the programming of matches modified, two matches finally broadcast on Saturday – Libération

A start of response to the anger of Ligue 2 supporters, unhappy at having to go to the stadium on a weekday evening to watch a match of their favorite team. The Professional Football League (LFP) and the broadcaster beIN Sports have agreed to schedule an additional match of the French second division championship on Saturday, the LFP announced Thursday September 12. “Each day of the championship, one of the Friday evening Multiplex matches will be scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m.”details the League in a press release released at the end of a second meeting bringing together the LFP, L2 clubs, beIN Sports and representatives of the National Supporters Association (ANS). This modification will take place from the 8th day, i.e. the first weekend in October.

In addition to this match shifted from Friday to Saturday 8 p.m., the kickoff of the match already set for Saturday has been brought forward from 2:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., specifies the League. Other announcement: “due to international periods or days scheduled during the week, the schedule provides that no matches will be scheduled on Monday during eight days out of the 32 weekend days. These eight matches will be rescheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. or 8 p.m. Consequently, three matches will be broadcast on Saturday during these eight days. announces the LFP again.

Furthermore, in order to allow supporters to better prepare for meetings as well as their possible travel, “the announcement of the schedule of days will take place, generally at least six weeks before the date of the match, instead of four weeks currently”the press release said.

“Insufficient” proposals according to supporters

Since the start of the season, the scheduling of L2 matches, mainly on Friday and no longer on Saturday like last season, has provoked discontent from supporters. Banners “Football is the weekend” et “beIN Sports kills Ligue 2” had notably been deployed regularly in the stands, the Metz-Bastia match had been interrupted for around twenty minutes after tennis balls were thrown onto the pitch while beIN, which had become the sole broadcaster of the L2 this season, had for its part denounced material damage.

“We welcome this proposal which necessarily constitutes a small step and which demonstrates a beginning of understanding of the main issues facing supporters”, responded the ANS following the announcement of these changes. But the supporters association believes that “These proposals, however welcome and constructive they may be, are very insufficient.”

“These proposals only very partially respond to the constraints weighing on tens of thousands of supporters whose professional, family or community life is difficult to compatible with the matches which will be played on Friday evenings and certain Monday evenings,” concludes the association.