Austria postpones all football until the fall

The Austrian Football League has postponed all its divisions until the fall.

The decision was based on the announcement by Austrian Minister of Sports, Werner Kogler in which he stated that professional athletes in non-contact sports in Austria will be allowed to resume training before the end of April. Austria has initiated a plan to ease restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but these steps do not include contact sports.

As a result, the AFL announced that since training for contact sports is still not allowed, all activities have been put off until the fall and that Austrian Bowl XXXVI, originally scheduled for July 2020, will be postponed until 2021.

Austrian American Football Federation, AFBÖ, President Michael Eschlböck:

“First of all, I would like to thank all of our members for working together in this difficult time. And for the high level of social commitment that many teams show in their region. Be it shopping for members of the risk group, participation in blood donation campaigns, maintaining the operation of social markets, or registering for extraordinary community service and much more. I am proud of our members. On the postponement: What doesn’t work – doesn’t work. We cannot force anything. It is the most difficult time that most of us have ever experienced. An exceptional situation for everyone. Safety first. It’s not just about the athletes, coaches and supervisors, but also about their relatives, who can then possibly be infected. From this perspective, we will now “optimistically” postpone it to autumn. ”

Coronavirus situation in Austria

A total of 14,595 cases of COVID-19 have been registered in Austria and 431 deaths are attributed to the virus.

The government has allowed the opening of thousands of stores in Austria including garden centers, home improvement/hardware stores and smaller stores (under 4,300 sq. ft) but with strict rules on social distancing. But it is also compulsory for people to wear a mask in supermarkets and pharmacies.