Paris Saint-Germain will return to Ligue 1 action later this month when the new France top-flight season kicks off. However, the Parc des Princes and other Ligue 1 stadiums will not be packed to full capacity to begin the new league season.
France Prime Minister Jean Castex announced following a meeting with other top political figures in the country that the current 5,000 spectator limit for events and venues will be extended until late October, but some exceptions may be allowed. He spoke of the decision on Tuesday (via RMC Sport) saying, “The Council (of State) also extended, until Oct. 30, the ban on events of more than 5,000 people with the possibility for the prefects to derogate from it subject to verification of strict compliance with health protocols.”
The measure was initially set back in February when the coronavirus pandemic was reaching its peak in France. The country has since done its best to flatten the curve, but cases are now beginning to gradually trend upward.
Much was speculated on whether the 5,000 spectator limit would be loosened up in time for the start of the new Ligue 1 season in late August. Minister of Sport Roxana Maracineanu spoke last month of possibly doing just that and hitting a target date of mid-August, which would have been just in time for the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season, but this will not be the case anymore.
PSG is set to kick off its Ligue 1 campaign at home against FC Metz on Aug. 23.
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