Fans set to return to stadia in France

Fans are set to make a return to French stadia as early as July, following a recent declaration by France’s government – with football chiefs hoping to have even more spectators at the Coupe de France final.

France’s top football division, Ligue 1, was abandoned in April following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paris Saint-Germain were declared champions of the 2019/20 season.

France’s health state of emergency will end on July 11, meaning restrictions will be eased and stadiums and horse-racing tracks will to be reopened to the public, initially at a reduced capacity.

The news came in a statement from the government that specified that, “as with performance halls, activities involving more than 1,500 people must be declared so that the necessary precautions can be guaranteed.
“The maximum capacity of 5,000 people for major events, stadiums and performance halls is in principle in force until September 1.
A new review of the national epidemiological situation will be carried out in mid-July to decide whether a relaxation is possible for the second part of August.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) is hoping the 5,000 ceiling may be relaxed sooner, with reports this week saying the Coupe de France final, postponed from April, is pencilled in for July 24.

Paris Saint-Germain are due to face Saint-Etienne at the Stade de France, which can seat over 80,000 spectators. FFF president Noel Le Graet called the government ruling “an important step in the organisation of upcoming games”.
“These new provisions allow us to envisage opening even more widely for spectators regarding the men’s Coupe de France final at the end of July, the Coupe de la Ligue final, the semi-finals and final of the women’s Coupe de France at the start of August, as well as the return of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 at the end of August,” he said in a statement on the FFF website.
“The FFF executive committee will meet on Monday June 22 to consider the new measures and the upcoming calendar.”