Lyon president calls halt to Ligue 1 ‘stupid’

Paris St Germain's Angel Di Maria in a French Ligue 1 league action. [File]

Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas again lashed out at the French League for ending the Ligue 1 season early amid the COVID-19, calling the decision “stupid”.

Aulas spoke after La Liga on Saturday got the Spanish government’s green light to resume play. Matches will likely begin on June 12, according to League president Javier Tebas.

“In the past two months, the Spanish officials have been observing and working with Uefa,” Aulas told L’Equipe yesterday, referring to Uefa. “What is paradoxical is that Javier Tebas, in particular, attended the same meetings than (French League director-general) Didier Quillot, notably that of April 23.”

“In fact, what was said at that meeting with Uefa is ‘patience’. When we see that our officials attended this meeting and drew different conclusions, one can feel that we are really too stupid.”

The French League ended the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons last month with 10 games remaining, meaning seventh-placed Lyon were denied a European spot based on standings.

Lyon’s appeal before an administrative tribunal was rejected on Friday, but they are now expected to appeal before the State Council, France’s highest court.

Asked if he would have had the same reaction had Lyon been in Champions League, Aulas said: “I swear I would have, I swear on my children’s lives.”