Olympique Lyonnais will kick off its Ligue 1 campaign in Toulouse on August 22nd. The club had approached the LFP to rearrange this fixture, scheduled just days after a potential Champions League playoff. The LFP has declined this adjustment.
The initial disagreements between the French Professional Football League (LFP) and Olympique Lyonnais are emerging even before the season’s first whistle. Faced with an away match against Toulouse FC on August 22nd for the opening Ligue 1 weekend, the Lyon leadership sought to defer this encounter. The rationale? This particular fixture could find itself sandwiched between the two legs of a crucial UEFA Champions League playoff, should OL successfully navigate the preceding qualification round.
This presented a compelling argument for the Lyonnais board, which formally communicated its request to the LFP via official correspondence.
To bolster their position, Olympique Lyonnais invoked the ‘PSG precedent,’ underscoring the broader interests of French football. Paris Saint-Germain had previously received multiple fixture adjustments to better prepare for their European commitments.
potential playoff for ol between league fixtures
Consequently, the seven-time French champions anticipated a positive response from the League, expecting fairness to prevail.
However, the LFP’s administrative council, contrary to expectations, rejected the possibility. The governing body is unwilling to disrupt the established Ligue 1 television schedule, particularly from the very first matchday.
This decision marks an early calendar challenge for Paulo Fonseca‘s squad. The Gones will now have to exert considerable effort at the close of August to secure a coveted spot in the Champions League.
