JAKARTA - The French high administrative court issued the latest decision regarding the new Ligue 1 season on Tuesday, June 9 yesterday. Next season, the top caste of the French League will be followed by 22 teams.
The local court rejected Olympique Lyon, SC Amiens and Toulouse's lawsuit regarding the league operator (LFP) policy to end the 2019-2020 season. They even endorsed the standings before the competition was postponed after the COVID-19 as the final standings.
However, the court decided to postpone the relegation status for Amiens and Toulouse to Ligue 2. This opens the possibility that Ligue 1 will be joined by 22 teams next season, given that Lorient and RC Lens have already been promoted from the second tier.
# CommuniquéMaintien du Toulouse Football Club en @ Ligue1Conforama pour la saison 2020-2021. → https://t.co/UIMj1rHhEE pic.twitter.com/FwNR3fEZMq
- Toulouse FC (@ToulouseFC) June 9, 2020
"The judge validates the decision taken by the league, including the classification of the Ligue 1 champions," said a court statement released by Soccerway on Wednesday morning.
"The judge also decided to postpone the relegation of Amiens and Toulouse to Ligue 2," the statement continued.
The size of Ligue 1 broadcasting rights, which has now exceeded 1 billion euros (equivalent to Rp. 16 trillion), emphasizes the importance for teams to be able to avoid the financial impact caused by relegation to the second tier.
The LFP's decision to end the season early was met with a wave of criticism because it contradicts the attitude of other top leagues in Europe. Germany has continued its league again, while Spain, Italy and England will follow in the near future.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was most outspoken against the decision. With the termination of the season, Lyon will automatically not get a spot in European competition next season. Whereas previously, Aulas asked for a play-off system to be implemented to determine who is eligible to play in UEFA competitions.
L'Olympique Lyonnais a pris acte de la décision du juge des référés du Conseil d'Etat de ne pas suspendre la décision d'arrêt du championnat prise par la LFP le 30 avril 2020.Communiqué du club ⤵️ https://t.co / cqRdNsJJcr
- Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) June 9, 2020
Meanwhile, the LFP decision cannot be separated from the French government's policy last April which extended the ban on sports events until June 1. Paris Saint-Germain is declared champion.
"Major sporting events will not occur before September. The 2019-20 professional football season will not start again,"
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe
"Major sporting and cultural events, especially festivals, major trade fairs, all events bringing together more than 5,000 participants will not be able to be held before September. This decision concerns all professional sports, starting with football, but also rugby, basketball and many. again."
However, the French League Cup and French Cup finals were allowed to be held as soon as September without spectators and the 2020/21 French League is scheduled to start rolling on August 22.
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