France releases 2021 schedule but pandemic still has final say
The French Federation of American Football, FFFA, (Fédération Française de Football Américain) has announced a schedule for the 2021 season although COVID-19 is still calling the shots.
The new schedule, which has been voted on and has the blessing of the teams, will be completely subject to government restrictions prevailing at the time.
Provided that teams will be allowed to practice again as of January 20, 2021, the FFFA has tentatively scheduled a seven week, 12 team season commencing March 13-14, 2021. Eight of the 12 teams will qualify for the playoffs and an extra round will be added for the non-playoff teams to determine ranking in a promotion/relegation system.
The quarterfinals are planned for June 5/6 or possibly June 12-13 depending on the situation.
The teams have been divided into two six-team conferences, North and South with a Pool A and Pool B in each conference.
Lots will be drawn for the distribution of the North and South games so as not to have to choose which team will travels the most kilometers.
The semifinals will be held on June 19-20 and televised on French national TV with the championship game to be held on July 3 and also shown on national TV in France.
The North Conference includes the La Courneuve Flash, Amiens Spartiates, Villeneuve d’Ascq Vikings in Group A and Evry Corsaires, Saint Ouen L’Aumone Cougars and Asnieres Sur Seine Molosses in Pool B. The South Conference is home to the Marseille Blue Stars, St-Laurent De La Salanque Grizzlys and Montpellier Hurricanes in Pool A with the Aix En Provence Argonautes, Thonon Black Panthers and Grenoble Centaures in Pool B.
The French season had completed the third round of play in 2020 (the Marseille Blue Stars and Catalan Grizzlys had played a fourth game) before the pandemic forced the cancellation of all remaining games. At the time, the La Courneuve Flash (4-0) led the North Conference while the Marseille Blue Stars and Thonon Black Panthers, both unbeaten with 3-0 records, sat atop the South.
The Thonon Black Panthers are the defending French champions after beating the Saint Ouen L’Aumone Cougars 24-7 in the 2019 title game.
France – 2020 – League schedule 2021
