UEFA look for light at end of tunnel in bid to resume European football season

As European countries take steps towards easing lockdown measures imposed due to coronavirus pandemic, UEFA will meet with continent's football clubs and associations this week to try to mark out a pathway towards resuming season. European football's governing body is er to steer all 55 member countries towards a consensus. y want to finish season, with Germany hopeful of restarting Bundesliga matches behind closed doors next month. Elsewhere, Belgium and Scotland appear to be awaiting a green light from UEFA to call an end to ir seasons w.

virus has claimed over 165,000 lives globally, nearly two-thirds of m in Europe, according to an AFP tally. Given uncertainty surrounding pandemic, UEFA are remaining prudent. That means firm decisions are unlikely this week, as UEFA hold a meeting with heads of all member associations on Tuesday, followed by ar with powerful European Club Association (ECA) and European Leagues grouping on Wednesday. UEFA's Executive Committee will n meet on Thursday, and that could trigger key anuncements elsewhere.

tably, German Football League will hold a video call with 36 clubs from its top two divisions later same day as it hopes to resume playing by mid-May. "This week, important decisions will be made on how to proceed," German FA chief Fritz Keller told Kicker magazine. "UEFA are working on a whole host of scenarios," one source told AFP. 

"But thing will be decided at end of meeting on Thursday because it is still impossible given all uncertainty surrounding easing of lockdowns." When football ground to a halt in mid-March, end of June was set out as target date for finishing season.

UEFA has since been working on possibility of playing in July and August if required, and president Aleksander Ceferin remains optimistic that seasons can be completed.

Champions League final in August?

"We may have to resume without spectators, but most important thing, I think, is playing games," Ceferin told Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

"It is early to say that we cant complete season. impact would be terrible for clubs and leagues. Better to play behind closed doors than t at all." 

UEFA has already postponed Euro 2020 by a year. Champions League and Europa League are on hold "until furr tice", with both stuck in last-16 st. According to Jean-Michel Aulas, president of French club Lyon and also on ECA board, UEFA's hope is to complete its club competitions in August, with Champions League final on August 29. Ultimately, though, football is at mercy of virus and of national governments.

Lockdowns in UK, France, Spain and Italy will continue into May. Meanwhile Germany and or parts of Europe are taking tentative steps to ease measures. German clubs are desperate for season to be finished by June 30 to secure an instalment of television money, reportedly worth around 300 million euros ($326 million). That is a central concern for Europe's or leading leagues but, in contrast, Belgian Pro League has stated its intention to declare season finished. y are waiting for UEFA meeting before potentially ratifying decision at a meeting on Friday -- UEFA had previously threatened to exclude teams from next Champions League if domestic competitions were ended prematurely. Scotland has already declared season over in leagues below top flight and could do same for Premiership if UEFA does t object. 

Im credits: AP