There has been a mild stir in the French Ligue 1 after authorities, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) approved the postponement of Paris Saint-Germain’s league match due to their UEFA Champions League commitment. PSG were initially scheduled to face Nantes on April 13 for Ligue 1 matchday 29, but the fixture has now been moved by a week to April 22 because of their Champions League trip to Aston Villa on April 15.
The latest development on Monday has caused furious reactions from Nantes head coach and supporters who will now play three matches within seven days as they continue their fight to beat the drop.
PSG are runaway Ligue 1 leaders with a 19-point lead after their 3-1 win in the Classic showdown on Sunday.
They could be crowned champions immediately after the international break if they avoid defeat against Saint-Etienne on March 29 and second-placed Marseille lose at Reims.
LFP, in its ruling on Monday, restated that its common objective is to allow French clubs perform as well as possible in European competitions and thus approved PSG’s request for a postponement.
The Parisians are scheduled to host Aston Villa at Parc des Princes on April 9 and then travel to Birmingham for the return fixture on April 15.
The LFP’s decision did not go down well with Nantes who will now play their derby against Rennes (April 18) followed by PSG’s game (April 22) and Toulouse trip (April 27).
Nantes divided over LFP’s decision
Nantes appear to oppose the decision, but it looks like a divided house with club president Waldemar Kita welcoming the decision, as opposed to manager Antoine Kombouare’s sentiment.
Kombouare told the press: “At the start, we did not agree, because it is very handicapping to play three matches in one week, especially when you are fighting to stay up. But I stopped fighting battles that are useless.”
Meanwhile, Kita, is looking forward to receiving an invitation for the Champions League final from PSG if they make it to Munich in June.
Kita said: “If PSG qualifies for the semi-finals, it will be partly thanks to us, thanks to FC Nantes. I wish them well, even though I don’t think they need that to get there.
“If they reach the final, I hope they invite me. More generally, it’s a good decision by the board of directors to help clubs competing in Europe. It doesn’t benefit us, but it can help PSG.”
Assessing LFP’s decision
It is not the first time the LFP has adjusted Ligue 1 schedules to favour clubs competing in European competitions.
In 2024, PSG benefitted from a similar decision before their quarter-final clash against Barcelona last season. Marseille and Lille also had the decision in their favour, ahead of their Europa League and Europa Conference League quarter-final games last term.
LFP, as a regulatory football body in France and Monaco, are seeking to help improve the country’s coefficient in the UEFA ranking as France remains a major force in international football but French clubs have come up short in continental club competitions.
Unfortunately, no French club has lifted the prestigious Champions League trophy since Marseille lifted the crown in 1992-93 and PSG is the only French club left in the competition this season after the elimination of Lille, Brest and Monaco.
