ALL domestic professional football in England is suspended until April 30 at the earliest and the 2019-20 season is extended INDEFINITELY after coronavirus emergency meeting
- All domestic professional football in England has been suspended until April 30
- The ongoing coronavirus crisis has decimated the global sporting calendar
- But bodies are 'united in our commitment to resuming the 2019-20 season'
- They have changed FA laws to ensure the season can be finished past June 1
- No top flight game has been played since Leicester beat Aston Villa on March 9
An FA statement read: 'The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.
'We're united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
'We've collectively supported UEFA in postponing EURO 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
'The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”.
'However, our Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-20 season in relation to professional football. Additionally, we've collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday 30 April.
'The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.
'We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.
'We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.'
The EFL held a board meeting on Wednesday and has agreed a £50million short-term relief package to assist cash-strapped clubs during the coronavirus crisis.
The extension of the suspension makes the ambition to have the season finished by June 30 - a stated aim which came out of Tuesday's UEFA meeting - look increasingly optimistic.
UEFA decided to postpone Euro 2020 by one year to help the domestic schedule conclude.
World governing body FIFA has established a working group to look at amendments and temporary dispensations in relation to standard player contracts, which expire on June 30.
