Which Football Leagues are still going on?

Belarus: The Vysshaya Liga (1st tier) is the only professional league in Europe to keep playing matches despite the pandemic. The league managed to attract many fans from around the world as many football fans are simply desperate to watch some football. It has been a fascinating season so far as Slutsk are top of the league after seven games. BATE Borisov who regularly compete in the Champions League and Europa League are three points behind Slutsk in 3rd place.

Slavia Mozyr (red) take on Vitebsk (blue)

Image Source: Sportingpedia

Faroe Islands: The Faroe Islands top division the Betri Deildin will be the second country in Europe to resume matches starting on May 9. The association's spokesman Hans Erik Danielsen states that "The first few matches it will be without spectators". There are ten teams in the league and the 2020 season will go from May to November. The defending champions Klaksvik will be looking to defend their title, while HB and B36 Torshavn will want bring the trophy to the capital.

This is the Eiði Stadium where EB/Streymur play

Image Source: These Football Times

Nicaragua: Along with Belarus, Nicaragua was one of the only leagues in the world to keep on playing despite the pandemic. Unlike Belarus, the Nicaragua's top division the Liga Primera is playing games behind closed doors. However this hasn't stopped fans from watching the games outside the stadium (see picture below). The league will be finished on the 9th of May as Managua take on Real Esteli in the 2nd leg of the Liga Primera Clausura Final. The 1st leg between the two was 1-1 with Managua having the away goals rule to their advantage.

Managua FC fans sitting on the grass next to the Estadio Nacional as they take on Walter Ferretti. Image Source: ESPN FC

South Korea: The K-League 1 (1st tier) 2020 season is kicking off this Friday. The K-League 1 was originally going to begin on February 29, however it was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Each team will play 27 matches instead of 38 in order to be able to finish the season in time. The matches will begin behind closed doors for now. If any team member or coaching staff get infected with the virus that team won't be allowed to play another match for two weeks according to Reuters. The opening match will be between the defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and Suwon Bluewings.

The Jeonbuk players lift the title and celebrate winning the K-League 1 last year.

Image Source: AFC

Taiwan: The Taiwan Premier League began its season about a month ago on April 14. Fortunately the season's calendar hasn't been affected (knock on wood) as Taiwan has been able to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the moment games have been behind closed doors and it is unclear when fans will be allowed to return to matches. After four matches Taipower are top of the table as the Kaohsiung based team has won every match so far with Hang Yuen only two points behind. The defending champions Taipei Tatung are in 4th place and have seven points.

Players pose for pictures at the 2020 Taiwan Premier League launch

Image Source: Taipei Times

Turkmenistan: The Yokary Liga (1st tier) is at its 7th round of fixtures with matches being played with spectators. The Yokary Liga was suspended from March 20th to April 18th after three rounds of matches. Many fans aren't worried about the coronavirus pandemic, with some fans saying things like, "Sport kills all viruses" and "When your favourite team wins, it lifts your immunity". Ahal FK is top of the table with five wins in six games. The 2019 champions Altyn Asyr are just three points behind Ahal FK.

Altyn Asyr take on Asgabat at the Ashgabat Stadium where both teams play their home games.

Image Source: Betarena

Sources:

MM Footy News