Late to the party when it comes to criticizing the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) is French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët. After the ultras were without a mask and not social distancing, the group drew plenty of criticism.
Although someone like Deputy Minister in charge of Sports Roxana Maracineanu is coming at this situation from a health and safety angle, others like Le Graët see this from the business side. After speaking with Le Parisien, he made his feelings known.
“It is regrettable. We are fighting to have more spectators in the stands, and this kind of behavior does not help us,” Le Graët said. “I understand that the supporters are happy to return to their stadium and to encourage their team, but everyone has to be responsible, at their level, by adopting the right attitudes.”
With clubs and federations having to deal with the ramifications of the financial issues resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s in their best interest to have supporters in the stadiums soon.
If supporters like the CUP cannot follow, current health guidelines at stadiums, the French government will not increase the 5,000 they allow at sporting events. Furthermore, they could go to playing behind closed doors like the rest of the top five leagues.
Despite the criticism from Le Graët, the ultras did show that they could comply with the mandated mask and social distancing protocols in Paris Saint-Germain’s friendly versus Celtic. It’s a learning experience for the group and an example for other ultras on what not to do when returning to stadiums.
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