The K-League had been scheduled to start February 29 but on that day there were 909 infections of the virus, the country's highest daily total. Soccer authorities have regularly consulted with medical experts and were advised that if the number of new cases fell below 30 for two weeks, then the league season could start. And so the action begins with defending champion Jeonbuk Motors facing Suwon Bluewings on Friday night in the southwestern city of Jeonju. ``Thanks to the hard work of the South Korean medical workers and the population's active participation in social distancing, the league can start,'' K-League President Kwon Oh-gap told the Associated Press. No fans will be allowed in stadiums, many which were built for the 2002 World Cup and have capacities of over 40,000.

Source: The Standard May 07, 2020 07:52 UTC