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KNVB abandons 2019-20 Eredivisie season with no title winner

The Dutch FA, Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbal Bond (KNVB), has abandoned the 2019-20 season including its top tier, the Eredivisie. There will be no title winner and no teams will be relegated. The decision was taken after the Dutch government banned major events until September 1 because of COVID-19.

“Unfortunately, with the cabinet’s most recent corona measures, it has become impossible to complete the 2019/2020 season of professional football competitions 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 corona virus causes in society. Nevertheless, the professional football board is aware that today’s decisions will cause great disappointment in football for some,” said the KNVB in an official release on the Eredivisie website.

“The professional football board has decided, after consulting clubs, players and coaches, and with the approval of the Supervisory Board, to stop the 2019/2020 competition and to allocate the places for European club football on the basis of the current league table. This is in accordance with UEFA guidelines.”

League leaders Ajax and second-placed Alkmaar would go into the UEFA Champions League qualifying stages according to the release, while no club will be relegated or promoted,

“Because many rounds still have to be played in the competitions, we believe that we cannot apply promotion/relegation and that is decided,” the KNVB stated.

The Women’s Eredivisie has also been cancelled without a champion being named, with an UEFA Women’s Champions League place being awarded to league leaders PSV, while second-placed Ajax enter the qualifying stages.