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France’s Ligue 1 season called off amid coronavirus pandemic

By Ernesto Hernandez

A photograph taken on March 14, 2020 shows the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris. - The French football season has been suspended "until further notice" because of the coronavirus outbreak, the LFP, which runs the elite Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, announced on March 13, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
A photograph taken on March 14, 2020 shows the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris. - The French football season has been suspended "until further notice" because of the coronavirus outbreak, the LFP, which runs the elite Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, announced on March 13, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Ligue 1 becomes the latest league to call off its season because of the coronavirus.

French prime minister Edouard Philippe announced the end of both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 as the country will not host any sporting events until at least September.

"“Big sporting events will not be able to take place before September, Philippe said. “The 2019-20 season, notably for football, will not be able to resume.”Source: ESPN"

According to ESPN, French federation president Noel Le Graet confirmed the decision shortly thereafter. He also ruled out the possibility of restarting the season in January or February.

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France joins the Netherlands who also called off the Eredivisie with no team winning the league or being relegated.

Despite UEFA wanting seasons to be completed and calling for leagues to communicate a plan on how to finish their respective seasons, the likelihood of these seasons not restarting any time soon and possible being abandoned grows by the day.

The Portuguese league, Liga NOS, are set to host their own meeting about how to finish their season as they would rather not cancel it, according to Marca.

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, has been adamant in his decision that the Spanish league will resume and come to a completion one way or another. His stance got a boost from the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

According to The Guardian, Sanchez announced that professional athletes would be able to return to training on May 4. He unveiled a four-step process on easing lockdown restrictions with the ultimate goal of returning to some sense of normality by June.

The safety of the Ligue 1 players, training staff and those within the club should be the main concern with all that’s going on. The safest decision does seem to be to cancel the season outright. But because of every party involved, not everyone is comfortable with making that decision.

Football is a business and broadcast holders, as well as sponsors, have gained more influence in how certain things are done. Every league is going to come to a point where they have to make a decision and decide what is more important.

Is finishing out the season because of the money they stand to lose more important or will they cancel it for the health of the players, their clubs and fans?

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France and the Netherlands have made their decisions. Whatever the rest of the leagues decide, regardless of what they decide to do, will be met with criticism. In that aspect, they find themselves in a no-win situation.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.

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