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Ligue 1's board has approved postponing Paris Saint-Germain's crucial top-of-the-table match against RC Lens, despite strong opposition from Pierre Sage’s side.
The match was originally scheduled for April 11. However, it will not be played on the day to help the defending champions better prepare for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.
Ligue 1 postpones PSG vs Lens clash despite strong opposition ahead of UCL ties vs Liverpool
The decision, as reported by Sky Sports, announced Thursday, addresses PSG's heavy schedule, with the first leg against Liverpool set for April 8 at the Parc des Princes and the return leg at Anfield on April 14. The Lens fixture fell awkwardly between those European ties, creating a demanding sequence of three high-stakes games in roughly a week.
Ligue 1 officials cited player welfare and efforts to manage congestion for clubs involved in European competitions as key reasons for the move, which also impacts related fixtures in the calendar. PSG currently leads the Ligue 1 standings by a narrow margin over second-placed Lens, who have played one game more in a tighter-than-usual title race.
Meanwhile, earlier, Lens strongly opposed the change in the schedule, issuing statements that moving the match would disrupt their preparations and risk "sporting fairness" in the title chase. The club stated that it would force them into an extended period of inactivity followed by a crammed schedule.
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