Paris Saint-Germain’s preparations for another European campaign have been unsettined by an off-field dispute that could cost the two-time European champions a home match and place their ground manager’s position in doubt.
| Fixture detail | Date / result |
|---|---|
| Rennes v Paris Saint-Germain, first meeting | 23 August, 2-2 at Roazhon Park |
| Proposed return match at Parc des Princes | March |
| CNOSF review deadline | 15 November |
| Ligue 1 fine for PSG | €150,000 |
Jonathan Calderwood, the Northern Irishman appointed by PSG in 2013 as the club’s ground manager, has reportedly been called to a preliminary meeting that may lead to his dismissal. His arrival from Aston Villa was a notable move at the time, making PSG the first Ligue 1 club to employ a specialist in a role long familiar in England. Calderwood had twice been named the Premier League’s leading groundsman, in 2009 and 2012.
Pitch problem leaves PSG facing an expensive decision
The case stems from the condition of the Parc des Princes pitch before PSG’s scheduled Ligue 1 opener against Rennes. The fixture order had to be reversed because the surface was judged unfit, sending the match to Rennes’ Roazhon Park instead, where the sides drew 2-2 on 23 August.
PSG attributed the failure to stage the match in Paris to the exceptional summer heat affecting France, particularly the capital and its surrounding region. The club was fined €150,000 for missing the original schedule, although it retained permission to host the reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes in March.
Rennes challenge the return to Paris
Rennes have contested that ruling, arguing that the circumstances did not justify PSG’s inability to play at home. The Breton club has taken its objection to France’s National Olympic and Sports Committee, the CNOSF, which must examine the matter and issue a non-binding opinion before 15 November.
The French league’s board will then decide whether the March match remains in Paris. The dispute could subsequently move to an administrative court.
If Rennes ultimately host the return match as originally planned, PSG would lose the matchday income associated with staging the fixture at their own stadium. For a club accustomed to setting standards across Europe, the pitch issue has also carried an internal sporting-services concern: PSG finished only fourth in Ligue 1’s pitch-quality rankings last season, behind Nice, Metz and Nantes.
