We would like to inform you that our club's U-23 team's withdrawal from the 2020 Meiji Yasuda J3 League has been approved by the J.League Board of Directors.
Reason for Declining Participation
・Stadium availability is difficult
There are limited stadiums available for use in the J3 League in Tokyo. Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection, sports activities will be resumed as a whole in the future. However, the J-League has been unable to hold a significant number of matches for approximately four months, including those affected by the Olympics and Paralympics. As a result, there is a need to play many matches in a short period of time. Additionally, there is a possibility that the schedule will be congested not only for the J-League but also for other organizations such as the Nadeshiko, social, university, and high school soccer. This may lead to a shortage of available stadiums.
In Tokyo, we use Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka, Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium, and Yumenoshima Stadium. However, in the future, it is expected to be very difficult to secure stadiums due to overlapping schedules with other sports organizations, as well as the impact of the Olympics and Paralympics.
□ President Naoki Oogane's Comment
"From the 2016 season, we have participated in the J3 League with the aim of developing a U-23 team as a development-oriented club. Although this season was the final year, we have decided to withdraw due to the reasons mentioned above. In the midst of various changes in the schedules of different sports due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection, it has become difficult to secure a stadium, and we regretfully made this decision. We continue to strive forward as a development-oriented club without stopping. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the J3 clubs and everyone involved by withdrawing at this timing."
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to all the officials of the J.League and the officials of each club in J3 who approved our participation, even though it was a short period of four years.
