Resumption of Ligue 1: Edouard Philippe remains adamant

At the very end of his speech on phase 2 of deconfinement linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, answered this Thursday a question evoking the possible resumption of the 2019-20 season for the professional championships , and in particular Ligue 1. A legitimate remark when you know that the Bundesliga has started again in Germany for two weeks, that England officially announced the return of the Premier League on June 17 and that Spain and the 'Italy have fixed the resumption of La Liga and Serie A respectively on June 12 and 20.

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A doubly legitimate question even since high-level French sport is now authorized to resume training from June 2. And yet ... "It is not for me to comment on the decisions of Leagues and Federations," replied Edouard Philippe without batting an eyelid. Namely the choice of the Professional Football League to stop definitively on April 30, the 2019-20 fiscal year of Ligue 1. To the great despair of Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of Olympique Lyonnais, who multiplies the actions to try to reverse the process. In vain.

Stadiums closed until June 21, at least

"I don't think the time has come," added the Prime Minister who, a few minutes earlier during the same speech, said that the stadiums remained closed to the public until at least June 21 and that the practice of sports collective was prohibited until the same date.

"They are by definition contact sports, I think for example of football and basketball," continued Edouard Philippe, emphasizing here the fact that physical distance is clearly impossible during a match. It seems to me that for almost two and a half months, the championships and competitions were interrupted for excellent reasons. I assume it perfectly (..) I hope that the start of next season will be soon under normal conditions. I know they (clubs and players) are looking forward to it! "

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