The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has forced the suspension of the Dutch Eredivisie season, the top flight football league in the Netherlands. The suspension means that the league leaders Ajax will not be crowned champions and there will be no relegation from the Eredivisie nor promotion from the second tier.
The cancellation followed the extension of the ban on major public events by three months on Tuesday, by the Dutch government.
The Dutch Eredivisie was 26 matches into the 2019/20 season when the pandemic forced the initial temporary suspension of the league. Ajax was leading the table with 56 points, ahead of AZ AIkmaar on goal difference. RKC Waalwijk was at the bottom of the table with 15 points, and ADO Den Haag was second from the bottom with 19 points.
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The season has been declared null and void, meaning there will be no Eredivisie 2019/20 Champion. This development will be of concern to Liverpool FC of England and its fan, given that the probability of similar thing happening in England.
BREAKING: NO promotion/relegation this season in the Dutch @Eredivisie and @eerstedivisie.
— Dutch Football (@dutchfootball) April 24, 2020
BREAKING: no. 1 @AFCAjax will NOT win the league title this season.
There will not be an @Eredivisie 2019/'20 Champion.
— Dutch Football (@dutchfootball) April 24, 2020
A Dutch Football Association statement read: “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 supporter and players to directors and referees, that public health always comes first; the decision 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”.
Responding to the development, former Manchester United Goalkeeper and current 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. We have been top of the table throughout the season, so it is a pity we haven’t been able to be become champion but given the situation we are in, it is understandable. There are a lot more important matters than football right now”.
The teams in the second division that were on course for promotion to the Eredivisie were not as accommodating as Ajax. Cambuur and De Graafschap will remain in the second division despite being on course for promotion to the top flight, with the former 11 points clear before the cancellation.
Cambuur manager Henk de Jong blasted the decision in his comments to the Dutch media: “The feels like the greatest disgrace from Dutch sport ever”, he said.
Ajax will compete in the Champions League next season, taking up one of the two places for the Dutch in the competition while AZ AIkmaar will start in the preliminary rounds.
Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Willem II Tilburg, who are the next three in the standing with 50, 49 and 44 points respectively at the time of suspension, would participate in the Europa League.
Written by:
Basil Maduakor
