Belgium's top flight to cancel season due to COVID-19

Belgian Pro League leaders Club Brugge's coach and players applaud fans after their match against Manchester United, England, February 27, 2020. /VCG

The Belgian Pro League is set to become the first major European football league to be canceled due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.

According to local media outlets, the historic decision will be formally validated at a General Assembly on April 15. Club Bruges, who currently sit 15 points clear of Gent at the top of the table, will be declared champions.

The number of coronavirus deaths in Belgium passed the 1,000 mark on Thursday with 15,348 officially recorded cases, health officials said. Per capita Belgium is among the worst hit countries in Europe.

"The Board of Directors took note of the recommendations of Dr. Van Ranst and the government that it is highly unlikely that games with the public will be played before June 30," the league said in a statement.

"The current situation also makes it very unclear whether and when a resumption of collective training courses can be foreseen at all."

"Even if games behind closed doors could theoretically be possible, the additional pressure they place on health and order services should be avoided. Moreover, decisions by local authorities threaten to make a joint course of match days impossible."

Club Brugge players look set to be declared champions after the Belgian league agreed to declare the season finished. /VCG

"The Board of Directors has unanimously decided that it is not desirable to continue the competition after June 30. Given the above elements, the Board of Directors accept the current state of the Jupiler Pro League as final classification [subject to the decisions of the licensing committee]."

Belgium's move is seemingly out of line with European football's governing body UEFA, who have stated a determination to press on and finish this season's domestic and club competitions by June 30, but could opt to continue into July and August if necessary.

Ending the season now means that, as well as Club Brugge taking the title, Gent would go into the qualifying rounds for next season's Champions League. But it remains to be seen how relegations, and promotions, would be determined.

"The question of relegations has not yet been resolved and will need to be looked at by the working group" set up on Thursday, a Pro League spokesperson said.

The working group will examine "the sporting problems and financial implications of this decision," the spokesperson added. It must also decide whether it will still be possible for the Cup final between Club Brugge and Royal Antwerp to go ahead.

The new development could put immense pressure on other major leagues to follow suit and cancel their seasons.

Many top flights are still considering completing the season in the summer, but given the present reality of the spread of the virus, cancellation represents a very real option.

(With input from agencies)