Paris Saint-Germain received a huge morale boost ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, as the French Football League (LFP) officially approved the league champions’ request to postpone their crucial Ligue 1 match against Lens.
This decision comes as the European title holders seek to defend their crown against the English Premier League giants, and by removing a very important and decisive match in the title race from their schedule.
PSG were scheduled to face Lens on April 11, two days after the first leg against Liverpool, and just three days before traveling to England for the return leg at Anfield.
The French League approves PSG’s request
The LFP’s board of directors voted unanimously to postpone the domestic match, which was to be played at Lens’ home ground, the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
This decision guarantees Luis Enrique’s squad a full week of rest and complete focus on their Champions League quarter-final matches against Liverpool, scheduled for April 8 and 14.
The French authorities aim to ensure their leading club remains in peak physical condition for the continent’s biggest football competition.
A league statement read: “At the request of Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg, and in order to optimize their preparation for their Champions League quarter-final and Europa League matches, the league’s board of directors unanimously decided to postpone the Ligue 1 matches between Lens and Paris Saint-Germain, and Stade Brestois and Strasbourg, originally scheduled for Matchday 29, to Wednesday, May 13.”
Strasbourg faces a tough Europa League quarter-final tie, hosting Mainz before traveling to Germany for the return leg against Urs Fischer’s side.
Lens Protests: Ligue 1 Unfair
While the decision represents a victory for Paris Saint-Germain’s European ambitions, it has been met with strong and outspoken opposition from Lens. The match was not just a mid-table clash, but a title-deciding encounter between the league leaders and runners-up.
Lens trails the top spot by only one point and was eager to test itself against the reigning champions on the original date, hoping to capitalize on PSG’s European pressure and secure the three points that would bring them closer to clinching the Ligue 1 title.
In an official statement, Lens expressed its discontent with the schedule change, stating: “It seems to us that a disturbing feeling is taking root, namely that Ligue 1 is being gradually marginalized, becoming merely a subordinate variable to serve the European ambitions of certain parties.”
“Liverpool will lose 10-0 to Paris Saint-Germain”
The statement continued, “This is a bizarre conception of sporting fairness, and one that is difficult to find paralleled in other major continental competitions.”
Lens concluded its statement by questioning the respect for the competition itself, emphasizing its commitment to clear rules and respect for all stakeholders in order to ensure “fair and respectful French football.”
๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐: The French League Federation has postponed the Lens-PSG match despite Lens’s objection.
It does so to allow PSG to better prepare for the tie vs. Liverpool.
โ @RMCsport pic.twitter.com/xIxcDBKI6b
โ The Touchline | ๐ (@TouchlineX) March 26, 2026
What awaits Paris Saint-Germain after the international break?
Paris Saint-Germain will return to league action after the international break with a match against Toulouse on Friday, April 3, followed by a clash with Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on April 8.
The Parisians remain top of the Ligue 1 table with 60 points, one point ahead of Lens, and the defending champions have a game in hand.
