Handball: the end of the amateur championships

Rugby was the first federation to announce the end of its amateur championships on Friday February 26.

The same outcome is emerging for volleyball, basketball and even football after the statements of the president of the FFF, Noël Le Graët.

Meeting this Friday, the management office of the French Handball Federation (FFH) formalized its decision to stop its amateur championships: “For the 2020-2021 season, the management office of the FFH announces the end of all championships and cups of amateur handball throughout the metropolitan area.

The climbs and descents for all amateur levels are frozen, except for the accession of the two teams to VAP status of National 1 men and for the Division 2 women (championship subject to ministerial exemption) ", he indicates in a communicated.

A plan of 12 million euros

At the same time, the FFH will put in place support measures for these clubs and licensees.

"The objectives of this plan are multiple and will allow clubs to reconnect with their practitioners and volunteers, to finish the season and start the next one in the best conditions," she continues.

Beyond the measures voted for the clubs in 2020 (one million euros), the federation will reimburse the commitments of national competitions for the 2020/2021 season.

To retain its licensees, the federal portion will be free for any license renewal for the 2021/2022 season.

The cost of these two measures amounts to more than five million euros.

The FFH wishes to facilitate the resumption of practice wherever possible as soon as possible, by providing support and support to clubs commensurate with the challenge that awaits all of us in the months to come.

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The Federation specifies that this plan will cost it 12 million euros, or 40% of its budget, but that it "will assume responsibility for the risks associated with the pandemic" and "wishes through these strong decisions to affirm its support and solidarity to all licensees and clubs whose concerns it hears and shares its difficulties ”.