J.League holds 16 matches in 1st action since late February

The J.League resumed action on Saturday, its first games since play was suspended in late February because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The second division (J2) held nine matches in its second round of games and the third division (J3) played seven matches in its opening round, all without spectators in various venues.

V-Varen Nagasaki and Giravanz Kitakyushu players refrained from shaking hands prior to the kickoff at the Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki in Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture, and expressed appreciation to medical workers with a round of applause.

Banners with the names of sponsors were placed in the stands in the seats usually reserved for fans.

The top-division matches are set to resume on July 4, and the league plans a gradual return of spectators to stadiums, starting with a J2 match on July 10.