La Liga President Javier Tebas: “We Are Optimistic About Finishing European Leagues & Competitions By June 30”

Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga and a member of the committee working on solutions to finish the 2019/20 season across Europe, has admitted he is optimistic about the possibility of everything being concluded by the end of June.

Leagues across the continent are on hold until further notice as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic but earlier on this week, the European football federations made a commitment to European football’s governing body UEFA to conclude their seasons by the end of June at the latest.

“Our idea is to close everything by June 30, and we are optimistic about that. We would like to start between May 14 and 18, which would give us time to finish by the scheduled date,” he began an interview with Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We think we can do it, and without changing the competitions. The decision to postpone the European Championship’s, Copa America, Club World Cup and so on was the most important decision ever taken in the history of football. It was a gesture that required great responsibility.”

Tebas was then asked about Italian football federation president Gabriele Gravina’s recent comments where he suggested that the Italian football season may have to run into the middle of July.

“It is an alternative, but not the primary one. We continue to think about June 30 because of contracts, something that if neglected could actually lead to an alteration of the various competitions. If our idea is not possible, we will study an alternative plan that must have adequate legal bases.

“We are all on the same line, then of course, there are specific things from one country or another that we will solve, we must make 30 countries finish and we must do it quickly. My intention is to have the new schedule ready in the next seven to 10 days at most.”

In conclusion he was asked about the possibility of the remainder of the season being carried out without fans and behind closed doors.

“It will depend on the health authorities of each country. If those responsible for public health say we need to then we will do it but now the most important thing is to finish by June 30.”