The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Eredivisie: Ajax denied league title as season ends without promotion and relegation

Football

By Waweru Titus | Apr 24, 2020

**Ajax will head straight to the last round of Champions League qualification despite being level on points with AZ Alkmaar.** [Photo: Reuters]

Ajax have been denied the league title after 2019/20 season was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There will also be no promotion to the Dutch Eredivisie or relegation from the top flight.

The Dutch FA (KNVB) decided the way forward after a meeting with clubs and unions representing coaches and players on Friday.

“In these times, under these circumstances, it is not appropriate to speak of a championship, therefore we only confirm the placing of the clubs as per the last standings,” the KNVB said in a statement.

However, Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar will go into next season's UEFA Champions League.

Keep Reading

They were level on points (56) at the top of the standings with nine rounds of matches still to play, with Ajax only ahead with goal difference.

The campaign was declared over on Tuesday when the Dutch government extended a ban on public events to September to curb the spread of Covid-19.

"Unfortunately, with the cabinet's most recent corona measures, it has become impossible to complete the 2019/2020 season of professional football competitions in time - it will be crystal clear to everyone involved, from supporters and players to directors and referees, that public health always comes first.

"The professional football board, after consulting clubs, players and coaches, and with the approval of the Supervisory Board, has decided to stop the 2019/20 competition and to allow the allocation of European club football seats based on the current league table.

"This is in accordance with UEFA guidelines. In relation to promotion and demotion, it has been decided not to promote and not to be demoted,” a statement from the Dutch FA.

2019-2020 Dutch Eredivisie League Table

Dutch clubs had been divided over whether to try and get the season back underway, as encouraged by UEFA, but that debate was ended when Prime minister Mark Rutte extended restrictions by three more months.

The Dutch Football Association was quick to follow Rutte’s address with a statement effectively calling off the rest of the 2019-20 campaign, although they said they would be consulting with UEFA before final confirmation.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a complete shutdown of Europe’s top five football leagues in the world.

The virus, having originated from Wuhan in China in December last year, continues to also wreak havoc in other sports disciplines.

Football will not resume soon with no return date set amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to official numbers on Friday (24/04/2020), there are currently 2,807,490 coronavirus cases in the world with 195,812 succumbing to the deadly virus. 778,348 have recovered from Covid-19.