The paper (large format) has yellowed but the memories remain. The Team took a trip back in time this Thursday with a title: "And are we playing at 22?" The general assembly of the Professional Football League, meeting by videoconference Wednesday adopted with 57% of the votes the principle of a League 2 enlarged from 20 to 22 teams next season. Orleans and Le Mans, the last two of L2 at the time of the interruption of the season pronounced at the end of April due to the coronavirus pandemic, would avoid relegation. Thierry Gomez, president of Le Mans, 19th in Ligue 2 summed up to AFP: "It is a great victory for football, even if it is a half victory for the moment, which perfectly respects the rules. I hope this victory will be definitively transformed. The FFF has no obligation to discuss this subject in Comex, but I think it would be good if they took hold of this subject to validate it definitively to close - we definitely hope - this episode that we lived with the Covid and allow us to quickly plan for the next season, with a positive message. ”
But there is still a long way to go before this decision is validated. Noël Le Graët has always firmly opposed it and will have the last word on this matter. The president of the Federation does not want an exception while Ligue 1 and all the amateur championships have generated downhills. Noël Le Graët summed up in L'Equipe : "I'm going to consult. I'm going to look at our texts and we will make a decision early next week. ” It still remains to find a consensus around the distribution of television revenues between L1 and L2. One of the last battles between French football players to end this never-ending season. A cacophonous soap opera that inspired L'Equipe . This Thursday, the daily newspaper under a photo of the president of the FFF marble titled "And we play at 22?". A front page referring to that of May 6, 1998 after the announcement by Aimé Jacquet of an enlarged list of 28 players instead of the 22 traditionally presented. The editorial was then titled: "We dream". The quarrel between the national coach and the sports daily was over. It would last throughout the competition, never to die out. An episode awakened this Thursday to illustrate French football which over the weeks, from grievances to recriminations, only discredits itself.
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