The French Federation (FFF) is engaged in a race against time to save the 104th edition of the Coupe de France.
The competition (provisionally) stopped before the 6th round which was scheduled for the first weekend of November.
“For me it's very clear: the Coupe de France will take place this year.
Of course, declared in our columns last week Noël Le Graët, president of the FFF.
We can hold out until January 30.
I really believe that we can find solutions and adapt.
We will manage to manage and find a formula.
"
If sanitary conditions allow, amateur teams will be able to resume competitions on January 20.
The timing is very tight.
Working groups have been working for several weeks to find the right formula to go after the Coupe de France which offers a place in the Europa League to its winner.
For the moment, three options are available to the Federation.
A decision will be taken on December 17 during the Comex (executive committee) of the federation.
An unchanged format
It is still for the moment the preferred option by the FFF even if the days are numbered.
The 32nd should have been played on the first weekend of January but this possibility is now unachievable.
The body therefore wishes to play the 6th, 7th and 8th rounds in January, then the 32nd finals on 9 and 10 February (on the dates initially planned for the quarter-finals) and the 16th-finals on 2 and 3 March (on the dates initially planned for the semi-finals).
It will then be necessary to find a date between March and April to set the round of 16, probably during the week during European Cup matches.
The quarter-finals would then be played on the weekend of April 24 and 25 (initially scheduled for the final).
The semi-finals and the final would be rescheduled in May and on weekdays before the 38 and last day of Ligue 1 on May 23.
An extension of the calendar after this date is impossible because the Euro starts on June 11.
A scheduled 6th round ... next season
If the sanitary conditions do not improve, the FFF will have to consider canceling the current edition.
To prevent amateur clubs hoisted up to the 6th round from being harmed, the body would like to start the competition next season from the 6th round with the clubs qualified for this edition.
The eliminated this season would be at a disadvantage because they could not participate in the Cup next year.
"Even if the event is important, my priority remains the championship," says Mickaël Bertansetti, president of Linas-Montlhéry (N3), beaten last season in the round of 16 by PSG (6-0) and who must face the Lusitanos Saint-Maur (N2) on the 6th lap.
There is nothing simple.
We will adapt to what we are told.
"
A change of formula with two tables
Faced with an insane schedule with championships, European Cups and international matches (2022 World Cup qualifiers), the federation has thought of a change of formula with two tables.
One for amateur clubs and the other for professional clubs.
The teams could then meet in the round of 16.
This option would have the advantage for professional clubs to play their first two rounds in January on the scheduled dates.
Amateur clubs would have more time because the Cup takes priority over the championship.
“This idea is interesting, it is perhaps the solution, estimates Philippe Lemaître, the coach of JA Drancy (N3) who must face FC Parisis (Departmental 1) in the 6th round.
I want us to play the Coupe de France because this competition is magical.
It is the little flame that allows you to motivate yourself in this delicate time for many people.
"