RC Lens has issued a statement responding to the contentious decision to postpone its Ligue 1 fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG requested the match be rearranged as it falls between its two Champions League quarter-final ties against Liverpool, with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) approving the appeal.
Following that ruling, Lens, which was firmly against rescheduling the fixture, released an official club statement.
It said: “While expressing its disagreement with the unanimous decision of the LFP Board of Directors to postpone the match against Paris Saint-Germain, RC Lens acknowledges it responsibly, reaffirms its determination to pursue its sporting objectives, and specifies that ticketing arrangements will be communicated individually by email to each supporter.”
Lens’ players celebrate a goal. (Photo by Francois LO PRESTI / AFP)
Lens’ irritation stems largely from the fact that it trails PSG by just one point in the Ligue 1 title race, and Luis Enrique was expected to rotate his squad for the encounter given it was squeezed between their European knockout fixtures.
The timing of matches is another source of their frustration, with Lens facing another fortnight’s break after playing Lille next weekend.
And with the fixture against PSG delayed until mid-May, Lens will be forced to contest three games in seven days at the very end of the campaign.
They may not be quite so close to the defending champion by the time the rescheduled meeting occurs – especially as PSG has a fixture in hand against Nantes to fulfil next month.
This is also a blow for Liverpool, considering PSG has no fixtures between its encounters with Arne Slot’s team, while the Reds host Fulham at Anfield between the two clashes against the European champions.
