A row between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens has broken out ahead of PSG taking on Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Champions League later this month
The row between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens has taken another dramatic twist. The Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) confirmed earlier this week that they have received a request from PSG to postpone their league game against Lens.
Luis Enrique’s side are scheduled to visit Lens in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday April 11, with the fixture coming in between both legs of their Champions League tie against Liverpool. The Reds also have a league match scheduled on that day, against Fulham at 5:30pm.
But responding to the request, Lens, who are just a point behind PSG in the table, released a statement in which they referenced the 'worrying sentiment' of having the fixture moved to a later date. And now their general manager, Benjamin Parrot, has in no uncertain terms told Enrique and PSG what they should do.
He said: “The fact is, PSG made the choice of the Champions League, like Canal+, their broadcaster. Now, if the LFP doesn't defend Ligue 1, who will? If they don't defend the continuity and respect for what Ligue 1 is, who will?"
He continued to L'Equipe: “When we start the season, we have the tenth-largest budget, we build a squad and a strategy to compete in the league and the Coupe de France.
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“The fact that the reigning European champions can still be involved in European competition in the spring is good news, but it's not unpredictable.
“Yet today, they're asking us to change a known schedule, for which a plan has already been established. We realise that Ligue 1 is becoming the variable used to adjust the Champions League schedule.
"We're in a situation where one of the parties involved can't have a say. It's one thing for PSG to make the request, but for the LFP to grant it at such an advanced stage of the season. Besides, would this same debate even take place if Paris had a 15-point lead? They might simply rotate their squad."
Responding to Lens' statement earlier this week, a PSG spokesperson said: "The performances of French clubs competing in European competitions benefit French football as a whole, especially given that France currently occupies 6th place in the UEFA coefficient rankings for the 2025-2026 season.
“The stakes are high: securing fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which means better representation for French football in European competitions, with up to seven clubs qualifying. The success of French clubs in Europe also generates direct benefits for all professional clubs, not just the teams involved in these competitions.
"The prospect of seeing two French clubs reach the semi-finals of European competitions represents a significant opportunity for Ligue 1, both sportingly and economically.”