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Florin Orban, 13.04.2020, 13:45

The president of the Romanian Football Federation, Răzvan Burleanu, says that, by resuming competitions, football could contribute to easing social anxiety as well as to re-launching the economy after the coronavirus pandemic comes to an end. In a press release published on the official website of the Romanian Football Federation, Răzvan Burleanu explains, quote: “Resuming football competitions will have a major impact on society. Given the role that football plays in our society and its impact on Romania’s economy, we will continue to be a partner of the Romanian state and to contribute to re-launching the economy.

At the same time, we will continue to bring a significant contribution to the development of the entire society, because football means added value, also through the lens of social and community values. By resuming competitions, we can contribute to easing social anxiety. And we can do this, in a first stage, even if we do not allow spectators in the stadiums” end of quote.

Football competitions in Romania, initially stopped until the end of March, were suspended through a decision of the Emergency Committee of the Romanian Football Federation at least until the state of emergency comes to an end.

If the First League matches are not resumed, football clubs are in for big losses. The contract of the Professional Football League with the company that holds the television broadcasting rights for the championship provides for a number of matches that have to be played and broadcasted, and includes penalties for failure to observe the provision related to the number of matches played. According to gsp.ro, the manager of the company holding the broadcasting rights, Orlando Nicoară, says that playing the matches without spectators in the stadiums would be a solution.

In another development, the Romanian tennis player Simona Halep does not believe that the tennis tournaments scheduled for 2020 can still be played. According to Digi Sport, she said, quote: “No matches will be played by August. I do not know if the matches in America will still be played because they are now facing hard times in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Let’s be realistic, I don’t think that matches will be played this year at all, but I do want to start playing again in September” end of quote. (translation by L. Simion)