French prime minister Jean Castex has announced the French government will maintain a 5,000-spectator limit in sports stadiums until October 30 at the earliest, reports Sport Business.
The limit had been due to expire on August 31, but Castex revealed the two-month extension in response to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.
The news will come as a blow to French rights-holders who were hoping to see the limit raised. French publication L’Équipe reports the Top 14 rugby competition will be most affected by the extension of the regulations, as 60 per cent of professional clubs’ incomes are based on matchday revenues.
Eight matchdays in the rugby competition, starting September 4, will be affected, which could lead to losses of between €1m and €2m per club, the publication estimates.
Philippe Tayeb, president of Top 14 side Bayonne told L’Équipe: “I want to understand this decision, but it must be accompanied by financial measures, otherwise we are in the process of disaster.”