Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has missed out on his most significant personal accolade after the Dutch football federation (KNVB) cancelled the 2019/2020 Eredivisie season with no title winners and no teams relegated.
The decision to abandon the season follows a government decision to extend a ban on large gatherings until September because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dessers, 25, had been on course to claim the golden boot award after netting a league-leading 15 goals for Heracles in the Dutch topflight prior to the suspension of the season.
The KNVB said the government’s decision to extend the ban on large gatherings meant “it has become impossible to play out the 2019-20 season”.
Ajax had led the table from AZ Alkmaar on goal difference with nine games left but will not be named champions.
Both Ajax and AZ Alkmaar will go into the Champions League qualifying stages while bottom sides ADO Den Haag and RKC Waalwikj will remain in the topflight.
Also, the two top teams in the second division – Eerste Divisie – Cambuur who led with 11 points and De Graafschap will not be promoted.
“Aware of the different visions and interests for the clubs, the KNVB is aware that whatever decision had to be made, every option would hurt somewhere,” the KNVB said.
UEFA on Thursday had given leagues the leeway to end their season early if completing outstanding matches will prove impossible.
However, Europe’s governing body said qualification for European competition will be based on sporting merit rather than coefficients.
Several European leagues are contemplating different scenarios for concluding the season.
The Belgian Pro League is hoping to confirm next week that it will end its season, thereby declaring Club Brugge – who have Super Eagle striker Emmanuel Dennis in their ranks – champions.
The Scottish league could follow suit after a controversial resolution passed last week by the 42 member clubs to award positions on a points-per-game basis.
The lower leagues have already been declared over and doing the same for the Premiership would mean Celtic being handed a ninth successive title with eight games still to play.
In contrast, the German Bundesliga is hoping to restart early next month, with games behind closed doors.
