The eFoot 31 cup, organized by the Haute-Garonne district, is played on PS4.

Drawing.

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Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP

  • While the resumption of the championships remains a sweet dream, the Haute-Garonne football district has imagined a virtual competition to retain its licensees.

  • The eFoot 31 Cup offers clubs the opportunity to challenge each other on PS4, via the game “FIFA 2021”.

  • The group matches will be played remotely, but the district hopes to organize the finals in a stadium or hall.

For amateur footballers, training continues, in the shadow of the Covid-19.

But without a match on the horizon, motivation weakens as the hope of a resumption of the championships fades away this season, and the numbers are clearing up.

In an attempt to remobilize its troops, in a virtual way at first, the Haute-Garonne district is launching the eFoot31 Cup, played on the “FIFA 2021” game, on PS4.

Behind this initiative is Thierry Anel, president of Grenade FC, in the north of the department.

"I was looking for a way to keep the players of my club concerned, so that they do not lose them," explains the manager.

So we did an internal eFootball tournament which went well at the end of 2020. The idea appealed to the district, which contacted me.

"

Registration possible until March 14

From this Monday, and until March 14, Haut-Garonnais clubs can register.

“This is a first in France, assures Thierry Anel.

Until now, there were only individual eFoot tournaments.

"On the side of district 31, we see in this event" a way to retain the licensees ", as indicated by Gilles Galinier, in charge of communication.

“They will return to competition, which we have been deprived of for four months.

The matches, which will be launched in late March or early April, will begin on Friday evening, and teams will have 48 hours to complete their three games.

"

The principle: each club designates three licensees, aged at least 16 “for reasons of parental consent”.

The number 1 plays against the opposing number 1, the 2 against the 2, the 3 against the 3. Each victory is worth three points, a draw one point, a zero victory.

The addition of the three results gives the result of the match.

No draw possible: in the event of a tie, a support match is played to designate a winner.

Each player chooses the team they want to lead, from Real Madrid to feeble Carlisle United, at their own risk.

The clubs can change their trio from one weekend to another, in order to involve the maximum number of licensees.

“We want to make pools, so that a club is not eliminated from its first defeat, continues Thierry Anel.

And the objective is to play the final stages face-to-face.

"In a room or a stadium, then, in May or June, if the pandemic is willing to let go of our spikes.

Avoid cheating

"This would make it possible to create an event for clubs, to send messages, against gambling addiction in particular, and also to avoid cheating," said Gilles Galinier.

Because after all, hidden behind his screen, nothing prevents a licensee from passing the joystick to a member of his family or a friend, more gifted on "FIFA" than him ...

At the end of this first edition, which should make small the following years, the best teams will win PS4.

The consoles will brighten up the evenings at the clubhouse when the competitions have finally resumed on the lawns.

The district of Haute-Garonne, like its counterparts throughout France and the majority of sports federations, is already losing licensees because of the pandemic.

He hopes that this eFoot31 Cup will limit damage.

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