The confirmation on Tuesday of three new cases of players positive for Covid-19 at Olympique de Marseille, bringing the affected numbers to four, resulted in the postponement of the opening match of Ligue 1 on Friday against Saint-Etienne.
This blow is harsh and raises many questions about the harmonious holding of a French championship that the Covid had definitively stopped in March. It will therefore restart on Saturday, groping, between affected players and disillusioned supporters.
“In view of the medical results transmitted by Olympique de Marseille this Tuesday, August 18, the national Covid commission indicates to the LFP Competitions Commission that the virus is circulating within the Marseille club”, which implies the postponement of the match against Saint-Etienne, announced the Professional Football League (LFP) at midday.
Earlier, the OM had indicated that “the 3 suspected cases of Sunday have been confirmed”, in addition to a previous contamination announced Thursday.
According to the regional daily La Provence, “it would be Olympian goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and two midfielders Maxime Lopez and Valentin Rongier”, information that the club has not confirmed or denied to AFP, in the name of medical confidentiality. Regarding the first case announced Thursday, the press delivered the name of Jordan Amavi, which the defender confirmed half-heartedly on social networks.
The OM-Saint-Etienne poster at the Vélodrome stadium will therefore not serve as a launching pad for the L1 version 2020/21. The meeting will be played on Wednesday 16 or Thursday 17 September “subject to changes in health conditions within the club of Olympique de Marseille”, according to the League.
According to the protocol of its very recent Covid Commission, the League considers that the virus is “circulating” in a club from the moment a team has “more than 3 players or supervisors (from 4) isolated over 8 days slippery ”. From four cases, it can decide to postpone the match.
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