From the match PSŽ – Monaco, Photo: AP
It’s the country of world champions, but is it really a soccer country – that’s the question some in France are asking this Sunday as its neighbors work to bring back the sport. The debate has, in essence, been going on since the French league decided to end the season at the end of April. In contrast, it has been two weeks since the restart of the German Bundesliga. Italy’s sports minister confirmed on Thursday that Serie A will return on June 20, Spain’s La Liga will resume on June 11, and the Premier League will also return. “Like idiots” – was the headline on the front page of “L’ekip” on Friday as the sports daily questioned the league’s hasty decision to end the season. The decision at the time was based on the statement of French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe that the season could not continue because the pandemic was at its peak at the end of April. However, France has been easing the measures introduced due to the coronavirus in recent weeks, and Philippe said on Thursday that team sports could start after June 21.
The government also approved the clubs to play friendly matches in July, which is also a paradox… “We will be the only major football country in Europe that sticks to this decision and is not conditioned by the development of the pandemic and the easing of measures,” writes “L’ team”. Paris Saint-Germain was declared the champion, Amiens and Toulouse were relegated from the league, due to which those clubs filed lawsuits. However, the leading voice against ending the season came from Lyon president Jean-Michel Ole. Lyon was seventh in the table and does not go to European competitions. Neither Lyon nor PSG will play competitive games before the resumption of the Champions League, which is expected in August. “I am absolutely convinced that what happened is not good for the clubs and French football as a whole,” Ola said.
News