Rennes/PSG – “We are not to blame”, De Tavernost backs Rennes' stance | OneFootball

Because the pitch at the Parc des Princes was unplayable, the Matchday 1 Ligue 1 2026-2027 game between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes had to be changed just a few days before kickoff. It will ultimately be held at Roazhon Park, Rennes’ home ground. Now, the two clubs are battling over the return match, scheduled for the weekend of March 6 on Matchday 23. Rennes would like that one to be at home as well, arguing that the heatwave does not fall under the “exceptional” nature provided for in LFP regulations, while Paris wants to play at the Parc des Princes. Nicolas De Tavernost, chairman of Rennes’ board, defended his position to Ouest-France.

It is now very clear that Rennes has no intention of backing down in this case. The club is firmly arguing that the heatwave, along with a fungus that also affected the pitch at the Parc des Princes, is not exceptional and cannot justify switching the venue order. Above all, it was Rennes that rescued a situation badly handled by PSG. Whatever decision the LFP makes, tensions between the two clubs are clearly set to remain.

Rennes is indeed not at fault for this stadium change on Sunday, but it is possible to act with class and fair play, or to fight to secure extra revenue even though all tickets have already been sold for Sunday’s match. That undermines the argument that the situation disadvantages the Breton club because of a stadium that is hard to fill.

With this heatwave, exceptional or not, one could open the discussion to every flood or frozen pitch as well. These are phenomena that are not especially rare either, yet they have always been handled without raising the same questions. Let’s hope the dispute does not go too far and is settled quickly. French football really does not need another public divide.

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