The news broke unexpectedly on the morning of Tuesday, January 19. Amateur clubs still qualified in the Coupe de France are allowed to resume training this week to play their late matches on the weekend of January 30 and 31. This is the case of Luzenac AP (Regional 1) which must host Colomiers (National 2) on behalf of the 6th round.
Authorizing amateur clubs to play in the Coupe de France, the announcement shook David Gomes, co-trainer of the Luzenaciens. “It makes no sense. There is no fairness. Colomiers can train during the day while we, with the curfew, can only get together on Saturdays. ”
Training in Toulouse and Ariège
Remember that the LAP has been training in two groups, one in Toulouse, the other in Ariège, for many weeks. “We are waiting for the last details to see how we will organize ourselves and if we can train normally. Before the game, there are only ten days. It would be nice if we could at least train four times. There is a real lack of respect for amateur football ”We must save the Coupe de France and, above all, the TV rights that go with it. After having already split the competition in two (professionals on one side, amateurs on the other until the round of 16; 15 qualified professional clubs, 17 amateurs), now amateur football is asked to hurry up to play their matches. “This year, the Coupe de France looks more and more like the Coupe de la Ligue” smiles (yellow) David Gomes.
Package if a positive case is declared in the team
According to a press release yesterday by the FFF, the 7th, 8th rounds and 32nd finals of the Coupe de France amateurs must take place on the first three weekends of February. If the LAP goes that far, it must therefore play every weekend from January 30 and 31. There is no more time to lose. “We are going to prepare badly for this match. I hope there won’t be big problems or big injuries. ” To be able to play, the clubs will have to adhere to a strict health protocol. To resume training, all players will have to pass a PCR test which will be negative. No doubt that it will also be necessary to pass another one before the official competitions.
In camera
Obviously, the matches will be played behind closed doors, at the beginning of the afternoon of Saturday 30 or Sunday 31 January to respect the curfew (it is rumored that LAP-Colomiers could be played on Sunday 31 January at 12 noon in Paul-Fédou). What happens if a player tests positive? The FFF has planned everything: “If a team is unable to participate in (a) meeting due to the isolation of all or part of its workforce or for lack of tests, it will be eliminated. by package. ” On the day of the match, a doctor will be present to check everything. “Who is going to pay for it?” Asks the LAP co-trainer. There are still more questions than answers. We have to go fast. Very quickly. What about the eliminated teams when the championships still have no resumption date? “If we lose against Colomiers, it may be our last game of the year” quips David Gomes. We can train for the Coupe de France but not for the championship. Like many, David Gomes lost his Latin there.
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