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France officially ended the 2019-2020 football season on Thursday, activating the 9th PSG title, European qualifications and promotions-relegations, not without controversy and disputes. A situation far from unprecedented in Europe, since several countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium or Scotland, have marked the end of the season, creating the threat of a rain of litigation. Others, like Italy, Spain and England, still keep hope of finishing their season. Overview of the different countries.
In the Netherlands, "the biggest scandal in history"
The Dutch Federation (KNVB) was the first to formally end its championship, deciding that there would be no champion, no relegation, no promotion. Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, leaders separated only by goal difference, agreed not to be decided on the green carpet. But behind them, it's booming, starting with FC Utrecht who saw the European ticket soar that he could win via the championship or with the Dutch Cup final.
At the lower level, the decision also made waves. The clubs of D2 Cambuur Leuwaarden and De Graafschap, practically assured of the climb to Eredivisie, remain at the quay but do not disarm. Cambuur decided to take the case to court, criticizing "the lack of transparency of the KNVB" and a decision "unethical sports", which will deprive the club "of revenues estimated at 1.5 million euros "in the event of a climb. The lack of promotions is "the biggest scandal in the history of Dutch football," thundered club manager Henk de Jong. De Graafschap made the same decision and the same renowned lawyer, Dolf Segaar, who has already won several lawsuits against the Federation.
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In Belgium, decision acted on May 4
In Belgium, the decision to stop the competition has yet to be finalized on May 4, but points of friction have already been identified, such as the holding of the Cup final that Antwerp absolutely wants to compete against FC Bruges. A victory would directly qualify the Antwerp club for the group stage in the Europa League.
Huge imbroglio in Scotland
In Scotland, the League (SPFL) thought it had done everything right by submitting to the vote of the 42 clubs a project providing for the immediate cessation of the three lower divisions and giving it the power to stop the Premiership later if any recovery was ultimately impossible . The decision had to be endorsed by 75% of the clubs in each division to be adopted.
But an incredible combination of circumstances has plunged Scottish football into a lasting imbroglio. A negative vote from Dundee FC would never have been received by the SPFL because it would have arrived in spam, before a finally positive vote from the club which changed its mind, five days later.
A first audit, carried out by Deloitte, concluded that the vote was sincere, which gave more than 80% support for the motion in total. But the Rangers, who could still theoretically contest the 9th consecutive Celtic Glasgow title despite thirteen points behind, as well as Hearts of Midlothian and Stranraer, whom this vote condemns to relegation to D2 and D4 respectively, call for a new independent investigation. They accuse the FBCL of having put pressure on certain clubs. The Rangers have promised to provide "overwhelming" evidence of "harassment" by the FBCL before a general assembly which promises to be explosive on May 12.
Italy continues to hope for recovery
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said he would "never sign for the end of the championships", which he said was "the death of Italian football". Officially, the world of football is upwind against such an assumption. The League has managed to display the sacred union of its twenty Serie A clubs, overcoming the reluctance of Torino and Brescia, the red lantern of the championship but also martyrdom of the coronavirus.
But at the same time, the Italian government has showered hopes of a quick recovery, banning training before May 18 at best. With twelve days to go and UEFA recommending the August deadline, "the path is getting narrower and narrower," sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said this week.
According to the specialized site "Calcio e Finanza", a final judgment would directly call into question 400 million euros of TV rights, including a final tranche of 340 million for the current season, which was to be paid in May. A considerable shortfall for Italian football, but also for public finances since professional football pays three billion tax contributions.
If this decision was made, how to settle the season? A "final" between the two leaders, Juventus and Lazio Rome, was mentioned. But according to Corriere Dello Sport, the preferred hypothesis would be an untitled season. The classification established on March 9, after the last match played, would offer qualification for the Champions League for Juve, Lazio, Inter and Atalanta Bergamo. Brescia and SPAL, the Ferrara team, would be relegated.
Friday, the League was to organize a new meeting before a meeting of the federation (FIGC) which could be decisive on May 8 ... and potentially explosive. "Difficult to avoid the danger of recourse" in particular by Serie B clubs vying for accession, "but Gravina intends to continue on this path," writes Corriere.
England aims for "restart" on June 8
In England, the government is cautious but sympathetic to the "Restart" (restart) project developed by the Premier League, which according to the press predicts a return to training on May 18 and aims to return to competition on June 8, behind closed doors and in a small number of stadiums to limit movement.
But former player Gary Neville protested on Wednesday on a "purely economic" approach when the health risk is real: "How many people must die playing football in the Premier League before it becomes embarrassing? player? A member of staff in intensive care? ".
Spain wants to resume as soon as possible
However, training has already resumed in Spain but no date for resuming La Liga has been mentioned. "I do not understand how there will be more risk of playing football matches behind closed doors, with all the precautions, than working on an assembly line or on a fishing boat on the high seas", a thundered Javier Tebas, the boss of La Liga, the body that manages professional football in Spain.
He who is pushing to resume the Spanish championship as quickly as possible has assured that professional football could "end up disappearing" if he is not allowed to resume "in a safe and controlled manner".
Germany set to replay May 9
The German Football League has presented a plan to take over the Bundesliga, which involves a resumption of matches behind closed doors, regular player tests and strict hygiene measures, including distancing. The Ministry of Labor declared the plan to take over the Bundesliga "acceptable in terms of occupational health and safety".
While the German Football League hopes to resume on May 9, the final choice is now in the hands of the government. A vital need for professional clubs, about to lose "750 million euros all inclusive" if the season is not completed, according to the boss of Borussia Dortmund, Hans-Joachim Watzke.