CAF suspends its flagship club competitions
April 20 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed its two major clubs finals in May because of the coronavirus pandemic.
World Football
Denmark’s Midtjylland plans for drive-in match days once league returns
April 20 – A Danish club has come up with an ingenious way of letting fans watch games live when the league there eventually resumes: Drive-in football.
Mexico’s Liga MX ends promotion/relegation for 5 years. Ascensio MX to be development league
April 20 – Liga MX’s 18 clubs, meeting via video conference, have suspended promotion and relegation between the top tier and second tier, Ascenso MX, for the next five years.
TTFA’s unloved Home of Football opens as Covid-19 facility, Wallace on CAS deadline
By Paul Nicholson
April 17 – Controversially not considered of high enough standard to house Trinidad’s footballers, the recently opened and rapidly closed Trinidad and Tobago FA’s Home of Football is now to be used as a facility in the islands’ battle against the coronavirus.
French draw line under amateur game, but leave opening to complete Ligue 1, 2 and women
April 17 – French amateur football won’t return this season, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Thursday. The fate of both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 and the women’s top flight continue to remain in doubt.
UEFA to meet next week on Champions League and Europa League finish dates
April 17 – UEFA is holding a pivotal meeting of its executive committee next week which could finally decide how to conclude this season’s Champions League and Europa League with reports suggesting the two finals could take place at the end of August at their scheduled venues, Istanbul and Gdansk.
EFL’s Parry says priority is completing season, most likely behind closed doors on live TV
April 17 – Clubs from England’s Football League (EFL), the three divisions below the Premier League, have been told that all matches will probably be played behind closed doors when fixtures resume – but, crucially, that they should be broadcast live.
Concacaf sets up Caribbean professional league working group
April 16 – Concacaf have taken steps to explore the potential for a Caribbean professional league with the setting up of pro-league working group. It will begin its work in earnest once the coronavirus crisis eases.
US Soccer disbands academy licensing and league structure
April 16 – U.S. Soccer has announced it is closing down the federation’s development academy structure saying the decision was due to the financial impact of the coronavirus. The shutdown will have immediate effect.
Belarus keep men’s league open but suspend women’s kick off
April 16 – Belarus, the only country in Europe where men’s professional football is still being played before spectators, has announced it is postponing the start of its women’s Premier League amid fears that several players have been exposed to Covid-19.
Scots vote to end league season triggering ‘lifeline’ club payments, but Premiership still open
April 16 – The second, third and fourth tiers of Scottish football have all ended their seasons with Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers declared champions.
MLS warns a full season schedule might not be possible
April 15 – Major League Soccer in the US has hinted that it may reduce the number of games this season as a planned return to play in mid-May looks increasingly unlikely.
England’s Lionesses chip in with support for #PlayersTogether fund
April 15 – England’s Lionesses have donated to #PlayersTogether to help the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.
Barca board rebels over Bartomeu’s management and calls for elections
April 14 – Barcelona, the world’s richest club, have been plunged into an internal crisis after six board members, including two vice-presidents, resigned in protest at how the club is being run.
CBF chief says no return to play in sight as clubs move to financial cliff-edge
April 14 – The secretary general of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) Walter Feldman has said that Brazilian football won’t return to action any time soon.