The 2019-20 season in France has been cancelled after the prime minister Edouard Philippe announced football games – even behind closed doors – will not be allowed before September.
Last week, the French Professional Football League (LFP) announced plans for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 to resume on June 17, with UEFA setting a deadline of August 2 for domestic leagues to be completed.
However, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon by Philippe that the return of games will not be authorised before September, even behind closed doors, as part of the next stage of their lockdown plans beyond May 11.
Last week, the French Professional Football League (LFP) announced plans for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 to resume on June 17, with UEFA setting a deadline of August 2 for domestic leagues to be completed.
However, French outlet Le Parisien is reporting that it could be announced on Tuesday afternoon by Philippe that the return of games will not be authorised before August, even behind closed doors.
The report details that while the league and clubs want to resume training after May 11, the government does not see the resumption of professional sport as a priority.
And now French outlet L’Equipe are reporting that the season has been cancelled due to the planned announcement.
Football’s resumption has been viewed as secondary to matters involving tourism and catering in France.
The news comes as it emerges that PSG players have rejected a pay cut, with wage negotiations stalling between the board and the dressing room.
The president of the French scientific council on coronavirus, Jean-Paul Delgraissy, was completely against the resumption of football in the near-future.
‘The answer for the moment is no, since all the places where there can be a significant public will not be open from May 11,’ he said.