It is the last division in Europe to still be playing amid the coronavirus pandemic
The Belarus Premier League has signed ten new TV rights deals as it continues to play despite the coronavirus pandemic.
The division is the last to still be playing in Europe professionally, as the continent sees sporting events cancelled due to measures taken to combat the covid-19 virus.
This has seen it gain popularity with foreign supporters, and result in a flood of rights deals with broadcasters. The Guardian has reported that sport networks in Russia, Israel, and India are among those to have signed 10 new agreements with the Belarusian FA.
Belarus Football Federation spokesperson Aleksandr Aleinik said: “We’ve taken all the measures recommended by the Sports Ministry. All those who are in contact with fans are supplied with gloves.”
The league continues to play as the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who has led the country since 1994, has downplayed the potential damage of the virus andrefused to bring in many measures to combat its spread. Currently, there are 152 reported cases in the country, and no reported deaths.
Broadcasters across the world are struggling to find content for their sports channels with the lack of live events. his has led to moves to show esports, original content, and archive footage during the hiatus from traditional content.