Lens/PSG – Lens fans ask CNOSF to overturn postponement !

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·31 March 2026

Lens/PSG – Lens fans ask CNOSF to overturn postponement !

Last Thursday, after lengthy discussions, the Professional Football League approved Paris Saint-Germain’s request to postpone its match against Lens, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 11 as part of Ligue 1’s Matchday 29 (moved to Wednesday, May 13), so it could fully focus on the Champions League quarterfinals (April 8 and 14). The same applied to Strasbourg’s match against Brest, which falls between the Europa Conference League quarterfinals against Mainz. But this has not gone down well on the Lens side, and supporters have referred the matter to the CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) in an effort to have the decision overturned. As reported by Le Parisien, Lens supporters denounce “direct harm to sporting fairness.”

“We firmly challenge this interpretation of the regulations for the following reasons”

“The statement recalls that the LFP may decide to postpone a match only ‘in the event of exceptional circumstances.’ A description it rejects: ‘To justify this postponement (as well as that of Stade Brestois–RC Strasbourg), the LFP cites the requests of the clubs concerned to prepare for their European quarterfinals and a strong strategic objective aimed at preserving France’s fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings.’

“We firmly challenge this interpretation of the regulations for the following reasons: A strategy is not an exceptional circumstance. (…) Preserving the UEFA coefficient is a long-standing political and strategic objective of the League, and the presence of French clubs in the quarterfinals of European competitions is the logical continuation of the sporting season. There is nothing unpredictable here to justify the activation of Article 411 (editor’s note: concerning calendar changes by the LFP),” it states, adding that exempting PSG “from their domestic obligations during the season quite simply distorts the Ligue 1 championship.”

It is easy to understand why those in Lens are unhappy with this, as hosting PSG, who are top of the table with a one-point lead over RCL (and a game in hand), seemed like the perfect opportunity to pick up precious points. What remains unclear, however, is whether this attempt to have the decision overturned can succeed—especially if it comes “only” from the supporters.

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We will have to wait and see how it ends, but there is not much time left with the first date approaching very quickly. In any case, it is regrettable to see all this controversy surrounding the postponement. It makes sense for PSG, but it is also indeed open to criticism given that the schedule is known at the start of the season and teams must prepare accordingly to match their ambitions. Even if the unusual summer of 2025 with the Club World Cup is a factor that must be taken into account.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.