Football In Mali To Resume Under Strict Conditions

The Malian government has cleared Orange Ligue1 Championship to resume competitive action in July.

Professional football in Mali has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 100 deaths nationwide, a toll which ranks tenth in Africa.

Teams have already resumed training, with Malian Football Association (FEMAFOOT) revealing that the strict measures have been put in place.

First, all players and officials will have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 tests, while temperature tests will be done under the supervision of top medical experts.

Players and officials travelling in team buses will be required to sit far apart so that they meet the standards of social distancing, which will also be applied within the stadium itself.

FEMAFOOT has been urged to make sure they have enough water in place as well as sanitizers (inside and outside match venues), and all this will be used when entering the pitch before matches.

The league will also resume behind closed doors as part of social distancing guidelines designed to minimize the risk of spreading infection.

Substitutes sitting on the bench will be required to wear masks and must sit a meter apart, while players coming off the pitch will be required to wear masks immediately leaving the field.

FEMAFOOT has confirmed they will release fixtures for the remaining rounds of matches on Friday.

The Malian elite division was suspended in mid-March with eight matches having been played, although a larger percentage of the clubs in the 23-team competition had several outstanding fixtures.

The 22-time champions Djoliba currently top the log having accrued 46 points from 18 appearances – four points above second-placed Stade Malien.