Pro football league temporarily postpones start of season

All News 15:59 February 24, 2020

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean professional football league on Monday decided to postpone the start of the 2020 season temporarily, citing health concerns stemming from the fast-spreading coronavirus.

The new K League season had been scheduled to kick off with two matches on Saturday, followed by two more on Sunday. But following an emergency board meeting at its Seoul headquarters on Monday, the K League said all matches will be shelved until further notice.

Last Sunday, South Korea raised its alert level against COVID-19 to the highest of the four-tier system, "red." As of Monday morning, the novel virus had claimed seven lives, with the number of infections reaching over 700.

Officials from the K League attend an emergency board meeting at the league headquarters in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2020, to discuss postponing the start of the 2020 season in response to a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases. (Yonhap)

The K League's decision on Monday came three days after it postponed two opening weekend matches in the southeastern region, following a recent surge in COVID-19 infections in the area.

Also Monday, the K League said it has canceled the season-opening media day initially set for Wednesday in Seoul and scrapped orientations for rookies and new foreign players.

The K League also asked its participating teams in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, the continent's top club competition, to hold matches behind closed doors.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, FC Seoul, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Ulsan Hyundai FC have all played one group stage match each so far. Their next contests will be during the first week of March, with Ulsan and FC Seoul set to host.

South Korea's professional volleyball and basketball leagues have already announced plans to keep spectators away for their games until the situation with the virus improves.