Le P2000 which was to take place this weekend in the club of Mas in Perpignan was canceled due to a positive case in Coronavirus. Not everyone is disagree on the decision to cancel everything.

It is by listening to the different opinions and comments of the FFT and the players of padel registered in P2000 that we allow ourselves to write this article so that the lesson will serve us for the future.

The FFT had asked the players and people invited to the gathering of the French team to Padel, carry out a Coronavirus test and send the results before traveling to Perpignan. Most played the game perfectly. But a very small number of players were not necessarily in the right timing. Sometimes it is even the analytical laboratories that take time.

Anyway, we know the result: no additional risk taking… we cancel.

The FFT's decision

Did the FFT make the best decision? Certainly because his concern is to protect the actors of the padel French and especially to avoid being at the origin of a new cluster which would have been terrible for the players, but also for Perpignan and the FFT.

However, questions arise about the organization of the event by the FFT.

Why did you let one or more people attend the first meeting of the French teams when they had not presented all the test results?

Then, for the P2000 which was organized, it was not asked to the registered players to carry out a test (if it is not for those present at the rally). These people, men and women, were not yet on the site of the tournament, and even the manager of the Mas club had said that no player had entered the club. So: was there a better solution than to undo everything?

Clearly, was it not possible, for the players who had traveled as for the host club of the competition to make a competition? Admittedly, it would have been demoted to P1000 or even to P500, but the players would have had at least a good test of padel Nevertheless.

Indeed, the Mas club had put the small dishes in the big ones. The best French players would not have been able to participate, but the show could continue nevertheless with a very good level.

The other question that is asked by some players is when the FFT decides to officially cancel the competition. Wednesday evening, crisis meeting, players are made aware that there is a case of COVID-19. The club padel was informed at 22:30 p.m.

At this point, it is obvious that the gathering will be canceled. The test of padel takes the same path. Moreover, some players decide to return home and isolate themselves before the communication from the FFT. However, we will have to wait until the next day to have the official press release from the FFT. In the meantime, players from all over France who were due to play on Friday were heading to Perpignan. Players have clearly expressed their dissatisfaction by explaining that the FFT should have warned everyone on Wednesday evening.

We asked the FFT for more information. We hope to get answers very soon.

The disappointment of the players

P2000s are rare this year and the coming of this tournament to the Mas delighted a large number of enthusiasts. Coming to a P2000 generates travel, hotel, restaurant costs, in short, all the logistics that can go as far as taking a few days off to cross France. So the cancellation of a tournament for a case of force majeure would be perfectly understandable, but here, the pill has trouble passing.

The players hope that the FFT will take their responsibilities and reimburse them.

The organization was particularly unlucky. The FFT had relied heavily on this test of padel. She had given her instructions to avoid any disappointments. The Mas club and the City of Perpignan got involved to offer an incredible weekend. And unfortunately, it took a succession of negative events to come to this.

The FFT must protect the players. The cancellation of the internship was therefore logical. Especially since it was a gathering of no real consequence since the 2020 World Cup is at least postponed to next year.

On the other hand, for the test of padel, This is an other story. And the rant of the players on social networks clearly shows a misunderstanding on the choice of the FFT to cancel everything, especially since once again, the Perpignan club had not yet welcomed the players of the gathering of the 'French team.

We will try to provide you with more information shortly on the reasons for choosing FFT.

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

On the same subject