The Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League (DDPL) has been suspended under the strengthened Covid-19 health and safety regulations being implemented by Health Protection Agency (HPA).
The Football Assiciation of Maldives (FAM) confirmed that the DDPL will be temporarily halted as per the new health and safety regulations put forth by HPA to combat he spread of Covid-19, which has been at concerning levels in the capital of Male' where the DDPL is hosted.
In a press conference held on Tuesday, Spokesperson for the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) Dr. Nazla Rafeeq announced that sporting events and related gatherings will be discontinued across the country in light of the present situation of Covid-19 in the country. Dr. Nazla added that individual exercise was still permitted, but noted that the ban may need to be extended beyond two weeks if transmission of Covid-19 cannot be controlled within that period.
Following this, FAM announced that they would be discontinuing the DDPL, and have not announced a date for when the league will resume. While the league was suspended on Wednesday, the match set to be played between Super United Sports (SUS) and Club Eagles, in addition to the match between Green Streets and United Victory (UV), have been cancelled without a rescheduling.
The DDPL commenced the new season in December 2020 after having received a special permit from HPA to host the season in Male' City. The DDPL was kicked-off with the Charity Shield match on 13 December, and continued until Tuesday with FAM having adopted special protocols in light of the pandemic.
No supporters have been allowed inside the national stadium to spectate this year's DDPL season, and the league has now been cancelled halfway through the second round. While 34 matches were played in the DDPL thus far, reigning champions Maziya Sports and Recreation are positioned at the top of the point-table with 21 points from nine matches played. Club Valencia and Da Grande Sports Club are in second and third place in the DDPL respectively, with each team having won 15 points from nine matches played.
