Bethany England (R) of Chelsea scores the first goal in the FA Women's Super League game against Manchester City at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames, England, December 8, 2019. /VCG
All teams of the Football Association Women's Super League (WSL) and Championship can make vocation plans as the FA announced on Monday: the rest games of the 2019-20 season in the two leagues have been cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic.
"The FA Women's Super League & Women's Championship Board has today confirmed the decision to end the 2019-20 season for the Barclays FA Women's Super League and the FA Women's Championship, with immediate effect," said the English football governing body in an official statement.
The FA stressed that this decision was only made based on "overwhelming feedback" from the clubs and was in the welfare and interest of all clubs and players.
Casey Stoney, manager of Manchester United. /VCG
As for what will happen next including the financial challenges teams and qualifications for next season's European competitions, the FA said: "Following full and thorough consultation with the clubs, the FA Women's Super League & Women's Championship Board has discussed various recommendations which will be sent to the FA Board to determine the most appropriate sporting outcome for the 2019-20 season."
"It's obviously disappointing not to be able complete the season, but it is the right decision for the safety of everyone involved," said Casey Stoney, manager of Manchester United in a statement.
So far there is no sign of whether this decision will have any effect on the Premier League. Multiple clubs have already restarted group training and there have been reports about the FA eyeing mid-June as the time to bring the Premier League back. The British government also said that elite sport events can return to the country after June 1.