The Women’s Extraliga, which is the highest league in Czech Republic, received an exception to continue the season. The first matches after the Covid-19 break are played on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of January 2021.
On Monday 11th of January, Czech Floorball received positive opinion from the national Ministry of Health, considering the continuation of the season in the Women’s Extraliga. The recommendation of the Nationals Sports Agency contributed to the approval. While the Women’s Extraliga has been paused, the Men’s Livesport Superliga matches have been played since 22nd of November 2020.
– We are very happy that we managed to ensure that the Women’s Extraliga could also start. Thanks to the rules that are set in the league, the competition runs without significant problems and we believe that this convinced the NSA to get an exemption for women as well. It is good that the two highest competitions will run, and I hope that in case of release, other competitions will be launched soon, said Filip Šuman, President of Czech Floorball.
All 12 teams will join the restart on the upcoming weekend. The Extraliga teams had expressed their interest and readiness to continue the season already earlier, regardless of possible regular testing.
– Before we asked for an exception, the Commission of Elite Floorball and Media (KEFAM) communicated with all clubs whether it is possible to start the competition under the given conditions. There is agreement on both the competition system and the deadline. In addition, thanks to antigenic testing, testing costs will be significantly reduced and it is thus possible to complete the entire competition, says Martin Musil, Chairman of KEFAM, described the negotiations on the exception.
The commission met with the clubs already in December and the final confirmation of the conditions of the restart took place during a video conference with the presidents of all Extraliga clubs. The season continues under strict hygiene rules and the matches are played without spectators. Teams are regularly tested, before each match or weekend. Other persons than players, referees or team staff that are listed on the match report, must wear a facemask during their stay in the hall.
Five rounds were completed before the forced break in mid-October. The teams from Ostrava, Vitkovice and FBC Ostrava are on top in the current standings while the last place belongs to Bulldogs Brno.
Source: Czech Floorball
