Official | Lens release statement to condemn PSG’s attempt to postpone their Ligue 1 game | OneFootball

Racing Club de Lens have released a statement to condemn PSG’s attempt to postpone their Ligue 1 game which is initially set to be held on Saturday 11th April at Lens’ Stade Bollaert-Delelis. This potential title-decider is sandwiched between PSG’s Champions League quarter-finals ties against Liverpool. Les Parisiens will host Arne Slot’s Premier League champions at Parc des Princes on Wednesday 8th April, and the return leg will be held at Anfield the following Tuesday.

It means that Luis Enrique’s players are tasked to play three season-defining fixtures in six days, which is why they have formally requested their Ligue 1 game to Lens be postponed, in order to give them a few days rest between their games against Liverpool. However, Lens have reiterated their stance: they have no intention of hosting PSG any other day that Saturday 11th April.

In their statement released this Monday night, the Artois side announces that they made it clear to PSG that they did not wish to see the game’s date changed “from the very first enquiries.” Lens add that they are worried that the postponement of the game of this magnitude would reduce Ligue 1 “to a mere adjustment variable, subject to the European requirements of the few.“

Lens add that such a peculiar conception of sporting fairness is unheard of in other major continental competitions. “Beyond this specific case, the issue at stake is a more fundamental one: that of the respect due to the competition itself. For one is entitled to wonder when, on home soil, the league sometimes seems to take a back seat to other ambitions, however legitimate they may be.”

Lens conclude their statement by saying they remain committed to fairness, clear rules and respect.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval