Furious Lyon say decision to end Ligue 1 season was too hasty

Lyon have hit out at the decision to curtail the Ligue 1 season and believe “French football is moving in the wrong direction”.

The 2019-20 campaign was called last month, with Paris St Germain declared champions, after French authorities decreed no sporting events could be held until at least September due to coronavirus.

However, Lyon feel league officials have been too hasty given a number of other sporting events in the country, including the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France, have so far only been postponed.

A statement on the club’s website said: “It was therefore quite possible to envisage another scenario allowing the championship to end in August, for example with a play-off system, subject of course to the development of the health situation and while respecting the instructions given by the government.

“Olympique Lyonnais continues to think French football is moving in the wrong direction but that it may not be too late to try to imagine, in light of whatishappeningeverywhere in Europe, something that is coherent in political, health and sport terms.”

The division was decided on a points-per-game basis after some teams had played 27 matches and others 28, Lyon finishing seventh, ruling out their chances of a European place next season.

Lyon’s statement added: “The league took this premature decision which penalises in sporting and economic terms a large number of French clubs while other institutions have done everything possible to ensure [completion of ] their events which are part of the heritage of French sport.”