Ligue 1 postponements to aid Europe spark row as PSG seek Lens delay | OneFootball

Ligue 1 postponements to help French clubs in Europe are under fresh scrutiny, with Paris Saint-Germain asking to move their 11 April match against Lens that sits between Liverpool ties on 8 and 14 April. According to Le Progres, the request has stirred debate in France and England.

PSG already benefited from a delay to their matchday 26 game with Nantes, originally wedged between last-16 meetings with Chelsea. They have now sought another rearrangement for Lens.

Lens are second, one point behind PSG with a game more played, and are unhappy with any shift. Coach Pierre Sage said his team were not in favour, accepted rest can help, argued only one alternative date remains and added Lens should not have to bear it, while noting the LFP will decide.

Strasbourg have also requested to move their Brest fixture the same weekend, as they meet Mainz in Europa Conference League quarter-finals on 9 and 16 April. On paper, this raises fewer objections because Brest are mid-table with little to play for.

The LFP faces a scheduling puzzle and has usually ruled for clubs still in Europe. There are suggestions both matches could drop between matchdays 33 and 34, in the week of 11 May.

Before 2000, postponement requests were refused. In 2003 the LFP changed tack, with Lyon, Marseille and eventual finalist Monaco allowed to shift three December games.

Last season, PSG’s 13 April 2025 date with Nantes was pushed back nine days to favour French clubs in Europe and the UEFA coefficient, then they knocked out Aston Villa, winning 3-1 in the return after a 3-2 loss in Birmingham. In 2023-24, PSG’s matchday 32 game against Nice moved into the slot between matchdays 33 and 34 with the title already secured and a Dortmund semi-final ahead. Marseille had Reims moved from 5 May to 15 May, and Rennes were accommodated in 2019 before beating Arsenal 3-1, then losing 3-0 away, which cleared space to play Nimes.

The trend has irked voices in England. Pundits Peter Crouch and Joe Cole argued it gives PSG a clear advantage, and similar views could reappear if the Lens match is postponed.

Source: Le Progres