Ligue 1’s 2019/2020 season may have been aborted in a decision meant to decrease the risk of coronavirus infections. However, Lyon and Toulouse are among those unhappy with the decision. The clubs have even threatened to boycott or take legal action against the French first tier.
Toulouse to boycott Ligue 1 if 22 club competition is not integrated
Toulouse is among the clubs that have arguably suffered the most due to the decision to cancel the league. The club has been relegated to Ligue 2 automatically. At the moment that the season was halted, the team sat bottom of a 20 team league.
The team had accumulated 13 points from 28 matches, 10 lower than their nearest rival, and 17 points away from a place that would help them avoid relegation.
Toulouse’s manager was visibly upset with the call to suspend the league. Antoine Kombouare says that the club is pushing for a decision to allow 22 clubs to take part in the 2021/22 edition. If the call is not made, Toulouse may boycott the competition. Furthermore, they are appealing to other clubs to do the same.
Lyon could take legal action against Ligue 1 suspension
Lyon is another club in disagreement with the call to end the season. An official club statement referenced the fact that other European competitions, such as the Bundesliga or the Premier League, are planned to move ahead with the rest of the campaign.
The club officials are also worried about their Champions League tie against Juventus. Jean-Michel Aulas may have been contradicted by his own club about a date being set for the UCL clash. However, when/if played, Aulas expects Juve’s players to be much more physically prepared. The Serie A is likely to be resumed, unlike Ligue 1.
Aulas also hints at the fact that Lyon may look into steps to take legal action. At the time of suspension, Lyon occupied the seventh place. Despite this, the club was hopeful of finishing in a position that would grant them access to European football next season.
While the decision to stop Ligue 1 is unlikely to be changed, a new season is already being prepared. Hopes are that it will be started in August of this year.
