Despite COVID-19 Spread, Belarus Pro Soccer Continues... International Players' Union "Unacceptable"

The Belarusian Professional Football Premier League kicked off the 2020 season on the 19th of last month and has held 8 matches so far. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Amid the cancellation of major sports events across Europe due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Belarus is the only country continuing to hold football matches, sparking controversy.

The Belarusian Premier League kicked off its new season on the 19th of last month, one week after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Since then, the Belarus league held eight matches over three days from the 27th to the 29th.

According to the British 'BBC', approximately 3,000 spectators gathered at the match between FC Minsk and Dinamo Minsk held on the 28th, most of whom were reportedly not wearing masks.

This has drawn criticism from some quarters as irresponsible. On the 1st, Onas Baar Hoffman, Secretary General of the International Professional Footballers' Association, told the BBC in an interview, "It is hard to understand that Belarusian football continues despite the COVID-19 pandemic."

He added, "No one can explain why Belarus's standards differ from those of countries beyond its borders," pointing out that "there are players locally who are worried."

He also stated, "Common sense dictates that the same standards applied in other countries should be applied in Belarus, and we plan to lobby FIFA and UEFA to that effect."

Alexander Khleif (39), a Belarusian midfielder who previously played for European professional football clubs such as FC Barcelona and Arsenal, expressed concern in an interview with the British media 'The Sun', saying, "While all European football has stopped, European professional footballers can participate in the Belarus league," and added, "Belarusians seem unaware of the seriousness of the situation despite watching what has happened in Italy and Spain."

Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated that "sports are the antidote to COVID-19" and declared that no events, including sports matches, will be canceled. In an interview with local media on the 30th of last month, President Lukashenko said, "It is better to die standing than to live crawling," and claimed, "Exercising on a cold ice rink is the best virus cure."

In another interview, he advised the public, "Every Belarusian should drink 50 ml of vodka daily to prevent COVID-19 infection," and urged, "Work hard, sweat, and regularly use the sauna to boost immunity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.