The 2019-20 season in France has been cancelled on Tuesday after the prime minister Edouard Philippe announced football games – even behind closed doors – will not be allowed before September.
Last week, the French Professional Football League (LFP) announced plans for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 to resume on June 17, with UEFA setting a deadline of August 2 for domestic leagues to be completed.
However, it was announced on Tuesday afternoon by Philippe that the return of games will not be authorised before September, even behind closed doors, as part of the next stage of their lockdown plans beyond May 11.
Newspaper L’Equipe reported that the season had been cancelled ahead of the planned announcement.
And Philippe confirmed it during his statement: ‘The big sporting affairs cannot occur before September. The 2019-20 football season cannot return.’
While it will be permissible for people to exercise outdoors after May 11, he added: ‘It will not be possible to practice sport in covered places, nor team or contact sports.
