For the first time since 1944-45, the Dutch top flight will not have a champion and there will be no promotion or relegation for the division.

This decision has made the Dutch Eredivisie the first major European league to cancel its season in response to the coronavirus. The decision became inevitable after the government of the Netherlands earlier this week banned all sporting events till September.

This move may have set a precedence for all other European league competition despite the controversy it has generated in the Netherlands.

“Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to speak of a championship and there is no champion,” the Eredivisie said in a statement. “Because many rounds still have to be played in the competitions, we believe that we cannot apply promotion/relegation [either].”

European places were granted to teams, however. This was based on the league table as it stood, a process in accordance with new Uefa guidelines. The league leaders Ajax have been granted a place in the final play-off round of the Champions League. Second-placed AZ Alkmaar will enter the second qualifying round of the same competition while Feyenoord, in third place, will enter the group stages of the Europa League. PSV Eindhoven (fourth) and Willem II (fifth) will enter qualifying for the Europa League.

image: the guardian