Lens supporters’ groups write to CNOSF over PSG postponement, warn of harm to sporting integrity | OneFootball

30 associations of Lens supporters have written to the CNOSF to oppose the postponement of Lens v PSG to May, arguing it directly harms sporting integrity.

According to L'Équipe, their letter, sent on Tuesday, challenges the Ligue 1 matchday 29 switch from 11 April to either 6 or 13 May. Lens have scheduled a friendly with Rouen after expressing displeasure, but the supporter groups are continuing their challenge.

Paris are one point clear of Lens before matchday 27 next weekend. The fans say the change was imposed without Lens’ consent, and president Joseph Oughourlian opposed the move, which was unanimously approved by the LFP board.

The signatories say the LFP justified this, and Stade Brestois-Strasbourg, by citing clubs’ requests to prepare for European quarter-finals and a strategic aim to protect France’s fifth place in the UEFA coefficient. In their view, that does not amount to exceptional circumstances.

They argue a strategy is not an exceptional circumstance, European progress is a predictable continuation of the season, and there was no unpredictability to trigger Article 411 on calendar changes. If upheld, they conclude, exempting PSG from national obligations mid-season would distort Ligue 1.

Source: L'Équipe