Like the economic sector, amateur football will be severely impacted by the increase in Covid cases in January.
Except in the east of France where the truce for confectioners is always a little longer, most amateur clubs will find their way back to training next week. But the very sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in recent days raises fears of the worst. “I already have a dozen senior players who have tested positive since Christmas, indicates a Regional 1 coach. So I could not count on them when training resumes when we have a game late on January 8. It is not easy to manage. “
In recent days, we have received dozens of testimonies in this regard. “We wonder if we will be able to play in January” has entrusted us with a District president. “From 4 new players isolated over 7 rolling days, the virus is circulating in the club, indicates the FFF protocol. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) will be informed and will make decisions on the measures to be taken for all players and staff. It is up to each club to carry out the follow-up and the counting of the positive cases leading to determine if the virus is circulating in the club. “
FFF protocol not valid for Omicron variant
In a large majority of cases, it is therefore a postponement of the match of the team that presents cases of Covid. But the government should reduce the number of days in isolation in order to limit “The impact on society of a multiplication of contaminations and contact cases”. It is therefore likely that the competition protocol will be modified according to the new directives so as not to disrupt the championships too much in the coming weeks.
However, the arrival of the Omicron variant has changed some rules. If the protocol FFF indicates that “The performance of a diagnostic test and isolation are therefore not required for people vaccinated in case of contact”, the Ministry of Health specifies that “The compulsory isolation of contact cases of a person contaminated by this new variant (…) you must isolate yourself immediately for 7 days (or 17 days if you share their home), even if you are fully vaccinated ».
In the event of a positive test for the Omicron variant, it is therefore advisable to follow these government recommendations and not those of the FFF protocol while awaiting the new isolation measures which should be published this Friday.
