Olympique Lyonnais is set to kick off its Ligue 1 campaign on August 22 with an away fixture against Toulouse. The club had approached the French Professional Football League (LFP), seeking to reschedule this encounter, which is slated to occur just days following a crucial Champions League playoff tie. However, the LFP has declined this proposed alteration to the calendar.
The initial skirmishes between the LFP and Olympique Lyonnais have emerged even before the season’s official start. With their opening Ligue 1 match against Toulouse FC scheduled for August 22, the Rhone-based club’s management formally petitioned the professional football league for a postponement. The underlying justification for this request stemmed from the possibility that the fixture could fall squarely between the two legs of a potential Champions League qualifying playoff, should OL advance from the preceding round.
This rationale was deemed entirely valid by the Lyonnais board, prompting them to formally notify the LFP of their specific request via written correspondence.
To bolster their case, Olympique Lyonnais invoked what they termed “PSG jurisprudence,” emphasizing the broader interests of French football. They highlighted how the Parisian club had previously secured multiple fixture postponements last season, enabling them to meticulously prepare for their significant European commitments without undue pressure.
Potential playoff clash amidst league fixtures for OL
Consequently, and advocating for sporting fairness, the seven-time French champions confidently anticipated a favorable response from the League.
Unexpectedly, the Board of Directors for the French Professional Football League ultimately dismissed this proposition. The governing body firmly expressed its unwillingness to disrupt the meticulously planned television schedule for Ligue 1, especially right from the inaugural matchday.
This decision marks an initial significant calendar challenge for Paulo Fonseca‘s squad. The Gones will now face a demanding period at the close of August as they strive vigorously for a coveted spot in the UEFA Champions League.