Ligue 1, suspended since March 13 because of the coronavirus health crisis, will resume “at best on June 15”, according to Bernard Caïazzo, president of the syndicate of clubs of L1 Premier League and the supervisory board of Saint-Etienne. “We cannot play until the curve is reversed. That is to say in July-August, at best on June 15, “said Bernard Caïazzo in an interview with” France Bleu Loire “.
Even the possibility of such a late recovery should not prevent this season from ending, according to the Stéphane manager, “very very worried” about the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the financial health of clubs.
“We have to finish the championship at all costs. Even if it means ending the exercise in July-August, and resuming in stride, “insists Bernard Caïazzo despite the dropout of his club, 17th in Ligue 1 and first non-relegation.
“Without state aid, half of the clubs file for bankruptcy”
“Without state aid, within six months, half of the pro clubs will file for bankruptcy,” he said. The five major European championships have already lost four billion euros, the French championship between 500 to 600 million. ”
Even in the event of partial unemployment, as decided by Lyon and Marseille, it is capped at 4.5 times the minimum wage (minimum wage for growth), around 5,500 euros net. And the overwhelming part of the players’ salaries remains the responsibility of the clubs, recalls the leader of the Greens.
“There are not many footballers who earn 6,000 euros,” he says. Behind, these are the clubs that will have to pay. And currently, they have no more revenue. ”
170 million TV rights lost
“Afterwards, there will be the absence of a transfer window, Bernard Caïazzo is already planning. Our neighbors will not have the resources to buy players this summer. However, the Ligue 1 clubs are counting on sales by the end of June. Not to mention the 170 million euros in less TV rights, and the shortfall in ticketing for clubs. ”
AFP
Created: 23.03.2020, 00h13
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