France’s Ligue 1 2019/20 season has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
The top two leagues in France have been cancelled and the current plan is to start the 2020/21 season in August.
“Info: For Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, seasons ended. Possible resumption in August for the 2020-2021 edition,” L’Equipe report.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced the country’s ‘deconfinement’ plan beyond the current lockdown date of May 11.
There will be no sporting events, even behind closed doors, before August, leaving the football authorities in France with no option but to cancel this campaign.
Speaking at a press conference, Philippe said: “The big sporting affairs cannot occur before September. The 2019/20 football season cannot return.”
The French football board had hoped to resume Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 on June 17, with UEFA setting a deadline of August 2 for domestic leagues to be completed.
However, it has been confirmed this afternoon that the return of football matches in France will not be authorised before August.
Further reports claim that the football authorities in France will meet next month to discuss ramifications for promotion, relegation and Champion League/Europa League qualifications.
Jean-Paul Delgraissy, the president of the French scientific council on coronavirus, was adamant that football should not be returning amid the global pandemic.
“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 explained.
“We give ourselves a few weeks. We are watching what is happening.”
