A tweet and a clumsy joke, that’s the explosive mix that propelled the Paris Saint-Germain club to the heart of a controversy that goes beyond the sports context. Two days after having ironically contemplated travel in “yachting” for Parisian players, thetrainer Christophe Galtier recognized the next day “a shoddy joke”.
After the controversy, on the merits, certain details, and not the least, remain problematic for the teams. First, the logistical issues related to the sporting aspect. “The TGVs do not offer a return after the evening matches, the return by train can only be done the next day, points out a PSG official. Above all, the team plays every three days. So if the players have to sleep on the spot, knowing that the night after the match is very short, that saves them one day less recovery. A shared opinion at Stade Rennais: “When a team is involved in a European championship, the matches follow one another with the L1 calendar, and the recovery time is fundamental for top athletes”, details a communication manager.
Postponing the return to the morning would thus delay the recovery and training sessions. On the side of the SNCF, the return journeys still pose a logistical problem. “At night, there are few trains and maintenance work is carried out there”, responds the SNCF. Beyond the schedules, it is also the lack of flexibility of the company that the clubs emphasize. “The timetables (specific day in the weekend and match times) are defined by the broadcasters only three weeks in advance. Logistically, it’s very complicated”, indicates Stade Rennais. Especially during school vacation periods, when the number of passengers swells in trains.
According to the latest study commissioned by the Professional Football League (LFP) based on the 2018-2019 season (last full season with the public), Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs had made 65% of their travel by plane, 31% by bus, and only 4% by train. While a dozen trips could be shorter or equivalent by train, according to data collected by the daily Release.
Flexibility in the face of the unexpected is also highlighted. If the private jet can wait and adapt to the vagaries, the train, on the other hand, is more limited on the question of flexibility. “With the plane, specifies an official of Olympique de Marseille, we are guaranteed to arrive on time. In the train, there can always be unforeseen events, collisions with animals, breakdowns, etc.
“If the match schedule changes for any reason, weather, security etc, how do we manage if we are late? Will the train be waiting for us?”
a leader of Olympique de Marseilleat franceinfo: sport
In addition, the clubs also agree on the issue of security on arrival and departure from stations. How to ensure the safety of the teams and avoid disturbances to public order? The cases of flagship clubs like Paris, but also of Marseille, are apart, because each of their trips triggers crowds.
The SNCF claims to be able to answer this question, by securing the premises, in particular with the help of their own staff. “The team would be installed at the head or tail of the train. We can also imagine having them leave from other stations such as Massy-Palaiseau, Marne-la-Vallée or that of Charles de Gaulle 2 airport, which are easier access than the Parisian stations. The French rugby team has already used it”details the railway company, which wishes to work with all the clubs.
SNCF says it is confident in its ability to find a solution for the specific constraints of professional clubs. “We are offering two types of offers: the privatization of the entire train, i.e. approximately for 500 people, or the deprivation of one or more cars for a group. The SNCF has already done this for the travel of politicians, pilgrims and supporters. We have the experience in this area.”, supports the railway company. The offer of “special trains”as SNCF calls it, is “tailor-made and every customer need is taken into account”. This therefore ranges from a premium luggage service, catering or even a VIP welcome.
But all of this comes at a cost. If we estimate that of a private jet trip at around 30,000 euros, the SNCF refrains from communicating on its prices for this type of service. “Each negotiation is different and everything is tailor-made”, responds the company. In July 2021, the LFP also ensured that the solution by rail “would entail an extremely significant additional cost for the clubs”. According to the estimates of certain Ligue 1 clubs, interested in this option, the prices would be two to three times more expensive than the plane at the present time.
If the change is not yet for tomorrow, the clubs are actively thinking about alternative solutions to the plane. According to the study commissioned by the LFP, calculating the carbon footprint of player and spectator travel, “66% of clubs say they are ready to consider making any trip with a journey of less than four hours by bus, or even do so already; and 19% of clubs are ready to try a few matches”. Also, “26% of clubs are ready to use the train for a direct journey of less than three hours and 39% are ready to try for a few matches”.
However, even if private jet travel is more polluting than train travel, on the total carbon emissions emitted linked to travel to Ligue 1 matches, the study also tells us that “87% come from the movement of supporters to get to the stadium”. The road is therefore still long, but the SNCF wants to be confident for the future. “A few years ago, no club called us. Today, we are in discussion.”