PSG request for postponement of Ligue 1 fixture ahead of the Liverpool clash

Paris Saint-Germain have requested that their Ligue 1 away game against RC Lens, scheduled for Saturday, 11th April, be moved to a later date.

In their request to the league body, LFP was to provide Les Parisiens a rest between their Champions League quarter-finals against Liverpool FC.

L’Equipe reported that RC Strasbourg, who are through to the Conference League quarter-finals, have made similar requests. They also asked that their Ligue 1 game against Stade Brestois be postponed.

Gary O’Neil’s Alsatians will battle in the last eight against Bundesliga side Mainz.

The LFP board had already given the European champions a test last week ahead of their return leg against Chelsea, and they defeated the English side 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to progress to the last eight on 8-2 aggregate.

A decision is expected to be made by Ligue 1 when they convene on Thursday.

This is contrary to the previous case when the LFP agreed to move the league game between PSG and Nantes, which gave Les Parisiens extra days of rest to defeat Chelsea.

If this request is granted, PSG would avoid playing three decisive games in the span of six days.

Meanwhile, RC Lens seems ready to protest if the request is granted.

RMC Sports reported that they are set to reject the request. This means that the decision now rests with LFP.

 PSG will first host Liverpool in the first leg on April 8th at the Parc des Princes, before travelling to Anfield for the return on April 14th. 

PSG are requesting an additional recovery time as they did with their rearranged match against FC Nantes between their tie with Chelsea in the previous round.

Lens had initially not ruled out a rescheduling; their position has hardened following the suggestion that the match be moved to a later point in the season. 

This could leave the Sang et Or without a game for two weeks before forcing them into a congested run of three matches in a single week, a scenario they deem unfavourable.

They are just one point behind PSG, and this fixture is a crucial opportunity for them to gain ground on their direct rivals. 

A postponement could disrupt their momentum at a decisive stage of the campaign, while also potentially benefiting PSG later in the run-in. 

The LFP have the final day, and a decision is expected to come this Thursday.