Netherlands ends Eredivisie, leaving Edson Alvarez without title

Because of the COVID-19 emergency, the government of the Netherlands has decided to ban all organized sporting events including football until September 1. This effectively ended the 2019-2020 Eredivisie season, and many news sites had speculated that this means Ajax, who sit in first place, would be given the title. This would have meant that Edson Alvarez would have won the league in his debut season. But today the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) has announced the season was cancelled and that there would be no championship given, as well as no relegation and no promotion. European spots in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League will still be given out.

The KNVB announced the decision was taken after consulting the club although it has meet some criticism from players like Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech. The ending means that the Dutch federation must talk with UEFA to see which teams go to Europe. Ajax at first place and AZ Alkmaar in second are supposed to qualify to the Champions League qualifying rounds, while Feyenoord at third place would qualify directly to the Europa League. PSV Eindhoven and Erick Gutierrez would qualify to the Europa League qualifying rounds.

The decision means Edson Alvarez will not celebrate a Eredivisie title, becoming the first Mexican to win one in the Eredivisie on a team that isn’t PSV Eindhoven since Hector Moreno won his first title with AZ Alkmaar in 2009. Alvarez had a great start in Ajax with goals in the Champions League, but played less as time went on. Rumors grew of his failure to adapt, including things like how his wife couldn’t live with him in the Netherlands because of being too young. She’s been living in London with their child, as rumors go around that London based Tottenham Hotspur was interested in the Mexican National Team player.