It is urgent … to wait. Here is, in a few words, what came out of the meeting held on Thursday between the presidents of Ligue Magnus clubs and the leaders of the federation (FFHG). A meeting which followed the confinement decreed the night before by the government to fight against the spread of Covid-19 and during which, according to Guy Fournier, manager of Rouen Hockey Élite, everyone agreed that it was more wise to « suspend the matches while we have all the elements to assess the situation. »
If for the moment, and provided that the matches are played behind closed doors, professional sport remains authorized, French hockey has chosen to take the time to reflect. There will therefore be neither Magnus League meetings nor French Cup meetings this weekend and nothing says today that there will be more next weekend.
« What is certain is that, as far as we are concerned, in camera is not possible. It is not compatible with our economic model. On that, we (Editor’s note: the leaders of Ligue Magnus clubs) all agree, recalls Guy Fournier. Afterwards, I heard the Minister for Sports (Roxana Maracineanu) announce that an aid fund will be created to compensate for the shortfall in closed-door matches. However, if the announced aids make up for the losses generated by the closed session and are equal to the revenues that we could have hoped for, perhaps it will be possible to continue. If not, it will probably be necessary to put the championship on hold while the situation improves. We wait for something concrete before making a decision. »
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Fournier remains confident
What should be able to provide them this weekend the leaders of the FFHG, these having participated yesterday in a meeting at the Ministry of Sports. In the process, « Sunday or Monday » according to Guy Fournier, the leaders of Ligue Magnus clubs and those of the FFHG should meet to decide. After explaining, yesterday morning, the situation to the players, left to rest this weekend, the Dragons manager still wants to be resolutely confident that the season can, whatever happens, come to an end. « I have no certainties, but convictions and I tell myself that even if we have to decide on a cut of 4, 6 or 8 weeks while the health situation improves, there will always be time, then, to resume. I remain optimistic. » If the Rouen leader is, it is partly because the very likely cancellation of the next world championships would offer the Magnus League the opportunity to end its season later than usual. This additional leeway is particularly valuable in the current context.
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