“We do not authorize any practice in any form whatsoever during the long weekend of November 8 to 11,” writes the steering committee of the Somme Football district, in a letter that France Bleu Picardie was able to consult this Wednesday. “It will therefore not be possible to train, have a training match, a tournament or an opposition on our territory. During this period, it will also not be possible for our teams to practice in neighboring departments outside of regional or national competition.” Only practices linked to the French Football Federation or the Hauts-de-France Football League are authorized.
This is a particularly heavy measure but assumed by Pascal Tranquille, the president of the district, in the face of a increase in incidents since the start of the season. “It’s a form of fed up, A form of alarm bell to sound. Tomorrow, there will be a death and people will come and ask us what we have done”he confides to France Bleu Picardie.
“We are tired of warning people and these warnings are not bearing fruit. We have 17 instructions passed or in progress at the start of the season, while last season we only had four, it is absolutely unbearable. We will not wait until there is a death or a serious event to react. And we want everyone to be aware of the difficulties football finds itself in.”he explains.
1,000 euros fine for offenders
Even if it means sanctioning clubs with impeccable behavior? “Of course, because we want collective awareness. When there is a strike, when I cannot take the train or take the plane, when I am embarrassed because I cannot go to a place, they don’t ask me my opinion, they don’t ask me what I think about it, it’s to annoy the world that we do this, we’re tired of being bothered.” justifies Pascal Tranquille. “I left with a mandate to carry out projects, today, I only manage incidents. I have other things to do than manage people’s stupidity.”
And beware of those who would like to defy the ban, the district is threatening a fine of 1,000 euros per team and per match. Checks will take place to ensure that the measure is respected.
The district also wrote a open letter to local authorities. “For this decision to be fully operational and effective, we are counting on support and joint action from the communities to whom we relay this message and to whom we ask, as a sign of solidarity, to establish and communicate to us a decree prohibiting access to facilities during this period. Thus, it will not be possible to train, as when climatic conditions require that sports facilities be taken care of.”
