The continuation of the championship in the summer negatively affect next season.

The KHL ahead of schedule finished a season-2019/20 because of the coronavirus, writes “Pressball”.

“In connection with a negative development of the epidemiological situation COVID-19 world League made the decision to cancel the remainder of the season 2019/20.

The decision was made after consultations with all stakeholders and the health safety of players, fans, staff, clubs and everyone involved in the organization and conduct of matches of the League.

The League has developed many scenarios of further developments: from overtime of the championship in the period up to 30 April 2020 up to continue it in June and July. However, at this point the performance of these scenarios is unlikely.

Several clubs were forced to declare refusal from further participation in the playoffs. In addition, there would be difficulties with the return of foreign players to the territory of Russia. All this would deprive the tournament of sporty allure. Holding the playoffs without the teams that earned the right to fight for the Gagarin Cup, would be a violation of sports principles.

The continuation of the championship in the summer negatively affect next season. In such a scenario, clubs are required to completely change the usual time of summer vacations and pre-season, and the NHL was forced to shift the terms of the transfer Windows, move the start of the season on the critically late date, and also to reduce the number of games in the championship. Moreover, the 18 clubs in the League have already completed participation in the championship and began a methodical preparation for the season 2020/2021.

The decision on the allocation of seats in the championship in 2019/20 will be made at a future meeting of the Board of Directors of the KHL. The Board of Directors will determine the participants of the championship-2020/21, after which the League will start to prepare the calendar.”