Olympique Lyonnais will not receive special dispensation as they embark on their European journey this season. The club, not yet fully assured of a spot in the prestigious Champions League, must first navigate a challenging third preliminary round slated for early August. Should they succeed, the Lyon squad would then face potential play-off matches approximately two weeks later.
These crucial play-off fixtures are set to clash with the commencement of the Ligue 1 championship, where Paulo Fonseca’s team is scheduled to kick off their domestic campaign against Toulouse. In light of this scheduling conflict, the Lyonnaise management formally approached the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) via written correspondence, seeking a postponement for their inaugural Ligue 1 match.
The club underscored the broader implications for French football, asserting that granting their request would serve the sport’s overarching interests. However, the LFP has delivered a firm negative response, declining to adjust the schedule for any Ligue 1 match at the start of the season. Consequently, Olympique Lyonnais will be compelled to manage their demanding fixture list as it stands, should they successfully advance to the Champions League play-offs.