DOHA: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) will not change its format when it resumes on July 24, the organisers said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The QSL will continue to be played in the usual format, with five rounds remaining. Relegation will be applicable in line with the QFA’s regulations only,” said QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan, who is also an Executive Committee member of Qatar Football Association.
The league will be completed between July 24 and August 26 while the QSL will issue circulars for the dates and stadiums of league matches in co-ordination with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and Ministry of Culture and Sports.
On the five substitutions and VAR technology be applied, Hani said: “The QFA will implement the five substitutions approved by FIFA recently and VAR during the matches.”
The QSL has also decided to impose certain restrictions on the media during the last five rounds.
“The pre and post Press will not be held. The statements will be issued through social media platforms. We’ll only have post-match interviews on the field via the Host Broadcaster and social distancing will be maintained between the broadcaster and players.
“Photographers will be allowed access to a special area in the media zone while maintaining the social distance of one-and-a-half metres. But journalists will not be allowed to enter the stadiums and they will cover through broadcasting TV channels,” added the QSL official.
Hani also informed that corona tests will be conducted for all technical and administrative staff and players on June 8 and 9 respectively.
On the transfer window and player registration for 2020-21 season, he said: “The QFA will determine the transfer period for the 2020-21 season. It’ll issue a circular explaining all aspects of the registration process and its dates.”