August 3 date is just one particular scenario that has been raised, and the member associations are also investigating other options that would still see the games completed, including extending into September if necessary.

Uefa have yet to address the issue of player contract which are set to expire on July 1, though it is thought that a plan to extend these deals by an additional two months is being drafted.

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