Fortunately, the situation is slowly returning to normal—in mid-May, Bundesliga players took to the pitches, and teams from Italy, Spain and England are also preparing to do the same.
The Bundesliga was the first of Europe’s top leagues to return to action in mid-May. To some extent, this was forced by financial considerations—without television-rights revenue, some clubs might simply not survive. On the other hand, Germany was the first to develop a detailed, rigorous plan for playing matches, which other leagues can now use. Matches across Poland’s western border are being played without spectators. A maximum of 322 people may be present at the stadium, including players and coaching staffs, as well as, for example, stewards and those responsible for producing the broadcast. Players are regularly tested for coronavirus. Before matches, they cannot greet opponents or referees with a handshake, while substitutes sitting in the stands must wear masks. So far, the plan is working. Nothing indicates that the season’s scheduled conclusion on the last weekend of June is at risk.
When Will the Football Leagues Return?
The next major European league to resume competition will be Spain’s La Liga. On Thursday, June 11, at 10:00 p.m., Sevilla and Betis players will take to the pitch. Further matches will be played on Friday (two), Saturday (four) and Sunday (three). The season is scheduled to end on July 19.
Italian football will return on June 13. The schedule initially calls for the second legs of the Coppa Italia semifinals—Juventus will play Milan, while Napoli will face Inter. The final will take place in Rome on June 17. Three days later, on June 20, Serie A matches will resume. First, matches from the unfinished 26th round will be played, including Inter–Sampdoria and Atalanta–Sassuolo. The league is scheduled to end on August 2.
English Premier League players are expected to return to action on June 17. Two postponed matches will be played that day: Manchester City against Arsenal and Aston Villa against Sheffield United. The full 29th round will take place on Friday, June 19; the dates of the remaining matches are not yet known.
There is, of course, also a plan to complete this year’s Champions League. The latest fairly plausible scenario assumes that the remaining round-of-16 matches will be played first, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals (one match without a second leg), and then the final in the form of a multi-day mini-tournament. Frankfurt has declared its readiness to organize it.
All this means that football fans may soon see a real flood of betting markets on football matches. Players will certainly also be able to take advantage of numerous promotions and special offers prepared for them by licensed bookmakers. The company Betfan already stands out in this regard (Finance Ministry permit dated October 29, 2018, no. PS4.6831.3.2018). It can boast one of the highest welcome bonuses, worth up to PLN 3,000, and also offers PLN 100 cashback credited to the main account. The return of the top leagues and betting on them also marks another step toward returning to “normality,” which can only be welcomed.
In Poland, betting may be offered only by entities that hold the required permit to organize bookmaker betting. Placing bets on the websites of companies without a Finance Ministry license is prohibited and may result in legal consequences.
Bookmaker betting involves risk. If symptoms of addiction occur, you should contact institutions offering help with overcoming gambling addiction.
Material commissioned from an external editorial office