'What Happened Last Time A Football League Season Was Cancelled?

By Mike Parrott

The Footballing World is currently on hold due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. With most fans not knowing what the outcome will be to the currently postponed Season, this isn't the first time a Football League has been cancelled early.

The Football World is at a halt. With many fans confused about the likely possibility of an early cancellation to the current Season, looking back at previous cancelled seasons could shed some clarity onto the situation.

The Chilean Primera Division was cancelled as early as last Season with five games remaining due to social unrest and violent protests towards the Chilean Government.

Six matches left of the 2019 Chilean Primera División and the league was suspended with Universidad Católica thirteen points clear. The clubs voted to award them the title and have no relegations. Surely Colo Colo still had a chance or are they just more pragmatic in Chile? pic.twitter.com/FDUazyk3Ev

— Aidan (@AMc88_) March 14, 2020

Of the 30 rounds of fixtures, 24 had been played when the league was paused for five weeks. However, when they attempted to restart the league, there were further protests. The season was cancelled.

The Primera Division had the tricky situation of sorting out the Title winners, and Relegation.

The Chilean League however, didn't bother with Relegation and instead had two teams promoted from their Division 2. But they also gave the League Title to Universidad Catolica, who were top of the table, 13 points clear.

Premier League Years 19/20:

"A global pandemic caused panic as shops ran out of pasta, toilet roll & soap. But it was Liverpool who ran out of time to win the title, as football ground to a halt." pic.twitter.com/LfWvtXzDNS

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 13, 2020

So if the Premier League took this precedent and used it for themselves, we'd unfortunately see Liverpool claiming their first Premier League title, while West Brom and Leeds United would be promoted into the Premier League with the League having a 22-team League next Season.

The 22-team League system wouldn't be new territory for the Premier League with the first three inaugural seasons of the Premier League being a 22-team system.

source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-what-happened-last-time-a-football-league-season-was-cancelled-20200316