By 
All professional football activities
in France has been cancelled until the end of the summer due to the coronavirus
restrictions, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday.
in France has been cancelled until the end of the summer due to the coronavirus
restrictions, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday.
The
French government made this announcement to unveiled its plans to gradually end
the lockdown in France from May 11.
French government made this announcement to unveiled its plans to gradually end
the lockdown in France from May 11.
This
immediate move makes the completion of the 2019-2020 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
football seasons and Top 14 rugby union campaign appear increasingly unlikely.
immediate move makes the completion of the 2019-2020 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
football seasons and Top 14 rugby union campaign appear increasingly unlikely.
Speaking
after the announcement, the country’s sports minister revealed to AFP that
sporting activities could not take place even behind closed doors before the
end of July, leaving open the possibility that some matches could still be
played in August.
after the announcement, the country’s sports minister revealed to AFP that
sporting activities could not take place even behind closed doors before the
end of July, leaving open the possibility that some matches could still be
played in August.
In
an address to the National Assembly, Philippe said: “The 2019-2020
professional sports leagues, notably football, cannot yet restart.”
an address to the National Assembly, Philippe said: “The 2019-2020
professional sports leagues, notably football, cannot yet restart.”
“I
would like to be precise here, no large sports gathering or any gathering of
5,000 people or more, needing the permission of the local police and long prior
arrangements, will be allowed before September,” Philippe added.
would like to be precise here, no large sports gathering or any gathering of
5,000 people or more, needing the permission of the local police and long prior
arrangements, will be allowed before September,” Philippe added.
It
was earlier reported that Ligue 1 had map out its intention to resume matches
in June, with players being recalled to training as of May 11. The French
football league is expected to hold a teleconference on Thursday to decide what
to do next.
was earlier reported that Ligue 1 had map out its intention to resume matches
in June, with players being recalled to training as of May 11. The French
football league is expected to hold a teleconference on Thursday to decide what
to do next.
Noel Le Graet, the president of
the French Football Federation, said that he thinks the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
seasons are “over”.
the French Football Federation, said that he thinks the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
seasons are “over”.
“We
informed the executive board, what it already knew, that Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
will not start, that the National (third tier) will not start or the Women’s D1
either,” Le Graet told Brittanny-based newspaper Le Telegramme.
informed the executive board, what it already knew, that Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
will not start, that the National (third tier) will not start or the Women’s D1
either,” Le Graet told Brittanny-based newspaper Le Telegramme.
“These
four competitions are definitively over for the 2019-2020 season.”
four competitions are definitively over for the 2019-2020 season.”
From
all indications, If the season is abandoned, it begs the question of which
teams would qualify for next season’s Champions League and Europa League and
whether teams would be relegated.
all indications, If the season is abandoned, it begs the question of which
teams would qualify for next season’s Champions League and Europa League and
whether teams would be relegated.
The Dutch football federation
last week became the first in Europe to call an end to its season, with no team
declared champions and promotions and relegations scrapped.
last week became the first in Europe to call an end to its season, with no team
declared champions and promotions and relegations scrapped.
The
Belgian Pro League is expected to follow suit, although other leagues are still
hoping to resume, with the German Bundesliga planning for a possible return in
mid-May.
Belgian Pro League is expected to follow suit, although other leagues are still
hoping to resume, with the German Bundesliga planning for a possible return in
mid-May.
The
Tour de France is set to go ahead, though, albeit with restrictions on the
number of spectators.
Tour de France is set to go ahead, though, albeit with restrictions on the
number of spectators.
Organisers
have already moved cycling’s showpiece event from its traditional mid-summer
slot and it is now scheduled to start in Nice on August 29.
have already moved cycling’s showpiece event from its traditional mid-summer
slot and it is now scheduled to start in Nice on August 29.
Around
23,000 people have died so far of coronavirus-linked illnesses in France.
23,000 people have died so far of coronavirus-linked illnesses in France.
Schools
and shops will re-open in May but restaurants and bars will remain closed for
now, as will large museums, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
and shops will re-open in May but restaurants and bars will remain closed for
now, as will large museums, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
