The coronavirus outbreak had already affected a lot of sporting events, including water polo competitions.
LEN has decided to postpone all water polo competitions that were scheduled for the next 30 days, including matches of the Champions League, the Euro League and the qualifications for the European U19 Championships
In today’s press release, LEN announced:
“Given the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-‐19) spreading throughout Europe and the implementation of stricter and stricter containment measures decided by various governments, LEN has taken the decision to put the below water polo competitions on hold.
Women’s Euro League, Quarter‐finals, 2nd leg
The four games planned for 28 March 2020 are on hold and will be rescheduled for a later date. Consequently, the LEN Trophy Final 4 (scheduled: 17-‐18 April) and the Euro League Final 4 (24-‐25 April) will most likely need to be staged on a later date too.
U19 European Water Polo Championships, qualification tournaments
The four qualification tournaments planned for 3-‐5 April 2020 in Istanbul (TUR), Netanya (ISR), Manchester (UK) and Malta (MLT) are on hold and will be rescheduled for a later date, possibly in mid-‐May.
Champions League, preliminary round, Day 11
The eight matches scheduled for 10-‐11 April 2020 are on hold and will be rescheduled for a later date, as well as the postponed match from Day 10 (Ferencvaros HUN v Pro Recco ITA) and the second leg of the Euro Cup semi-‐ final between Eger (HUN) and Brescia (ITA).
LEN will assess the most appropriate new dates for these competitions. At the same time, it continues monitoring and evaluating the situation and will take the necessary steps if further measures will be needed to unconditionally safeguard the health and safety of the athletes, coaches and all others involved in the events.”
FINA hasn’t postponed the competitions under its jurisdiction, so far, but the International Federation of Aquatic Sports established a COVID-19 taskforce, which debates about the further steps.
