pondělí 13.04.2020

Czech Football League Association has established important dates and offers clubs an early payment of part of their fees

pondělí 13.04.2020

The Board of the Czech League Football Association at its meeting last week addressed a number of important topics, led by further concrete steps towards the current situation. The present board members unanimously agreed that from the sporting point of view the priority is to complete the current season. At the same time, the LFA will offer clubs the possibility of early payment of part of the contractual fees when the club comes into a difficult situation with its cash-flow.

“The League Football Association will fully respect the decisions and recommendations of the responsible public authorities. From a sports perspective, it remains a clear priority to make every effort to ensure that the current both professional competitions will be completed according to the season format agreed before the start of the season and by the deadline of 30^th June 2020. All this, of course, provided that it allows the development of the epidemiological situation in the Czech Republic,” said Dušan Svoboda, chairman of the Czech League Football Association.

Finishing of both competitions by June 30^th 2020 is only possible provided that the professional clubs will be allowed the full training preparation no later than May 1^st 2020, and both competitions can be restarted even without the presence of spectators from the middle of May.

After a unanimous approval, the League Board offered a helping hand to individual clubs in the field of finance. "The League Board has agreed to support LFA member clubs, which have been in financial trouble as a result of the current situation and will offer them the possibility of early payment of part of the LFA club remuneration in May," said Dušan Svoboda.

The Czech League Football Association is also active in the international field, through the European Leagues organization, continuously getting information about negotiations with UEFA and intentions and proposals for the possible continuation of the current season in July and August 2020.

“We are constantly monitoring the progress of negotiations between UEFA and the European Leagues and the ECA. If it becomes clear that FORTUNA:LIGA and FORTUNA:NARODNI LIGA cannot be completed by 30^th June 2020, the League Board will also propose a possible extension of the current season according to the development of negotiations at the European level and the UEFA international calendar. This will be submitted for consideration to the League General Assembly,” added Dušan Svoboda.

Further steps will be discussed at the League Board by the end of April at the latest. "At this meeting, it will be evaluated whether it will be possible to start competitions by the middle of May and at the same time it will be set a deadline for the League General Assembly meeting, which will be held as soon as possible after the emergency," concluded LFA chairman.