UEFA Meet on Tuesday to Discuss What’s Next

22/04/20 3315

European football's governing body, UEFA, will meet again on Tuesday to discuss what is going to happen with the reminder of the European club football season.

The only European league which is currently being played is the Belarus Premier League and there appears no sign that that is going to be suspended. However, every other League in Europe has been stopped due to the spread of coronavirus.

UEFA have already stated that they would like to see the European club season play to a finish, with the month of August being offered as a potential end date. There are two working groups which have been created by UEFA, one of which is specifically assessing the fixture calendar. While everyone remains hopeful that European football can resume soon and this season finished by the end of August, the fact the leagues are still suspended at the time of writing does not bode well.

Germany and Denmark are the two countries who are seemingly the most optimistic that they may be able to begin playing again in May. Some Bundesliga clubs in Germany have already been back in training and the league has set a date of May 9 for a possible resumption. This remains a tentative date and if it was to resume in May, all games would be played behind closed doors.

They have called these games 'ghost games' and although it will seem very strange to have all the matches played without any fans, it is better than nothing. The games will all be shown live either on television or through live streaming online.

Danish Superliga leaders FC Midtjylland have taken things one step further by announcing the possibility of a drive-in. The club plan to set up two big screens in their stadium car-park, with fans allowed to drive in and watch the games live from their vehicle. Up to 10,000 fans will be able to tune into the television commentary through their car radio, so there will be no need to have windows down or doors open.

The idea does not stop there and the car park will be filmed and projected live onto the screen inside the stadium. This will give the FC Midtjylland players some sense that fans are there and watching the match. There will be prizes for the best car dressed in club colours and away fans will also be allowed to attend but must be parked in a separate section. Fans will even be able to use the toilet facilities by flashing the lights of their car at which point an attendant will escort them to the toilet.

It is certainly an innovative idea but may not work in the Premier League or Bundesliga, where crowds often exceed 30,000 people.

Despite people trying to remain optimistic in terms of the resumption of football in Europe, UEFA will listen to those who want to end domestic leagues early. UEFA had previously warned against this happening but may have to soften their stance considering the ongoing situation.