Paris St-Germain’s Ligue 1 match against RC Lens, originally scheduled for Saturday, 11 April, has been postponed to 13 May following PSG’s request to focus on their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.
The decision by France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) comes between PSG’s two-legged tie with Liverpool, with the first leg at Parc des Princes and the second leg at Anfield. The postponement aims to allow PSG to “prepare in the best conditions” for the European clash.
Similarly, RC Strasbourg had its Ligue 1 fixture against Stade Brestois on 12 April moved to 13 May to accommodate their Conference League quarter-final against Mainz. Strasbourg will host the second leg on 16 April after travelling to Mainz for the first leg on 9 April.
The LFP emphasised that the decision aligns with its strategic goal of retaining France’s fifth position in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which affects the number of European qualification spots awarded to Ligue 1 clubs.
The rescheduling has been met with opposition from Lens, who are second in Ligue 1, one point behind PSG. Lens officials expressed concern that the French league risks being treated as “an adjustment variable at the whim of the European imperatives of some” clubs.
Additionally, the LFP has requested Lens to move their home game against Nantes on 9 May forward by one day if PSG advance to the Champions League semi-finals.
