The French government is reportedly lobbying to stop the Premier League and the top flights in Spain, Italy and Germany from restarting the 2019/20 season.
Ministers in France yesterday took the decision to block Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 from returning until August at the earliest.
And now French publication Le Parisien is reporting that senior French government officials are engaged in a lobbying effort with their partners in Germany, Italy, Spain and England so that none of the other top five leagues’ restart.
The report also claims Roxana Maracineanu, Minister for Sports in France, has begun bilateral talks with European partners to implore them to take the same action as they have.
Vincenzo Spadafora, the Italian Minister for Sports, claimed on Wednesday that the decision France has taken could become a European position.
He said: “The decisions that are in the process of being taken in other countries, like in France, could push Italy to follow this position, which could then become a European position.”
So far only three major leagues have decided not to finish their 2019/20 campaigns: the Netherlands, Belgium and France due to the coronavirus outbreak.
And although the Premier League has been suspended since March 13, clubs are committed to resuming the season when it is safe to do so.
Reports over the weekend claimed several clubs now believe fixtures could resume from the second weekend in June if all goes to plan and they gain government support.
The Premier League has been given four weeks to finalise their plans for the resumption of the 2019/20 season by UEFA.
