Lens condemn PSG fixture postponement request before Liverpool clash
Paris St-Germain have provoked anger from title rivals Lens after requesting their Ligue 1 fixture be postponed to prepare for a Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) recently confirmed receipt of an application from the reigning French champions to move the top-of-the-table clash originally scheduled for 11 April.
Luis Enrique’s side face the Reds in a crucial two-legged European tie and are seeking extra rest between the high-stakes fixtures.
However, their domestic opponents, who currently sit just one point behind them in the league standings, have strongly condemned the prospect of rescheduling the match at this late stage of the campaign.
Lens question sporting integrity
Benjamin Parrot, general manager of the northern French club, released a defiant statement questioning whether the league’s governing body would actively defend domestic competition.
“The fact is, PSG made the choice of the Champions League, like Canal+, their broadcaster. Now, if the LFP doesn’t defend Ligue 1, who will?” Benjamin Parrot
Parrot argued that his side had built their squad and strategy specifically around known schedules to compete effectively across the season.
He further suggested that the capital club might have simply rotated their squad rather than requesting a delay if they held a comfortable 15-point lead at the summit.
Coefficient defence from the capital
In response to the growing controversy, a spokesperson for the Parisian outfit insisted that their European progress directly benefits the entirety of French football.
“The performances of French clubs competing in European competitions benefit French football as a whole, especially given that France currently occupies sixth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings.” PSG Spokesperson
The club highlighted the importance of securing fifth place in those rankings, which would yield up to seven European qualification spots for domestic teams.
With two French teams potentially reaching European semi-finals, the perennial league winners believe the schedule adjustment represents a vital sporting opportunity for the entire nation.
