It is now official.
Like volleyball, and in a certain way basketball, professional men's handball will continue its activity, in a highly regulated health context since the announcement of the reconfinement.
So decided the National Handball League (LNH) and its clubs by a very large majority this Wednesday in general assembly, thus following the government's position to authorize the continuation of professional sport activities, subject to scrupulously respecting the constraints in camera.
Since the start of the season, professional clubs have been facing the crisis caused by Covid-19.
After the positive tests which affected many clubs (Ivry, Créteil, Nantes, Montpellier, Tremblay…), the re-containment has added an additional difficulty.
Without spectators, and therefore without ticketing, should we continue the competitions behind closed doors, or simply temporarily stop them as several clubs (Nantes, Chambéry, Aix) wished?
"We had to choose the least bad scenario: stop playing or play with economic constraints are two hypotheses that can quickly lead to the bankruptcy of our clubs most weakened by the situation," said David Tebib, interim president of the NHL and Nîmes in a press release.
We adopt an approach of combativeness, faithful to the values of our sport, being convinced that the public authorities will end up recognizing our mission of public utility as well as the singularity of our model of professionalism.
"
[# press release] The leaders of the men's hand pro have decided to continue despite the closed-door measures, the @LidlStarligue and the @Proligue, despite the immediate economic difficulties facing the clubs in these conditions ➡️ https: // t.co/ZLgwMc18M2 pic.twitter.com/LrhlQFzv01
- LNHofficiel (@LNHofficiel) November 4, 2020
In its press release, the NHL, which speaks of "a question of survival" for its sport, also presents another argument, that of the density of the sports calendar: "The second part of the season is such, especially with the programming of international competitions, that the multiplication of the number of postponed matches would ultimately amount to canceling them, destroying more values than the solution of playing behind closed doors.
"
In addition, the press release specifies that "the evolution of the health situation, the possible extension of the confinement period, and finally the outcome of discussions with the public authorities as to legitimate financial support, may, at any time, lead to the NHL to change the organization and conduct of its competitions.
"
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Finally, note that for professional women's handball, the LFH also decided to maintain the D1 championship in November (7th, 8th, 9th day).
The other national competitions (N2, N3 and U18 for men, N1, N2 and U17 for women) are however suspended until the end of the year.