This time, it's official!
The Steering Committee of the National Volleyball League, which met on Monday evening, has decided, despite the new confinement put in place in France which requires clubs to play behind closed doors, to continue the professional men's League A championships and women's and men's B League.
"After a day of consultation, organized by division, to which all the players in professional volleyball (clubs, coaches, players) contributed, the decision to continue the championships was taken unanimously", indicates the press release of the league.
The championships will therefore resume in mid-November.
"After a last weekend already cut off by 4 matches in Ligue A and 3 in Women's League A (
Editor's note: because of positive cases of Covid-19 in clubs
), and a potential of 9 disrupted matches next weekend , the days n ° 7 of Ligue A and n ° 8 of Ligue A feminine are postponed, continues the press release.
The 4 matches of the 5th day of Ligue B will take place on Saturday, November 7.
"
"Not playing would have been even more dramatic"
“I tend to agree with this decision,” says Dorian Rougeyron, coach of Paris Volley (Ligue A) who, tested positive, ends his septaine period this week.
There are so many people who cannot go to work when they would like to that we would be crazy to refuse to play when we are given the possibility.
Everyone has valid arguments (
for or against the pursuit of the championship behind closed doors
) but, in the media, not playing would have been even more dramatic.
I also think it's the best decision for the players.
"
The Parisian coach remembers in particular that the sudden end of the season last spring was badly experienced by some players.
“This had caused damage to the morale of the players, I do not know that they would have been the consequences if it had still been the case, he wonders.
It is not known how long the confinement will last.
It will certainly be longer than a month.
What do we do next?
Are we not playing again?
Some players have international deadlines and need to train and play.
"
Press release 📰: The LNV continues on the path of consultation.
After consultations with all the players in Pro Volleyball, the Management Committee will decide on Monday evening the procedure to follow for the rest of the competition.
➡️https: //t.co/foHVWqH60X
- LNV (@LNVofficiel) October 30, 2020
In fact, the matches of the three national divisions will therefore be played behind closed doors - "and in strict compliance with the health protocol in place" according to the press release - because of the confinement, but will be accessible on the LNV TV platform.
The proceeds from these broadcasts will be donated in solidarity and compensation to the receiving clubs.
As for the loss of income linked to the absence of the public during matches, the fact that most clubs are subsidized by the communities should cushion the shock and allow clubs to avoid the crash.