April 28 – Argentina has become the latest country to cancel its domestic league as a consequence of the global health crisis.
Argentina FA president Claudio Tapia (pictured) announced the 2019/20 football season is over in Argentina yesterday. The AFA’s executive committee is expected to rubber-stamp the cancellation. In March, Argentina’s top flight was suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus which has claimed the lives of 197 people in the country according to the latest data of the Johns Hopkins University.
Argentina has more than 4,000 confirmed cases and lockdown measures will remain in place until May 10 at least.
“We are ending the tournaments,” said Tapia in an interview with TNT Sports. “The idea is to restart play but when authorities allow it and with maximum security. We are respectful of the measures that the government takes and we must comply with them.”
“When football stopped playing, it was not by decision of the Argentine football leaders, but by a decision of the Minister of Health. Human beings come first. If we take a hasty decision and a contagion occurs, we would go back to March 10 or 11 and it would be a piece of paper. We all want football to return, but we will have to wait. Life first.”
On the final match day of the regular season last month, Buenos Aires giants Boca Juniors claimed the Primera Division title, pipping their rivals River Plate to top spot.
However, there won’t be any relegation from the top division this season as the country reconfigures its competition structure. In Argentina, relegation is calculated over a three-year period. Tapia said the system would be reintroduced in 2022 and also indicated that the top division will expand.
The 24-team Copa Superliga tournament, due to finish in May, has also been scrapped.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734975588labto1734975588ofdlr1734975588owedi1734975588sni@o1734975588fni1734975588