It will be the first of big-five to do so. The 2019/20 season in France will be called off after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced this afternoon the country’s progressive de-escalation measures beyond 11 May, namely the impossibility of holding large demonstrations until the beginning of September – even behind closed doors.
«Major sporting and cultural events, namely festivals – all events with more than 5,000 participants – will need a permit well in advance and cannot happen before September. Thus, the 2019/20 season of professional sports, namely football, cannot start over [agora]», Said this afternoon, when announcing« measures of freedom with exceptions. »
Last week the French League had announced plans for Leagues 1 and 2 to resume on June 17, with a deadline August 2nd to be finished.
This decision directly affects coaches André Villas-Boas (Marseille, 2nd) and Paulo Sousa (Bordeaux, 12th) and several players, such as José Fonte, Xeka, Tiago Djaló and Renato Sanches at Lille (in addition to assistant coaches) or Anthony Lopes at Lyon.
Even the training of the collective modalities cannot be resumed, since Edouard Philippe said that “it will not be possible to practice sports in covered places or collective or contact sports”, nor to gather more than 10 people.
Champions and start of next season at risk
The ending of the Liga dos Campões is also at stake. With PSG and Lyon still in the running, UEFA planned to end the competition in August, but given this government mandate, it remains to be seen how or where teams can play.
The beginning of the next season is also unknown, since the beginning was scheduled for August 23. L´Equipe suggests that the first rounds, before the September date imposed by the executive, be played behind closed doors.
The announced measures are those expected all over Europe, such as the maintenance of teleworking when possible, the obligation to wear a mask in public transport, the opening of schools on a voluntary basis, or the opening of some shops, except cafes.
Great museums will also not be able to open for now. No travel authorization is required, except interregional travel.
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