The freeze on all competitions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic will force leaders to make drastic choices. UEFA has already announced the postponement of the Euro to the summer of 2021, thus freeing up space for the national championships and the European cups. This may not be sufficient, the uncertainty remaining total on a possible resumption date.
In this context, the absolute priority must go to the Leagues, believes Jean-Michel Aulas. Questioned by RTL, the president of OL said he was ready to sacrifice all the other competitions, including the Champions League in which his club is still engaged (Lyon have a round of 16 return to play against Juventus), for save what can be saved.
New (very lucrative) TV rights next season
"If we want to save Ligue 1, it is absolutely necessary to finish it before June 30," he said Friday evening. You have to make choices, be courageous. Drop the C1, the Cup finals and the international matches. Focus only on the championship. "
"The important thing is not to be late compared to the next season, a season very important economically, in terms of TV rights in particular", he added, with reference to the entry into force of the new contract won by Mediapro, which will bring to the League 1.153 billion euros per year over the period 2020-2024.
LFP on the same line… if possible
No more question, therefore, to finish on a white season by resuming the classification of the last exercise, as he had the idea a few days ago, attracting the wrath of other clubs, including OM.
This exit from Aulas comes as the president of the FFF Noël Le Graët announced Thursday that he was counting on his part to end the championship in mid-July. Tuesday, the executive director general of the LFP, Didier Quillot, had meanwhile said that the objective was indeed June 30 ... while leaving the door open. “We have given ourselves the major principle of doing everything to end June 30. But if we have to finish beyond that, we will adapt, with the clubs and the players. We will play as much as we can, "he said.
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