Many Quebec football players are unable to play their favorite sport due to high levels of particulate matter from wildfires that are raging across the province.
In an interview with the LCN network on Wednesday, Soccer Quebec general manager Olivier Plante explained that his organization had recommended all regional soccer associations (ARS) to cancel the scheduled games and training sessions.
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“The most affected regions sent us an alarm call, telling us it was very worrying and that something had to be done,” said the director-general.
“We have consulted what we have received from the government and from Sports Quebec. We decided very early on to issue a statement recommending the cancellation of all games.
“Each region has its own weather,” Plante continued. In general, however, we recommend canceling all activities for health reasons.
Ultimately, it is the ARS and their managers who will decide whether to continue or discontinue their activities.
The Director-General clarified that the vast majority of them remain “on high alert” and that there is no opposition to the recommendation.
Plante also gave no information on the date of scrapping. However, Soccer Quebec strongly recommends full extinguishing in communities near major active fires or in regions where the Air Quality Index is rated as “poor” by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Keep in mind that public health currently recommends avoiding physical activity outdoors.