Snow postpones Sochaux v Lens Coupe de France tie to Sunday | OneFootball

Heavy snow has forced the Coupe de France last-32 tie between Sochaux and Lens to be postponed, with the match now set for Sunday at 14:00.

L'Équipe reports that the game, originally due to be played on Saturday at 21:00, could not go ahead after persistent snowfall across the Doubs from the morning.

Sochaux officials had remained optimistic, but after a 14:00 meeting at Stade Bonal with Montbéliard’s prefectural authorities and FFF delegates, plans changed.

Although the pitch was protected and heated, access to the stadium was the concern. With further snow forecast between 18:00 and 20:00, authorities applied the precautionary principle, judging it too risky to send 20,000 supporters onto snowy roads to watch National fourth-placed Sochaux face the autumn champions Lens.

A behind-closed-doors option was floated. Sochaux rejected it, while Lens, already on site, pushed for the tie to proceed on Saturday.

A compromise avoided moving the fixture to a later slot before 4 February, the last 16 date. With conditions expected to improve and snow to stop in the evening, supporters can attend in greater safety.

Source: L'Équipe