LYON and Paris Saint-Germain may be unable to complete their Champions League campaigns after sporting events were banned in France for four months.
Several European countries are gradually winding down their lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks amid hopes they have passed the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
French PM Philippe outlined measures to reduce the lockdown on Tuesday – but football was bannedCredit: AFP or licensors
Lyon were hopeful of reaching the last-eight after a first leg win over JuventusCredit: AFP or licensors
And while France is among them, prime minister Edouard Philippe announced on Tuesday that football would be suspended until September at the earliest.
The country has 23,293 confirmed deaths from 165,842 cases of Covid-19, leading to a decision to prevent any team or contact sports from taking place – whether or not fans are in attendance.
Philippe stated: “Big sporting affairs cannot occur before September.
“The 2019/20 football season cannot return.”
This leaves Uefa in a tight spot with August eyed as the best period to complete the Champions League and Europa League.
Current plans involve the Premier League, Serie A and LaLiga returning to training next month before a fast tracked end to the domestic campaign by July.
Germany’s Bundesliga clubs are already preparing for a resumption as early as May 9.
No French teams are left in the Europa League but PSG have already qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals.
Last month’s victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes came in front of an empty stadium as part of early measures to tackle coronavirus yet a large crowd of fans gathered outside and wildly celebrated the win.
In addition, Lyon lead Italian giants Juventus 1-0 after their last-16 first leg match in February.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
PSG’s victory over Dortmund drew large crowds despite virus fearsCredit: AFP or licensors
Uefa have preliminarily booked in August 7 and 8 as dates for the final four last-16 games to take place.
An anticipated final is then pencilled in for August 29.
Whether Lyon and PSG can hold any future matches in neutral locations, with fixtures due to be played behind closed doors regardless, remains to be seen.
On Monday, Uefa handed leagues a four-week deadline to lay out their plans for finishing the 2019/20 season – following a decision by the Eredivisie to cancel their campaign.
Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons cancelled as French government announces ban on all football until September
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
