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The league fixture between the top two in France’s top division was scheduled to take place in between the first and second legs of the Liverpool tie.
PSG are the current league leaders, with Lens just one point behind them. When the request for a postponement was submitted, Lens released a statement to oppose the idea.
“To us, it appears that a worrying trend is taking shape: that the French league is being relegated to a mere variable that can be adjusted to the European demands of certain clubs,” the statement read.
“This is unsportsmanlike and it’s difficult to find an equivalent idea in the other major European leagues.”
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The statement went on to say: “Beyond this specific case, there is a real question about whether the league is being respected.
“It is fair to question this when the league is being relegated behind other ambitions on its own soil, even though it is done lawfully.
“Racing Club de Lens is committed to fairness, clear rules and respect for all participants. We need simple rules for a fair and respected French football.”
A second match has also been postponed for the same reason, with Strasbourg’s fixture against Stade Brestois to be rescheduled due to Strasbourg competing in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League against Mainz.
Upon confirming the postponements, a Ligue 1 statement read: “At the request of Paris Saint-Germain and RC Strasbourg in order to prepare in the best conditions for their respective quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League and in the 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, to Wednesday 13 May.
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“These decisions are in line with the strong strategic direction of the Board of Directors to enable France to retain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient, which allows it to obtain four places in the UEFA Champions League.”
PSG will now have six days between the first and second legs against Liverpool in order to recover and prepare.
A statement from the club read: “Paris Saint-Germain takes note of the league’s decision, in the vote for which the club did not take part.
“This decision is consistent with the League’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the representation of French football on the European stage.
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“This rescheduling, which has already been implemented on several occasions, will enable the two French clubs still competing in European competitions – a rare situation for French football – to prepare in the best possible conditions for their upcoming fixtures.”
Last season, PSG received a similar postponement in order to better prepare for their Champions League quarter-final clash against Aston Villa, which they progressed through en route to lifting the trophy.
