By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – Any chance of Dutch football finishing the season is over after the 2019-20 campaign was officially wound up due to the coronavirus pandemic with those in favour and against expressing strong views over the decision.
Last week the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) all but scrapped the rest of the Eredivisie season after a government ban on public events was extended until September 1 to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 infections.
The FA appeared to leave the door ever so slightly ajar saying it would consult with UEFA and other parties to discuss the consequences but now the decision has made once and for all with no title awarded and no promotion or relegation.
The ruling may be a blow to leaders Ajax but in a way it is even more of bitter pill to swallow for AZ Alkmaar who were behind Ajax on goal difference and seeking a first league title since 2009.
A Dutch Football Association statement explained: “Unfortunately, with the cabinet’s most recent coronavirus measures, it has become impossible to play out the 2019-2020 season of professional football leagues in time.
“It will be crystal clear to everyone involved, from supporters and players to directors and referees, that public health always comes first; the decisions made today about the settlement of the running competitions are only a football problem in the perspective of what the coronavirus causes in society.
“Nevertheless, the professional football board is aware that today’s decisions will cause great disappointment in football for some.”
Just Spee, president of KNVB, was quoted as saying: “It was a very bitter day because you want this to happen on the pitch not by two or three people behind a table having to make this decision.
“There are winners and losers and in particular for the losers it was a very very bad day so we feel sad. We feel sad that we had to come to such a decision, we sympathise a lot with those clubs and their supporters. At the same time, there was no way round it.”
Ajax general manager Edwin van der Sar said he understood the decision to not award a league champion for the first time since 1945.
“As players and coaches, you want to win the title on the field,” said Van der Sar, the former Dutch international team and Manchester United goalkeeper.
“We have been top of the table throughout the season, so it is a pity we haven’t been able to become champion but given the situation we are in, it is understandable. There are a lot more important matters than football right now.”
At the other end of the table, bottom-side RKC Waalwijk have been handed a reprieve after being almost certain to be relegated, along with ADO Den Haag, managed by former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew.
It’s the opposite scenario for Cambuur and De Graafschap who will remain in the second division despite being on course for promotion with Cambur 11 points clear before the ruling.
Cambuur manager Henk de Jong blasted the decision, telling Dutch outlet NOS: “This feels like the greatest disgrace from Dutch sport ever.”
Ajax will compete in the Champions League proper next season with AZ Alkmaar starting in the preliminary rounds. Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Willem II Tilburg, the next three in the standings, will participate in the Europa League.
The KNVB said it was following UEFA guidelines on sporting merit by using the league table places as they stood when the season was suspended in March.
But in a classic example of how complex winding up seasons prematurely can be, sixth-place side Utrecht, three points behind Willem II but with a game in hand and also due to play the Dutch Cup final against Feyenoord, were another frustrated party given that domestic cup titles automatically lead to a Europa League spot.
“It is unacceptable that the cup is ignored and does not provide a ticket to European competition,” the club said in a statement, adding it would take its case to UEFA.
But the Dutch FA countered: “The KNVB is aware that whatever decision had to be made, every option would hurt somewhere.”
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