Paris
Professional football, rugby and other sports in France cannot resume until the end of the summer because of coronavirus restrictions, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday.
The announcement was made as the government unveiled its plans to gradually end the lockdown in France from May 11.
The move makes the completion of the 2019-2020 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 football seasons and Top 14 rugby union campaign appear increasingly unlikely.
However, France’s sports ministry told AFP after the speech that sports fixtures could not take place even behind closed doors before the end of July, leaving open the possibility that some matches could still be played in August.
In an address to the National Assembly, Philippe said: “The 2019-2020 professional sports leagues, notably football, cannot yet restart.”
“I would like to be precise here, no large sports gathering or any gathering of 5,000 people or more, needing the permission of the local police and long prior arrangements, will be allowed before September,” Philippe added.
Ligue 1 had outlined its intention to resume matches in June, with players being recalled to training as of May 11.
The French football league will hold a teleconference on Thursday to decide what to do next.—APP
