To limit the risks of the spread of Coronavirus, sports federations are working to find solutions such as postponing many matches, keeping them but in neutral or sold-out territory. For Virginie Phulpin, these decisions will have an impact on sports equity, particularly in the Champions League return matches.
With the coronavirus epidemic, there are big uncertainties in sport. Matches postponed, matches behind closed doors, etc. For Virginie Phulpin, we will very quickly be confronted with problems of sports equity.
It was Jean-Michel Aulas' little phrase on Sunday evening that challenged me. I definitely listen to the president of Olympique Lyonnais far too much at the moment. To respond to concerns about the cancellation, postponement or any other scenario for the Juventus Champions League match at Turin Lyon in 15 days, he replied that OL were quite ready to play this match on neutral ground. It's quite funny. Obviously, he would prefer that it be on neutral ground rather than in Turin in a stadium acquired for the cause of his opponents as planned. We will soon be confronted with real problems of fairness in sport with the measures taken against the spread of the coronavirus. If Juve, beaten 1-0 in Lyon in the first leg, must play the return on neutral ground, she leaves with a big handicap. She would not have the support of her supporters as OL had that of her own to go. So do we consider it fair? Or does it distort the competition?
The defender of Paris St Germain Marquinhos worries about it besides. He especially does not want to go in camera next week for the round of 16 return against Dortmund at the Parc des Princes. The Germans benefited from the support of their 12th man to go, their famous yellow wall. If Parisians play without their audience, it cannot be fair. So, what do we do ? A priori, Marquinhos will not go on strike, and PSG has already announced that it will comply with the decisions of UEFA. For now, the match is supposed to be played normally. But very clever who can guarantee that it will be the case in eight days. Virginie Phulpin would find it particularly cruel for Paris Saint-Germain, who did not need that to get in the way in the Champions League.
It will cause big problems for the 6 Nations Tournament too.
The Ireland Italy match scheduled for Saturday has already been postponed. Otherwise, for now, we maintain the rest. Virginie Phulpin has a hard time believing that everything is back to normal by March 14, Italy England day. Honestly for the Italians, it doesn't change much, whether they play or not, they will finish last. But for others it is more annoying. If England does not play in Italy, the English will find a way to give no value to this 6 Nations Tournament 2020. The first in 10 years where the XV of France has the opportunity to succeed the grand slam. It would damn cut the grass under the feet of a team in full rebirth. Of course, health comes first, there is no debate. But sports equity suffers greatly.