Olympique Lyonnais is set to kick off their Ligue 1 campaign on August 22 against Toulouse. The club had approached the Ligue de football professionnel (LFP) with a request to reschedule this fixture, which falls just days after a crucial Champions League playoff. However, the LFP has turned down this proposed alteration.
The season’s opening whistle hasn’t even blown, yet tensions are already brewing between the LFP and Olympique Lyonnais. With their first Ligue 1 fixture scheduled for August 22 against Toulouse FC, Lyon’s management formally petitioned the professional football league to push back the match. Their rationale? This particular game could potentially be sandwiched between the two legs of a critical Champions League playoff, should OL advance to that stage.
Lyon’s board considered this a wholly legitimate concern, prompting them to officially communicate their request to the LFP via written correspondence.
To bolster their case, Olympique Lyonnais invoked what they termed “PSG jurisprudence,” emphasizing the broader interests of French football. They highlighted how Paris Saint-Germain had previously secured multiple fixture postponements last season, enabling them to adequately prepare for their demanding European commitments.
Potential playoff sandwiched between league fixtures for OL
Consequently, and appealing to the principle of fairness, the seven-time French champions fully anticipated a favorable response from the League.
Yet, unexpectedly, the Administrative Council of the Ligue de football professionnel has dismissed this option. The governing body stated its unwillingness to disrupt the Ligue 1 television broadcast schedule right from the inaugural matchday.
This decision represents an initial significant scheduling blow for Paulo Fonseca‘s squad. “Les Gones” will now face a challenging end to August as they strive fiercely for potential qualification in the prestigious Champions League.
