Fans turn to Belarus to fill void

With football at a virtual standstill around the globe, fans in need of their weekly fix are turning to the Belarusian Premier League to fill the void as it carries on with matches despite the coronavirus outbreak.

The league, one of Europe's least glamorous competitions, is drawing foreign fans' attention the decision to carry on and allow fans into stadiums has helped the Belarus Football Federation get broadcasting deals with sports networks in 10 countries, including Russia, Israel and India, where fans have been left with nothing to watch.

It has said it has no intention of postponing matches or cancelling the season it began earlier this month.

While most of its teams, perhaps with the exception of BATE Borisov and Dinamo Minsk, are unknown to the majority of soccer fans, the league is making the most of stoppages to the world's top competitions.

Belarus has so far reported 94 coronavirus cases but has taken few measures to curb the outbreak. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994, has downplayed the need for social distancing and bragged that he continues to play ice hockey and embrace fellow players.

Yuri, a Dinamo Minsk supporter hopes fans will still flip the channel to the Belarusian league when European leagues resume.

"They will not only watch English or Italian leagues, but also the Belarusian one from time to time," he said.