The French Top 14 rugby league organisers (LNR) and club presidents have reached an agreement to abandon the season, the LNR said on Thursday.
French prime minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday that the 2019-20 season of sport would not be able to resume, although the government’s measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus left room for games to be played without spectators.
“After consultation with the presidents of Top 14 and PRO D2 [second division] clubs, the Board will propose to the LNR Management Committee not to follow up on having playoffs at the end of August to close the 2019-2020 season, to pronounce the end of this 2019-2020 season, and to focus on the organisation of the launch of the 2020-2021 editions of the two championships starting in September 2020,” the LNR said in a statement.
The LNR’s management committee is expected to meet some time in the next couple of weeks to validate its board’s decision.
The LNR has yet to decide whether any club will be named champions.
Bordeaux Bègles were top of the table when the league was suspended, eight points clear of nearest rivals Lyon. Racing 92 were in third position.
Club rugby across Europe has been affected with the Gallagher Premiership suspended indefinitely alongside the PRO14. All other domestic rugby in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland was cancelled.
The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup were also suspended in mid-March with no date for their return set.