the decree was signed yesterday evening by the prefect of the Territory of Belfort. Since 6 p.m. this Wednesday, and for at least a monththe department goes into drought crisis alert. For individuals, it is forbidden to wash their car or house. If professional football clubs can continue to water their grounds, this is not the case for amateur clubs. A decision that does not shock the presidents. “We need the water for something other than the use of an all-green soccer field. You have to adapt to nature, not the other way around. Watering land is not a priority“, estimates Sébastien Rayot, the president of the club of Grandvillars.
His players train on a synthetic field. To deal with the consequences of the hot weather, the Chèvremont club would also like to have one built. “It is certainly an alternative to drought that will allow football to be played on a pitch that does not need maintenance or water.“, says Christelle Klein, the president of the club.
Delay the start of tournaments to avoid playing in the middle of summer
Only downside, a synthetic field can cost between 500,000 and 600,000 euros. “Expenses that could be partly covered by the municipalities, and which could offset the cost of maintaining a classic pitch“, estimates Daniel Rolet, the president of the football district of Doubs and the Territory of Belfort.
Christelle Klein does not intend to request an exemption to water the lawn of her club: “it would be useless to water it once“. For his part, Zaheir Mekki, the president of FC Grand Charmont, gives himself time to think.”To prevent our young players from injuring themselves on a very dry pitch, I have decided to stop training until September. The tournaments resume at this time. I will see at that time whether to make a request for exemption, or if we can delay the competitions“. Do start the game season latera solution which, for the president of the football district of Doubs and the Territory of Belfort will have to be discussed between all the actors of the practice in the face of increasingly hot summers.