Soccer loop step closer to getting back on the pitch
The Canadian Premier League has come to an agreement with its owners and players on a way to get back on the field to try to salvage the 2020 season.
Now, it’s just a matter of working out details of what the return will entail as COVID -19 restrictions are eased around the country.
The second-year, eight-team national professional soccer league has been on hiatus since training camps were shut down in March due to the global pandemic. The league was to start playing in April with a champion crowned in October.
“We started this process behind the scenes many weeks ago in consultation with our owners on the many details and protocols required to safely return to the field of play, and potential opportunities that may emerge,” CPL commissioner David Clanachan said in a statement on Friday. “This led to the next step of a collaborative discussion with the players this week.”
The league is weighing options, which could include holding a tournament in one location. Both Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Vancouver Island have expressed interest in hosting the tournament.
A number of CPL clubs have already started practising in small groups with FC Edmonton waiting on the go-ahead from Alberta provincial health authorities to do the same.
FC Edmonton has most of its players in town and the club is anxious to get back on the field after spending the past months communicating with each other through online video sessions.
Once they are allowed back on the field, FC Edmonton will begin working in stages leading up to full team practices to prepare for whatever format the league decides to use this season.
“Our provincial chief medical office is looking at a lot of these applications from a number of different sports to resume,” FC Edmonton head coach Jeff Paulus said. “I support them doing their due diligence and taking their time. They’re about safety first and I’m OK with them doing their due diligence in this province, which is probably why we’re doing as well as we are (with COVID -19) in Edmonton, because we’re being cautious.
“But we’ll get there, we’ll get on the field sooner than later.”
If CPL does decide on a tournament model, Charlottetown is actively vying to be the hosts. The city put out a release Friday officially inviting the league to town.
Whatever the league finally decides, it does appear to be a group effort with all interested parties on board. It’s a big step, considering other professional leagues have been struggling to come to a consensus with players on ownership on the best method of returning. The league is looking at starting sometime in July and playing through to September.