A familiar Sunday-night slot is in danger of falling silent in France. Paris Saint-Germain are scheduled to host Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc des Princes at 20:45, but a major policing operation linked to a second wave of “cheaper living” protests has put the Ligue 1 fixture under scrutiny.
PSG-Lyon faces possible postponement
The Paris police prefecture has asked the LFP to consider moving the match because of the expected scale of police deployment for the demonstrations.
The league has indicated that it is not currently planning to postpone PSG-Lyon, stressing that the game is due to take place on Sunday rather than Saturday, when the protests are scheduled. However, the LFP will follow the prefecture’s decision should the authorities formally require the fixture to be moved.
- PSG are due to face Lyon at the Parc des Princes on Sunday at 20:45.
- The police request is connected to security demands surrounding the second day of protests over the cost of living.
- The LFP does not presently intend to reschedule the game but would comply with an official order from the Paris police prefecture.
Marseille-Le Havre considered for prime time
If PSG-Lyon is shifted to Monday evening, Ligue 1+ could still retain a Sunday 20:45 match. The league has explored the possibility of moving Marseille’s home meeting with Le Havre from its scheduled 17:15 kick-off to the prime-time window.
Both Marseille and Le Havre have been approached over the potential change. Any switch would require agreement from the two clubs and would also need to be reviewed by the authorities, with Marseille facing its own difficult security situation, including a curfew.
Genesio sees no footballing issue
Marseille coach Bruno Genesio said a later kick-off would not alter his team’s preparation after the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Sturm Graz.
“Playing at 20:45 would not be a problem for us,” Genesio said. “It would not make much difference to how we prepare for the match. The issue is more for the supporters. They planned to come at a certain time and may already have arrangements for the evening, so perhaps they would not be able to get to the Vélodrome.
“That is where it could create a problem for the club. For me as a coach, 17:15 or 20:45 changes nothing.”
Ligue 1 Matchday 8 schedule
- Friday, 20:45: Brest v Nice
- Saturday, 20:45: Lens v Paris FC
- Sunday, 15:00: Monaco v Lille
- Sunday, 17:15: Rennes v Strasbourg
- Sunday, 17:15: Angers v Lorient
- Sunday, 17:15: Marseille v Le Havre
- Sunday, 17:15: Toulouse v Troyes
- Sunday, 17:15: Auxerre v Le Mans
- Sunday, 20:45: PSG v Lyon
