Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European football governing body UEFA, says French Ligue 1 clubs Paris Saint Germain and Lyon can play their remaining rounds of European competitions outside France. This clarification is in line with the declaration of the French government that no sporting activities are allowed in the country until after September.
Recall that the French football authorities had to cancel the 2019-2020 football season in France because of the government’s directive. Hence, PSG which was topping the table with 12 points before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic was crowned champion of the league.
PSG and Lyon are the only clubs in Ligue 1 that are still in European competitions. PSG has scaled through to the last 8 in the UEFA Champions League while Lyon is yet to play the second leg of the Europa League.
“Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon will have to organise [matches] in France,” Ceferin told beIN Sports. “If this is not possible, [they] will have to organise it at a neutral ground.
“If you cannot play in your country, then you have to organise it at a neutral ground. I don’t see the reason why French authorities would not allow them to organise a match without spectators, but let’s see. It’s out of my power.”
Aleksander Ceferin Says UEFA Shows to end in August
Aleksander Ceferin also told beIN Sports that UEFA is working towards ending UEFA Club competitions for this season in August. This means that the finals of both UEFA Champions League and Europa League have to be played before the end of August.
Most clubs in both competitions were yet to play their second leg of the competitions’ round of 16 before coronavirus took over.
“We have an idea but we have to wait for the executive committee of UEFA to confirm the dates. I can say that the European season will be finished, if everything is as it is now, in August,” Ceferin said.
“As things look now, I’m sure that we can finish the European season and this means UEFA competition.
“I think the majority of leagues will finish the season. The ones who will not, it’s their decision. But they will still have to play qualifiers if they want to participate in the European UEFA competition.”
