French football in the most total blur for the post-coronavirus

Ligue 1 and its actors do not mismatch with the whole of the French people. Oscillating between expectation, fear and stupor in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and its collateral damage. Against the backdrop of three essential issues in the minds of French football bosses: the real puzzle of the calendar, the many uncertainties about the duration of confinement and the current suspension of TV rights. So many areas to which no one is able today to provide concrete answers, even less definitive. To each his job. But some decision-makers in the professional world have changed gear on the subject in recent times.

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Languages ​​are loosening, the positions of the start of confinement differ and the formula, so often heard since the end of the matches in mid-March of a "resumption of the championships at all costs", has been somewhat watered down. Speculation about a date for resumption is less heard while the duration of confinement could be extended shortly by the government. Now, voices are even raised on a possible white season. Like the president of Brest, Denis Le Saint, who advanced in L'Equipe last Friday that "the season could not (resumed)" or Jean-Michel Aulas assuring Saturday that the chances of "finishing all the matches (were) more weak (s) ”given the situation. A short time ago, certain leaders announced a recovery on April 15, then in mid-May, on June 15 ... For a total blur. And a sterile debate. In this profusion of opinions and postures, the main players, namely the players, most of whom are placed on partial unemployment, wait (in excellent conditions) and have almost no say. With rare exceptions, all opt for silence and a necessary and well-felt step back in such cases.

The Champions League in August?

The catastrophic and unprecedented situation in the country calls for caution and prevails more than ever for the world of football. The message took a long time to get through. However, all this little world continues to exchange to try to find solutions. Between telephone discussions, a war of ego and the defense of one's pre-square. With more or less clarity and understanding. Between the bosses of clubs wishing to end the season in all cases, those inclined to postpone the exercise to November-December or those who brandish the sanitary aspect to evoke the immediate end of all competitions, difficult to get there find. A meeting of the “Scenari” group of the LFP is thus planned for this Tuesday afternoon to try to move forward. Knowing that UEFA has made it clear that he did not like the final cessation of competitions and, faced with such an option, sanctions could even be sent to the leagues concerned. Atmosphere.

"Games in camera or with supporters are not the same thing at all, but it's always better behind closed doors and in front of the television than nothing at all"

The body headed by Aleksander Ceferin, who governs in concert with all the championships on the European calendar, intends below all to finish this season and in particular the lucrative Champions League. No matter what the cost, even with a tight format (the idea of ​​a Final Four contested in August is gaining in thickness, the national competitions then having to end before July) or matches contested behind closed doors. Business is business. "Games behind closed doors or with supporters is not the same thing at all, but it's always better behind closed doors and in front of the television than nothing at all," boss Boss Ceferin said in a firm speech. This is what people want, it would bring them in this complicated period a positive energy. "

"There is no TV broadcaster who will pay for games that have not been played"

Another element, and not the least, which rightly terrorizes certain presidents of Ligue 1 clubs: the attitude and position of TV broadcasters. Canal + and beIN Sports have released their fangs by assuming that they did not pay the 284 million euros due in the last two payments to the Professional Football League. The reason is all found: no match, no money. An amount which would be definitively lost - and subtracted from the clubs - in the event of a permanent cessation of the championship. "We are not a bank, assumed Monday on Europe 1 the boss of the encrypted chain, Maxime Saada. We don't have to insure the treasury of French football clubs. We apply a contract, we apply the law. Clear positioning, understood by some, less by others. "There is no TV broadcaster who will pay for games that have not been played, that's what happens in other countries," admits Bernard Caïazzo, co-president of Saint-Etienne and boss of the powerful union Premier League. If it's to resume, replay every two days and finish in twenty days, it's ridiculous. It must be resumed under normal conditions. In this crisis situation, we are partners. "

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A real tightrope walker number. Like that of Nasser al-Khelaïfi, president of Paris SG and charged with three other presidents (the Marseillais Jacques-Henri Eyraud, the Toulousain Olivier Sadran and the Niçois Jean-Pierre Rivère) to negotiate with the broadcasters. Unusual when you know that the Parisian leader is also… the boss of beIN Media Group. French football in all its complexity. But the dire situation and the financial shortfall could, as in many companies across the country, cause deep shocks within Ligue 1 clubs. With unprecedented consequences if the crisis continues. The emergency is total.

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