Chelsea have been handed the Women’s Super League, WSL title after the league was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. But Liverpool have been relegated after the season was decided on a points-per-game basis.
Chelsea were handed the WSL title even with 45 games still left to play in the current campaign.
Emma Hayes’ Blues were second, one point behind Manchester City with a game in hand, but leapfrogged their rivals to claim the WSL title based on sporting merit. Dailymail reports.
Liverpool were bottom of the table by a point when the season was suspended by had played a game more than Birmingham who were just above them.
The club, who were founding members of the WSL when it was launched in 2010, said they were ‘disappointed’ at the decision to curtail the season and believed they would have had the resources to finish the campaign.
A statement read: ‘Liverpool FC is disappointed by today’s decision on how the 2019-20 Women’s Super League season has been concluded, which will see the Reds relegated to the Championship.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic has presented huge, ongoing challenges around the world, the majority far more important than football. The focus of our women’s team and staff since the beginning of the crisis was to be ready to return to WSL play when it was safe and proper to do so.
‘We believe we would have been able to meet all operational requirements but a return to play was deemed impractical.
‘As proud founder members of the WSL, our fans greatly value our position within the league and we hoped for the opportunity to secure our status on the pitch.
‘We enjoyed several notable firsts as a women’s team this season – including a first WSL game at Anfield – and we are committed to continuing to grow the women’s game in this country with our fellow teams.’
The FA board reached a ‘majority decision’ to decide the final positions which will also see Arsenal miss out on Champions League qualification with Chelsea and Man City representing English clubs next season.
Everton and Tottenham were the only other two clubs to move positions with the Blues jumping ahead of the London club into sixth.
Aston Villa were crowned champions of the second tier and promoted to the WSL for the first time. They were six points clear of Sheffield United in second.
Kelly Simmons, FA Director of the Women’s Professional Game, explained the decision to decide the season on points-per-game, saying: ‘Firstly, I would like to thank the clubs for their ongoing collaboration and support throughout this period
‘They have played a crucial role in helping to shape the decision-making process, with the welfare of the players and clubs first and foremost.
‘I would also like to congratulate the players, coaches and staff of Chelsea and Aston Villa. Although the 2019-20 season has been prematurely curtailed, it has been a hard-fought campaign and their success is well deserved, with the outcome based on sporting merit.
‘Women’s football has made huge strides in recent years, and the FA has been at the forefront of investment and support to help grow women’s football at every level of the game. Our commitment to the women’s game is unwavering and we will continue to work closely with the clubs to ensure we come back even stronger for the 2020-21 campaign.’