A panel of medical experts convened by Japan's top sports leagues in baseball and soccer to address issues related to the coronavirus outbreak advocated on Monday that they both delay their regular seasons.
"We feel it is desirable to postpone [the season]," the panel said in a statement.
It was the second meeting of the panel, set up by Nippon Pro Baseball and soccer's J.League and chaired by Mitsuo Kaku, a specially appointed professor at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University.
The two leagues will decide individually on how to proceed taking into account the panel's recommendation.
At this point, the J.League, which has already played one round of matches, is scheduled to resume playing on March 18, while pro baseball's Opening Day is slated for March 20 with games in both the Central and Pacific leagues.
"The opinion of the scholars will be the base on which we discuss the details on what to do with the season-opening on March 20," NPB Commissioner Atsushi Saito said, adding, "At this point, it seems unavoidable that we will have to delay the season."
From now, the 12 teams will discuss the matter and decide which way they will lean in terms of postponing the season or not.
Likewise, J.League Chairman Mitsuru Murai, speaking on the timing of resuming the season, said, "At this juncture, it will be very difficult to restart the season on the 18th."
The second meeting of the panel, held in Tokyo, was also attended as observers by leading sports officials from the Japan Olympic Committee, Japan High School Baseball Federation and other organizations.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
