Swiss Super League allowed to return behind closed doors from 8th June

Swiss football will be able to return from June onwards, as the Swiss government continue to ease their lockdown.

Switzerland has been living with restrictions since late February, when events with more than 1,000 people were banned. As of 29^th April, Switzerland has over 29,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 1,380 deaths.

The Swiss Super League was suspended on 2^nd March, with its last match played eight days earlier. However, it has now taken a big step towards resuming after almost two months with no action.

On Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Council announced that they would be moving towards the second stage of ending the nationwide lockdown. This includes the return of the Swiss Super League, which will be able to restart from 8^th June.

Swiss Bundeshaus — (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

Blick report that Swiss top flight games will be allowed to take place from June, albeit behind closed doors. From 11^th May, training sessions will be allowed with up to five people and without physical contact, as the country takes a step closer to normality.

However, there is no news on whether the Challenge League – Switzerland’s second division – will also be able to return. Lausanne-Sport currently sit 15 points clear at the top of the table, with Chiasso right at the bottom seven points off safety.

The return of sport is one of many happening across Switzerland, with the government starting the second stage of ending lockdown on 11^th May. Schools, museums and restaurants will be among those reopening in under two weeks, with the latter only allowing up to four people per group.

While the Swiss Super League could be back in under five weeks, there will be no fans in the stands. The government are not yet lifting the ban on events with over 1,000 people, which will stay in force until at least the end of August 2020.

St. Gallen 3:3 BSC Young Boys — (Marc Schumacher/freshfocus)

There has been no Super League action since 23^rd February, which saw three games played including a thrilling 3-3 draw between the top two, St. Gallen and BSC Young Boys. St. Gallen remain top of the table on goal difference, while FC Thun are rooted to the bottom of the table.

Each Super League team has 13 games left to play, more than a third of their season. There is still so much to be decided in the Swiss top flight, with the title and relegation spots both separated by goal difference.

The confirmation that Swiss football will return is fantastic news, as professional leagues across Europe decide what to do with their current domestic seasons. UEFA has given European leagues until 25^th May to make a decision, to either complete their season or cancel it.

Switzerland’s announcement over the return of football comes just a day after France announced Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will not resume, with all French sporting events now banned until September. The Dutch Eredivisie was also cancelled last Friday, with league leaders Ajax denied a 35^th league title.

Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s Bundesliga could return as soon as 9^th May if given the go-ahead by the German government. Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty over the fate of the English Premier League season, with talks still ongoing on what to do next.