Hungarian football again at the forefront of return to normality

2020. június. 23., 17:55 |

Hungary was one of the first countries in Europe to resume its football season following the COVID-19 pandemic when matches were played from 23rd May onwards. International recognition of a so-far problem-free conclusion to the OTP Bank Liga season has followed, the success of which now means that the new season is planned to start on 2nd August 2020.

Due to the public-health situation in Hungary and the delay to the conclusion of the men's OTP Bank Liga season, the MLSZ Executive Committee had amended the start date of all leagues from July 2nd to August 2nd for the new 2020/21 season.

In practice, this will mean that the competition regulations are amended slightly and that the Merkantil Liga, Hungarian men's football's second tier, will start first on 2nd August with the top tier - the OTP Bank Liga - beginning nearly two weeks later on 15th August. The women's top division, the Simple Női Liga, and the men's futsal league championship will commence at the end of August to align with the international matchday calendar.

A consequence of the virus pandemic is that many of Hungary's leagues ended early and the table were finalised according to the clubs' positions at that point. In regard to NB III (Hungary's 3rd tier with three regional divisions alongside each other), the competition regulations will be amended so that instead of the current 48 teams (3x16 teams), 60 teams (3x20) will participate. In addition to the first teams of 37 clubs already in NB III, 13 teams from the top tier of the various county leagues will be admitted, as well as 10 reserve teams of OTP Bank Liga clubs, for whom only four players born before 31st December 1999 can play at any one time.