Lens-PSG showdown in Ligue 1 moved because of PSG's Champions League clash vs. Liverpool
PARIS (AP) — The French league postponed the Ligue 1 title clash between Lens and Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday to allow PSG better preparation for its Champions League quarterfinal against Liverpool next month. Initially set for April 11, the Lens-PSG game fell in between defending champion PSG's two quarterfinal legs against Liverpool — at home three days before and away three days later. It will now be played on May 13, which falls between the last two rounds of the French championship.
Ligue 1 is enjoying a close title race , with Lens one point behind PSG having played one game more. Strasbourg's game at Brest on April 12 was also postponed by league organizer the LFP because it landed between Strasbourg's Conference League quarterfinal against German club Mainz. The LFP said in a statement that its board of directors “unanimously decided” to accept requests made by PSG and Strasbourg, adding that the decision — with did not need approval from Lens or Brest — was made in the wider interests of French soccer.
“These decisions are in line with the strong strategic direction of the board of directors to enable France to retain its fifth place in the UEFA (coefficient) index, which allows it to obtain four places in the UEFA Champions League,” the LFP said. Lens said ‘non’ Lens vehemently rejected moving the fixture, saying in a statement this week that Ligue 1 was being relegated “to accommodate the European ambitions of certain parties. ” The league had precedent, however.
It helped Marseille two years ago, moving a game against Nice due to Marseille’s Europa League quarterfinal against Benfica. Not optimistic Lens president Joseph Oughourlian said on a LinkedIn post ahead of Thursday's decision that he had “few illusions” about the outcome. Lens director Benjamin Parrot questioned if PSG's request would have happened in other circumstances.
“Would this same debate take place if PSG had a 15-point lead? Maybe they would just rotate their squad,” Parrot told L'Equipe newspaper on Wednesday. “The LFP, generally speaking, compares itself to England, Italy, Spain and Germany, but none of those leagues function in this way.