PARIS: Friday’s opening match in the new French league seasn has been called off already because of Covid-19.

A league statement said: “In view of medical results passed on by Olympique Marseille… the LFP has decided to postpone the Olympique de Marseille/AS Saint-Etienne game to Sept 16 or Sept 17.”

The game was the only fixture set for Friday, with the rest of Ligue 1’s first-round matches for 2020-21 spread out over Saturday and Sunday.

The LFP told clubs last week it had set up a Covid committee to advise on whether to postpone matches. When a club reports more than three coronavirus cases postponement is likely, based on the Covid protocol issued to clubs.

Ligue 1 club Nimes have also announced “two suspected cases” ahead of their game against Brest on Sunday.

Almost 40 players from 11 Ligue 1 clubs have tested positive for COVID-19, including some at Saint-Etienne.

############