The KNVB decided on Thursday to end the football season at the three highest amateur levels due to the corona crisis. If the situation permits, the Second Division, Third Division and Dutch Major League will be completed in an adjusted and shortened format from the beginning of next year.
The KNVB decided on Thursday to end the football season at the three highest amateur levels due to the corona crisis. If the situation permits, the Second Division, Third Division and Dutch Major League will be completed in an adjusted and shortened format from the beginning of next year.
The decision was taken after an inventory was made among all associations and in consultation with interest groups CVTD and COH. Three scenarios were discussed: playing the regular competition, playing half a competition and playing in half groups with limited after-competition.
The latter has been chosen, which means that competitions – as soon as matches are allowed to be played again, probably from mid-January or shortly afterwards – are divided in two geographically.
All clubs start at zero and play an away and home game against each other, followed by a follow-up competition in an adapted form. Details about the schedule and the content of that post-competition will be announced no later than January 1.
‘Playing out competition is no longer realistic’
For the time being, the KNVB is based on the scenario that football can be played again from January. If it is still not possible to play in the first weekend of March, a different set-up may be considered again.
“We find it very annoying for all clubs that have performed well earlier this season. Given the busy schedule in these top leagues, playing out is hardly realistic anymore,” said Jan Dirk van der Zee, director of amateur football at the KNVB.
“Thanks to the inventory and the frequent consultation with advocates of the associations, we have been able to make a widely supported decision. This change of direction requires flexibility from everyone, but in any case we have the prospect that as soon as football can be played again, entire competitions will be played. could be.”
It is the second time in a short time that amateur clubs have been confronted with changes as a result of the corona crisis. Earlier, the associations that were still in the KNVB cup tournament were removed from the program.
Football has not been played at the highest amateur levels since October. (Photo: Pro Shots)
