August 18 – The start of the new French domestic season scheduled for this Friday has been plunged into turmoil by Covid-19 after Olympique de Marseille said they had confirmed four cases of the virus and had their game against St Etienne called off.
French authorities were widely criticised throughout the country for ending last season prematurely – the only one of the so-called Big Five to do so – but now find themselves having to call off the start of the new campaign.
Ina statement, French football’s governing body the LFP said: “In view of medical results passed on by Olympique Marseille (…) the LFP has decided to postpone the Olympique de Marseille/AS Saint-Etienne game to Sept 16 or Sept 17”.
The game was the only fixture set for Friday, with the rest of Ligue 1’s first round of 2020/21 matches spread out over Saturday and Sunday.
The LFP told clubs last week it had set up a ‘COVID committee’ to advise on whether to postpone matches. Fellow Ligue 1 club Nimes have also announced “two suspected cases” ahead of their game against Brest on Sunday, also now in danger of being called off.
At least 37 Ligue 1 players from 11 clubs have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks. The vast majority contracted the virus after resuming training in June, leading to quarantine and a flurry of cancelled pre-season matches.
Marseille had already cancelled a friendly last week against German side Stuttgart as a precaution.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714824749labto1714824749ofdlr1714824749owedi1714824749sni@w1714824749ahsra1714824749w.wer1714824749dna1714824749