Lyon President Calls for Return of French Ligue 1

Lyon President, Jean-Michel Aulas, has called on French authorities to reconsider their decision to end the football season early.

On 28 April, it was announced the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons would not resumebecause of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letterto France’s prime minister and sports minister,

Aulas said French football would face an “unprecedented economic and social crisis”.

Lyon were seventh when the season was ended, so miss European qualification.

Ligue 1 is the only one of the big five European leagues to have ended its season, with the Bundesliga having resumed and the top flights in Spain, Italy and England hoping for June restarts.

The Dutch and Belgian leagues have also been terminated.

“The Bundesliga resumed matches on 16 May, Spain will resume matches on 8 June. Italy, Russia and Portugal have resumed collective training and England is working on a resumption after 19 June,” Aulas said.

“How can France not be downgraded very quickly and see its professional football devalued?”

The French government is expected to announce an easing of restrictions in the country on 2 June.

“Many developments and hopes are expected on this date, so that France can gradually regain a good dynamic,” added Aulas.