No debate since it was the government that decided so. The president of the French Football Federation Noël Le Graët maintained during an interview with AFP that stopping the competitions was the only thing to do, since the FFF and the LFP had no choice. The leader also spoke of the amateur aid plan and the return of the public to the stadiums.
Was the 30 million euro support plan for amateur football, announced on Thursday, motivated by the fear of a massacre among the clubs?
No. Every week we have a meeting with the presidents of leagues. We can see that the clubs are in a rush to resume. The Federation will balance its accounts this year despite the lack of games (of the Blues). We pay 300 million in all over three years (to the amateur world), it's not nothing.
The four games of the Blues originally scheduled for March and June lead to dead losses?
No, these are matches that will be recovered. Not all, but two or three will be recovered next season. With UEFA, we have a contract of 40 games over 4 years. We can make 12 games a year and 8 another, at the limit. For the moment, we are not late. The only question is public or not public. You can imagine that personally I am for it. But I will not put economic pressure on anyone for football, we will always take into account the medical advice of the government.
Could the Coupe de France final between Paris and Saint-Etienne be played this summer in front of supporters, even with a limited gauge?
Of course, that is what we are going to ask. It is my wish anyway. We have contacts with the state. They may be able to allow us to speak of gauge either for the start of the championship or for Cup matches. We are in constant conversation, with advances that seem positive to me.
The League raised the possibility of friendly matches in July. Does that not relaunch the debate on a resumption of the 2019-2020 season, as in the other major European championships?
What debate? We are disciplined in relation to the state. There is no debate possible. Our players will be better prepared and perhaps even in better shape than the others, we will see. But in any case I have never challenged the decisions taken by the State. Priority to health rather than money.
The end of the Ligue 1 season in the hands of the State Council via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/LkVFGYn442
- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) June 4, 2020The support plan for amateurs was activated in mid-April. Why not reveal it only at the beginning of June?
We can always make promises in February and after having no money. I now know what we are going to have on June and what I can get out. I know what I will have over the next financial year provided that there are matches of the France team with the public.
The French Rugby Federation preferred to stop the levies (licenses, insurance, etc.) for the end of the season and the following…
Yes, it is almost the same. They will have fewer contributions and less fees. But I will not compare. We have just done three years with large sums for amateurs, without borrowing, without complaining and while working. The tip of the hat I have to give is to our sponsors. We did not lose one during this dramatic period. They represent 40% of our budget. Everything is paid, everything is in order.
Sport
Clubs validate Ligue 2 extended to 22 teams (but FFF is against)
- Noël le Graët
- FFF
- League 1
- Soccer
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