Paris St Germain’s Ligue 1 clash with second-placed Lens, originally scheduled for 11 April, has been postponed to 13 May to allow the French champions more time to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Thursday.
Strasbourg’s away game at Brest, set for 12 April, has also been rescheduled to 13 May to help the team prepare for their Europa Conference League last-eight ties against Mainz, the LFP added.
“These decisions align with the board of directors’ strategic goal of helping France retain its fifth spot in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which secures four UEFA Champions League places,” the LFP said in a statement.
PSG, reigning European champions, host Liverpool three days before the postponed Lens fixture and travel to Anfield for the return leg on 14 April.
At present, PSG lead Lens by a single point in Ligue 1, with a game in hand.
Lens initially opposed PSG’s request to move the fixture. “It seems to us a worrying trend is emerging: the French league being gradually treated as a secondary adjustment variable for certain parties’ European priorities,” the club said in a statement on Monday.
