The Groupama Stadium club resumed training on June 29 with a clear objective: peak fitness for the Champions League third qualifying round on August 4 or 5 (first leg) and August 11 (return leg). Should they advance, Lyon would face the playoff stage within the following fortnight. This tight schedule prompted their strategic request to the LFP.

In their formal correspondence, Lyon’s leadership emphasized the exceptional circumstances, drawing parallels with Paris Saint-Germain’s successful postponement requests last season. The club argued that prioritizing Champions League ambitions aligns with the broader interests of French football, particularly as Ligue 1+ now broadcasts all fixtures.

However, the LFP’s governing council, which convened via videoconference Monday evening, delivered a unanimous negative response. Their primary concern centered on the impracticality of creating scheduling gaps for a single club when the new broadcasting deal mandates extensive coverage of all matches.