FA confirms cancellation of Women's Super League season
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The English Football Association (FA) has canceled the Women's Super League (WSL) and Women's Championship seasons, it announced Monday.
"Following overwhelming feedback from the clubs, the decision to bring an end to the 2019-20 season was made in the best interest of the women's game," the FA's statement read.
"This will also enable clubs, the FA Women's Super League & Women's Championship Board and the FA to plan, prepare, and focus on next season when football returns for the 2020-21 campaign," the statement added.
The decision to scrap the top two tiers of women's football comes after the leagues were suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 13.
The WSL, which features a dozen clubs, was a hotly contested race between Manchester City, Chelsea, and holders Arsenal at the juncture of the stoppage.
City currently sit top on 40 points with 16 matches played and Chelsea are in second on 39 points with 15 matches played, meaning the Blues could be named champions if a points-per-game ratio is used to determine the final table.
The second tier, more commonly referred to as the Championship, is an 11-team division that was led by Aston Villa.
It's not immediately clear what the cancellation means for promotion, relegation, or European positions. The FA's statement reveals that the respective boards have "discussed various recommendations which will be sent to the FA Board to determine the most appropriate sporting outcome for the 2019-20 season."
The FA's decision means all levels of women's football in England have been scrapped for the 2019-20 campaign.
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