Croatian football season to continue on 30 May 

(Photo: HNS)

ZAGREB, 6 May 2020 – The Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has decided that the football season, which was interrupted in March by the COVID-19 epidemic, will continue again on May 30.

Following yesterday’s meeting between the Secretary of the Central State Office for Sport, Tomislav Družak, and representatives of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, dates were proposed for lifting restrictions in the sports sector in Croatia. 

In accordance with the epidemiological situation in the country, the final approval for the continuation of the competition on the recommendation of the Croatian Institute of Public Health will be given by the Civil Protection Staff of the Republic of Croatia.

Expecting the proposed dates to be confirmed by the Civil Protection Staff, the HNS Executive Board reversed its decision of April 7, 2020, and decided that the football season would continue on May 30 and 31 with the Croatian Cup semi-finals.  On June 6, the Croatian first division (HNL) will continue. All matches would be played without fans, HNS said. 

The final round of the league season will be played on 25 July. 

The Croatian Cup final according to the previous plan would be played on August 1st. The HNL second and third divisions, as well as other minor leagues, will not continue in the 2019/20 season, as well as competitions in all younger age categories.

The Executive Board will make decisions on the eventual continuation of the women’s first division and futsal league, as well as other necessary decisions regarding all competitions under the jurisdiction of HNS by May 18 and will notify clubs and the public in a timely manner.  

Also, according to the recommendations of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, HNS will issue binding instructions for clubs ahead of the competition, in order to protect the health of all players and those involved in football.