PREFACE: We are still an information service even though there is no soccer for a least the next several weeks we are here to provide the latest updates from each league as the world continues to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19). This report will be done on a weekly basis.
MLS: Nothing new to report as the league remains suspended until further notice. On Monday, the league launched MLS Unites, a league-wide platform launched in partnership with the MLS Player Association that highlights all of the efforts that players, coaches, the clubs and the league are making to address the important messages and programs taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of MLS Unites, a series of programs involving MLS clubs, players, coaches, staff, partners and fans will seek to:
- Educate and inform fans on the importance of key health and safety messaging;
- Provide fun and engaging content featuring MLS players that will keep them connected to our fans and drive relevance during the postponement of the season;
- Showcase and celebrate community “heroes,” who are fighting the pandemic on the frontlines.
A full list of initiatives can be found at https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsunites
NWSL: The NWSL on Wednesday joined US Soccer with its “BEND THE CURVE. STAY AT HOME” campaign.
“Our goal with our “BEND THE CURVE. STAY AT HOME.” campaign is to reinforce to the soccer community that the single most important message to help us get through these challenging times is to make sure people STAY AT HOME to bend, and eventually, flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases,” said U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Chiampas.
“We are happy to join this initiative with our U.S. Soccer family and help continue to drive this important message. I am deeply appreciative of the entire community of players, coaches, trainers, and staff who have been so vigilant in following the in-place guidelines the League has provided,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird.
More details will be released as the campaign develops.
USL: The first week of the USL e-Cup: Rocket League Edition took place. All matches are streaming on the ESPN app and ESPN3. Below are the list of results:
Group 1:
Reno FC def. North Carolina FC (14-0, 5-0)
Tacoma Defiance def. Louisville City FC (4-0, 3-0)
Group 3:
Phoenix Rising def. San Diego Loyal SC (7-3, 6-1)
Philadelphia Union II def. Toronto FC II (5-2, 8-4)
Group 4:
Rio Grande Valley FC def. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (14-0, 16-2)
San Antonio FC def. El Paso Locomotive FC (9-3, 10-0)
Groups 2, 5, 6 play on Thursday and Groups 7 and 8 play on Friday.
PREMIER LEAGUE: Senior representatives from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the Premier League, the EFL and the League Managers Association (LMA) met today and so discuss the challenges facing the game as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting reiterated that the overriding priority is the health and wellbeing of the nation – including that of players, coaches, managers, club staff and supporters – and everyone agreed football must only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
No decisions were taken on Wednesday, with discussions set to continue in the next 48 hours with a focus on several high-profile matters, including player wages and the resumption of the 2019/20 season.
BUNDESLIGA: Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 remain suspended until at least April 30th. The DFL also postponed its tender for media rights originally planned for May and has now been planned for the following month. The DFL also agreed to suspend the deduction of nine points as a sanction for the initiation of insolvency proceedings for the current season, while the points deduction for insolvency in the coming season has been reduced to just three points. In addition, the clubs’ liquidity situation will not be examined as part of the pending licensing process for the 2020-21 season.
However, the DFL will bring forward its examination of economic performance during the coming season from the end of October to mid-September in order to obtain a realistic overview of the economic situation of the individual clubs as soon as possible on the basis of their financial statements as of June 30th, 2020.
LA LIGA: MediaPro chief Jaume Roures is hopeful that La Liga could resume in July behind closed doors.
“I hope football returns in July and I say July because, among other things, everyone’s health must be guaranteed,” he told Cadena COPE on Tuesday. “It will return without an audience, surely, but before that they have to do a pre-season. After so long at home, they can’t go out and play as if nothing happened.”
However, Roures also said that they would have to ‘throw in the towel’ should the league resume and player subsequently tests positive for COVID-19.
UEFA: UEFA has postponed its June internationals indefinitely which includes the playoff matches to qualify for Euro 2020. The Women’s Euro 2021, set to be hosted by England, has been postponed to 2022 according to the Danish FA.
All Champions League and Europa League matches are suspended until further notice.
COVID-19 LATEST: At the time of this reporting, there have been over 932,000 confirmed cases in 180 countries and regions which is almost double from last week. Over 46,800 people have died (more than double from last week) while there have been over 193,000 recoveries reported recoveries.
The USA has reported 213,372 cases with 4,757 deaths. Canada has reported 9,560 cases with 109 deaths. We at Prost Amerika and Prost International strongly recommend that you follow instructions from the appropriate health authorities in order to slow the spread of the virus. The sooner all obey such guidelines, then the sooner we can all enjoy soccer again.
