The Portuguese Football Federation has released this Friday a statement announcing the end of all competitions for young people and training for the coronavirus.
The statement reads as follows:
“1. On March 10, 2020, the Portuguese Football Federation ordered the suspension of all national events in soccer and futsal training classes between March 14 and 28, when 41 cases of infection by coronavirus in Portugal.
2. Decree Law No. 10-A / 2020, of March 13, determined the suspension of academic and non-academic activities and training with the presence of students in public, private and cooperative schools and the social sector, supporting preschool, basic, secondary and higher education and in social facilities to support early childhood or disability.
3. This measure began on March 16, 2020 and will be reevaluated on April 9, 2020, and may be extended after the reevaluation.
4. The country is currently in a state of emergency, a regime that will remain in force until April 2, a period that, as is well known, can also be extended.
5. Given that it is very likely that the measures mentioned in points 3 and 4 extend over time and that an inseparable link persists between school and sport, the Portuguese Football Federation understood that the priority of parents, grandparents, Children and grandchildren should obviously be dedicated to protecting each other and to school requirements, in the name of the right to health protection.
6. Due to all of the above, the Administrative Council of the Portuguese Football Federation decided, after listening to its members, that the national competitions of all levels of football and futsal training, male and female, should be concluded, without result with any immediate sports effect.
7. In this way, no titles will be awarded in the referred competitions, nor will the promotion and descent regime be applied.
8. The complexity of the situation resulting from the current state of emergency in Portugal led to this decision by the Portuguese Football Federation, in which it is accompanied by the 22 District and Regional Associations that will also give effect to its competitions aimed at soccer and futsal training levels.
9. The decision now made aims to protect the population, especially the youth and children who love soccer, protecting them and all members of their family from the dangers that are very present. In this way, the primary value of the health and development of these young people and children will be guaranteed, in the possible security and stability.
10. Recognizing the invaluable role of clubs, as coaches of soccer players, but still of youth and children, the Portuguese Soccer Federation is confident of its support for this exceptional measure. They too, in security and stability, will be able to prepare in the best possible way for the 2020/21 season.
11. The remaining competitions organized by the Portuguese Football Federation are still suspended.
12. The situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be monitored by the emergency group created by the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, which can review, expand or reduce the measures currently implemented. “