John_D wrote:
The future of the competition is uncertain. Lyon look set to drop down to Élite 2 after a troubled season. What St Gaudens decide to do in future is unclear as well. Even if Lyon remain in the top flight, new sides need to be sought to get to the 'ideal' number of twelve. In the recent past, Montpellier, Marseille, Bordeaux and Les Bacares have all talked good games - as did Avignon before their accession - while Albi may need a bit more time before they're considered for a return. A bigger question is over whether there is the money and playing talent to support a 12-team league and it's one we don't have the answer to. One thing we would be interested in pursuing is a switch in the season. In the World Cup, half the French side went into that not having played for three months or more. That's a crazy situation and the number of postponements this season only highlights the madness.
I disagree.
1- a 10 team competition, like the NL1 was, is a way forward, possibly with a 1.5 games as per the old SL if the clubs need the ticket revenue. As it is the clubs are semi-pro and make most of their money from council funding, not gate receipts, so possibly less matches would just mean shorter player contracts and less expenses. Expand to 11 or 12 when the clubs can stay up.
2- I would move the seasons further out of touch with the Internationals/SL/Championship. The French international squad should be chosen 90% from Catalans with a smattering of TO and maybe one or two LER players. If the seasons are less entwined there will be a greater possibility that players could finish their LER season and then play for a stint with TO. Think of the LER as the "amateur" comp that runs in winter and the best players of that season can play in the Championship. If TO ever make it to SL then the same structure could be used to form an LER side to replace them without the big issue of signing/finding the players.
