INTERVIEW
"We must not fall into an excessive psychosis concerning the coronavirus", relativizes Fabien Lévêque, guest of Philippe Vandel in the program Culture Médias, Tuesday. Yes, except that the coronavirus spreads, and with it cancel or play behind closed doors many sporting events. On Europe 1, the sports journalist, presenter of Tout le sport on France 3 takes stock of some upcoming events.
"There is not too much consistency"
He recalls, for example, that the prefecture of Lyon has not noted any contraindication to the holding of the semi-final of the Coupe de France football which will oppose Olympique Lyonnais to Paris Saint-Germain. Result: more than 50,000 people are expected to attend the match on Wednesday evening.
Conversely, "the league has just announced that the Chambly - Le Mans match will take place behind closed doors in Beauvais, in Oise which is the department most affected", adds Fabien Lévêque.
While matches have been canceled in Italy, and that between Juventus and AC Milan will be played behind closed doors, the journalist also believes that having authorized Juventus supporters to go to Groupama Stadium, in Lyon last Wednesday was "a surprising decision". "When we see the Paris half-marathon, where we expected more than 44,000 runners, canceled, while we maintain matches that will bring together more than 50,000 people in a stadium, there is not too much consistency, "he says.
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In camera for PSG-Dortmund?
Regarding the challenges of the Champions League matches, a meeting must be held to decide the future of the matches. "We are talking in particular of a closed session for the PSG-Dortmund match, and Juventus-OL", explains Fabien Lévêque, at the microphone of Europe 1. "Jean-Michel Aulas is very vigilant on this situation, he is even ready to play this Champions League second leg on neutral ground in Italy. "
Olympic Games more than uncertain
Even more worrying: the Olympic Games. These are scheduled to take place in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9 and are the focus of all concerns today. "A meeting of the International Olympic Committee is taking place today and tomorrow in Lausanne (Switzerland)", says Fabien Lévêque who adds that May will be the deadline to know if the Olympic Games will take place (or not).
"The IOC is giving itself another two months: it seems that the coronavirus will be brought to decrease when the temperatures will increase", hopes Fabien Lévêque, who must leave for Tokyo to cover the event. "The closer we get to summer, the more the epidemic will decrease, the IOC is very much counting on it."