Five years ago, the world was reeling from the catastrophic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Streets were deserted, borders were shut, and everyday life had ground to a halt – football included. The Premier League, along with numerous other competitions, found itself suspended as the virus rapidly proliferated worldwide.
However, on June 17, 2020, after a 100-day hiatus, top-level English football made its much-anticipated comeback. It was a surreal experience: stadiums devoid of fans, players adhering to strict health guidelines, undergoing regular testing, and even the match balls being disinfected before and during play.
Coaches’ voices echoed through the empty arenas, goal celebrations were muted, and substitutions were executed with masks and an abundance of caution.
This was not the football fans remembered – yet it served as a compelling demonstration of resilience, reminding supporters everywhere that even in the darkest hours, the game has a way of persisting.
“Game Zero”: The match that ignited a pandemic
Before we dive into the moment football resumed post-pandemic, we must return to when everything came to a halt. In early 2020, the world was just starting to realise the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis.
Borders remained open, stadiums were packed, and life carried on with an uncomfortable sense of normalcy. But in retrospect, one football match became a chilling representation of how swiftly circumstances could deteriorate.
On February 19, 2020, Atalanta faced Valencia in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash. The match took place at San Siro in Milan, as Atalanta’s home ground did not fulfil UEFA’s criteria.
What should have been a monumental and joyous occasion for Atalanta – their inaugural appearance in the Champions League knockout stage – would soon acquire a more ominous significance.
With over 40,000 fans, a majority from the Bergamo region, converging on Milan and celebrating together in the stands, on public transport, in pubs, and on trains, the match created optimal conditions for the virus to spread.
At that time, COVID-19 was just beginning to be acknowledged as a serious threat in Europe. Masks were a rarity, and no restrictions were enforced.
In the weeks that followed, Bergamo emerged as one of the most severely affected cities in Europe during the initial wave of the pandemic. Hospitals became overwhelmed, and the death toll climbed steeply.
Health officials and local authorities began to suspect that the Atalanta vs. Valencia match had acted as a significant super-spreader event.
The Italian media quickly dubbed it “Partita Zero”, or “Game Zero” in English, representing the moment when the virus might have surged into the broader population due to a single sporting event.
Some Spanish players and staff from Valencia also tested positive after the second leg, reinforcing the evidence.
How COVID-19 halted football
As COVID-19 began spreading uncontrollably, football – like nearly every other facet of daily life – came to an abrupt halt. Leagues across the globe suspended their fixtures, stadiums were abandoned, and training facilities were closed.
From Europe’s elite leagues, such as the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga, to smaller local competitions everywhere, the sport came to a standstill.
The suspension wasn’t confined to one country or region; football came to a halt globally as governments enacted lockdowns and public health measures to combat the virus. International tournaments, including the Champions League, were postponed.
Yet, a handful of exceptions remained. The Belarusian Premier League, for instance, continued to compete throughout the early months of the pandemic, attracting worldwide attention as one of the few top leagues still operational while most others were in lockdown.
The return of football: Premier League’s comeback and summer showdowns
After a break of more than three months, football finally began to return in June 2020. The English Premier League was among the first major leagues to restart, with fixtures resuming on June 17, 2020.
The game appeared fundamentally different with empty stadiums, but its return offered a glimmer of hope and a sense of normalcy to millions.
Just weeks later, Europe’s leading club competitions staged a dramatic and unprecedented finale. Both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League resumed in August 2020 after a suspension in March.
To limit travel and ensure safety, UEFA organised the conclusion of these tournaments as single-leg knockout mini-events. The Champions League’s Final Eight was hosted entirely in Lisbon, Portugal, while the decisive matches of the Europa League took place across four venues in Germany (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, and Gelsenkirchen).
This condensed, high-stakes format produced thrilling matches and surprising results, ultimately crowning new champions amid the looming shadow of the pandemic.
The summer tournaments of 2020 symbolised football’s resilience and adaptability – a sport committed to moving forward, even in the face of a global crisis.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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