The spread of the covid-19 coronavirus on European soil has an impact on the sports environment and more broadly on the holding of events that bring together a lot of people. The Paris half-marathon was canceled on Sunday morning, and this could extend to European football matches, even if for the moment those played in France are maintained. On Saturday, for example, Paris Saint-Germain, which largely dominated Dijon 4-0 at the Parc des Princes, had taken its precautions ...
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"We didn't worry for half a second, we came directly. We were afraid it would be canceled because of that ...", said Maxime, a supporter. If psychosis has not invaded the lawn of the Parc des Princes, the PSG still preferred to apply the precautionary principle: no entry on the red carpet in front of the Parc des Princes, no handshake with the opponent and no children, the "escort-kids", to accompany the players on the lawn.
Towards in camera matches?
For the moment, Ligue 1 matches are not postponed, but the situation could change in the coming weeks with unexpected consequences. For example the fear for PSG to play, on March 11, its eighth finals return of the Champions League against Dortmund, without supporters and behind closed doors. "It would be a shame. If it's behind closed doors, it's better to cancel," asked defender Marquinhos, who feared this possibility. "They had their supporters by their side, so we want our supporters too."
The Sports Ministry has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday, and it is almost certain that this match of March 11 PSG-Dortmund will be on the agenda. The example of Italy could be followed, where matches were either postponed or played in empty stadiums.
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The last three matches of the 27th day of Ligue 1 scheduled for today are maintained: Nantes-Lille at 3 p.m., Bordeaux-Nice at 5 p.m., and Lyon-Saint Etienne at 9 p.m. to follow on Europe 1.