RC Lens vs PSG set to be postponed by the LFP

After their dominant display against Chelsea in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain made a postponement plea to the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), asking to move date of the clash against RC Lens who was scheduled on April 11, in-between their two Champions League quarter-finals games Liverpool on April 8 and April 14. This plea has been made to help the Parisians to increase their chances to qualify for the next round of the competition as they hope to win a second consecutive European trophy.

However, Lens vehemently rejected this possibility, evoking a risk to sporting fairness. Later, Javier Tebas, La Liga President hit out at PSG for their plea, and criticised other French club for staying silent in front against PSG. Therefore, the LFP who has the final say was set to make a decision this Thursday.

The LFP decided to postponed Lens vs PSG

Lens who is chasing their first Ligue 1 title since 1998, hoped to play a final at home against PSG who sit at the top of the league, just one point ahead but with one game in hand. It could have been a title-deciding clash with PSG set to make difficult choices while engaged in the Champions League. However, the LFP decided to unanimously postpone the game to May 13th.

It does not come to any surprise as they have regularly sided with clubs engaged in European campaign to help them go as far as possible. Nonetheless, Les Sang et Or will feel bitter following this decision that could impact their chances to win the title.

A statement from the Ligue de Football Professionnel reads:

“At the request of Paris Saint-Germain and RC Strasbourg in order to prepare in the best possible conditions for their respective quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Conference League, the Board of Directors of the LFP has unanimously decided, apart from the clubs concerned, to postpone the matches RC Lens – Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Brestois – RC Strasbourg, counting for the 29th day of Ligue 1 Mc Donald’s, on Wednesday 13 May.”

"These decisions are in line with the Board of Directors’ strong strategic line to allow France to maintain its fifth place in the UEFA index, which allows for four places in the UEFA Champions League.

“These two decisions are accompanied by a proposal made to RC Lens to adjust its schedule to bring forward the RC Lens-FC Nantes match(Matchday 33) to Friday, May 8 in the event that Paris Saint-Germain qualifies for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.”

The board has therefore decided to help all French clubs in Europe to give them better chance to improve the UEFA Index of the country.