Covid-19 pandemic has affected various football competitions. Like it or not, football competitions must be stopped for a while even though the end of the competition season is in sight. Some teams have also almost grabbed the title.
Unexpectedly the Covid-19 pandemic seemed to have arrived at the wrong time. While it is still warm-up phase for the league champions, the competition must be stopped.
In fact, the ranking of the standings and the context of each league in Europe is different. Maybe only Liverpool will have the chance to win the Premier League if they weigh their position with second-placed Manchester City.
While in the other major leagues, the difference in points between the teams that inhabit the ranking at the top is not much different, for example, in the Serie A Italian League. Mathematically, the struggle for the Serie A trophy is still a racetrack of three teams, namely Juventus, Lazio and Inter Milan.
Establishing champions based on ranking status can lead to rebellion from other teams. I think the same situation applies to the leagues that the difference in points at the top of the table does not differ greatly from one another.
For the context of the English League, Liverpool should be a champion when considering the collection of points and distance with the 2nd rank. 25 points seem impossible for other teams to chase. Therefore, making Liverpool as a champion this season is acceptable.
As for the other leagues, the decision about the existence of the competition took place amid the Corona virus outbreak is very risky. That decision must satisfy each team. In which case, each team does not feel disadvantaged while the other teams benefit.
Based on The Guardian.com (2/4/2020), the Belgian League has decided to end the competition this season. Club Brugge, who are in first place, are declared to be champions of the Belgian League this season.
There is also a reason behind this consideration. Club Brugge, which is ranked first, has a distance of 15 points with 2nd place, Gent.
This consideration was made by the directors of the Belgian football body and it will be ratified as a final decision on April 15 through a public meeting. This decision came out due to consideration of the temporary situation in Belgium.
The Belgian soccer body foresees competition can be started before 30 June. However the situation maybe different. The fans are not necessarily allowed to be in the stadium as this can endanger the players themselves. The reason is, it is very difficult to confirm that a place has been zero Covid-19 case
What’s more, the handling of Corona virus in each country is different. Some are progressive and some are so slow. If each country tackled the Corona virus progressively, the situation could quickly recover.
Perhaps considering this situation, the Belgian League must end. Brugge became a champion. Thankfully, Brugge has a pretty far point distance with the 2nd place.
Whether other League will follow the steps of Belgium, surely they have their own considerations in making decisions. After all, the context and situation differ from one league to another league.
Surely, the decision will dwell on continuing the competition or ending the competition. Continuing the competition means waiting for the right time. Seeing the situation, it is very difficult to predict the return of the competition even though some Leagues set a certain time.
Stopping competition can be another option. Yes, instead of focusing on competition, it is better to focus on the situation.
Maybe the exact same situation in the Belgian League can be applied to English League competitions. Collection of points and distance between Liverpool with second place can legitimize Liverpool as champions.
Finally, we hope that the pandemic will end soon. If that happens, all plan becomes easier to execute, including plans to restore the football competition.
