Sylvain Kastendeuch, co-president of the UNFP players' union (statement sent to AFP): “The government has understood that the economic emergency should not take precedence over the public health imperative. Sport, and football in particular, were no exception. We welcome this responsible decision. We must now act collectively to build a virtuous tomorrow's football, guaranteeing fairness on the national territory and on a European scale, and where the players must be at the center of the game. ”
Raymond Domenech, president of the Unecatef coaching union (AFP): “In my opinion, the announcements have no direct meaning on the end of the championship. This poses new questions, which are now: will we finish the season when we can resume? Or do we stop by attacking directly the following season? I have no response. The coaches are always in the idea of taking over if the sanitary conditions put in place allow it. The rest - resume in September, October or December - is not the real question. The real question is: under what conditions can we resume? Afterwards, everyone has their opinion. Those who are European want to stop, those who are relegated want to resume. Everyone sees according to their position. ”
Grégory Lorenzi, sports director of the Stade Brestois (AFP): “We could not move forward before having the firm and final decision of the government. Today, the decision to stop the 2019/2020 championship is rather a logical decision in relation to the situation and the health crisis we are going through. From now on, it is necessary to rule this season and especially not to compromise the 2020/2021 season. Now it is unthinkable to be able to leave players four months without activities. (On the financial aspect) There will necessarily be an impact. There were still two drafts (of TV rights) that the club had to collect and that we had taken into account in the budget for the season. There will necessarily be a shortage. But we are still lucky to have a club which is rather in good financial health, we will not have to sell to be able to make up a deficit. It’s just a cash flow concern today. ”
Olivier Sadran, president of Toulouse FC, last in Ligue 1 (on the L'Equipe website): “What drove everyone to pursue was the economic risk. From my point of view, it has stabilized. For me, football wins by not continuing. It was not, moreover, the will of the supporters. The country is currently suffering from health problems. He will return to economic distress. It would have been very frowned upon to dissociate yourself from this. Politicians have made the right decision. ”
Pierre Révillon, president of the National Supporters Association (ANS) and member of the ultra lensois Red Tigers (AFP): “These few months without football are long but remain secondary in view of the situation. This decision seems to us to be coherent in the light of the situation and in line with our request not to resume in a hasty manner, to preserve everyone's health. It indirectly helps to reframe certain leaders who want to take over at all costs to the detriment of everyone's health. ”
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