Baseball, football in Japan not expecting fans

Japan’s professional baseball payers of Hanshin Tigers celebrate their win over Fukuoka Softbank Hawks following their pre-season games behind closed doors in Fukuoka on February 29, 2020. (Photo by STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT

It’s still not clear when baseball or football will resume in Japan but it will likely be without fans when it does.

That was the decision when the heads of Japanese professional baseball and football met in online meetings.

Japanese baseball commissioner Atsushi Saito says “my feelings that I want to start the season without spectators haven’t changed.”

Baseball and football officials both agreed nothing could begin until a state of emergency was lifted in Japan. The earliest that can happen is May 6. They are expected to wait until that date before moving forward.

The J-League’s top two football divisions were suspended in February. Japanese baseball played some preseason games without fans before all play was stopped.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.